A major business-to-business electronic components manufacturer, Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), wanted to improve an engineering web application to enable its customers to design and configure electronic products.

1. Challenge
Solution
Results
Mission Impossible:
Concept on a napkin to
award-winning innovation
Delivering a complex, first-of-a-kind web application at high speed and low cost
ADI manufactures component electronics parts that device manufacturers use to make final
products, they also rely on ADI’s expertise to determine the right parts. For smaller clients, it was
too costly for ADI to assign field engineers to design component specifications. So, ADI envisioned
a visual design app to help these clients select components.
But, there were some major challenges standing in the way:
Getting it done required close collaboration, onsite integration, fast development and full
functionality, which ruled out offshore delivery. This meant using an Agile development
methodology with close-knit teams, but this would come with a giant bill. It seemed impossible
get the speed, cost and complexity that ADI needed.
As a major business-to-business electronic components manufacturer,
Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) wanted to provide an engineering web
application to enable its customers to design and configure electronic
products. Despite the project’s tight budget constraints, high
complexity and short timeline, Collaborative delivered success where
it seemed impossible through a unique sourcing model that combines
expert consulting and low-cost, onshore delivery.
“Through our history, Collaborative has acted as a strong
partner who is able to understand and quickly react to our
needs. They provide expert resources that allow us to build
out technology solutions critical for our business. The
addition of the CDSC has allowed us to enjoy a strong
pool of talent that balances cost and quick turn times.”
– Scott Rosa,
Director of eBusiness,
Analog Devices Incorporated
High complexity
The app would have a lot
of embedded science, a
visual display and complex
system requirements.
CDSC
The model provided remote
service delivery teams at
the CDSC to handle code
development and integration,
within easy traveling distance
of the ADI’s business.
ADI
Collaborative provided
50 practitioners overall
(onsite and CDSC)
Collaborative worked
with seven different
units within ADI.
Onsite consulting teams
An expert technology team worked
onsite with ADI through the intensive
development process, coordinating
work streams across functional areas
to ensure high-quality project
execution.
Tight budget
The budget to get the
work done was very
constrained.
Short timeline
The app had to be ready
fast, as the prototype
would be demonstrated
at a prominent trade show
for many of the customers
who would use it.
Collaborative used a unique delivery model that combines onsite consultants with remote
domestic service teams at the Collaborative Domestic Solution Center (CDSC), its low cost, high
performing IT delivery center in the US.
For the heavy demands of this project, the CDSC was the only solution that could work.
The product was successfully launched and met all three requirements of complexity, cost and time
without compromise.
The CDSC made the impossible possible for ADI.
“Receiving this award from Analog Devices is a great honor, one that reflects the high quality approach we
take at Collaborative. At the CDSC, we aim towards keeping costs low, value high, and executing our
projects very quickly. It is a pleasure working with Analog Devices and we thank them for this distinction.”
– William Robichaud, CEO, Collaborative Consulting
ADI was delighted with the outcome, and the engineering web application is now
on the market and exceeding business objectives.
ADI selected Collaborative to work on phase II of the engineering web application.
Analog Devices named Collaborative “IT Applications Partner of the Year” award
winner for developing this complex app for ADI.
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The combined delivery model made the Agile development approach possible. The onsite and CDSC
teams began the project quickly, and delivered intense and measured progress throughout. The approach
formalized processes to control risk, contain project scope and manage team progress at every stage.