Don't know which way to go on this one, client needs a work order + inventory app. I was about to simply quote a price for a bespoke app, then thought why not charge them nothing... build the app ourselves and have them subscribe to it as the first customer. I would ask that they pre-pay a year on sign up.<p>One possible issue arises if they decide they don't need it after I've already paid to build it.<p>There has been a lot of discussion on project/value based pricing vs hourly, but how about we throw subscription based pricing in as a third option?<p>Thoughts or suggestions?
What did they offer you such that "Work for free and bear all project risk" is an attractive option?<p>1) Charge for bespoke development as per usual.<p>2) Negotiate such that you own the IP after the project is over.<p>3) Use the IP to build the SaaS.<p>4) If they want to migrate to your SaaS and take advantage of ongoing improvements for your standard monthly rates, wonderful. If not, maintenance at your prevailing contract rates or via a negotiated maintenance contract.
If you plan on making a SaaS product, what is the target market you plan on selling to?<p>Small businesses? FM companies? Large organizations?<p>Are they the type of market that would look for a subscription based service or will they seek a more traditional sales channel with hand-holding?<p>How do you plan on handling the actual process flow for work orders? Each subscriber may have a slightly different way in which they want it to work.<p>It could certainly be possible that you can build and sell an SaaS product but you may want to do some market research first.<p>(Disclaimer: Our company sells FM related software and WO and Inventory Management is one part of it.)