The following are examples of services and products provided by WOS:
Software Engineering—Technical Specifications and Quality Assurance
Firms that use offshore development need to provide technical specifications that clearly outline the details of what
software developers need to program. These design specifications replicate blueprints or the architecture of the user’s
needs. The more accurate the specifications, the less interaction that is required. The reduction of interactions
between the customer and the off shore vendor, the better the relationship and probable outcomes of the project.
Because of distance, cultural differences, and language barriers, Indian firms have been challenged to provide the
design specifications function. Furthermore, design specifications must be conducted at the customer’s site, so much
of the economic advantage of off shore workers is nullified. Finally, analysis and design should be done by an
independent group to ensure that a project’s objectivity and independence is maintained. Thus, analysts represent the
architects that provide the specifications that application developers need to follow.
Project Management
Project Management is another missing component of many offshore projects. Customers do not have the requisite staffs
to run the project and coordinate with offshore firms. As a result, WOS will offer outsource project management in
which the firm will act as the “middle man” between customer and vendor. This includes managing the specifications
process, quality assurance, project deliverables, communication, and general management reporting. Project management
services will also be embedded with other services offered by WOS, including ASP, database design, and package software
implementation services.
Database Design
Advanced database design skills represents a significant design skill. As a subset of analysis and design, it is
required in almost all aspects of application systems projects. WOS will seek to provide database design services
in specific markets: conversions from legacy applications, legacy links, and ecommerce and Web systems. These types
of database projects will allow WOS to expand its database operations without directly competing with mainstream IT
outsource competitors.
Help-Desk Services
WOS is currently managing help-desk support services for Thirteen/WNET. This service includes desk-top help to users,
installation of computers, remote access, User-ID management, and general call escalation procedures with senior IT
personnel. This services has become an important value-add for many organizations who no longer wish to handle desk
top support services in house, or not happy with outside remote outsource services in India, etc. WOS can operate
help-desk services centrally and on-site at customers sites. WOS can also offer 24/7 support.
Network Administration
WOS will provide specific types of network administration services that are designed to compliment its other outsource
services. The network services will consist of levels of break-fix for medium and small customers, help-desk application
support, and more advanced network administration for Unix systems, especially those hosted by WOS.
Web Strategy, Design & Development
Web sites are an essential part of today’s corporate landscape. From the local retailer working in the consumer
environment to the large multinational corporation, which operates in the B-to-B-to-C environment, the corporate web
site has become an important part of one’s core business strategy. Many firms need to outsource both the design and
hosting of Web systems.
Intranets are also being used to bring internal business processes online and increasingly, vendors are being required
to use corporations’ Intranets to conduct business with the company – automating everything from inventory control to
just-in-time delivery of product components and parts. Many organizations are also beginning to re-purpose their
Internet and Intranet content for wireless appliances and devices.
WOS’s Web Strategy, Design & Development Team will provide clients with ways of analyzing their unique needs and will
help them extend their brand, marketing & advertising, and products and services into the Internet and Intranet spaces.
Web services may or may not integrate with ecommerce systems.
Branding & Corporate Identity Services
Prior to developing an ecommerce strategy or “clicks and mortar” website, firms must begin with the fundamentals of a
business strategy. Certainly, determining a company’s product or service and its market is important, but determining
a firm’s persona is even more fundamental. This identity process - articulating the “heart and soul” of a company and
its emotional connection to its customers - is called branding. It is a significant first step that many firms
carelessly miss. In today’s evolving economy a company’s brand is often a more valuable asset than the product or
service being offered and brand stewardship is critical for growing one’s business. WOS has established methodologies
for engaging its clients. These methodologies will define the branding process and include initial meetings with top
executives and other stakeholders, engaging a firm’s business-to-business clients in the exploration process, and
reviewing a corporation’s infrastructure. Once the brand exploration and needs assessment is accomplished a series
of recommendations are presented to the client.
Content Management
Content management systems are those that provide text and graphic images on a Web site. These systems allow customers
to automatically update their content directly from the user interface. There are two components of this business. The
first is developing specific content management software for clients. This product would feed off of the Web development
business. The second is providing content management as an outsource service for those customers that do not wish or
have the staff to do the function.
Interactive Video and Web Casting
This service will be designed to support the Web development business. WOS will have access to a media studio and use
it to create interactive video used for Web casting. Web casting will be produced for various clients and educational
institutions.
Application Service Provider (ASP) and Hosting Services
WOS can provide various types of specialized application development outsource services. Because WOS will have a
resident group of database and Web developers, the firm can engage in different types of ASP services, from designing,
hosting, and supporting all aspects of a company’s technology needs and ecommerce processes.
Ecommerce Development
WOS approaches its ecommerce development business from a marketing & advertising perspective. This focus has a number
of benefits. First, it allows WOS’s ecommerce Development Team to work with the firm’s installed base of clients
without attempting to compete directly with the larger, better known ecommerce firms. Second, because of our deep
understanding of brand essence, marketing will always precede ecommerce development. The design of ecommerce based
systems using this approach will have a higher probability for success. Third, it allows for Web design to occur in
a more phased manner. A clear view of our customers’ business combined with a strategic approach to marketing will
ultimately define what segments of our client’s business will benefit most from ecommerce activities.
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