Hey guys,

Helping a small company become modernized and had a few questions.

I'm helping a lawn spray company (similar to chemlawn), get everything organized in their office. In doing so I've contacted a couple of vendors about software packages that do everything from contact management, program management, routing, invoicing and everything else I could want.

I've come across a particular package which I'm interested in, but am not at all interested in the pricing structure. I was quoted 5K for the software package, + $1500 in data conversion, $1k additional license, and $2,500 for the "mapping assistant" software. After viewing the demo, I realized the mapping software is MS map point. They are basically exporting a list of accounts from their package into map point. I questioned the sales person about the $2,500 for the map point software when it is available for much less otherwise. I haven't heard back yet, but I'm assuming I've caught him a bit off guard with that. Had the software not been broken out in that way, I would have probably not had a problem.

There is also a $120 a month support fee that for the software that doesn't terminate.

The installation needs 3 days of onsite support by a technician. I also have to incur those expenses. What do you think about this pricing structure?

On another note, I work with another company that uses software that was made in access. What do you guys think about me trying to make my own software in access, as what I need is really just a complex set of tables, reports, and forms.

I really like their software, but the way the pricing is laid out has turned me off. What do you guys think?

[Edited on June 18, 2009 at 6:34 PM. Reason : f]

6/18/2009 6:31:33 PM

oooohhh, and I have to buy all of my forms from them... .09-.12 a sheet.

6/18/2009 6:35:05 PM

Build vs. Buy, that IS the question.

Quote :

"What do you guys think about me trying to make my own software in access, as what I need is really just a complex set of tables, reports, and forms."

Maintenance is a nightmare, as is any possibility of trying to expand the features / functionality down the road (which will happen). Don't do it.

The pricing structure doesn't surprise me. Common for independent software vendors to rebundle and relicense bits and pieces of software and then sell a single package that serves a good / useful function. The sales person sounds like they did a good job. I would get a hold of a technical sales person you can hammer with additional questions to make sure you get everything you need answered before making a decision.

6/18/2009 7:10:14 PM

This sounds sketchy as hell.

I would definitely recommend that you buy a tailored solution, but this company is locking you into their solution at every angle. The paper thing really throws it over the edge for me. Map Point isn't actually that suprising, it's a very commonly used commercial mapping solution, and the 2500 you are paying for it is more than just the box.

Go look at:
http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/default.mspx and find a partner.

Dynamics + an integrated MapPoint solution should give you everything you're looking for.

6/18/2009 7:50:56 PM

So what's your budget? I'm a IT Program Manager mainly dealing with Microsoft technologies (my last project was a $500k implementation of Project Server). I'm also a corporate member of the Microsoft TAP program (evaluating, testing pre-pre-release products, invitation by MS account teams only).

Have you looked at using a Microsoft Sharepoint 2007 (MOSS 2007) solution for an office intranet? Sharepoint out of the box provides a lot of functionality, but there are many Microsoft partners that provide 3rd party webparts.

It sounds like you may not be able to nail down requirements with this client. Sharepoint is a modular solution, meaning as the requirements backlog grows, you can prioritize and purchase additional 3rd party webparts to meet the business needs.

There are vendors out there that provides installation, hosting, support for Sharepoint intranets. It's worth a look in my opinion.

6/23/2009 2:41:27 AM

^I don't really see how MOSS would do much to help him.

6/23/2009 3:50:58 AM

^ There are specific 3rd party MOSS packages that do the sort of things he described

6/23/2009 10:34:47 AM

^There is a specific Microsoft product line (Dynamics) that does what he wants. MOSS is great, don't get me wrong, but using it for running a service company makes no sense whatsoever.

6/23/2009 2:40:55 PM