Software Developement Help

[Martin1968]

Hi All,

I’m after what probably is quite a basic question...

I have developed a quite complex XLS spread sheet that I use at work.  I recently demonstrated this to government department visitors and they have congratulated me on the document and how it works.

I have been advised that I should launch the product as an actual software and sell it to other establishments who would also use this product.  There is a page for each person/product for instance and behind that page is data and various calculations that needs to be able to generate reports, etc.  There can be 1 to 100+ people/products and each will have 1 to 3 pages of data.

I have a couple of questions...

1. What is the best way to convert this in to an actual software with front page, etc?
2. Do I need to use a software development person/company to allow me to do the above?
3. How long do you think it would take to develop?
4. Does anyone know the kind of cost involved to develop via a programmer?
4. Are there any pitfalls I need to consider before I commence?

Many thanks for your help.

[Geek-9pm]

Sorry. I can not encourage you. Except to say keep doing what you know and stay away for projects outside of your skill set.
An attempt  to sell software is an uphill climb. It is much easier to sell used cars.

[soybean]

What version of Excel did you use for this?  I'm wondering why you would mention "front page".   I presume you mean Microsoft FrontPage, the last version of which was  Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003.  So, it is a very old program; it was designed to create web pages, not to use as a software development tool for offline software applications.

Perhaps offering Excel consulting services would be a way for you to monetize your Excel skills.   

[patio]

+ 1 soybean...

[Martin1968]

Thanks for the responses.

The xls software is the most up to date version and when I mentioned front page, I meant a front page/start page for the new software/program. Sorry I’m no computer expert!

What I want to do is launch my xls document as an actual software.  My computer knowledge is limited to daily use, so I would like advice on what programming software would the best to use, so when I hire a programmer to turn it in to a software, I at least know a little of what is needed and the cost required.

The market I’m aiming for is quite specific and I’m also offering specialist knowledge that will go hand in hand with the software.  I could just sell my knowledge and supply my xls document as part of this process, but I wanted to ensure I was covered from any sort of copywrite by making it in to an actual program/software - whatever the correct term is!

Any thoughts would again be welcome.

[BC_Programmer]

Copyright isn't restricted. If you create a useful XLS document  then you own the copyright over it just as you would if you had written a piece of software or a novel, or painted a picture. In most western countries, it's "automatic"; you create something, you own the copyright.

If you hire a programmer, you won't be hiring a programmer to turn what you have into software. You'll be hiring a programmer to build a *new* piece of software that accomplishes the same goal.

[strollin]

If I understand you correctly, you wish to convert what you have built in Excel to a stand alone piece of software that you can sell.  That may be much harder to do than you realize depending upon what Excel commands and functions you have used to do your calculations since those formulas and functions will need to be developed as well as the rest of the software.

The problem with this kind of spreadsheet is that it is most likely too specific so can't easily be modified to accommodate a different mix of people and products from the original.

My advice would be to generalize the spreadsheet so that it can basically have any number of people/products added and make it so each organization can add the mix they need.  You can then sell your custom spreadsheet (provided there really is a market and demand for what you have created).

[Martin1968]

Any thanks for all your responses. They have been very useful.  Thank you.