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Methodology > Component Based Software
Software Engineering is unlike any other discipline in
that huge changes can be made in a single key stroke which could
completely change the whole function of a system. As more and more of our
industry and society becomes ever more dependent on the software,
standardisation has become a must.
Within the housing associations, a large number of
vendor specific solutions have become dominant, leading to the smallest change
demanding large consultation fees. Even though the software code is made
available, any changes made are not supported leaving the HA's on their own.
What is required is an open approach which enables the
users to choose the particular software they desire and at the price they
require. However, much of the software available to the housing community has
been in the form of large and complex systems which were designed for an
industry over ten years ago. This poses a number of issues:
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Legacy systems which though functional, are not easy to
tailor or readily integrated within standard platforms.
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Data is "trapped" and not exposed for easy manipulation
and interrogation.
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It is not easy to automate repetitive tasks and as a
result much data re-keying may have to take place. This not only adds to the
time and costs but also introduces errors.
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Specialised hardware and database solutions which many
of these proprietary systems use simply adds to the overall operating costs.
Today's technology encourages the automation of receptive tasks and use of
default configurations which require little or no change.
Component-based software is a tried and trusted method
of developing both small and large scale systems that help deliver mission
critical solutions.
Each component is well defined - having its specific
characteristics (or methods) and has been designed and implemented to deliver a
particular function. Just like the chips on a hardware board, each component
has a particular role. The final solution being the components together with
integration software or hooks which seamlessly integrate into the production
environment.
The benefits include:
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Lower Cost -
components are designed to be re-used and offer very specific functionality. As
they have already been developed and tested, they can be rapidly incorporated. |
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Integration
and Flexibility - by
having well defined functions and features, components can be easily included
and replaced as the business functions change. |
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Adaptability
and Maintainability: Any changes within an organisation
would be possible to accommodate e.g. strategic changes requiring enhancements
or upgrades in a system could be carried out. Due to the nature of the
architecture, extra components can be added or removed as required. As a
result, the relevant organisation would experience minimal impact of any
changes. |
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Re-usability
and stability: With changes in technology, it is inevitable
that there will be new systems and upgrades introduced within short spans of
time. Pre-built components give the ability to replace old components with new,
without invalidating any other component. This also eliminates numerous sources
of cost and error in application. |
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Evolution
and not revolution: The system can evolve with the company
and its changing market to allow for future updates and configuration, using
new and improved tools. Such architecture forms a backbone for future systems,
at the same time addressing current issues. |
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Compatibility
and reliability: Eliminating compromise due to the system
being tailored to the requirement as opposed to the time, money and effort
needed to adapt the processes around a product based solution. |
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Training:
Training of staff quicker and more cost effective as they do not have to
radically change their business processes to accommodate for the rigidity of a
product. |
Finance Reporting
Finance
Reporting - Enables a large
range of tailored and pre-configured information to be retrieved. For instance,
within supported
housing, all those schemes which are eligible for particular Funding are
automatically retrieved and the exact requirement is reported. As this
module interfaces into the property and staff databases, any changes within any
of the supporting components are readily reported.
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 Budget
Management - With a
very large number of projects and properties, the budgeting process is not only
complex but also very time consuming. Additionally, each region needed to model
its budgets with a complete set of properties, staff and central costs.
By creating specific "What-if" scenarios and having a
mechanism for promoting and accepting these changes, a rapid turnaround of the
budgeting process is enabled. These were previously only possible through heavy
manual involvement from both the technology and finance teams.
Calculated costs and expenditures are a major factor of
the budget modelling process – these are based on particular rules and criteria
unique to the organisation. For instance, central costs need to be distributed
across the whole of the projects and properties by a fair mechanism.
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| Management
Information (MIS) - By
interfacing directly to the primary data sources, reliable and accurate
information can be obtained. This in turn can be used to further enhance the
business process. The MIS tools provide a means to collating and analysing the
information in an easily understood manner.
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 Funding
Management - Just as
expenditure is actively controlled, so is the need for the promised funding.
However, within the housing sector a number of the schemes rely on both
charitable and voluntary contributions. Despite their source, this does need
active management as it will ensure the viability and continued development of
particular projects and schemes. This tool enables an institutive approach
which has all the Funds - committed and projected funding schemes to be
collectively managed in a centralised manner.
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| Workflow
- This is a comprehensive tool based on Analysis
Status Codes (ASC) and supporting actions (Meta-Data) which enables the
information to be routed and channelled to particular teams and individuals. At
each stage a check list of criteria have to be met and verified prior to its
completion. Additionally a detailed security model ensures that the integrity
or the information is preserved.
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 Rents
Modelling -
Sophisticated tool which integrates with both the property and staffing
databases together with supporting static data for both historical and
projected calculations. Most associations are still restricted to an RPI +
n policy. However, where new schemes are created, it becomes increasing
difficult to manage these as it means both capping and collaring particular
services. So that both the managers and finance controllers are able to
implement these models, an easy to use tool is required.
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 Property
Database - Hub of the
rental system which is capable of managing and holding vast amounts of data
very easily and intuitively. Specific application wizards enable new properties
to be quickly set up. Once within the property database it is made available
throughout the system and the corresponding costs and funding allocation
are automatically propagated.
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| Staff
Databases - All the staff
(permanent and temporary) together with their grades, allowances and regions
are captured and allocated to specific schemes. As staff costs are a
significant expenditure, it needs to be accurate and flexible. This latter is
particularly important as projects change and new ones are created.
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| OnLine
Analytical Processing (OLAP) - A powerful tool
that interrogates and creatively presents the underlying data within a business
to enable multi-dimensional data analysis with the potential to drilldown to
examine the specific item(s). This information can then be used to investigate
and appraise both internal and external opportunities to the organisation and
to throw open the inefficiencies within its working operations.
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| Client
Interface Module - The Links
CIM is a solution to meet the exact requirements of organisations aiming to
increase their service levels to their customers and prospects. It is a
centralised source of information and can be readily integrated into existing
systems, enabling users to seamlessly access and interrogate data pertaining to
them. It is easy to use and increases the level of productivity and
communication of the entire organisation.
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| LINKS
Manager - Interfaces into
the LINKS applications, verifying the security access and user role within the
systems. In addition, where application contingency is invoked, it enables
switching to disaster recovery sites.
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 LINKS
Administration Tool - Administers
all the users and supported application services in an easy to use manner
without impacting resources from IT teams. Where multi-region or international
sites are considered, the system is able to offer the same facilities
transparently. |
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