We present a few case studies as samples of approach followed by Mindfire and what we can do for you.
Case: Financial Forms processing
Background
Client: Largest financial crisis organization in the US
The client provides financial crisis and treatment services to debt- and bankruptcy-affected customers.
One of the client's business units needed to convert their paper-based Loans Application process to an automated one. Customer service personnel would populate Applicant data into a database, and the process would continue thereon.
Challenge
To design, develop and implement a system for capturing Applicant data and generating PDF documents dynamically for signing and records archival. Generated documents would be unique for Applicants and have variable number of pages depending on Applicant options.
Response
Mindfire built a team of 2 Software Engineers, 1 Quality Engineer and 1 Project Lead for the project. The project was implemented as a Visual Basic 6/SQL Server 2000 client-server application with ADO-based data access.The Acrobat IAC and FDF toolkits were used to control Acrobat COM objects from VB and produce personalized PDF documents. The code design was truly Object-Oriented, had separate tiers for Business logic and Data handling, and extensive, consistent error-handling strategy.
The QA/testing process moved in tandem with development, on the basis of Test Plans developed from original client requirements.
Outcome
The project ended successfully on time (in 16 weeks), and business users were extremely satisfied with the productivity gains as a result. Our client's IT department was impressed with the solid code produced, the smooth implementation and installation process, and the low bugs count.
Our relationship
Mindfire's performance on the Forms project impressed the client. We are currently implementing their second project (web-based applications, tracking and data analysis) and discussing the third (online credit reports integration and ACH processing).
Case: Actio benefits from Intelligent information extraction
Background
Client: Actio, owner of MSDSvault.com
Actio's online information site, MSDSvault.com, provides MSDS document access and management to the chemicals industry, in compliance with the OSHA's directives.
Actio's business model depends on getting maximum MSDS documents into its repository, in a standard format, in the shortest time possible. Manual data-entry proved too slow and error-prone, though unavoidable in some situations.
Challenge
To build parsers for intelligent information extraction from the MSDS documents of one chemicals manufacturer, which are presented in complex and varying formats
Response
In response to this challenge, Mindfire followed a determined path. First, we collected a significant number of sample MSDS documents of the target company. After close study, we extracted several discerning patterns: spatial and content patterns, common phrases, text-positioning patterns and others.
Algorithms were then developed for the intelligent conversion of these documents into a standard MSDS XML format. The program was developed in Perl as the most suitable language.
Outcome
Actio was pleasantly surprised at the potential that the flexible parse system brought to its business. The project was completed on schedule, and its flexibility afforded unequalled flexibility in mapping data fields to different XML sections as seen fit.
Our relationship
Actio and Mindfire are currently discussing building a potentially patentable Crawl/Parse sub-system that would eliminate document-sourcing and conversion problems for Actio.
Case: A-Frame's India Development Center
Background
Client: A-Frame Software Inc
A-Frame Software is a workflow and web software company operating from Sebastopol and Los Angeles. A-Frame's flagship products are WorkMovr and WebMovr, both 100% Pure Java-Certified. A-Frame's products cater to fluid business situtations by being inherently flexible and programmable. In addition, A-Frame's entire suite is based on strong fundamentals (architecture), database-driven features and an integrated Application Server engine.
A-Frame's product has matured over more than 10 years, and was one of the earliest adopters of the 100% Java movement. Today, A-Frame counts among its clients American Express Bank, Amoco, TetraTech, and FurnishNet among others. A-Frame offers the core product platform, and custom programming as desired by clients.
Challenge
A-Frame faced sudden growth and development requirements due to customization for an increasing customer base and continuing core product development.
A-Frame decided to take the off-shore route and maintain a remote team for its project needs. Management commitment was followed by the appointment of an Off-shore Manager, and the scene was set for large-scale project out-sourcing.
Response
Mindfire was assigned a pilot project by A-Frame, to add the functionality of maintaining Frequently Asked Questions in its database. This effort was meant to be a pilot, and afforded Mindfire the opportunity to learn A-Frame's software architecture.
Shortly after the project started, A-Frame's Off-shore Manager came to New Delhi for a facilities visit. She interacted with the pilot team of 3 engineers and inspected the development process.
Outcome
The project was delivered before time, and Mindfire's engineers showed deep understanding of A-Frame's development platform. The team also produced technical documentation to help standardize programming, and A-Frame was pleased with speed/ productivity outcome.
Our relationship
A-Frame has decided thereon to have a team of 50 engineers in India.
Mindfire looks forward to delivering exceptional results, every time.
Case: Publishing workflow site www.gutenbergnet.com
We trace the development cycle of a web-site project, to give you a closer view of our development process.
Day -30: Idyllix's plans for a publishing portal (with elements of Content Management, Document Management and Workflow) are finalized.
Idyllix calls for solution proposals from several vendors.
Day -10: Mindfire submits proposal to Idyllix. Mindfire anticipates phased development:
- Phase-I: the essentials (user, document and project management)
- Phase-II: versioning, check-in/check-out, routing and workflow features
- Payment for Phase-I: 25% advance, 50% on beta, 25% on Phase-I closure
Day 0: Mindfire Solutions awarded Idyllix's development contract, WatersDesign retained for design services.
Day 6: Idyllix team prepares final specification document for GutenbergNet.com Phase-I. The document is reviewed and signed-off by respective Project Managers. Some decisions critical to remote development are taken:
- Single point of contact on both teams
- 24-hour response by both teams on all issues
- Daily email status updates to be exchanged
- Communication over phone and IM software, weekly schedules and ad-hoc
- Overlap time is decided between 9AM-noon EST
- Shared Bug Tracking System
- Shared Configuration Management System
- Shared development site to check live progress
- Project Management:
- Project Plan and short-cycle milestones decided
- Paralleled activities; Critical Paths identified
- Contingency Plan developed
- Team decisions: 1 Project Manager, 4 developers, 1 QA/testing professional
- Development and QA infrastructure decisions taken
Day 15: Mindfire prepares technical documents
- Technical Architecture
- n-tier Component Design
- Database Design
- QA document and Test Plans
Day 20: Development flag-off
- Coding standards decided
- Integration mechanisms verified
- Code review standards and schedules decided
- Rapid development
- Database implementation
- COM Data layer components developed; unit-tested
- COM Logic layer components developed; tested with Data layer
- ASP front-end developed; system test
- Ongoing code reviews
- Regular client interaction on usability and navigation
- Regular milestone monitoring
Day 60: Integration of Waters Design's design with Mindfire's back-end components
Day 75: Phase-I development beta-release; site goes live
- On-site person for implementation
Day 90: Phase-I development closed
Day 100: Site goes live, Phase-II requirements finalized...
