Digital SheriffDesigns

Custom software

If you can dream it, we can build it.

Tell us what you need, and we'll build a program made for the way you work. It's yours forever, with no subscriptions, and we'll help you every step of the way.

Start your request How it works

Don't talk yourself out of it

A lot of good ideas never get built because people assume one of three things. Please send your request anyway.

  • "It's probably not possible." Most ideas are. If yours needs a different approach, we'll find one together.
  • "It'll cost too much." A program that's yours forever often costs less than 1–2 years of subscription fees. Your estimate is free.
  • "I'm not good with computers." You don't need to be. Every program comes with a user manual, and we can send a video showing you how to use it or walk you through it ourselves.

Why custom

Software that works for you

Instead of renting software that was made for everyone, own a program made for you.

  • No more monthly fees

    Pay once, and it's yours. No subscription, no renewal, and no price going up next year.

  • Talk to the builder

    No salespeople and no call centers. You talk directly with the person who builds your program.

  • Help when you need it

    A user manual with every program, a how-to video if you'd like one, and 30 days of free fixes after delivery.

  • Made for how you work

    Only the features you need, named and arranged the way that makes sense to you.

  • Your information stays yours

    Your records stay with you, not on someone else's servers, unless you want them somewhere else.

  • Safe and checked

    Every program is checked for viruses before it reaches you, and you're welcome to have anyone you trust check it too.

Ideas to get you started

What could you stop paying for?

A few examples of programs we could build for you. Each one can replace a monthly subscription or a pile of paperwork.

  • Bookkeeping and invoices

    Track money in and out and send invoices, without a monthly bookkeeping subscription.

  • Estimates and quotes

    For contractors and trades: build a quote on the spot, with your own prices and materials.

  • Clients and appointments

    A booking and client book for salons, barbers, tutors, and anyone who keeps a schedule.

  • Inventory

    Know what's on the shelf, what's running low, and what sold, for a shop or a side business.

  • Members and classes

    Rosters, attendance, and dues for gyms, dance studios, clubs, and churches.

  • Rental properties

    Rent, repairs, and tenants for each property, all in one place.

  • Home inventory

    A record of everything you own, with photos, ready for an insurance claim.

  • Recipes and meal plans

    Your family recipes, a weekly meal plan, and a shopping list that writes itself.

  • Chores and allowance

    A family chore chart that keeps track of who did what, and what they've earned.

Beyond programs: your photos and home videos

We can gather your family photos and home videos into one private library you can browse and watch on any device in your home. No cloud-storage bill, and your memories stay with you.

Don't see your idea? That's the point. Send it anyway.

What we build

Where your program can run

Not sure which you need? That's fine. Pick "Not sure" in the request, and we'll help you decide.

  • Windows computers: a program that runs on your own PC.
  • Android phones and tablets: an app for the phone in your pocket.
  • Google: tools that work inside Google Sheets, Docs, and Gmail.
  • Microsoft Office: tools that work inside Excel, Word, and Outlook.
  • Something else? Tell us, and we'll be honest about what's possible.

How it works

From idea to your own program

No surprises: if something unexpected comes up while we build, we'll tell you before doing any extra work, and nothing extra happens without your OK in writing.

  1. Send your request. The guided form below takes about five minutes.
  2. We reach out within 3 business days, by phone or email, whichever you prefer.
  3. We talk it through. You'll talk directly with the person who builds it, and we'll go over every detail of what you want.
  4. You get an estimate or a quote. If it's the kind of program we know well, you'll get an estimate right away, with honest notes on anything that could add to the cost. If it's new ground, we'll research the work first and send you a quote, usually within a week.
  5. A short written agreement. It spells out what's included, the price, and who owns what. Projects over $250 start with a 25% deposit, and the rest is due on delivery.
  6. We build it, and you try it. We'll check in along the way so it turns out the way you pictured.
  7. It's yours. Delivered with a user manual, a how-to video if you'd like one, and 30 days of free fixes.

Delivery and safety

Straight to you, and safe

  • Delivered directly

    Your program doesn't come from an app store. We send it to you directly with a private download link, or on a USB flash drive in the mail if you'd prefer. (Our free programs are in app stores so anyone can find them. Custom programs are just for you.)

  • Checked for viruses

    Every program is scanned before delivery. You're welcome to have anyone you trust check it, or run it through a free scanner like VirusTotal. Because it doesn't come from an app store, Windows or Android may show a warning the first time you open it. We'll walk you through that.

Ownership

Two ways to own it

Either way, there's no subscription, and your program never stops working because a bill wasn't paid.

  • Made just for you, with the code

    Built from scratch for you. You get the program and its source code (the instructions it's made from), so you or anyone you hire can change it later. Once the source code is yours, so is the responsibility for it: you're responsible for the program and anything done with it, and Digital Sheriff Designs isn't liable for it.

  • Personalized, built on our base

    Built on a program we've already made, then personalized for you. It's yours forever. You don't get the source code, and we may offer the same base program to others, which is why it costs less.

Your written agreement spells out the details for your project.

Our limits

What we won't build

  • Anything illegal in the United States. No exceptions.
  • Anything meant to deceive, defraud, or harm people.
  • We may also turn down a request we don't think we can do well. If so, we'll tell you honestly and, where we can, point you somewhere better.
  • We currently take requests from the United States only.

In person

We come to you

We meet in person across Western North Carolina, and work online with anyone in the US. Some projects are easier to plan face to face.

That includes Marion, Morganton, Valdese, Asheville, Black Mountain, Hickory, Lenoir, Taylorsville, Boone, Banner Elk, Spruce Pine, Burnsville, Marshall, Forest City, Rutherfordton, Shelby, and the towns around them, in McDowell, Burke, Buncombe, Catawba, Caldwell, Alexander, Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, Rutherford, and Cleveland counties.

If you'd like, we'll visit your home or business to:

  • check that your computers and network are ready for what you have in mind,
  • plan a small server or network if your program needs one, and
  • set everything up and walk you through it.

Visits within about 25 miles are free. Farther trips may have a travel fee based on the IRS mileage rate and time on the road, and you'll always know the amount up front.

Good to know

Questions

How much does it cost?

Every project is different, so you get a free estimate or quote before anything is built. Many people are surprised how affordable a program of their own can be, especially next to years of monthly fees.

How long does it take?

Small programs can take days, and bigger ones a few weeks. You'll get a timeframe along with your estimate.

I'm not good with computers. Is that okay?

Absolutely. Tell us in the request, and we'll explain everything in plain language. You'll get a user manual, and we can send a video or walk you through it ourselves.

What if I don't know exactly what I need?

Describe the problem you'd like to solve, or the thing that annoys you. Figuring out the right program is part of our job.

Can you change it later?

Yes. Fixes are free for the first 30 days after delivery. After that, changes and new features are quoted just like a new request.

How do I pay?

We send an invoice through PayPal, and you can pay by card or with a PayPal account. Projects over $250 start with a 25% deposit.

Start your request

Tell us about your idea

A few quick questions, one at a time. We'll reach out within 3 business days.

What should we call you?
Which state are you in?

Just the state, so we know your time zone. We currently take requests from the United States only.

How can we reach you?

Leave a phone number, an email, or both. We need at least one.

Best way to reach you (optional)
Best time (optional)
Is this for you, or for a business?
How comfortable are you with computers?

So we can explain things your way. There's no wrong answer.

Where should it run?

Pick as many as you like.

Tell us your idea

In your own words. What should it keep track of? What's annoying about how you do it now? Rough ideas are fine.

When would you like it?
How did you hear about us? (optional)
Check and send

We only use what you send to contact you about your request. See the privacy page.

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