You learn a lot of important lessons when you do something for twenty years. The good news is, our clients are the ones who get to benefit from these lessons. When we take on a project, we’re able to do it better, faster, and more cost-effectively because of what we’ve learned over the years, working with all kinds of businesses and just about every type of software solution.
So, what have we learned, and how can you benefit from this?
Your business has likely grown to the point that your whole team knows that the right software will really help you take the business to the next level. It will tie together the different business functions, such as operations, sales, finance, and marketing. This software will improve communication and workflow with your vendors and your customers.
As you embark on getting these solutions developed, consider these important lessons:
Own Your Vendors: One trap clients fall into with other developers is allowing them to hold the keys (i.e. passwords) to software, tools, or data that have been integrated into the company’s custom software. That can hold you and your business hostage. Make sure these accounts are registered in your business’s name.
You Can’t Be Too Safe: But you can be too lax with your cybersecurity planning. We’ve seen too many businesses over the years assume a cybersecurity breach can’t happen to them. And then it does. An ounce of prevention…can literally mean the survival of your business.
Documentation: Document. Document. Document! Documentation is a vital part of the project. The time spent documenting your custom software now will save loads of time and money when your business is ready to add new features or integrate other software. Additionally, should you choose (or be forced through unforeseen circumstances) to hire a new developer, they’ll need a roadmap to work from. A good developer will document your software both in the code itself and with other documents, including flow diagrams and manuals.
Engagement: Creating the best solution for a client means more than coding skills. It means understanding their business model, what success means to them. That’s why it is important to stay engaged with a client, to learn the desired business outcomes.
Data Backup: Just like cybersecurity protections, backing up data often takes a backseat and only comes up once the unthinkable happens. Once data is lost, it’s gone forever. Backing up data can mean the life or death of a business. It’s also important to have a restoration plan -- how will data be restored in a way that ensures business continuity.
Strategic Planning: As a Software Developer, you might think our focus is solely on code and software stacks and user experiences. But that all depends on your strategic planning: your business plan, cybersecurity plan, training plan, incident response plan, budget and resource allocation, etc. When we can lay custom software over well-planned business processes, the outcomes are noticeably better.
CEOs and business owners often feel a little uneasy when hiring a software consultancy to help them create the software and technology they need to grow and protect their assets. After all, they’re talking to a service provider with a completely different set of expertise. That’s why working with a consultancy that has proven experience will alleviate those nerves and replace uncertainty with confidence.
While engaging with clients for over two decades, including ten years as Sol Minion Development, we have learned the lessons that enable us to deliver the solution and the experience your team needs. That’s what the right software consultancy delivers. It’s about more than just software.
Contact us now to discuss your project.