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:: Internal tools and applications :: |
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We have an extensive library of code
modules, executable scripts and components – each one designed to
enhance the efficiency and accuracy of our developers. The
applications and tools we design for ourselves are the backbone of
our methodology and best practices – our project management and
other internal tools reflect our company philosophy of
accountability, transparency and excellence.
We continually invest time and effort into our own internal
systems and processes. Like these tools, we are individually and
as a company “works in progress.” We are making these investments
to improve our own capabilities and effectiveness – all of which
both directly and indirectly benefit you, the customer.
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Reqman – our requirements management system |
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Over the course of the past 8 years, we have
developed our own task and requirements management software called
Reqman. This SQL Server based tool serves as the repository for
all developmental activities.
Reqman serves as a requirements management tool – and tracks all
customer communications and design decisions. As a project
management tool, Reqman contains all the tasks that comprise of a
development process – from analysis to testing and final
implementation. It also tracks time spent on tasks, assignment of
tasks to teams, task status and other detailed project management
activities. We have recently extended Reqman
to work with
Microsoft Project, enabling us to more visually and holistically
gauge the progress of the range of different projects underway.
Reqman also manages various customer related tasks like reporting
and invoicing. Similar to the applications we write for customers, Reqman represents a comprehensive suite of tools that directly
mimics the way we do business.
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Time Tracker |
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Complementing Reqman is a small Visual Basic
utility resembling a punch clock that is resident on all staff
computers – and used throughout the
day to record progress on
tasks.
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Schema Analyzer and Documenter |
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In keeping with the quality initiatives of GeoSolve Consulting
Inc., our latest project involves the development a tool that
enables our development teams to keep in-depth track of the
various objects and their interdependencies in the software
applications created and maintained by us.
Documentation of software architecture is always a ‘hazy’ process
in most software companies – to create complete documentation of
the internals of an application and its databases is a monumental
task which requires a huge investment in time and money – and is a
process that many software companies conduct in a sketchy manner.
However, incomplete documentation when it comes to software
systems of any magnitude is equivalent to no documentation at all.
GeoSolve Schema Analyzer and Documenter (GSAD) is a step towards
enforcing detailed documentation and audit of the core objects of
our applications.. The information that this tool will keep will
be used for historical documentation purposes, provide change
management recording capabilities, and analytical capabilities.
Further, the information stored in GSAD will be a reference point
for developers working on subsequent releases of an application.
The GSAD application will provide information about the
inter-relatedness of objects, which will help users in
evaluating
contemplated changes to a database or an application.
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Output Manager |
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Output
Manager is one of the components we have built and successfully
integrated into most of our applications. Output Manger is a comprehensive tool that categorizes and manages an application’s
reports through an intuitive interface. Once reports designs are
finalized
they can be quickly incorporated into Output Manager,
with complete sort and filter options. Using Output Manager and
other such well
tested components allows us to cut down on
development time and direct our energies to more complex
developmental activities. |
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