Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Offshore

  • 1.How does the offshore development work?
    • Ans: The software development methodology is the same everywhere. Our team at SynapseIndia works with an industry standard software development methodology. Clients are always in direct communication with the project manager who tracks the projects through the development phases, right from needs analysis, requirements documentation, prototyping, actual development, quality testing, release, and maintenance. This is done in our offshore office, but through the power of the Internet and through our very strong communication skills.
  • 2. What are the main benefits of offshore outsourcing?
    • Ans: Today's organizations are finding ways to cut costs and obtain higher productivity from skilled resources. Other requirements include risk minimization, and accelerating time-to-market for products. Offshore outsourcing helps companies meet these objectives by providing:

      Cost effectiveness - Salaries of IT professionals are significantly lower than those in the west
      Best Practices - offshore outsourcing companies are focused heavily on quality and continuous process improvement, offshore development centers operate at high levels of efficiency, predictability, and reliability
      Risk minimization- High process maturity greatly reduces the risk of project failures and provides significant advantage when managing service level agreements
      24x7 operations - There is a time differential between onshore and offshore destinations which translates into a virtual 24/7 kind of operation for your projects
  • 3. How do I choose the right company for outsourcing?
    • Ans: Outsourcing has become a mainstream business strategy to improve overall corporate performance and bring about efficiencies. A company may be a potential candidate for outsourcing if following questions are answered:

      Are the resources utilized optimally
      Can the IT department improve efficiency
      Is the company ready to meet the future technological challenges
      Is there a quicker, more effective method to handle IT function
  • 4. How is SynapseIndia different from other outsourcing software companies?
    • Ans:
      The approach we use allows us to develop more reliable solutions in less time and with less developers, thus saving your time and budget
      All our developers are highly skilled and experienced specialists
      All the software projects we have been involved in have been successfully completed
      We can be easily contacted at any stage of the development process - moreover, you follow this process right from the start and until you obtain a completed solution and can provide feedback thus being in full control
  • 5. How can I benefit from working with SynapseIndia?
    • Ans: SynapseIndia assures that your projects will be done on time, to budget, and in accordance with international standards. You can outsource SynapseIndia your IT projects ranging from a simple utility to a total automation of your business. It is confidential and reliable. Copyright on the final software belongs to you. Also, due to abundant IT talents in India, SynapseIndia can offer you an attractive price.
  • 6. What type of processes does SynapseIndia have in place?
    • Ans: We have formulated tested processes that enable us to deliver best- in-class services to our clients. Our processes are designed to help our clients check project updates on a real-time basis, QA methodologies that enable us to deliver defect free service and project management tools that allow us to manage the projects effectively. To ensure the timely and quality delivery for high client satisfaction, we have implemented the following processes:

      Prototypes and staged deliveries
      Status reports
      Bug management system
      Configuration management
      Knowledge management systems
  • 7. What is the response time to an initial communication?
    • Ans: The response time to an email is a few minutes, whereas IM chat is instant with no response time at all. We are available virtually 24/7 for the purpose of responding to customer query.
  • 8. How do you provide project estimates and project schedules?
    • Ans: Before the initiation of the project, we carry out a very comprehensive scoping and estimation exercise using intelligent tools developed in-house. We have a team of onboard systems analysts who are adept at project analysis and estimation. On the basis of the work-load involved in the development phase as well as the project delivery requirements, we provide the estimate for the project.
  • 9. How do you handle change request and changes in project scope?
    • Ans: We use an efficient change management procedure for any changes in the project. For ongoing minor changes in the running project, the changes are communicated to the project manager concerned, who gets them executed. If the changes are significant and can greatly add to the work-load that has been estimated at the beginning of the project, then we scope creep the project again and submit the revised quote, for acceptance to the client.
  • 10. What are the technologies in which SynapseIndia is proficient?
    • Ans: SynapseIndia has worked on diverse technology platforms and builds, which enables us to deliver best-in-class services to our clients. We have worked extensively for clients in the following technology areas:

      Web-based technologies
      Client/Server applications
      Web services
      Application packing services
  • 11. How should I ensure that the service provider I'm dealing with is capable of managing my project requirement in an effective manner?
    • Ans: To help you evaluate your service provider, here are a few quick tips. A few important things you must watch out about your provider's repertory or offerings are the aspects that relate to the requirement document, clear & excellent communication channels, development methodology, and skills for understanding and thinking ahead of a particular business model. A service provider that offers programmers and developers on contract basis for Full Time Engagement can be a good bet.
  • 12. How do I outsource to an India based IT firm without even meeting them?
    • Ans: Indian IT service firms (web and software developers) are revered to be a viable option for outsourcing today. Indian IT firms offer strategic initiative whereby your costs are cut drastically and the provision is also there for accessing the intellectual capital this is something not viable in case of in-house development. Virtual Internet firms are a natural offspring of the ubiquitous Internet. However, is the organization in concern just a webpage or it actually comprises of a team of adept professionals who follow established processes besides having a reliable and solid infrastructure.
  • 13. Who all can consider outsourcing their work and why?
    • Ans: To be true, just anyone right from an entrepreneur in a small office home office (SOHO) segment to SME (Small & Medium Enterprises) to large scale business empires can consider outsourcing irrespective of the business processes and interests they follow. All businesses can benefit immensely by outsourcing, as technology is constantly changing and to leverage it and get the competitive advantage through it outsourcing is the answer.
  • 14. What complexities are involved in outsourcing? How can I manage outsourcing relationships?
    • Ans: Several studies and surveys have revealed that over 90 percent of Fortune 500 firms opt for outsourcing a specific part of their operations. Considering such obvious indicators, why would an organization not opt for outsourcing?

      Probably, you may have a bad outsourcing experience earlier. There are several issues that have to be taken care of prior to choosing a partner for outsourcing. Furthermore, once the service provider or developer is selected, it's not enough to keep sitting on your heels and imagine that outsourced projects would work fine.

      You must understand that outsourcing relationships are essential to ensuring any project's success.
  • 15. Do you've a fixed software development model that is considered successful?
    • Ans: Similar to other disciplines of engineering, software engineering also comprises of a few software development models. The document provides you with a general overview of various methodologies of software development that most contemporary software development firms adopt.
  • 16. What's the current statistic of software projects' success rates? What all steps need to be taken in order to improve the rate of success?
    • Ans: Studies and surveys conducted by prominent research groups reveal that over 50% (half of) of software projects remain a failure today. Now the question arises, why so? What all is needed to be successful? Are there safety measures we can take for preventing this from occurring? How do we ensure the success of a software project irrespective of its type what? Can the risks be controlled and handled effectively?
  • 17. Why should I be outsourcing to SynapseIndia?
    • Ans: While most studies and researches suggest outsourcing software development to India is tremendously advantageous, the question arises as to which firm should I trust for outsourcing job? It's a known and acknowledged fact that choosing the right partner is pivotal in ensuring the success of your business overall growth and success. Considering this very understanding, you may spend fair amount of time studying the data and holding discussions with those you think may be truly helpful for you in choosing the right vendor or partner. The other option may be to consider outsourcing to SynapseIndia - the IT outsourcing firm with over eleven years of experience, CMMI level-3 accreditation, Microsoft Gold Certified partnership, and NASSCOM and FICCI certifications. Choosing us would not only help you save your precious time, but would also ensure faster and better results leading to elevated ROI for you.
  • 18. What are the services SynapseIndia offers? What sort of projects you've worked upon so far? What all it takes for ensuring success in this web-centered, digital world of E-commerce?
    • Ans: It's not just about technology, skills and talent for creating well designed and elegant web sites, web application development and mobile application development. A perfect combination of a sound business vision and skills & ability for leveraging that vision in order to translate the same in to a service that has economic impact is what's needed indeed. Services we offer, our success stories, portfolios and case studies are what you must refer to for knowing more about us.
  • 19. What's your methodology for designing and development?
    • Ans: Iterative model of development is what we follow. It's an intermediate model or rather we should say a compromise between traditional waterfall method and extreme programming/development methods. The methodology is that once the initial requirements have been clarified, prototype of website and/or web application is built immediately. Thenceforth, the process continuously evolves until the final outcome, exactly as per the specifications.
  • 20. What are your payment terms?
    • Ans: We adopt easy to follow and convenient international payment methods and mutually agreed payment terms.

  • Projects

  • 1. What all info would you need from me?
    • Ans: Well, that would be best if you can provide us with a detailed RFP (Request For Proposal), as it'll help us analyze your requirements and project in a much better and comprehensive manner. In case you don't have an RPF, we would request you to provide us with a fair idea of your specific requirements so that our business team can help you in developing the RFP.
  • 2. Can Synapse India write reviews for me to help me in creating and managing brand reputation?
    • Ans: Yes Synapse India will write reviews for you and post them in order to create your brand image. Your brand reputation would enhance as a natural consequence of our brand reputation management activities. When your business prospects come across a lot of positive content about your business, a fair and positive picture would be drawn in their minds naturally.
  • 3. How would you receive my work?
    • Ans: Our maximum projects are web based. Therefore, we can send and receive files using the Internet. You are requested to provide us with a brief description (may be a doc about your exact requirement) during the initial stages of our communication regarding the project. In case, you've an app that you'd want us to analyze or work on, we'll require the corresponding Database details, Web server details, and FTP details for it.
  • 4. Do you also offer source code for various applications?
    • Ans: We provide source code to our clients for any app or software we've created for them.
  • 5. Am I allowed to define/enforce coding standards we follow on your developers? If yes, what can be done in case they aren't able to adhere to our standards.
    • Ans: In normal case, our employees have to follow the coding standards as defined by our SEPG (Software Engineering Process Group). However, in case the team is required to follow your prescribed standards, it can be done for you for sure.
      It's our standard practice that if the team fails to adhere to the set standards, we ensure to not bill you for the time that goes in to the correction of the code. We do understand that we can't ever completely make up for the time that's been wasted and therefore our system and processes focus towards ensuring that such instances don't occur in the first place.
  • 6. Do you provide daily progress reports outlining the completed as well as outstanding work?
    • Ans: Though it's quite possible to provide daily progress reports, we'd like to mention that the whole process may become quite cumbersome. We would suggest you to either use online project collaboration or would send you weekly reports as Excel sheets.
  • 7. Can I access the code during development cycle? In case yes, then what method of version control you would use for sharing the code?
    • Ans: In case a dedicated team is hired by you on contract basis, we may either make arrangement for hosting the VSS (Version Control System) on your server or may provide you with access to our VSS server.

      In case we are working on project arrangement, you'll be able to access the code once final payment has been made. Till that time, we'll be hosting the solution on our own hosting server, so that you can review the features and provide the feedback.
  • 8. Do you also provide a document of formal technical specification?
    • Ans: Our documentation comprises of Software Requirements Specifications (SRS), Use Cases, In-Line Code Commenting, and High & Low level Descriptions to help future programmers and developers understand as to how the software was designed & constructed.
  • 9. How do I improve and enhance the productivity in my company with Internet?
    • Ans: Are you looking for newer ways of communication, transferring info, and making the best use of the web for your advantage? How about enhancing the productivity of your employees and being able to measure the levels of performance on their own via a simple portal on the web? May be an Intranet would be the best solution and right answer for you. It could be helpful for your employees in gaining access to vital info eventually leading to enhanced productivity of the employees. Besides this, you get to save a lot of paper work as well.

      An employee portal or an intranet can ensure sharing of information within the organization. It would be helpful in training the employees in the direction of higher and better career growth, workflow and link processes within the organization as well as step a little further and test & recruit the employees online.
  • 10. Can I reach my business prospects/prospective customers in the farthest corners of world just by making my presence on the web?
    • Ans: Yes, strategic marketing coupled with proactive online promotions can surely enhance the visibility of your web site on the web. Search Engines such as Google, Yahoo, etc. can render your web identity the visibility on the web it actually needs and thus help you reach global audience. Is web site promotion all about meta tags? To know more about promoting your website on various prominent search engines kindly visit www.synapseinteractive.com to know more.
  • 11. Is your website is getting numerous hits and still you have no idea whether those hits were made by targeted customers? Here's how to find out
    • Ans: It is not all about pulling more traffic to a web site. What's important is to draw the targeted footprints to it i.e. the target audience must reach your web site. How would you ensure that your business prospects are accessing your site?

      Moreover, once these business prospects visit your website, the site should keep them engaged there resulting in them contacting you without delay. If this is to happen, each of your customers must feel special on the site. What we mean by making them feel special is to provide personalized customer experiences. Whether it's a more interactive and communicative web site by the use of technology that helps you achieve this, or by a web site that interacts with the customers in their own language!
  • 12. How a redesign can be beneficial for a website and/or web application? How a customer can support the team help keep a web site updated and fresh?
    • Ans: After you have realized that a more communicative web site is what you need, you would probably be perplexed as to whether to get it rebuilt from the scratch or just revamp it by adding few sections to it. You may consider either redesigning or rebuilding your web site or even make a cooperative effort for updating the content present on your web site and provide it with a fresh and captivating look through the year.
  • 13. What's required for transforming a web site from an ordinary online brochure to a fully fledged E-commerce site?
    • Ans: A web site can be helpful in creating multiple channels for promoting your products and services. Besides the online store, your web site can help you manage your inventory as well as ordering for you. You can start with a simple online store that hosts a catalog of products you offer, an online payment option, and a shopping cart. Later you may consider adding more features to the web site to accommodate your growing business needs.
  • 14. What all is included in custom web development?
    • Ans: It may happen many a times that a web site doesn't fit in to a specific category. The web site may be a unique one with specialized features that can actually communicate the aim of the specific business all in a customized manner.

      These sites may include online portals, stores, relationship sites, customer support apps, distribution network, ERP system, CRM system, and just any other different one. Some web apps could be industry specific such as healthcare, logistics, art, food, and other industries.
  • 15. Is software project success somehow related with successful capturing of requirement?
    • Ans: In order to avoid the common causes of the failure of most projects, it's important to first clearly outline all the requirements of the concerned parties. Inadequate and unclear user input/objectives and even frequent changes in the requirements can cause software projects to fail quite often. How to overcome these problems in real-life scenario? Requirement capturing and right management are pivotal in ensuring its success.
  • 16. In an organization what does collaboration refer to? Is it only 'team work' or something beyond?
    • Ans: To achieve collaboration, applications need to be integrated with project, processes as well as info in real time throughout the virtual enterprise.

      In current scenario, users of application aren't just those people who are directly related to an enterprise. It may also include its players as even the virtual enterprise network.
  • 17. Can Synapse India clear complaints about my business from websites such as complaintsboard.com? How would you do this?
    • Ans: Synapse India clears complaints and fake review about businesses by bringing their positive sides in front of their business prospects. We have a team of adept and seasoned copywriters who would develop with positive and engaging reviews about your business in order to combat the complaints posted by your competitors, rivals, or anyone with malicious intentions. Written by the creative and adept copywriters of Synapse India, the reviews would be posted throughout the social media by the social media optimization experts employed with us. The end result would be complete removal of complaints and bad words about your business from complaint sites such as complaintsboard.com etc. Positive content would replace the negative words across social media thereby ensuring your brand reputation enhances and your business thrives.
  • 18. How to build a web community and ensure its success?
    • Ans: For the beginners, it's about exchanging notes, posting interesting articles, discussing issues, listing events as well as selling your products/ services online.

  • Testing

  • 1. Is testing also included in your pricing?
    • Ans: Yes, we believe testing is an integral part of development process and thus take care of same in our pricing. We have a separate team of specialists in testing.
  • 2. What are the procedures of testing you follow? Will load testing be included in it?
    • Ans: Our QA & testing team works from 'Use Cases' for preparing Performance and Functionality Test cases. Load tests are conducted when needed.

      Working with developers, the team creates unit test cases to help the programmers & developers test their modules prior to handing over the same for integration.

      We are a CMMI Level 3 accredited company, and thus we ensure that all the projects we undertake pass through stringent quality checks. The projects during the various stages of design & development undergo quality checks by a team of quality controllers and internal auditors to ensure the clients receive innovative solutions that work. This way, we ensure that you don't have to invest your time in checking what the developers and programmers have delivered. You can thus focus on your core business and take care of other aspects ensure the success of the project.

  • Our Pricing

  • 1. What is your pricing strategy for development projects?
    • Ans: Our pricing model varies depending on the projects we undertake and is largely based upon the requirements of our respective clients.

      However, our general pricing format is as follows:

      The three different options we offer include:

      Fixed Price
      Time and Material
      Man Month
  • 2. How can I make payments to you?
    • Ans: We'll be providing you proposal with invoice details along with all necessary info so you can wire transfer your payment us.
  • 3. Are additional costs also involved in your pricing?
    • Ans: There is no additional cost except the bank charges that you'd need to incur at the time of making the payment. The cost of any third-party software you'd require to purchase for your clients would also be borne by you.

      Our standard tools of trade like MS Project, Flash, Dreamweaver, and MS Visual Studio/Visio won't impose additional charges on you. But, if there's any tool that you would want us to use for a particular project, you may have to be billed for the same by us. However, we'll discuss and consult with you prior to implementing any such decisions.
  • 4. Is there any discount for elongated service?
    • Ans: Our pricing is based upon a long-term association and is basically aimed at helping our customers gain maximum. So, no discounts are offered by us.

  • Contact Info

  • 1. How should I contact you?
    • Ans: You are requested to fill out the form, provided here, to help us know you a little and also the projects you've in mind. If you would prefer emailing to us, please feel free to email us at info@synapse.co.in

      You may also contact us at our below mentioned address:

      SynapseIndia
      F 18, Sector 11
      Noida 201301, INDIA

      Branch:
      SynapseIndia
      SDF B-10, NSEZ,
      Noida-201305

      Tel: (+91) 120 433 0500
      Fax: (+91) 120 254 6941
      (If you are dialing from the USA, please dial 011 first before 91)
      Contact: Kapil Gupta
      Email: info@synapseindia.com
  • 2. Am I allowed to contact the appropriate parties that are working on my project? If yes, then may I communicate through phone?
    • Ans: Yes, we'd strongly suggest you to interact primarily with our team leader to reduce the chances of any miscommunications or misapprehensions within your team.

      We are equally comfortable with communication through chat, e-mail or phone.
  • 3. What's the time to contact you?
    • Ans: We would appreciate all official communication to occur between 9:30 AM IST to 6:30 PM IST. In case, you feel the need to communicate beyond the above-mentioned time span, we can arrange for a communication at mutually agreed time
 
 
 

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