A system may be defined as a combination of items - including hardware and software - designed to produce a particular data-deliverable or service. For example, a bank may have a computer-automated system to deliver installment loans, and another system for commercial loans.

When systems have been built in a haphazard fashion, as is often the case with grafted legacy systems, your company may experience a spectrum of inefficiencies.

Systems development is a re-configuration - supported by documentation and accomplished with the right products - that consolidates and optimizes. This service encompasses the development of fundamental software that interacts with computers at a very basic level.

Now you have a well-designed system to deliver a specific service or function. At this point, Richmond will design the perfect application - software, or a bundle of software, that delivers the compatible user interface.

This application may be a spreadsheet, database program or word processing program that "sits on top" of the operating system or system utilities. A well-designed application feels intuitive to the end-user: easy, simple and convenient.

Systems and application development are fundamental to the day-to-day functioning of your business, in all its departments, and through every task. A good system guarantees accurate, consistent and repeatable results.

Your company saves considerable time by automating tasks and rules that are currently handled manually - or clumsily, through old legacy systems. Errors are reduced.

When a system is well-designed, you can "turn it on and forget about it." Assign its functioning to your IT group, who can effect change and evolve controls - logically.

When an application is well-designed, you can appreciate the specificity of information. People who use it experience pleasure, not pain. The entire enterprise has access to relevant information. Everyone feels valued.

When is the right time to develop your systems and applications? When you start to experience the pain of outgrown processes - for example, when you try to use spreadsheets as databases, but the process has become too complex. Call Richmond.