I've developed a script which collects data, dumps it in the main server after user makes connection. The rest of the program allows data to be sorted/updated/edited as necessary.
It's a niche product that has very little competition. There are a few large companies that have inflexible, expensive software. Their software has some really nice features that I don't have (GIS)... And at the same time, their cookie cutter approach doesn't do everything we need.
This is a fortune 500 company and in many aspects, still working in the dark ages of technology. Anyhow, I finally showed it to our management & they seem to be interested and are setting up a meeting with 5 supervisors to review it for a 2nd time. (This 2nd review will include IT staff (I'm not in IT) to make sure it will work.
Cost savings could be large for the company. The last big job cost in excess of $30 million, so if the program reduced costs by 2% = $600K.
When I first started, my goal was to keep working on the program (full time) - for the company. Maybe a new title, maybe a pay raise? But they seem really interested...
One thing I thought was odd... When we were discussing the capabilities - They mentioned one of engineers was working on something, that could be used in conjunction with my program. The engineer said it was really difficult to make a program do ~ something or other. I didn't say anything, but I believe the engineer was BS'ing them into giving him plenty of time (screw off time). I wrote the additional section in 2 days...
So when (if) they ask me to load the script onto their server... I loose control (right?) I could be out of the picture after that. Pessimist. On the other hand, I don't believe they have anyone who knows PHP. Almost all of their IT is sub contracted out.
Sorry for such a long post, but I thought it may help.
What would be your next move?
Not being in this field, I REALLY don't know what I should do. My program works, but I'd love to hear thoughts from others.
Thanks!
