Technique Development has written scores of database applications
for clients from a variety of industries. Can we create one for
YOU?
We'd like you to know a little about ourselves and our database
applications development services.
Database Implementation
For a consultant or developer to successfully implement a database
application requires:
 Completely understanding the problem
to be solved.
Thoroughly planning the
design before starting
Choosing the right development
tools
Knowing how to get the
most out of the development tools
Maintaining good communication
between the client and the consultant
Technique Development has a proven track record and years of experience.
We are able to properly translate a client's requirements into
the screens and reports he needs. This comes only with years of
experience setting up systems for a variety of businesses.
Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf Software
 Advantages of Off-the-Shelf
Software
If you can find an off-the-shelf software package that will do
at least 80-90% of what you want and you are willing to bend your
business practices to fit the requirements of the package, then
it may be the best solution for your business. It is usually more
cost effective (roughly 10%-25% of the cost of custom software)
and it usually has lots of well thought out features, culled from
the input of several users. Also, it's easier to buy, because
you don't have to be involved with the design and implementation.
Disadvantages
For many businesses, however, off-the-shelf software is not appropriate.
It is common for businesses to discover that their off-the-shelf
package won't always provide the information and capabilities
that they need to effectively run their business. It is often
hard to locate the right package (or even any package) and you
must wait months or years for the manufacturer to make updates
that you need yesterday.
Advantages of Custom
Software
An investment in custom software can be an investment in the
future of your business. If you have a clear idea of what you
need to be more productive, to generate more sales or to make
your company more efficient, then custom software provides an
avenue for realizing your goals. As you come up with new ideas
or as your business changes, the software can be adapted to the
new situation. As your business grows, your software can grow
with it.
An Alternative
Some businesses choose an alternate route which can provide the
best of both worlds -- off-the-shelf software with custom add-ons.
Technique Development has written several such applications and
this may be appropriate for your situation.
 Selecting Development Tools
Development Tools are the foundation of the database products
that we provide. Therefore, it is crucial for us as database consultants
to select the right development environment. Like any company,
our resources are limited, therefore we must carefully choose
the best tools. We use the following criteria to determine which
tools will do the best job:
 power of the language
to quickly develop easy to use applications
operating speed
of the developed applications
market presence
of the tool (will the tool be around in the future, assuring future
support for developed applications)
runtime license
policy of the manufacturer (no cost preferable)
synergy with other
selected tools
What follows is a list of development tools that we recommend
and that we use for our database projects. We are highly skilled
at using these tools on the following platforms:
Development Tools
We Use
Windows is our most popular platform (Windows 98/Windows 95/Windows NT 4.0)
Visual FoxPro 5.0,
FoxPro 2.6, Access 97
Microsoft SQL Server 6.5
Visual Basic 5.0
Microsoft Office 97, WordBasic, Excel Macros
we know how to implement OLE, DDE,
MAPI, Windows API and Help Files in our applications
Macintosh applications can also be developed
FoxPro 2.6
Microsoft Office 4.3,
WordBasic, Excel Macros
DOS is supported
FoxPro 2.6, Clipper 5.x
Cross Platform is no problem
(Windows, Macintosh and DOS)
FoxPro 2.6
MultiUser Environments
are supported at no additional cost
Windows/NT Server
Novell Netware
Additional Expertise
We can link a database application to any other program, including
Desktop Publishing
-- for product catalogs, price lists, directories
Accounting -- for
reporting, special computations, analysis
Word Processing
-- for mail merge, boiler plate documents
Spreadsheets --
for sophisticated what-if analysis of data
Contact Managers
-- for additional processing of or analysis of data
We also have experience with these specialized database applications:
Internet -- for
linking databases to the World Wide Web, so that users can
query and modify the data remotely
Modems -- for distributed
databases that are updated via modem or other communications link
CD-ROM -- for kiosk
type applications, database centered multimedia applications
Client/Server --
for linking database to
Installation Programs
-- for distributing applications to several end users
Encryption -- for
distributing data that can't easily be copied
If your application requires extensive graphics or design, we
can provide an artist who can create a visually exciting look
for the application's screens, buttons, reports or documents.
Our Rates
Our hourly rate is $90/hr. Our years of experience and
extensive library of reusable code means that we are efficient
and can finish the project in less time than other less experienced
programmers, often at a lower cost than someone with a significantly
lower rate.
While it is difficult to generalize -- every project has its own
requirements -- we can give you a rough idea of what you should
expect. Our projects typically range between $2,000 to
$8,000 for a complete system, including training and follow-up
support. Many of our projects come in at the lower end of this
range. The total time to implement an application usually ranges
from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the complexity of the project.
If you are interested and want to get a better idea of the costs,
just give us a call or send E-mail to Technique Development.
The initial consultation is free and there is no obligation whatsoever.
If you are considering a database project,
send E-mail to info@techdev.com.
After our initial contact, we will arrange a complementary initial
meeting at your office. At that time I will be able to learn about
your plans and give you an idea of what is feasible, how much
it will cost and the time frame for implementation. After listening
carefully to your needs and concerns, we can together determine
whether and in what way Technique Development can best be of service
to you.
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