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Frank Cooper

Being Open to Innovation in a Small Company. Frank Cooper. Cooper Software Background. Founded in 2005, Opened a Swedish Office earlier this month. Privately owned; 20 Staff. Systems integration specialists (Microsoft and Oracle Experts).

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Frank Cooper

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  1. Being Open to Innovation in a Small Company Frank Cooper

  2. Cooper Software Background • Founded in 2005, Opened a Swedish Office earlier this month. • Privately owned; 20 Staff. • Systems integration specialists (Microsoft and Oracle Experts). • Niche: Professional technical services\solutions to the IFS ERP Market (grown rapidly to be largest independent IFS consultancy in the UK). • Award Winners; Best Young Company at Scottish Enterprise Business Excellence Awards. • ISO 9001:2008 Accredited. Confidential

  3. Delivering our Services • 90% of our revenue comes from Project Engagements. • Framework approach based on best practice, is essential. • Software re-use where ever possible. • Part of our project delivery methodology is to assess if the eventual solution has a potential wider use. • Recognised the wider opportunity with MiView. • Limited experience developing a product or taking one to market. Confidential

  4. MiViewTM Confidential

  5. MiViewTM Confidential Confidential 5

  6. MiView Delivery Process • Repeatable, structured approach to delivery. • Focussed on solving immediate business problems while exploring wider business issues. Confidential

  7. What experience did we need? • We were embarking on taking a packaged offering to market – this was new. • It presented many new challenges, which we had to prioritise and overcome. • Licensing Model • Sales Campaign • Market Research • Usability Testing • System Testing • Setting up a Support Infrastructure • … Confidential

  8. How did Interface assist us? • Introduced via Scottish Enterprise, pilot initiative called the “Commercial Breakthrough Service”. • Interface, understood our MiView challenges & introduced us to UWS(Specialists in Software Reporting Applications) • We decided to focus the assistance from UWS: • Usability – is MiView user friendly and easy\ intuitive to use? • Testing – is MiView robust? • Interface coordinated the initial sessions and provided the access and support required to establish the feasibility project with UWS. Confidential

  9. What did the study achieve? • 20 days of University time over 9 months. • The work that was carried out by UWS was valuable: • Usability • Established that MiView was sufficiently innovative and there is a market? • Evaluated the existing feature set, identifying some gaps • Is the Application Robust Enough? • Focussed testing of the application to evaluate the different Automated Software testing tools that are available • A recommendation of the tools and process that we could use to automate as much testing as possible. Confidential

  10. A longer term relationship • We benefited and enjoyed the experience that UWS provided. (Thomas and Robert) • We looked at ways in which we could extend this relationship. • We also became aware of the KTP programme • Recruitment of a complex role, to move MiView from a concept to a product: • Business Analyst; Market Researcher and Product Manager • Tap into the UWS experience and knowledge base to support how MiView evolves going forward. Confidential

  11. What now for MiView? • MiView is a watershed for Cooper Software: • Many bespoke sales of the system. • We have delivered our first complete packaged offering – our first true productised engagement. (this is the future) • Agreement to embed the MiView reporting engine as the reporting tool for a Global software provider. (as is this) • With a web based reporting tool that can be used by any business, of any size across any technology – the potential is incredible. • In these early stages, we need to take care that we do not lose focus and we prioritise. Confidential

  12. Being Open to Innovation in a small company? • We continue to Innovate, its what we do. • We already have other potential products and offerings in the pipeline. • Being Innovative is not enough on its own: • Professional: Quality, Processes, Experience, Planning • Ambition, Drive – Lots of Hard Work • Leveraging the right balance of expertise and support from the resources available: • Plug the gaps • Continue do what you are good at • Be prepared to put the effort in to make it work Confidential

  13. End of Presentation

  14. Why we engaged with UWS • UWS possessed expertise in automation tools that was lacking in-house • Little to no business justification for performing the feasibility study in house due to lack of skills and lack of knowledge with available automation tools Confidential

  15. Benefits we received • An better understanding of how our product was placed to allow test automation • Implementation of certain developed features actually prohibited or hindered automation. • An clear indication of what tools would not be suitable • A massive benefit due to limited resources in house, we could now understand the tools that would be no benefit and not waste time Confidential

  16. Outcomes from feasibility study • Automation tools now considered and detailed in the Test Strategy • We will be looking to further investigate UWS’ suggested automation tool when setting up our new testing environment. Confidential

  17. Building a relationship with UWS • Investigated the KTP Programme • We were looking for a very specific individual to support us on MiView: • Part Business Analyst • Part Marketeer Confidential

  18. Vision and Scope • Specification; can be used internally or by other external resources if required. • Business Case. • Infrastructure and Systems Assessment • Targeted ROI. • Document of Scope, Priorities and Stakeholders. • Summary Requirements & Quotation. Confidential

  19. Project Management (PRINCE2) Confidential

  20. Support and Aftercare • Remote Connectivity (leased lines) • Helpdesk & Service Management • Oracle Servers & Performance Management • Build and Commit Servers • Automated Test Stations & Supporting Methodology • ESCROW Agreements • Web Server Hosting Confidential

  21. MiViewTM • MiViewTM delivers: • A coherent web-based reporting environment for all data sources and all users. • Personalised reports, visual dashboards and plasma displays. • Easy monitoring and tracking of Key Performance Indicators. • Reports that are refreshed and delivered on a scheduled basis. • Integration of disconnected IT Systems into a single reporting platform. • Automated and trigger based report delivery including mobile. Confidential

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