The Company
Ms. VBA was founded in 2006 by Laura (Miller) Hotalling in Lee's Summit, Missouri - a suburb of Kansas City. Within just a few short years the company has blossomed from a home-based business into a well-known source for high-quality, custom Microsoft Office application development and process automation. In late 2008 the business moved out of a spare bedroom in Laura's home into an office in downtown Lee's Summit where we continue to grow.
What We Do
Our primary goal is to create custom programs, applications, and solutions using or integrating with Microsoft Office products to reduce manual labor costs and improve data integrity. We have completed hundreds of projects for over 100 clients all over the world. We work with individuals, start-ups, small businesses, Fortune 500s and everything in-between. We specialize in designing and implementing scalable, user-friendly Microsoft Office solutions. Whether it's an Access database, Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation, Word document, Outlook customization or some combination of these, we can quickly and economically create a robust yet flexible solution for your office. Let us show you how we make Office do backflips!
Featured Projects
Below are some of our recent projects. More examples are available on our Portfolio page.
This client was using a series of Excel files to keep track of their contact information. When users started saving over each other's changes, they contacted Ms. VBA to create a simple Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system using Microsoft Access.
Hero Teams, LLC wanted a way to track candidates during the interview process and rate their responses to questions during an interview. They also wanted to score and rank the candidates based on their rating. Ms. VBA created a simple Microsoft Access database to do that and more.
A well known Fortune 500 financial services organization needed something to show their clients different ways to allocate their financial assets. Ms. VBA created an automated spreadsheet which gathered a few pieces of information to generate a dynamic Excel template.
When you've got over 600 pieces of equipment and each one has a dozen movable parts, it's hard to adhere to a regular maintenance schedule. This system not only manages the details of an item’s last tune-up, but also generates a Standard Operating Procedures document in Word and a handy Excel Checklist for the technician performing the work.
Why We're Different
Efficient. Knowledgeable. Meticulous. These are just some of the words clients have used to describe Ms. VBA. We will research and present the best options for your particular situation - whether it's Microsoft Office or a software service or package available from another vendor.
We have several important principles:
Take Time to Do It Right
We care about doing quality work - after all, anything worth doing is worth doing well. At Ms. VBA we realize your time and money are valuable so we listen to your overall concerns to develop a robust solution. Our goal is to create something you will use for years to come that will require very little, if any, upkeep. Of course, we'll be available should you need additional development or assistance, but we strive to create systems that are completely maintainable by your organization.
Quality Over Quantity
Sure, others may charge less to write custom Microsoft Office solutions, but the unparalleled level of quality you'll receive with Ms. VBA will prevent the wasted time and frustration you'll get with the other guys. In fact, many of our clients come to us after using a less experienced provider and realizing that their lower-quality work is actually costing them more money and effort than Ms. VBA's quote for the same solution.
Create Logical, Reusable, Well-Documented Solutions
Sometimes other developers write indecipherable software code (called "spaghetti code") either as an effort to secure their positions or because they just don't know how to write something that others can follow. Not at Ms. VBA. We make sure everything we do can easily be followed by other developers - even novice ones. It may not mean much to an end-user, but properly commented and organized code and be the difference between updates taking a few minutes or a few hours.
Do What's Best for the Client
It's not common, but sometimes we run across a third-party application we know nothing about or can't efficiently create a solution that will meet a client's requirements. In these rare instances we'll do as much research as possible to make sure Ms. VBA is the correct fit for your needs. If we determine we're not, we're happy to refer you to one of our reputable associates.
Meet Our Staff
Laura (Miller) Hotalling
~ Owner, Lead Developer ~
Laura began her IT career as an intern with John Deere's Tier II helpdesk while she was earning her BS in Network and Communications Management at DeVry University. After graduating with honors she excelled in an entry-level application development position with a local customer survey company where she quickly became the go-to gal for complex reporting requests, optimizing VBA code, and automating routine processes. Next she worked as an application developer and Microsoft SQL database administrator for GSI Hosting where she was introduced to her first freelance client. Another freelance opportunity turned into a full-time position, and Laura was hired as the Director of Technology for a start-up company in Lee's Summit. As her freelance client base grew she decided to strike out on her own in March of 2008 to pursue freelance application development full-time.
Graham Hotalling
~ VP of Health and Wellness ~
Graham has been with the company since it was founded and strictly upholds our mental and physical health and wellness objectives. While his initial role within Ms. VBA was largely undefined, he quickly recognized an opportunity to improve employee morale and was relentless in his pursuit to ensure - nay, demand - scheduled exercise breaks and mandatory tummy-rub time (usually when we're on a conference call). Although he lacks thumbs and, therefore, the ability to assist in the day-to-day business operations of the company, he still prefers to be involved in all business dealings - unless it's during nap time.
Client Testimonials
What Clients Say about Ms. VBA
Ms. VBA works with Fortune 500 companies, small start-up businesses, and professional individuals from all over the world. No matter how large or how small - every client is important; every project a positive experience. We take pride in creating high-quality solutions, exceeding expectations, and fostering long-term business relationships. But don't take our word for it - see what some of our clients have to say about working with Ms. VBA.
Would highly recommend Ms. VBA to anyone who needed any custom excel spreadsheets. Ms. VBA finished the project before the deadline, and the quality way above expectations. Thank You Again.
R.H., Class "A" Field Services, LLC
Brentwood, CA (USA)
[Ms. VBA] implemented an Office Automation app for us. She made suggestions for a revised approach that improved the implementation. Responsive and cared about doing great work.
D.S., Strategies In Play
Townsend, MA (USA)
Very knowledgeable about the product she works with. Turns the most complicated list of requests into easy to use product. Great vision into what the customer is looking for.
M.A., HiTech Automation, Inc.
Liberty, MO (USA)
Ms. VBA is a true software engineer. She foresaw problems in the specs early on and made several suggestions that improved the end product. I would heartily recommend her to anyone needing MS Access work done. Just as long as she doesn't get too busy for my next project!
S.K., ConvergX Corporation
Harrison, TN (USA)
Having Ms. VBA working on my Access database project has been a pleasure. She understood what was required and implemented the solution quickly and efficiently with added improvements over and above what was in the original project brief. The few queries and refinements I requested were handled in a similarly helpful manner. I wouldn't hesitate to work with Ms. VBA again.
J.H., Berkshire UK
I can honestly say that the service I received from Ms. VBA exceeded my expectations tremendously. Ms. VBA was there every time I needed some help or assistance regarding my project. I will use her again and again and again. Obviously I recommend anyone else to do the same when she is not working on one of my projects. ;)
J.V., Realty Aide, Inc.
Fort Worth, TX (USA)
I want you to know that I am recommending your services to as many of my colleagues as I possibly can, particularly when I perceive that they have an opportunity to exploit their technologies to lessen their workload. I think your niche is spectacular and am glad to see that your business is growing from that of merely an Elance provider. Your work for us has been great and you have personally been a pleasure to coordinate with.
L.R., ASIG
Maumelle, AR (USA)
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