Custom application development

If your requirements are specific, DB Consulting can deliver a custom-built solution. Our delivery capability spans the project life cycle, from project brief through requirements definition, functional and technical design, development and testing to deployment and ongoing support. Our technical expertise is broad, and deep, covering all mainstream development platforms including Microsoft .NET, Oracle, Java, et al.

We work at pace. The approach we adopt depends on the nature of the project. Typically, we couple the strengths of Prince2 with the speed, fluidity and visibility which agile software development techniques deliver; but each customer, and each project, is different and we take care to match our approach accordingly. Whichever approach we take, we never lose sight of the reality that, invariably, requirements will evolve as the project progresses, and we recognise the need to work flexibly and respond positively to change.

Virgin Atlantic Airways

Virgin Atlantic Airways carries five million passengers on business and pleasure each year. Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class product includes complimentary chauffeur travel to and from the airport, but incidences of limo no-shows or late airport drop-offs were increasing, triggering compensation payments and damaging the Virgin brand.

A new system was required to manage limo bookings, pass vehicle location and flight information to and from car providers and enable self-service functionality for passengers. Virgin Atlantic asked DB Consulting to develop a solution for travel agents and car providers, seamlessly integrated with existing internal booking and customer service systems. The new system, launched in conjuction with Virgin’s ‘Drive-Thru Check-in’ and new Upper Class lounge, has reduced compensation payments by 68%.

Action for Children

Action for Children is a leading children’s charity committed to helping vulnerable and neglected children and young people.

Action for Childrens’ paper-based Aspire process ensures consistent delivery of services to children, but development of a new computer system supporting the Aspire model would deliver substantial additional benefits.

Responding to an ITT, DB Consulting led the development of a new system, e-Aspire, which holds details of all children and the services they receive. Project management to Prince2 standards was required and, with sensitivity around the business process transformation, a calm, collaborative and supportive management style was needed.

Business Link

Business Link is a free business advice and support service, available online and through local advisers. Evolving government strategy dictated that each local operator should become an ‘active broker’, stimulating business demand and matching appropriate service providers to satisfy client needs.

Existing systems were deemed inadequate to handle the increased workload. esuasive developed, from scratch, a brand new application to enable suppliers to submit details about themselves through an extranet moderated by Business Link, and to allow businesses to log requests for help or support.

The new application allows faster and more consistent response to customer queries and more sophisticated matching of customer needs with suppliers’ services.