Function Point Analysis in Software Engineering

Every time a project is started in any organization, the first step is to complete the analysis phase. This phase is essential for the fulfillment of the next stages. It contributes to decision-making, management, and control of the resources assigned for the development of the project, as well as establishing the schedule and costs.

Achieving an accurate analysis methodology in a software project helps mitigate the risks of project failure. Function Point Analysis (FPA) is an advanced analysis technique that helps obtain a detailed picture of each project's scope, performance, duration, and quality.

This term was used for the first time by Allan J. Albrecht in 1979 in IBM, Function Point Analysis. Even when it has faced a few modifications over the years, Function Point Analysis is still a standardized method frequently used as an estimation technique in software engineering.

What is Function Point Analysis?

A function point is a unit of measure used to calculate and represent a software functional size measure. In other words, it consists of estimating the scope of the project, the number of personnel involved, the cost, and the time that the project will take. 

The main components of Function point Analysis are:

•  external input types (EI)

•  external output types (EO)

•  logical internal file type (EQ)

•  external interface file types (ILF)

•  type of external query (ELF)

According to the function point approach, the system's full functionality is captured by these five parameters.

Function Point Analysis Benefits for Projects

• FPA focuses on measuring the size of the solution and not the size of the problem

• It can be used regardless of the programming language used in the project

• It contributes to achieving the estimation of the costs, the schedule, and other general issues of the project

• FPA facilitates the negotiation process with clients

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Android Operating Systems

Every month Google, who has an operating software on Android, releases the statistics on the world of Android. In summary, Android consists of a variety of operating systems. The most popular OS’s are Marshmallow, KitKat, and Lollipop. 

The fastest-growing OS is nougat at a rate of approximately 3% monthly, primarily due to the fact that more devices are being released with the operating system and other devices are being updated to use it. 

A new version of the Android OS named “Oreo” has had a steady start growing from 0.2% to 0.3% in the last month. It is true that when a new system such as Oreo is released, it takes at least a year for the lower penetration stage of the release to be surpassed. This means that they usually start slow due to the fact that different code needs to be written for the OS to be brought onto different devices. 

Predictions state that during the coming years, the three large OS’s will remain on top; however, with the updates that Google has recently made, it should make it easier for companies to switch OS because, in theory, they will have less code to write. 

Overall, it appears that there has been a yearly trend that the adoption rate is consistently slowing and the number of people using Android's latest software is slowing down, which could be because the amount of revolutionary updates is slowing as Android, along with Apple and other big names, are running out of breakthrough ideas. 

If you want more information on the topic, reach out to one of our experts at ISU Corp today!

Outsourcing Development to Vietnam

Outsourcing is the process of obtaining goods or a service from an outside supplier. Outsourcing software development has become a critical factor in growing the economies of emerging countries. China and India currently hold the lead in the market of outsourcing. China’s economy specializes in affordable manufacturing and India is the leading country for outsourcing services, such as customer support. 

Vietnam is a rising star in the world of outsourcing quality software development at a cost-effective price. It has been suggested that outsourcing software development to Vietnam can save over 85% of the cost compared to development in North-America or Europe. When it comes to software development, Vietnam has consistently beaten India in pricing.

Is Outsourcing the Right Move for Your Business?

Outsourcing is a double-edged sword. Outsourcing allows your business to offload production responsibilities onto someone else, usually for a cheaper price than if you were to do it yourself. However, outsourcing may make it more difficult to ensure that the standards of production are being met, especially if the business you are outsourcing to is in a different country. 

If your business is looking in the right place, it is surprisingly common to find someone who will deliver a low-cost solution while still maintaining a high level of quality. Given its consistent track record, Vietnam has presented itself as a smart choice for companies with modern outsourcing needs. There is no surprise that tech giants such as Intel, IBM, and Microsoft have all outsourced to Vietnam. 

Pricing

The average labor costs in Vietnam are around 90% less than if you were to complete the same job in North-America, which means that your company will spend less on production expenses and this capital can be put into other investments or R&D. According to Customer Think, Vietnam ranks number 1 for outsourcing software development. 

Economy

Vietnam has one of the lowest turnover rates for an emerging economy. The Vietnamese government has recognized that a huge portion of its GDP comes from outsourcing and has prioritized the education of its workforce in these areas. IT jobs in Vietnam have a turnover rate of around 5% compared to other emerging economies such as India where the rate can reach up to 10%. 

Vietnam’s economy is growing exponentially and maintains a level of stability which is a reassuring factor for large corporations who have committed a lot of capital into outsourcing to this country. 

Politics

Political instability isn’t an uncommon trend among emerging nations. Vietnam however has had 30 consecutive years of political stability without any conflict from neighboring countries. Vietnamese leaders have also put emphasis on maintaining working relationships with western countries. 

Communication

Communication is the first step in developing a business relationship and fortunately for English-speaking countries, Vietnam uses the Latin alphabet which makes it that much easier for someone in Vietnam to learn the English language. English is also the second most commonly spoken language in the country and a large portion of Vietnam’s university graduates are proficient in English.

Outsourcing, if done correctly, will be a more cost-effective and efficient method of production for your business. Vietnam has proven time and time again to be the best country for outsourcing software development and will continue to excel in this sector.

If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to us today for more information.