Offshore Application Development Helps Customer Intelligence Provider Get State-of-the-Art Product.

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 ability to best target their market audience and maximize performance.

The Industry
Business Services

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. Database containing a server-based batch application (ETL) that would basically allow customers to gather, validate, store and analyze the user data;
2. 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. 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, stored pre-selection conditions and precalculated scores.
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 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 Scope of the Project
• Development of 3-level architecture
• Development of the complex analytical system able to process large data volumes
• System configuration and testing

The Engagement Model
Dedicated Development Center

The Approach
TEAM International decided to use OLAP database to allow TEAM developers to quickly answer multi-dimensional analytical and ad-hoc queries.

Number of Resources
• Project Manager 1
• Team Leader 1
• System architect 1
• Developer 4
• QA Team Lead 1
• QA Tester 1
• Business Analyst 1
Total 10

Technology Used
• Database OLAP
• The Basic User Interface JAVA (IceFaces)
• Platform JDK 6 Update 4
• Database server Oracle 10g
• Application Server Tomcat 6.0.16, JBOSS
• ETL Application Visual Studio 2005, MFC, MS Visual C++
• Apache Http Server 2.2.8 Mod JK Tomcat Connector 1.2.26
• Source control SVN.
• Bug-tracking Mantis
• The Main Address Standardization Tool .NET

Dilemma and Creative Solution
During load testing TEAM’s testers faced a problem of generating large test data. For this purpose a unique test data generator applet was designed. The applet facilitated and significantly eased testers’ work.

The Results
All the project milestones were planned and the deadlines were met successfully.

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. On completing the first part of the project scope, TEAM delivered to VueLogic a fully integrated, scalable, and improved analytical system.

TEAM International provided VueLogic with the following deliverables: high quality Storage and Retrieval System, respective system architecture and testing documentations including descriptions of customer requirements, the source code based on received requirements, and 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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