Re: Sell Program - Screwed by Managers !!!

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Thanks to all who have responded. In view of its highly specialized nature I
believe the potential client base is too limited - perhaps 200 or so in all
of North America. And only a very small percentage of these or none would
realistically take an interest. So I can't see it being worth the cost,
effort and risks.

By some political means, I may precipitate a serious review by other
manager(s) which may lead somewhere. But probably I will allow it to be
forgotten and will then take it with me in case it can be revamped to suit my
next employer's needs.

My post should serve as a warning to all that office politics and culture
will often prevail over logic. Management should first demonstrate a strong
motivation to change (not just the tacit agreement I received). What I regard
as a massively magnanimous act on my part was treated just about as shoddily
as possible. And yes I am still venting. Appologies.

Best regards to all,
Greg

"Peter T" wrote:

Hi Greg,

In order of your questions -

1. All you need for starters is a simple site with a facility to download
your file and some method of receiving payment, eg Paypal. How much
additional effort you put in to the site and to attract interest would be up
to you.

2. As I understand there can be issues of ownership if the IP in some way
relates to your primary job even if developed in your own time. Problem
arises because some aspects may relate to knowledge learnt at work. It's
grey area of newly evolving law in UK/Europe (not sure about elsewhere).
Some universities in the UK now have pre-determined systems in place of
sharing IP ownership between author (employee) and employer regardless as to
where or in whose time the IP was developed.

I've no idea about your circumstances, if in doubt perhaps try and get a
disclaimer of title from your employer. If they refuse demand overtime for
your 200hrs! My guess is there won't be an issue.

3 Would it return a decent price - You are probably the best judge of that,
also relates to 1. above.

4 Piracy concerns:
As I'm sure you know vba security is minimal. To my mind piracy only
represents a loss if it means you lose a sale you would otherwise have made,
or someone uses your code to make a similar product and sells that, which
amounts to the same thing. With different types of product devaluation of
brand image is a concern but I doubt relevant here.

Perhaps put it in a VB6 dll with xla wrapper or a Com dll. If you've never
done that before will take a while.

5 Without knowing more about your app & market not sure what else to add.
But as already suggested in your first response try and get as many to beta
test (why not ask for volunteers here). Initially I think best to know true
identity and after obtaining a simple NDA. Later perhaps announce the first
release as beta on your site, free to those willing to give feedback.

Good luck,
Peter T


"Greg Wilson" <GregWilson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:890FB9B3-83E8-4024-989B-C67B159258DB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have spent roughly 200 hours exclusively of my personal time writing an
extensive lab management program for my employer. This was done out of the
goodness of my heart and with the intense desire to end the agony of our
dysfunctional ways. In spite of receiving tacit approval at one point and
having the support of colleagues, management is now completely and
deliberately ignoring it.

Questions:
1. To cut my losses, is there a practical way to sell the program?
2. Are there concerns about ownership even if it was written 100% by me
on my own time but was tailored to the company's needs, was tested at our
office on our network and received a cursory review by one manager?
3. Would it return a decent price - i.e. would it likely be worth the
effort?
4. What about piracy concerns?
5. Additional words of wisdom much apprecitated !!!

Greg




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