Computer programs tell your computer how to work. Most early computers came with a disk operation system (dos) which basically tells the computer how to operate. Other programs are added to the computer to perform other functions like word processing, spreadsheet, database, communications, games, etc. Most of these are highly developed programs that have been written, tested and documented and many have classes available to learn how to use them. Most personal computers today come with some form of Microsoft Windows (Win 98, Win NT, Win ME, Win 2000, Win XP, etc). These programs may have limited ways that you can change them to suit your needs if you can figure out how to do it. If you can find a program that does what you need, exactly as you need it done, then this is generally the least expensive way to go.
If you can't find a program for you, then someone may be able to design one. They will charge you for the program, any other programs that are needed to run the program, time to make any other modifications you need, and time to show you how to use it. Most documentation for these special programs is developed as you use it. Very little documentation is usually available because it is a custom program that is changed to suit your needs. When complete documentation is needed, you usually pay for the time it takes to do it.
I have developed custom software for several industries over the past 20 years. Special timber programs cover many tasks that cover work such as: timber cruises, producer & hauler systems, land management systems, sawmill log entry systems, sawmill inventory systems, lumber sales systems, etc. Maintenance programs include timber equipment maintenance, hospital building equipment maintenance, mass transit systems equipment maintenance, auto shop repair, and others. Other programs include sales management, office management, medical billing systems, insurance agency policyholder systems and agent’s commission statement generation. All of these programs currently combine features from work needed by over 100 companies in the business and with some modification may be able to suit your needs. At the time of demonstration I determine whether most of your needs can be met or not. If it looks like your needs are radically different from what I have, I do not recommend my product. Many years of work have gone into these programs and there are many companies that can use them as they now exist if they do not need to be 100% perfect for their needs. Minor modifications and improvements are made as part of the training/development time that is sold with each package.
A program will be demonstrated that includes many of the features that we think you need. It will be a combination of features from several other companies in your line of business and will have a startup manual to be used for initial training. If you purchase a package as it is quoted, custom files will be developed for you that combine the features you need and these will be further customized during your training/development time. More documentation will be added to the startup manual by actually printing from your screen the instructions that you need as you perform them. You are also expected to document your personal instructions for other employees as needed.
Your quotation will include a set amount of
time for development and training. Additional time can be
purchased if needed. The initial time will cover the information
(except some report creation and development features in the
"runtime menu") you need to know from the startup
manual. Improvements may be added later for the cost of the time
it takes to add them and show you how to use them. However, some
new additions or changes affect the way your old program works and
you may have to make some adjustments to use them or pay to have
the new programs do what your old programs did.