Software Support and Maintenance

Software support and maintenance is a critical area often overlooked by companies investing in IT. Not paying adequate attention to support contracts and agreements before starting development can lead to severe issues after implementation as proper procedures and service level agreements are not clearly defined. However, having the right production support infrastructure can ensure that issues are resolved in a timely and efficient manner with minimum downtime for critical applications.

Companies with substantial IT infrastructure and considerable dependence on IT for daily operations realize the importance of adequate support services. However, support and maintenance contracts are relatively long term commitments. Therefore, a large number of organizations worldwide are opting for offshore outsourcing of support services to obtain quality services with significant cost savings over an extended period of time. OfficeSolutions can serve as the perfect long term partner for meeting your application support and maintenance requirements.

The advantages of this service offering from OfficeSolutions are:
We have well defined procedures and methodologies for providing quality support and maintenance in an efficient and timely manner.
We have partner companies in key markets for providing on-site support to the customer in instances when remote support is not suffcient for resolving the issue at hand.
There is significant value proposition for the customer in terms of cost benefits over an extended period of time.

IT Strategy Consulting

Very often, service providers as well as organizations investing in IT fail to formulate a coherent IT strategy. As a result, they end up with an IT initiative that is running over budget, over schedule and still below expectations in terms of realizing their business goals. In accordance with our mission to serve as a one-stop shop for the complete spectrum of IT services, OfficeSolutions provides consulting services to help organizations develop a clearly defined IT strategy.

Our strategy experts can analyze your business and existing processes and provide recommendations on how to leverage IT to impact your bottom line, maximize ROI and realize your business goals. We will help you define what your organization wishes to get out of this initiative, how much they can expect to spend and over what time period.

Our strategy experts will:
Analyze your existing IT infrastructure Gain a comprehensive understanding of your organization’s business goals and vision
Provide recommendations on specific systems for automating specific tasks and functionalities within your organization
Provide recommendations on an enterprise wide IT strategy for your organization

Software Development

At OfficeSolutions we have the expertise, experience and resources to develop software applications that best suit our clients needs, budget, schedule and existing infrastructure. We strive to focus on the customer and deliver solutions designed around their requirements rather than focusing on a specific technology and expecting the customer to adapt to the technology and platform of our choice.
Designing software solutions for a wide array of domestic and international clients has given us the opportunity to develop significant expertise in different domains and technologies/platforms. We provide software application development services for business solutions as well as systems and embedded software with in-depth knowledge of specific domains within these two fields.

Client/Server Applications
Web-based Applications
Enterprise Business Solutions
Systems Software
Embedded Systems

Software Testing and Quality Assurance

Testing and quality assurance is an integral part of the software development life cycle. Inadequate attention to this phase of development can lead to severe issues during deployment and support. At OfficeSolutions we have specialized software evaluation teams that can undertake testing and quality assurance requirements for business applications as well as systems/embedded software.
You can take advantage of this service offering in the following forms –
Problem Evaluation : If your organization has existing systems that are not entirely bug free or performance optimized we can provide you with an evaluation of the problem.

QA Outsourcing : If you have undertaken the execution of a software project and would like to outsource the testing procedures in the development cycle to a third party, our QA team can serve as an extension of your development team to perform this critical and highly specialized task.

Our QA professionals will subject your application to stringent testing procedures and methodologies to provide you with the appropriate documentation of the diagnosis performed along with recommendations on measures to eliminate bugs in the software and optimize performance.

Needless to say, every software development project executed by us is subject to the same amount of diligence with respect to quality assurance.

Systems / Embedded software case studies

Overview

OfficeSolutions is an offshore software solutions provider based in Mumbai, India. We have significant expertise in the development of Systems/Embedded solutions for a number in international clients. This document provides information regarding our expertise and experience in successfully executing large and small projects in the field of systems and embedded software.
Embedded Systems Expertise
Firmware / Device Drivers
Smart Card Systems
Protocol Stacks
Storage Solutions
Networking/Wireless
Real-Time Operating Systems
RTOS, pSOS, QNX, VRTX, VxWorks, Linux
Microcontrollers/Processors Family
Intel: 8051, IXP2400, IXP2800, IXP425 and IXP1200, x86
MIPS: 32 Bit Cores, R3000, R4000, R5000
Motorola PowerPC: 6xx, 8xx, H series Family
Phillips: Trimedia TM1000/TM1100.
Languages
C, C++, Java
Assembly languages
Hardware Description Languages (VHDL, Verilog)

A Summary of our Expertise in Embedded Systems
(CASE STUDIES)

1. LATAM (Set Top Box)

Client
SPECS (Solutions Provider for Embedded Control Systems), PHILLIPS, Belgium
Hardware
8051 Based custom hardware
Software
C and Assembly Language

Requirement
To integrating ATM and mobility to provide high bandwidth access to wireless devices for Satellite TV Decoding.
Solution Framework
Implementation of fully operational SetTop Box This software is embedded in the Set Top Boxes used for Satellite TV decoding. The driver uses Philips DIVA-3 chip to decode MPEG-2 A/V bitstreams. The chip also supports On-Screen Display (OSD). The driver supplies an API for the OSD functionality to upper application layers. The driver has been developed under pSOS+. The drivers for the slave processor, controlling the modem, remote control, front panel and I/O have also been developed Mbps shared bandwidth) for the customer.

2. TRICODEC

Client
SPECS (Solutions Provider for Embedded Control Systems), PHILLIPS, Belgium

Hardware
8051 Based custom hardware

Software
C and Assembly Language

Requirement
To implement a PCI based plug-in card, which provides facility to capture, encode edit and compose video titles with audio on a PC
Solution Framework
The MPEG Audio/Video Codec is a PCI based plug-in card, which provides facility to capture, encode, edit and compose video titles with audio on a PC.
Software for basic audio and video editing, Video CD Authoring and Tape Archiving has been developed to be bundled with the product. The Codec uses Philips TriMedia TM1000/TM1100. chip for encoding and decoding. (Best Of Comdex, Fall 1997, Finalist).

3. USB Driver of LCD Projector

Client
SPECS (Solutions Provider for Embedded Control Systems), PHILLIPS, Belgium
Hardware
8051 Based custom hardware
Software
C and Assembly Language
Customer
SPECS, A Division of Phillips , Belgium.

Requirement
To develop Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface drivers for a mouse and LCD projector.

Solution Framework
USB is a new standard for connecting upto 127 devices through one USB port. The advantage is that the clutter of wire behind the PC can be reduced to one single cable.
The projector connects to the PC as a VGA monitor. The projector has a remote control, which can be used for controlling various parameters of the projector and also as a mouse. This mouse is realized by connecting the projector to the PC also via USB. The projector behaves as a USB Mouse over this connection. And hence the remote control can be used as a mouse for controlling the presentation from the PC

4. USB Driver for Overhead Projector

Client
SPECS (Solutions Provider for Embedded Control Systems), PHILLIPS, Belgium
Hardware
8051 Based custom hardware
Software
C and Assembly Language

Requirement
To develop Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface drivers for a mouse and LCD projector.

Solution Framework
USB is a new standard for connecting upto 127 devices through one USB port. The advantage is that the clutter of wire behind the PC can be reduced to one single cable.
Implemented USB Monitor Class for connecting overhead projector to PC as Monitor and connecting the remote control mouse as USB Mouse
The USB Realization includes basic USB framework (USB Device Class) and USB Mouse realization (USB HID Class0. The USB functionality was implemented on a slave Microcontroller, which takes care of keypad, and LED’s on the panel of the projector apart from the USB functionality.

5. Front Panel for SVCD Player

Client
SPECS (Solutions Provider for Embedded Control Systems), PHILLIPS, Belgium

Hardware
TriMedia TM1000/TM1100. based hardware and 8051 based front panel

Software
pSOS+, C and Assembly

Customer
SPECS, A Division of Phillips , Belgium.

Requirement
To develop a front panel for SVCD (Super Video CD) Player.

Solution Framework
The software is developed for the master DSP (TriMedia TM1000/TM1100.) and firmware development for 8051 based front panel.
SVCD (Super Video CD) is a standard defined by Philips and the aim was to make a reference design using the standards and the Philips DSP TriMedia TM1000/TM1100.. This reference is intend to design to various OEM’s who are interested in making their own SVCD players
The front panel which is a parameter which will be very much dependent on particular OEM consist of a remote control containing RC6 Mode 0 format remote control frames, a key board and Vacuum Fluorescent display. This is the part of the user interface.
The front panel was implemented on a separate slave Microcontroller that communicates all the user specific/ entered information to the main processor over the I2C Bus

6. Error Detection / Error Correction Algorithms Implementation

Client
SPECS (Solutions Provider for Embedded Control Systems), PHILLIPS, Belgium

Hardware
TriMedia TM1000/TM1100. based hardware and 8051 based front panel

Software
pSOS+ C and C++.

Customer
SPECS, A Division of Phillips , Belgium.

Requirement
To Implement Error Detection/ Error correction algorithms (PCI Driver) on TriMedia TM1000/TM1100. for IDE CDR.

Solution Framework
The partial implementation was done for feasibility study of using the TriMedia TM1000/TM1100. based hardware for MP3 player.
The idea was to built a VCD Recorder reference design using the Philips TriMedia TM1000/TM1100. processor and Philips CDR Drives.
The drives, which are considered for the project, were IDE CDR Drives. These drives need to be interfaced with the TriMedia TM1000/TM1100. processor over the PCI Bus using PCI to IDE bridge. For this Intel bridge was chosen and a driver is developed over the TriMedia TM1000/TM1100. processor for accessing the drive. Further the Driver was supported with the algorithms and techniques for CDR Mastering.
The ISO9660 File system was used for the CDR mastering. Also EDC and ECC algorithms are used for online correction if the error is detected due to some scratch or damaged CDR Media

7. Smart Card Operating System , Hardware Abstraction Layer

Client
SPECS (Solutions Provider for Embedded Control Systems), PHILLIPS, Belgium

Hardware
ST7 / ST19 Type Smartcard Microcontrollers

Software
C and Assembly of ST7 Microntroller family.

Customer
SPECS, A Division of Phillips , Belgium.

Requirement
To Implement Implementation of Operating System like functionality for ST7/ ST19 Smart card microcontrollers for use with multi application smartcards. Implementation of ISO 7816-3 and ISO 7816-4 standards for T=1.

Solution Framework
Embedded Software for accessing the resources available with the Microcontroller based smart card chips.
Developed for ST Microelectronics ST16 chips. It includes various routines for communication with the terminal.
The protocol complies with ISO 7816-3 and ISO 7816-4 standards. This layer acts as a bridge between the hardware and the application

8. Heart Stimulator testing

Client
SPECS (Solutions Provider for Embedded Control Systems), PHILLIPS, Belgium

Hardware
Micropace EPS320

Software

Customer
Micropace Pty Ltd, Autstralia.

Requirement
To test and validate project for validating the functionality of the Micropace EPS320 heart stimulator as per the Validation protocol.

Solution Framework
System Validation and Testing of the hardware and software for the Heart Stimulator EPS320. This software is tested in our lab using black box, and gray box testing methodologies. The test software/ harness required for testing is developed.
The system involves a self-contained two channel Microcontroller - based stimulus Box, capable of generating simple regular pacing pulses. It can also be externally and interactively programmed by the user to generate complex pacing patterns through a serial data link, using a custom standard software program implemented on a standard PC. This acts as a source for electrical pulses for the diagnostic electrical stimulation of the heart for the purpose of measurement, initiation and termination of the tachyarrhythmias.

A Summary of our Expertise in Systems Software Solutions
(CASE STUDIES)

1. Safeback

Client
Vortex Computer Systems, Germany
Hardware
IBM PC, Tape Drives

Software
C.
Requirement
To develop a tape backup software for backup/restore on any logical or network drive.

Solution Framework
Safeback is a tape backup software providing backup/restore facilities on any logical or network drive. The backup can be in normal, compressed or encrypted mode.
Safeback also serves as an information manager to keep accurate records of all backups and restore operations. The Backup Planner can be used to devise a backup strategy before execution.
The software supports IDE and SCSI formats and runs on Windows 95/NT.

2. NearDisk

Client
Vortex Computer Systems, Germany
Hardware
IBM PC

Software
C.
Requirement
To develop a tape backup software for backup/restore on any logical or network drive.

Solution Framework
Safeback is a tape backup software providing backup/restore facilities on any logical or network drive. The backup can be in normal, compressed or encrypted mode.
The software supports IDE and SCSI formats and runs on Windows 95/NT.

3. PowerTape

Client
Vortex Computer Systems, Germany
Hardware
IBM PC

Software
C.

Requirement
To develop a tape backup software for backup/restore on any logical or network drive.

Solution Framework
PowerTape is an on-line transparent backup solution for RAID systems. It allows the user to select and work with any previous backup session, which is the image of the host drive at the time of the backup.
In case of a failure of the host drive, the tape emulates the host drive and processes all host drive requests. It is OS independent and can be integrated with the OS of the RAID system

4. PPNet

Client
Vortex Computer Systems, Germany
Hardware
IBM PC

Software
C.

Requirement
To develop Miniport driver for Windows NT.

Solution Framework
PPNet is an NDIS compliant Miniport driver for Windows NT. It is a simple and powerful way to enable a network cardless machine to share network resources.
PPNet allows a network cardless machine running Windows NT, to appear as a node when connected through the parallel port of any existing node running Windows NT. It provides complete functionality of the network.

5. DeviceDrivers

Client
Vortex Computer Systems, Germany

Hardware
IBM PC

Software
C.

Requirement
To develop a driver for Magneto-Optical Drives.

Solution Framework
ASPI compliant drivers for SCSI devices like Magneto-Optical Drives and CD ROM drives. These drivers are loaded after the ASPI Manager.
ATAPI CD Device Driver supports CD drive connected on the IDE bus, under MS DOS. It supports CD-DA (data and audio CD) and CD-XA formats

5. Physiotherapy Equipment

Client
Gymna, A Division of Phillips, Belgium.

Hardware
Custom Hardware for Physiotherapy

Software
C, Assembly Language, QNX.

Requirement
To develop an Embedded software and Application software for physiotherapy equipment.

Solution Framework
The application software resides on an embedded board and interacts with the user through a touch screen, keyboard and rotary buttons. The embedded board interacts with the actual equipment through I2C communication.
Modules have been developed for equipment for laser treatment, ultrasound treatment and Electro-therapy.
The software has been developed using QNX and Photon MicroGUI.

6. Secure Key, Portable ID

Client
Secure Technology, London, UK

Hardware
IBM PC, iKey2000 Device.

Software
C, VC++, Crypto graphical tools.

Requirement
To develop a tape backup software for backup/restore on any logical or network drive.

Solution Framework
USB portable key for secure transactions and for storage of personal profile. The smart card chip based USB key stores all the personal and the security related information.
The authentication is done using MD5 and PKCS techniques.
The application areas include secure web access, subscription services, loyalty applications, micro-payments and various other e-commerce applications

7. Vagusoft

Client
Medifit Diagnostics Ltd, London, UK

Hardware
IBM PC, Neuroscope (a custom hardware manufactured by Medifit)

Software
C, Pro*C, Oracle 9i.

Requirement
To develop a Pro*C Interface for Vagusoft System for recording Cardiac Vagal Tone drive directly on to an Oracle Database.

Solution Framework
Vagusoft is a system software developed to monitor Cardiac Vagal Tone(CVT) measured in Mammals. The system interfaces the custom Hardware Neuroscope, the first hardware introduce to measure CVT, which is considered the real data for Cardiovascular Diagnosis.
The system also interface with MedullaLab which can collect the medical data recorded live from patients by various independent instruments to convert into ITCMD like Blood Pressure, Baroreflex sensitivity, Breathing movements, saturation rate of hemoglobin with oxygen, measured through the skin, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Heart Rate and various other parameters
The system records the live data from the patient and displays graphically on VDU. The recorded data are stored in the form of files for the future analysis. The system is purely DOS based and enhanced to port in a client/server environment. SSH technology is used to implement the Client /Server feature, incorporating security access controls. The DOS client records the data into Oracle Database in the centrally located NT Server. The system is also enhanced to work in a WLAN environment. The system is proposed to enhance VOIP enabled Web based system

8. Gatekeeper

Client
ACE Technosoft Inc, U S

Hardware
IBM PC

Software
C, VC++.

Requirement
To develop network management tool to provide multimedia functions.

Solution Framework
GateKeeper is a management tool intended to provide Multimedia functions in an H323 –based network for Internet protocol (IP). It is a VoIP enabled PBX system management software, It has to standardize with the H.323 production network through zones. Zones are endpoints on which only one Gatekeeper has its jurisdiction.
They include any number of terminals, gateways and multipoint conferencing Units (MCUS) any combination of these entities register with the gatekeeper regardless of the physical location of the gatekeeper program code, there must be only zone active runtime gatekeeper per zone.
Zones can be defined according to geographic locations (branch locations) or with overlap of a physical network connection (subnet on the floor of a building or a range of IP address) or by a functional (organizational) paradigm.
It features Call Answer – answers automatically incoming phone calls after a specified delay, Call Scheduling – dials automatically phone/fax numbers at a specified time. Call Forwarding – forwards automatically incoming phone calls to predefined number. Call Transfer – transfers an active phone call to another number. Call Waiting – enables you to switch back and forth between active connections. Call Hold/Muting – temporarily blocks the remote party from hearing your voice. A playback can be placed on the line instead. Call Accounting, Audio Conferencing, Full Duplex Recording. Encrypting calls

New Avenues

Wireless LAN

In order to develop competencies in Wireless networking, we have rapidly expanded our expertise in this area to meet growing demand. We have extensive experience in implementing systems based on IEEE 802.11 standards. We plan to leverage our Wireless engineering competence to create value-added solutions in the areas of GPRS, IEEE 802.11 based systems and Bluetooth. We expect to address the time-to-market needs of manufacturers of wireless handheld and networking equipment by developing efficient protocol and system solutions in this space.