My software development team is developing an inventory control application. We will develop the data, business object and web services layers internally. We will outsource the Windows user interface development. This will be a Windows MDI application built on the .net framework 2.0. We are planning to outsource the UI development to several companies so that they can work on the various (Purchase Order, Receiving, Order Picking, Delivery, Customer, Report, etc.) screens simultaneously. The UI development companies will create, read, update and delete data using the web services layer.
I want the screens to have a consistent look and feel despite being developed by different companies. What is the best way to maintain a consistent appearance Should I develop a MDI child form base class that the forms inherit from Is there anything I am overlooking Your suggestions and comments are greatly appreciated.
Regards, Danny Crowell
Consistent form appearance from multiple developers
KyrinComaBlack
I wouldn't provide a form base, both rather a base class that derives from UserControl. You can then put this UserControl in any form that you like. If for some reason, you decide to no longer use a MDI form (ie Tab Documents, Avalon, etc), then you can change this without breaking the existing clients.
As far as providing a consistant user interface, there isn't much you can do apart from providing a sample and/or a document showing how the user interface should be layed out (spacing, sizing, fonts, type of controls to use).
I think the sample is probably the most important, as users tend to grab it and modify it to suit their needs.