When attacking projects, we always say "Let's begin with the data." Our reasoning is simple. Companies planning custom software development often spend a lot of time thinking about what software features they need and too little time thinking about their data. But data represents real things: your customers, your products, your finances. Software technology changes rapidly, but the real-world things to which it must relate are usually much more stable.

Chalem Systems Group's approach to software development begins with a data model: a detailed, rigorous representation of the information a system must handle. Software that's based on a solid data model is more easily adaptable to changes in business processes and advances in technology. This translates into stability. With the right data model, your business will have the foundation it needs to adjust its software over time without interrupting crucial operations. You will see that beginning with the data is, in the end, the most effective way to manage your business functions.

We live in a world where faster is perceived as better, yet many times moving too fast hinders future progress. So, in working with our clients we often begin by saying: "Let's start at the beginning."

In the rush to build a system, programmers often "jump right in" and begin writing code. Or, they start with an overly broad outline, then discard it as a project evolves. Chalem Systems Group begins each project with thorough analysis and detailed planning. We recognize that detailed decisions will need to be made about every aspect of a system and that these decisions can either be made on-the-fly as problems arise, or comprehensively and thoughtfully before coding begins. While this approach sometimes appears slower at first, experience has taught us that it saves a great deal of time in the later stages of a project. The result is a better system and an overall saving of time. Spending time up front is the best investment you can make.

For technology buyers, it's a crazy marketplace. Every day there's something newer, better, faster. Each new technology promises lower costs, greater ease of use, and more flexibility. It's our job to keep focused on what works and what makes sense. We strive to keep up with the latest technology -- today, it's browser-based applications -- but we also recognize the benefits of mature, tried-and-true technologies. Nobody can be proficient at everything, and of course we focus on a selected set of tools. But we are not a "partner" or "solution provider" for any software vendor, and we are not pushing any particular technology. Rather, we believe in fitting the tools to the job at hand, allowing you the freedom of technology independence.

One of Chalem Systems Group's greatest strengths is the team's commitment to customer service, and this can sometimes mean turning down a customer's request for custom software. Ultimately, our purpose is not just to develop custom systems, but to find the most cost-effective answer to a company's needs. If your needs can be addressed with an inexpensive, off-the-shelf solution, that's what we'll recommend.

To be truly successful in the field of software and database consulting, a company must be able to look at the whole of a situation and base its information technology solutions on a broad perspective.

Solutions are not always immediately apparent or obvious. Finding the right one often requires a willingness to look at alternatives, to tear down expectations and then develop creative approaches. Chalem Systems Group's success is built on the disciplined collaborative relationships that we foster with our clients. This requires the kind of productive personal contact that a company of Chalem Systems Group's size, experience and mindset can provide. Most of the time you already have the answer, you just need help finding it.