Dear Folks:

I came back from a happy client today who is interested in selling a commercial version of the application that I've written for them. This is a simple five-table inventory system, which frankly, anyone could whip up in Access or VFP, or FileMaker Pro, or whatever, with one hand tied behind their back.

The real value add is the client's expertise. Exisiting commercial versions of this are either too complex and expensive, or too specialized. They've been working with a version of this app for years (since FoxBase)....and they know what they want and now have it. They say there is a niche for a version of their application. Naturally, we need to do some due diligence and market study to verify this assertion.

I can see a fair amount of work ahead to make this viable... a bombproof install routine, "real" documentation, a much more comprehensive help file...etc. etc. Of course my dream is that we have a downloadable version on the web, which is made available for folks, after they pay their $395.00 or whatever....and I just make money while I sleep....just like Microsoft.

My question is, does anyone know of a good source of advice for this kind of transition? What is the software equivalent of Dan Poynter's Self Publishing Manual- How to Write Print and Sell Your Own Book.

I've got the NOLO book, which covers the contractual and IP stuff. What I would like is some "been there/done that" description of the process with an orientation to software, technical support, documentation, etc.

TIA