Where would you look to find a software develop...

I'm interested to know where you would look to find a software development company? What I mean by this is for example if you needed bespoke software, database development, web applications, back-end systems or any type of software developed?

Many thanks,

Tecwyn

Through my network first, I would ask if anyone I knew, knew of anyone.

In other words, word of mouth is still a reference number one? ;) I'm also interested in that.

My 2 pence:

1. Word of mouth

2. If you use specific software from Oracle, Sun or Microsoft etc., you can find qualified suppliers through these companies partner scheme on their official web site. I met a director of a UK software firm who looked for software service supplier in Asia, they found one in Singapore through the partner scheme.

My signature has a Microsoft partner status on it, which may make it look like my message is an ad! LOL, sorry, you can skip that message entirely :-)

Another way to find a good supplier is to search for suppliers in 4N forums or other ACTIVE networking portals, I'd think suppliers here care more about their reputation within the network they are in than anything else, they (or we) do want to build up the profile in a heathy and stable way.

I think, as Glenn says, it's a matter of finding someone you know who can help you. There are many businesses offering development as a core activity, but you would be looking at a significant investment which is probably not realistic for the smaller business.

The critical thing is not to rush at it. There are so many different ways of addressing a specific business issue that it is vital that you choose the right one for your business - the problem with bespoke development is that you tend to get offered the solutions that the developers you work with can offer - so you end up with a website, for example, coded in PHP/MySQL or in ASP/SQL Server - they both deliver the same 'website' but with widely different costs and capabilities. Unless you've done your groundwork you could end up with the wrong result at the wrong cost!

The other key element is the specification, and for this you need commercially-savvy people. Some technically-focussed businesses can fall down at this hurdle, so you need to be careful that you don't end up with a technically proficient solution that fails to address your business need.

If I need to develop anything I tend to develop the specification myself and then work with a network of people who can provide the development skills needed. Some of those come via 4N and some from other networks, but it's important to me to be able to deliver the right solution for the client, and not the solution that is the easiest for me to create, so I will pull together the right team for the project.

I would avoid bespoke solutions if you can.

You can so easily be hung out to dry and left without support.

An entirely valid point, which I should also have made!

That's actually the first question I ask people - "What is so different about your business that means you can't work with the sort of software that everyone else uses?" It is normally easier to adapt your processes slightly to fit an 'off-the-shelf' solution than it is to go the bespoke route.

Having said that, a couple of the development projects I have been involved in recently have been for entirely valid reasons - specialised businesses with requirements that cannot be met by standard software. Websites are another exception, of course, as you could argue that they are all bespoke (leaving content managed systems aside).

There is an optimal solution: open source modified solution to fit clients needs. In fact I think that most developers do exactly that, especially for small and middle sized businesses.

Whilst everyone's feedback is valid, I guess there's no really one way to propose the 'optimal' solution without knowing what the requirements are. As stated, word of mouth is probably the best way to find someone reliable, because open source, custom-built or off the shelf, UK companies are notorious for horrible customer service in delivering as well as supporting software. Go with someone you know and can rely on; then decide if you think they'll be technically competent. As you may already know, software is not all about technology - it's about applying business acumen in the correct environment. Well, that's my view anyway.

I think Tecwyn is asking this because he (she? sorry!) has a software development company and is doing some research, so the discussion about the merits of using bespoke software is slightly OT. I too would be looking to find a developer that I either trusted myself or that came highly recommended via somebody that I trusted. If I weren't in the position of being able to find anybody through this route, then the following is probably the route I'd take...

... but exercising caution - a little research into past clients and previous work goes a long way!

Certification route was actually suggested by another software vendor in the UK as mentioned in my previous email, they are a PLC, when they looked for a software partner or supplier, they first check for certifications. Being listed in Microsoft web site hasn't helped me to secure a project yet, but it does help when potential clients are checking on credibility/quality etc.

Agree with most people here, word of mouth works the best, that is how we get almost 100% of new projects, email marketing didn't work for me unfortunately.