Case Studies
Major financial research and credit data provider
Business Challenge
The client had developed an application for analysis of advanced credit derivative structures, but the application as it stood did not meet their standards for a marketable software product. The application was slow and complicated to use. The challenge was to use the considerable domain expertise built into the application while making it considerably faster and simpler for users.
Lioncom Solution
Lioncom analyzed the state of the existing code and client documentation. We determined that valuable financial engineering skills could be extracted from the existing application.
Our first goal was to create a proof-of-concept product, including a central analytics engine, with a purpose-built compiler developed in Microsoft .Net using C#. This engine was three
orders of magnitude faster than the previous application, as well as completely flexible and extendable.
The core analysis engine was designed to be fully testable at the point of coding. As application complexity expanded, the ability to avoid going through testing cycles, with their inefficiencies and opportunities for misunderstandings, became critical.
The product also includes a specialized XML parser designed to allow big datasets to be manipulated and quickly displayed in the user interface. Data was stored using an approach that assured future extendibility and a smaller client footprint. The need for speed and flexibility to utilize innovations was kept in mind for all additions to the application.
Business Benefits
This product is now part of a suite of products, generating approximately $50 million per year, that constitute the client’s core product line and is sold to some of the largest corporations and institutions in the world.
Lioncom’s work resulted in a fast, easily extended, and highly marketable product, with greatly improved usability. The initial core concepts were proved after previous failures, and all domain engineering from the previous product was preserved. Other products were derived from the initial product, including a compiler that could be incorporated into other applications. The internal team was able to transition to supporting the product with minimal effort.
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Digital media services company serving the hospitality industry
Business Challenge
Design and implement a technology platform for
video-on-demand and create the hardware/software architecture
and design for digital
content distribution and billing.
Lioncom Solution
Working in concert with two other groups, Lioncom
helped to build a complete hardware and software fabric,
including satellite delivery of first-run Hollywood movies and other
digital content to hotel rooms across the United States and internationally.
The service allowed for the delivery of first-run digital movies with
VCR functionality using MPEG-2 over Ethernet networks. The service also
delivered:
- Music on-demand
- Access to hotel and concierge services
- High-speed Internet access and a web portal
- Laptop connectivity for business travelers
- Interactive advertising, for restaurants and conventions
- Theater and movie promotions
- Customizable interfaces and home pages for each hotel
Lioncom designed hotel server racks with specialized servers for video
feeds, billing services, and tie-in of web content. Lioncom was also
involved with the design and production of a specialized set-top box
for attachment
to TVs. Lioncom helped coordinate the efforts of half a dozen technology
vendors,
from N-Cube (a video server company owned by Larry Ellison) to IBM.
Business Benefits
The client was able to bring their first hotel on-line, proving the
concept so that the client could obtain the additional venture capital
required for a broader marketing effort. They also were able to close “go
to market” contracts with Sprint and Unisys, in a highly competitive
hospitality marketplace. Lioncom actually provided the introduction
that secured the first hotel engagement for the client.
The client has recently announced a strategic partnership with Unisys
and introduced the new services at the Hospitality Industry Technology
Exposition and Conference. Prior to the conference, several clients
had already been signed for the services, including the Boston Park
Plaza and the W San Diego. [ top ]
US Army Research Group
Business Challenge
Design an architecture that would allow field-testing
of a “lab-based” research application that performed simultaneous
translation of spoken Arabic to English and back again.
Lioncom Solution
On short notice, Lioncom created a design fabric for
the actual field deployment of the “lab version” of the product.
The architecture allowed for the successful field-testing of the application.
Business
Benefits
The client was able to move rapidly from the laboratory into
application trials phase and meet a vital contract deadline.
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