What is meant by "custom DataBased Software?" Well the fastest way to understand might be to
look at some examples. You may want to take a moment to scroll through the
custom program examples
There are two broad areas to consider for a custom DataBased Program.
Shuffling, sorting, or compiling 'data' is pretty much how most people use their accounting program, as an example. You enter bills when they come in and they are "sorted" into expense accounts. PLUS you get a report that tells you what you owe. PLUS you can do something with the accounts you owe, that is, you can automatically produce a payment. In this example you saved time by handling the "source" data, the invoice, only once and doing multiple things with it. Shuffling, sorting, or compiling 'data' is by far the most common form of "custom databased program." |
Gaining "Wisdom from Data" Knowledge is a process of piling up facts;In an accounting program you can improve on the statements by having the program perform some calculations for your analysis. You can "age" your accounts payable or compare this year's expenses with last year's expenses. Similarly you can design your custom program to watch for certain conditions and then alert you. One chap was concerned with loses at his business. He started by having the program e-mail him overnight a summary report of the day's transactions. From that he spotted a trend. Next he had the program e-mail his text capable cell phone a short note whenever a certain transaction took place. He was able to catch several of his staff in a fraud. Naturally most applications are not so dramatic. But the preceding example was meant to illustrate one of the many ways you can harness the power of the computer to your advantage. (I'd love to tell you about more but this is getting long. I'll post them. Be sure to sign up for the "update notification") |
How do you know if a custom DataBased Program will benefit you? Sometimes you will see the need. You may have staff storing lists in a word processor or spread sheet. Neither are the right tools for such a job. Maybe you have sent staff to a course on a simple database like Access and are starting to have trouble with "dirty data". Maybe you have watched staff re-enter information into another program. Maybe you are just tired of hearing "I can't give you that information." Answering "yes" to any of these questions means you should at least pursue it further.
In other cases you won't think to ask about a program because you might not have realized it could be done. That is why I've provided a list of custom program examples to get you thinking about the possibilities.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is to spend a few minutes showing me around your
business. Tell me about your customers, your problems, what makes your business special. Sometimes
I can offer a suggestion or two. Some of those might not be cost effective.
Others might bring you more sales, lower costs, improve quality, enhance customer loyalty,
save you time, ...
That is why I say "Let's talk about YOUR business" 529-9427
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