Astidian Blog

Astidian Systems has been appointed a reseller of the popular MPMM software suite. MPMM (Method123 Project Management Methodolgy) sofware suite sets out the entire Project Life Cycle of a project within a structured easy to manage environment and can be used in any company to deliver a project.

What is a methodology?
A methodology tells you what you have to do, to manage your projects from start to finish. It describes every step in the project life cycle in depth, so you know exactly which tasks to complete, when and how. Whether you're an expert or a novice, it helps you complete tasks faster than before.

Why do you need one?

As a Project Manager, you need a Project Management Methodology to steer your projects in the right direction and keep them on track. You also need it to help you manage your projects in a structured, repeatable fashion. That way, you can apply the same approach to every project you undertake.
What is MPMM?
MPMM is a Project Management Methodology containing 1500 tasks, charts, tables and examples to help guide your projects towards success. In addition to including an entire project management process, it also contains all of the project management templates, forms and checklists needed.
Why is it different?
It's different because it's based on the worldwide standards for project management; PMBOK® and Prince2®. It's also different because it's suitable for all project types and sizes; regardless of the industry you're in.
Product Features & Pricing?
Buying on our Reseller Agreement basis you can achieve a 10% Discount on the Current Ruling Prices at MPMM for any of their Products. Mail us or Contact Astidian Systems for a Discount Code.

It is quite interesting that Oracle and SAP has increased their prices recently by as much as 20%. An enterprise database from Oracle now goes for R380,000 ($47,500).

So while all other digital media prices are going down, SAP and Oracle can increases prices ?

The reason - YOU !

Vendor lock-in is rampant and that is why vendors like Microsoft can release their Vista operating system at significant lower return on investment (it is damn obvious it adds no "real" benefit to the XP user) or why a SAP or Oracle can increase prices way above any inflation.

End Users have made a massive historical investment in these technologies (just to make it work), so these and many other vendors will have no problem in getting price increases through a tight IT budget in even these troubled times - now or in the future.

It is quite interesting to note that making money in the Open Source Subscription "pay for support" model is much harder for the Software Vendor than the traditional "upfront" model.

The reason is the following:

OLD model :
Charge a lot more upfront for your software: included then is a slick looking IT sales man with a nice BMW, Vendor visits by high profile consultants, free proof of concepts, free educational seminars, etc etc

Its a very "nice" way to do business- the vendor is happy: he makes a ton of money very quickly.

The Open Source Subscrition vendor model:
Cash flow is over a period of time (bad for the vendor - good for the customer) and the customer usually only commit when they go into production. The model does not lean to the conceptual "free hand holding" including the fancy BMW salesmen or free visits. So for the vendor the sale is much harder - they have to compete against the feel-good sale and need to offer a product that is a REAL benefit. After all - the customer now evaluates the software directly and has complete transparent access.

Many IT vendors are not used to working for their money and those that are making a success of it are certainly working much harder and their product need to be top-notch.

So ultimately the customer is winning.

I think I prefer the new way - I want to have a choice, I also want vendors to be working for their money and I want to see value for my money. Contrary to belief- Open Source can be evaluated as a real option for an enterprise - maybe just maybe, the IT manager now also has to prove to his management he can make a rational decision.

Two blogs have been created:

• Main Blog: You are currently looking at it. It contains general content.
• Tech Blog: You can access it from a link at the top of the page. It contains information about technical issues.