Services :: Cross-Platform Development
Orbital offers cross-platform development across a variety of operating systems, including Windows, Macintosh and Unix / Linux.
- Macintosh Development
Orbital can develop applications for Mac OS 7.5 to the latest version of Mac OS X, including classic, carbon and native Mac OS environments.
- Windows Development
Orbital can develop applications that run on any Windows platform, from 64-bit Windows to XP, NT, 2000, down to Windows 3.1.
- Unix / Linux Development
Orbital can develop applications for any variety of Unix or Linux platform.
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
Given the breadth of our development abilities, Orbital has developed a cross-platform development framework that allows us to effectively research and develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for our clients.
The following general steps are typically involved in cross-platform design and development.
Platform Research
Orbital's design team will research all the platforms for which applications are to be developed and determine the strengths and weaknesses of each. We will then ascertain the best corresponding approach for the cross-platform development, given the required application functionality. Client interaction is encouraged during the research phase to ensure that all parties agree to an optimal course of action.
Shared Code Approach
Orbital's design team typically uses a "Shared Code Approach" when developing applications for one or more platforms. This provides maximum efficiency during the development process. With this approach, core functionality is shared between the applications being developed. Core functionality is that portion of the program code that is platform independent and should therefore not be modified during the development process. This code typically includes patented or common algorithms and other basic functionalities that define the essence of how a program behaves.
This methodology provides for optimal development efficiency, in that it reduces the level of effort required, while ensuring maximum "closeness" between the two or more applications being developed on different platforms.
Coding
Once the above issues have been addressed, Orbital will develop the software application on a target platform in a manner that meets the exacting needs of our client.
Quality Assurance
We continuously test the software throughout the development process. To ensure the client is up to date during the development process, we traditionally set interim milestones that demonstrate the progress of the project. These small drops usually contain executables, accompanied with release notes that outline key advances, additional features and any outstanding or resolved issues since the last drop. The product manager and one or two QA Engineers usually see these drops.
Acceptance Testing
Once we have completed our internal testing of an application, we ship the product to our client for Acceptance Testing, prior to the client signing off on the product. During this phase, the client concentrates QA resources on the product. Orbital provides several channels to deliver these drops to the client safely and securely.
BENEFITS OF CROSS-PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT
Entry into Multiple Markets
By offering an application on multiple platforms, our clients are able to achieve increased sales by offering their products to multiple market segments that are not accessible via a single platform.
Reduced Per-Unit Development Costs
By developing an application on multiple new platforms, our clients are able to spread their development costs over a larger volume of units.
For additional information about our cross-platform development services, please Contact Us.
ORBITAL CASE STUDIES
The following case study illustrates a project during which Orbital developed an application on multiple platforms:
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Custom Software Solutions