Inteq :: Services : Software Validation

Application Migration Service for Toxicology Lab

INTEQ is a specialised provider in design and development of customised laboratory information systems for toxicology labs. We offer professional services to assist labs migrate from legacy systems to new age technologies.

Step	Description	Benefits
Assessment	Finalize inventory Define core functions Rectify migration inventory eliminating unused functions	Finalize inventory Define core functions Rectify migration inventory eliminating unused functions
Planning	Identify key constraints Identify migration deliverables Develop project plan	Detailed project schedule Document templates
Reverse Engineering	Identify application architecture Identify data architecture Identify key business rules	Existing design documents Existing validation rules
Detailed Design	Develop new data model Develop new object classes/hierarchy Verify design feasibility	Develop new data model Develop new object classes/hierarchy Verify design feasibility
Migration	Migrate to .NET Implement core features Migrate data to new data model	Migrated modules Bug report
Testing	Develop regression test database Code review Unit test	Regression test bed Test plans Code review results Unit test results
Validation	Independent (Alpha) test Interface & stress test Functional test against business rules	Independent (Alpha) test Interface & stress test Functional test against business rules
Deployment	Parallel operations Recovery tests Performance assessment Assess usability Deploy migrated application	Beta test plan Security validation Test results Deployment plan Project sunset review

Step	Description	Benefits
Assessment	The existing system is inventoried and serves as the baseline for migration. Initial assessment will also include formalizing core requirements such as security, key work flow changes	Helps establish the baseline for migration and helps identify functions those are not required for migration
Planning	Establish the detailed deliverables and milestones based on the initial project plan and design strategy	Provides a refinement of the high level project plan submitted during the proposal phase
Reverse Engineering	Establish the existing application architecture, data model and business rules that are implemented	Provides documentation that will help in future enhancements and comply with regulatory requirements
Detailed Design	In this phase the new object architecture, data models and interface architecture is developed along with prototypes to identify user requirements. Key interfaces are also prototyped to ensure inter-operability	Provides clear visibility on the target system with prototypes helping solidify user interface changes The planned platform is tested for ensuring the feasibility of migration
Migration	The existing system is migrated and ported to the new platform module by module	The incremental migration reduces the risk of failure
Testing	A regression test bed that can test the business rules and interfaces will be developed and used as the baseline for testing	As each module is migrated code review and unit testing ensure program correctness and reduces defects during the validation phase
Validation	In addition to design reviews and prototypes which involve the users throughout the migration lifecycle, the validation step involves full testing of functionality against business rules, stress testing and verification of all SLAs	Validation life cycle milestone helps detect errors early reducing overall costs. Integration testing, stress testing and independent validation help ensure that errors are detected and corrected prior to deployment
Deployment	The validated system is tested by users using the use cases. The system will also be tested for performance and availability as part of parallel operations ensuring that the migrated system has retained all operational functionality	User testing and parallel operations reduce the risk of errors during production use

The existing ERP system for a major toxicology laboratory was custom developed in the early nineties using an older client server platform. It was not meeting the company's current business requirements. The company could easily triple their business volume, but were limited by antiquated technology. Attempts to customize a popular ERP package had cost over 2 million dollars but had totally failed to meet user requirements. Eventually this package was abandoned and inteq was asked to provide a solution. The goal of this study was to analyze and assess the existing ERP system, assess the preparedness to respond to future changes in business such as supporting new market requirements for clinical testing and support of the needs of other laboratories.

The specific areas studied in the assessment included the feasibility of a platform that is technologically current, easily maintainable and has the ability to easily grow and interface with a host of other customer information systems eliminating double entry, provide efficiencies in managing throughput, and better quality. Other objectives of the technology study was to enable management to have a real-time dashboard of performance, integrating financial, operational and customer information. The study recommended to include a data-warehouse that is seamlessly integrated with day-to-day operations to support data mining and trending.

To help implement the phases, inteq adopted its established on-shore/off-shore model. The on-shore work included developing the requirements and aligning it with the laboratory process. On-shore work was performed by inteq has strong understanding of the healthcare market and a solid expertise in HIPAA and other compliance regulations (21 CFR Part 11). inteq Corporation and technical analysts helped develop the RFP, the contract and quality acceptance criteria for the deliverables. They provided a fixed fee estimate and schedule. The critical aspect of the proposal was well articulated deliverables with quality acceptance criteria.

While the laboratory's CIO had complete management oversight, inteq Corporation maintained and tracked the deliveries from a cost, schedule, risk and quality perspective. The customer had the assurance of on-site management, cost efficient off-shore development and exchange moderators who oversees the service providers performance. The key success factors were: well defined requirements, well defined work-breakdown structure, project status tracking, independent quality assurance, and acceptance criteria tied to each deliverable.

inteq helped the laboratory save over 50% in total project costs using a blended off-shore/on-shore model. The laboratory has decided to use this blended global delivery model for other projects and has engaged inteq as their primary partner in designing, developing and maintaining their IT systems