Small Business And The Three Contractors

Once upon a time, there was a small business looking for help to modernize their existing software.

This small business was several years old and over those years had grown and changed. Unfortunately, the software they acquired when they started the business had not grown and changed with them. They were starting to lose customers as they couldn’t solve customer problems as quickly and accurately as their competitors could.

Armed with a list of new enhancements and new features they wanted their software to have, the small business wandered into the virtual forest of the world wide web in search of a consultant to help them implement these changes.

The first software remodeler they hired immediately started implementing all the new features the small business wanted. At first, the small business was happy, but when they tested the new features, they found lots of bugs and security issues.

“This consultant is too focused on adding new features and not doing maintenance work,” said the small business, and off they went to try the next consultant.

The second software remodeler they hired immediately started fixing the existing bugs and patching security issues.  At first the small business was happy, but that changed to disappointment when new competitive features were not being implemented in a timely manner.

“This consultant is too focused on maintenance work and not adding new features,” said the small business, and off they went to try the next consultant.

The third software remodeler they hired immediately did a code inspection to analyze their existing software, then created a plan that mixed maintenance work (bug fixes, security patches, software upgrades, etc) with new features. At first the small business was happy, but… actually there is no “but”-they stayed happy.

“This consultant is just right-they know how to balance maintenance with new features,” said the small business. And they lived happily ever after.

The moral of the above fable is to pick a consultant that understands how to balance maintenance and enhancements in legacy code. A consultant like Corgibytes.

After performing a thorough code inspection, we create a plan that balances software maintenance work with the enhancements you need to stay competitive. Your competitive enhancements might not be the very first item in the plan, but they certainly won’t be the last.

For example, we might start the plan with some high priority security patches or critical bug fixes. Like fixing rotten wood in an old house before repainting the wall. Then we start mixing maintenance work and enhancements, incorporating a balanced approach.

By taking an approach to legacy software that prioritizes crucial issues and red flags, and places equal importance on exciting new features and necessary maintenance work, Corgibytes helps companies make their existing software systems more stable, scalable, and secure If your small business finds itself in Goldilocks’ predicament from our fable above, feel free to reach out to us to chat about your application - we’re always up to talk through some ideas, and we’d love to help out.