>Hi All,
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>Sorry for the cross post but want to make sure it gets seen and I was not sure if my original category was the best choice.
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>I need to get an idea of operatonal / logistical models and costs involved in outsourcing the maintenance and continued future development of established systems that we have.
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>The programs are VFP8/9 applications and use various 3rd party tools. They use normal VFP tables to store data. They are primarily output systems, i.e. applications that output the results of manupulating data that is stored in the various tables and files. Outputs are in report and charting formating. This is versus a data capturing system such as an accounting or stock control system.
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>I dont think the systems are rocket science, in fact I think they are quite straight forward applications. Really nothing very complex. Future enhancements may include convertions to SQL databases (maybe), more reporting outputs, etc.
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>We are new to this aspect of business and have not outsourced anything before. We have hired 3rd party developers but never handed over existing applications for futher and continued development.
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>How does this work normally? What sort of pricing models do companies use? Does it work on retainers or per hour or how? If you want you can email me directly. I am mainly interested to understand how outsourcing would work with you / your company and the types of costs involved.
>
>Thanks.

We work on hourly bases. Our partners receive reports what is done every week hours per task. In this way when in the end of the month we send a bill there is no arguing why you charge us so much.
Everything depend on the culture of the both parties + trust.
We have long term relationships which continue more than 5 years.