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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Outsourcing ROI, Risk Management & Vendor Selection

  • 1. What are the benefits of outsourcing?
    • Ans: If you’re looking to save money on IT and software development, offshore outsourcing is a great way to take advantage of the best and most innovative solutions available at a low cost. And while you’re cutting costs and getting better services, you’ll find that your company has much more time and resources to dedicate to improving its core functions, building its core competencies and becoming more competitive. Companies in software development and website development are increasingly recognizing the benefits of offshore outsourcing.
  • 2. What types of projects can I outsource?
    • Ans: Virtually any type of project can be outsourced in theory, but in reality most companies want to retain in-house administration of their databases and networks. But beyond that, any project that is outside of a company’s core business functions is a candidate for outsourcing to a vendor either overseas or within the country of operations. It is not unusual for companies to have long-term business relationship with outsource vendors and send them almost all of their projects.
  • 3. What is a typical ROI for outsourcing? How much can I really save?
    • Ans:Most managers at software companies plan their outsourcing budgets with the assumption that they’ll be able to reduce costs by at least 30%. If this estimate is expanded to include labor costs for development, training, and implementation, then it may rise to 50% cost reductions for offshore outsourcing. In other words, the anticipated return on investment can be impressive, depending on the specific details of the project that you wish to outsource.
  • 4.How does the offshore development work?
    • Ans: Quality software is result of good Software Methodologies. Rapidsoft Systems folows industry standard software development methodologies and processes. Clients are always in direct communication with the project manager in India and the US. PM tracks the project through the development phases, right from needs analysis, requirements documentation, prototyping, actual development, quality testing, release, and maintenance. This is done in our offshore office, but through the power of the Internet and through our very strong communication skills.
  • 5. What are the main benefits of offshore outsourcing?
    • Ans: Today's organizations are finding ways to cut costs and obtain higher productivity from skilled resources. Other requirements include risk minimization, and accelerating time-to-market for products. Offshore outsourcing helps companies meet these objectives by providing:

      Cost effectiveness - Salaries of IT professionals are significantly lower than those in the west
      Best Practices - offshore outsourcing companies are focused heavily on quality and continuous process improvement, offshore development centers operate at high levels of efficiency, predictability, and reliability
      Risk minimization- High process maturity greatly reduces the risk of project failures and provides significant advantage when managing service level agreements
      24x7 operations - There is a time differential between onshore and offshore destinations which translates into a virtual 24/7 kind of operation for your projects
  • 6. How do I choose the right company for outsourcing?
    • Ans: Outsourcing has become a mainstream business strategy to improve overall corporate performance and bring about efficiencies. A company may be a potential candidate for outsourcing if following questions are answered:

      Are the resources utilized optimally
      Can the IT department improve efficiency
      Is the company ready to meet the future technological challenges
      Is there a quicker, more effective method to handle IT function
  • 7. Is it necessary for me visit you before outsourcing to you?
    • Ans: Not really. It depends on the size of project. If you are based in the US, Canada or Middle East, our representative willbe able to visit your office and discuss your project in person.
  • 8. Who all can consider outsourcing their work and why?
    • Ans: To be true, just anyone right from an entrepreneur in a small office home office (SOHO) segment to SME (Small & Medium Enterprises) to large scale business empires can consider outsourcing irrespective of the business processes and interests they follow. All businesses can benefit immensely by outsourcing, as technology is constantly changing and to leverage it and get the competitive advantage through it outsourcing is the answer.
  • 9. What complexities are involved in outsourcing? How can I manage outsourcing relationships?
    • Ans: Several studies and surveys have revealed that over 90 percent of Fortune 500 firms opt for outsourcing a specific part of their operations. Considering such obvious indicators, why would an organization not opt for outsourcing?

      Probably, you may have a bad outsourcing experience earlier. There are several issues that have to be taken care of prior to choosing a partner for outsourcing. Furthermore, once the service provider or developer is selected, it's not enough to keep sitting on your heels and imagine that outsourced projects would work fine.

      You must understand that outsourcing relationships are essential to ensuring any project's success.
  • 10. What's the current statistic of software projects' success rates? What all steps need to be taken in order to improve the rate of success?
    • Ans: Studies and surveys conducted by prominent research groups reveal that over 50% (half of) of software projects remain a failure today. Now the question arises, why so? What all is needed to be successful? Are there safety measures we can take for preventing this from occurring? How do we ensure the success of a software project irrespective of its type what? Can the risks be controlled and handled effectively?
  • Working With Rapidsoft Systems

  • 1. How long has been Rapidsoft Team Developing Software?
    • Ans: We are a mid-size company and have been operation for the last 6 years, though our entire management team and many key persons have been in the software industry in the US and Canada for over 2 decades. They have designed products worth billons of dollars for the world's leading technology comapanies. We have one of the most exprienced and knowledgeable management team compared to just about any outsourcing company. Check the bio of our management team.

      We are one of a few companies that have extensive hardware development expertise. Our team's Silicon Valley pedigree ensures that we can do the projects of any complexity.
  • 2. Who are typical customers of Rapidsoft Systems?
    • Ans: We are a Princeton, NJ based professional product development company with the software and hardware development expertise and the development centers in the US and India. We work with Fortune 500 corporations as well as with individual entrepreneurs starting new on-line businesses. We are a preferred development partner of prestigious Silicon Valley technology companies.
  • 3. How is Rapidsoft Systems different from other outsourcing software companies?
    • Ans:
      The approach we use allows us to develop more reliable solutions in less time and with less developers, thus saving your time and budget
      All our developers are highly skilled and experienced specialists
      All the software projects we have been involved in have been successfully completed
      We can be easily contacted at any stage of the development process - moreover, you follow this process right from the start and until you obtain a completed solution and can provide feedback thus being in full control
  • 4. How can I benefit from working with Rapidsoft Systems?
    • Ans: Rapidsoft Systems assures that your projects will be done on time, to budget, and in accordance with international standards. You can outsource Rapidsoft Systemsyour IT projects ranging from a simple utility to a total automation of your business. It is confidential and reliable. Copyright on the final software belongs to you. Also, due to abundant IT talents in India, Rapidsoft Systemscan offer you an attractive price.
  • 5. What type of processes does Rapidsoft Systems have in place?
    • Ans: We have formulated tested processes that enable us to deliver best- in-class services to our clients. Our processes are designed to help our clients check project updates on a real-time basis, QA methodologies that enable us to deliver defect free service and project management tools that allow us to manage the projects effectively. To ensure the timely and quality delivery for high client satisfaction, we have implemented the following processes:

      Prototypes and staged deliveries
      Status reports
      Bug management system
      Configuration management
      Knowledge management systems
  • 6. What is the response time to an initial communication?
    • Ans: The response time to an email is a few minutes, whereas IM chat is instant with no response time at all. We are available virtually 24/7 for the purpose of responding to customer query.
  • 7. How do you provide project estimates and project schedules?
    • Ans: Before the initiation of the project, we carry out a very comprehensive scoping and estimation exercise using intelligent tools developed in-house. We have a team of onboard systems analysts who are adept at project analysis and estimation. On the basis of the work-load involved in the development phase as well as the project delivery requirements, we provide the estimate for the project.
  • 8. How do you handle change request and changes in project scope?
    • Ans: We use an efficient change management procedure for any changes in the project. For ongoing minor changes in the running project, the changes are communicated to the project manager concerned, who gets them executed. If the changes are significant and can greatly add to the work-load that has been estimated at the beginning of the project, then we scope creep the project again and submit the revised quote, for acceptance to the client.
  • 9. What are the technologies in which Rapidsoft Systemsis proficient?
    • Ans: Rapidsoft Systems has worked on diverse technology platforms and builds, which enables us to deliver best-in-class services to our clients. We have worked extensively for clients in the following technology areas:

      Mobile Applications
      Web-based technologies
      Client/Server applications
      Web services
      Security services
      Application packing services
  • 10. How should I ensure that the service provider I'm dealing with is capable of managing my project requirement in an effective manner?
    • Ans: To help you evaluate your service provider, here are a few quick tips. A few important things you must watch out about your provider's repertory or offerings are the aspects that relate to the requirement document, clear & excellent communication channels, development methodology, and skills for understanding and thinking ahead of a particular business model. A service provider that offers programmers and developers on contract basis for Full Time Engagement can be a good bet.
  • 11. Do you've a fixed s oftware development model that is considered successful?
    • Ans: Similar to other disciplines of engineering, software engineering also comprises of a few software development models. The document provides you with a general overview of various methodologies of software development that most contemporary software development firms adopt.
  • 12. Why should I be outsourcing to Rapidsoft Systems
    • Ans: While most studies and researches suggest outsourcing software development to India is tremendously advantageous, the question arises as to which firm should I trust for outsourcing job? It's a known and acknowledged fact that choosing the right partner is pivotal in ensuring the success of your business overall growth and success. Considering this very understanding, you may spend fair amount of time studying the data and holding discussions with those you think may be truly helpful for you in choosing the right vendor or partner. The other option may be to consider outsourcing to Rapidsoft Systems- the IT outsourcing firm with over 2 decades of software development expereince. Choosing us would not only help you save your precious time, but would also ensure faster and better results leading to elevated ROI for you.
  • 13. What are the services Rapidsoft Systems offers? What sort of projects you've worked upon so far? What all it takes for ensuring success of projects?
    • Ans: Rapidsoft Systems is a full service IT services company. Our services include development services as well as support services. It's not just about technology, skills and talent for creating well designed and elegant web sites or mobile applications. A perfect combination of a sound business vision and skills & ability for leveraging that vision in order to translate the same in to a service that has economic impact is what's needed indeed. Services we offer, our success stories, portfolios and case studies are what you must refer to for knowing more about us.
  • 12. What's your methodology for designing and development?
    • Ans: Iterative model of development is what we follow. It's an intermediate model or rather we should say a compromise between traditional waterfall method and extreme programming/development methods. The methodology is that once the initial requirements have been clarified, prototype of website and/or web application is built immediately. Thenceforth, the process continuously evolves until the final outcome, exactly as per the specifications.
  • 13. What are your payment terms?
    • Ans: We adopt easy to follow and convenient international payment methods and mutually agreed payment terms. An advance payment is required to start a project.
  • 14. What is the quality of people you employ?
    • Ans: The quality of a software development company is ultimately the quality of its people. Our people are very strong for software projects:
      Are English-speaking Graduate/Post-Graduate Engineers
      Have multiple years of software development industry experience
      All people have experience on off-shore projects with US/European clients
      Most engineers are from premier engineering institutes in India, US and UKs or have proven exceptional abilities
      Rapidsoft's selection process includes several rounds of interviewing, reference checking a nd actual problem-solving on the computer!
  • 15. How do you assure confidentiality of our Projects?
    • Ans: As US company, we are very committed to maintaining confidentiality of all our projects. You get the benefit of dealing with a US company with low cost development services.
      We sign NDAs and Confidentiality Agreements as required by you.
      All our employees are full-time employees, and are bound by the company Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure clauses.
      Additionally, for sensitive projects, we create isolated cells disconnected from any public network.
      For the US defence projects, we can provide consultants who are US citizens and have security clearances.
      All our servers are US based and protected with appropriate security measures.
  • Projects Management Process

  • 1. What all info would you need from me?
    • Ans: Well, that would be best if you can provide us with a detailed RFP (Request For Proposal), as it'll help us analyze your requirements and project in a much better and comprehensive manner. In case you don't have an RPF, we would request you to provide us with a fair idea of your specific requirements so that our business team can help you in developing the RFP.
  • 2. What are the core technologies that Rapidsoft team can manage?
    • Ans: We work in Mobile, Web and Networking technologies. We have dedicated teams in each area. We are one of a few companies that can actually develop the hardware as well.
  • 3. How would you receive my work?
    • Ans: Our customers are spread all over the world. Therefore, we can send and receive files using the Internet. You are requested to provide us with a brief description (may be a doc about your exact requirement) during the initial stages of our communication regarding the project. In case, you've an app that you'd want us to analyze or work on, we'll require the corresponding Database details, Web server details, and FTP details for it.
  • 4. Do you also offer source code for various applications?
    • Ans: We provide source code to our clients for any app or software we've created for them.
  • 5. Am I allowed to define/enforce coding standards we follow on your developers? If yes, what can be done in case they aren't able to adhere to our standards.
    • Ans: In normal case, our employees have to follow the coding standards as defined by our SEPG (Software Engineering Process Group). However, in case the team is required to follow your prescribed standards, it can be done for you for sure.

      It's our standard practice that if the team fails to adhere to the set standards, we ensure to not bill you for the time that goes in to the correction of the code. We do understand that we can't ever completely make up for the time that's been wasted and therefore our system and processes focus towards ensuring that such instances don't occur in the first place.
  • 6. Do you provide daily progress reports outlining the completed as well as outstanding work?
    • Ans: Though it's quite possible to provide daily progress reports, we'd like to mention that the whole process may become quite cumbersome. We would suggest you to either use online project collaboration or would send you weekly reports as Excel sheets.
  • 7. Can I access the code during development cycle? In case yes, then what method of version control you would use for sharing the code?
    • Ans: In case a dedicated team is hired by you on contract basis, we may either make arrangement for hosting the Subversion (code Control System) on your server or may provide you with access to our code repository.

      In case we are working on project arrangement, you'll be able to access the code once final payment has been made. Till that time, we'll be hosting the solution on our own hosting server, so that you can review the features and provide the feedback.
  • 8. Do you also provide a document of formal technical specification?
    • Ans: Our documentation comprises of Software Requirements Specifications (SRS), Use Cases, In-Line Code Commenting, and High & Low level Descriptions to help future programmers and developers understand as to how the software was designed & constructed.
  • Projects Monitoring and Control

  • 1. Are iterative approaches better than waterfall approaches?
    • Ans: Traditionally, software development was done through a waterfall approach, involving rigidly sequenced and structured phases of planning, creating, and testing the software. In contrast, the iterative approach overlaps the different phases of your project. This means that complex projects can be broken into more manageable parts and the teams still produce the same high-quality results. Just like the waterfall approach, the iterative approach allows you to receive and pay for specific parts of your project. Because there’s no need to wait until the entire project is finished, you’re able to mitigate the risks of outsourcing.
  • 2. Would I own the relevant copyright and Intellectual Property?
    • Ans: This would depend on the type of project contract that we have entered into with each other. If the arrangement is on the basis of hiring employees' contract basis, you will own the copyright, intellectual property and related rights that will be specified clearly during the course of the project. However, if we work on a project approach, then both parties would co-own the copyright as well as have all rights to reproduce, modify or resell the code
  • 3. How can I make sure that my project is a priority for the vendor?
    • Ans: Inevitably vendors are more interested in the most prestigious and profitable projects. But you can take measures to ensure that your project doesn’t get overlooked or neglected. First and foremost, make sure that your contract includes a detailed timeline with many deadlines and delivery points. The vendor should incur financial penalties if it doesn’t follow your schedule or if it doesn’t meet your specifications. You might want to consider using a system of incentive payments, too, for when the vendor achieves milestones sooner than expected. But the best way to make sure that your project is a priority for the vendor is to work with a vendor whom you trust and develop a professional long-term and high-value relationship.
  • 4. How do you manage and monitor work progress ?
    • Ans: As a top class software development company we strictly follow Project Management method to manage and monitor our development work. We closely follow the PMBOK as set by the Project Management Institute (PMI) standards. Hence, it helps to oversee any project success and also to perform an audit/review of a current project situation. We use Microsoft Project Server along with Proprietary Collaboration Tools to manage the ongoing projects and related issues and risks. We also use our own server for testing the applications during the debugging stage. Our Project Managers are responsible for conducting weekly reviews during the progress of the project to keep a tight control on the progress. The findings of the weekly status report are sent to the client. This allows the client to keep abreast of the progress of the project and also have better control over the project.
  • On Site Development and Support Services

  • 1. Can you send your consultants to work at our development office in my country?
    • Ans: Yes -We can send our consultants to work at your site subject to Visa availability for the country. For US or Canadian projects, we do provide on-site consultants for short or long duration projects. Different rates apply for on-site consultants. Contact our US office for such needs.
  • 2. Can you provide IT infrastructure support/ Data Migration/ Network Reconfiguration to our company?
    • Ans: Yes - we can support any size IT infrastructure. Our onsite or offsite engineering staffs are available depending upon job location, duration and size of the project. Contact our US office.
  • Testing and Quality Control

  • 1. Is testing also included in your pricing?
    • Ans: Yes, we believe testing is an integral part of development process and thus take care of same in our pricing. We have a separate team of specialists in testing group.
  • 2. What are your testing procedures ?
    • Ans: Our Quality Assurance and Testing team work from Use Cases to prepare Functionality and Performance Test cases. The team conducts load tests when required. The test team also works with the developers to create Unit Test cases. This allows the programmers to test their own modules before they hand it over for integration. Our aim is always to develop a bug free application for our client.
  • 3. What kind of quality procedure do you use ?
    • Ans: We follow quality standards in line with CMMI® Level 3 and ISO 9001:2000. We are working towards getting certified in ISO 9000:2000 IT Quality Management Systems and ISO 27001:3005 Information Systems Security Management. Our Quality Assurance (QA) department provides the framework and ensures that the entire software development process follows an established standard. It is their responsibility to ensure that all deliveries conform to the quality requirements according to the customer specifications.
  • 4. What are the procedures of testing you follow? Will load testing be included in it?
    • Ans: Our QA & testing team works from 'Use Cases' for preparing Performance and Functionality Test cases. Load tests are conducted when needed.

      Working with developers, the team creates unit test cases to help the programmers & developers test their modules prior to handing over the same for integration.

      We follow CMMI QA Model and thus we ensure that all the projects we undertake pass through stringent quality checks. The projects during the various stages of design & development undergo quality checks by a team of quality controllers and internal auditors to ensure the clients receive innovative solutions that work. This way, we ensure that you don't have to invest your time in checking what the developers and programmers have delivered. You can thus focus on your core business and take care of other aspects ensure the success of the project.
  • Our Pricing

  • 1. What is your pricing strategy for development projects?
    • Ans: Our pricing model varies depending on the projects we undertake and is largely based upon the requirements of our respective clients.

      However, our general pricing format is as follows:

      The three different options we offer include:

      Fixed Price
      Time and Material
      Man Month
  • 2. How can I make payments to you?
    • Ans: You can pay us by a check drawn on US bank or by wire transfer. An invoice will include all payment details. For international customers, we may request you to create an Escrow with a US company before starting the project.
  • 3. Are additional costs also involved in your pricing?
    • Ans: There is no additional cost except the bank charges that you'd need to incur at the time of making the payment. The cost of any third-party software you'd require to purchase for your clients would also be borne by you.

      Rapidsoft Systems own comprehensive infrastructure such as development servers, mobile phones, various development and test tools. In addtion, we own software such as Adobe CS5, Microsoft Project servers, various database software, security tools, web test tools, data base utilities and scripts. We don't add any charges for these. But, if there's any tool that you would want us to use for a particular project, you may have to be billed for the same by us. However, we'll discuss and consult with you prior to implementing any such decisions.
  • 4. Is there any discount for long term service contracts?
    • Ans: We offer extremely competitive pricing. Our pricing is based upon a long-term association with the customers and we do not offer discounts for projects less than one year duration. Multi-year service discounts are given to longer contracts or team sizes greater than 10 with at least a 9 months development contract.
  • Contact Info

  • 1. How should I contact you?
    • Ans: You are requested to fill out the form, provided here, to help us know you a little and also the projects you've in mind. If you would prefer emailing to us, please feel free to email us at info@rapidsoftsystems.com
      Even better, you can phone us in any of the listed office phone numbers onthis site.
  • 2. Am I allowed to contact the the team that is working on my project? If yes, then may I communicate through phone?
    • Ans: Yes, we'd strongly suggest you to interact primarily with our team leader to reduce the chances of any miscommunications or misapprehensions within your team. We have our own VOIP network and all offices are connected via our inhouse PBX. You can dial through our Office PBX line with extension. In some cases, we can even provide extensions lines to our customers for easy communications.

      We are equally comfortable with communication through chat, e-mail or phone.
  • 3. Can your sales person visit us to discuss our projects in the US, Canada, Middle East, India or Europe.
    • Ans: Depending upon the size of the project and your office location, our sales consultant will be happy to meet you. We have offices in India, US East and West Coast and in the Middle East. We also have resident Sales people in other parts such as Europe and Latin America.



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