Covintus Blog

computer

May 8, 2012


Engineering application update in C++


Covintus was engaged by an Engineering and Manufacturing firm in the Energy sector to solve a persistent problem with a core application. An aging C++ application was in need of updating one of the components that calculates thermal efficiency of their product designs. Their major concern was not only finding expertise in C++, but also the necessary expertise in complex physics necessary to understand the need and craft the solution.


Within hours of defining the resource requirements, Covintus identified and secured a proven C++ developer with a strong applied physics background who was very familiar with the formulas and calculations required. The Covintus Delivery Manager engaged with the client, reviewed the requirements and was able to provide a fixed bid for the work.


The projected timeframe for completion of a project of this size and scope under typical circumstances would be about three weeks – given the proper resources. In this case Covintus delivered a fixed-price solution (including coding and testing) in four days.


The client chose to implement the component into the larger application themselves. The Covintus staff stood ready to make adjustment or fix any bugs that often occur during implementation but there were none. The new software integrated seamlessly into the existing application and it is still performing flawlessly today.




January 13, 2012


Solutions from the Human Cloud???

The What, Why and How


What:

Definition of Solutions from the Human Cloud


Solutions - Software based technical answers to business challenges.


Human - Homo-Sapien


Cloud - Best of breed resources that are extremely agile and scalable (up or down) on an on-demand basis.


Why:

In a word, frustration. We knew that there had to be a better way to develop software. A way to achieve the Trifecta, the Holy Grail of development: "Better, Faster and Cheaper." The Human Cloud does this as well as (and actually by) aligning the motivations of the developers with those of the client.


Instead of paying consultants on time and materials (translation: the longer it takes, the more they get paid), our innovative approach rewards speed, quality and client satisfaction.


Instead of sending the work to a typical offshore firm to save a few bucks, and then spending a few bucks x2 to fix it when it comes back, we work with you to get it right the first time.


Instead of sending the work to a typical offshore firm and having no idea who is working on your project, we offer complete transparency and direct contact with the development team.


Instead of building an internal team and augmenting with expensive contractors, leverage the scalability of the Human Cloud. This will help reduce the direct costs and employee benefits as well as hidden costs (and frustrations) such as recruiting, screening, hiring, training, provisioning (new computer, phone and paper clips), housing (cube, desk, chair and name tag), managing, re-training, Christmas bonus, time off, more training, performance reviews, more managing and even more training only to see the good ones leave for a $2.50/hr. raise requiring the process to start all over again.


Instead of using a traditional consulting firm and getting who ever is on the bench, our Human Cloud is full of true experts.


Instead of paying through the nose for one of the "Big Boys", get better quality and a faster turnaround time with Covintus for a fraction of the price.


Instead of frustration, choose Covintus.


How:

So how can we do all this you ask? There is no hocus pocus or "don't pay any attention to man behind the curtain" I assure you.


Through years of international, open call coding and algorithm competitions, we have developed a network and resource pool of some of the world's most talented individuals. Yeah, we know "those guys," and plenty of them. So when we start a project, we can tap into this Human Cloud and engage some of the world's best talent as needed. We also use an agile based development model because it's ability to adapt to changing business demands it offers the shortest, most direct path to best quality, client-focused solution.


So let's revisit the Trifecta of "Better, Faster and Cheaper."


Quality - Better developers produce better quality code. It is more efficient, scalable and easier to maintain. Also, agile-based development is more adaptable to changing customer requirements and results in a solution that is a better fit for the client.


Speed - Better developers produce better code faster. Our unique pricing model encourages speed and quality (more on the pricing structure in future posts). Also, with our Human Cloud, we can scale up the teams as needed to accelerate delivery.


Project Cost Savings - Many of our Human Cloud resources are based offshore, enabling us to keep costs down. And since we have our Human Cloud we save the expense of maintaining a bench like other firms.


But wait, there's more… Our agile based development produces a more user acceptable product that requires fewer re-writes and modifications, saving time and money.


And more… solutions that are achieved better, faster and cheaper have a higher success rate and user acceptance, saving time and money.


Enough of my high horse, tongue in cheek and clichés', we have a better mouse trap and we'd love to tell you more a

bout it. Please call us for more details.




January 6, 2012


Can a Disruptive approach to IT services be non-disruptive?


In 1995 Clayton Christensen co-authored an article with Joseph Bower titled Disruptive Technologies: Catching the Wave. The article examines how some technologies (later to be call innovations) can disrupt the current market for a product or service either by replacement or alteration?or over a period of time both. For example the first automobiles were certainly innovative i.e. an alteration to the travel industry which was mainly horse/buggy, boat and rail and remained so for decades because automobiles were expensive. It wasn't until Henry Ford's Model T that it became disruptive, especially to the buggy whip manufacturers.


Every industry, past or present, has experienced its share of disruption; word processors to PCs, wood to plastic, encyclopedias to Wikipedia, etc.


So how can a disruptive approach in the IT services arena be non-disruptive?


Let's take a look at a traditional corporate IT project. Traditional application development, migration from a legacy system, application customization and you know the others.


Options:


All of which can be disruptive in a very real sense not to mention costly (think time and materials).


What if the solution could be delivered in a timely manner and expensed on deliverables without disrupting the company's day to day operations? Kind of disruptive in a non-disruptive way - It's called the Human Cloud.