DCSL Software

What was the scope of their involvement?

When we first went to them, we had an idea on paper. They’ve been with us on the journey from the concept. They took us from prototyping to the point where we’ve now developed a very good application that’s currently in beta. The app has been built on Microsoft Azure Cloud platform. 

The development and the actual build is second to none. I can’t fault them at all. When we put ideas to them regarding the build, they were honest enough to come back and give us other options for a better, cleaner response. We’ve used AI [artificial intelligence] at their recommendation. We’ve got big data analysis based on their recommendation. They’ve really aided the development of the application in full.

It’s an extremely vast application. We’ve created a tracking system for companies to use to monitor staff and to monitor interaction with clients who are vulnerable. We have a completely bespoke reporting system per company. It’s a disruptive technology that’s new to the market in the care sector. The current application in the MVP [minimum viable product] is finished. We’re still developing with them for further launches and further products.

What is the team dynamic? 

I’ve had conversations with 10–12 members of their staff. We have a technical director who manages our project. We work with the technical team, the development team, the tester, the graphic design team, and also Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software]. He was the one that built out the prototype with us.

How did you come to work with DCSL?

We had a shortlist of 5 companies. 3 of us went into our meeting with DCSL, and when we came out and looked at one another we said, "They're the team." We didn't even go to meet the other teams. 

They were very passionate and engaged in what we wanted to do. They were interested in the project we had on the table. We wanted a company that was friendly, reliable, and committed to the project. DCSL is all those things and more.

How much have you invested with them?

$200,000–$999,999. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December of last year and the work is ongoing. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

It was a mutual streamlined approach between Systech and DCSL. I’d already written specifications and design documents that we sent to Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software], and one of their developers called me and went through it. We went through the details, and they put it in their own technical format. We laid the foundation, and after the initial collaboration, believed both parties understood the brief and specifications.

After the implementation, they scheduled 3 defined testing phases of the system, which went to plan. The system allows us to track all the prospective candidates that our recruiters are looking at. These candidates will fall into the recruitment database, where the recruiters have control of whether and when they want to present those candidates to the senior personnel.

There are mechanisms built into the system that can quickly and easily email and send CVs and Candidate Records. We set up our own tailored forms to describe and document the candidates. We then are able to run that person through the pipeline. If they are of interest to a senior manager who is recruiting, for example in Japan or South Africa, we can plan and track everything from interview scheduling to seeing if they were offered the position.

At the end of the day, there is a software link between this new database and our existing HR system. When we push a button, a successful candidate is then transferred into our HR system as a new recruit to the business, and HR takes over. There is a feature in the system that now regulates communication, to make sure recruiters from different parts of the world aren’t trying to contact the same candidates or clients, which was an issue in the past. Candidate information is transparent.

The links we have been building to connect and support various departments has been a good way to ensure we don’t lose track of candidates in the shuffle. Recruiters may have recruited someone, but if we don’t have HR, we can’t deploy them overseas. Since we’re international, we may recruit someone in London that is assigned to Africa. We need a smooth handover to the region, and for that HR to induct that Consultant. The system helps us manage that process.

What is the team dynamic?

The collaboration went very smoothly because we only worked directly with Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software] initially, who sold the contract to us and worked with us to develop the solution. He was our main point of contact, and I know there were a few people working with him. He introduced us to Alexis, our point of contact in development, who we worked with throughout the UAT process.

How did you come to work with DCSL?

We were researching both smaller, local companies and larger companies in the Middle East and Asia. After narrowing it down to 5 or 6 companies, I immediately preferred the presentation, the proposal, and the charisma of Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software], who sold his proposition very well. They are London-based, and we liked their proximity to us in the U.K. I felt we could work with them after hearing the clarity with which they described their services and deliverables

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April 2017 and the work is ongoing.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided very detailed specifications to DCSL Software. From those, we built a prototype together, making sure that everything would work, and when it didn’t, we could do things slightly differently for the user experience. The initial specification was done internally, while the final document was done in collaboration with DCSL Software.

They assigned 3 or 4 people with whom I had regular communication. Initially, we had a one-to-one relationship with Valery Possoz, their technical director, who helped us build the prototype and specifications. During the build, he continued to manage the process and brought in a developer and a quality assurance person.

The database allows us to input all the instances in which we’ve been involved, going back to 1970. It also contains all the worldwide tanker instances we don’t attend to directly, but for which we analyze any trends in order to assist with government contingency planning.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

We sent our proposal to a few companies and spoke to them in order to see what they could offer. We chose DCSL Software based on their understanding of our business and the solution we were trying to achieve, as well as their experience and cost. One of their staff members came to us in order to discuss the project, find out exactly what we were trying to achieve, and exactly what they could do for us.​

​​​​​​What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with DCSL Software in February 2016. The project concluded at the end of October.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped complete the detailed specifications for both of the booking systems we wanted to develop. We met with them and went through the process screen by screen to create the specifications. They divided the project into a number of two-week sprints. They would develop for two weeks and then give us a user acceptance testing site for us to test. I met all of the developers that were working on our project. There were four developers, a quality assurance manager, one tester, and a project manager. The tester was excellent; she worked very closely with me.

DCSL Software developed two booking systems. For the childcare side, the user can go to the website and search for school clubs and holiday activities. When they find what they’re interested in, they can book right from our website. On the further education side of the business, it’s all done through sporting trial. The users register for a trial through the online booking system, which is the start of their application process. If they’re successful at the trial, they proceed to an interview. At the end of the process, they have a complete application for enrollment that prints out in the backend.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

We put out a request for proposal and we had two companies we were looking at. DCSL Software’s process and their professionalism during the specification building was much better than the other company. They gave us an idea of what the application was actually going to look like.

How much have you invested with DCSL Software?

We spent £120,000 [US$149,220] on the childcare side. On the further education side, it was £25,000 [US$31,088].

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in March 2016 and the work was completed January 2017. We plan to continue working with them.