Training is required, but typically is measured in weeks. This greatly reduces development time because communication problems and delays between the experts and the programmers are eliminated. Expenses also are lower because fewer people are required to complete the project. The chief drawback to these programs has been the high cost of software licenses. These low prices mean that custom software's price advantage is only apparent in rare situations where the software cost is high relative to the total system cost and where product runs are in the thousands.
Clients are much more apt to purchase a data acquisition system with name-brand software.
In fact, to most clients the software is the system because software is the front end seen day in and day out. This can make development and support costs prohibitively high, especially if market share is split among many software vendors. Assuming the right software vendor is chosen, a user can expect regular upgrades. Good vendors listen to their clients to find these problems and promptly issue bug fixes, or at least workarounds. This investment yields regular upgrades and comprehensive customer support including phone hotlines, Internet, e-mail, and newsletters.