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Programming Labs S.A. Contracting
Work Ethics and Standards
These standards are implemented
by all developers working for Programming Labs
S.A. hereafter referred to as "Consultant". Programming Labs S.A. is proud
of the company's professional reputation and takes quite seriously
our quality and time commitments to our clients. We want the clients
happy and the projects done within budget and timeline.
On-Site Time Tracking
Billable time starts after consultant’s computer is booted
up. Billable time stops at the end of day when the consultant’s
computer is turned off. The client is not billed for time when
the consultant is on personal phone calls nor when Consultant
is reading/answering non-client specific email.
Tips on Getting the Most for
your On-Site Contracting Dollar
Many things should be prepared before the consultant arrives to
save time and costs:
If the client is providing the hardware,
have it setup with software installed.
Make sure it is networked and has access to everything the consultant
will need.
Make sure the printer is connected and working.
If the consultant is going to be using source management software
set up an account for the consultant.
Most, if not all, consultants charge for "wait time".
We certainly do. If you want your consultant to spend time hooking
up cables and installing printer drivers most consultants are
willing to do so, at their normal hourly rate.
Make sure the consultant keeps you informed as to when the last task that is assigned will be completed. The client should
make sure that another project is ready and "in the queue".
Many times we have told clients that we would be finished with all
our current projects in two days and would need three items prepared
before we could start the next project. Most of the time the two
days would end and none of the items were prepared; then we would
wait for two billable hours before the project was ready to start.
Our Goals as Your Consultant
We work fast and efficiently and take pride in completing projects
on or ahead of schedule. We would rather finish a job early and
move on to the next project/contract than be "average".
We track all client-related time using project management software
we wrote, which provides detailed reports to client for all billable
hours. When we are finished we expect to leave the client with bug-free
code that is well documented and easily enhanced. We expect the
project to be completed by or before the deadline. We hope to receive
a letter of recommendation and a verbal notice that we will be
the first consultant called if additional future work is needed.
Future Support Questions
We try to make sure all source code is sufficiently commented and
all aspects of work we have done for clients is documented for
users to use and other programmers to modify/support.
After we finish a project a review of the documents or source code
should answer any possible future questions. If there are any
other questions we will happily answer them.
For all fairness to my past clients and our current clients I have developed
the following support standards. Preferred method of support is via email.
Phone support is acceptable from 8am to 5pm PST but is subject to our current client commitments.
Support includes answering questions regarding how code works,
limitations or possible enhancements to code, debugging, or "where did you put that whatchamacallit".
Support does not include writing new code. For two years after we leave a client they can receive up to 15 minutes of free support per day
(maximum of one hour per week). Any time required beyond that is billed at my current billing rate;
billable work is never done without a written request.
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