[AccessD] OT: Independent developers discussion

Kath Pelletti SDSSoftware at optusnet.com.au
Tue Mar 30 22:46:14 CST 2004


If you let me know off list what you need I would love to help if I can.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software 
  To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 2:39 PM
  Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as JC


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