Information Engineering Services

Does this scenario sound familiar? You bring a new information-management product into your organization—then find out it requires you to transform your existing data into a new format. A little later you discover you need to modify your existing work processes—which requires retraining your data analysis and collection staff, and system operators. And, when the product is finally integrated, you identify shortcomings that require software modifications, which starts the cycle all over again!

Is it any wonder that IT managers question why they head down this path in the first place?

ARINC's approach to information engineering is designed to eliminate these frustrating problems. When you bring us in to help develop a software solution, we first make sure we understand the processes you currently use to generate, store, and report data. Then, we identify ways to streamline—not change—these processes through judicious application of technology. Because we don't try to second guess the way you do business, you can avoid the pitfall of starting out with an existing product and then having to modify your processes to fit the product.

Of course, when developing a new solution, we don't start completely from scratch. We use a broad portfolio of information management modules and object-based tools and languages—including Java, Visual Basic, HTML, XML, SGML, and ASP—to speed application development.

Does this approach work? Definitely! In fact, we've used it to successfully develop several key applications for the military, including a custom-built, web-based application—the Automated Staff Action Program (ASAP)—that manages action items for the Army Communications-Electronics Command Software Engineering Center. This tool allows users to assign action items, and then automatically sends e-mail to appropriate parties, collects and manages responses, and provides tailored status reports.

After developing ASAP, we integrated it with the Army's existing IT infrastructure, provided user training, established procedures for managing user problems and enhancement requests, and established a configuration management process that controls new releases according to an approved schedule.

Why is this application a success? Because, we took the time to understand how the Army runs their operation, then streamlined and automated their existing, proven processes. As a result, there was no need to promote acceptance of a new tool—with its new procedures and processes—through extensive training and orientation.