Hire a Trusted Industry Leader for Enterprise Applications. 40+ expert software developers to take on your largest projects. $10,000 Budget Minimum.
www.PNWSoft.com
Enterprise IT change management software. Document changes, identify who did what, when and why. Auditory compliance with automated ITIL audit trails.
Fact sheets | Demo | Contact
www.intasoft.net
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www.IngenuxCustomSoftware.com
Custom solutions for your Business .NET, MVC, MSSQL, C#, VB, eCom
www.CompassConsult.com
Microsoft certified, all databases all open source, Flash, Air, GIS
www.3si2.com
Application Development Software. Free Comprehensive Directory.
Capterra.com
Looking to improve your Software Development Processes? SpiraTeam is a complete Software Development Management System. Web Based. Free Download.
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Varsys is a leading Chicago software development company. We provide a full spectrum of custom web development and software outsourcing services.
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Pacific Northwest Software was founded in 1998 and has provided a wide variety of custom & virtual development services for various organizations.
www.pnwsoft.com
Allows users to connect digital and analog process signals to their Ethernet network for interacting with a Web browser or software application.
www.integpg.com
Custom computer programming Located in Cleveland Ohio
www.specializedbusinesssoftware.com
Experts in Global Delivery Model Desktop, Web & Mobile Solutions
www.alliancetek.com

On-demand requirements management software helps you capture, track and manage requirements for your products and projects. Get 30-day Trial.
www.accompa.com
Application software development company for Internet, intranet, wireless and ecommerce.
www.akela.ro
Automation software for businesses and IT departments. Easily configure and manage software behavior. Download trial.
www.AutomationAnywhere.com
Application Development Software. Free Comprehensive Directory.
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Provider of custom application development services, specializing in building distributed, XML Internet applications using COM , COM+, DCOM, ASP and related technologies.
www.dcomsols.com
Developer of custom software and database applications. Enterprise level development at affordable small business prices.
www.dkpcode.com
Provider of bespoke software development and outsourced software system maintenance to international customers. Additional services include project management and IT management consulting.
www.dnp-services.com
Offshore software development company specializing in .NET, PHP, JAVA, and mobile technologies.
www.dotcominfoway.com
Offshore Software Development, Custom Programming Services and Outsourcing Software Company.
www.effectivesoft.com
Looking to improve your Software Development Processes? SpiraTeam is a complete Software Development Management System. Web Based. Free Download.
www.inflectra.com/SpiraTeam
Enterprise IT change management software. Document changes, identify who did what, when and why. Auditory compliance with automated ITIL audit trails.
www.intasoft.net
Allows users to connect digital and analog process signals to their Ethernet network for interacting with a Web browser or software application.
www.integpg.com
MentorMate takes a needs-first approach to mobile/web/custom software development, web marketing, and business/technology consulting.
mentormate.com
Get your geek on! Orlando, FL has the infrastructure, talent and education for your business. Download your free report now.
www.orlandoedc.com
Custom Software Development company with hundreds of successful releases. We build rich internet web applications, desktop and mobile applications.
www.pathf.com
Pacific Northwest Software was founded in 1998 and has provided a wide variety of custom & virtual development services for various organizations.
www.pnwsoft.com
Hire a Trusted Industry Leader for Enterprise Applications. 40+ expert software developers to take on your largest projects. $10,000 Budget Minimum.
www.PNWSoft.com
Transoft provides software development solutions and application modernization services worldwide.
www.transoft.com
Varsys is a leading Chicago software development company. We provide a full spectrum of custom web development and software outsourcing services.
www.varsys.com
Provider of Internet development, graphic design, user interface design, database design, server administration and security consulting.
www.ware.net
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High Quality Software Development Will Improve Your Business Call Now
www.IngenuxCustomSoftware.com
Custom solutions for your Business .NET, MVC, MSSQL, C#, VB, eCom
www.CompassConsult.com
Microsoft certified, all databases all open source, Flash, Air, GIS
www.3si2.com
Building custom software for your business is a daunting task. If you don't possess the necessary skills and lack time to learn them, then hiring an expert in the field is your best approach.
Building software is a complex process, and hiring your 17-year old brother in law to build an interface to your accounting package is like handing a hammer to a 3-year old - they might hammer in a nail, or they might destroy your home.
Read on to learn how to find and evaluate software firms and freelance consultants.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Finding a company
Finding a company is one of the most difficult parts of the process. With so many firms offering software development services it's hard to sift the wheat from the chaff.
I recommend: Talk to other entrepreneurs or business acquaintances; it's very likely someone you know has experience with a software or web consulting firm and can make a recommendation.
Look for experts in the field by finding people who publish books and articles. For example, for ASP.NET development, asp.netPRO magazine is a great source for knowledgeable consultants.
Keep in mind the wide variation in pricing; off-shore firms charge $15-60/hour, domestic freelancers charge $35-65/hour, experts in the field (people who publish articles and books) charge $75-150/hour, and most domestic firms charge $75-150/hour.
Remember that location may not matter if you are confident in your ability to communicate via email and telephone. Plenty of good software is built with no face to face contact.
Experience is crucial
With the abundance of firms offering their services it should be easy to find one that has done work in the past similar to what you want.
I recommend: Ask for links or samples of their work. If they've only built desktop applications and you want an application that runs on the web, move along.
Ask for the specific experience of the team that will work on your project. A larger firm may have 50 employees, and one team's experience does not transfer to other teams.
Take a look at their website. If it looks hideous, perhaps they aren't the people you want building your software.
References are also key
Some companies build beautiful software, but you'll want to be sure you can get along with them and that they service their customers after the product is launched. Maintenance is critical to an application's success.
I recommend: Ask for references. If a company can't give you three solid email or telephone references of past clients, consider removing them from the list.
Perform a Google search on the company or person's name to find out if there have been any problems in the past.
Certifications and publications show they're involved
There are many technical certification available. While certifications do not carry as much weight as experience, they do indicate that the person was dedicated enough to study and take the test, and that they have a basic understanding of the subject. Publications show that the person is involved in their community, communicates well, and has a mastery of the subject matter.
I recommend: Look for certifications and publications as added support of a developer's expertise in the field. For more information about Microsoft certifications and what they mean, click here. For Java, click here. For PHP, click here.
Should you consider off-shore vendors?
Off-shoring has the potential to save you money. If you can specify your project to a high level of detail, in writing, then consider off-shoring; if your project is still a somewhat vague idea in your head, consider pursuing a domestic firm. Some things to be aware of are the significant time difference and potential language barriers. If you have trade secrets or store private customer data be sure to use a reputable off-shore firm.
I recommend: Use the same criteria listed above to evaluate off-shore vendors. Do not let low price fool you - you will have to live with your software for a long time and you will be much happier if you invest wisely up-front instead of having to do a re-write later on.
One final note: Global intellectual property law is fuzzy, and according to some recent news, an off-shore firm could feasibly offer your software to your competitors without legal ramifications.
Don't use the cheapest vendor
There is a huge difference in the end result of someone who knows what they're doing and someone who talks like they know what they're doing. If you're not a programmer yourself it's likely you won't be able to tell the difference.
I recommend: Be cautious when using sites like elance and guru. You will find diamonds in the rough on these sites, but they are also heavily populated with students who are still learning the technologies. It's hard to tell the difference without in-depth technical knowledge so find someone to ask who's an expert in the field.
Making the decision
It's time to decide between the vendors you've evaluated.
I recommend: Find 2-3 vendors that fit the above criteria and go with the one you think you will enjoy working with the most. If you've stuck to the recommendations above it will be hard to go wrong with whomever you choose.
If you every need a second opinion feel free to contact me here.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • Smaller firms will likely give you more one on one attention than larger firms.
- • Developers with 'public' faces, such as bloggers and those who publish books and articles have more accountability since they are in the public eye.
Hire a Trusted Industry Leader for Enterprise Applications. 40+ expert software developers to take on your largest projects. $10,000 Budget Minimum.
Enterprise IT change management software. Document changes, identify who did what, when and why. Auditory compliance with automated ITIL audit trails.
Fact sheets | Demo | Contact
Automation software for businesses and IT departments. Easily configure and manage software behavior. Download trial.
Free Trial | Replace Batchfile | Screenshots | Macro SDK




