I develop software applications to the client’s brief for Windows, Apple Mac and Linux systems. I’ve extensive experience in writing business systems for various industries including Financial Software, Insurance, Manufacturing (MRP), Online Retail, Private Medical Insurance, Properties, Publishing, Travel,
Initial Client Meeting
The development process starts with a first client meeting – ideally in person, but could be achieved via Zoom or on the phone. We chat about what the client wants to achieve, and I ask questions pertinent to the software implementation. Additionally, I suggest other things that they maybe haven’t thought about.
Quotation
I then go away and produce a quote for the client – itemising what I consider to be essential items for the project, plus optional items which could be implemented in the future. The quote is in a written form and is normally emailed to the client – detailing what I would be providing for this job, and for how much.
Jobs are normally charged on a per-project basis, but can be charged on an hourly rate.
Implementation Meeting
The client and I then have an implementation meeting. Are there things they no longer want to have created or has the quote raised other requirements they’d like to have?
Software Development
If the project contains a lot of work, I will ask for a financial commitment from the client. If the project is abandoned without any work taking place, I will refund monies. If development work has taken place, a proportion of the money will be refunded.
Inevitably, I will ask additional questions of the client – to ensure my understanding of what they want matches what I’m intending to provide to them.
Programmer Testing
Once I’m happy with the work I have done, I will perform Programmer Testing to ensure that the functions work. The software will then be released to the client for acceptance testing.
User Acceptance Testing
Once the software has been released to the client, it is their responsibility to perform User Acceptance Testing to ensure the software works in the way they expected it to.
If there are any problems I will amend the software accordingly. If a major change is required that was not originally quoted for, I will re-quote for this.
Support and Maintenance
I provide a free period of a month after software has been made live on a website for bug-fixes to be repaired. Beyond this time I charge in 10-hour support blocks, or I charge per fix or additional enhancement.
Ways of working
I prefer meetings with the client to be face-to-face, but this is not always possible.
If it’s not possible – e.g. the client is at the other end of the country, or on a different continent, then Zoom (or MS Teams) is preferred, in order that I can demonstrate by screen sharing how I intend the software to work, or how it is currently working, or the client can demonstrate something that they want to show me.
Most software work is carried out on my development machines, and then copied to the Internet for the client to install or update themselves.