Back in the bad old days, only really big companies could justify or afford the costs associated with hiring a team of
software developers to analyze their needs and to create custom software solutions. Even then, only a small percentage
of projects actually succeeded in reaching the point where users could actually do something productive with the
software.
That was then, this is now.
Today, companies ranging from mid-sized to small businesses are joining with their Fortune 500 counterparts in finding
that well-designed and properly executed custom software solutions are not only cost-effective in the short term but
exceptional long-term investments as well. Nevertheless, pitfalls abound for the naïve and uninformed.
Generally, small companies will not have the staff available to handle any but the smallest projects. Larger companies
often have a technical staff geared more to computer and network support and maintenance than to software
development.
Software interface design requires considerable creativity in addition to a high level of technical knowledge. Equally
important, few companies count software project management and documentation expertise among their staff. Projects
pursued without these critical skills are often costly and frustrating for all involved.
