LinkedIn Article was written by Steve Davis.

tl;dr 

My experiences from over 18 years of running a software company have given me some insight into why Bio::Neos can be such a valuable partner to the right clients, and why we are different from a traditional software development firm.

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I want to share with my network some things I have learned through my experiences running Bio::Neos, I hope these thoughts will help some who read them to make decisions about how to best work with technology teams and what to think and ask about when vetting tech teams to embark on a large software development project with them.

Let me back up a little and acknowledge that posting to such a large audience like my entire LinkedIn network makes me uncomfortable. I worry that this will come across as self-promotion when it is truly intended to be a way of sharing lessons I’ve learned in the hopes that others can benefit from them and reading through and discussing my experiences will help them find and accelerate their own successes. All I ask is that if you find yourself benefiting from these thoughts, please take the time to share back your own experiences to add to the conversation so that we can celebrate your wins together.

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2022 marks the 18th year that we have been creating custom software at Bio::Neos, Inc. When Mike and I created this company, we believed that the best way that we could provide value to our clients resided in the process of gathering and documenting their requirements, creating a software specification, and building the best software we could (especially that last part -- since we are software geeks at heart). Throughout the years of projects and experience, I think we got really good at doing just that! However, making great software is not what makes us unique; there are a myriad of talented software teams throughout Iowa and the Midwest. While working on updating our messaging and improving our marketing this past year, I believe we may have recognized what truly sets us apart from others in our industry.

As tends to happen when you turn 18, a bit of maturity sets in (unless you are Terry Braun), and over the past few months, we have been reflecting on just what it is that we do for our clients. And while we have honed and strengthened our skills as a software development team, the greatest value that we provide to clients is being active collaborators to help them identify and realize the different ways technology can impact their projects and improve their customers' lives. When we thought about all the ways we work with clients and how best to describe it, the term that struck us as the most accurate is Scientific Technology Architects. To most, this might just sounds like a bundle of words, but to us: it’s the way we work. We curate custom technology to specifically meet our clients' needs, similar to the way an architect can create a custom-designed home for a family. 

A custom-built home requires the craftsmanship, creativity, and understanding of the fundamentals to develop a high quality structure and appealing design. Architects listen to your expectations and together you prioritize amenities with the freedom to personalize the layout, colors, and aesthetic you want. Beyond the appearance, architects focus on the structural integrity of the build. Ensuring there is a strong foundation and support throughout the build.

As Scientific Technology Architects we want your technology project to thrive. Like a skilled structural architect, we take your ideas about your digital project into consideration to build you completely customized software. We focus on logistics, creation, and maintenance of technology through a collaborative partnership. That means we spend our time understanding what you want to build that will best support the expertise that you have. You prioritize what actions are taken and to ask us challenging questions along the way, but we also believe collaboration is more than just listening and doing what is asked. We have a different and valuable perspective than our clients. We are comfortable sharing it and suggesting how it might impact what we see as the best opportunities for success. We believe that using the best thinking from all parties will produce the best solution. Working together, we are able to efficiently create platforms that are built to last. 

We strive to be more involved than traditional software teams and guide you through tackling serious technical considerations and balancing difficult trade-offs. This is a different approach from how most software developers operate, but truthfully, we’ve found that it is the most satisfying way to do our job over the years. We love working with people using science-backed technologies that provide life-enhancing solutions, pushing those ideas to new levels. Our approach may not be necessary for every project, but for those who need it, we have found that our collaborative service lets our clients focus on their passion because their technology needs are in the hands of a firm that they can trust. 

So there you have it. We will start referring to Bio::Neos as a Scientific Technology Architects firm. Post your thoughts on our new tagline in the comments on linkedin; we'd love to hear your thoughts.

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Thanks for reading. I love meeting new people and hearing more about the interesting and exciting things you do in your organizations. If you would like to chat with me one-on-one: send me a direct message, and I will give you my Calendly link so that you can schedule a video call directly onto my calendar. Have a great rest of your week!