Custom Programming Service

This service should not be confused with feature requests, bug fixes or updates to meet new technologies which are part of our normal technical support.

We can customize or private label any of our existing free or commercial desktop programs for you or we can create new applications to meet your specifications.

Estimates for modification of existing programs are free but we require a deposit before we will agree to commit time to the research that is typically required to estimate projects of unknown scope. Obviously the deposit will vary with the size and complexity of the research.

If you have a commercially viable project in mind but are unwilling to invest in it or if you have a limited budget we will be happy to discuss a partnership arrangement with you. See below.

Pricing and technology - Most of our most popular applications are written in Microsoft Visual Studio 6 (the majority of the code is VB-6 SP-6) using the WISE installation system. Our rate for programming using these tools ranges from $30 to $50 per hour, the amount varying upon the complexity of the old and new project.

The price for modifying our programs written for the .Net technology or for creating new .Net applications is highly dependent upon the method of distribution and whether or not we will be required to provide internet support using our servers.

Payment - We use Google Checkout whereby you can pay for blocks of time at the agreed upon rate. For example if the rate we agree upon is $30 and the time estimate is 10 hours you would purchase 10 units of $30.hour time for a total of $300. Texas residents are required by law to pay sales tax which complicates this process somewhat and requires some additional discussion.

Copyrights and source code - Unless the project is new and completely unique, copyrights (excepting customer trademarks, logos, etc.) and source code will remain our property.

Digital Signing - Executable files and installations will signed by us unless you specify otherwise. If you wish to use your own digital certificate you will need to sign the executable and send it back to use to compile into the installation. We will then send you the unsigned installer for your signature.

Custom VB-6 Components for VB Programmers - We can produce custom controls, classes, modules and forms in VB-6 for you and provide you with the source. ActiveX components will be set with no binary compatibility but you can, if you wish, recompile them on your own system to set binary compatibility with your own projects. You may resell any components that you buy from us with no restrictions but if you wish to implement licensing you must do that yourself by modifying the source that we provide to you.

Partnerships - The simplest form of partnership is to sell the new product exclusively through RegNow and instruct RegNow to divide the profits accordingly. Any other arrangement will require detailed negotiations.

How to Scope Your Project - If your vision of the completed work is not perfectly communicated to the programmers before the first line of code is written a software project will almost always result in arguments, scope creep and missed expectations. The success of such projects is rare.

To best communicate your ideas you will need to produce a detailed description of the application plus visual devices such as dummy screen shots and flow charts. If you provide enough information we can develop a prototype that displays the actual screens and pops up explanatory messages when menus are accessed or when buttons are clicked.

Contacting Us -If your proposed project is only a few pages you can send it to us by email using support at jhepple.com or you can send us a fax at 254 666-1120. For larger projects with many pages our mailing address is J. Hepple Inc. DBA Fx Sound and Magic, P.O. Box 603, Hewitt, Texas 76643.