FAQ

Q. Why should we partner with STS?

A. Here are seven great reasons for calling STS to develop your embedded projects:

1. Improve company focus on your principal business, like building hardware 
2. Free internal resources for your core technology development 
3. Scale up for specific project without need for new permanent staff or facilities 
4. Receive our expertise in leading-edge technologies at reduced cost 
5. Achieve development schedules not possible with internal staff alone 
6. Succeed with development projects with a historic record of trouble or failure  
7. Share new project risk with another reliable company

Q. Who is STS?
A.

Les G. Miklosy PE, Principal
Luciana C. Messina, Principal
Kenneth R. Wada, Consulting Engineer

Q. What assurance do I have? How can I be assured that a small outsourcing resource company can commit enough time and resources to my project in order to meet my development schedule?
A. STS will only commit to projects where cost and schedule are reasonably forecast and manageable for us. We will not make software delivery promises we cannot keep.

Q. What are their business terms ?
A. Software to Spec is flexible. We can tune our development plan to your program burn rate with flexible terms. We offer three project plans to choose from; T&M for concept investigation at labor rates well below market rates, to fixed price product delivery with payment at milestones. Contact us for a complete description of these contract models.

Q. How does Software to Spec assess its customers needs?
A. It depends largely on the extent to which the client has an understanding of their software problem. We prefer to treat each client individually. Contact us and we will be happy to respond.

Q. How does STS develop projects for clients?
A. STS emphasizes an up-front weighted project development cycle which defines what is to be done with complete readable documentation:

• RFP - following an on-site visit, we can respond to an RFP within a week.
• Cost - We can guarantee a fixed price bid following definition of system requirements.
• SRS - System Requirements Document, if you don't have one prepared, we will develop the document for you at reduced T&M rates.
• HLD - High level Design Document, this is prepared as a matter of course during the software design phase.
• SDD - Software Design Description, we prepare a detailed design description of the application we develop.
• SID - Software Interface Document, this document describes the interfaces used to connect with the ourside world, such as a man-machine interface.
• Bi-Monthly Progress Reporting - we provide project management with development status and schedule conformity information.
• Test Report - we provide validation testing to ensure the design meets the system requirements specification.
• Product Maintenance - we are available for application maintenance. You turn the key, but we are on call to support in-service troubleshooting.
  

Q. How does STS manage projects for clients?
A. STS has extensive experience in project management:

• Risk Management - identify the critical path through your software design process and be sure upper level management are aware of these risks.
• RFP Creation - good proposals come from RFQ's with sound understanding of what is needed. STS understands the writing and evaluation process.
• RFP Evaluation - we use project evaluation software standard in the industry to scope your project.
• Contract Management - technical and management reviews performing end-to-end project monitoring..