"After going through several design, development and implementation cycles with Terrace, I have no difficulty giving an extremely positive endorsement. We prefer to focus on wine retailing and trust outside experts when it comes to software development.Terrace makes it easy without compromising quality. Their entire team takes the time to understand the exact business requirement and then develop truly excellent solutions. It would be hard for the process to be any smoother and as a result we look forward to a continued relationship."
Brian Zucker
Co-Owner, K&L Wine Merchants
Terrace offers technology consulting services to our clients to address a number of technology management and decision points. Over the years our consulting services have helped numerous clients make better technology decisions in the areas of:
Our consulting services are delivered by a seasoned staff of experienced directors and senior consultants who have seen a broad variety of technology challenges across industries. We understand how to contribute our consulting expertise to improve technology delivery services without creating disruption.
How do emerging technologies affect current applications? When will my current software development investment become obsolete? What competitive advantages will emerging technologies create for our business? How will we adjust to incorporate emerging technologies into our business?
Terrace Software has been engaged many times over the history of our company to study the feasibility of emerging technologies on a business. Our culture is built on exploring emerging technologies ahead of the marketplace. We have a history of leading the way in emerging technologies. So, we are a great partner to support feasibility studies of new technologies for your business.
Terrace is engaged frequently to review current project requirements and make recommendations regarding the most effective software architecture, third party tools and application security. Terrace has helped new project teams evaluate alternative architectures and choose the final design pattern. Terrace has helped existing project teams modify their architecture when they become blocked by inadequate design decisions.
Our software architecture and security consulting is provided by senior members of our professional services staff. We have years of experience working with diverse technical teams and challenging organizational situations. Our team will maintain focus in the architecture and security discussion while working to bring the team together - united behind the most effective architecture, tools and security model. Once a design is established our staff is available to stay engaged with the team as they build, test and implement the project. We pride ourselves on leveraging our mentoring skills to transition knowledge and skills to develop your internal staff.
Terrace staff is engaged by our clients periodically to review troubled projects and make recommendations regarding how to bring development back on track.We offer services to review many aspects of the troubled project including:
We have helped many clients rescue troubled projects over the years. In our experience every project - even a seemingly successful project - has opportunities for improvement. We enjoy the process of helping clients move a troubled project to a complete and successful project. This work is delivered by our senior staff and is always handled thoughtfully and with sensitivity. Our goal is always to make the client, team and project a success.
Typically IT organizations are not ramped up for the vendor selection process. The information which a client will receive from each vendor may be skewed to favor each vendor's particular strengths and weaknesses. Terrace consultants are involved in vendor selection / assessment processes with all our clients frequently. We have a proven methodology for:
Our staff approaches each vendor selection / assessment project with an open mind and little bias. We seek to recommend the best decision for each client based on the requirements presented to us during the project. Terrace receives no fees and/or income from any technology vendor. We approach each of these decisions driven to recommend the highest functionality / easiest to use / least cost selection for our clients.
Technology leadership starts with management and Terrace is often engaged to consult with business managers to align technology decisions with each company's mission. Significant disconnects between senior management and technology development staff will impact many aspects of your business. Our management consulting practice works to ensure that your company mission aligns with the delivery of your technology services.
Terrace management consulting works at all levels with our clients. We are actively engaged from the board of directors through senior management and middle management. We can offer project specific consulting as well as overall department level consulting. Over our history we have maintained an independent perspective in order to deliver unvarnished advice in the areas of staff performance, project organization, strategic planning and prioritization.
Great hires will have the opposite effect. Great hires will:
Terrace has an excellent record in recruiting and hiring. We work with our clients to support their campaigns for new staff. We understand where to look for great staff and how to measure each applicant. We are very discriminating and work with our clients to identify great hires that will contribute and bring a team together. We utilize a blend of phone screens, interviewing and testing across three key areas:
Our preference is to 'recruit behaviors and aptitude, and teach skills'. We look for team players who put the overall mission ahead of personal motivators. We seek individuals who are adaptive and curious and hard working. Smart, motivated team players will help to grow the fabric of your organization while minimizing the impact of turnover and transition.
Terrace has been engaged by many organizations to review team organization and make recommendations for improvement. Sometimes this review is informal. Sometimes this review is supported by a written study of the team. Our focus in these engagements is to observe the complete software development lifecycle including:
We will review your internal operations with a focus on:
Our preference is to recommend agile development methodologies which emphasize sprint development cycles. We prefer frequent point updates over 'big bang' releases. We prefer the agility which frequent cycles offer - they keep the pace moving and allow for quick follow up when adjustments in release cycles are necessary.
