We deliver our Software as a Service (SaaS). This way we provide hosted software to clients in a cloud computing environment. This is a model that eliminates the need for client Organizations to incur the expense of purchasing or maintaining expensive servers and software. It allows organizations to significantly reduce the cost of using and maintaining software because we bear the expense of developing and maintaining the systems and hardware on which they run. Capital and operational expenses normally associated with hosting on-premise software applications is shifted from the client, to us, the cloud software services provider.

As every organization is different, it can be impossible to find an off-the-shelf solution that matches your organization's exact requirements/functions. Custom-built software is software commissioned by an organization for a specific function. Custom-built solutions don't have to be large and complex; they can be simple tools built to match your organization's needs and can include web-based solutions, databases, mobile phone apps etc. Custom development allows you, the customer, to determine exactly what functionality you require and how the system will look and perform. We have been developing robust, cost-effective custom-built software built on the web platform since 2002!

How do we ensure that the software is right for you?

We take an agile approach to software development. We understand that institutions/organizations processes change over time and as users become more familiar with a software application, they get a clearer picture of what they want from it. Our agile approach starts by stripping back the requirements to the minimum functionality and to build a working prototype. Once the end users can see and use an application it becomes easier to see how it should develop. New features along with changes to existing features are applied incrementally in a series of builds. This approach not only allows the project to adapt to changing requirements but also allows the customer to start using the application much sooner. The first build contains just the basic functionality and with each subsequent build the application is refined and new features added.

What Happens Next?

Several steps are involved in providing you with you perfect solution:

Initial Meeting

We will normally have an initial informal meeting, either in person or on the phone so we can understand the needs of the organization, understand how you work and understand your requirements. This is the point where we can discuss the overall issues, look at the bigger picture and really get the ideas flowing. Items such as notes, sketches and current systems can all be useful at this stage.

Initial Proposal

This proposal is a brief on how the project will be structured; it will usually give guides for timescales, costs and will often have various options for you. This is an ideal stage to make changes, and ensure this is the project you want. Given that your requirements are likely to develop over time, this initial proposal will be for the first stage in the project, usually the development of a prototype.

Design and Development

If you are happy with the proposal, the next stage is for the development team to translate the ideas into a product. This is a collaborative process and we will probably need to contact you again during this phase to clarify details and present options.

Delivery

Once developed, we will deliver you a functional version of the software and where required will work with you or your system administrator to install and train on your new product.

Sign Off

If you are happy that we have delivered what we promised and that the product/service is working and bug-free, we will ask you to sign off on the project and we will invoice you for the work we have carried out so far.

Further Development

Once the product/service is in use, you will undoubtedly have some feedback and ideas on how to improve it. Well designed software should be able to evolve continually to meet changing requirements. Your ideas will become the next development project and the development cycle repeats.

Intellectual Property and Copyright

For many institutions/organizations ideas and designs are a valuable commodity. We understand this, and are happy to hand over all intellectual property rights and copyright to any work that was developed solely for you at the end of a project. We can also hand over any source code for the project so that you are not tied in to using us for ongoing maintenance and support. We hope that you will choose Eightbits Solutions for future development but we believe in giving customers a free choice.