Chelsfield Consultants SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS

Identifying Your Needs

Typical Applications

Whilst the technical aspects of understanding the hardware and the know how of how to write useful programs is essential, what's often more important is the understanding of what's actually needed (or even desirable) for any business operation. This is because most technical skills generally share common understanding and may be readily learned.

Your business however, and the way your operation runs, is probably unique, or at least, is likely to have many unique aspects to it. For software to contribute, rather than detract, from the advancement of your business, it needs to fit. It needs to do what you actually need it to. We take the time to understand the nuances of your operation wherever this matters.

If you're thinking about getting computers to do something specific to assist you in the operation of your organisation, here are a few questions that you may wish to consider:


		Is what I need to do really outside the scope of standard applications?
		Can I strategically re-arrange my workflow and do without new software?
		Do I really understand the true costs of implementation?
		How will future changes in my operation affect how the software works?
		Is the software I propose in some sort of critical path, how can I avoid this?
		I've read a lot about free open source applications, what are the true costs?
		How do I accurately specify what I need?

		User Configurable Databases
		Automatic Report Generation
		Process Stock or Financial Control
		Advanced Network Applications

Application Development

Extended Functions

Unlike many consultant organisations, we do not need to contract-out software development. In some situations however it may make sense to out-source. However, if this is the path we recommend for part, or the whole, of any particular project, all work is specified and fully vetted by us, and we take full responsibility for it.

Before we embark on any new project we will satisfy ourselves that 1). we are able to do the work. 2). we have the necessary resources to allocate to the project at the time they are needed. 3). that we can meet any agreed time for deliverables, and lastly 4). that you fully understand what you're getting and how much it costs.

We will usually agree to participate in your project when the specification has been mutually approved. We will do whatever is required to ensure that you fully understand our offer. The specification will generally form the basis of our own working documentation and it will contain not only the detail of software function but also what technologies we will employ, how these are to be used and what results you can expect.

Wherever possible we use technologies that compliment your existing resources. Standard SQL database structures such as MS SQL Server or MySQL with the appropriate front-end usually serves for most applications. GUI's are designed from scratch, and for Microsoft platforms these will generally be written using Visual Studio currently targeting .NET 2.0+. Sun / IBM development tools recommended for Java, Unix, Linux and variants ensure interoperability. Deployment can either be a custom solution, or more commonly on Microsoft O/S's, the MSI or Click-Once technologies can be utilised.

		Remote Sensor or Data Acquisition
		Scientific or Clinical Data Analysis
		Navigation and Topographical systems

Documentation

Application Testing

In addition to the approved specification and derived working documents, We strive to ensure that the software user has all the information required to use and get the best from the application. Complete, context sensitive, on-line documentation is provided as standard, additional Guide Notes and Quick-Start guides can be supplied where appropriate. These may be printed if some kind of installation is required.

Ensuring that a new application or software system works as it should can be a time consuming and costly business. Whilst the code may work exactly as technically specified, inevitably anomalies arise that need addressing. Such deviations on code function are almost never trapped by test tools.

Getting you involved saves not only time, but it can be important to identify glitches and bugs. The aim is to catch these early enough in the development cycle so that they are dealt with, prior to first trial deployment.

In some cases we are able to automate part of the testing process. This is done by means writing specific test routines to check things such as data field integrity in databases, error trapping, error handling, data rate performance and so on. Such techniques work well in certain situations but in others a more manual approach can be more cost effective because a trade off exists in the time spent writing (and debugging) test routines.

The strategy used for first trial deployment of the software will vary. Typically the software will take over a partial area of operation together with a settling-in period. We recognise the need to respond quickly to needed code changes at this sometimes critical time in the development cycle.

Software Maintenance

Security Issues

Maintenance issues are extremely varied. A rolling programme that would suit a large internal system, for example, may not be applicable to less complex stand-alone applications where the function doesn’t often change. Again, software that is sold as a product will likely require periodic updates of a type that do not fall into either of the categories mentioned above.

Chelsfield Consultants have been maintaining software in the field for many years. We understand the pitfalls of having to update against a backdrop of ever moving technology and O/S platforms. The need, in many cases, to maintain backward compatibility in the code, for things such as file structure, we appreciate is a clear concern.

There are a number of steps that we would recommend a consumer of custom software to take in order to mitigate some of the less desirable aspects of the software life-cycle. An ideal scenario might be that your organisation may be able to directly undertake code maintenance itself. This is sometimes possible if new technologies can be grafted in to your own organisation, or after a period of training, both of which we can arrange. Otherwise there are a number of alternatives including the engagement of third parties including Chelsfield in this role.

The integrity of software and data is a key issue in most corporate organisations. Whilst a number of reputable vendors offer systems that are technically secure, there is insufficient emphases on the human aspects of the chain which is by far the weakest link in almost all security measures adopted. However, many simple things can, and should, be done to tighten the security of systems prior to considering increasing the technical complexity.

All software written by Chelsfield is protected by proven proprietary encryption mechanisms. Such techniques have been developed by us and are now sold as software library components. Where necessary and appropriate in any system design consideration, we try to factor in human behaviour so that circumventing the technology becomes less likely.

We have been involved with computer based security systems for over thirty years. If you would like to know what Chelsfield can do for you, why not request a system security audit. Click here for more information