[AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as JC

Porter, Mark MPorter at acsalaska.com
Wed Mar 31 17:12:00 CST 2004


I agree with this theme.  When businesses know and trust you, they are willing to hire you for things that are outside of your core skills.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dian [mailto:nd500_lo at charter.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 1:17 PM
> To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> well-connected
> as JC
> 
> 
> Well, I've been 'lurking' for a while because I'm technically 
> retired now
> and haven't been an 'official' developer for several years. 
> The reason I'm
> responding now is that Susan made a good point. I made an 
> excellent living
> doing something close to what she has suggested 
> here...focusing on what
> small business owners seemed to need the most. It all started 
> when I did a
> favor for a little bookstore and the owner was so delighted, 
> she recommended
> me to others. All I did was go into a business, analyze their business
> functions, eliminate redundant operations, tie the system 
> together (and,
> yes, for some weird reason, there was usually an Access 
> database at the
> heart of it all) and then train the employees on how they 
> could do their
> specific function faster, easier and more efficiently. When several
> customers needed new systems, I learned how to build 
> computers. When their
> networking needs became more sophisticated, I learned what I 
> needed to know
> about networking. When everyone wanted an online presence, I 
> learned how to
> create websites for them and taught them how to maintain them. In the
> process, I built little modules that could be snapped 
> together to cover just
> about anything (on a limited size basis) and I had a 
> wonderful time. It is
> possible to do it...just a matter of discovering what I was 
> good at and what
> I loved doing. It can be done. By the way...hi, everybody!
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of 
> Susan Harkins
> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 5:55 AM
> To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> well-connected as
> JC
> 
> I have long thought that the way to make money with 
> Access/SQL Server or
> really any program that you can manipulate vai code is to 
> make small modules
> that make the user's life easier, not a finished package per 
> se. Now Rocky
> may have the once in a lifetime great idea that has a large 
> audience, but
> most of us aren't going to experience that. What we can do, is produce
> drop-in modules that make the average user's life easier. 
> Wizards are OK,
> but most of them really won't take the user very far toward 
> getting the word
> done.
> 
> You sell a module that does something you think is really 
> rather mundane,
> but that the average user doesn't hve the experience to 
> automate. The cost
> is so small anyone can purchase it, and you make money in volume. 
> 
> Will you get rich? 
> 
> Probably not, but I still think there's potential there.  
> 
> Something as simple as a generic module that lets the user 
> determine how
> many labels to print for each record, and specify a position 
> to start on the
> first label sheet so they can use a half-used sheet of 
> labels. Both are
> something I've written about -- could easily be automated to 
> fit be dropped
> into any module and users would buy it if you only charge $5 
> or $10. There
> are tons of ideas for such a market -- but can't tell you 
> where or how to
> market them. Here's a few more -- a combo or list that automatically
> displays all the visible reports or forms in the application (omitting
> hidden and system objects I mean). These are things users 
> could really use
> and would probably pay a few bucks for. 
> 
> Everyone's busy with custom development, and there's money to 
> be made I'm
> sure, but there are ton more "users" than developers, but all 
> the products
> are for developers. 
> 
> Susan H. 
> 
> 
> Sure.  I estimate it will take to the end of the year before 
> I see any real
> results.
> 
> I've got another product cooking as well - analyzes sleep 
> disorders. Been
> working on it with an expert in the field for 4-5 years (not 
> continuously,
> of course).  Might be able to launch it this year.
> 
> Do you want to be a beta tester?
> 
> Rocky
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kath Pelletti" <SDSSoftware at optusnet.com.au>
> To: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving"
> <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 8:23 PM
> Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> well-connected as
> JC
> 
> 
> Well I wish you the very best of luck...can you let us know 
> how the sales
> go?
> 
> Kath
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software
>   To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
>   Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 9:42 AM
>   Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> well-connected as
> JC
> 
> 
>   Kath:
> 
>   In the 'old' days when I was flogging this package in DOS, 
> I thought that
>   some of them would be sold by word of mouth, people seeing 
> it, or the
>   reports that got passed around (which all had my company name in the
>   footer).  So I always wanted everyone to have the latest 
> version.  So I
>   didn't charge for it.  It was in my self-interest to have 
> them use the
> most
>   recent release.  And I'm still going to keep to that policy 
> for this new
>   version.
> 
>   If I add a module, like Order Entry, everybody will get it 
> at no cost.
> With
>   distribution by web, there really is no overhead cost to me 
> to distribute
>   it.  And good product sells more product.
> 
>   I promote the product support as a 'free phone in 
> consulting service on
> any
>   question related to the software OR manufacturing systems' 
> for the first
>   year, and $300 a year after that (about 10% of the purchase price).
> 
>   In the past I had a lot of conversations with people about 
> manufacturing
>   issues - how to structure a bill of materials, how to make up a part
>   numbering scheme, how to solve a particular work order 
> problem, etc - and
>   very few questions about how to actually run the software.  
> This added a
> LOT
>   of value to the product and didn't really take very much time.
> 
>   The key is to make a product which is so user stupid that 
> anybody who can
>   read and count to 20 can run it.  Then you don't get the 
> same question 20
>   times a day, like 'how do I run a costed inventory report?'.
> 
>   If a user doesn't want to pay the yearly maintenance then 
> they don't get
> the
>   phone support.  I could tell them they don't get the new 
> releases as well
>   but that works against me salewise.  Many people didn't pay for the
> support
>   after the first couple of years because they never called 
> me for anything.
> 
>   The other key, of course, it goes without saying, is to 
> make the product
> so
>   solid that it doesn't generate bugs and errors.  Then you 
> don't get any
>   support calls.
> 
>   BTW - I'm not a marketer or salesy type person, either.  
> But if you have
>   something you believe in it's not really selling.  And I 
> really believe in
>   this product (why not, I invented it?).  I just present the 
> product and if
>   they like it fine.  They buy it.  If not, it's like pushing 
> on a string.
> 
>   I always wanted people to feel like they got more than they 
> expected and
>   when you sell hard you overhype, raise expectations, and end up with
>   customers who expect more than you have to give.
> 
>   When people buy E-Z-MRP they feel like they just bought a 
> dollar for fifty
>   cents.  That makes selling a lot easier, too.
> 
>   I suppose that's why I'm successful but not rich. :)
> 
>   HTH
> 
>   Rocky Smolin
>   Beach Access Software
>   http://www.e-z-mrp.com
> 
> 
> 
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: "Kath Pelletti" <SDSSoftware at optusnet.com.au>
>   To: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving"
>   <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
>   Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 2:59 PM
>   Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> well-connected as
>   JC
> 
> 
>   Rocky - out of interest - what support arrangements / fees are you
> offering?
> 
>   Kath
>     ----- Original Message ----- 
>     From: Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software
>     To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
>     Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:48 AM
>     Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> well-connected
> as
>   JC
> 
> 
>     Andy:
> 
>     Don't envy me. They jury's still out.  I've got a bit of 
> a buffer so we
>     won't miss any meals, but that can't go on forever.  I've 
> had two good
>     products and several bad ones.  At least this time I'm 
> starting in an
>     economy that's on the upswing.
> 
>     But I've always been a bootstrap kind of guy - we're 
> doing a mailing in
>   San
>     Diego county this month.  Hopefully snag two or three 
> systems.  Then use
>     that money to mail again in another county.  Build it up slowly.
> Instead
>   of
>     mortgaging the house.
> 
>     I'm still doing some fee-for-service as well. So that 
> keeps some of the
>     lights on.
> 
>     It's a high wire act for sure.  But when it does work, 
> it's a thing of
>     beauty.
> 
>     Rocky
> 
>     > -----Original Message-----
>     > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
>     > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf 
> Of Andy Lacey
>     > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 1:18 PM
>     > To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
>     > Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
> well-connected
>     > as JC
>     >
>     >
>     > I envy Rocky (sort of) but won't be trying to emulate 
> him. Been there,
>     tried
>     > that, and failed. Problem with the product thing is 
> that you have to
>     > metamorphose from developer into marketer, and I 
> couldn't. Not my
> thing
>   at
>     > all. Plus IME it involves sinking money into 
> advertising, mailing,
>     > brochures, websites nd so on. You have to be prepared 
> to risk big
> outlay
>     > against no guarantee of return. Done that 2 or 3 times 
> to great cost
> and
>     no
>     > great return. Won't be doing it again.
>     >
>     > -- Andy Lacey
>     > http://www.minstersystems.co.uk
>     >
>     > > -----Original Message-----
>     > > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
>     > > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of
>     > > Steven W. Erbach
>     > > Sent: 30 March 2004 04:16
>     > > To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
>     > > Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
>     > > well-connected as JC
>     > >
>     > >
>     > > William,
>     > >
>     > > >> ...don't take this the wrong way <<
>     > >
>     > > I won't. I appreciate your point of view. I have gotten
>     > > caught up in the tools as if owning the right brand of socket
>     > > wrench will guarantee me a living.
>     > >
>     > > But I hear you on the client-centered approach. I've worked
>     > > on lots of things that were outside of my skill-set 
> comfort zone.
>     > >
>     > > I talked with a friend recently about my business and he
>     > > asked if there was anything I specialized in. I told him no;
>     > > my business is producing custom solutions to solve customer
>     > > problems. He recommended a product-centered approach, like
>     > > what Rocky is aiming for. I have a long-term care facility
>     > > marketing and donations program I wrote that might fill the
>     > > bill. We'll see.
>     > >
>     > > >> ...but I'm just me and don't have any intention of ever
>     > > working hard
>     > > >> again <<
>     > >
>     > > Not really an option for me as we're having some tough times
>     > > financially. I can dig the varietal nature of your work,
>     > > though. Thanks.
>     > >
>     > > Regards,
>     > >
>     > > Steve Erbach
>     > > Scientific Marketing
>     > > Neenah, WI
>     > >
>     > > "You must be an intellectual. No normal person would say a
>     > > thing like that." - George Orwell
>     > >
>     > > --
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>     > >
>     > >
>     >
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