A Dynamic Need
Today's IT function needs to move faster every day.  Information Technology professionals cannot afford to put user's needs on "hold", requiring them to wait for lengthy development projects.  Business needs customized solutions and they are needed now, not later.  Fast solutions are needed for literally every application area in every business:

Applaud - Rapid Application Development
Applaud is a unique type of Rapid Application Development tool.  Our clients consistently report that Applaud solutions are deployed in less that 50% of the time and cost of every other alternative.  They also tell us that the time required to react to specification changes is reduced by more than 50% compared to every other alternative.

Many Types of Needs
Applaud builds add-on components, dynamic solutions, fast solutions and much more.  Applaud builds solutions so fast; it is realistic to use Applaud to deliver temporary solutions that will ultimately be replaced by permanent systems.  Applaud is ideal for delivering a broad range of information system solutions for a wide variety of needs.  For example:

	Add-On Components - Sometimes the needs are for add-on components for existing systems - the existing system handles 95% to the user's needs and the last 5% requires a custom solution.
	Dynamic, Changing Solutions - In many cases the solution must be dynamic - the requirements change dynamically day-to-day, and conventional tools would be much too sluggish to keep pace.
	Similar Repetitive Solutions - In some cases the needs are for similar repetitive solutions for different projects - each solution is similar to other solutions that were delivered in the past, but significant customization is needed for each new implementation.
	Temporary solutions - In still other cases the needs may be for temporary solutions - a permanent solution is under development, but the implementation timeframe is too long and a temporary solution is needed until the permanent solution is available.
	Too Expensive - In some cases the cost of the development project is too expensive for the budget - the needs are crucial but the budget is already committed.
	Inadequate Resources - In other cases the project might be delayed because of inadequate resources - there just aren't enough IT staff to accomplish all objectives.
	Absolutely Needed Immediately - And in other cases there is no time to wait under any circumstances - the solution is needed now, period.  And conventional tools are just too slow.

Applaud can help in every one of these situations as well as many more…

Eight Reasons for Applaud's Unprecedented Speed
So how can Applaud deliver solutions faster and easier?  There are eight primary reasons:

1. "Specification-Level" Development - When we designed Applaud, we analyzed the activities that developers perform when they build solutions.  This analysis resulted in eleven types of Applaud "Specifications".  Each Specification is designed to facilitate development of a specific type of system component with as little programming as possible.  With Applaud you can build comprehensive solutions with essentially no programming.
   
   
2. Automatic Features - Second, when you develop a solution with Applaud, it automatically activates hundreds of features based on the Specifications you define.  This includes many types of automatic reports, many types of automatic screens, many types of automatic menus, many types of automatic run-time facilities, automatic linking of all related tables...the list is long and everything is activated automatically.
   
   
3. A Data Dictionary-Driven Tool - Third, Applaud is a "data dictionary" based tool.  With Applaud, each "data element" (i.e., each piece of data) is defined one time in the data dictionary.  Any change to the data dictionary is immediately reflected in all Specifications throughout the system including screens, reports, calculations and data structures. 
   
   
4. Dynamic Movement from Specification to Specification - Further, when we analyzed the system development process, we observed that developers frequently need to move from one component to another, developing multiple components simultaneously.  To accommodate this we innovated a unique ability to move dynamically from one Applaud Specification to another.  As users are defining Applaud Specifications, they may dynamically define and change other Specifications "on the fly."  The result is the absolute minimum development time.
   
   
5. Intuitive Programming Language - Applaud's eleven types of Specifications allow you to build 95% of your solution without writing lines of programming code.  For the last 5% Applaud includes an intuitive, high-level programming language that can be "plugged" into any Specification.  Applaud's programming language is so straightforward; it only includes programming instructions.  Everything else is handled through Applaud's high-level Specifications.  This means that in many cases Applaud solutions may be deployed by business analysts as well as developers.
   
   
6. Robust Debug Tool - Applaud also includes a robust debug tool that enables you to see the code in Applaud's programming language as it actually executes.  A wide variety of facilities are provided to speed the testing of complex logic.
   
   
7. "Templates" are the Starting Point - Applaud was designed as a consultant's tool for repetitive, similar engagements with multiple clients.  Applaud is designed to allow consulting firms and software firms to build "templates."  A template is a partially developed Applaud solution that can be used as the starting point for building solutions for future clients.  Users begin projects by starting with a template and then using Applaud's rapid application development tools to build the required customization for each client. 
   
   
8. Component Plug & Play Reusability - Finally, Applaud supports "component plug & play" reusability, allowing users to leverage work from prior clients.  With Applaud you can literally "plug and play" entire components from the system you (or a colleague) built for project A, in the system you are building for project B.  The time saved is extraordinary.

The net result is a conservative 50% reduction in the time and cost of delivery compared to every other alternative.

Fast and Painless Specification Changes
The ability to respond quickly to specification changes is even more important than the initial development.  Countless projects are doomed because of the inability to react quickly to changes in the original specifications.  The inability to adjust logic and processes puts many solutions at risk of failure.

With Applaud, the time and cost to make specification changes is dramatically reduced.  Applaud's rapid application development features work together to deliver the absolute fastest response to changing specifications.  Our client's are routinely amazed by Applaud's ability to respond.

Getting Started
The easiest way to see the Applaud solution in your environment is to outsource part of (or all of) a project to our Applaud Professional Services Group.  Our hourly rates are very reasonable and you should expect at least a 50% reduction in the time spent compared to every other alternative.  (Important note: There is no software cost if we outsource the project.) 

Our Two-Week Pilot Project offers you a no-risk way to see the Applaud solution at work in your environment.  We will work on-site at your direction on your live project for two weeks.  If, at the end of two weeks, you are not absolutely amazed by our success, send us home and you will owe us nothing but our travel expenses. 

However, if you are impressed by our success (like every organization that has accepted this offer), we will bill you for the initial two weeks and we will continue to work at your direction to ensure the success of your project.