Case Study - A new story from an old developer

Sapphire Ltd knows a thing or two about developing software. They developed DataEase, the UK's No 1 PC database from 1986 until 1991. So too, among many others, the award cited NetPlus, the next DataEase generation, offering rapid Web based development and deployment.

Having been founded in 1979, with offices in the UK, US, Ireland and Australia and worldwide distribution, Sapphire also understands the economics of software development. That's why today, the majority of their software development is fulfilled offshore in Russia, through UK company Ru-Soft Limited.

Increasing development requirements

At the end of 2000 Sapphire's requirement was primarily application development conversions - from the previous DataEase platforms to the new generation, initially DataEase for DOS to DataEase for Windows, with an increasing requirement to move to NetPlus. The IT skill shortage in the UK meant Sapphire either had to compromise on programmer quality or pay a premium that it would have to pass onto its customers. Neither was acceptable, so a radical solution was found.

Offshore Programming via SoffShore from Ru-Soft

Sapphire was so impressed by the early work on the new product developments for sister company DataEase International that it began to work with Ru-Soft on the DataEase for DOS application development conversion programme.

Andy Rose explains, "Here we're converting DataEase applications for clients to order at fees rechargeable to them, so we needed access to high quality developers at fixed monthly rates. We can now allocate costs precisely and easily upscale or downscale our resources as needed."

This team began with 12 programmers working on conversions and by mid 2004 it had expanded to an average of 30, some dedicated to new product developments too. "Such is the skill level in Russia that we have now been able to offer our customers other alternatives to DataEase migration, including Access to SQL conversions and even .NET solutions - something we couldn't have contemplated 3 years ago - all down to SoffShore." quotes Andy Rose.

SoffShore

Imagine a development workshop, fully tooled with the latest software, hardware and comms. Staffed by degree level and English speaking programmers, the output of one of the best technical education systems in the world. Totally dedicated to your projects and at predicable and controllable costs. With a set of business protocols and 'always-on' instant messaging, that enable you to manage and control your developments easily and securely from a remote location. That's SoffShore from Ru-Soft.

It's a virtual programming resource you can plug into whenever you need it, at an 'all-in, all-found' cost that's often just a quarter of a UK specialist programmer's salary. But the key factor, as Andy Rose puts it is, "Their work is their shop window. Most of these guys want to make it in West. They don't mess you around."

Flexible and responsive

The 'conversion model' is highly responsive to client needs. Ru-Soft houses the programming 'engine' and Sapphire's personnel handle all pre-conversion client contact, systems analysis and specification, and all post-conversion installation and support. So, when needed, Sapphire can quickly increase its 'engine's' capacity for conversions, ensuring that opportunities aren't lost and solutions are delivered on time. It's this flexibility and responsiveness that gives Sapphire a considerable competitive advantage.

Finally, it's safe to say that Sapphire has grasped this new opportunity with both hands and fully embraced all the benefits it can deliver. It can now handle more projects than ever without extra management, is delivering higher quality products and solutions faster and all from a far lower cost base.