Most software companies decide what to build behind closed doors. A roadmap is set somewhere, customers find out when a feature appears or does not, and the cycle continues without them. At Tower Systems, our customers help decide what we build next, openly and on the record.
We call it Software Ideas.
Transparent and democratic software enhancement discussion.
Software Ideas is many years old and remains a key tool that Tower Systems customers love.
How it works
Any customer can submit a suggestion — large or small, anything that would genuinely help their business. Before it goes anywhere, our team checks that it can realistically be built. Once it passes that check, it opens for all customers to vote on.
The ideas with the most support move up the list. That list shapes what we develop next.
Why we built it this way
We could have kept our roadmap private. Most companies do.
We did not, for a straightforward reason: customers deserve to see what has been suggested, what others are supporting, and where the software is heading. We also check viability before a suggestion goes to a vote, so we are not raising expectations for things we cannot deliver. What goes to a vote is something we can actually build.
Priorities are not set by the loudest voice or the largest account. Every customer gets a vote.
What it means in practice
The people who understand a trade best are the ones working in it every day. They see the small frictions and missed opportunities long before any vendor would. Software Ideas gives that knowledge a direct path into the product, rather than leaving it in a support ticket or a conversation at a trade event.
Why it fits how we work
We build, sell, train and support our software ourselves, here in Australia, because we want a direct relationship with the retailers we serve. A system that lets customers suggest, check viability, and vote on what gets built next is a natural part of that.
If you want a software partner that builds with you rather than at you, Software Ideas is worth a look.
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