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

Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software bchacc at san.rr.com
Tue Mar 30 17:42:38 CST 2004


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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  > > http://www.databaseadvisors.com
  > >
  > >
  >
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