From Dwayne Wright
Certified FileMaker 9 Developer
www.dwaynewright.com
info@dwaynewright.com
This is an example proposal that was built via a single click. The idea is that you can do data entry in the proposal module and click a button to combine that content into a single document. Having multiple proposals with slightly different variations is a snap!
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Thank you for this opportunity to submit this proposal and develop a long term business relationship with Example Company.
The purpose of this letter is to present a proposal for the construction of a new, centralized database system discussed via email with Mark (the consultant) and our meeting in your office last week. Please keep in mind that this is a "first pass" proposal and I welcome your feedback, ideas and suggestions. Thank you for this opportunity to submit this proposal and develop a long term business relationship with Example Company.
The purpose of this letter is to present a proposal for the construction of a new, centralized database system discussed via email with Mark (the consultant) and our meeting in your office last week. Please keep in mind that this is a "first pass" proposal and I welcome your feedback, ideas and suggestions.
BACKGROUND
Mark (the consultant) is doing network consulting for Example Company, contacted me about FileMaker 6 conversion information. After discussing the various aspects of these conversions, Mark invited me to discuss a conversion project for Example Company.
Although the company is a satisfied FileMaker customer, one primary division of the company is running on a FileMaker 7 solution and another major division is running on an older but still functioning FileMaker 5 solution. Mark was hoping that we could propose integrating the two systems under a unified FileMaker 9 server. There are concerns regarding budget and the smooth integration of the two systems.
We scheduled an onsite visit on March 12th and I had a brief visit with CEO Jon Doe. He explained that the FileMaker 7 solution was built to upgrade the FileMaker 5 solution for both the Sales and Resolution departments. Later I was able to meet with George Resolution, the Resolution Manager and the department that is using the FileMaker 5 solution.
The FileMaker 5 solution seems quite solid and much of the logic would work admirably under a FileMaker 9 solution. Mr. Resolution showed me his concerns about the FileMaker 7 solution that the sales department is using. Most of these concerns can be alleviated by creating a layout for each department but use the same source data table. I showed Mr. Resolution a few examples and he became very excited about the opportunities. I further explained that layouts can be department specific or even user specific and still use the same source data. We can even have customized buttons that appears on those individual layouts so the actions would be department / user specific.
We also discussed how painful a proposed integration may be for the workplace. I proposed a staged implementation and keep a healthy balance between new features and office reeducation on the use of the database.
OBJECTIVES
In this phase, I recommend determining the requirements, organizing a project plan and the preparation of a prototype solution for the integration of the two databases. Since the sales department database is the more modern version, I would propose looking at integrating the Resolution Department layouts, fields, scripts and security into the Resolution file. The typical challenges in a FileMaker conversion revolve around data and security. In this case, we will also be adding the resolution department screens and the navigation for those users.
Another objective will be to define future needs. There is a lot of power and flexibility to be gained from FileMaker 9. So I would suggest a set of future meetings in which I learn more about Example Company business workflow and share with management opportunities the new system can provide. I suggest a long term and incremental approach to updating the database. This allows new features to be budgeted based on their return to the users and minimizes the amount of disruption in the workplace.
RESEARCH
At the time of this proposal, I haven't done any research on the databases themselves. This is do to the sensitive nature of the databases and the data within them. So this proposal is very conceptional at this point in time.
ABOUT TASKS
These milestones are very conceptual and can vary. Some of this can be done "in house" and significantly reduce the overall costs.
MILESTONES
These milestones are very conceptual and can vary. Some of this can be done "in house" and significantly reduce the overall costs.
DEFINE AND DOCUMENT PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
We feel that it is important to have a document that clearly defines what the end result will be for this phase. This allows us to better research the potential risks we may have to address later on in the project. We will also want to have a business case identified that we can identify the ROI and help the project stay on track long term.
HOURLY RATE: $ 75.00
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: 2 to 4 hours.
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT: $ 150.00 to $ 300.00
IDENTIFY PROJECT TEAM / GET SIGNOFF
It is important to pick a set of team members in the work group to identify needs, test the solution and provide feedback. After each team member is identified, then we should get sign off from each one the the project mission statement is correct.
HOURLY RATE: $ 75.00
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: 1 to 3 hours.
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT: $ 75.00 to $ 225.00
USER INTERFACE MEETING / SIGN OFF
Having the project team agree on a user interface is very important and should be established as early in the process as possible. I will start by showing a number of template interfaces, gather feedback and agree upon a user interface for sign off.
HOURLY RATE: $ 75.00
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: 1 to 5 hours.
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT: $ 75.00 to $ 375.00
END USER INTERVIEWS
Part of this milestone is predicated by what is uncovered in the earlier milestones and how the interviews go. What we do is visit relative staff members to see what the current database does and what they like / dislike about it. The interviews are recorded via screen capture software and can be reviewed by other project members or as work on the new database progresses.
HOURLY RATE: $ 75.00
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: 4 to 20 hours.
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT: $ 300.00 to $ 1,500.00
CLEAN UP OF LEGACY DATA
Looking at all the fields in all the current database that do not need to be migrated to the new system and removing them from the current database.
HOURLY RATE: $ 75.00
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: 3 to 8 hours.
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT: $ 225.00 to $ 600.00
THIRD PARTY INTEGRATION
Review of any integration needs (like Quickbooks integration) and outline how those integration's will take place.
HOURLY RATE: $ 75.00
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: 1 to 3 hours.
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT: $ 75.00 to $ 225.00
IDENTIFY QA NEEDS
Identify when quality testing needs to be done on the prototype solution and who will be performing these tests.
HOURLY RATE: $ 75.00
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: 2 to 3 hours.
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT: $ 150.00 to $ 225.00
MILESTONES TOTALS
Low Estimate 14 hours at investment of $ 1,050.00
High Estimate 46 hours at investment of $ 3,450.00
IN CLOSING
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this proposal. I am very excited to get to work on the future of your database system for you. Please know that I welcome all of your feedback (both positive and negative) and consider it a crucial element in the long term success of your database solution.
So please do not hesitate to contact me any time I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Dwayne Wright
dwaynewright.com
Certified FileMaker 9 Developer
Certified FileMaker 8 Developer
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More info about the author and FileMaker in general, contact me at info@dwaynewright.com.
© 2008 - Dwayne Wright - dwaynewright.com
The material on this document is offered AS IS. There is NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, expressed or implied, nor does any other contributor to this document. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT ABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. Consequential and incidental damages are expressly excluded. FileMaker Pro is the registered trademark of FileMaker Inc.
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1 comment:
For the offices it is very necessary to notice and maintain the attendance of employees and also to measure the quality of work they are performing at what time. For this there are several Time and Attendance Systems software are available, which can easily track the employees presence in office.
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