Custom development

In general, these projects go through the following stages:

• Requirement analysis
• Assessment of legacy software and open source solutions
• Estimate
• Estimate approval
• Execution and development
• Acceptance
• Delivery
• Training
• Post-delivery support

Requirement analysis

The aim of this stage is to get to know the problem and the context in which the solution is to be provided. By means of interviews and following adaptable methodologies, a document describing the problem is drawn up.

Assessment of legacy software and open source solutions

The development of one software package often results from the evolution of another existing one. We therefore assess operating legacy systems and analyze the possibility of extending them, integrating them and recovering knowhow.
At the same time, we analyze available solutions under free licenses. If there is a chance to reuse open source solutions instead of developing solutions from scratch, we integrate, extend and locate existing products.

Estimate

Once the first two steps have been completed, we quantify the effort needed to provide a solution that meets the client’s requirements. This effort is estimated in man hours; we apply a factor to this number corresponding to the cost per hour, which yields the estimate for the execution of the project.

Estimate approval

Once the estimate has been approved, we sign the service agreement which includes the confidentiality agreements and special copyright clauses, in accordance with the client’s requests. If necessary, the confidentiality agreements may also be signed prior to the first stage.

Execution to delivery

Along with the estimate, our clients receive a Gantt diagram with partial delivery dates. With the aim of minimizing the risk and maximizing feedback, we are in the habit of making frequent weekly or fortnightly deliveries, depending on the project. We likewise involve our clients in every possible way, organizing short daily or weekly meetings.
Progress is assessed with every delivery, and once the requirement has been completed, the document drawn up in the initial stage is used as proof of acceptance. A project is considered completed once the requirements are met and the client has accepted the solution.

Training and tech support

After delivery and deployment we provide users, developers and systems administrators with training and support, depending on the need. At Menttes we believe that for a solution to be successful it must be fully adopted.