We are looking for someone experienced in software design / programming to produce a program for hire & sale of medical equipment. This could be a long term association, so we are looking to find the right fit with the way we see things.

The project requires attaching a secured databased shopping cart facility to an existing website (written in XSitePro). Site visitors can browse catalogs, view hire & sale items, rent or purchase products. All publicly accessible pages require to be fully SEO optimised.

The program requires to be networkable with levels of admin accessibility and controls. It needs to be fully documented and designed for continuous modification. A number of individual sites (physical locations, multiple work stations) will be accessing the data, which will be specific to that site but stored in a composite table, with appropriate individual security.

The finished program is to be delivered in stages. Each stage is to be fully tested and free of bugs and immediately interlinked with the preceding stage.

The first part will be to produce a fully documented flow chart clearly setting out the process and requirements for each phase of the actual program. Once we have agreed on this, actual programming will commence.

The first workable stage will allow us to perform the following processes: 1. Admin / Upload & edit: Leads (prospects), Clients, Staff, Suppliers, Agents, Hire items, Sales Items. 2. Data entry also from website forms. 3. Produce Booking Agreements (for hire items), Invoices, Payment advices.
4. All data saved to database tables. 5. Payment options: cash, cheque, credit card (Paypal and manual entry with provision for later addition of other merchant facilities), direct deposit into our bank account, wire transfer, etc.

Later stages will allow production of catalogs (printed and web) from stored product graphics and design templates, as well as individual product data sheets, price lists, and a number of specifc reports. We also require a built in double entry accounting package, equipment register and control.

As you can see, this is a large project, and we are looking to you to assist us in creating the final design specifications (the first stage). Your input will be important, but we do know exactly what we want to be able to do and how the finished presentation should look and feel. Our lack is using the correct terms and terminology to provide clear and concise instructions and requirements suitable to ensure a (possible) trouble free work flow.

We currently use a generic hire software package which has many excellent features but lacks the finer enhancements we need. So, we will be able to provide screen captures of specific pages from which we will evolve the finished design.

Your bid can be a total bid for the entire project, or can be split into design and implementation. In either case payment is to be from escrow on receipt and activation of each stage, with the agreed amount paid by us into escrow for each successive stage before that stage commences development.

Upon acceptance we reserve the right at the conclusion of any stage, to either cease or reallocate the further works. All copyright to the finished program must revert to us and we will require signed documentation to secure all rights pertaining to us.

In conclusion, we have already discussed with other interested parties, various collaborations and joint ownership of the finished works. We will consider offers and submissions you may wish to submit, bur require you first bid on the project as set out above.I am moved to add the following comment: the two bids received to this time do not appear to understand what we are needing. At this point we are not really interested in bids like "$2000 in x hours". This is both impractical and unrealistic in view of the stated project guidelines. Please read and understand the project guidelines before you place a bid. For example, we would expect you to have a good understanding of the hire industry in general and the various software currently available. You need to quote specific credentials in support of your bid for us to determine your suitability to undertake to job.

If you have questions, ask before placing a bid. I will respons as quickly as possible.In answer to some questions:
YES, you will need to produce and develop the database and "shopping cart" as part of the project. This is a complete new production from beginning to end. Only the web site exists at this time.

YES, you can use existing scripts and/or open source software to produce the finished project. The only criteria is that it must work, the code be fully documented, and the final product be capable of updates.

NO, this is not a "quickie" project, we expect it to be stage driven over many months. Once completed we expect there will be ongoing revisions and updates every year (these will be subject to negotiated monetary rewards each time).

Any more questions, let me know. I will answer them privately unless they have universal application.