Bespoke software, any call for it?

[Boony]

Hi all.

I'm seriously considering leaving work to allow me the time to focus fully on a couple of projects I have. My dilema is that I have a wife and 3 kids to support so can't be totally reckless. In the event that these projects fail, I need a plan B. Since my expertise is in software development, I was thinking of hiring myself out to write bespoke software - I just don't know if there is a requirment for such a service?

My employer for the past 15yrs does this and makes a good margin from it - albeit in a niche area and always as government contracts.

I'm just wondering if there is a need out there for general software development work? Any business owners on here ever considered/purchased bespoke software?

 

[sanjiv]

A think most people prefer off the shelf because its cheaper and comes with the updates. They might want someone to write a bit of code to add features to it though like side programs.

 

[Boony]

Thanks Sanjiv, I must say I tend to agree with you. There is so much choice out there these days, it's difficult to think of an area that would require bespoke software.

 

[Paul Norman]

A lot of our work is writing bespoke software. The customer base is, obviously, larger companies, who can justify this approach, but there is still a healthy market for it.

 

[johndon68]

We do a lot of bespoke software for clients albeit, as Sage Developers, all our clients have requirements for integration with a wide range of Sage software.

John

 

[philbanks]

There is a freelance developer market, but the amount of work you get depends on the skill set that you have.
Normally, the client will want you on site. The only problem is that there usually isn't a lot of contract work in the North East. You might get lucky of course.

Why not try entering your skills into Jobserve or similar and see what/how many contracts come up?

 

[Paul Norman]

...or enter your specific skills here!! We are often looking for staff!

 

[tsingh]

check out www.elance.com

theres lots of work on it just need to bid on it!

There is a demand in the right market for bespoke applications like add-ons as suggested.

 

[DuaneJackson]

There is a lot of deman for bespoke software development, and there's good money to be earned as long as you can differentiate yourself and not compete with the elance/rent-a-coder crowd.

Although I'd say if you have those skills there's much more (easier) money to be earned writting applications to sell rather than doing lots of bespoke jobs. If you have web-programming skills (or skills that can be transferred to the web such as .net) then now is a great time to start a SaaS business.

 

[Boony]

Thanks all, some encouraging posts here. As I said, this bespoke development is really only meant as a background activity for me so that I have some income in the early days of startup and don't have to rush back to find another job.

We do a lot of bespoke software for clients albeit, as Sage Developers, all our clients have requirements for integration with a wide range of Sage software.

Thanks John. Unfortunately I've never used Sage, so not an option for me. No competition to you either

Why not try entering your skills into Jobserve or similar and see what/how many contracts come up?

Thanks Phil. I don't think contracting will be suitable TBH. Certainly working on-site will be out of the question, the projects I plan to bring to the market will require me to be on-hand in case of any problems.

...or enter your specific skills here!! We are often looking for staff!

Paul, many thanks for this. I'm not in the market for a new full-time job but would be interested in taking on work from you as and when required, whilst working from my own office. Is this what you were thinking or not?

check out elance

tsingh, Thanks for this. Problem as I see it would be trying to compete on price. I've actually used rentacoder as a buyer in the past to release my time. I wouldn't want to work for the rates I managed to negotiate!

If you have web-programming skills (or skills that can be transferred to the web such as .net) then now is a great time to start a SaaS business.

Duane, many thanks for this. Great article. The projects I have lined up, although not Saas are all web-based and the plan is to get regular subscriptions coming in. Even if these projects don't work out, the experience gained in getting these up and running will be valuable. I'm also interested in working with your API given the fact you get requests for bespoke ad-ons.

 

[Window Cleaning Resources]

I've recently employed the help of a software developer to help with a round scheduling software program I'm releasing shortly.

I think there is call for it - particularly if you are able to develop smartphone apps, iphone apps or whatever.

My advice would be to develop a sufficient client base before quitting your day job. Its not easy doing two jobs at once and it may be difficult to balance everything but leaving your job to start from pretty much scratch and you could end up putting yourself under even more pressure than running both until your are on your feet.

Mark ('Artlepudlian)

 

[Homshaw]

I do accounts for lots of different types of businesses each with their own little requirements

Often thought friendly easy software developed for sizeable niches preferrable on-line would be warmly received

 

[DuaneJackson]

Often thought friendly easy software developed for sizeable niches preferrable on-line would be warmly received

Already done - www.kashflow.co.uk : )

 

[Homshaw]

Already done - www.kashflow.co.uk : )

I'm sure its a fine package but it is not written with a specific trade in mind.

For example does it calculate VAT for a newsagent using a retail scheme?

Would a garage who needs to produce invoices, gets paid in a mixture of cash, card and cheque and has to cope with different rates of VAT but can't afford a bookkeeper find it easy to use.

 

[DuaneJackson]

I'm sure its a fine package but it is not written with a specific trade in mind.

For example does it calculate VAT for a newsagent using a retail scheme?

Nope

Would a garage who needs to produce invoices, gets paid in a mixture of cash, card and cheque and has to cope with different rates of VAT but can't afford a bookkeeper find it easy to use.

Yes, very much so.

There's lot of off-and-onable features that would be used for different trades.

But I agree though, there's certainly room for trade specific apps

 

[mrquib]

Odesk and Elance. You can outsource your skills as a freelancer.