If your business is like most, you probably find that your IT staff is overwhelmed with maintenance and support activities and the endless stream of projects that inevitably arises from enterprise growth and change. When it is time to develop an application or a software product for market, your IT team may not have the time or the skills to do the work.
OK, I’ll admit it. Last week, I nearly got kicked out of a nice restaurant in the city. Why? Because my friend, Lucy was telling me about her company’s business decision to build a software product, and she said this, “Our team can handle it. We do application development all the time.” That statement was all it took to drive me over the edge. Call me crazy, but I have lived through enough so-called software product development projects to know that, without the right team and skill set, the project is doomed to fail. No, I am NOT being overly dramatic!
Elegant MicroWeb worked with a UK eConsulting, Market Research business to design a web-based widget to measure customer satisfaction and increase customer loyalty. Customers were asked just one question. Responses were analyzed to enhance and improve products and services over the period. The widget had to be easy to configure, and easy to promote and use. Personalized emails were sent, so users could respond without the need to register. Feedback request could be offered via various web channels to maximize participation.
Why can’t your IT consulting partner be like your best friend? Your best friend is always there to answer your call. When you are in trouble, your best friend helps you out. When you are having trouble making a decision, your best friend is the voice of wisdom. You can always count on your best friend to be on the other end of the phone when something important happens in your life.
Imagine a world where your technology partner and IT consultant is ‘always there for you’. Wouldn’t that be great? Pick up the phone and get experienced, skilled assistance. Ask a question and get an answer. Imagine a world where your IT consultant fulfills promises and offers creative, informed solutions. Does your best friend care about you? Of course! Does your IT consultant or partner care about you? Are they really focused on your success and on providing you with the best support or do they just make empty promises
The decision to create a software product is complex and can be overwhelming. While your marketing and sales staff may be excited by the proposition of generating more revenue and improving the visibility of the brand and customer access to products and/or services, the IT staff and executive management team will probably shy away from creating a software product.
If the IT staff does not have experience in creating and supporting software products, the executive team would be right in turning down this kind of project. But, if the concern is about cost and control, and there is a good case for improving customer satisfaction, revenue and branding and optimizing resources and marketing campaigns, the business should seriously consider outsourcing its software product development.
Scotland will vote on an independence proposition on September 18, and Elegant MicroWeb, of Ahmedabad, India, wishes the Scottish people the best during this important time in their history. In 2001, just two years after the Scottish Parliament was established, it became the first of many organizations throughout the United Kingdom to join hands with Elegant MicroWeb and Organized Feedback (Formerly CommunityPeople Ltd) of Edinburgh, Scotland, to embrace the concept of eDemocracy.
Elegant MicroWeb CEO, Kartik Patel said. “With remarkable foresight, the Scottish Parliament launched a technology outreach program to involve Members in the political process, and became the first legislature in the world to webcast debates, allowing citizens to discuss proposed legislation online.”
