Software / web developer suggestions?
 

Pelicans....

I have been informed by the guy who developed our company's online work order system that he will no longer be supporting it. He informs me that we need to find somebody to take over hosting, maintenance, and development, as soon as possible.

I asked him what exact skills the person needs to have, and here is his reply:

You would be looking for a developer of web applications. Ask for a proposal to examine your current system then develop a new, up-to-date web application and either use the current SQL server database or port that database into their preferred database platform.

I heard a year or two ago about a group that got something like this done amazingly inexpensively. They found a website where third-world developers (I think I heard India and Pakistan mentioned) looked at the customer problem statement then submitted proposals. That is all the detail of which I am aware. You might want to see if you can find anything similar if there are no EAR or ITAR restrictions that apply to your business.

I know little about this stuff, and am looking to you guys to clarify and offer suggestions. I am not opposed to third-world outsourcing, but don't know where to begin or what the right questions are to be asking.

All I know is that my work order system resides on servers somewhere in Australia, and I can access it through a web portal from anywhere in the world. I also have a .adp file on my desktop computer that allows me more administrative functions with the database.


Any help?

There are development companies based out of India that do a lot of work at reasonable prices, but we have never used them. I would prefer to keep the money locally even if it costs more. I would speak to Amazon first probably the biggest hosting provider in the world.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) - Cloud Computing Services

The backend guy who works for me is one of the most talented guys I've ever seen.

He's quick fast detailed reasonable in cost and knows his ****.

He does a lot of custom apps for The Economist and just built a Stock Analysis app for someone who I can't name as it's not rolled out yet. He's also Bob Segers webmaster.

Hosting is the easiest part of this.

I've got a dedicated server farm that I can give you space on if you are interested.

What started this yesterday is that I could not access the online system with either FF or IE. The developer says, "It works fine with Chrome." He said that now that the system is about 8 years old, it seems to be no longer compatible with the latest versions of FF and IE, and says it's probably just a matter of the work order database interface needs to be updated.

And then he dropped it on me that he would no longer be supporting it.

I don't *think* this is a big job, but I don't know.
Moving it from his servers to a new server may be as involved as updating the interfaces.

My business partner is also checking to see if he knows anyone capable.
If I get any recommendations from here, then he and I can compare notes.


And for the other thread: I don't know how many gigs of dayta need to be put into the cloud. I just want to be able to ping it any time we need to enter a work order.

I was 'bout to summons a plague of Polar Vortexes to fast track down from Canada and smite your synergies in the azz. Then I realized where you live and where I am....so nevermind :p

Seriously though, if I were in your position, just having had the rug pulled out from under me (so to speak), I'd be gun shy about setting myself up for it to happen again down the road. Don't know how critical this system/data is for you, but I'd consider what happens if suddenly you don't have access to it one day and your "guy" has suddenly croaked. It happens...

Good luck!!!

Yup, that's why everything we build for a client and everything we build for ourselves never leaves anyone in the position of being dependent or held hostage.

I absolutely abhor that.

Hope you didn't take that wrong Scott...I wasn't directing my comments towards you or your offer to host, etc. I'm sure Cash would be in VERY capable hands...

Did not take that as directed at me at all and not offended in the least.

That crap happens way too often. Hated it when it happened to me before I wised up.

Is there no off-the-shelf (or off-the-cloud) application that can do 80% of what your software does?

This is one of the arguments against custom development. You lose your talent, you lose your support.

Unless there's something very specific to your business that you just can't live without, I'd look at something that you can buy turn-key with maybe relatively minor configuration changes, as opposed to a complete build.

Pretty sure there will be a well supported open source solution that would do what he needs.

I'm a big fan of OS as it provides access to an endless supply of talent on an as needed basis and the communities in general are supportive of newbs and will freely share knowledge which at the end of the day helps people like Cash become independent if they want to free themselves and take control.

We build as much stuff as possible using OS.

My business is FAA regulated, and our current system has been signed off as "acceptable" to them. A change will require submitting the new product and it's output to the FAA for review and acceptance. I can do this, but it takes time. It seems like it would be quicker and possibly cheaper just to fix what I have rather than switching.

Also one of the key features of my current system is that it is server based and not confined to my desktop. My employees can access it from any internet connection in the world. Even my mechanic that goes to a customer LZ in Africa can update the work order from the wifi connection on the giraffes head, and even print records on-the-spot for the customer.

This additionally means that I can give a customer limited read-only access and he/she can review every work order that was ever done for his company by us.

This does not mean I am not open to suggestions, or that I don't like options.
I am only trying to give you a full picture of the situation.

No worries. Well that puts it in perspective.

I have no direct experience with FAA-related applications so I can't recommend any company that specializes... Good luck though.

I would imagine that you've already got database tables, etc. as well as some authentication method, forms for entering the data, and a way to print reports/forms out. Moving such a system to a new host should be trivial.

Whatever you end up picking, if you want to send me the details I'll be happy to wave the BS flag if needed

Maybe your neighbor can help you with this!

stomachmonkey or id10t...
It does not appear my business partner has anybody he wants to use, so it is up to me to find the solution provider.

If either of you wants to take a look at the system, PL me your email addy and I will reply back with login credentials so you can peek.

Be happy to take a look.