Software Development Life Cycle

The methodology of Software Development Life Cycle is used typically to develop and maintain information systems for improvement of the quality of the software design and development process. The typical task is to analyze, estimate, design, develop, integrate, and test and to implement. The success usually depends upon the proper way of the analyzing, estimating, designing and testing before the implementation part.

If software dares to be quality software then it has to be based on the three following principles:- Process, Product, People

The cycle of the software development can be divided into following steps:

-The request from the customers or the original idea
-Blueprinting the features based on the idea.
-Designing the technicality features based on the blueprinting.
-The time evaluation and designing the software based on the technical features.
-Implementation of codes based on the designs.
-Then comes the testing part of the software.
-After that the beta release or bug fixing
-And finally comes the release of the software

Talking about the categories the software development life cycle( also followed in offshore software development) can be categorized into various headings like: requirement specification, requirement analysis ad design, coding and testing, deployment and support.

They provide the complete description for all functions of the software. The requirements are pertained to scope of the system, purpose of the system and the limitations. After the specification part is over, it is analyzed for accuracy. The coding or development takes as its primary input. The code should be optimized for the purpose of saving valuable resources. Finally comes the time for coding and testing, the software that has been developed and deployed should provide proper support for maintenance that can exists even after deployment of the software is over.

Barcode Software

An identification system that is be read only by computer is known as Bar Code. It is consisted of printed patterns of lines and spaces which have several variations. They record various informations such as batch number and price in the form of binary code. The cash register system which are computer based are able to read bar code optically even at the point of sale system.

It is necessary to that one would require bar code software in a business because it facilitates:

• In generating actual barcodes with the help of Bar code production software.
• In collecting the data from bar code readers, magnetic strip reader, etc with the help of Bar code data collection software. These data collection software primarily depends on the barcode scanner output which is of several types.
• In storing data which are collected from bar codes by the help of database and inventory control software. Basically the important part of any barcode framework is the collection of data in the database. The major point of introducing the barcodes is to remove slow or error given entries.

Today there are several bar code software packages provided by offshore software development companies, simple to install and requires not much background experience as well. Bar code software provides you with cost-effective and computerized identification results which will surely grow any business's productivity.

Digital Imaging

Digital imaging is the creation of digital images from a physical object. This term often assumed to imply or include the processing, compression, storage, printing, and display of such images.

A digital image can be created directly from a physical scene by using camera or any other similar device. It can also be obtained from photographs, photographic film, printed paper through scanner or some other similar device. The process of digital image includes the use of computer algorithms which perform image processing on digital images. This allows a wider range of algorithms which can be applied on to input data and can avoid problems related to noise build-up and distortion of signal during the processing period.

Digital image processing chips are also included in the digital cameras which help them to convert color corrected standard file format image from the image sensor raw data. Digital image processing is done with the help of special software programs which can manipulate the images in different ways.
The use of Digital Image Processing allows complex algorithms for image processing, and hence is able to offer more sophisticated performance at simple tasks, and the implementation of methods which were impossible through analog means. Talking about the uses of digital image processing, this is the only technology for:- classification, projection, multi-scale analysis, feature extraction. There are many offshore software development company in India which provide digital imageing.

Automated Testing

"Automated Testing" is the process of automating the manual testing process which is currently in use. Generally such process includes detailed test cases which include predicted expected results developed from business documents. For the effective use of automated test tool the testing tool does not include the above mention point.

The generation of Automated Test consists of computing a set of experiments/ scenarios/ test cases which can further be used for the determination of the correct behavior of the implementation. The execution of the test consists of application of the experiment to the implementation, i.e. supplying inputs and checking the outputs.

Automated Software QA testing tools are especially used to automate the regression testing. This means that you must have a database of detailed test that are repeatable in nature. When it comes to an "automated test script", it is a program. The effective automated script development is subject to the same rules and standards that are applicable to software development. All we need for an effective automated test tool is a programmer.

Basically test automation is software for the execution of test, comparison of the outcomes, test reporting functions and set up of preconditions and other test control. In other words test automation is automation of the manual process which uses formalized testing process.

Benefits of CRM software in a company

CRM also termed as Relationship Marketing or Customer Management which is a commercial strategy that aims at persuing and establishing long lasting and profitable customer relationships. The benefits of CRM solutions are numerous that range from optimizing customer service response thereby satisfying to reduction of operational cost. The CRM solutions aims at establishing relationships with customers on an individual basis, and after that using those informations to treating different customers in as many several ways as possible. CRM benefits can be counted in both quantitative and qualitative terms. The organization which is suffering from information overload will be benefited by implementing a CRM Solution.The benefits of Customer Relationship Management are numerous…

Customers feel strongly supported by the products and services and are filled with enthusiasm by the efficiently working customer service. This comes out as better customer service.

CRM solution optimizes all the various processes related to the customer relationship marketing. Checking of data, collaboration are key points where the employees can work efficiently and enjoyably. They have access to the latest information, and they can focus on high quality service for customers of the concern offshore software development company. This will on other hand increase the working capability.

CRM makes doing business online much faster and easier. Both the small and large business have found CRM solutions beneficial to their part - and essential - to their success, growth and development.

Knowledge Process Outsourcing

KPO deals with executing standardized processes, involves higher-end services which require advanced analytical and technical skills. knowledge process outsourcing involves Legal works carried out at law firms like patent document writing, global filing, search, trademark search, trademark registration, prior art searches, legal advise on infringements, invalidation search, freedom of use search, etc. The competitiveness of the market demands that trailblazing entrepreneurs protect their innovations in order to profit from them, the KPO is becoming the high valuable interests of companies for their business strategies and protection of intellectual property rights. Some of the challenges involved in KPO will be maintaining higher quality standards, investment in KPO infrastructure, the lack of talent pool, requirement of higher level of control, confidentiality and enhanced risk management.

India is emerging as new hub for KPO (knowledge process outsourcing), having large pool of knowledge workers in various sector. The India has been ranked the most preferred KPO destination. Indian KPO sector is also expected to employ more than 250,000 KPO professionals by 2010, compared with the current figure of 25,000 employees. A report by Evalueserve predicts that India will capture more than 70 percent of the KPO sector by 2010.

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Agile Software Development

Agile software product development is a conceptual framework for engaging in software engineering projects that promote evolutionary change throughout the entire product life-cycle of the project.

There are many agile software development methods; most of them attempt to minimize risk by developing software in short timeframes, known as iterations,which typically last one to four weeks. Each iteration is like a miniature software project, and includes all of the tasks needed to release the mini-increment of new functionality: planning, requirements analysis, design, coding, testing, and documentation. While an iteration may not add enough functionality to warrant releasing of the product, an agile software project intends to release new software at the end of every iteration. In many cases, software is released at the end of each iteration. This is applicable when the software is web-based and can be released easily.

IT Consultancy Services

Information Technology consulting (IT consulting or business and technology services) is a strategic field that focuses on advising businesses on how to use information technology to meet their business objectives. In addition to advices, IT consultancies often implement, deploy, and administer IT systems on businesses' behalf.
The IT consulting industry can be seen as follows:

• Professional services firms - Which maintain large professional workforces and command high bill rates. These firms are increasingly sourcing their employees from low-cost nations.
• Staffing firms - Which place technologists in businesses on a temporary basis. These firms are pejoratively known as "body shops". While they are geographically limited by their customers, they can exploit global cost differences by bringing guest workers to their host country.
• Independent consultants - Who function as contractors, employees of staffing firms, or as subcontractors in their own right.

QA and Testing

Today, the global QA and testing market is estimated to be a $13 billion industry. According to IDC (International Data Corporation) statistics, Software Testing in India is a $2 billion industry which is expected to touch $8 billion by 2008. India is also becoming one of the leading destinations for offshore software testing, with market opportunities for the offshore software testing companies currently at $2 billion, and expected to rise to $8 billion by 2008.As per an IDC report, almost $1 billion of the estimated $13 billion global software testing market is accounted for by Indian companies.

IDC also forecasts that more than 80 percent of the business applications sold between 2005 and 2008 will be based on the principles of SOA. IDC’s report highlights that the worldwide spending on SOA-based external services will reach $8.6 billion in 2006, growing by 138 percent to increase from $3.6 billion in 2005. IDC predicts that global SOA-based services spending will touch $33.8 billion by 2010.

E-commerce

E-commerce (e-commerce) or electronic commerce is the purchasing, selling, and exchanging of goods and services over computer networks (such as the Internet) through which transactions or terms of sale are performed electronically. Contrary to popular belief, e-commerce is not just on the Web. In fact, e-commerce was alive and well in business to business transactions before the Web back in the 70s via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) through VANs (Value-Added Networks). In this new industrial environment E-commerce became an important factor of modern business development.

E-commerce can be broken into four main categories: B2B, B2C, C2B, and C2C.

• B2B (Business-to-Business)
  Companies doing business with each other such as manufacturers selling to distributors and wholesalers selling to retailers. Pricing is based on quantity of order and is often negotiable.
• B2C (Business-to-Consumer)
  Businesses selling to the general public typically through catalogs utilizing shopping cart software.
• C2B (Consumer-to-Business)
  A consumer posts his project with a set budget online and within hours companies review the consumer's requirements and bid on the project. The consumer reviews the bids and selects the company that will complete the project.
• C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer)
  There are many sites offering free classifieds, auctions, and forums where individuals can buy and sell thanks to online payment systems like PayPal where people can send and receive money online with ease. eBay's auction service is a great example of where person-to-person transactions take place everyday since 1995.

Search Engine Optimization

SEO – Search Engine Optimization (or Web Positioning) can be defined as a technique of getting a company's web site listed at the top of the search results of search engines and media directories, using selected keywords. The goal of search engine optimization tool is, to expose a site's quality content to search engines. In order to do this, the SEO process must ensure that the site's content includes relevant information consistent with how people search for it - "the real challenge facing all the SEO Company". Usually, the earlier a site is presented in the search results, or the higher it "ranks," the more searchers will visit that site.

SEO solutions play a vital role in generating quality Internet traffic and getting higher search engine placement/ranking for a company’s website. To have quality hits on a website, there is a need to first, apply SEO techniques to make a site search-engine-friendly. Secondly, to grow, sustain and increase traffic to the website - submitting it to various Search Engines, directories, portals and other sources as well as building one-way links to that particular website.

As a Web Marketing strategy for increasing a site's relevancy, SEO considers how search algorithms work and what people search for. A SEO company’s efforts may involve a site's coding, presentation, and structure, as well as fixing problems that could prevent search engine indexing programs from fully spidering a site. Other, more noticeable efforts may include adding unique content to a site, and making sure that the content is easily indexed by search engines and also appeals to human visitors.