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How Custom Software is Developed....

Software construction is a complex process.  It needs to be what you want and perform as you expect it to.  We go through several steps to ensure that the final product is exactly what you want it to be.

Step 1 – Gathering Your Requirements
A project begins with several meetings between our analysts and designers and your designated employees to define your company’s requirements.  Once the requirements are defined, then the project is sized to determine if one or several releases make the most sense in order to get the software into the hands of the end users the quickest.  Several releases are frequently used as some of our customer's software projects are large.  During this process a customer liaison is identified who will provide final approval on the designs for what is being built.

Step 2 – Requirements Assessment
Your requirements are compared with the dozens of licensable modules we already have constructed.  (And we are constantly adding more to choose from.)  Wherever possible we make use of pre-built modules “under the hood” to speed development and cut customer costs.  Suppose, for example, your application needs to send email.  We have software modules that can send email, log sent email, accept inbound email, separate email components for bounce processing, send email using a template, send to predefined groups, send attachments, and support HTML emails.  We can even auto send email at predetermined times.  All that’s left is crafting the user interface needed for your company.

The part of the software the your users see is customized to just the way the you want it.  The part module and part custom approach allows us to hold the line on customer costs while still delivering an application customized to your exact specifications.

Step 3 – Tasking and Design Next the requirements are broken down into a series of tasks.  As the tasks are identified and sized, a release plan is put together defining the individual components of your software, the order of construction, and estimated difficulty levels for each of the pieces.  Some of the tasks will involve design of screens, reports, database and processes.  Depending on the size of the project and availability, your personnel may become involved in the design process by interacting with prototypes to confirm the design.	Step 4 – Assembling the Team Based on the requirements, we will determine the designs, tasks and skills needed to complete the project.  We will then assemble the team, from our associates in multiple states, to rapidly build the software using our tools designed to speed the tasks.  If the project involves one of our alliance partners then we will arrange for completion of that portion of the project.  You can work directly with them or we will manage their portion for you.
Step 5 – Building the Software Our team goes to work and begins assembly of the components and writing the custom software pieces necessary to create the software you desire.  Our graphic artists work with you to achieve the “look” you want on the entire web application.  Progress is monitored through the online tasking and through a requirements monitor that ties the customer requirements for a release to the tasks involved.  As a given task may apply to several requirements and a given requirement may involve several tasks, this tool allows the tracking of progress on a level the customer is comfortable with.  Each customer billing provides a detailed breakdown at the task level.	Step 6 – Testing the Software Software is unit tested, meaning tested at the smallest unit (a class or web page) to make sure it works.  Then it is put into the Test repository for system level testing where the pieces are tested together to make sure everything works well together.  When items appear in Test they also become visible to the Help personnel who create an online topic-based help system that can also includes video help.  Documentation can also be provided in paper manual format if you wish.
Step 7 – Installation and Support The software is completed and tested.  Its time to install it and train your personnel to use it.  A training schedule least disruptive to your business is worked out.  Policies and procedures are developed with your personnel for the use of the system to optimize its use in your organization.  Determination is made access and logins, and access controls are setup.	After Installation - Help Desk After the software is completed, we offer the services of our “help desk” for low monthly and per-event fees.  Our help desk specialists understand software and are trained in your custom software, if you desire, so they can help you specifically with any needs.  4hours x 5 days or 8hours x 5 days are currently offered as standard plans.  Contact us if you have special “help desk” needs.
After Installation – Support and Documentation If any portion of your software doesn’t function the way you expected, we continue to work with your personnel to resolve any issues.  Our documentation team produces custom documentation to further support you, and our help desk and trainers work to ensure that your new software is up and running rapidly and that you are proficient at using it.	After Installation – More Software We feel that after you see how well the software you requested has helped your business and your ability to manage it that you will want more.  We will be there to help you with any future programming needs or additions.