Our Path to a Solution...

Thinksol recognizes that no one methodology can meet all requirements. Thinksol has used a variety of both traditional "Waterfall" model and object-oriented methodologies over a large number of projects and has a considerable body of expertise in the various pros and cons of each approach.

Using our experiences we are able to adopt client’s processes and methodologies to ensure that the processes we use on client’s project truly reflect the real world needs of client’s organization. In addition we regularly review developments in all leading methodologies including the Rational Unified Process (Rational), the OPEN Consortium's OPEN Process and the Object-Oriented Software process (OOSP).

When not using a client specific methodology Thinksol uses the Unified Process. There are many reasons for this, but the most compelling reason is the wholesale adoption of the Unified Process.

Rational is unique in offering a unified set of tools that fully supports the whole software development lifecycle. Rational tools span Windows NT and UNIX platforms, and support a host of languages, IDEs and operating environments, including: C/C++, Java, EJB, XML, COM/+, and CORBA.

Thinksol has deployed the Web Sphere platform on two recent major projects. The combination of our experience and the recently announced Rational Unified Process Add-in for IBM Web Server make us the ideal choice for developers considering this platform.

These developments by Rational, BEA, IBM and others, and the widespread acceptance of UML have enabled offshore software development centers like Thinksol to accurately communicate with their customers using a common language.

Outsourcing is employed when an organization needs to restructure its internal technology systems and organization. With Thinksol's Outsourcing Program, we help customers regain control over their technology environments. We are prepared to assess technology environments and devise a master plan to rationalize them. Based on customer needs, we can refocus the environment and manage existing systems, implement new systems, and outsource technology-based business processes.

Approach

Transformation outsourcing is especially suitable when an enterprise has multiple systems that may have been acquired through merger and acquisition or years of unbridled growth. Our approach involves:

Assess Portfolio: Conduct a full portfolio assessment, grouping all systems by business processes and identifying any redundancies.

Identify Minimum Requirements: Document the minimum technology base that is necessary to support the business today and in the future

Build Knowledge Base: Codify the knowledge base of the technology, analyze how it supports the organization's business processes, and publish the knowledge base to the organization using the web.

Program Plan: Build and execute the onsite/offshore program plan.

Change Management: Help the organization plan, acclimate, and understand the impacts of changing business processes and IT operations.

Consolidate Resources: Converge systems using the onsite/offshore model.

Execute: Deliver application and infrastructure management; implement new applications; optimize the technology architecture; research, document, and publish the technology and process knowledge base on the web; and outsource new business processes.

A major concern for customers looking to outsource software development is quality. Can they trust the cost and time estimates they have been given? Will the finished product be to a high standard? There are three ways in which Thinksol addresses this concern.

• Process Quality
• Systems Engineer (staff) Quality
• Product Warranty

• Conduct System Overview
• Document business system Requirements
• Study Existing system Documentation
• Understand and document client expectations and requirements
• Deliver appreciation document And Obtain sign-off
• Deliver Maintenance Process Document

• Test Connectivity
• Test all development and maintenance processes
• Introduce offshore and onshore teams

• Conduct periodic quality Reviews
• Improve cycle time and response times
• Systems Engineer Quality