Questions To Ask A Software Development Company
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One of the surest ways to enable that your company runs along the smoothest, most efficient lines is to have the most advanced, state of the art software working for you. Equally, it is no good having top of the range computer software installed if it doesn't match your needs, like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. Often the only solution is to hire a software development company to manage your software requirements for you. But what kinds of questions should you ask them? Well, to some extent this all depends upon where they are located, as there is a growing tendency for businesses to outsource their software development overseas. As such, this article deals with two separate fields of questioning, general questions that are relevant to any software development company, and specific questions of relevance to offshore software development companies, where issues of communication and regularity of contact become factors.
But first of all, to the more general questions:
1. What is the estimated timescale for carrying out the work from conception to installation? Will this include the creation of prototypes and demo versions that I can try out? And will my observations of the prototypes be factored into the final version?
2. Will your research into and selection of optimal technologies be influenced by pre-existing relationships with other companies or will you start the process free of particular affiliations?
3. How much liaising would be expected while detailed specifications for the project are drawn up? I understand that the software programme will be custom made for me, but how much of a say will I have in the process?
4. How much time do you put into the creation of project documentation (such as detailed descriptions of the source code, system architecture and system protocols) so that our in-house IT experts can follow what is going on?
5. User documentation will be required so the system can be used be employees who are not technically orientated once the software is developed and up and running. Will the users manual, troubleshooting section, installation guide and FAQ section be written in as clear and easy to follow a language as possible? Is this work done in-house or outsourced to a professional copywriter?
6. What post-installation product support and remote administration services will you be able to offer? Will training be available to ensure that users make the most of the software? Are there any guarantees that you will be on hand to fix any problems that might arise and will you take full responsibility for any problems that do arise?
7. Can the software be upgraded in the future as new technology becomes available? Also, can additional features be implemented as and when they are required and the software reused at a later date for other systems?
8. Can you give guarantees about the security of the site and its resistance to bugs and viruses?
Questions to ask a Software Development Company Continued >>
