Among our goals with OfficeChamp is the creation of new opportunities and new business models for independent developers and entrepreneurs to cooperate on large projects.We are doing this as part of our philosophical commitment to new concepts like virtual companies and because we strongly believe that current business and technology trends open the door for interdependent and decentralized companies to provide a fabric of products and services for users.OfficeChamp is more than a software product. It's a business philosophy.
|
As members of the FileMaker Solutions Alliance since 1993, we are strongly attuned to the concerns and needs of the FileMaker Pro developer community. |
|
|
We foresee joint venture opportunities for distribution, marketing, support and ancillary products with companies that don't have FileMaker-specific expertise. |
|
|
For both groups, we have preconceptions about the type of relationship we want to foster. |
Opportunities for entrepreneurs
OfficeChamp needs all of the support services and technologies typical of a full-fledged software product, which it is. We are providing those initially with in-house capabilities.
We expect to grow, however, by adding strategic alliances with other entrepreneurs rather than by expanding infrastructure and overhead within our company. We are open for proposals and believe that the right entrepreneurs can easily create exciting, mutually beneficial ideas.
Sample opportunities:
- A technical writer might write a book about OfficeChamp.
- Someone skilled in Windows issues might support Windows users on platform-specific issues such as installation and configuration.
- An experienced AppleScript developer might offer a package of AppleScripts to enhance OfficeChamp's functionality for Macintosh users. Someone could offer a WinBatch package for Windows users.
- Order processing could be farmed out.
- What are your ideas?
Also, please be sure to read about Business Relationships
Opportunities for FileMaker developers
OfficeChamp is designed as an accessible architecture that will allow other independent developers to participate in its creation and expansion.
|
|
Accessible architecture: A design that promotes the integration of work from other developers into the main product. Distinguished from "open architecture," which is unregulated, by a review process that assures the user of standards and compatibility. |
We have designed a core that is universal to many of the projects undertaken on a regular basis by FileMaker developers. That core includes the ability to manage relationships among organizations and individuals and to track basic information such as addresses, activity histories and accounts receivable.
In addition, OfficeChamp manages transactions for organizations and for individuals -- a letter sent, merchandise ordered or a membership renewed.
We provide a few basic transaction types, but OfficeChamp's design provides for additional transaction types to be supported as individual files. These files, independently designed, can be easily integrated into OfficeChamp and will then take advantage of OfficeChamp's flexibility and user interface without additional work by the developer. In our original release, the Members module is a prototype of this design concept.Modules by other developers that are certified for use with OfficeChamp will be included in OfficeChamp's marketing and sales efforts with a royalty paid to the developer when The Jackson-Crockett Company processes the sale. Developers keep all revenue when they sell their products through their own channels.
FileMaker Pro developers can leverage OfficeChamp in either of two ways:
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
|---|---|
|
Loosely integrated; an independent solution ... |
Tightly integrated; an independent solution ... |
|
... uses its own graphics and user interface |
... uses OfficeChamp graphics and user interface |
|
... works side-by-side with OfficeChamp, but the two are separate databases/solutions and the user recognizes them as such |
... is completely incorporated into OfficeChamp, creating a seamless database that includes both products |
|
... marketed by its creators with OfficeChamp in the package as an item to be registered separately |
... marketed by its creators and by The Jackson-Crockett Company as part of the integrated OfficeChamp package. User is unaware that different parts have different developers |
|
... is not reviewed by The Jackson-Crockett Company |
... is certified by The Jackson-Crockett Company as part of OfficeChamp |
|
... is dependent on its own anti-piracy efforts |
... integrates into OfficeChamp's registration program and shares OfficeChamp's anti-piracy techniques * |
|
... has all tech support provided by the developer under the developers' terms |
... has tech support after installation provided by the developer, who can elect to participate in OfficeChamp's fee-for-support system |
* As with all microcomputer applications, a determined and resourceful hacker can eventually penetrate any anti-piracy effort.
Tightly integrated modules might mimic a freestanding FileMaker Pro solution that you've already developed.
Business relationships
We have considerable experience in managing traditional companies, including issues like financing, personnel and compliance. We also have experience undergoing dental surgery. We hope to avoid both in the future.
In today's business, legal and political environment, the problems of financing and managing a business seem to grow exponentially with the number of employees. The voracious appetite for capital subjects a company to the whims of bankers and investors, who are usually more worried about this month or this quarter than about next year or the next decade.
|
More than two decades in the private sector with its emphasis on winners and losers, ends that justify the means and short-term expedience have focused us on a new business paradigm built around ... |
|
Elements we anticipate in a typical relationship:
- No front-end fees. This is NOT multi-level marketing or a franchise. Obligations will be based on actual sales, revenues and profits so that money changes hands only after commerce occurs.
- Each company in the partnership will provide its own capitalization, administration and facilities.
- Partnerships will be non-exclusive, which means partners are free to pursue other business opportunities.
- Each partner will have business experience and resources commensurate with the role the partner seeks to undertake. This isn't to prevent a fledgling from participating, but it is to assure that the partner can fulfill its obligations.
- A partner's obligations will be expressed primarily in terms of service/product delivered and customer satisfaction, not in terms of resources to be expended.
Ultimately, our goal is to be recognized for the innovative, enlightened ways we weave different companies together to provide a unified product to our customers. We are looking for partners in this endeavor who are committed to the same values of respect and success.
Send inquiries and tentative
proposals to champ@hermitage.com.
[ The Philosophy of OfficeChamp ]
[ Top of Page ] [ OfficeChamp Home Page ]
[ Jackson-Crockett Home Page ] [ FileMaker Pro Home Page ]
©
Copyright 1997-98. The
Jackson-Crockett Company. All Rights Reserved.