Sample Projects & Case Studies: Desktop Applications

Bibliographical Catalog is a software application designed for collecting bibliographical records as well as maintaining, retrieving and managing these data. The previous version of Bibliographical Catalog application was developed using FoxPro language and worked only on DOS operation system. Arcadia's team moved the application to modern platform, improved usability and added new functionality to the system.

Technologies & tools: MS Windows, MS .NET Framework, MS SourceSafe, MS SQL Server, Bugzilla

Software re-engineering | Desktop applications | .NET | Other business areas | Science & Culture

The Customer needed to develop a business applications suite for Groove™, including a CRM, a document management system, a file management tool, a set of shortcuts to most often used Groove items and a technical support center. The task required fast adoption of the new (for 2003) technology and working with requirements which were evolving in the process of development.

Technologies & tools: Groove Workspace, GDK (Groove Development Kit), COM, ATL, XML, JavaScript, C

Custom software development of a set of business applications | Desktop applications | Workflow & BPA | ECM & document management solutions

The former procedure of registering new messages or documents as Cases (or as new records in existing Cases) demanded a lot of manual work to fill in all required fields. Case Handling Document PreProcessor (CHDP) application was intended to simplify the process of registering and updating new Cases in the Customer's Case Registering System.

Technologies & tools: MS Windows Server, BizTalk

Software re-engineering | Desktop applications | Workflow & BPA | Government

The Client — company specialising on disposal and recycling of controlled substances — needed an application for automation of internal business processes, as relying on paper documentation resulted in considerable loss of time. The goal of the project was to develop a software system for exchanging Advanced Shipment Notifications and Purchases between Purchaser (the Client) and Suppliers (Client's customers). The system was developed according to the obligatory requirements defined by DEA for systems working with controlled substances.

Technologies & tools: C#, MS Visual Studio, MS SourceSafe, csUnit, TestTrack Web

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Pharmaceutics

An easy-to-use internal system for streamlining administration, billing and scheduling of corporate IT training courses.

MS Jet, MS VB, MS Visual Studio

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Workflow & BPA | Corporate trainings

A non-expert tool for data retrieval and analysis of statistical data about patients for pharmaceutical research. The query wizard applications are implemented as plug-ins to the existing spreadsheet application on Customer's side. During development Arcadia's team focused on the user-friendliness of the user interface, algorithmic quality of the code and the overall resulting performance.

Technologies & tools: Tortoise SVN, Visual SVN, JIRA 3.7.x, MS Visual Studio, MS Windows XP, Oracle 10g/11g, MS SQL Server, .NET Framework, C#, Oracle Data Provider for .NET

Implementation of new functionality | Desktop applications | .NET | Pharmaceutics

Development of a centrally-managed data security framework capable of managing multiple applications running on multiple operating systems. The solution is able to integrate with different enterprise management systems. The framework is based on the three-tier architecture that consists of the agent software, installed on the end-user machines, management server, and a management console.

Technologies & tools: C++, cross-platform development, RPC, TCP/IP, SMTP, SNMP, HTTP, Windows Networking, ISAPI, Java

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Java/J2EE | Security & data protection

A flexible system used for storage, searching and retrieval of almost hundred fixed document types and an unlimited number of own ones. The main goal of the project was to convert database storage from Trip into MS SQL Server. Implementation was based on the previous version of the application.

Technologies & tools: MS Source Safe / VSS Connect, TestTrack Pro, IntelliJ IDEA, Ant, MS Windows XP/2003, MS SQL Server, Apache Tomcat, Java, JavaScript, XML, XSL

Software re-engineering, implementation of new functionality, data transferring | Desktop applications | ECM & document management solutions

A school management system managing all aspects of school life: financials, scheduling, school tasks, grades, etc. According to the client's request, the system was created as a desktop application providing data exchange with the server for all users (teachers presparing for classes, students doing hometasks, administrators) not only from school but also from home computers through desktop interface.

Technologies & tools: MS Windows, C#, MySQL, Crystal Reports, InstallShield, Adobe Reader, Agilix InfiNotes, Infragistics NetAdvantage

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Education & e-learning | Online collaboration tools

Fixed assets accounting application developed using FoxPro 9.0 language as a client/server application on Microsoft SQL Server (2000, 2005) needed a number of improvements. Arcadia's team provided:
• additional functionality to the previous version of the application
• improved usability
• compatibility with the newest versions of operating systems
• a number of additional special features improving functionality of the application.

Technologies&tools: MS Windows Server 2003/2008, MS Windows XP/Vista, MS Visual FoxPro, MS SQL Server, InstallShield, MS SourceSafe, TestTrack Pro, Terminal server

Implementation of new functionality, usability improvement | Desktop applications | Financials & accounting

Migrating a Fixed Assets Management application from FoxPro to SQL Server. Besides, the project covered a number of enhancements to the applications functionality, such as: ASP and Citrix enhanced support; XML import/export to 3rd party systems; update to license generation/support; new SQL Server based backup/restore functionality; enhanced user management and security.

Technologies & tools: MS Visual FoxPro, MS SourceSafe, TestTrack Pro, InstallShield, Citrix MetaFrame, MS Windows, MS SQL Server, Terminal Server

Software re-engineering | Desktop applications | Financials & accounting

The objective of the project was re-engineering chart and grid functionalities in the presentation layer of both 2- and 3-tier versions of an existing HRM application.

Technologies & tools: MS Windows, MS Windows Server, MS Visual Studio .NET, MS SourceSafe, TestTrack Pro

Software re-engineering | Desktop applications | .NET | HRM

The Client's Human Resources Management & Payroll System required redesign to minimize efforts to perform regular updates. Besides, the System needed more flexiblity, better usability and easier integration with other business applications of the Client.

Technologies & tools: MS SQL Server, Delphi, T-SQL

Software re-engineering | Desktop applications | Financials & accounting | HRM

Arcadia’s client develops programming language and IDE with a long history. To use the advantages of the .NET Framework, it was decided to redesign the language and to implement the IDE on .NET platform. The task included
• new programming language compiler implementation;
• new programming language IDE implementation as plug-in for existing IDE.

Technologies & tools: C#, MS Windows, SharpDevelop, MS .NET, MS SourceSafe, TestTrack Pro, MS Visual Studio

Software re-engineering | Desktop applications | .NET | Developer tools, compilers & IDEs

Since foundation, in-house team of the client developed 19 applications to work with different kinds of insurance which became out-of-date and difficult to maintain. Now the client needed to make the right decision on possible ways how to renovate their current software application and reach their business goals. Arcadia investigated the architecture of the client’s applications, data interaction between modules and interviewed key client’s personnel for collecting business requirements. Based on the investigation results Arcadia suggested several solutions.

Software consulting | Desktop applications | Insurance automation

Enterprise Media Encryption Solution for protecting USB devices, portable hard drives and CD/DVD drives. The Solution solves problem of unauthorized data access by delivering the ability to encrypt data on any storage device or media. This capability allows employees to safely transport and use data on portable media and securely distribute data via email.

Technologies & tools: SVN 1.4 (Subversion), Visual C++, TestTrack Pro, MS Windows, kernel mode file system filter driver, system services, DDK 6000-6001, SDK, STL, Windows Explorer context menu plug-ins

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Security & data protection

The project task was to develop a Web Applications Framework Software Development Kit (WAF SDK). It was needed to simplify the implementation of uniform web applications based on Client's Application Framework.

Technologies&tools: Oracle, MS SQL Server, VB.NET, VB6, JavaScript, MS Visual Studio, XML

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Developer tools, compilers & IDEs

Development of multi-user, multi-lingual distributed Point of Sale (POS) computer system: order entry via PPC, order processing via PPC and PC LAN, data storage and handling, synchronization/updating of all remote field data to the corporate or home/office-based LAN.

Windows 98/NT/2000/CE, C, MFC, XML, TCP/IP level communication, HTTP level communication, CE driver for native CE database, OPOS-based access to POS specific software

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Other business areas | Retail | Sales automation

Print jobs caused serious administrative and bandwidth problems in the Client's wide area network (WAN). Arcadia developed a solution to the problem including 2 server components and a client application.

Technologies: MS Visual C++, MS SOAP SDK, Citrix Virtual Channel SDK

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Other business areas

A platform-independent application for easy management of SQL database queries from distributed applications.

Technologies & tools: Java 2, SUN JDK 1.4.0, XML, JDBC, SUN JavaHelp, JUnit, Swing, Apache ANT

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Java/J2EE | Developer tools, compilers & IDEs

Moving a complex accounting solution to .NET platform. The product is aimed at SMEs and specialized accounting firms, provides full accounting functionality customized to specific country requirements and consists of a number of modules which can be purchased separately. Arcadia's team provided full cycle of re-engineering and data migration services. Besides, new functionality was added to the application in course of development.

Technologies & tools: MS Windows, MS .NET, MS SQL Server, C#, Transact-SQL, ADO.NET, LINQ, Entity Framework, WCF, XML Web Services, WinForms, WPF, Enterprise Library, Telerik RadControls for WinForms, MS TFS, ReSharper, MS Visual Studio, MSUnit, MS Team Build

Software re-engineering | Desktop applications | .NET | Financials & accounting

Development of additional modules for existing HRM system allowing to manage training courses and employees' competencies.

Technologies & tools: MS .NET, MS SQL Server, DotNetNuke (DNN), Centura, C#, VB.NET, JavaScript, VBScript, Transact-SQL, PL/SQL, Oracle (PL/SQL), XML/XSLT, ASP.NET, AJAX, CSS, DHTML, Silverlight, ASP, COM/DCOM, MSXML, Win32 API, CDO; ADO.NET, Cryptography algorithms, LINQ, Entity Framework, WCF, XML Web Services, Enterprise Library, Telerik RadControls for ASP.NET AJAX, MS Visual Studio .NET, MS TFS, ReSharper, MS Visio, InstallShield, MS Project Server, .NET Memory Optimization Tools, FxCop, nUnit, TrackRecord, Test Track, MS Visual SourceSafe, MS Team Build, Visual Build Pro, MS Project

Custom software development | Desktop applications | .NET | HRM

A complex electronic document management solution for a major insurance company, including the following components:
• a web portal
• a set of desktop applications with access to database through SOAP (Web Service)
• several add-ons for Microsoft Office and Adobe Reader.

Technologies & tools: MS Windows, MS .NET, MS SQL Server, MS Windows Server Platform, MS Office System, C#, VB.NET, Transact-SQL, Visual C++, XML/XSLT, ASP.NET, Servlet, Internet Information Services (IIS), WCF, ASP.NET Web Service, ASP.NET Handlers, COM/DCOM, MSXML, MSMQ, Win32 API, ActiveX, Adobe Acrobat SDK, SoftPro Select SDK, WinForms, WPF, Infragistics NetAdvantage controls suite, MS Visual Studio, InstallShield, Windows DDK, nUnit, Seapine Test Track Pro, MS Visual SourceSafe, Subversion, custom build tool

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Web applications | .NET | ECM & document management solutions

Read More...

The client provides car courier services. The costs of delivery services are invoiced to the customers. As every delivery usually amounts to a small sum of money and courier customers usually request them several times a month, the courier services invoices its customers once in a fixed period of time instead of sending invoice for every delivery. According to the client's request, Arcadia's team developed a Windows application for facilitates the process of invoicing with the following main functionalities:

• reading the invoicing data from files in CSV format
• generating invoices based on the data
• monitoring payments
• handling reminders
• printing
• exporting to Finvoice (an XML standard format for electronic invoices).

Technologies & tools: MS Windows, MS .NET, MS SQL Server, C#, Transact-SQL, XML/XSLT, ADO.NET, WinForms, MS Visual Studio/2010, MS Visual SourceSafe

Custom software development | Desktop applications | .NET | Financial

Problem: The client develops and produces medical equipment for digital imaging (radiography, angiography, etc.) using software application developed in-house. The client needed to enable data exchange between this internal application and other medical information systems (MIS).

Solution: To solve the task, Arcadia developed a COM module using HL7 protocol — a widely accepted standard for interoperability of health information technology. The module included the following features:

• Encoding & decoding messages (packages) determined by HL7 standard version 2.x & 3.0
• Converting packages to|from application format used in the medical equipment produced by the client (using XML|XSLT)
• Flexible (extensible) definitions for a set of conversion patterns.

Technologies & tools: MS Windows, С/C++, XML/XSLT, COM/DCOM, COM+, Win32 API, ActiveX, TCP/IP, MS Visual Studio, Seapine Test Track Pro, Subversion, CVS

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Healthcare

Development of one of the modules of security management system used by millions users worldwide. Arcadia's team works in close co-operation with the client and actually became a part of distributed development team.

Technologies: C++, Java, Python, Ruby on Rails, Qt, Windows, Linux, Sprint framework

Custom software development | Desktop applications | Web applications | Mobile applications | Java/J2EE | Online services | Security & data protection

Re-engineering and data migration of auto insurance modules of a legacy insurance automation system from FoxPro to .NET. Arcadia implemented the following features:

• policies input, search, view, printing on blanks
• data import/export, MS Excel reports 
• user management
• drawing bills
• software updates
• printed forms designer.
Besides, Arcadia's task included changes of business processes.

Technologies & tools: MS Windows XP, MS Windows Vista, MS Windows 7, MS .NET, MS SQL Server, C#, ADO.NET, Perpetum Soft Report Sharp Shooter, WinForms, MS Visual Studio, MS TFS, Seapine Test Track Pro

Re-engineering | Desktop applications | .NET | Insurance automation

Since foundation, in-house team of the client developed 19 applications to work with different kinds of insurance which became out-of-date and difficult to maintain. The client needed to decide whether to re-engineer and continue maintaining internal application or migrate to a ready solution. For that, the client needed to estimate possible budget for moving the system to a new platform. Arcadia’s consulting deliveries included:

• Description of software architecture of a would-be new system
• Description of how different modules of the system will interact in transition period
• Project plan with estimations of cost and time for every stage of the project.

Software consulting | Desktop applications | Insurance automation