Development of business-oriented custom application is a complex problem and makes a unique challenge which requires all analytical, technological and engineering potential of the company-developer.

The methodology of software development in Baltpoint is based on Microsoft Solution Framework model. During solution development we use a set of standard practices to deliver stable, available, easily supported and managed process. We use the minimal and sufficient system of requirements and quality management at a small overhead charge.

The typical project includes the following stages:

• Information gathering
• Analysis
• Design
• Development
• Testing and Stabilization
• Deployment and Technical Support

Information gathering
If the customer cannot gather requirements for the desired software system himself for whatever reasons, we offer additional services connected with information inspection based on the separate contract. Cost of the service is defined by time needed for inspection and resources used in accordance with the prices specified in Pricing section.

Our experts, using standard techniques of gathering information, will collect data about the business objectives of the project and formalize it into requirements list. The additional information needed for further subsequent analysis is the information about enterprise architecture, software development practices and instrumentation used, existing business-applications and IT environment.

The prepared document is progressively updated while further expertise is performed by the analysts.

Analysis
For initialization of the project it is enough for the customer to formalize the list of requirements and wishes for the solution to be developed.

At this stage you deal with our experts on creation of program systems. The Baltpoint's analysts work in close interaction with the client, they are fully involved into discussion of all the details connected with future software system. Such cooperation creates strong base for development process and guarantees 100 % quality.

As the result of this stage, the customer gets proposal - the document that contains description of system functionality, an estimation of time and resources needed and cost of development.

Depending on the arrangement with the client, our proposals can vary in form from a simple estimation of workload and cost of project up to the full description including proposed architecture of the project, analysis of technologies, estimation of Total Cost of Ownership, design templates, etc. Initial estimation of the project is free and is usually developed within 3-4 days.

The contract is signed only if both parties come to the full agreement in all aspects of the project.

In addition, before you deliver us any sensitive project-related information, we can sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that protects your privacy and intellectual property.

Design
At the design stage customer deals with the project team: project managers, analysts, and designers of the graphic interface. Our experts, in close cooperation with the customer, transform the requirements declared as system functionality first into conceptual and then into logical model of the solution.

The design stage results in the architecture and design specification of the solution, plans concerning development and deployment of the solution, and the schedules associated with tasks and resources.

During the design stage we actively use CASE tools and UML. A functional specification can include such things as use case diagrams, usage scenarios, candidate requirements, candidate features, and etc. The process is regulated and based on standardized models of the software development.

The final deliverables at this stage are: functional specification, project plan and project schedule.

Development
The development process is organized according one of the models: model of incremental life cycle or model of evolutionary life cycle with use of prototyping. Progress reports and deliverables are normally provided on the weekly basis, internal reporting is daily. Source code is commented and stored in the Microsoft Visual SourceSafe database.

During this stage prototypes of the solution and templates of the user interface are made to take into account all customer's wishes at the development stage, to exclude unwanted modification during the operation of the deployed solution.

As soon as the prototype is finished, we present it to the customer. We use this approach to collect and take into account all additional requirements and wishes on earlier stages of the project.

The final output of the stage is completed version of the solution.

Testing and Stabilization
Before we deliver developed solution to the customer, we perform set of procedures to find and fix possible errors which could appear during design and development stages. Just before testing started we launch bug-tracking system to provide close interaction between QA union and development team and to inform client about progress.

Once a module have been developed it should be internally tested by the development team. Our engineers check not only functionality of the solution but also code style, comments and alignment to given guidelines.

The external testing is performed by independent QA union. Independence of the union is the primary factor to provide high-quality output. To provide external tests we involve third-party companies which are specialized in the area of the software testing.

Deployment and Technical Support
Deployment strategy is elaborated by out specialist during design stage. Mutual agreements on this are included in the contract.

The amount of technical support depends on the contract agreements. Typical contract includes technical support for six months starting from the date of setting into operation. Baltpoint's technical support includes following aspects:

• End user consultation concerning software operation
• Assistance in setup and conflicts resolving
• Error fixing during technical support period
• Revision of the system's functionality, in the scope of agreed functional specification
• Changing of appearance and contents of the software output documents, if the governing requirements change

During warranty period all abovementioned services connected with technical support are provided by our specialists for free. After the end of warranty period customer can ask for prolongation based on the separate contract.

Technical support does not include extension of the functionality, which was not agreed during the design stage and included into functional specification. In the case an additional contract for functionality extension can be made. The price for such service is according to the resources needed based on basic prices.