Summary
Business computer software is developed by understanding and capturing knowledge of how a business operates. This knowledge is then used to either configuring existing software or to write bespoke applications to meet the requirements.
Village Software Engineering Limited will take a project through the complete lifecycle from Feasibility to Implementation and Maintenance.
Bespoke Software
There are two key approaches to providing an IT solution to a business problem. The first is to buy in a software package and configure and modify it to meet the requirements of your business. If there is a suitable package available this is usually the best solution. The second approach is to have a piece of software written that exactly meets the business requirements. Before deciding on the appropriate solution an understanding should be developed of what the requirements are (Village can provide consultancy to do this if required).
If no suitably priced software is available that can be configured for a company's needs, if complete control of business process is necessary or if a process is key to the competitive edge of a company then a bespoke development is required.
Bespoke development passes through 6 broad stages these are summarised below. Each project varies of course and an client may carry out some of the stages in house.
Feasibility
The outline of the project is considered to determine if it is operationally, technically and financially feasible.
System Analysis
The current operation of the organisation and existing software is examined.
System Design
A system is designed involving new software and possibly new working practices.
System Development
Programming and development of the system takes place
Implementation
Existing data is transferred into the new system, personnel are trained, the system is installed and pilot programmes run.
Maintenance
New problems with the system are fixed, enhancements and changes are made, the system is adapted to run on new operating systems.
Village Software will normally use an Agile Methodology to write new software systems. In this the systems analysis through to implementation stages are progressively rotated through succeeding versions of the software. See village note on Agile Development
Systems Supported Operating Systems:
UNIX & Linux, Windows.
Development Tools: Normally Visual Studio and VB.Net but also Microsoft Office, Microsoft Access, Visual Basic and VBA, Borland C++ Builder, C and C++ ,Informix 4GL, Perl, HTML, Java Script
Relational Databases
We'll support systems on any relational database system or desktop database. This includes those in the list below:-
SQL Server, Oracle, Informix, Interbase, PostgresSQL, MySQL,Paradox, dBase , Access
Personnel Most development will be undertaken remotely from Village's offices in Liverpool. However communication and contact is essential to a successful project. It is essential that there is good access to the key people at the clients end. At some points of the project we will need to be regularly present on site.
Village will appoint staff with a suitable mix of skills for the particular stages of the project. A project manager will be appointed but there will also always be a second member of staff so that there is continuation of cover for holidays, illness and resignations.
Cost and Contracts
Village can work on a fixed price or a time and materials basis. Appropriate standard terms and conditions are available on request.
A fixed price will only be possible where the requirement is stable and clearly understood. In order to quote for a fixed price some consultancy may need to be billed for system analysis. Variations may of course be added to the contract. Where the requirement is unknown or the technology unusual we may not be able to offer a fixed price without first running a prototype project
Time and Materials contracts give the client control of the project and flexibility to make changes.
What to do next
For an initial consultation please contact:
Business Analyst, Jonathan Read
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Apr 2008 
