I'm new here.  I'm also not a programmer.   But, I am a person with sound logic.

I'm a member of a technology committee that overlooks a critical software application in the real estate industry.  I joined this committee in 2007.

The previous members of the committee developed and implemented our software application in 2005 using DNN.  It's not been a happy experience.   Now there is discussion about rewriting the application in a different language where we have more flexibility as to who we hire to work on it and to add new features now and in the future.  We have a lot of money invested in the current application... at least six figures.

The current Chairperson, who was a member of the '05 Committee hired an outside consultant to evaluate the DNN.  While this isn't unusual to me, what is odd is that the consultant was part of the '05 Vendor group who developed our application.  There's something wrong with this picture... for me at least.  

At a recent meeting, the consultant delivered his recommendations.   I'm troubled by a lot of what he said.  Remember, I'm logical but not a programmer.  He said, "Dotnetnuke is a framework you can use to make up modules that are pre-made, but you don't have the ability to do customization."  His words exactly as stated in the minutes of the last meeting.  He also said, "There are very few programmers available to work in this (DNN)."  I know this second statement is not correct since I know several programmers in our local area who work with DNN.  In fact, one of them worked for the developer who did our software.

Can someone please tell me if the above is correct or not and perhaps expand a little on the remarks made by the consultant.

THX ... IAmSoup

You can build virtually anything in DNN. It is essentially a security framework and it does not place restrictions on anything you want to fit into it. However, you will need to find an experienced and capable DNN developer to carry out the work and more importantly, you must also have an experienced person within your business responsible for managing that person's deliverables and performance. The committee you're on is probably for that purpose, but such committees are typically not staffed with technology specialists.

IT consultants tend to restrict their advice to the field and applications they know. Anything outside of their field is generally dismissed as unsuitable... and any developer or systems engineer can whip up some quick fud about anything at all in 2 seconds flat and have business managers sweating in fear as a result. I've seen that plenty of times. One basement dwelling dev in company I worked for held the entire company to ransom for years over his loonix ideals and his desire to build every application in the business all by himself. It was completely nuts.. they were still running Office 97 when I left and I understand nothing has changed since.

But I dye grass

Your chap's actual statement "Dotnetnuke is a framework you can use to make up modules that are pre-made, but you don't have the ability to do customization."  is pure blather... just read it again.  His second statement about the number of developers is much more accurate, but it is probably more a reflection on his firm than anything else... and besides, how many developers do you actually need... one?

You need to find a DNN specialist and have them assess the state of your existing application and advise whether it can be revised or improved in lieu of your future goals and requirements. That report would be put up against a proposal by other groups to replace the system with something else. One person or group cannot do both.

A lot of IT business are making a lot of money doing very little. I've seen real six figure projects that I could put together in a weekend and run from home. It's quite shocking. It would be interesting to know just how custom or generic this real estate application acually is.

Rob

P.s. I could be completely wrong about him, but what you've said strikes a chord with me and my experiences.

Thank you Rob.... very sound advice.  Much appreciate it.   Cheers ... Soup