What is custom software development?

Computers and computer networks are an integral part of any business. For the most part, you can buy software that has already been created to help you run your business, but these packages often (a) don’t do everything you’d want them to, (b) don’t integrate with your existing applications, (c) don’t give you the data you need in the format you need it in and (d) force you to change the way you do business. That’s where we come in. We write software that is customized for your business, that does exactly what you need it to do, integrates with your existing applications, gives you the information you need, and conforms to your needs and standards. Customized software also grows with your business and changes as your business requirements change.

How do we do it?

It is our belief that involving the customer from the start, and making them part of the development process is the path to successful projects and satisfied customers. So what’s the process? Well, to start off with you would meet with us so that we can discuss the requirements of your project. This may take a while, and span over a few meetings, that all depends on how big the project is. Once we are clear as to what the requirements are, we go off and put them onto paper, create a blueprint or specification for the project and give you an estimation of how long the project will take, how our resources will be allocated, and a project plan detailing when we need your input. We also split the projects into modules, each of them taking about 1 week to complete, so that every week (or as close to a week as possible) we meet with you to show the modules we have completed, so that you can start seeing what the project is going to look like and what it does and give us feedback on the progress. Any changes you want made will be documented and slotted into the project plan. This way everyone is always on top of what needs to happen, and when things are going to happen, and you get exactly what you asked for at the end of the day.

Why use Bennett’s to develop your application?

Quality – our programmers and project managers are well trained and committed to customer service. Quality is built into all projects from the ground up. We implement both Unit Testing (at a development level) and functional testing techniques as standard with any project to ensure that the amount of errors you encounter is as low as possible. The process also allows you to give feedback and use the software during its development, so we get feedback from you and your users during development which helps us fix the usual teething problems way before you go live on the system.

Service – we believe that communication with our clients is of paramount importance. All our projects are put onto our Call Centre system, so that when you log issues, you can be sure that someone will attend to those issues at their earliest convenience. We also have an online query logging service, where our customers can log issues online and view the progress of their issues online. We pride ourselves on our quick turnaround time for issues logged with us. All our customers will also receive a weekly update from the team detailing the progress on the project.

Dedication – our staff are committed to ensuring that you, the customer, gets the quality product and service you deserve. We do whatever it takes to make sure a project is successful.

Certified – We are a Microsoft Gold Certified development partner. This means that our staff has to be trained on Microsoft Products, and every year customers who have made use of our services are surveyed by Microsoft to ensure that they were satisfied with our service. Only after we have passed these tests can we claim to be Microsoft Gold Certified. We have been Gold certified for 2 years in a row.

What skills do we have?

We actively develop and support programs written in the languages listed below:

1. C#
2. VB.Net
3. Visual Basic 6

We primarily write applications for the Web because of demand, but we also specialize in desktop applications. We have expertise in the following:

1. Asp.Net 1.1 (C# +VB.Net)
2. Asp.Net 2.0 (C# +VB.Net)
3. Asp.Net 3.5 (C# +VB.Net)
4. Microsoft.Net Ajax
5. Javascript
6. Windows Forms applications
7. SQL Server 2000 - Development
8. SQL Server 2005 – Development
9. SQL Server 2000 – Administration / Maintenance and installation (DBA)
10. SQL Server 2005 – Administration / Maintenance and installation (DBA)

Who uses our services?

Reuters – We developed a sales management tool for one of the largest news sources in the world late 2007 / early 2008. They intend going live on it in the next few months.

Musicalc – We converted a desktop application that is used by hundreds of customers worldwide (such as Sony and BMG Records) to calculate royalties for music Artists. This project is due to be complete in the next month.

WatsonsOnline – We created a web application that allows Watson’s agents countrywide to process orders online. These orders are then fed into their ERP system, where they are processed. The results are sent back to our application so that the agents are kept up to date on where their orders are, when they can be expected to be delivered and so forth.

Rocklands – We help them integrate their many applications, maintain and set up their SQL Servers, and support them with technical issues. We also wrote a Human Resources Management tool for their Intranet which helps them keep their workforce motivated and productive.

ForturoLite – ForturoLite was originally developed as a Inventory Management system for the UK market. It is a Windows Desktop application created specifically for high volume sales teams that deal in high tech stock items. It was originally developed for dealers of Cisco equipment, but can be used with any type of serial numbered items.

Forturo – Forturo was originally developed to run our business, and quickly grew from a simple helpdesk system to an all-encompassing business tool that allows us to create quotes quickly, incorporates all the best features of ForturoLite for Inventory Management, integrates with the Call Centre, helps us manage projects more efficiently and even has some CRM built in to help us keep in touch with our customers. We have a number of customers using the system such as Computech, HRK consulting, Pinnacle Micro Eastern Cape, Internet Generations, GPI, Bennetts Technologies, and Dolphin (our sister company in the UK). It is very flexible and can fit well into just about any service oriented business where keeping track of projects, time and stock is of critical importance. It integrates seamlessly with Pastel and Sage Line 50 at the moment, but can easily be extended to interface into your accounting package.

Keypak – Bennett’s created and supports Keypak's manufacturing management system. This is a good example of customized software, as Keypak have very complex methods of calculating costs for the packaging they produce which would be near impossible to find in any other off the shelf package.

RandCivils – RandCivils contracted Bennett’s to develop a Human Resources Management system to help them manage their workforce.

Shell South Africa – Bennett’s was contracted to help their development team implement a web based credit note processing system that would interface with their ERP system (Oracle’s JD Edwards)

Umicore Catalyst / Delphi Catalyst South Africa – Bennett’s designed and developed a document management system that helps both Umicore Catalyst and Delphi Catalyst South Africa keep track of their documentation for ISO and other certification purposes.

Munelek - Bennett’s designed and implemented an Intranet system for Munelek that incorporates document management as well as being a news and application portal for their other existing intranet and internet applications. We also support their SQL Server infrastructure. Bennett’s also set up the SQL Server infrastructure for the Automatic Meter Reading system which involved setting up mirroring and replication across 6 SQL Servers in three separate locations.

FindingGold - Bennett's has recently completed a web based project (www.findinggold.co.za) that helps consumers find good service providers for a number of tasks, and helps service providers improve their service. This project was created using Microsoft.Net 3.5, and incorporates many Ajax features.