A
Free Database May Sound Appealing, But Can You Afford It?
Written by: Sumac's
Research
Date: July,
2010
If your organization is
having trouble managing data or your current system is just not cutting
it anymore, generally speaking you have two options:
a)
get licensed ready made software, or
b)
develop a custom
system using OpenSource, Access, FileMaker, or open source components.
Let's say you're leaning
towards a custom made system because resources are limited and a custom
made system doesn't cost anything upfront.
The problem is: free up front will cost more in the long run.
Have you considered, for
instance, who is going to develop the system for you? Hiring a
consultant or developer will cost more than you think. They charge high
hourly rates and who knows how long it will take until it's completed
and running smoothly. Maybe the organization's Chairman has a nephew who
is studying programming and will develop it for free.
Sounds like a good deal, right?
Well, not so fast.
You still need to consider who will handle ongoing support.
Let’s face it, no matter
how great the system seems when it is created, it is going to require
ongoing maintenance and support.
Consider, for instance:
·
How you will
get your data from its current format into your new, custom system?
·
Who will iron
out all of the glitches?
·
How you will
update the system as technology evolves (e.g. email security becomes
more restrictive, Internet protocols evolve, and operating systems
change)?
·
How you will
make necessary enhancements to the software?
·
How will you
get your data out of the custom software if you decide to change
systems?
With ready made systems,
support is really a non-issue since glitches have already been ironed
out, updates are done by the software supplier, and support is included.
With a custom database, however, the only support you have is the
chairman's nephew. How
quickly do you think you will be able to get in touch with him when you
need him? And what happens
when he moves away or loses interest?
In many cases, the support for custom made systems is
insufficient, disappears over time or is completely non-existent.
In the end, you will have to hire a consultant or developer to
handle ongoing support.
Before you consider a
custom made system, therefore, consider the cost of its creation,
maintenance and support. In
the end, “free” software is not really free. Unfortunately, some
non-profits have had to learn that the hard way, but you don't have to
be one of them. Do your
research and if you are concerned about maintenance and support,
consider a ready made system.
You can easily find one that does everything your organization
needs, saves you a lot of headaches and costs less in the long run.
Sumac is a complete, ready
made software solution that manages every aspect of your organization,
includes incredible support and costs a fraction of what the others do.
For more information on Sumac or additional articles published by Sumac
Research,
visit :
www.sumac.com