Starting a Consulting Project with Robotech is a simple process that begins with a call, email or meeting. These contacts serve at the starting point. In these initial meetings we'll work on "Need Analysis". The Need Analysts phase of a Robotech consulting project addresses one of the most fundamental requirements for project success.

Need Analysis
The Need Analysts phase of a Robotech consulting project addresses one of the most fundamental requirements for project success. Its  always a high-level view of the project’s goals and constraints. It is a form of early planning.

During the Need Analysis phase we will explore the options available that best fit your needs. Depending on your needs we will present you with options on how to get things done.  If you already have a legacy system in-place we can look at its data and how to transfer and reuse any existing data to make things more efficient. We will have sessions with your users to find-out what they need to accomplish and how. Also look for whats missing from the current setup and how to improve and streamline your business.

Once we have a better idea of what you're trying to accomplish we'll work on getting your requirements.

Requirements Planning
During this step we will focus on planing how the new system will work for the desired project goal.  Our project team will work with you to create the processes, define the user roles, create SLAs and  identify the integration points with other systems, data standards and data migrations required and reports.

Based on these requirements we will compare and match how ARCHIBUS out-of- the-box applications meet your needs and see if any customizations are required to fill any missing gaps.

After all the requirements are assembled the Robotech Consulting team will develop time estimates for configuration, implementation and user training. The Project Manager will assemble the time estimates into a preliminary Project Plan which will spell-out responsibilities and timelines.

Deliverables:

• Functional Specification document
• Updated Project Plan

In the Design and Implementation phase we'll take all the information gathered on the Needs Analysis step and develop a Design. Depending on if the project will be hosted internally or Cloud Hosted by Robotech we will create a working system that will be used to conduct user testing and acceptance. This same system will later be the base for the Production "Live" system.

Design
The Design phase involves mapping out the data and processes of the system,  user interface components, data integrations and mapping, using ARCHIBUS Connectors, or other back-end methods to integrate to other systems. If there are other requirements such as Single Sign On (SSO) they will also be included in this step.

Throughout the design phase, the Robotech Project Manager will schedule detailed design reviews with our technical Application Engineers and the client’s key stakeholders and technical resources to ensure that the design will meet all business processes and IT policies. As part of the design phase, the Application Engineer will try to attempt to keep the implementation as close to out-of-the-box as possible. Documenting any customizations/enhancement needed.

Development & Implementation
The Development phase is where the actual system implementation and integration occurs. The project team will convert the requirements in the Technical Specification Documents into a deployable solution. This phase may consist of application configuration, data dictionary configuration, schema design and implementation, Web form and report development, business logic implementation and ARCHIBUS Connector configuration for system and data integrations.

The project team members responsible for the implementation of the functional solutions are also responsible for writing and executing Unit-Tests on the components for which they are responsible. Throughout the Develop phase, the Project Manager will schedule sessions with the client to review the solution implementation and monitor progress. 

As the functional components are substantially complete, the project team will conduct full, end-to-end system integration tests with representative sample/test data. A demonstration of the final implementation will be scheduled before delivery to ensure that the requirements are met.

In addition to implementing the solution, the project team will create the procedures, scripts, and Connectors necessary to migrate the legacy systems and load any required data into the system during the migration from DEV to UAT and Production.

The project team will document the solution, develop initial training materials and test-cases to aid the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) process.

Deliverables:

• System Solution
• Release Notes
• UAT Test Cases
• Training Materials (end-user and/or train-the- trainer)
• Migration procedures and scripts

We consider training to be one of the most important components in any Archibus project, and it involves a combination of software training, relevant business consulting and users coaching over a period of time. The training is uniquely tailored to the organization we are implementing for. We provide training for the required applications, features and tools, and train the users on how to produce, maintain and manage CAFM drawings and data to establish an Archibus space portfolio. Each training manual is developed specifically for the way Archibus is configured and deployed at your organization. One of our training goals is developing with you a training manual simple enough that someone can reference it after training and be able to understand how to use the application.

Available training topics:

• • Beginners training  for specific applications
  • System and database administrator training
  • Deployment and system configuration training
  • Archibus Custom Topic Training / Coaching
  • Archibus Development Training

Methodology:

• • Training curriculum is customized for the company and users’ goals, data, applications and processes
  • Provided hands-on with the user(s) per their role
  • It involves consulting / training / coaching / documenting and working together on YOUR data
  • Training typically includes development of a Custom Guide for the users
  • Reports and Routines developed during training remain users property part of the system
  • Can be performed onsite, in our Training Center or in combination of both
  • Delivered by a senior experienced Application Engineer / Trainer
  • Provided in intervals to let students digest and make progress on their on
  • Normally combined with post-training Tech-Support program
  • Scheduled based on parties availability in 8, 6, or 4 hour sessions (remote sessions 2 hour minimum)
  • Initial recommended scope for new Archibus users is 40 hours

System Upgrades
Having the latest version of ARCHIBUS enables you to take advantage of newly released features. It also gives you access to the latest technologies developed. From compatibility with the latest Autodesk products. To updated security. Upgrading regularly enhances your operation.

Robotech has been doing system upgrades from over 25y. We have the knowledge and technical personnel to smoothly upgrade your system to the latest.

Usual tasks:

• Create a full backup of existing system. This includes getting a copy of the Database, Web Application and any drawings.
• Setting up a Development environment. This environment will host the test upgrade system.
• Upgrading DB schema to the latest version
• Upgrading any custom Web Central views to the latest release.
• Checking integrations to make sure they are compatible with new version.

Once we have the new Development system in place. We can conduct user acceptance testing. We can also train users on this Development system. After user acceptance testing is complete and any changes are made to the system we are ready to conduct a live upgrade.

Live upgrades usually happen on Fridays and the weekend. During this time we'll pause the existing "live" system. Get a fresh copy on the Database and apply the schema changes from the Development system. Robotech will also upgrade all the required software on the server. Once these steps are complete we replace the Database and bring the new system "live". Since all the testing was done on the Development environment we can safety bring the new system online for the new week.

Our technicians will keep your IT group updated during the entire process.