We believe strongly that while a computer
is often an integral part of a good business system, it is not the whole
system. Indeed, what is not part of the computer is sometimes more
important to effective office management that what is computerized. And
neglect of this aspect can make even the best-designed computer system
fail.
The demands of technology often make this emphasis on good manual business
systems hard to find within larger firms, where over-worked Information
Systems departments must refuse any project that does not require their
special computer expertise. Consequently there is a real scarcity of
Business Systems Analysts, and managers wishing to “systemate before they
automate” are left largely on their own.
We believe in developing good systems, whether wholly manual, partly
supported by a computer, or fully computerized and in helping non-systems
managers to better organize and manage their area of responsibility
through the application of sound systems principles.
Part of our development mandate then, will involve paying attention to the
work-flow, the manual processes and establishment of the goals for the
system, not just building the means fit into existing procedures to reach
existing goals. We see it as an integral part of our professionalism to
raise questions and make suggestions wherever the software system we are
developing impacts on management. Whether our clients accept our
suggestions or not is, of course, up to them, but we are not doing our job
if we don’t bring options and alternatives to their notice.
The most important part of any development
project is the relationship of trust and understanding that must be
established between client and consultant; while price will always remain
a significant factor, it is no longer paramount. To earn that trust, we
recognize that our role is to understand your needs and help you to meet
them within your budget.
What we are offering, therefore, is confidence that we will be there to
quickly meet immediate needs, to respond to changing needs and to provide
ongoing support in many areas important to small business systems today
and tomorrow. Our goal is to be your key systems support for a long time,
rather than just sell you a system.
To provide well-rounded support, we offer complete systems analysis and
design, including:
A good part of your system has already been
written, whatever your application may be. All database applications have
certain functions in common: the need for security, for finding specific
records in a given database, for presenting menus of options and
navigating around the system, and for identifying and handling errors.
Our success and your satisfaction is based on this concept of “reusable
code.” Not having to re-invent the wheel makes development faster and
allows a focus on the parts of the system that are unique to you; the
quality already built in to the common modules reflects the feedback
received from many previous clients about what they like to see in
practical, usable systems.
While reusable code offers many advantages, your system need not be
constrained by it. If your application is special and must meet your exact
specifications, then it can be built using only some of the modules, or
none at all, from the ground up. But even here the experience gained from
developing other systems will ensure you receive the finest design and
fastest development possible.
