I think the concept of making software simple again and moving back into the desktop with applications is a central topic for VFP and I wouldn't make this an [NF] post.

I've been working to keep our software and our sales process as simple as possible and my business model from day one has been to sell our applications once, stand behind them forever and hopefully build a long term relationship with clients via OPTIONAL annual support priced as low as possible to encourage clients to purchase the annual support. However, if they choose NOT to renew their support, we will still support our software at our published hourly rate. This makes sense to me and never creates a situation like I think SaaS and high-priced support does where the client feels like a tenant rather than an owner. Or where there is a feeling of winners or losers in the relationship, rather it should feel like a partnership.

Are there situations where SaaS makes sense, absolutely, but there are many more situations where desktop applications or intranet applications are more appropriate. I think there is a herd-mentality of sorts created by hype where SaaS (and now AI) are being promoted as the end all - be all and customers are being directed to solutions which are not necessarily the best solution and they unknowing follow along and do what all their peers are doing. I think there are more people like DHH who followed the herd only to find out cloud-based isn't necessarily a panacea and it definitely isn't cheap. This is not the first time in the past six to eight months when I've heard of major organizations coming to the conclusion the costs of scaling cloud services is prohibitive and can be done cheaper internally PLUS the company can control exactly where their key data is stored and who has access to it.

Just my two-cents.

PS: I've grown increasingly tired of all the websites I've visited recently with pop-ups from their "AI chatbot" wanting to be helpful. If a chatbot was really intelligent, it would know to stay out of my way until I want to ask a question. (FYI, this is the electronic equivalent of me standing at my front door yelling "Get Off My Lawn!")

Paul H. Tarver Tarver Program Consultants, Inc.

-----Original Message----- From: ProfoxTech [mailto:profoxtech-bounces@leafe.com] On Behalf Of MB Software Solutions, LLC Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 10:07 AM To: profoxtech@leafe.com Subject: [NF] Make Software Simple Again (like the Fox)

https://shiftmag.dev/dhh-make-software-simple-again-3829/