Introduction of DP Sign

2.1 Introduction of DP Sign

D.P. Sign
D. stands for Digital
P. stands for Printed
Sign stands for different kind of signs.

Registered Name: D.P. Sign
Address: New Baneshwore, Shankhamool-125/28, KTM.
Phone: 01-4783309
Website: http://www.dpsign.com.np
E-mail: mail@dpsign.com.np


DP SIGN is a global IT services company providing IT consulting, technology and outsourcing services. Using our enhanced global delivery model, innovative plat-forming approach and industry expertise, we provide cost‐effective services that enable our clients to use IT to enhance business performance, accelerate time‐to‐market, increase productivity and improve customer service.

DP SIGN provides value to its customers by innovation, accomplishment, trust and long‐term relationship through its unique service portfolio and expertise. Backed by years of experience in different industrial verticals and technologies, and with access to vast talent pool of over 50+ workers, DP SIGN is a group of highly resilient people and absorb all problems and convert them into meaningful solutions, to meet clients’ business requirements.

DP SIGN brings quality services and products to its customers on time and at the most competitive prices. DP SIGN has very strong software engineering processes and its operations have been certified as ISO 9001:2000 for software design and development activities. These strengths enable DP SIGN to smoothly adapt to the rapid enhancements in the technological domain while maintaining constant focus on the ever changing business needs of its clients. With the vision of becoming the best IT service provider of nation, DP SIGN has been trailblazer in various domain of software engineering in Nepal.

Embedded system programming, Quality assurance techniques and process oriented approach towards the design and development are those where DP SIGN has become pioneer in the local context. Again, sustained quality delivery on time, post‐delivery services, corporate culture, documented knowledge acquisition and continuous learning environments are the critical success factors of DP SIGN to achieve its vision.

2.2 Corporate Goal of the Company

The three pillars on which the DP Sign has its corporate structure are:
1. Continuous improvement
2. Customer’s satisfaction
3. Quality of product and system

All these pillars are the pillars of quality system which the organization owns in order to satisfy its customers. Continuous improvement means the process of quality is not still at a certain point, it continuously moving towards the improvement and can’t be still to some location, and the sole objective of this continuous improvement is to satisfy the customers need by giving the customer the quality products.

2.3 Mission Statement of the company

Our mission is to offer advanced, convenient, and money saving digitally printing things in Monitors or papers with the implementation of distinctive ideas and expertise. Our foundation of survival is based on providing valued clients a convenient and affordable source for digitalizing the world.
In a clear sense, our motto is to be "A strategic partner of our clients not a mere vendor."

2.4 D.P. Sign's spirit is infused into every component

D.P. Sign doesn't simply just make and sell products; we are also deeply concerned with a number of issues, such as quality products, quick service, after sale services and what type of services would be ideal for the clients. This enables us to refine existing work procedure and our technologies. Every work is done and processed with the clients in our mind.





2.5 Services

DP SIGN offers a broad range of IT consulting and custom programming services. We have significant experience satisfying the most special technical needs of our customers. We understand the importance of a balanced technical design. We apply the appropriate level of technology to each project, keeping smaller projects simple and larger projects robust.

Our clients represent a broad cross‐section of businesses. We are very proud of the relationships we have built, and we have earned them through listening, learning, and communicating with our clients.

The categories below summarize our most common tasks.
2.5.1 Web Development
• Web Services
• Content Management
• E‐business solution (CMS, E‐auction, E‐catalogs etc)
• Search Engine optimization
• E‐commerce and portals
• E‐Learning Management System
2.5.2 Web based application design and development
• Business work flow management
• CRM
• MIS



2.5.3 Generic/custom software solutions (in different platforms/domains)
• Auto
• Pharmaceuticals
• Mortgage
• Travel
• CRM
2.5.4 Embedded software solutions
2.5.5 Online Earning Training
2.5.6 IT enabled Services
• GIS services
• Medical Transcription

2.6 Engagement Models

2.6.1. Fixed price turnkey model
This model is applicable for projects where requirement specifications and time lines are clearly defined and frozen. This helps clients if they have a fixed budget for development and are clear about their requirements. We work with our client to define expected deliverables to determine a mutually agreed fixed price.

2.6.2. Per resource model
This model offers clients the flexibility to alter requirement specification, team size and time line of projects based on market trends and feedback. This model suits best for most of the projects due to software development project's inherent need of altering specification throughout the development life cycle. Client pays monthly fee per resource (development, QA or management).

2.6.3. Offshore model
Our core expertise lies in establishing Offshore Development Centers for its clients. Through this model we serve our clients with highly experienced professionals with varied skill sets, resources, flexibility and time & cost‐to‐market advantages, allowing them to enjoy the long term gains of offshore outsourcing. DP SIGN operates as an extension to clients' existing software engineering business. We strictly adhere to clients' business critical objectives, software engineering processes, communication and team structures that comply the client's end. The secret of its success can be attributed to the fact that this model gives an opportunity to the client to make direct communication with DP SIGN through the onsite center and at the same time gives them the chance of enjoying the benefits of the offshore development. Round the clock development is seamlessly done with this model. In this model client pays offshore center at the per month basis.

2.7 Delivery Model

A proper combination of synthesis motivates every engagement, enabling us to deliver technology solutions that give our clients a decisive competitive advantage. The client can decide among one of the following delivery models
• Full offshore development
• Full Onsite development with our developers and QA resource deployed at the client’s site
• Hybrid model when the majority of team is at offshore and the few members are in onsite to help gather business requirement and help in deliverables.
Above mentioned models cater to the different requirements of clients like augmenting their development or QA teams, forming a new and complete project team, getting architects and designers for a new technology development. However, more onsite involvement increases the total cost of development. DP SIGN management team works with the client to help them choose the best model that fits into their business requirements.

2.8 Process and Standards

The following standards summarize the commitment of DP SIGN towards the international best practices.

2.8.1 ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 27001:2005
DP SIGN is the software company in Nepal to acquire ISO 9001:2000 certification in software design and development. DP SIGN is also practicing the information system security management practice and is applying for ISO 27001:2005.

2.8.2 Project management standards
At DP SIGN, we believe that project management is the key to success of any project, more so for IT projects. From the beginning, we have embraced the project management best practices in the industry and have been constantly adding our learning to it. We closely follow the PMBOK as set by the Project Management Institute PMI standards.

2.8.3 CMMI: The process improvement initiatives
We have initiated the development of process standards in‐house with the implementation of CMMI (Capability Maturity Model® Integration). This process improvement approach will provide our organization with the essential elements of effective processes. CMMI can be used to:
• guide process improvement across a project or throughout an entire organization
• integrate traditionally separate organizational functions
• set process improvement priorities and goals

Processes being the pivot of the realization of products/services, DP SIGN ensures that every pertinent activity comports with the defined processes. The following sequence features the processes that are executed during the entire development lifecycle

2.8.3.1. Offshore team building process
This process primarily focuses on the team building approach and deals with both onshore and offshore development centers. The following phases and activities summarize this process
Phase: Project team creation
Activities:
• Defining and signing off the scope agreement
• Identification of key team members for project
• Signing off the related agreements

Phase: Onsite to Offsite knowledge transition
Activities:
• Offshore Team Building Process
• Project Outsourcing Process
• Project Management Process
Phase: Offshore process definition
Activities:
• Tailoring standard methodology to comply with client’s requirements
Phase: Offshore simulation
Activities:
• Simulation of client’s environment at offshore development center
• Review and comply with service level agreements
• Establishment of required infrastructure
• Setting up the offshore team structure
• Training the ODC team for client’s requirements
Phase: Offshore project execution
Activities:
• Define and review the different phases of the project
• Establishment of project plans for each phase
• Execution of project in phase‐wise manner in adherence with the corresponding project plan.
• “Project outsourcing process” continues hereafter.
• Review of project plan as and when required
Phase: Review of ODC team and infrastructure
Activities:
• Establishment of metrics to identify the client’s satisfaction level in
• Terms of team structure/communication, infrastructure and any other relevant issues
• Implementation of feedback from the client
2.8.3.2 Project outsourcing process
This process comprises of the following phases, activities and deliverables related to the project execution.
Phase: Analysis of requirements
Activities:
• Requirement capture
• Describing the old architecture
• Identification of critical issues
• Identification/assessment of client risk and mitigation measures
• Establishment of project scope
Phase: Creation of Design Documents
Activities:
• Development of system design schema
• Creation of detailed project plan
Deliverables:
• Design documents
• Hardware and system architecture
• QA plan
Phase: Development/Unit testing
Activities:
• Modules coding
• Unit testing
• Test case design and documentation
Deliverables:
• Test Plan
• Issue tracking log
• Code walkthrough review
• System test cases
Phase: System Integration/Testing
Activities:
• Execution of test cases
• Fixing bugs
• Change request review
• Update test cases
• Update design documents
Deliverables:
• Test plan and Test cases
• Test log sheet
• Approved changed request
• Updated design documents
Phase: Acceptance/ release to production
Activities:
• Verification of acceptance criteria
• Fixing bugs
• Review of Change request
• User training
• Development of user manuals
Deliverables:
• Sign off on acceptance
• Detail QA reports
• User manual
• Installation/release notes
•
2.8.3.3 Project management process
Phase: Initial Project Plan
Activities:
• Estimation of effort and development time with support of lead developer and QA manager
• Resource allocation for each task
Phase: Project tracking/visibility (recurring step till the delivery of project)
Activities:
• Preparation of weekly status by project manager (For some clients there will be daily Scrum).
• Discussion on project status with client in the defined period
• Readjustment of resource as required
• Updating project plan in accordance with change request issued by client
Phase: Project plan for next phase (recurring step till the delivery of project)
Activities:
• Generation of project plan for next phase
• Tracking of next phase

To execute the above mentioned processes, following tools are used for the effective management (which can be changed as per the client’s need as well)
• Microsoft Project for project management
• Microsoft Visio, Rational Rose
• Yugma, Gotomeeting, video/teleconferencing, IP‐telephony and messengers for swift communication.
• Bugzilla for issue‐tracking system.
• Visual source‐safe/CVS for source code management
• Design tools for designing schema
• Team foundation Server (For some clients, we have full project cycle in TFS).

2.9 Domain Profile

DP SIGN offers its skills/services in two different segments i.e. System level programming and application level programming.

2.9.1 System Level Programming
DP SIGN has been doing various projects related with embedded system development. It is basically developing systems in C. We have good expertise in working on Linux platform as well as on Windows. Our work involves working in different protocols related with network. We have also been working with media formats like MPEG4. Following is the summary of Tools and Technology we use at DP SIGN at the System Programming unit:
System Programming unit Software
Development IDE Eclipse CDT
Compilers gcc and g++
Debugging and Profiling tools gdb, gprof, strace, ltrace, mtrace, linux trace toolkit
Testing Tools CUnit, Cgreen
Bug Tracking System
Bugzilla
Version Control System Subversion
Platform Montavista Linux 4.1, Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Protocols for Network Real Time Streaming Protocol(RTSP), Session Description Protocol(SDP), Real‐Time Transport
Protocol(RTP), UDP, TCP
Media Format Mpeg4
Tab: 2.1 System unit and its Software

2.9.2 Application Level Programming
We provide specialized services to cater to the specific web requirements that are by practice defined by the client. In this context, we concentrate more on the implementation approach for the customer defined requirements coupled with the right technologies to deliver a high quality web solution. Our expertise is distributed but not limited to client server solution, thin client based application and web based application development. We have been working with our clients mostly in the area of E‐commerce solutions, CRM solutions and third party web integration.
Here is a list of technologies and platforms that we use to bring you the best, most efficient and cost‐effective solution.
Technology Paltform
Operating System Linux, Windows2000/ XP, WinNT
Web Page Design Scripting Technology AJAX, HTML/DHTML, XML, Java Script, PHP, Perl / CGI, .NET, ASP
Database Mysql, MSSQL, MS Access, Oracle
Graphics Design Tools Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, GNOME Imaging Software
Web Development Tools Ultradev Deamweaver, DeamweaverMX, , PHP Editor, Microsoft Visual Basics, Microsoft Visual Studio.NET, Macromedia Flash
Programming Languages PHP, ASP, VB, C/C++, C#
Testing Tools Test Track, Track+, Cpp‐Unit, N‐Unit, Win Runner, Load Runner
Bug Tracking System Bugzilla
Version Control System: Subversion, CVS
Content Management System Joomla, Mambo, Droople, phpnuke
Ecommerce Oscommerce, Creloaded, Zencart, XCart, OscMax
Design and PM tools MS‐Project, MS‐Visio, Rational Rose
Tab: 2.2 List of technology with platform

2.10 Competitive Advantage of DP Sign

• DP SIGN maintains working hours with Time‐match/Time‐overlap facility. This way, our Japanese and American clients get complete visibility and interaction with the development team. DP SIGN possesses a strong team of architects, DBA, Programmers, QA personals and support staff with graduation in computer science from reputed universities. Not only that, it maintains formal tie‐up with reputed universities for interrupted supply of trained human resource
• Compelling cost arbitrage advantage (better than India and the Philippines)
• Reduces time‐to‐market and provides a frequent delivery and support model
• In‐house Training facility for the project members depending upon the nature of project
• Developers possess sound oral and written communication in English and are further trained by American Language Center
• Defined Software process with state of the art tools/techniques involved in all phases of complete life‐cycle

2.11 Physical Infrastructure

• 8000 Sq feet Software Development Centre capable of accommodating more than 100 resources (Can be extended as and when required)
• 24 hour guarded premises (guarded by internationally acclaimed “Group 4 Falk) at the heart of Kathmandu.
• Multi‐skilled resource pool
• Strong team of architects/DBA/Programmers/QA personals and support staff
• Networked workstations running Linux, embedded Linux and Windows NT/2000/XP
• Dedicated server room with high security and standard network and server equipments
• Hardware firewall (Sonic Wall) protected development environment
• Uninterrupted Power Supply
• Ergonomically designed workspaces
• Backup placed at multiple locations (in multiple buildings)
• Multiple lease and broad‐band internet connection extendable to 1Mbps of connectivity.
• Dedicated conference room

2.13 Number of employees

Printing Web site and online earnings
Technician- 12
J. Technician- 8
Designer- 2
Printer Operator- 2
Administration- 4
Marketing- 3
Designer 7
Database designer 3
Marketing 10
Customer Relation (Callers) 10
Data Entry 14
Teachers
Programmers 6+
10


Tab: 2.3 Number of employees

2.12 Organizational Hierarchy Chart



Fig-2.1: Organization Structure

2.14 Introduction of Departments I have worked

2.14.2 Website development Department
Web site development in DP Sign is done in two ways, either it is build in-house or it is bought.


2.14.2.1 In-House Development

2.14.2.1.1 Design the application architecture
Application architecture defines the technologies to be used by one or more or all information systems in terms of their data, processes, interfaces and network components. In DP Sign database like msql, sql, oracle, mysql etc were in use, I use mysql. They use .net and php as the programming language and I prefer to use PHP language in website programming.
Physical data flow diagram is used to establish physical processes and location issues.

2.14.2.1.2 Design the database(s)
The purpose of this task is to prepare technical design specifications for a database that will be adaptable to future requirements and expansion. System analyst also participates in the database modeling and the system designers are responsible for the completion of the activity as databases are shared resource.
Database schema is also structured.

2.14.2.1.3 Design the system interface
In this the system designer works with the system to develop input, output and dialogue specifications. For output the terminal screen or the printed papers were used and for input the data capture method is used.
System designers are responsible for the task and can use GUI (graphical user interface)
For this I have used Macromedia Dreamweaver and Phpmyadmin.




2.14.2.1.4 Package Design Specifications
The final design task involves packaging all the specifications from the previous design tasks into a set of specifications that will guide the computer programmer’s activities during the construction phase of the systems development methodology.

2.14.2.1.5 Update the Project Plan
Revaluation of the project is done. The project manager in conjunction with system owners and the entire team facilitates this task

2.14.2.2 Buy Solution
If the DP Sign is willing to buy the website from the outsider then following is done:

2.14.2.2.1 Identify and Research Specific Products
In this task we research technical alternatives. The requirements specify the functionality, features and critical performance parameters for our new website. Research and information is collected from internal standards, information services, trade newspapers and periodicals offer. System Designer with help of project manager is responsible to complete the task
2.14.2.2.2 Solicit Proposals or Quotes from Vendors
The solicitation task requires the preparation of RFQ (Request for Quotations) and RFP (Request for proposal). Request for Quotations is a formal document that communicates business, technical and support requirements for the application software package to a single vendor that has been determined as being able to supply that application package and services.
Request for proposal is also a formal document that communicates business, technical and support requirements for an application software package to vendors that may wish to compete for the sale of that application package and services,
2.14.2.2.3 Select and recommend the best vendor.
The purpose of this task is to validate requests for proposals and/or quotations received from vendors. Designer involves in data and database administrators, network administrators and applications administrators. The key outputs of this task are those vendor proposals that proved to be validated proposals or claims and others whose claims were not validated.
2.14.2.2.4 Contract with the awarded vendor to obtain the product
Having ranked the vendor proposals the next activity usually includes presenting a recommendation to management for final approval. Salesmanship and communication skills are important. The purpose of this activity is to negotiate a contract with the vendor who supplied the winning proposal and to debrief the vendors that submitted losing proposals. A contract will be produced to the winning vendors.

2.14.2 Online Earning Department
2.14.2.1 Online Earning Training:
In this training we were taught that how we can earn money online without investing money. This training last for 15 days for normal computer operator and for advance the time period is less. Online earning can be done by different means in this global market. Some of them are:
2.14.2.1.1 Online earning through blogging:
Blog or Web log is nothing but personal website where you can express your personal views, ideas, feelings etc. There are many sites such as Blogger, Typepad, Soulcast who provide blog services. You can earn online through Adsense. Here you have to place adsense ads in your blog. You will earn whenever viewers click on the ads.
2.14.2.1.2 Online earning through Ad Typing:
Online earning by Ad typing is another unique job opportunity. All you have to need to post Ads on various Free Ad sites. There are tons of sites that provide Ad Typing jobs. Typeinternational is very popular site. Typeinternational is providing nine different homes based earnings opportunities.
2.14.2.1.3 Online earning through Medical Transcription:
Medical Transcription is the fastest growing fields in health care. It is the process where you need accurately and swiftly transcribes medical records dictated by doctors and others, including medical history and physical reports, X-ray reports and pathology reports etc. Good English pronunciation, typing skill and acquaintance with medical terminology are the basic need of the job. You can earn lots of money through Medeical Transcription.
2.14.2.1.4 Online earning through filling of Market Survey Forms:
Filling of Market Survey Forms is another popular online job opportunity. Thousands of consumer products are fighting to get a pie of the billions of consumers worldwide. You can earn by simple filling up of forms regarding a particular product of a company.
2.14.2.1.5 Top Pay per click (PPC) Business Sites
Some of the sites that pay per click are:Name of sites Name of sites
www.google.com/adsense
www.yahoo.com/overtrue
www.publisher.yahoo.com
www.search123.com
www.lycos.com
www.miva.com
www.abcsearch.com
www.searhfeed.com
www.7search.com
www.goclick.com
www.click-share.com
www.income-machine.com
www.bidvertiser.com
www.typeinternational.com
www.daily-payday.com
www.costperclicks.com
www.cyberbounty.com
www.websponsors.com
www.advertising.com
www.referralblast.com

Tab: 2.4 Collection of PPC sites
2.14.2.1.6 Earn money by blog posting:
We are paid from these sites on posting our comments or posts. Some of the sites are:
SN Name of sites
1
2
3
4
5 www.technorati.com
www.digg.com
www.netscape.com
www.reddit.com
www.tailrank.com

2.15 Some of our major Clients:
SN Name of Client SN Name of Client
1. Laxmi Bank 2. Siddhartha Bank
3. Jyoti Bikash Bank 4. Kathmandu Medical College
5. Advanced Imaging & Diagnostic Centre 6. Beijing Duck Restaurant
7. Institute of Professional Excellence 8. BOK Choy
9. Oral Dental Home 10. Glamour
11. South Asia Commodities & Brokerage 12 Cosmopolitan
13 Axis Broking Solution
Tab: 2.5 List of major clients

2.16 Business Volume:
DP Sign was founded in 2007. So it is a newly entered company in the corporate world. But its sale figures are outstanding. The company has sales of over 10 million Nepali rupees in the financial year 2008-2009.
The overall sales volume is generated from three areas domestic, commercial and International. The prices of the products of the company range from Rs. 350(Domestic) to Rs. 1.5 million.
The Major portion of the revenue of DP Sign is Flex Printing, Online earning training and website designing and programming.

The partition of sales to total sales graph is given below:

Fig: 2.2 Business volume of DP Sign

According to the figures company’s 52% sales of Revenue is earned through website designing and programming, 11% of revenue is from online training, and 15% and 22% from online training and other sources respectively

Although DP Sign was founded in 2007 but it remained successful in getting its share in the market in a very short time (2007-2009) and through its loyal, devoted, professional and hardworking management it is expected that the company will expand its sales to about 4 million during 2010-2011.

Beside that company has also earn an impressive goodwill in the market through its quality services.


2.17 Products offered by DP Sign

2.17.1 Printing Services
SN. Material Type Rate
Remarks
1 Printed backlit with box & light with fitting at site 199.00p.sq.ft. Without vat
2 Vinyl sticker cutting & pasting on backlit with box & light with fitting at site 221.00p.sq.ft. Without vat
3 Flex/ Frame & fitting at site 38.00p.sq.ft. Without vat
4 Mimaki soljet print Normal vinyl 50.00p.sq.ft. Without Vat
5 Soljet vinyl print & pasting on forex sheet 95.00p.sq.ft. Without vat
6 One way vision Normal print 70.00p.sq.ft. Without vat
7 One way vision Soljet print 85.00p.sq.ft. Without vat
8 Reflective flex with Normal print 75.00p.sq.ft. Without vat
9 Reflective flex with Soljet print 95.00p.sq.ft. Without vat
10 Normal Vinyl print 35.00p.sq.ft. Without vat

Tab: 2.6 Printing product of DP Sign



2.17.2 Web services
SN Web Service Type Rate
1. Domain Registration Rs. 1000+
2. Web space As per space requirement
3. .np domain registration Free
4. Website design and development As per design and requirement
5. Open Source CMS (joomla, word press, durpal, umbraco, tomato, mambo, hippo, nuxeo) As per design and requirement
6. Search Engine Optimization(twitter marketing, social marketing, facebook marketing, affliation program) As per design and requirement
7. Online Earning Training Rs 1500+
Tab: 2.7 Web services providing by DP Sign
 

2.18 Time Frame of Internship