Offshore Application Development Helps Customer Intelligence Provider Get State-of-the-Art Product.
"VueLogic needed and found a partner in TEAM; TEAM understands our business needs and translates them into state-of-the-art technology for our clients. TEAM fulfills all aspects of the application development lifecycle from infrastructure, data and application architecture through coding, testing and the deliver of documentation and processes. Our partnership with TEAM has gone above and beyond standard delivery of application code. They are highly skilled individuals with an extraordinary work ethic and strong desire to understand our business model. TEAM truly believes their success is defined and measured by our success and they deliver on this commitment each and every day.”
- Jim Deffenbaugh, CTO, VueLogic
The Client.
Atlanta, GA based VueLogic is a new-generation Customer Intelligence and data management provider. VueLogic's PowerVue solutions allow companies to capture and monetize valuable customer data, enabling the delivery of personalized online and offline experiences to their customers; driving loyalty and profitability. Combining analytics, micro targeting and individual profiles, PowerVue offers critical insight into the customer's performance and how to best target offers and messaging.
The Challenge.
In Q1 2008, VueLogic began development of a business analytics tool for the purpose of entering new markets with a competitive software product. VueLogic’s vision for this new product was to design a SaaS application with three layers:
1) a database containing a server-based batch application (ETL) that would basically allow customers to gather, validate, store and analyze the user data;
2) a MiddleWare business layer connecting and supporting options for the Front-End application as well as performing different selections and receiving user data from the database;
3) a Front-End online web-based application providing access to stored data and allowing client to view business analytics specific to the client’s own data by means of different analytical diagrams, graphics and stored pre-selection conditions.
VueLogic’s internal cost analysis found that developing the application via in internally managed IT organization would be more expensive and time consuming than if outsourced to TEAM International.
The Solution.
In order to develop the application and get to market as quickly as possible, VueLogic chose to employ a dual approach: to try something new, but risky, and to use a traditional and more reliable strategy. This dual approach was designed to help the company determine the most cost-efficient and effective way of developing the project. VueLogic hired a US-based software development firm to create the MiddleWare and Front-End layers. At the same time, it outsourced the database development (ETL) process to TEAM International.
In the course of the preliminary negotiations between TEAM International and VueLogic it was decided to base the outsourced product lifecycle on iterative methodology. As a result of this, each iteration duration was based on customer requirements for given revision. Each revision was based on the ‘waterfall’ model including requirements analysis, developments and testing with final product delivery. VueLogic was fully authorized to determine the parameters of the next iteration/revision. Each certain iteration/revision was thoroughly planned jointly by the partners and the planning phase involved Project Management activities as well as process/product audits and documentation creation and upgrade. Project Management meetings were held on a weekly basis and included discussion of the project status, risk monitoring, data collection metrics, solved/unsolved issues, and proactive and reactive planning. Both the information flow and documentation production/storage within TEAM were done in full compliance with the CMMI Level 3 standards and requirements.
The process (in chronological order):
Duration of partnership: January 2008 – present.
January 2008 – Start of Revision 1 of the project.
VueLogic determined the Project Scope and submitted its major requirements to TEAM International.
February 2008 – Project details specification.
TEAM International defined rough order of magnitude, test plan and test cases for Quality Assurance process. TEAM International produced Project Management Plan and Software Design Overview.
March 2008 – End of Revision 1.
TEAM International completed its work on development of the application prototype with basic functionality. Impressed by TEAM’s flexibility, productivity, efficiency and quality, VueLogic made the decision not to continue the contract with the domestic software development firm and to submit the application code to TEAM.
April 2008 – Start of Revision 2 of the project.
TEAM International began working on the development of new functionality for the VueLogic business analytics tool. Organizational structure was established to coordinate instant communication between VueLogic supervisors and TEAM’s specialists. TEAM determined and prepared the major project management documents (development guidelines etc). All team members were instructed on the project, project documentation, as well as document and source repositories.
May 2008 – Start of the execution stage.
TEAM International designed new screens and coded draft, final screens, new admin screens and new queries. Front-End application and new queries were tested.
June 2008 – TEAM specialists integrated new screens and performed integration testing.
Technology used.
The following development environment and platforms were used:
Platform – JDK 6 Update 4
Database server – Oracle 10g
Application Server – Tomcat 6.0.16
ETL Application - Visual Studio 2005, MFC, MS Visual C++.
HTTP Server – Apache Http Server 2.2.8
Mod JK Tomcat Connector 1.2.26
Source control – CVS.
Bug-tracking – Mantis.
The Results.
All the project deadlines were met and the milestones were achieved.
As a major outcome of the partnership with TEAM International VueLogic received the first layer of its business analytics application and improved and upgraded functionality added to all three layers.
TEAM International provided VueLogic with the following deliverables: high quality Storage and Retrieval System (SRS), respective SRS documentations including descriptions of customer requirements, the source code based on received requirements and the additional scripts for database modification.
VueLogic continues to enjoy the benefits of low-cost and high quality services provided by TEAM International.
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