Desktop Alert utilizes web services as part of our information sharing architecture.  Most companies nowadays are utilizing web services which enable rapid sandbox process testing processes.  Sandboxes are equally common, though less formal, in the area of web development projects (that are not version-controlled as software projects); web developers commonly call them "test servers" or "development servers". (See Wikipedia/Sandbox). 

Generally speaking, to get to the sandbox a few steps need to be first observed.

 

  1. Both companies agree there is a perceived value in the integration of each others technology
  2. The VP’s of marketing and new business from both sides participate in the initial conference calls
  3. Both companies agree to sign a NDA
  4. A sandbox is opened and made available to both teams. (A test server usually with secured access.  Desktop Alert provides digital certificates created by Protexx for this process)
  5. Samples of the integration are produced and shown to management teams
  6. Businesses from both sides engage in talks to determine the best business model to pursue: OEM or Reseller, perpetual licensing, etc.
  7. If step 6 is accomplished (the biggest step) proceed to step 8
  8. A pilot is launched at a private url for real world testing
  9. On success of step 8 Marketing teams launch sales teams for speed to market
  10. Process Orders

While web services are certainly the key to rapid integration and rapid delivery to market, the real hang-up is usually step 6.  Software as an industry has to start thinking more like the automotive industry.  You might open the hood of a Ford and see a Japanese engine.  But it’s still a ford.  The stereo might be a Panasonic but the car is still a ford.  

That goes for the tires too and quite a bit more.

Initially, business will always say “can we do it” and “how much will it cost” and “how long will it take”.  On receipt of the final verdict business is faced with a decision:


TO INTEGRATE OR NOT


It is critical that business leverage speed, scale and partnerships to deliver total solutions that are more responsive to unmet or anticipated needs of customers and consumers.  Product line complexity is expanding to meet more diverse consumer needs, but the next generation of new product must still be delivered faster, with fewer errors, and at a lower cost.  Our customers have experienced 75% or better reductions in time to market.  Integration provides collaboration and process management capabilities that you need to rip time from your new product development process.  Whether your ambition is to create a step change improvement across the board by implementing a stage and gate methodology for new product development, take your packaging process to benchmark speed performance, or to take any of your most time consuming sub-processes and convert them for speed to market, we are confident that you will find the proven Desktop Alert platform an attractive foundation.

 

Posted by Howard Ryan