“So what exactly do you do?”

“Besides websites and stuff? Well, I build systems! Not ‘computer’ systems per se, but systems in the true sense of the word – different software and hardware components working together to meet a need. Then I rent the use of the system to you. Now here’s the beauty of my methodology: You don’t have to fork out enormous amounts of money for a custom-built system. After all, your business doesn’t actually need the system! Think about it, all you need is the benefits of the system. It shouldn’t matter whether you actually own it or not!”

“So how does it work then?”

“Well, I actually carry the cost of the development work (cos that’s what I do). Then all I do is charge you for the use of the system (i.e. for the benefits). That way you also know what you’re ‘in for’ (fixed monthly cost) and you can budget accordingly.

In actual fact the whole model works very well for everyone concerned. Because the systems are Internet-based, it means that in most cases there’s nothing to install. The ‘clients’ (the part of the system you actually work on) are very simple which means that there’s less chance for stuff to go wrong. Besides that, most of the functionality (think reports!) can be accessed from anywhere in the world and at any time.

And then there’s the issue of backups! I know from experience that even some of the bigger corporations don’t have adequate backup measures. Backups (and I mean the ones you’re supposed to do regularly – like every day) is usually something that’s not very high on a lot of people’s priority. After all, you’re great at what you do, and you don’t always make time for things that are not part of your core business. Well, here again, because the system is centrally located and managed, you don’t have to be thinking about backups. We’ve got that covered too!”