Easy way to make life easier

Many clients ask us how efGroup builds custom applications, which perfectly suit their needs, at the agreed price, on time and with guaranteed quality. They also want to know what working on a custom application development project with efGroup looks like from start to finish, and whether they will be able to control how things are rolling without taking courses in computer science. We understand these concerns and want you to know about our proven blueprint, which will make sure you are absolutely satisfied with the result.

Step 1. Free consultation

Submit your requirements using our intuitive RFP form and we will contact you to help you determine the automation opportunities in your business. It is only natural when our clients don't know where to begin and need valuable advice. That is why we spend as much time as necessary to identify your needs and see the picture from your side. We also understand that software development is not your business, so you will not need a dictionary of computer terminology to deal with us. You will never find us talking about "Java threads", "SQL transactions" or "distributed computing with CORBA". We will always speak to you in the language you are comfortable with.

Step 2. Business and requirement analysis

During the consultation and followup communications, we will determine what will your application do, where we can cut down on time consuming activities such as redundant data entry, old complicated applications, manual compilation of reports, etc. We will also search for how we might use technology to reduce your costs. It might be distribution of reports electronically instead of on paper, or cutting your advertising expenses by tying a website and email into your entire marketing plan. Finally, we will look at ways we can allow you to improve your customer experience, so your customers will continue to do business with you rather than go elsewhere.

Since we spend the time to understand your business, you can be sure that the custom software or database application that we build will meet your needs. You won't find yourself trying to force your business processes into a software program that doesn't want to work the way you do.

Step 3. Project definition and quoting

Once we know what you do and what you want to accomplish, we develop a Project Specification outlining what functionality the final solution will possess. We also determine what technologies will best accomplish the objectives defined in the Project Specification. Because efGroup is not wedded contractually or ideologically to any particular development tools, we can be totally objective when determining the most cost-effective and time-saving approach to take. A complete understanding of the functionality that needs to be implemented allows us to provide you on this stage with an accurate price quote. Since the quote lies within your allocated budget, we can start developing your custom program immediately.

Step 4. Implementation

Based on the Project Specification we start programming the application. We create user interfaces, design databases, and write backend, all that under continuous quality management, which ensures the efficiency of our work and helps avoid overheads. We will provide you with regular reports on your project progress, and intermediary releases of the program once they become available. That will allow you to monitor and control the progress of the development, test program as it becomes partially functioning, and make necessary adjustments to your project once you realize they are necessary.

All the time during development you will talk to your Project Manager and Team Leader via email, instant messaging (ICQ, MSN) and phone on a daily basis. Tight communication on this stage is very important, because it makes both you and us confident that the final product will exactly meet your needs.

Step 5. Testing and deployment

When the program becomes ready, we undertake thorough testing of it. We perform testing in accordance with a specially developed test plan, which allows us to verify and ensure that all system requirements have been met. After the testing, the system is delivered to you for your acceptance and deployment. To facilitate the deployment we provide an Installation Guide on how to install the program in your environment. When applicable, we also provide an automated setup program. You evaluate the final release and make sure that it meets all the requirements, as they were defined in the Project Specification and further adjustments. If the complexity of the system requires it and you want so, our specialists may perform an onsite installation.

For each project, we develop and deliver system documentation that usually includes an Installation Guide, a User Guide and a Training Manual. For large and complex projects we can also provide training of your personnel on how to work with the program.

Step 6. Enjoy improved efficiency

Once you have the solution up and running, you immediately begin enjoying the benefits of perfectly organized processes. Every day you notice improved performance, lighter workload, greater efficiency, increased profitability, and most importantly, you have now more time to focus on developing your business.

Step 7. Free support

We, at efGroup, are proud to support the software systems that we develop. We always provide a 2 to 6 months warranty for our programs, depending on their complexity. This period is normally sufficient for fixing any identified problems, which we do free of charge. When you notice that something in the program functions abnormally, you simply need to call your project manager and describe the problem. In just a few days, sometimes even hours, we will locate and fix the bug, and deliver you an updated release of your program.

Step 8. Maintenance... Free?

Once you feel the advantages of your new application, most likely you will start thinking of further improvements and enhancements. We offer you the way to make them for free. Just tell your business partners, customers, vendors, and friends about your great experience with efGroup. If they purchase their own custom applications, then we will give you 10% of their project costs in free services, which you may use to upgrade your program to address all your needs.