Web Solutions: Out-Of-The-Box Vs. Out-Of-Pocket, Out-Of-Time

"Customware" from Internet Ambitions offers a middle-of-the-road alternative to full solution customization.

Following weeks of analyzing business issues and discussing cost and time-to-market concerns, a potential client seeking a Web-based solution for sales performance tracking, notified us that they had made a decision to go with an alternate provider of sales force automation solutions because their solution was readily deployable and "free for the first 6 months".

This, needless to say, was a big disappointment. Where did we go wrong? We have excellent references, we are extremely cost-competitive and our standards for client intimacy and service are matched by no other in the industry -- at least we haven't found a firm yet offering a comparable package. So again, where did we go wrong?

Our company's greatest pain was attempting to create workable solutions custom designed to solve our clients' very unique and complex business challenges. Translation: solutions that, when stacked up against the out-of-the-box offerings promising immediate and positive returns for more general applications, lost their luster and lure for clients with limited patience and funding.

The client's view of the world is often times clouded by their very specific business plan, and to coax them into seeing the big picture and understanding the potential risks in implementing the quick fix is a battle that is often lost before it has even begun.

Understanding the aggressive nature of the market we operate in, and the necessity for speed and results, we have come to a middle ground and have created solutions for our clients that contest the negatives of customization: time and cost.

Custom ware! What you ask? You heard us, Custom ware. And no, it's not just another buzzword that "techies" love to throw about to confuse the very people they are attempting to help. It's quite simple, really. Custom ware is a blended approach to development, combining the advantages of traditional software products with the advantages of custom solution development.

Why would we do this? To better address the needs of the Internet Ambitions client: speed-to-market and minimized investment and risk. As a growing enterprise you already have the pressures that come standard with the entrepreneurial venture -- we should know, as an organization born of the same visionary fortitude.

Out of our research and development efforts with a number of clients representing various industries have evolved modular applications with standardized features that address needs unique to key vertical markets. We have taken, what were once customized requests, and after recognizing their broad applicability, incorporated them into our "standard" product offering.

You as the client are provided with a fundamental application architecture from which to build upon and enhance as your business develops. Time-to-market is dramatically decreased over that when implementing a fully customized solution, as you are not developing business and technical requirements from scratch. Competitive products may exist, but most assuredly will not incorporate features tailored to meet the specific needs of your industry, let alone your business. Upgrades are easily adaptable and less costly due to the modular, scalable architecture. Most importantly, results are proven from past implementations.

The client is always right, and although we are not always in complete agreement with the strategy they wish to deploy, all we can do is provide the best business case for their benefit and future business success... and continue to come up with bigger and better ideas like Custom ware to satisfy their needs fast and to satisfy their needs smart!

Yale Rieck
Principal
Internet Ambitions
yar@i-ambitions.com

I-Ambitions is a subsidiary of Harmony Web, Inc., providing custom development, hosting and strategic advisory consulting services to emerging and growing businesses. I-ambitions helps new ventures capitalize on the efficiencies and new capabilities of emerging technology to speed time-to-market, reduce operating costs and build sustainable competitive advantage.

Please feel free to contact us, for a confidential, no obligation discussion of your needs and specific business issues.