Charging Client for Data Structure 1

[JPep]

Do you think it is appropriate to give a client their data structure for free?
We have built and housed a data mart of their data warehouse for simple access to their data. Now they are asking for the relationship and data structure. Should we place a fee on this?

 

[jnicho02]

Depends very much on your original agreement, and whether you host other clients' data on a similar structure (i.e. is it your companies standard model that is your intellectual property).

It is appropriate to charge for design...and possibly quite a lot. It also depends on how close your relationship is with the client. Are they requesting the structure in order to build their own version and move away from you? or to get a competitor to bid? or is it so that they can closer integrate their systems with yours. That would be quite beneficial, and a situation where you might consider giving it for free. My home ---->

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[KJSmiley]

Yes it does depend very much on your Service Level Agreement (SLA) if you have one. It is possible they are leveraging your work to request proposals from competitors. On the other hand, they may be trying to improve their understanding of the architecture to improve their return on investment (ROI).

As a senior consultant, most of the warehouse projects I have been involved in become an exercise in component integration eventually. More often the components are developed from multiple vendors that are usually competitors. I would typically charge for such a deliverable unless there are specific circumstances that warrant a ‘freebee’ or a somewhat reduced price. Remember, your decision will be setting a president for future relations.

I would recommend you – or someone else - investigate the client’s motivation for the request and act accordingly. A little extra time in customer relationship activity now could pay very large dividends for you in the future.