I imagine the answer to this question is, on the surface, quite obvious: the company is contracted to create, or creates- of it's own volition- a piece of software (or several articles of software) for sale and/or distribution.

But can anyone tell me, beyond this: how a software company works?

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I spoke to a developer of apps in C++ at a company here in downtown Portland about it, trying to pick his brain about how the company works; and he mentioned that his company specializes in a particular market (making software particularly for scientists & doctors); then utilizes a sales force to sell that software... but, understandably, he didn't exactly go in to HOW that salesforce worked.

I wanted to know, not only this aspect of creating a software company; but any other things that one might need to know about in order to create a decent software co.


Also, a major plus if anyone can (aside from pulling on one's own experience, as either a self-employed personality or an employee), refer any great books/articles/resources on the subject.

Thank you,
Lashtal

Just like any other company works.

You have a product, you need to find customers for it. Sometimes it's a very small and specific marketplace, other times it's a product of mass appeal.

Most software starts it's life by filling a need for someone, and if it takes off, it turns into a company, take Sage for example, or Microsoft.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

...and if it takes off, it turns into a company...

great insight.

There is a lot of pride in what we do at Adobe. We help people create great stuff and do their work with less hassle and that is very satisfying. The company cares about employees a lot and does a pretty good job with work life balance if you are capable and motivated there is a real chance for you to be able to put a dent in the universe and change tha way the world looks works and plays (look at photoshop, PDF, Flash and Flash Video.

I guess he wasn't really from ADOBE? lol