Database Development

Having built over 800 database solutions, The Support Group follows a proven methodology to ensure that every solution we build meets all of our clients' requirements, specifications and objectives. Additional planning is provided to minimize the total cost of ownership and help boost our customers' return on their investment in us.

Each project is organized into phases and we use an iterative approach for achieving the best results in the shortest amount of time. "Iterative" refers to continual demonstration, review and testing by our clients during the design and development phases. This "bottom up" process helps familiarize our customers with the underlying architecture of the new system and lowers the cost of administration, diagnosis and maintenance once the system is use.

The following is an overview of our development approach.

Design

The design phase is a detailed process. Not only are we learning about your business dynamics, but you are learning about the architecture of the new system. This approach gives your staff familiarity with the framework of your solution before it is built, letting your team members make important decisions in the database design. Specifically, we:

• Review existing systems to evaluate goals and whether or not they are being met.

• Review existing work processes to identify redundant data-handling, manual tasks or other opportunities to reduce man-hours and costs through automation and improved data flow.

• Work closely with your staff to identify the skill level of the primary system administrators and users. The system is then designed with this in mind and all administrative functions are tailored to fit their skill levels.

• Identify trends in your operations and match them to available technologies. We believe it's very important to look towards anticipated future requirements and keep them in mind for the system we build today.

• Review a number of possible approaches and begin identifying the optimum user interface for the system.

• Determine the specific reports required by management to ensure the supporting data will be incorporated into the application.

• Discover any peripheral systems (e.g. website, external data sources) and/or devices such as printers, scanners and handhelds that may need to interact with the system.

Development

During the development phase, The Support Group will schedule periodic milestone meetings in person, via conference calls/web conferences or via email file exchange. This is an opportunity for your team to not only check our work and report back needed adjustments, but also become acclimated to the new system early on. We provide test or "beta" versions of the system at several junctures as well, allowing your staff to gain an in-depth understanding early in the process. The key people on your staff who are involved in the success of the project will have ongoing opportunities to review, comment and make changes as the system takes shape. We've found this iterative approach is far more effective than our handing over a completed project to a client and THEN getting the key people involved in it.

Because of your expertise and support, we were able to impress my bosses by coming in under budget and ahead of schedule. We are ecstatic with the results of the new system. Thanks for all your help!”

M. Halliday
Database Administrator
Maryland-based fine arts service company

Acceptance

While we use an iterative approach to design and development with numerous reviews along the way, the final review is important to ensure that the system meets the overall needs as outlined in the task plan goals or approved design documents.

Deployment and training

We can provide a range of options for rolling-out a new system, from basic orientation training to ongoing FileMaker monthly maintenance plans. We will work with you to determine when additional system modifications would be better handled internally by your organization or with help from our professional staff. We provide FileMaker training classes in all of our offices that can get members of your staff up to speed on basic development techniques so that you can make simple changes to your system without having to call us every time you need a "tweak".

Learn more about our FileMaker classes.

Interested?

Contact the office closest to you to learn more about our database design, development and training services, or fill out our online form to get a rapid response from one of our experts.