Software Solutions for Business

Over the last 30 years we've worked closely with many small and medium sized companies to create bespoke software that is tailored to their precise needs.

 

Our unique approach ensures an understanding of the business as a whole - not just the aspect we are working on.

The methodologies many other companies use can usually be described as “Waterfall”, working to a structured progression between defined phases of the project typically – Analyse-Design-Build-Test-Implement. Whilst this approach has some strengths it also has many weaknesses not least of which is the time and cost to get change into production.

Pre-defined and scheduled releases may suit some companies but can also be very limiting and dangerous in their own right. On the other hand, getting changes in to Production quickly and reliably can make huge differences to a business.

Our approach

At Optima we have adopted the “Agile” approach to programming and software design. This approach aims to break down a large project down in to small tangible tasks where completing each one can deliver a benefit to the business. Each task may be worked on in isolation and using APL for example (an ideal language tool for this approach), change can be delivered quickly.

Results driven software

Since each task is small each one can be built and tested very quickly then rolled out into production on a regular basis. No waiting for the “Big Bang” as the entire project lands after much hype and many months of frantic meetings.

The Agile approach allows us to work in very close proximity to the eventual users and indeed we have found that they can even help with the programming effort. Documentation requirements are kept to an absolute minimum as are meetings and planning sessions. We do what is required when it is required. The focus is always on delivering what the business needs and when it wants so that, in turn, the business can reap the benefits.

Changes to production code can be released regularly - every day if the need is there. Our code is written to be self-testing at a functional level and can be semi-automatically tested via a test harness at unit or system level.

Overall, this approach leads to higher quality software whilst lowering the cost of change, lower financial risk and lower failure rates. Our experience shows that on average, 2 months’ time spent on a waterfall project can be achieved in a couple of weeks with Agile - in some cases much less than that.


Get your project started today.

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    Clients

    We've worked with many companies on software projects, including:

    ASCO - APL Legacy System Support
    AVIVA - APL Legacy System Support
    Janssen - APL Legacy System Support
    Lloyds Banking Group - APL Legacy System Support

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