Creating/selling niche software

[Giles]

Hey all,
I have teamed up with a very good programmer and together we are looking at writing a software program for the vet industry here in New Zealand (and eventually Australia & Singapore). We know there is demand for the product (as people have been complaining/moaning about our future competitors products ) Basically we want to offer their ideal product.

What I want to ask is - what is the best way to find out exactly what the vet clinics require in the future generation of software products for their industry? Would I be best to contact 10-20 clinics and simply ask them to fill out a short questionnaire (maybe in return for discounts on the finished product?)

Any advice on researching product potential for the software industry would be greatly appreciated - as would any other tips that I may find useful from those that have 'been there, done that' (i.e created specialist software and sold direct to customers).

Thanks.

 

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[Jonleehacker]

The best approach is a "fly on the wall" style, since that will get you the most honest problems to solve.

I used to work as a systems analyst and this was pretty much my job. Survey's are not the greatest, especially if there is an incentive tied to it; people will often complain about stuff that is not "core."

The best is probably immersion in their business by someone who can "see" the inefficiencies and understands the impact automating them would have on the bottom line.

This is a skill and I was well paid to do it, since the difference between grabbing great requirements and mediocre requirements could be measured in the millions of dollars.

 

[Giles]

Thanks a lot - you raise some good points!

I will look further into the possibility of immersing an employee into the business as opposed to surveying.