Programming Forums - View Single Post

Infinite Recursion · Jul 30th, 2007, 10:48 AM

In my experience, every project is different therefore most of the prices are different. You are basically relying on the end user to be knowledgeable of what it is they actually want. One person's database is another person's text file. One person's real-time is another person's daily execution.

In my opinion, you stand to lose business with such a system. Think about it, when your new television arrives broken or your appliance is making weird noises, you don't want to talk with some automated system. You wanted a human voice, local to your area and you wanted it yesterday.

If I were to use this AI quoting service, and the initial quote was too high due to some misinterpretation within the AI, I would have searched for and found at least 10 other companies doing the same thing and would have requested a quote from them before you had a chance to adjust your quote and get it back to me.

Again, in my opinion, some things were not meant to be automated and customer service is one of them. As you go through the life cycle of your business, you will encounter numerous different types of end users all with their own idea of what your service should cost. The problem becomes, they do not make the request detailed enough for your AI to key off of, they make it too detailed, or what they're asking for is no where close to what they really want.

Here is a scenario for you to ponder:

Customer A submits:
I want a program to keep track of my expenses.

Customer B submits:
I want a program to keep track of my expenses that has the ability to export/import from MS Excel and MS Money. I also want a web interface that allows me to make modifications from anywhere in the world, securely. On this web interface, I want the transactions stored in a MySql database with a backup/restore feature. I want reports generated on intervals that I define, as well as default weekly, monthly and yearly reports. They need to fit the format that I have attached in this MS Word document. Wait a minute, I can't attach my specs? Can we meet to discuss my request?

A few months into the development of the project...

Hey! I hope all is well, I would like to make some changes. Here is a list of 74 modifications we need. Thanks in advance.

So how do you charge Customer A vs. Customer B? Also, how will you bill for the inevitable request for modications to the original agreement?

You get the idea.

Jul 30th, 2007, 10:48 AM	#2
Infinite Recursion Programming Guru Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: United States Posts: 3,467 Rep Power: 8	In my experience, every project is different therefore most of the prices are different. You are basically relying on the end user to be knowledgeable of what it is they actually want. One person's database is another person's text file. One person's real-time is another person's daily execution. In my opinion, you stand to lose business with such a system. Think about it, when your new television arrives broken or your appliance is making weird noises, you don't want to talk with some automated system. You wanted a human voice, local to your area and you wanted it yesterday. If I were to use this AI quoting service, and the initial quote was too high due to some misinterpretation within the AI, I would have searched for and found at least 10 other companies doing the same thing and would have requested a quote from them before you had a chance to adjust your quote and get it back to me. Again, in my opinion, some things were not meant to be automated and customer service is one of them. As you go through the life cycle of your business, you will encounter numerous different types of end users all with their own idea of what your service should cost. The problem becomes, they do not make the request detailed enough for your AI to key off of, they make it too detailed, or what they're asking for is no where close to what they really want. Here is a scenario for you to ponder: Customer A submits: I want a program to keep track of my expenses. Customer B submits: I want a program to keep track of my expenses that has the ability to export/import from MS Excel and MS Money. I also want a web interface that allows me to make modifications from anywhere in the world, securely. On this web interface, I want the transactions stored in a MySql database with a backup/restore feature. I want reports generated on intervals that I define, as well as default weekly, monthly and yearly reports. They need to fit the format that I have attached in this MS Word document. Wait a minute, I can't attach my specs? Can we meet to discuss my request? A few months into the development of the project... Hey! I hope all is well, I would like to make some changes. Here is a list of 74 modifications we need. Thanks in advance. So how do you charge Customer A vs. Customer B? Also, how will you bill for the inevitable request for modications to the original agreement? You get the idea. __________________ http://jasonpowers.net "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root." Last edited by Infinite Recursion; Jul 30th, 2007 at 11:32 AM.