Service: custom software development
Solution type: desktop application
Business area: software development, development frameworks
Customer: A major Scandinavian IT Company developing various business applications used by numerous customers worldwide
Period: 2001-2002
Key problems
All business applications (further referred to as “Framework Applications”) are managed through an Applications Framework (“Framework”). The Framework required a graphical Menu System for facilitating management of Framework Applications, namely: activating and shutting down the applications, managing the applications' rights and controlling the use of applications.
Besides, the Customer decided to upgrade its existing Framework Applications to modern technologies. As the Customer expected to need more and more web functionality in the future versions of its Framework Applications, it was especially important to have an adequate platform for these applications.
To simplify the implementation of uniform web applications based on the Framework, the Customer needed a special Web Applications Framework Software Development Kit (WAF SDK). The WAF SDK was to be targeted at the developers used to traditional object-oriented programming. The Customer preferred to have most of the programming logic placed in the code — behind the files and web controls.
The Customer forwarded a Request for Proposal to several software development vendors. Arcadia, Inc. proposed a solution based on the .NET technology. Moreover, Arcadia had accumulated extensive experience and skills in various DBMSs and thus was capable of developing a special toolkit for transferring Framework Applications to the new technologies.
Solution
The project consisted of two main stages:
- Menu System and
- Web Applications Framework Software Development Kit (WAF SDK).
At Stage 1, the Menu System was developed. The Menu System is a system that provides a company-wide Intranet solution for controlling the Framework Applications. The Menu System also includes a facility for installation and license management. Framework Applications receive from the Menu System information about their rights. The rights are assigned through the Administration application with the help of roles. Users activate Framework Applications via the Menu System, according to their rights and licenses.
At Stage 2, the Web-interface for the Menu System and the Web GUI control toolkit for the Web Applications Framework (WAF SDK) were developed. WAF SDK should allow the Company to speed up the development of uniform Web applications implemented with VB.NET, ASP.NET, ADO.NET, WebForms, WebServices, etc.
Technologies used
- DBMS: Oracle and MS SQL Server,
- Programming language: VB.Net, VB6, Java-script
- Development environment: MS VS 6, MS VS.Net
- Other: XML
Duration and scope
14,5 months / 58 person/months