another contract lost

[lilelvis2000]

Client just rang up. Looks like Steria are about to take over my contract in 2010. Sigh...and I've to help them get "settled in" to the code before-hand as well.... Bugger...this was my main contract.

Bit of a downer on the day.

[voodooflux]

Sorry to hear that - sounds like you still have some work left to do on that gig, so plenty of time to look for other opportunities perhaps? Chin up.

[lilelvis2000]

The only thing that could save me is cost. I'm far cheaper than Steria. I'm pretty sure they would charge a minimum of £500 a day for what I charge about £230. I'm sure they'll charge support on a per-call basis whereas I just have a minimal fixed quarterly charge.

Bummer. Oh well time to apply for grants for the Docment Management product which I never seem to get time to work on. Now I will have time to work on it! (mixed emotions)

[voodooflux]

The only thing that could save me is cost. I'm far cheaper than Steria. I'm pretty sure they would charge a minimum of £500 a day for what I charge about £230. I'm sure they'll charge support on a per-call basis whereas I just have a minimal fixed quarterly charge.

Did they give a reason? Is there any scope for negotiation and perhaps shave a little off your rate?

[lilelvis2000]

I had discussions before about bringing the support and dev. to their MIS team, but none of them are skilled programmers...not at my level anyway, so that got put aside and they signed up for another year of support. I think this is just another way to bring the support and dev. in house.

Don't know how much cheaper I can get....I'm already losing money as it is overall.

Wait til I break this to the wife...she won't be happy.

[EternalOptimist]

I had discussions before about bringing the support and dev. to their MIS team, but none of them are skilled programmers...not at my level anyway, so that got put aside and they signed up for another year of support. I think this is just another way to bring the support and dev. in house.

Don't know how much cheaper I can get....I'm already losing money as it is overall.

Wait til I break this to the wife...she won't be happy.

pm me her number, I will break it to her. I am skilled and diplomatic in this fckng area.

[BoredBloke]

so you are doing a job that the client has been happy with up to now but you are to be replaced by somebody who will be significantly more expensive. Can't see the logic there myself!

[expat]

so you are doing a job that the client has been happy with up to now but you are to be replaced by somebody who will be significantly more expensive. Can't see the logic there myself!

Somebody benefits. Perhaps someone in the client company prefers an expensive less-than-competent software house to a competent value-for-money contractor. Why would that be?

[suityou01]

The only thing that could save me is cost. I'm far cheaper than Steria. I'm pretty sure they would charge a minimum of £500 a day for what I charge about £230. I'm sure they'll charge support on a per-call basis whereas I just have a minimal fixed quarterly charge.

Bummer. Oh well time to apply for grants for the Docment Management product which I never seem to get time to work on. Now I will have time to work on it! (mixed emotions)

A mistype shirley?

[Cyberman]

Somebody benefits. Perhaps someone in the client company prefers an expensive less-than-competent software house to a competent value-for-money contractor. Why would that be?

Jealousy. Get used to it !!