Application Re-engineering Services (ARS) is one of the major services offered by Xminds. It has always been a challenge for corporate to re-engineer existing legacy systems to catch up with evolving business needs. The need for reengineering may vary from simple changes like increasing the number of users to complex business process change. The other important reason for re-engineering is the cost involved in maintaining legacy systems. ARS team of Xminds believes that ROI is one of the key factors deciding success of re-engineering process
For the same reason the team is very keen in identifying the typical bottle necks of ARS projects like absence of user documentation, defects in capturing requirements of existing systems, dealing with the inertia of users in moving to new system etc.
ARS system focuses primarily on the users of the existing system as their acclimatization with the existing system invariably holds them mentally to switch to an entirely new system. For that a structured planning has been devised to train the users for a smooth transition from the existing system.
Xminds has developed a unique methodology for Application Reengineering Services called EPPDT (Envision, Plan, Prototype, Develop, and Train). EPPDT is a flexible, interrelated series of models that can guide an organization through assembling the resources and techniques needed to re engineer the existing technology infrastructure in line with their business objectives.
The goal of EPPDT process is to ensure that a smooth transition from the existing system is carried out cost effectively. The EPPDT process has the following steps
The “Envision” phase implies on creating solid business value. Xminds team of highly-regarded industry experts ensures that the clients business and technology positions are properly assessed.
This phase focuses on the following areas
Xminds consultants, in collaboration with the client, examine the existing businesses need to reengineer enterprise software applications. Upon evaluation the consultants develop a high level list of requirements and suggest solutions.
Xminds consultants review the current architecture and determine the technology road map which can provide successful conversion.
Xminds reviews skills possessed by clients personnel and may recommend necessary training programs or skill upgrade. Xminds is committed to ensure the success of its projects and believes in technical agility to accomplish that.
After developing high-level requirements, Xminds consultants develop a detailed cost estimate to complete the project. Xminds makes sure to recommend areas where conversion is most beneficial to the client.
Xminds believes that structured planning is critical to the success of any project. The company’s highly acclaimed consultants can provide architecture consulting.
Xminds team proposes application architecture that is most beneficial to the client. The consultants review the current system and propose the most cost-effective and efficient solution.
Xminds develops the resource allocation plan for the project taking into account project phases and in consultation with the client assigns required and available skills. Xminds, committed to professional project management will employ a structured project management approach and encourages involvement from clients personnel at every phase to ensure success of the project.
Based on the initial analysis the Xminds provides the client with a proof of concept which ensures that business requirements are properly absorbed in the initial stages of the project itself.
An application proof of concept during the architecture stage can identify the scope of the project and help demonstrate the benefits of the proposed solution.
An infrastructure proof of concept can highlight technology issues before the client spend time, money and resources to implement a complete system. This proof of concept validates the proposed system design, the technology to be used and the estimated cost and effort required to integrate them into the existing system.
This phase deals with actual implementation of the project
The Xminds will employ expert resources on the technology chosen for project. The Xminds team has its own development frameworks which will reduce the development effort considerably.
Xminds, in unison with the client, performs vigorous testing of the converted application prior to its deployment.
Xminds wants to ensure that, after project completion, clients personnel are fully qualified to maintain and extend the application.
Xminds provides client with all pertinent documentation and reviews application architecture and functionality.
Xminds will train clients personnel in any technology, if needed.
The ARS offered by Xminds encompasses the following. A project may cover one or more area as the requirement demands
This includes analysis and consultancy of the existing system and feasibility study of the re-engineering approach. It includes risk assessment, application assessment, migration strategy definition, migration roadmap, preparing user training plans etc
This is set of ARS services which re-engineers the application for new improved business functionality. The re-engineering process may result in entirely new system or development of subsytems supporting the existing system.
This re-engineering process targets attaining performance gain for an existing application. The project kick-starts with a definite criterion by setting a predefined scale for performance gain and the success of the project is solely determined by evaluating this criterion
This set of services adapts the existing legacy to take advantage of new technology. This may involve full revamping of the application like making it web enabled or switching to better technology with the same architecture
The application porting services includes the re-engineering for cross platform compatibility. This involves porting existing applications to new Operating systems
This involves re-engineering the existing product for a new version operating system, language or database
Data Migration / Data Porting is associated with any one of the application re- engineering services which includes schema change, version change, technology change etc
" The capabilities that the Xmind’s OpenSource expertise brought to the table were a no-brainer. Once you understand new storage architecture, the benefits are obvious and compelling."
Chris Synn ,
CEO, Innotive Inc.
