Vaguely how long?

G

Gee...

Do any of you have any idea what a vague average number of hours it would
take to build a sales/service database?
It is a database for a service company that repairs and sells electronics.
It involves a sales form and a service form, from queries to tables for
customers, employees and terms.
It also involves about 15 reports.

I need just an average? I understand charges are from $40 to $100, but how
long does it take....maybe from 10 to 100 hours?

Any kind of average would help.
Thank you in advance.
Gee
 
K

Ken Snell \(MVP\)

Completely depends upon the scope of features and business rules that you
must include in the database. I have a point-of-sale database that I've been
building on a part-time basis for the past 3 years, and it's not done yet
with all the "bells and whistles" that people are requesting be added to it.

I doubt anyone can give you a "firm" estimate without knowing a lot more
than you've posted. One word of advice -- whatever time you think it will
take, multiply that by at least 2 or 3 to account for the unforeseen things
.... this by the way does not include the "oh by the way could you add this
and could the database do that" items that you're likely to get from your
client.
 
J

John Nurick

Completely depends upon the scope of features and business rules that you
must include in the database. I have a point-of-sale database that I've been
building on a part-time basis for the past 3 years, and it's not done yet
with all the "bells and whistles" that people are requesting be added to it.

I doubt anyone can give you a "firm" estimate without knowing a lot more
than you've posted. One word of advice -- whatever time you think it will
take, multiply that by at least 2 or 3 to account for the unforeseen things
... this by the way does not include the "oh by the way could you add this
and could the database do that" items that you're likely to get from your
client.
Click to expand...

....not to mention:

-how "bomb-proof" does it need to be (error-handling, security, etc.)?
-how many users?
-does it need to work across WAN or wireless connections?
-have they given you a company style book or will you have to do
multiple redesigns of the forms and reports until the client is
satisfied with their appearance?
-does it need to integrate with their existing systems (accounting, HR,
purchasing...)
-and so on.
 
M

Mike Revis

Forever.
I have a db that I started 6 years ago for my own company use. I have been
using/adding to it ever since.
Every time a customer requests something new or different ("Oh, I need space
for two reference numbers now") or even if I decide
that something should be different or if an employee suggests something
could
be different. I have to go in and change it to satisfy their/my needs.
Keep in mind that this is *my* db that I use in *my* everyday business.
I know from my own experience once someone sees a functioning db they're
going to say it would be better to do it this other way or can we add this
one little feature.

For a beginning db I have to agree with Ken and John. It just depends on how
much
functionality the customer needs.

Mike
 
J

Jerry Whittle

1. If there is a commercial product out there that meets your needs, it will
probably be cheaper and faster.

2. To answer your question you will need to sit down and completely define
the requirements and needs of the database. What will go in and what is
expected out. Analogy: Without knowing where you are going on vacation, you
can not have much of an idea of how long it will take to get there. Even then
there might be side trips and detours.

I will not quote a customer a firm price and time unless they give me
complete requirements. Further I let them know that any changes to the
requirements will take more time and money. Often I build databases in stages
and the first stage is just to gather requirements. Often the requirements
stage takes abut 30 percent of the entire project time and effort.
 
C

Craig Hornish

Since I can't say how long I will say your pricing may be incorrect. It
may be true in your area but the prices you are quoting are probably more
for straight VB programing. Since this is an Access forum I am assuming you
want this done that way.
Reading into your description a little more than what the other have I
would hazzard a guess that I could do it for the $40 and hour for 60-80
hours. Since I am not self employed, do this as my main job task and would
feel guilty about the $40/hr I would have to negotiate a lower rate.

Email me if you would like to discuss this.

Craig Hornish
[email protected]
 
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