python first project

[Emile van Sebille]

On 01/11/2014 09:14 PM, ngangsia akumbo wrote:

>  From all indication it is a very huge project.

Yep -- I built such a system in the late 70's with a team of seven over 
two-three years.  Then modifications and improvements continued over the 
next 20 years keeping about 2-4 programmers busy full time.

> How much do you thing all this will cost if we were to put the system all complete.


A lot.  In today's dollars a million or two to do it right at a 
minimalist level.  Going for the gold will be much more.

IMHO you'd be better off researching the existing software market for an 
application suite the 'best fits' their needs and allows for 
customization to fine tune things.

I'm now working with OpenERP which is python based and is OSS with a 
subscription model to ensure an upgrade path.  It already has most of 
what you're looking for built in or available as third party addons and 
is of a quality that you couldn't hope to attain in years of effort. 
Which reflects the millions they've invested.

see http://www.openerp.com for more.

For an example of a commercially available entry level alternative costs 
check out:

http://www.erpsoftwareblog.com/2012/10/microsoft-dynamics-gp-2013-pricing-and-costs/

Overall a much better choice than starting from scratch.

That said, it wouldn't surprise me that the CEO hasn't already looked 
into alternatives and been put off by the costs involved.  (S)he is 
trying to cheap their way through things by deluding themselves into a 
its-not-that-big-a-problem way of thinking that I wouldn't involve 
myself in that train wreck.

Call me a sceptic -- it's true.  :)

HTH,

Emile