Medical Co. Outsources Development. With the help of AVISTA, Amphion Medical Solutions found an outsourced software development solution that works.

Rapid Prototype Testing. Deadlines are always challenging in software development. When dealing with product development, things only get more complicated with hardware/software integration and testing.

ACARS Datalink Update. AVISTA has just completed updating a client's ACARS datalink test tool used on a new block program for a refueling aircraft.

Insights on CMMI Appraisals. Last month, two AVISTA experts presented at the CMMI Technology Conference and User Group event in Colorado.

AVISTA Brain Candy. We think safety-critical software engineering is serious work, but we also like a good laugh. Our cartoonist, Mark Anderson, pokes fun at some of the particulars of software development and office life in general.

December 2007

It's December and another year draws to a close. Even after 20 years in this business, I continue to get excited by all the new projects, technologies and programs we're seeing out there. Next year, we'll be sharing insights and updates monthly with a new AVISTA E-Update schedule.

We'll keep you up-to-date on our developments, provide insights that may help you in your next project, and a bit of 'Brain Candy' to put a smile on your face during the busy day. Please let us know what you'd like to see in the newsletter, whether it is specific technology topics, such as Agile development and COTS, or strategic insights, like analyzing earned value for your programs. Email us at newsletter@avistainc.com.

Our final newsletter issue of the year covers a number of different topics and programs. First, some news on a recent project where our Windows magic helped a client without development expertise in-house. Next, we offer some information on rapid prototype testing, and tips for those facing pressing hardware/software integration deadlines. Finally, a new item in our AVISTA Brain Candy section—see it yourself below. Just a warning, situations depicted may be eerily familiar.

Have a great holiday season, and see you next year!

Jim Schneller
President
AVISTA Incorporated

Medical Co. Outsources Development

After struggling to find the right software development resources for its growing services business, Amphion Medical Solutions, a leading medical transcription and coding services company, found an outsourced software development solution that works. Amphion partnered with AVISTA to create and maintain the software used to deliver important medical record transcription and coding services.

Amphion uses its own software to support service delivery, but software development is not a core business focus. Previously, the company used independent contractors to create this software, but they would move on once a product was complete—taking their experience and product knowledge with them. Amphion wanted to find a more consistent resource and ensure their products were maintained by software experts. Amphion turned to AVISTA for outsourced development of its software applications.

Amphion is currently developing a next-generation web-based health document platform to meet new demands of their customers. The company is anticipating the Electronic Medical Record environment will impact the services it delivers. This new product is significant for the industry since there is a shortage of experienced medical language specialists, but demand for services continues to increase. AVISTA is actively working with Amphion on this web-based platform.

If you’re looking to focus on your core business and considering full software outsourcing, please contact us at 608-348-8815 or email us at avista@avistainc.com.

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Rapid Prototype Testing

Deadlines are always challenging in software development. When dealing with product development, things only get more complicated with hardware/software integration and testing. Recently, AVISTA was faced with a challenging project for a major new commercial aircraft's hydraulic systems. The client not only had to meet an accelerated timeline for delivery, but they needed the test system created and have testing begin before some of the key hardware components were available.

Since the project called for testing to start before some of the key hardware components were available, creativity and smart planning was paramount. Instead of using the traditional method of coding the software in a high-level programming language to simulate the hardware components of the hydraulic system, a faster method of generating the simulation software had to be considered.

Typically, the software-to-hardware interface would be written in a high-level programming language. Due to the client’s aggressive schedule, AVISTA used a Windows-based testing tool to implement the interface. It let the programmers develop scalable test, measurement, and control applications quickly and easily.

Further details on this project and the benefits of using a Windows-based testing tool are included in AVISTA's new paper, "Rapid Prototyping for Test Stations". This paper describes the creative methods that AVISTA employed to mitigate the equipment availability and scheduling constraints to this project. If you'd like a copy, please email us at avista@avistainc.com.

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ACARS Datalink Update

AVISTA has just completed updating a client's ACARS datalink test tool used on a new block program for a refueling aircraft. With the formal aircraft block qualification test coming up quickly, the Windows-based tool needed to be modified to support additional data formats and commercial certification standards. The client didn't have the in-house resources for the project and turned to us.

AVISTA's team was able to quickly handle the functional changes for the project requirements, on time. After the project started, AVISTA suggested a few additional ideas to further improve to the tool and make it more useful for users and other aircraft programs. The team helped create a more robust tool for the client's future testing needs and made the tool more user-friendly by improving the graphics user interface.

The client was able to make the aircraft qualification integrated test deadline, and saved time and internal resources by using AVISTA's Windows-based test tool and ACARS expertise. In addition, with the enhancements from AVISTA, the client can also widely use this test tool for other aircraft now, further improving their return on investment.

If you’d like to discuss AVISTA’s ACARS experience or Windows-based development and testing services, please contact us at 608-348-8815 or email us at avista@avistainc.com.

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Insights on CMMI Appraisals

Last month, two AVISTA experts presented at the Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI) Technology Conference and User Group event in Colorado. As the only critical-systems software engineering outsourcing specialist invited to participate, Tom Bragg and Scott Derby from AVISTA presented insights on training teams for maximum return on CMMI, and achieving a successful Level 5 appraisal.

Tom Bragg, AVISTA's Vice President of Operations, presented a session entitled "The What, When, Why and How for CMMI Training." Since the process for preparing for appraisal is complicated enough, it is critical to plan effective training and instill the right culture for an organization's ongoing CMMI work. His presentation shared important foundation and ongoing training activities to support process improvement work.

One of AVISTA's Programs Managers, Scott Derby, shared insights on advancing to Level 5, based on the company's recent experiences. His presentation, "Going from Level 3 to Level 5: Lessons Learned," included best practices for moving from Level 3 to a Level 4 or Level 5 appraisal. The session covered process development, determining institutionalization and stability, refining measurements, and statistical techniques.

If you'd like to get copies of either presentation, or learn about AVISTA's CMMI appraisal experience, please call Tom Bragg at 608-348-8815, or email us at avista@avistainc.com.

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AVISTA Brain Candy

We think safety-critical software engineering is serious work, but we also like a good laugh. Our cartoonist, Mark Anderson, pokes fun at some of the particulars of software development and office life in general.

Just for fun this month, a bonus joke—our end of year gift to you. Odd, the software engineers thought this one was great…hardware engineers, not so much.

How many software engineers does it take to change a light bulb? None, it is a hardware problem.

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