How can I lower the cost of a custom conversion application?
On many projects, more than half the expense goes into helping the client develop their specification. You can significantly lower your cost if you explain to us, in plain but precise terms, exactly what you want. Another tip: it is a very good idea to provide us with at least three sample input files so we can assess the variability of your data. This lets us spot exceptional situations and can prevent inconvenient surprises later on. Some clients find it expedient to organize certain kinds of information — such as field definitions — in tabular form. A simple spreadsheet can sometimes add a lot of clarity. One of the best ways to think of a specification is in terms of the Three Stages of Computer Processing: Input, Processing, Output. Input: We need to know what you are using as input: what kind of file it is, where it comes from, how it was used previously, and why it is not suitable for your current needs. If you have a document that describes, in formal terms, the structure of th
