Advanced application software for speculative housing companies.

A wide variety of packaged applications systems for builders have recently become available, however the diversity and complexity of individual building companies has meant that many prospective users have been unable to find packages which precisely meet their needs. The high cost, and long lead times associated with traditionally produced bespoke software has made many builders reluctant to become involved. Some builders who have commissioned bespoke software have had unsatisfactory experiences, where systems have been unreliable, or have not fully met the original objectives. This research project was conceived to test the hypothesis that, through the use of advanced software development concepts, bespoke software could be made more acceptable to builders with smaller budgets.The research was conducted in two stages; construct an advanced software development secondly, to apply that system in a typical area. The software development system (DB4GL) combines current analysis and design techniques, program generation tools, a powerful data base mechanism and a documentation facility, to yield a well structured approach to software development throughout the system life cycle. DB4GL was used to develop a complex integrated estimating and cost control system (Spec-Builder) suitable for an actual speculative house building company. Spec-Builder was developed over a relatively short time period, thus supporting the research hypothesis. As much of the software was generated from proven DB4GL procedures, the resulting system was reliable. The development techniques encourage extensive user participation and early appraisal of the system which can be amended easily to fulfill the user's precise requirements firstly to system, and applications.