After almost 15 years we have learned that we perform best by specializing in what we do best. In the past years we have cut down on the number of services that we offer, and we now provide services that revolve around our specialty.

We develop tailor-made systems that are aimed at efficiently managing resources, information or processes within an organization.

These Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems entail a variety of components that allow organizations to keep better track of what is going on, better plan, better control, and take better decisions. ERP is a broad concept of tools and ultimately its implementation is very company-specific.

Penguin Protocols provides this company-specific focus and can assist in implementing the right software at the right place. Being so broad, we will provide some examples of what kind of systems can be implemented. However, the strength of ERP is in company-wide, tailor-made implementations. We therefore cordially invite you to contact us and learn more about what we can do for your company. Do note that we specialize in the development of custom software rather than installing readily available software.

Type of projects

Below follows an overview of some of the types of ERP systems and modules that we have developed:

• Client management and communication systems
• Project management systems
• Inventory systems
• Sales systems
• Automation of operations
• Remote control and monitoring
• Automation of financial processes
• Accounting systems

Data-driven projects

Does your organization drown in spreadsheets? Do you keep track of clients and outstanding orders in a Word document? Do you have a large collection of data but no way of sharing it with others? We can help! Managing, visualizing, and sharing data are our passion.

• Data collection and management
• Data visualizations
• API development
• Reporting tools
• Analysis tools

System development projects generally start at € 5,000 and can cost more than € 50,000. Each project is unique and requires a custom quotation. To view our hourly rates, maintenance packages, and other prices, please view our Pricing Page.

This section provides a brief overview of how we operate. Before contacting us, we recommend all potential clients to review our approach to make sure this matches your profile.

Basic steps involved in any project:

1. Initial contact
   Be it through a personal meeting or via phone or e-mail, we have initial contact to get a basic idea of what you need and to see if we can offer this. If so, then we move on to the next step. If not, then we gladly recommend other companies or software that may suit your needs.
2. Drafting of functional specification
   We believe that a well-written functional specification is a great tool for both developers and for clients. It explains how the software that is to be built will function, what it will and what it will not do, and what the technical details are of the software that is to be built. We will write the functional specification accompanied by a price estimate.
3. Contract signing
   For each job, small or large, we elaborate a contract that outlines both your and our own obligations and rights. Our contracts are straightforward and clear with very few complex, legal terms. Work generally commences after receiving an upfront deposit, but the details of this will be outlined in the contract.
4. Build of a prototype and continuous adjustment until launched
   We will continuously build and share prototypes. Adjustments are made according to your feedback and this process is repeated until the system is finished, tested, and approved.
5. Maintenance
   It is important to remember that IT systems require maintenance. Depending on the complexity, on planned expansion, and on changing requirements, we can offer a variety of maintenance packages that suit different maintenance needs.

Over the years, we have found that particular characteristics greatly assist in making a project successful. Below is a list of the three project characteristics that we greatly appreciate and look for:

• Dedication from both sides
  Not only will we be committed to developing your system within a reasonable time frame and within the available budget, but we also need your company to be committed to the project. Providing prompt feedback, discussing the needs of all the internal stakeholders and users involved in the project, and paying bills on time are part of this commitment.
• One project manager on each side
  While there may be many voices from within your company that should be heard, it works best if you decide internally on one contact person who will channel all communication to us. This ensures there are no contrasting or duplicating instructions, that opinions are properly weighed, and that there is a clear route for communications. The same will apply for our company, and we will appoint one project manager on our side as well.
• Be as flexible as you want us to be
  IT development is often subject to change. Requirements and priorities may change over time. It is often difficult to visualize your needs without seeing and trying out different options. We are flexible and we are committed to making sure the system meets your needs - even if this means having to change directions halfway through or if we have to rebuild modules after the scope of the project changes. However, it is important to realize that we can only offer this flexibility if you offer similar flexibility in terms of delivery time and budget expectations. From our side, we will ensure clear communication and upfront advice to make sure that the impact of changing directions are clear from the beginning.

We have embraced various principles. Some affect the service we deliver and others are related to our internal operations.

Our main principles are the following:

• We do not believe in vendor lock-in. Projects will be delivered with the source code and a technical manual, allowing you to switch vendors (or self-maintain) at any time.
• All our projects come with a 6 month bug-fixing guarantee. Any bugs encountered during this period will be fixed free of charge.
• We aim to make our work standards-compliant. We generally use the latest standards but we also acknowledge that backwards compatibility is sometimes more important that strict adherence to standards.
• We believe in a healthy life-work balance. Our programmers are not expected to work during weekends and holidays, or to work unreasonably long days. We generally do not take on rush projects and only rarely make exceptions. These policies notwithstanding, our programmers do happen to stay until late or organize gatherings in weekends to share code and hack away... but this is done purely voluntarily and mostly to learn new skills rather than to work on client projects!