There is allot to contemplate when producing a service or solution. The bottom line is that there has to be a need for it. Then you need to be able to Automate it!
Once you have established this need, then you are only quarter way there. The rest however will fall into place pretty quickly, but only if you follow these simple rules and have a solid plan in place.
Taking an example of a simple application we developed called PHP Mailer, here are some of the planned steps that we followed.
You need to define from the get go what the process flow is for your application, service or automation tool. You need to be planning your products from start to finish and not just diving in here and there praying that it will all come together in its own way!
First define what is needed in terms of functionality. The look and feel element can come later. Your first step is to work out how your service needs to function so that you meet the needs of your customers. The next step is to then decide the best way to deliver your solution.
Think about this: Will it best as a web application or web service, or should I deliver it as a desktop application. Maybe it will be best as an online service, or perhaps it only needs to function offline or maybe both.
Only once you have these fundamentals in place you can then determine how your service should be produced.
There are thousands of ways to build and produce a product. Technology is everywhere you look, there are hundreds of programming languages, tons of application hosting providers. All you need is your product idea and the rest will follow, and rather quickly.
Lets Break this Down
Make Sure You Follow This Simple Process:
You need to lay out out your service delivery plan from start to finish. If you do not you simply will never get anything implemented.
Next Step is Research
Focus on the what your customers are looking for, how you can help them, and with what.
Delivery
Once you have the need and decide on what you will deliver, you need to think about the easiest way to deliver it to them. Will it be an application, a web service, an online solution or offline or both.
You see it is actually logical….allot of people would go as far as to say that it is a science.
Next The Fun part – Design and Development
The best part is once you have the information outlined for your project,
the who, what, how, where etc you can then decide on the design and development criteria.
There are loads of people available that can assist you with that. I myself am always willing to assist where I can.
Conclusion
It does not have to be painful. The most important part though is to take Action! Do it right now.
Find a need, decide on a solution for that need, then design, develop and then before you actually send it to the market, simply Automate It.
Oh yeah – Don’t forget to Rinse and Repeat.
Eventually you will have quite a few services out there and you will be generating some steady income.
Most importantly is that without a customer need, there is no need for a product and without action there
is no product either. Automate it is crucial to help marketing your products as well. Doing things manually takes time and effort, time costs money, so remember to always try and automate it. Take action now!
Article Wrttien by Barron J. Nel
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