Cost-Effective Software Deployment

Ralph Brackert, Ph.D.

Baseline Data Systems, Inc.

CEO, CTO

Law Office Accelerator

Booth 617

Baseline Data Systems, Inc.

3625 Del Amo Blvd. Suite 245

Torrance, CA 90503

www.lawofficeaccelerator.com

Baseline Data Systems, Inc.

3625 Del Amo Blvd. Suite 245

Torrance, CA 90503

www.lawofficeaccelerator.com

Discussion Background

Based on working with our customers

Baseline Data Systems12 years of developing and delivering

consumer and enterprise softwareOver 500,000 installationsThousands of network installs

What is Software Deployment?

Everything the customer does to get the users up and running on the software. TestingPlanningCustomizationDistributionData MigrationTraining

The Big Picture

Software Developer Perspective

Has expectations on how the customer will use the software once running.

For most, how the software gets there is an afterthought.

Pressure to work on the feature list ‘check marks’.

The Big Picture

Purpose of Deploying Software

The purpose of deploying software in a business is ROI in the form of: Increased Revenue Money Saved Time Saved

If the software can’t be quantified (explicit ROI) or rationalized (implicit ROI) to one or more of these, it should not be deployed.

The Big Picture

Costs of Successful Software Deployment

Or: “How did $300 per seat turn into $1000 per seat, and over a year to roll out?” Consumer vs. Consultant based software Initial purchase and maintenance fees Initial and on-going staff and service fees Training materials, time, fees Other new hardware and software, plus setup Data Migration Customization IT and end user productivity loss

The Big Picture

Success Hinges on Software Evaluation

A Conservative Approach Ensures:Satisfied Firm: Happy Partners and End

UsersSmooth, Quick Adoption (Migration and

Training)Conformance with Existing SetupCustomization ROI “The End” Exists

Road to Successful Deployment

Evaluate, Don’t Trial

Don’t waste time “playing” with the software.Not Trained = FrustrationNo one right there to help you.Get more demos.Ask more questions.

Bigger Firms: Buy with Contingency

Road to Successful Deployment

Satisfying the FirmUsers: “I can’t wait to get it!”Address Business Problems “Every month we spend a lot of time doing…” “When I get a call, I can never find…” “Every day I have to…” “To send a package, it takes…”

Not Features “Is there a checkbox to…” “Does it link to…” “Can I click on a button that…”

Write down 10 biz problems before starting.

Road to Successful Deployment

#1 THING TO REMEMBER

IS THIS CONCEPT

Data Migration

Avoiding the rollout that keeps on rolling! Clean up what you’ve got before you start. Don’t be afraid to ‘clean house’.

Software Developer What tools are provided? Is there an existing plan or method? What migration training/services are there? Third party assistance? (watch the $$) The Software Developer is usually the expert.

Road to Successful Deployment

Conformance Evaluation

What does it work with, or not work with? Hardware Requirements Existing Software Requirements Compatibility with Existing Software Required New Hardware and Software Security Risks (web!) Network Traffic

Know the issuesUse Company History as Benchmark

Road to Successful Deployment

Customization

The Money PitFocus on Solving Business ProblemsKnow the ROI (include maintenance)Avoid “Wouldn’t it be cool if…” Implement what people will use

What alternatives are there?Typical Customization vs. Baseline’s CIT

and Macro Suite

Road to Successful Deployment

Training

Maximizing ROI Biggest impact is mandatory training. If your firm doesn’t want to train, don’t buy it.

Software Developer What training materials are there? What documentation is there? Available training services? Are there third party trainers? (watch the $$) The Software Developer is usually the expert.

Road to Successful Deployment

Knowing “The End”

Have a well-defined end point.You know when you are done.Set user expectations.Adhere to a schedule.Maintain a budget.Measure the impact of mid-stream

changes.

Road to Successful Deployment

Distribution Requires Planning

Simplify with a Written Plan Conformance TestingPhased RolloutCoordination with Other Projects InstallationData MigrationTraining

Software Distribution

Conformance Testing

Know the ProblemsSetup Typical End-User Systems Install All User AppsYou Can’t Test EverythingAnything is Possible

Software Distribution

Planning a Phased Rollout

Integrate with Other Projects, Training, and MigrationPrioritize the RolloutSmall Pilot Group: representative of the

entire rolloutMust HavesVIPs require perfection

Turn the crank!

Software Distribution

What Impacts Distribution Choices?

Every Situation is Different

Influencing factors includeAvailable IT ResourcesCurrent Firm/IT ‘Convention’System StandardizationSoftware Developer Provisions

Software Distribution

Standardization

Locking Down or Standardizing the Environment Every firm should have some form of Standardization. Even if the standard is ‘no standard’.

Less flexible for userEnables more sophisticated Distribution MethodsEnforce Standardization 

Software Distribution

Installation Overview

Manual Distribution

Email Enhancements

Write Scripts

Using a Web Site

Disk Imaging

Microsoft Solutions

Third Party Tools

Software Distribution

Impact of Web-Based Solutions

What is a Web-based solution anyway? Internet vs. IntranetClient support: HTML? DHTML? Scripting?

Components?Security and Liability Issues

Everything still applies!

Solve Business Problems

Software Distribution

Final Thoughts

Common Characteristics of Successful DeploymentsFocus on Business Problems, Not

Features (think ROI)Expect Service Costs: 33% to 66% of

Enterprise ISV revenue is services.Enforce Mandatory TrainingEnforce StandardizationDefine the End Point