Introducing 5Rules

Highly astute readers of this blog will notice that I've just added a new site link to a soon to be launched venture I'm involved in, called 5Rules.

5Rules is a software company that creates web applications to make everyday business processes simpler. We're targeting small to mid-sized companies with 10-100 employees, who don't have the internal I.T. resources, the money or the time to automate many of the processes they currently manage using paper forms and interoffice mail. (We aren't discriminating... big companies can use it too!)

Our model is to provide easy to use, web based applications. That means all you need is a PC and an internet connection to get started. (If you’re reading this, you’re already there!)

Our goal is to build great applications which adhere to 5Rules. (Hence the name.)

Rule 1. Quick start. You should be able to begin using our software in 5 minutes. No extensive training is required. All you need to get started is a PC connected to the internet!

Rule 2. Intuitive application design and functionality. Information, help and functions are laid out as you’d expect them. We will provide screen shots and demos to show you how easy it is! Information about each feature is embedded throughout the application (although we don't think you'll need it!)

Rule 3. Just what you need and nothing more. We are designing our apps to serve a single purpose and don’t overload them with features you’ll never use.

Rule 4. A Risk free experience. Try our applications for free. If you do subscribe to our more fully featured versions and decide to leave, you may do so at any time. And you can take your data with you. (We don’t take hostages!).

Rule 5. Provide Value for money. Our aim is to satisfy the needs of small to mid sized companies who can’t afford big software prices, so we price our applications to provide great value for what you get.

Our inspiration comes from the guys at 37signals, who are pioneers in the art of building terrific, well designed, easy to use web apps. And inspiration also comes from a lifetime in business, where many processes are still much more complicated and cumbersome than they need to be.

Our company site will be up in a couple of weeks, when we'll introduce our first application and start soliciting volunteers to help Beta test applications as soon as they're ready!