Most expensive piece of software?

Question

Anyone know? Just curious

Answer 1

Complex, custom software is always expensive. You should always read the specifications and try to pick an "off the shelf" software package first. Then read the REVIEWS that are available.

I developed many custom solutions in the mid 1980s for clients, when nothing was available. I started to believe that Lotus 123 and Microsoft Excel would solve every conceivable accounting problem, and people would drop the custom and special packages that were being developed. You see, Lotus 123 was getting well known, and packages like PeachTree seemed over priced. But the Lotus solutions did not fit the accounting rules very well, so PeachTree and Quickbooks seemed to be better suited. (I was wrong).

Some packages that I developed over the years were made commercially available. These had a specific mission, and were aimed at a very specific set of users. It sold for about $2000 through distributors, which seemed expensive. But you have to remember that we spent 6 months developing it, and had to sell enough copies to break even in a reasonable period of time. Even at that price, the sales volume was just enough to break even in about a year. By then, it was time to create a new version with all new features. This is not a package that you or the general public would have bought anyway.

The Adobe graphic packages are fairly expensive. I am not sure that it is justified for a home user. It is aimed at graphic artist professionals that are doing PRO work. You certainly would not buy it for a one time project.

There does not seem to be any hook to make money with many of the free download stuff. I often wonder where SpyBot Search & Destroy gets their money. Few people that I know have used the DONATE button; and should have at some point. Just how long can these nice people work for FREE?

Answer 2

I'm assuming you are inquiring regarding "off-the-shelf" packages, versus custom solutions;

I don't know for certain, but the most expensive I myself have researched so far is Endeca Profind.

This is one of many intelligence tools gaining popularity subsequent to 9/11.

It is a content acquisition system used by the DIA ("spookware"), the US NAVY and NASA, among others, to crawl unstructured content data sources and glean information (data mining).

The base package is listed on the GSA schedules (government price contracts) for $321,167.00.

It has several optional add-on modules available ranging in price from $34,258.00 to $81,362.00.

Then there are multiple foreign language support elements which are priced at $64,233.00 each.

I did the research on this for a client, and the 1st year cost for the solution they require came to $654,966.40.

It can be higher, depending on the particular configuration specified.

Here (below) is the link to Endeca, if you're interested in seeing what you get for that kind of money!

Answer 3

make your own .exe file,

have a price tag of the biggest amout you know.

put it on ebay.

you will get inquiries for the sure.........enjoy.

Answer 4

http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/expensive26.html