MartyConnelly
martyconnelly at shaw.ca
Sun Apr 24 00:00:50 CDT 2005
Just as a matter of interest I was looking at one of the major software packages for practice mamagement in legal firms, Time Matters the intial cost for a solo practice is $1000, but what is amazing is most lawyers also cough up the $950 a year for quick tech support without blinking. Dan Waters wrote: >Gregg, > >I remember in a past job that if we modified an item that was purchased as a >capital item, any modifications to it had to be reviewed to change the value >of that capital item for accounting reasons. But, there was no such review >needed with an expensed item because it didn't have capital value. > >Perhaps that's what's happening with your customers when they are now asking >for additions and enhancements??? > >Dan Waters > > >-----Original Message----- >From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com >[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Gregg >Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2005 11:32 AM >To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving >Subject: Re: [AccessD] Client Payment Methods > >It's a very good idea. Removes most of the sales objections. Allows the >customer to kind of try before they spend a lot. Makes the purchasing >decision nearly a no-brainer. > >The only downside I can see is if their expectations are far different that >what your software delivers, you will either have to make modifications >quickly and essentially for free or they will be tempted to shop around for >another solution. > >I have done something similar. Our software is totally custom for each >customer so our end product is almost all programming by the hour. This >year I was able to convert 4 long-term customers to a regular monthly >billing. We still track hours and make adjustments when necessary but now I >can count on a regular monthly check. It's been good. > >Also, I have noticed a change in their mindset about asking for additions >and enhancements. In the past there were mini approval processes where they >would get an estimate of our labor before proceeding. Now, I guess because >of the monthly payments, they tend to think of it as a maintenance contract >(where requests are seemingly free) even though I have been very clear that >it is not. Now, from their perspective its a budgeted, yearly commitment >(once-a-year decision) even though they are free to get out at any time. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dan Waters<mailto:dwaters at usinternet.com> > To: Database Advisors<mailto:accessd at databaseadvisors.com> > Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2005 10:18 AM > Subject: [AccessD] Client Payment Methods > > > To All, > > > > Yesterday I had a business planning meeting with an advisor. He brought >up > the idea of asking my clients to pay me on a monthly basis - the concept >is > that they would pay me a portion of the ongoing value they get from my > services. (By the way, this is not a maintenance fee.) > > > > This sounds quite attractive. My customers might skip a major budget > discussion (often lasting several months) and quickly get started. They > have a low risk because they could discontinue whenever they want, which >is > actually a good business position. On my side I would be a little shocked > if they did discontinue because no one would really want to go back to the > old way of doing business. > > > > I'm thinking that I would ask for a monthly amount of 1/36 of what I would > have asked for to 'sell' a module. The monthly payment would of course > continue after the 3-year period. This gives me a long-term regular >income > stream, and allows my customer to make small monthly payments which might >be > easier to get into. > > > > Does anyone provide software under similar terms? Or, does anyone use > software under similar terms? What are your thoughts on this payment > method? > > > > > > Dan Waters > > > > -- > AccessD mailing list > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com<mailto:AccessD at databaseadvisors.com> > >http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd<http://databaseadvisors >.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd> > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com<http://www.databaseadvisors.com/> >-- >AccessD mailing list >AccessD at databaseadvisors.com >http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd >Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > -- Marty Connelly Victoria, B.C. Canada