Being Open to Innovation in a Small Company

Frank Cooper

Cooper Software Background

2 • Founded in 2005, Opened a Swedish Office earlier this month.

• Privately owned; 20 Staff. • Systems integration specialists (Microsoft and Oracle Experts).

• Niche: Professional technical services\solutions to the IFS ERP Market (grown rapidly to be largest independent IFS consultancy in the UK).

• Award Winners; Best Young Company at Scottish Enterprise Business Excellence Awards.

• ISO 9001:2008 Accredited.

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Delivering our Services

3 • 90% of our revenue comes from Project Engagements.

• Framework approach based on best practice, is essential.

• Software re-use where ever possible.

• Part of our project delivery methodology is to assess if the eventual solution has a potential wider use.

• Recognised the wider opportunity with MiView.

• Limited experience developing a product or taking one to market.

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MiView

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MiView

TM Finance Design Office Supply Chain Flight Ops Maint.

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MiView Delivery Process

• Repeatable, structured approach to delivery.

• Focussed on solving immediate business problems while exploring wider business issues.

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What experience did we need?

7 • We were embarking on taking a packaged offering to market – this was new.

• It presented many new challenges, which we had to prioritise and overcome.

• • • • • • • Licensing Model Sales Campaign Market Research Usability Testing System Testing Setting up a Support Infrastructure … Confidential

How did Interface assist us?

8 • Introduced via Scottish Enterprise, pilot initiative called the “Commercial Breakthrough Service”. • Interface, understood our MiView challenges & introduced us to UWS(Specialists in Software Reporting Applications) • We decided to focus the assistance from UWS: • • Usability – is MiView user friendly and easy\ intuitive to use?

Testing – is MiView robust?

• Interface coordinated the initial sessions and provided the access and support required to establish the feasibility project with UWS.

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What did the study achieve?

• 20 days of University time over 9 months.

• The work that was carried out by UWS was valuable: • • • Usability Established that MiView was sufficiently innovative and there is a market?

Evaluated the existing feature set, identifying some gaps • • • Is the Application Robust Enough?

Focussed testing of the application to evaluate the different Automated Software testing tools that are available A recommendation of the tools and process that we could use to automate as much testing as possible.

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A longer term relationship

• We benefited and enjoyed the experience that UWS provided. (Thomas and Robert) • We looked at ways in which we could extend this relationship.

• We also became aware of the KTP programme • Recruitment of a complex role, to move MiView from a concept to a product: • • Business Analyst; Market Researcher and Product Manager Tap into the UWS experience and knowledge base to support how MiView evolves going forward.

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What now for MiView?

11 • MiView is a watershed for Cooper Software: • • Many bespoke sales of the system. We have delivered our first complete packaged offering – our first true productised engagement. (this is the future) • Agreement to embed the MiView reporting engine as the reporting tool for a Global software provider. (as is this) • With a web based reporting tool that can be used by any business, of any size across any technology – the potential is incredible.

• In these early stages, we need to take care that we do not lose focus and we prioritise.

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Being Open to Innovation in a small company?

12 • We continue to Innovate, its what we do.

• We already have other potential products and offerings in the pipeline.

• Being Innovative is not enough on its own: • • Professional: Quality, Processes, Experience, Planning Ambition, Drive – Lots of Hard Work • Leveraging the

right balance

of expertise and • • • support from the resources available: Plug the gaps Continue do what you are good at Be prepared to put the effort in to make it work Confidential

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Why we engaged with UWS

• UWS possessed expertise in automation tools that was lacking in-house • Little to no business justification for performing the feasibility study in house due to lack of skills and lack of knowledge with available automation tools Confidential

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Benefits we received

• An better understanding of how our product was placed to allow test automation • Implementation of certain developed features actually prohibited or hindered automation. • An clear indication of what tools would not be suitable • A massive benefit due to limited resources in house, we could now understand the tools that would be no benefit and not waste time Confidential

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Outcomes from feasibility study

• Automation tools now considered and detailed in the Test Strategy • We will be looking to further investigate UWS’ suggested automation tool when setting up our new testing environment. Confidential

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Building a relationship with UWS

• Investigated the KTP Programme • We were looking for a very specific individual to support us on MiView: • • Part Business Analyst Part Marketeer Confidential

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Vision and Scope

• Specification; can be used internally or by other external resources if required.

• Business Case.

• Infrastructure and Systems Assessment • Targeted ROI.

• Document of Scope, Priorities and Stakeholders.

• Summary Requirements &

Quotation.

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Envision ment

- PID* - Vision and Scope* - Delivery Plan* - Solution Architecture - Test Strategy - Feasibility Prototype

Project Management (PRINCE2)

Project Plan

Project Management

RAG Report (Risks & Issues) Progress Report (Weekly) Delivery Pipeline

Design (Exploration)

- Functional Requirements* - Non-Functional Requirements - Design Model* - System Design - Design Reviews Additio nal In crem ed ents Iteratio n te Additio Planne ns d nal

Design (Exploration)

Iteratio n te

Deployment (CS Release Process)

- Test Plan* - Test Scripts* - Test Summary* - Deployment Plan - User Guide - Technical Support Docs.

- Dynamic Design Model - Tested System* - Automated Unit Tests - Delivered System* Confidential

Key:

- Documented Deliverables Software Deliverables (* mandatory) Final ent

End of Project

-Project Sign-off* -Project Evaluation -Lessons Learned

20 • Remote Connectivity (leased lines) • Helpdesk & Service Management • Oracle Servers & Performance Management • Build and Commit Servers • Automated Test Stations & Supporting Methodology • ESCROW Agreements • Web Server Hosting Confidential

Support and Aftercare

21 MiView TM • delivers: A coherent web-based reporting environment for all data sources and all users.

• Personalised reports, visual dashboards and plasma displays. • Easy monitoring and tracking of Key Performance Indicators.

• Reports that are refreshed and delivered on a scheduled basis.

• Integration of disconnected IT Systems into a single reporting platform.

• Automated and trigger based report delivery including mobile.

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MiView

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