CUSTOM APPLICATIONS

CASE STUDY: TAKING DATABASES MOBILE

THE CHALLENGE:

The Little Blue Book (TLBB), the premier directory U.S. healthcare professionals rely on to refer other healthcare professionals, sought to distribute always up-to-date data to subscribers via BlackBerry and the various Apple mobile devices.

WHAT WE DID:

We programmed encrypted SQL databases for the iPhone, iPod, and iPad and integrated fast-querying databases for the BlackBerry modules. We then programmed Web service calls to trigger database downloads/deletions, specific to the device and subscription. We also programmed reports on user activity for ad-serving and analytics. And we included some sophisticated security measures and encryption to help ensure the safety and integrity of the data.

THE RESULT:

With these new iPhone and BlackBerry services, TLBB is broadening its offerings and revenue base. Apps to support other mobile devices are in the works.

CASE STUDY: A CRUCIAL NEXT-GENERATION ANALYSIS TOOL

THE CHALLENGE:

One of the world’s leading providers of research and content solutions offers software that analyzes millions of documents in real time. We were asked to create the next generation of this product from scratch, with features and speed that leapfrog the existing version.

WHAT WE DID:

•   Held strategic discussions with the company over numerous sessions

•   Found computational solutions to almost a dozen separate challenges

•   Engaged two Ph.D.’s in statistics to confirm the core of our approach

THE RESULT:

A new product dozens of times faster than the original, drawing raves from the company’s technologists and senior management.

CASE STUDY: A FLEXIBLE, POWERFUL VALUATION SYSTEM

THE CHALLENGE:

Valuing and trading financial derivatives is a fast-paced, competitive activity that relies on millions of rapid calculations.

WHAT WE DID:

We created Market Oracle, a custom tool with numerous advantages:

•   Highly optimized coding in C++ for great speed and robustness
•   A clean, readable interface that makes it easy to interpret results
•   The ability to run as a function inside Microsoft Excel

THE RESULTS:

Our client was surprised by Market Oracle’s finesse—it found opportunities that they had never thought of before!