How we Work
Business requirements will always vary. You need a flexible supplier and the way we work with you depends on what you want to achieve.
Of course we are always happy to take on discrete, limited spec projects and we regularly work with both in-house experts and third parties, accommodating processes that are already in place. In this case you’ll still benefit from your own project manager who will handle any issues arising. We can also contribute to projects as required with workshops, face-to-face meetings, collaborative working or with testing.
Many Ascent clients ask us to achieve far more than this, outsourcing the entire definition and build of their business solution. Ascent will manage a whole project for you, giving you a dedicated project manager as your single point of contact. An experienced individual controls all aspects of the project from initial analysis of business goals and processes through to risk assessment, project milestones, implementation and testing.
Regular management communication is maintained with pre-planned meetings at appropriate intervals, often via fortnightly conferencing and at least once a quarter on site. At a technical level, we use controlled MSN, Skype and VPN access with logged chats whenever required. You’ll receive regular reports of progress against milestones and we respond rapidly to any requests. Above all, we know that in choosing an outsourced solution you need to be absolutely confident about delivery on time and to specification. We don’t disappear for days or weeks and then rely on ‘drops’ of code, with the lengthy change lists that those usually generate. We make sure that our on-site and off-site activities are tightly coordinated at all times, with constant questioning and feedback and with build control and version control rigorously implemented.
Quality Assurance
We understand your need to control business risks carefully and Ascent Software has implemented a planned and systematic approach to quality that we call the Ascent Quality Process (AQP). This is an ISO 9000 based framework of procedures designed to ensure that all development tasks are carried out in a controlled and structured way. Internal standards are in place for build and version control, documentation and design and coding, with procedures for activities such as configuration management; non-conformance reporting and corrective action; testing; code walkthroughs; and formal project inspections. Audits are also in place for process monitoring.
We have dedicated testers who design test cases and suites, perform automated and manual tests and document results in full. You can also ask for this group to be independent of the development group if required. Ascent uses a variety of in-house developed testing tools as well as Test Director and Microsoft Test Central.
Environmental Policy
Ascent Software recognises that good management includes all environmental matters and ensures that environmental protection and the prevention of pollution are part of all decisions, policies and practices. We encourage environmental responsibility through all levels of our organisation, by way of employee awareness, environmental communication, and appropriate training.
The company manages its environmental obligations in at least the following ways:
- Awareness of relevant environmental legislation and regulations and complying with such items.
- Offering practical policies to reduce our environmental footprint such as encouraging less car travel, providing extensive recycling facilities and using low energy devices.
- Providing for the publication of the Environmental Policy internally and externally, by posting the document on the premises of the company and externally to any interested parties.
- Providing for the setting and achievement of environmental objectives and targets for the company, and for the publication of the environmental objectives and targets by the posting of the document on the premises of the company.
- Maintaining efforts to achieve continual improvement in the environmental performance of the company including quarterly reviews and discussion of performance at company meetings.
- Fostering openness, dialogue and discussion with employees, clients, suppliers, contractors and all interested parties regarding the environmental performance and the environmental objectives and targets of the company.
- Expecting the company’s suppliers to have their own commitments to good environmental performance.
- Measuring environmental performance by conducting regular environmental audits and assessments of compliance with the Environmental Policy, relevant environmental legislation and the requirements of the company.
