I was recently chatting to a colleague that I’ve known for a year or two about a project I’d been working on and was surprised when the asked: “Do your really build Software from scratch?”

I thought I had previously conveyed the work that ProcessIT does to them, but clearly, I had failed! So for him and others, I sincerely apologise for my lack of clarity. I hope to put the record straight with this article…

Yes, ProcessIT build “Custom Software” but what is “Custom Software” actually?

Most understand the “Software” part, but just in case I’d better clarify this too, No It’s NOT soft Goods and furnishings! Software is a computer program that runs on a computer and follows a series of instructions to achieve a desired result. The result can vary depending on the requirements of the program. For example, it may run and do a task without you realising (such as checking & loading your email) or it may display an image on your screen with places for you to enter information or data.

Why is it “Soft”

It’s called software to differentiate from Hardware -Physical parts that you can touch -like the box and contents we know as a Computer. Software is a digital series of instruction and information that have no physical form, but to exist, need to be stored on some physical device such as a memory stick, hard drive, smart-phone or cloud server.

And so, to the “Custom” part

Custom in our context is an Adjective as defined by Oxford: “Made or done to order; custom-made.” So, when we say “Custom Software” it means that we create a computer program that is made to order. As we focus on “Custom Software for Your Business” the software we build for you will be Business Software to help Your Business run better, more efficiently or provide and share information to enable better analysis and decisions. Being “Made to Order”, it will have the functions and features you need and not have others that get in the way or distract. We will also likely set the colours to match your Business’ Brand too.

So you do actually build Software from scratch?

Hmmm, Yes and No. Firstly our Software Developers utilise time saving Software Development Tools and programming languages that speed up and simplify much of the software creation process. Then we have an extensive library or collection of exiting screen layouts, functions and logic routines, that we can reuse or adapt to meet the need of many projects. Lastly Yes, we will build new logic routines, functions, calculations and layouts completely from scratch to meet the needs of our Customer. Frequently this is essential to help meet the “Number Eight Wire” needs and processes of a typical Kiwi Business.

So what’s the catch?

The key to ProcessIT’s success is in Listening to the Customers’ needs, studying their processes and requirements, getting all the details, big and small. We then analyse the information collected to identify the best and affordable development option, weather that be a Desktop Application, a Cloud-based Web solution or a hybrid combination. Then the real trick is building the new system so that it meets all the Customers’ needs while being functional, intuitive and usable without extensive training.

Finally

I hope that helps you better understand just what software developers mean when they talk about Custom Software!

Remember we are happy to discuss your Business Software needs, whether that be writing Macros to automate or simplify your Excel Spreadsheets or a complex full business system to manage all your business processes with. Please call or Contact Us to arrange for your no obligation Free Initial Consultation or you can book your Consultation online here

Tech Tip – Windows 7 Running out Fast!

Support for Windows 7 is ending on January 14, 2020. From then Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7. Now is the time to upgrade to Windows 10 and it may still be possible to get your new Windows 10 upgrade for FREE even though Microsofts free offer ended in July 2016.

It’s pretty easy if you follow the instructions, however make sure you backup all your critical files and folders BEFORE you start the upgrade -Just in case something goes wrong! Also note that not all old PCs will meet the requirements to run Windows 10. (in this case your options are a new PC, retaining the unsupported Windows 7 (Dangerous and not recommended) or perhaps a Linux installation.)

You must have a Genuine, Activated installation of Windows 7, 8 or 8.1. First go to the Download Windows 10 webpage and click the Download tool now button. After the download completes, run the downloaded Media Creation Tool. Then Follow the instructions on the webpage under “Using the tool to upgrade this PC to Windows10”

After a few questions and option selection and quite some time and a few reboots, you will see the shiny new Windows 10 Logo. Welcome to your new FREE copy of Windows 10, enjoy!