The iCatchIT Software Development Center
An offshore Software Development Center has certain advantages over their onshore counterparts that should be of interest to you. If, that is, you are a Project Manager with an unfulfilled project or two, or perhaps looking in to offshoring as a solution to a cost-performance dilemma that many IT shops face on a daily basis.
Let’s begin by looking at a few basic cornerstones of a functional offshore Software Development Center , things we have learned in the past 15 years of doing Project Management and Software Architecture.
To create and sustain a productive working relationship we must achieve the following:
1. Process Integration
To get distributed functional workgroups (yours and ours) integrated into an efficient, unified team requires careful corroboration of short, medium, and long term goals. It also requires a strong project manager who knows how to forge a team from disparate members, knows when to be flexible, and when to enforce a schedule of milestones.
It is critical for functional team members to work together to generate a schedule of events and make sure goals provide a good working integration for project deployment.
2. Relationship Management
Cultural differences, errors of communication, and differing values make RM an essential part of the productive software development team. Mutual respect and willingness to bridge the gap between team members is priceless in a working partnership, no matter where they are located, and that’s one important thing we bring to the table.
3. Communication
This is not a no-brainer. Communicating early and often is a cornerstone that is easy to say but requires concentrated effort with frequent and timely contact between stakeholders. We use VOIP and IM with video conferencing, as well as POTS calls.
4. Define Resources
As part of our negotiation process, we disclose our true and total skill set. We ask the same of you. That gives both of us a basis for building a working relationship that gets projects done on time, on track, and on target.
You can expect the following processes to be at your disposal when collaborating with the iCatchIT Software Development Center . Our US Software Architect will be your primary contact throughout the project. You can see his credentials here. He will choose a group of engineers to work on your project, determined by the SLA and your needs. Much of the intercultural communication will be done through him, although every engineer speaks excellent English and is available for contact at any time. Our engineers apportion at least some of their time for IM conversations with stakeholders, like you.
In today’s rigorously competitive environment, a team who cannot adapt, change, and innovate to solve problems is a liability. This, by the way, is the most common complaint that in-house teams have about working with an offshore SDC. The modern dynamic SDC fully utilizes each team member’s talents to bring projects in on track, on target, and on time.
All right enough fluff. What is our skill set?
Highlights of iCatchIT’s Software Development Profile
Application Development
Rich Internet Applications
Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) represent a paradigm shift in the way information is developed, presented, and processed on the World Wide Web. In its earliest iterations, there were those who doubted its definable existence, but they were people who did not see at first what the revolution was all about; today however there are few who deny the revolution is alive and well. iCatchIT is one of the first to offer this service in Cebu and the Philippines.
Web Development
Website Development
The brain of any website is the code that creates the structure. The structure of the website is influenced by the technology used to create it. That could be XHTML, XML, Web 2.0, or others that we use at i CatchIT and that are industry standards. But the quality of your site is not determined soley by the code; good code determines performance, stability, and maintainability, among other things–things you may not see at first. Data driven sites must feed into accounting or ERP systems if they are to function efficiently. For example, your customer buys a widget from your online store. That should automatically adjust your inventory, update A/R and notify shipping. Depending upon business rules it may also signal manufacturing to build more widgets. It may not be obvious but none of these transactions need consume valuable human capital.
The modern website is changing and is becoming the front-end workhorse for many businesses. It must wear several hats, and be very pretty in the process. It must attract; it must inform; it must motivate. And it must do these things without appearing to be working at it. But there is more. Nowadays it must also integrate with your in-house ERP system as an order-taker, an inventory-controller, and as a CRM data entry point.
Study after study has shown that it is easier to upgrade a site than re-invent it. To get the flexibility to change just one module, OOP standards must be employed. Sites must be structured so that they can be upgraded iteratively to meet changing business needs as they arise.
Intuitive feature implementation complements strong, maintainable structure to form an integrated website design. Experienced architects are able to think like your users. The text and presentation set the theme and orient your user’s thinking, and easy-to-use functionality must support that theme and thinking. Disappointing, awkward transactional functionality will quickly dispatch them to a competitor.
Our software architects and project managers have 10 years experience leading teams of software developers creating industry leading interactive websites, including eCommerce, data driven portals, and Web 2.0 applications. Teamwork, imagination and technology come together to develop solutions that are secure, cost-effective, yet easy to maintain.
For more information regarding content development and design, click here.
Application Development
Applications Development
We have broad experience in developing applications for business, including ERP and CRM integration-customization and standalone applications. Typically we define requirements using UML and create a development process and environment that is customized to your organization and personnel.
Database Development
Database Development
When robust design and scalability are combined with intelligent data-modeling, database systems become reliable work horses behind any application. Using industry leaders, such as MS SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL, we can accommodate your environment to produce data driven ecommerce websites, applications, and reports. We incorporate scalability, high performance and security for results you can see with no “gotchas” down the road.
Infrastructure Management
Infrastructure Management
Systems knowledge and networking know-how catalyzed with talent and commitment typify our systems engineers who provide a wide range of solutions to systems and networking issues. We have network monitoring software customized for your hardware and personnel skill set.
We work with you to define your SLA and we can take it from there. Stop worrying about viruses, worms, Trojan horses and stay focused on your core processes. Once and for all.
Web Design Highlights
1. Data driven functionality
The Internet is moving increasingly closer to the user’s desktop. Live documents, like RSS feeds, link to the Internet are data driven and provide seamless timely information access. Traditional notions of documents as static entities belong in the archives of the 20 th Century. Contextual, data-driven information components will provide the modern interactivity features of live documents, both as website elements and desktop icons. But these need to be designed into the website from its inception.
2. Business Rules and workflow
To create an integrated, efficient transaction processing platform, modern websites must connect website- oriented business activities with accounting and other ERP functions (eg HR, vendor procurement, sales force automation, manufacturing, and customer relationship management)
3. Manageable and compatible
We utilize content management capabilities, XML, CSS and other standards-driven technologies to create sites that are easy to maintain.
4. Bandwidth Optimization
We carefully optimize your site so that high and low bandwidth visitors are able to use the site without long delays.
Software and Website Development Contract Terms
Our contract terms allow iCatchIT to tailor service terms that meet your needs.
1. Team Based
iCatchIT provides you with an offshore team and builds the infrastructure for successful integration within your organization.
2. Hybrid
A combination of hourly and team based.
3. Project Based
Complete project management and execution. From gathering requirements to deployment and support, our experienced experts lead projects to successful completion on time and with a fixed price or at an hourly rate.
Reading this is only the first step. You can take the next step by requesting for more information. We would love to hear from you anytime.
Technology Availability Summary at iCatchIT
Website Development Scripting Tools
Dreamweaver
Popular graphical web development tool from Macromedia (Adobe Systems) holds more than 70% of HTML editor market. A WYSIWYG editor.
JavaScript
Client side scripting, very broad usage, by Sun Microsystems.
Jscript.NET
Microsoft’s Active Scripting Language, most recent version is Jscript.NET.
VBscript
Variation of Visual Basic designed for Internet Explorer, which makes it a very popular scripting tool.
CGI/Perl
Common Gateway Interface server side scripting tool in wide use to pass data from/to the client to/from a server.
ASP.NET
.NET Framework web application development tool with wide usage and high flexibility.
Php
Server-side application development tool competes with VB and C++ open source.
ERP and CRM Applications
J.D. Edwards
Acquired by PeopleSoft in 2003, then merged with Oracle in 2004 as part of their PeopleSoft acquisition.
Accpac ERP
Sage’s integration of their popular Accpac accounting suite with ERP technology.
Sage CRM
Sage Group plc, a leading UK-based supplier of accounting software, now is a global market force in CRM systems. On-premise and on-demand (SaaS) versions.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0
Part of MS Dynamics family of business tools. Integrated with Outlook and MS Office suite.
ACT!
Contact manager, created by Symantec, acquired by Sage. Entry-level, but very mature and popular product.
Language Platforms
C/C++
Widest usage standardized programming language.
Visual Basic .NET
It is an object-oriented computer language that can be viewed as an evolution of Microsoft’s Visual Basic (VB) implemented on the Microsoft .NET framework.
Microsoft .NET
Microsoft .NET is an umbrella term that applies to a collection of products and technologies from Microsoft. Most have in common a dependence on the Microsoft .NET Framework, a component of the Windows operating system.
Microsoft Visual C#
Built on C++ and .NET technology, related to VB, JAVA, Delphi. Simple, general-purpose, object-oriented language.
Operating System or Application
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
A very popular global OS.
Unix/Linux
Open source popularity is increasing its market share.
Database Platforms and Functions
MS SQL Server
Stored Procedures, Views, Triggers, TSQL, User Defined Functions.
Access
Desktop database also good for prototyping.
PostgreSQL
Open source, runs under Windows, Linux, and any Unix flavor. Native support for Php.
MySQL
MYSQL AB. 6 million installations. When combined with Php is called the Dynamic Duo because of tight integration. Very common in web applications.
Oracle
Enterprise client-server, object-oriented, multimedia, native JAVA integration. All platforms. First commercial SQL database.
Reporting
Crystal Reports
Collects data from just about any thing. Enterprise reporting.
Access
Versatile Database reporting tool for the desktop.
HTML
Ubiquitous. Well worn, like a good pair of shoes.
Graphics and Animation
Adobe Suite
The graphics standard in 2007.
Corel Draw
Still many committed users.
Adobe Premiere
Another Adobe standard, this time for movie animation.
Flash
The standard for web animation.
3DSMax
Highly customizable and scable 3D animation, modeling, and rendering solution for film, tv, games, and design visualization.
WAP Application Development
WML
Wireless Macro Language is the HTML for wireless apps.
WMLscript
Special dialect of JavaScript.
XML
Extensible Markup Language
JAVA J2ME
Java Micro Edition, originated with Sun Microsystems, is used for creating games and other popular apps on PDAs and cell phones.
.NET Compact Framework
Subset of .NET Framework used for smart device applications, like Pocket PCs and other devices running Windows CE.
Japanese NTT DoCoMo
iMode Service (Japan)
Wireless Development
Pocket PC
Windows CE
Embedded Visual Basic (EVB) a specialized subset of VB used for wireless devices.
Palm
Mobile VB
Cellphones PDAs
J2ME, CLDC1.1, MIDP2.0, DoCoMo, JPhone
XHTML Mobile
Amalgamation of XML and HTML for mobile devices, designed by W3C to bring some standardization to mobile programming. Supported by DoCoMo, Nokia, Ericsson, and others.
Architectural Visualization and Customized Modeling Renderings, Photorealistic Scenes, Fly-bys and Walkthroughs
3DSMax
Highly customizable and scable 3D animation, modeling, and rendering solution for film, tv, games, and design visualization.
Autodesk Maya
Autodesk Maya is used by film and video artists, game developers, design visualization professionals, and students to create engaging, lifelike digital images, realistic animation, and extraordinary visual effects.
Autodesk AutoCAD
The standard for 3D design.
VOIP
Asterisk
Asterisk-based telephony solutions offer a rich and flexible feature set. Asterisk offers both classical PBX functionality and advanced features, and interoperates with traditional standards-based telephony systems and Voice over IP systems. Asterisk offers the features one would expect of a large proprietary PBX system such as Voicemail, Conference Bridging, Call Queuing, and Call Detail Records.
VoiceXML (VXML)
VoiceXML (VXML) is the W3C’s standard XML format for specifying interactive voice dialogues between a human and a computer. It allows voice applications to be developed and deployed in an analogous way to HTML for visual applications. Just as HTML documents are interpreted by a visual web browser, VoiceXML documents are interpreted by a voice browser. A common architecture is to deploy banks of voice browsers attached to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) so that users can use a telephone to interact with voice applications.
