FAQ: Questions & Answers

eWorks

Who is "eWorks"?

We are! eWorks GmbH from Frankfurt am Main. A medium-sized company with over 50 software developers and web designers who have been developing individual software solutions for our clients since 1998.

Is eWorks a web agency?

Yes, we also develop for the web, so the boundaries are fluid. But no, our DNA is neither design nor creation, but software development and programming. Inevitably, we also master the typical web agency skills such as front-end development and web design, otherwise we wouldn't be able to do anything on the web - but that doesn't mean we see ourselves as a web agency / media agency / advertising agency / creative agency / etc. Our team also includes web designers and media designers, but above all software developers who love programming. This programming gene runs through all levels here, even our founders and managing directors are computer scientists and passionate software developers. Some see us as a reinterpreted engineering office, others as a web agency and we ourselves would probably best describe ourselves as a "programming agency".

What types of software does eWorks develop?

The eWorks portfolio includes individual software solutions of all kinds: individual web applications, customized Windows applications, databases, online stores, portals, CMS websites, intranets, extranets, Word templates, Excel tools, PowerPoint templates, VBA macros, Facebook apps, mobile apps, SharePoint websites, interfaces, connections and much more! In short: we can implement almost anything related to software development, programming or web design. If in doubt, just ask!

Which programming languages and technologies does eWorks use?

Traditionally, we do not commit ourselves to one programming language, but always try to master those technologies with which we can implement our clients' wishes in the best possible way. When the company was founded in 1998, these were mainly C++, Borland Delphi and Visual Basic, as PHP and Microsoft .NET had not even been invented yet. At the start of the new millennium, PHP and C# suddenly dominated, while other technologies ebbed away. At the beginning of this decade, PHP and C# achieved even greater penetration and importance, but VBA also experienced a renaissance that continues to this day. Today, we mainly program with C#, PHP and VBA as well as a number of programming frameworks and standard software - including:

Windows applications with .NET, C#, WPF or WinForms
Web applications with .NET, C# and ASP or MVC or PHP and Laminas or Symfony
Online stores with PHP and OXID eShop or Shopware
Portals and websites with PHP and TYPO3 or WordPress
Databases with MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL), Microsoft Access or Oracle
Microsoft Office add-ins for Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint with VBA or C#
Microsoft PowerPoint and Word templates (with or without VBA macros)
Intranets and portals with PHP and MySQL or Microsoft .NET, C#, ASP, SharePoint and MSSQL
Interfaces and connections with .NET, C#, PHP, VBA, OXID, Shopware, TYPO3, JAVA, ...
Mobile apps for Windows Phone, Android or iOS (iPhone / iPad)
HTML5 apps with jQuery or JavaScript, HTML and CSS

Does eWorks deliver complete solutions?

Yes, if desired, we can deliver ready-to-use complete solutions such as an installed online store, a ready-to-use database application or ready-to-use Word templates.

Does eWorks also offer on-site programming at the client's premises?

No. Why? Because we have an obligation to our customers to be reliably available and able to react quickly, for example because a time-critical bug needs to be fixed or an online store that has suddenly stopped working needs to be repaired. If we were frequently out of the office, we would not be able to reliably meet these obligations. However, occasional meetings or other appointments on site are not a problem and are part of the project process (see below)!

Where does eWorks see itself in 5 years?

Looking five years into the future in the project business is a bold move. But if we continue the experience of the past 20 years since 1998, in five years' time we will be working on software projects of all kinds, some with today's technologies and some with new ones - with even more team colleagues on even more and even larger projects for even more clients. Speaking of "even more": in 2018, we moved into brand new offices in Frankfurt Bockenheim with - that's right! - even more space for even more colleagues in the eWorks team! Where? In the so-called "Industriehof"(directions): eWorks GmbH, Neue Börsenstraße 6, 60487 Frankfurt am Main (note: Neue Börsenstraße, not Börsenstraße)

Are there other eWorks locations than Frankfurt am Main?

No. eWorks has had its headquarters and only location in Frankfurt am Main since 1998.

Is eWorks also on Facebook?

Yes: https://www.facebook.com/eWorks.de.

Is eWorks also on XING?

Yes: https://www.xing.com/companies/eworksgmbh.

Why should I hire eWorks of all companies?

Of course, we are not a suitable implementation partner for every conceivable task; we also only boil with water - in terms of technology and capacity. However, we are always a suitable implementation partner when it comes to developing and / or providing long-term support for individual software solutions in the Microsoft or PHP environment. What possibly sets us apart from some of our competitors is:

Our portfolio: Microsoft .NET, C#, MSSQL, Oracle, ASP, WPF, WinForms, WebForms, SharePoint, PHP, MySQL, OXID eShop, Shopware, TYPO3, WordPress, Laminas, Symfony, VSTO, VBA, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, JAVA, HTML, CSS, jQuery, PowerShell, ...
Our project experience: over 20 years of experience since 1998 as well as dozens of certifications and partnerships
Our expertise: over 90% of our team are software developers with computer science training / studies
Our scalability: projects from a few hours to tens of man-days per month - depending on requirements
Our regionality: no outsourcing, no offshoring - all developers are permanently employed and in the country, so they can be contacted directly
Our support: reliable, fast support via e-mail / ticket system / telephone switchboard with no basic fee or minimum purchase
Our structure: founded in 1998 by 2 computer science graduates who are still shareholder-managers and enthusiastic software developers today

Team

How big is the eWorks team?

The eWorks team currently consists of over 50 full-time software developers and web designers as well as several working students and interns.

Does eWorks also work with freelancers on a project-by-project basis?

No. All colleagues here are permanently employed by eWorks GmbH and / or have been on board for years.

Does eWorks work with outsourcing / offshoring / nearshoring to other countries?

No! Everything is 100% made-in-Germany ;-) We are convinced that the quality of advice over distance would not meet our standards or those of our clients. We have observed outsourcing / offshoring / nearshoring at other companies and are convinced that the resulting problems (communication, silent mail, latency, process errors, time difference, ...) are not acceptable for our clients ;-) We are therefore sticking to the model that has proven its worth since 1998: the whole team close together, no significant fluctuation and direct contact between client and developer!

How does eWorks deal with peak loads?

Thanks to our large team of over 50 developers, we almost always have sufficient reserve capacity to compensate for peaks in workload with our own resources. If this is not possible in individual cases, we contact our clients at an early stage and discuss possible alternatives.

What qualifications does the eWorks team have?

Most of the software developers in the eWorks team have vocational training as IT specialists, a degree in computer science or similar (media informatics, bioinformatics, geoinformatics, business informatics, mathematics, physics...). Our web designers generally have training as web designers or media designers, or have studied media design, communication design or related subjects. In addition to school/company/university training, we attach great importance to continuous further training and commercial certification, which is why our team has certifications in many technologies. Nevertheless, we also have many career changers on board: anyone who loves web design or programming is very welcome!

Projects & Customers

Is my project feasible?

Yes, definitely yes. In over 20 years and hundreds of projects since 1998, we have never experienced anything that was not technically feasible. Of course, it is not always economically worthwhile for our clients to program everything that is possible - but at least from a technical point of view, 100% of our many thousands of project inquiries have been feasible. You can therefore assume that your project can almost certainly be realized. If in doubt: just ask!

What project sizes does eWorks carry out?

Almost all of them. From tiny projects with a few working hours to medium-sized projects lasting days and weeks to huge projects lasting several man-years. Of course, this also depends on the type of project: web portals and online stores are usually simply more extensive than Word templates or Excel macros. However, the exception proves the rule ;-)

How many projects has eWorks already implemented?

Across all teams and technologies, well over 1,000 projects since 1998 - and more are being added every month.

Who does eWorks supply?

Anyone who needs customized software. We have never focused on specific industries, but see ourselves as a cross-industry technology service provider. In other words: Wherever software is needed, we develop it. This self-image is also reflected in our broad customer portfolio: industry, (online) retail, services, energy, trade, tourism, agriculture, associations, the public sector, etc. However, most of our clients are SMEs from German-speaking countries (D-A-CH) or other European countries (EU).

Does eWorks also supply small companies and start-ups?

Yes, we also supply start-ups, small companies and individuals. If it fits, then it fits!

Does eWorks also work with other companies?

Yes, from time to time we work as a supplier and support other companies with skills that they do not have themselves - e.g. web agencies with programming. Or we simply help out in terms of capacity because there is a need.

Does eWorks do ghostwriting?

Yes. Very rarely, but sometimes we have actually developed software for other companies who have passed it off as their own and for some reason could not or did not want to do it themselves. (But never the other way around!)

Is eWorks the right service provider for me?

Just ask and we'll find out. We don't bite ;-)

Costs

How much does what I need cost?

That depends on what exactly you need. Customized individual software cannot be priced off the shelf, but requires an individual cost calculation. Let us know what you need as precisely and completely as possible and, if possible, in writing (e-mail or PDF). We will then plan the necessary activities without obligation and free of charge and calculate the expected workload and costs. The more complete and precise you communicate the requirements, the faster and more reliable the cost estimate will be.

Tip: The more time we are given for implementation when we are commissioned, the more tightly we can calculate!

Do I have to write a specification sheet?

It doesn't matter to us whether you have a specification sheet or not - the only important thing is that we know what you want from the software solution you need, your requirements. And, of course, as complete, precise and well thought-out as possible. Ideally, you should tell us everything in writing, because then no errors can creep in and processing is faster. If this is not possible, we will discuss other solutions and record the requirements verbally, for example. If, in individual cases, it is not possible to define requirements in advance (e.g. because they are still emerging and/or change on a weekly basis), there is always the option of a support project (see below).

Does eWorks also offer fixed prices / all-inclusive prices?

Yes, we offer 2 price models from which you can choose depending on practicality:

Fixed price: In a fixed price project, all requirements for the solution to be developed are first precisely documented, then the necessary development effort is calculated and a lump-sum price offer is submitted (so-called "contract for work"). As a general rule, the more time available for implementation, the tighter the calculation can be. This free offer can then be commissioned if you like it - or not. Advantage: 100% cost control down to the last euro. (At least if no chargeable requirement changes or change requests are necessary because requirements change or new ones are added). Disadvantage: More time required for planning and conception as well as rather low flexibility with regard to subsequent changes to the scope of services. Well suited for sporadic software projects with written, precisely defined requirements, low agility and reaction speed.
Support: In a support project, a one-off framework agreement is concluded in advance, which regulates the collaboration but does not include services or total costs (known as a "service contract"). We receive the specific work orders from you later via the short service route by telephone, e-mail or web ticket system, implement them immediately and invoice the hours worked at the end of the month in an uncomplicated manner, broken down by quarter of an hour ("tax consultant model"). Or not, namely if no services are used at all in a month, as there is no minimum purchase or even basic fee with eWorks. Incidentally, for the purpose of cost control, a glance at the hourly account can be taken at any time via the web ticket system, so that unpleasant surprises are ruled out. Advantage: Maximum flexibility and speed of response, often even on the same day. Disadvantage: Monthly costs vary depending on the services used. Well suited for software projects with high agility and / or high reaction speed as well as for any kind of continuous support or occasional operational support on demand.

Does eWorks offer a warranty?

Yes, all our fixed-price projects include a 2-year warranty! The price always includes the free correction of all errors that occur within 24 months of delivery of the completed software solution.

Does a support project incur regular costs?

No. A support project only incurs costs when services are used ("tax consultant model"), and then depending on the number of hours. Billing always takes place at the end of the month, to the nearest quarter of an hour and with a ticket overview. You will not receive an invoice in months when no services are used, so there is no basic fee or minimum purchase.

Can I cancel a support project at any time?

Yes, a support project can be canceled at any time, i.e. there is no notice period or minimum contract term.

Does eWorks offer software financing or software leasing?

No. Financing and leasing are complex financial services that are beyond our capabilities and therefore unfortunately we cannot offer them. But we are open to working with an external financing service provider!