1. Cost-Effective Software Deployment
Ralph Brackert, Ph.D.
Baseline Data Systems, Inc.
CEO, CTO
Law Office Accelerator
Booth 617
Baseline Data Systems, Inc.
3625 Del Amo Blvd. Suite 245
Torrance, CA 90503

2. Discussion Background
Based on working with our customers
Baseline Data Systems
12 years of developing and delivering consumer and enterprise software
Over 500,000 installations
Thousands of network installs

3. What is Software Deployment?
The Big Picture
What is Software Deployment?
Everything the customer does to get the users up and running on the software.
Testing
Planning
Customization
Distribution
Data Migration
Training

4. Software Developer Perspective
The Big Picture
Software Developer Perspective
Has expectations on how the customer will use the software once running.
For most, how the software gets there is an afterthought.
Pressure to work on the feature list ‘check marks’.

5. Purpose of Deploying Software
The Big Picture
Purpose of Deploying Software
The purpose of deploying software in a business is ROI in the form of:
Increased Revenue
Money Saved
Time Saved
If the software can’t be quantified (explicit ROI) or rationalized (implicit ROI) to one or more of these, it should not be deployed.

6. Costs of Successful Software Deployment
The Big Picture
Costs of Successful Software Deployment
Or: “How did $300 per seat turn into $1000 per seat, and over a year to roll out?”
Consumer vs. Consultant based software
Initial purchase and maintenance fees
Initial and on-going staff and service fees
Training materials, time, fees
Other new hardware and software, plus setup
Data Migration
Customization
IT and end user productivity loss

7. Success Hinges on Software Evaluation
Road to Successful Deployment
Success Hinges on Software Evaluation
A Conservative Approach Ensures:
Satisfied Firm: Happy Partners and End Users
Smooth, Quick Adoption (Migration and Training)
Conformance with Existing Setup
Customization ROI
“The End” Exists

8. Evaluate, Don’t Trial Don’t waste time “playing” with the software.
Road to Successful Deployment
Evaluate, Don’t Trial
Don’t waste time “playing” with the software.
Not Trained = Frustration
No one right there to help you.
Get more demos.
Ask more questions.
Bigger Firms: Buy with Contingency

9. #1 THING TO REMEMBER IS THIS CONCEPT
Road to Successful Deployment
Satisfying the Firm
Users: “I can’t wait to get it!”
Address Business Problems
“Every month we spend a lot of time doing…”
“When I get a call, I can never find…”
“Every day I have to…”
“To send a package, it takes…”
Not Features
“Is there a checkbox to…”
“Does it link to…”
“Can I click on a button that…”
Write down 10 biz problems before starting.
#1 THING TO REMEMBER IS THIS CONCEPT

10. Data Migration Avoiding the rollout that keeps on rolling!
Road to Successful Deployment
Data Migration
Avoiding the rollout that keeps on rolling!
Clean up what you’ve got before you start.
Don’t be afraid to ‘clean house’.
Software Developer
What tools are provided?
Is there an existing plan or method?
What migration training/services are there?
Third party assistance? (watch the $$)
The Software Developer is usually the expert.

11. Conformance Evaluation
Road to Successful Deployment
Conformance Evaluation
What does it work with, or not work with?
Hardware Requirements
Existing Software Requirements
Compatibility with Existing Software
Required New Hardware and Software
Security Risks (web!)
Network Traffic
Know the issues
Use Company History as Benchmark

12. Customization The Money Pit Focus on Solving Business Problems
Road to Successful Deployment
Customization
The Money Pit
Focus on Solving Business Problems
Know the ROI (include maintenance)
Avoid “Wouldn’t it be cool if…”
Implement what people will use
What alternatives are there?
Typical Customization vs. Baseline’s CIT and Macro Suite

13. Training Maximizing ROI Software Developer
Road to Successful Deployment
Training
Maximizing ROI
Biggest impact is mandatory training.
If your firm doesn’t want to train, don’t buy it.
Software Developer
What training materials are there?
What documentation is there?
Available training services?
Are there third party trainers? (watch the $$)
The Software Developer is usually the expert.

14. Knowing “The End” Have a well-defined end point.
Road to Successful Deployment
Knowing “The End”
Have a well-defined end point.
You know when you are done.
Set user expectations.
Adhere to a schedule.
Maintain a budget.
Measure the impact of mid-stream changes.

15. Distribution Requires Planning
Software Distribution
Distribution Requires Planning
Simplify with a Written Plan
Conformance Testing
Phased Rollout
Coordination with Other Projects
Installation
Data Migration
Training

16. Conformance Testing Know the Problems Setup Typical End-User Systems
Software Distribution
Conformance Testing
Know the Problems
Setup Typical End-User Systems
Install All User Apps
You Can’t Test Everything
Anything is Possible

17. Planning a Phased Rollout
Software Distribution
Planning a Phased Rollout
Integrate with Other Projects, Training, and Migration
Prioritize the Rollout
Small Pilot Group: representative of the entire rollout
Must Haves
VIPs require perfection
Turn the crank!

18. What Impacts Distribution Choices?
Software Distribution
What Impacts Distribution Choices?
Every Situation is Different
Influencing factors include
Available IT Resources
Current Firm/IT ‘Convention’
System Standardization
Software Developer Provisions

19. Standardization Locking Down or Standardizing the Environment
Software Distribution
Standardization
Locking Down or Standardizing the Environment
Every firm should have some form of Standardization.
Even if the standard is ‘no standard’.
Less flexible for user
Enables more sophisticated Distribution Methods
Enforce Standardization 

20. Installation Overview
Software Distribution
Installation Overview
Manual Distribution
Enhancements
Write Scripts
Using a Web Site
Disk Imaging
Microsoft Solutions
Third Party Tools
MS solutions:
SMS: System Management Server
IntelliMirror
Win Installer

21. Impact of Web-Based Solutions
Software Distribution
Impact of Web-Based Solutions
What is a Web-based solution anyway?
Internet vs. Intranet
Client support: HTML? DHTML? Scripting? Components?
Security and Liability Issues
Everything still applies!
Solve Business Problems

22. Final Thoughts Common Characteristics of Successful Deployments
Focus on Business Problems, Not Features (think ROI)
Expect Service Costs: 33% to 66% of Enterprise ISV revenue is services.
Enforce Mandatory Training
Enforce Standardization
Define the End Point