[AccessD] The Business Side Of Databases

One thing to do to keep clients at ease is create a MUP Software Escrow
Where you deposit the source code with a lawyer or third party
that is then released under certain stipulations. You suddenly retire to
Tahiti.
Cost is around $500 intially and 250 a year thereafter.
Look for services that allow at least yearly updates.

Here is a description of one service
http://www.softescrow.com/faq.html#1.0

Reuben Cummings wrote:

>I don't do any custom programming.  We have some apps that we thought up on
>our own or requested by clients or potential clients.  We create apps and
>sell them to local government (cities and counties).
>
>Now were I differ from a lot of people is I don't care about the sale.  I'd
>be happy to sell it for $1.  Actually I don't sell anything - I license it
>all.  I live on the service contracts for each app.  We charge anywhere from
>600 to 1200 per year based on which app.  I have some clients paying as much
>as 4000/year.  The average is about 1000/year/client.  Doesn't sound like
>much, but with about 60 clients it's pretty decent income.
>
>And that doesn't include the consulting part of the business which is all
>done by annual contract.  The key is I only assume the 60k as my income and
>everything over that is a "bonus"
>
>On our flagship app which is by far the biggest and has the most clients I
>only spend about 40 hours/year in service work TOTAL - for all clients.
>They don't mind the fee because support calls, on site visits, and all
>future upgrades are included in the service contract.
>
>If the client chooses not to pay for the service agreement on an app the app
>gets removed.  The can keep the data, but there isn't much to do with it
>without an interface.
>
>Reuben Cummings
>GFC, LLC
>812.523.1017
>
>
>  
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
>>[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Dan Waters
>>Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 9:15 AM
>>To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
>>Subject: [AccessD] The Business Side Of Databases
>>
>>
>>To Everyone:
>>
>>It's always interesting to see how people who work independently (like me)
>>are making money from developing databases or doing something related to
>>databases.
>>
>>This has been my major problem - I can make a great Business Process
>>Management System, but getting companies to pay for it is a real
>>challenge,
>>even though their return on investment is probably 2X to 8X in the first
>>year!
>>
>>I do wonder if we could begin an ongoing discussion on the
>>business side of
>>what each of us does.  I think we could all benefit!
>>
>>Does anyone have some thoughts or ideas on how we could do this?
>>
>>Thanks!
>>Dan
>>    
>>

-- 
Marty Connelly
Victoria, B.C.
Canada