Offshore IT Development Services Help International Firm Achieve Project Success.

Overview
Our Client is a leader in software and support for the global staffing industry, with headquarters in the United Kingdom and offices worldwide. Their core product is client-server contact management software, fully integrated with the Internet, which is very robust and configurable to end-client specifications. The product enables recruitment and consulting companies to trace the entire recruitment cycle, from Sales call to placement.

Business Challenge and Solution
Our Client had already successfully implemented outsourcing as a long-term business strategy. However, they were looking to expand this strategy to include risk mitigation (all eggs not in one basket), increased pool of resources, and further quality and cost improvements. TEAM International’s model, location, reputation and CMMi Level 3 compliant processes are ideal to accomplish these additional initiatives.

Chronology of TEAM International partnership with Client
Duration of Partnership: January 2006 – present
Application Configuration
January, 2006 – Initial visit by Client’s Executive team to TEAM International Offshore Development Center.
March, 2006 – Master Services Agreement executed
March, 2006 – Engagement letter (project specific) to engage 10 Configuration Analysts (CA’s) was signed.
May, 2006 – Two (2) people sent to the UK office for training and knowledge transfer.
June, 2006 – Internal training of staff based on knowledge transfer received in UK.
July, 2006 – Initial tasks received from Client.
October, 2006 – Additional workload requires the addition of 9 CA’s
January 2007 – Additional workload requires the addition of 6 CA’s Currently there are 30 configuration analysts working on the projects.

Application Development
October, 2006 – Engagement letter to engage 2 Java developers and a TEAM Lead signed.
November, 2006 – Strategic Development Manager from Client came to TEAM International to train our people and for knowledge transfer.
March, 2006 – 3 additional developers engaged.
June, 2006 – 2 additional developers engaged. Current team 7 developers and 1 TEAM Lead

Quality Assurance Testing
December, 2006 – Engagement letter to engage 6 QA Engineers and 1 TEAM Lead signed.
January, 2007 – Project Manager and QA Team Lead travels to UK for training and knowledge transfer.
May, 2007 –QA Team Lead and Sr.QA Engineer travel to UK for training on recently purchased automated testing tool.
June, 2007 – 2 QA Engineers added to TEAM Current team 8 QA Engineers and 1 TEAM Lead

Engagement Details
Application configuration.
TEAM International receives specifications from the Client and configures the software product to meet the ever-changing requirements of Client’s customer.

Configuration Lifecycle example:
Specifications received from Client
Business analysts analyze specifications and clarify needs/requirements

The following tools are used:
The Client’s product specific configuration tools:
DBConfig
ScreenTool
BOExplorer
MenuEditor
QueryExplorer

Other tools and techniques:
Crystal Reports
Jasper Reports
SQL Server Studio

Application Development
TEAM International is providing a Java development team that works on upgrades, enhancements, new releases, and bug fixing. Among a number of well-known methodologies the following software Development lifecycles and Project Management techniques are used for our Client:
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 database
Web services
Oracle
SCRUM
Iterative model
Waterfall model
PMI PMBOK recommendations

Testing
QA talents provided by TEAM International are fully integrated into the Client’s business process and have adopted the tools that the Client preferred such as Seapine TestTrack Pro and QA Wizard Pro.
TEAM International performs the following types of testing activities:
Creates test documentation (Test Plans, Test Cases, etc.)
Functional testing
Regression testing
Automated testing
Directions of testing:
Standard Application/Configuration testing
Engine Features testing
Client Specific Applications/Configuration testing
Testing and Bug Tracking tools used:
Seapine’s TestTrack Pro
Mantis
Seapine’s QA Wizard Pro

Results against initial goals
Risk mitigation (all eggs not in one basket) – Client is now using services from more than one provider, thus minimizing risk and dependency. The mix of on and offshore resources provides an element of control and facilitates communication. Increased pool of resources – TEAM International has provided a rapidly scalable and flexible solution.

Quality and cost improvements – Client continues to experience quality delivery and reduced cost versus in-house costs. TEAM International resources are highly educated and talented, and are able to gain a deep understanding of applications and processes in a short period of time. This allows for rapid scalability. Delivery according to CMMi Level 3 standards ensures quality, consistency, and repeatability.