Frequently asked questions

Why should I use Tebet Business Solutions for my next database system or custom software solution?

Tebet Business Solutions has been in business since 1997. Its owners each have over 20 years experience developing database systems and custom software solutions. All senior staff are experts in their field and make every effort to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the computer industry, in general, and software development, in particular.

Can you develop database systems or custom software solutions for Macs or the Linux or Unix operating systems?

Tebet Business Solutions specialises in developing solutions for IBM compatable personal computers using the Windows operating system. While we can, and occassionally do, develop for other hardware platforms or operating systems, we normally don't.

What software do you use to develop database systems and why?

Tebet Business Solutions uses Microsoft Access for small desktop systems that don't require major security controls. For larger, more robust systems or systems requiring stringent security controls, we use Microsoft SQL Server.

Access dominates the desktop database market. SQL Server has a large and ever increasing slice of the business database market. Apart from the wide-spread developer and user support for each application, we simply believe each is the best in its target market.

What software do you use to develop custom software solutions and why?

Tebet Business Solutions uses Microsoft Visual Basic (version 6 or .NET) or Microsft C# for all of its custom software development.

Visual Basic has wide-spread developer support and is easy to use, with extensive on-line help and examples. Other languages may be better suited for specialised applications (eg C or C++ for embedded controllers), but we find VB easier to use and quicker for the development of business software.

Can you develop database systems or custom software solutions using non-Microsoft products?

Yes! Our developers are familiar with a wide range of database and software languages. If you have a particular need, please call us to check how we can assist.

Do you provide training and support?

Tebet Business Solutions provides written documentation, initial training and on-going support for all database systems and custom software solutions that we develop.

We're committed to helping small to medium sized businesses to succeed in their market(s). And we've been around since 1997 doing just that. Many smaller or younger developers may not have the resources or skills to provide the same level of service or on-going support.

Why is custom software dearer than off-the-shelf products?

Custom software does exactly what you want not what some multi-national thinks everyone needs because that's the way American big business does it! Even products that've been tailored for the Australian market, are often slanted to the way larger businesses work.

Of course, the development costs can't normally be spread across thousands or millions of copies of the software. However, Tebet Business Solutions always endeavours to keep the final cost as low as realistically possible consistent with providing you with the solution that you need and want.

Remember: A cheap solution that doesn't do what you wanted, isn't cheap at all — it's just a waste of time, effort and money.

We've received cheaper quotes form other suppliers. How come?

Tebet Business Solutions doesn't represent itself as the cheapest in the market: some developers are cheaper (on a per hour basis); some are dearer. However, we do claim to offer excellent value for money and assure you that we will deliver what we promise.

In deciding who's really the cheaper, you have to make sure you're comparing apples with apples. Then there's the issues of honesty, experience, documentation, and post-delivery training and on-going support.

Unfortunately, not every business operates in a forthright manner. You may have discovered examples of businesses who bid low to get a contract, then 'discover' that the project was more complicated than expected and it will cost extra to get essential features or to complete the project.

Some cheaper quotes merely reflect the (in-)experience or the knowledge and skill level of the provider. Their quote may not cover essential (but not directly specified) elements of the project (eg database security, migration of data from your current system, adequate testing and post-delivery support). A low per hour rate for an inexperience developer will almost always work out dearer than a slightly higher rate for someone who has the skills to do more in less hours.

Tebet Business Solutions is a member of the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises, a group dedicated to ensuring ethical conduct in business practices (please click here for more information). We stand by our quotes.

Tebet Business Solutions only employs skilled, experienced developers who can see the bigger picture and think for themselves. We offer a range of contract options, included capped or fixed prices. And we provide full system and user documentation, initial user training and on-going support.

Isn't custom software prone to 'bugs'?

No more so than any other software. In fact, it could be agrued that since it's designed to your exact specifications and specifically tested against your data and way of doing business, it's far less likely to have bugs or produce erroneous results.

What skills are needed to properly develop of database system or custom software solution?

Developers need a lot more than a good knowledge of a database system or programming language and being able to interpret user specifications. They need to be able to think outside the square and think for themselves!

They need to be skilled in analysing data and data flows, in structuring data for differing needs. (A transaction-based system [eg a billing/receipting database] requires a different structure to that of an analytical system [eg a financial analysis or demographics database].) They also need to be skilled in documenting business rules, etc, and designing efficient and usable user interfaces.

They need imagination and excellent communication skills. To speed development, they need access to an extensive library of pre-tested code. And to ensure ease of support and maintenance, they need to follow a rigorous design methodology, and a set of design and programming standards. Finally, they need a clearly defined testing and Quality Control approach, along with access to documentation, training and client support skills.

They need to consider: What data do we need to capture? How will the data be organised? Which data fields will the user want to search on? What processes are required? How is the data changed by each process? What outputs are required (ie reports and files)? Are we even producing what you really need and want?

Then there's: Is your hardware suitable? How skilled are the potential users? Will there be impacts on other systems/areas in the company? What will likely data loads* be? How responsive does the final solution need to be? How do the users expect to be able to use the system? Is the requested solution even technically feasible? Or is there a potentially better solution?

We could go on, but you get the idea...

Can I import data from my current software?

Maybe. There isn't any simple answer to this question. If your current system is a relatively recent version (released in, say, the last 5 years or so), then transferring your current data shouldn't be a major problem. If your current system is older, then transferrng your current data might be more complicated.

Tebet Business Solutions can advise on the simplest and most direct method to ensure the least interruption to your business processes and that no data is lost.

How long have you been in business?

Tebet Business Solutions has been in business since July 1997.

How long have you been developing database systems and custom software solutions?

Tebet Business Solutions has been developing database systems and custom software solutions since day one. However, all of our staff have been in the computer industry as programmers and/or data, business or system analysts for much longer than that — some more than 20 years.

Do you use wizards to develop software?

Yes, when warranted; which is rarely.

Tebet Business Solutions finds that wizards have limited use since they often generate inefficient or difficult to maintain code that doesn't conform to our or industry endorsed standards. Wizards are also designed for simple tasks: anything out of the ordinary or more complicated requires the programmer to still write code.

Any slight speed advantage to the wizard method of developing applications is more than offset by the 'proper' code being easier to read, debug, test and maintain.

Wizards might be fine for unskilled or novice programmers as a method of getting started or learning to code, but shouldn't normally be considered a tool for the professional development of business software. Anyway, a well-trained, competent programmer can do a better job writing the code him/herself.

Tebet Business Solutions' developers do use program templates and pre-tested code modules to speed the development cycle. However, we don't employ developers who don't have the knowledge and skills or solutions experience to code without using wizards.

Tebet Business Solutions has the skills and experience to deliver the solution you need and want.