Overview

Bass & Associates' Outsource Services fall under three main consulting categories:

• Management/Advisory Consulting (MA);
• Application Development and Integration (AD); and
• Managed Services (MS).

Each category provides Bass clients more solution options, which result in more client benefits. Additionally, these options enable Bass to align ourselves with clients' cost, project timeline expectations, and risk management requirements – providing true win/win solutions. All of the Outsource consulting categories stem from Bass’ vast experience, ethical practices, and proven processes. It should be noted, also, that 'Outsource' doesn’t always mean 'off-shoring'. At Bass, outsourcing work is performed in either one or both locations – at Bass' Omaha-based Technology Center or at Bass' partnering IQ Systems' Hyderabad Development Center.

Benefits

Bass' Outsource Services Division offers several benefits to clients, which – when combined – make Bass truly unique from anyone, anywhere:

• Dedication and Reputation – Bass' mission is to develop long-lasting relationships, which are based on true dedication. Strong relationships have led to Bass' sustainable growth within the industry, which we know to be good business and the key to longterm success.
• The benefit to clients is that they can be assured – with Bass' dedication to developing each relationship – that their betterment is foremost, and that Bass' reputation as being "the best" is riding on every client interaction.
• Staffing Flexibility – Bass' Staff Augmentation business provides its Outsource business an ever-growing dynamic provision of top-rated talent.
• Flexibility benefits clients because it enables Bass to ramp up quicker (without having to hire a bunch of talent after the purchase order is executed) and it enables Bass to immediately address technical needs outside projects' original scope – by simply connecting the dots between the immediate need and the most appropriate Bass consultant. Finally, flexibility in staffing equates to flexibility in pricing, so clients benefit by receiving very competitive pricing.
• Project Management Methodology – Bass' project management methodology is clearly defined, executed with precision and discipline, and consistent with international practices (such as those from the Project Management Institute [PMI] or of the PRINCE2^TM structure).
• Sound project management benefits clients in many ways – mostly, clients' projects are planned, executed, and paid for according to plan. Or, there are no surprises.

Experience, Best Practices, and Proven Processes

Experience

At Bass, solid relationships and partnerships result in positive experiences, which are the foundation to innovation and long-lasting solutions.

The Bass family has been building strong relationships since the 1980's. Those relationships have endured the test of time and continue to strengthen the depth of Bass & Associates' service offerings.

Today, Bass' management team and consultant base offers decades of experience in many industries – listed in Table 1, following.

Best Practices

Bass & Associates considers 'Best Practices' and 'Ethical Practices' to be one in the same. They are actions that embody Bass' Business Values –

• Maintain positive business relationships;
• Deliver quality customer service;
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity;
• Build upon our reputation as a quality solutions provider;
• Practice open and supportive communications;
• Exceed business commitments;
• Deliver results; and
• Be community minded.

Proven Processes

It's one thing to say you're good; it's another thing to have proof. Bass' history of growth within the IT industry, its many documented praises from clients, and its current financial stability prove its processes are sound. Several of Bass' proven Outsource processes include:

• Pricing and Delivery Options, based on agreed-upon scope of work details;
• Risk Mitigation, through open and honest communication;
• Solution Security through Bass' state-of-the-art infrastructure and highly educated and experienced team, offering redundancy and disaster recovery options;
• Resource management, offering scalability and implementation flexibility;
• Project Management that meets Project Management Institute (PMI) standards;
• Effective Communication – from client, to Project Manager, to Director and/or Consulting Services Manager;
• Software and Hardware Configuration Management, adding project efficiency and scalability through the use of vmware^®;
• Proactive Risk Identification and Monitoring, through the use of Bass' online, secure project management portal;
• Project Monitoring and Quality Control, through effective communication and through the use of Bass online, secure project management portal;
• Controlled Change Management; and
• Software Quality Assurance

We design, develop, and deploy complex technology solutions – both off-the-shelf packages as well as solutions customized to the client’s specific environment and needs.

Management/Advisory Consulting (MA)

Many organizations today, both in the public as well as the private sector, are looking to revamp their IT infrastructure. Such restructuring might include a combination of software, hardware, or other resources. Bass' Advisory Consulting services assess:

• Technology needs and/or solution requirements;
• Existing project scope issues; and
• Project process requirements.

We work closely with the customer to design a solution that satisfies their business requirements. This service offering differs from the turn-key application development service (AD) in that most, if not all, of this service might not entail any development of software by Bass' consultants.

This service involves Bass working with the customer to assess their IT infrastructure and capabilities. It could involve soliciting bids from third-party vendors, either hardware, software, or other resources, working with the customer to analyze proposals received, and making recommendations. Some application development work may be required as a result of providing conversions or interfaces between the customer's existing systems and the new system that is designed.

Bass' Assessment/Evaluation of IT Infrastructure includes review and documentation of the following:

1. All IT policies and procedures
2. Project methodology and documentation
3. Production code change/migration policy
4. Software licenses, usage, and training methodology
5. Current staff and associated roles & responsibilities
6. Applications architecture
7. Data architecture
8. Hardware architecture
9. Overall infrastructure

Application Development and Integration (AD)

Bass' Application Development and Integration services offer industry-leading expertise, at competitive pricing. We offer custom-built solutions (from scratch), modified existing solutions, and implemented off-the-shelf systems. The AD service consulting category uses a project-based delivery model, which is defined by an agreed-upon, contractual scope of work – complete with milestones and oversight control. Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and executed.

Using a multi-phased approach towards development and integration, we work with the client to define application requirements, analyze key application characteristics, implement and test the application, and monitor and fine-tune application performance during post-implementation support. Our experience shows that clients realize an increase in productivity for application development projects while improving their core business performance through the changing demands of the global marketplace.

Managed Services (MS)

Many organizations lack the resources required to maintain and enhance applications, and they have experienced growing difficulties in attracting and retaining the necessary resources. These organizations, therefore, will engage us to maintain and enhance their applications.

Bass and Associates' Managed Services (MS) offering presents the client with a variety of service options ranging from basic application-management services to application enhancement, upgrades, or customized application development. The range of services could span a single mission-critical application to suites or a portfolio of applications that may be custom-built or packaged software.

This service offering by Bass is a multi-year or annuity contract involving the purchase of ongoing application services and will support the entire life cycle of applications such as consulting and advisory services, application development, and integration with existing systems, deployment, and post-deployment support. Services may be provided at the client site, off-site at Bass' Technology Center, or a combination of on- and offsite via remote monitoring capabilities. Information Technology assets (both hardware and software) may be owned or leased by the client, a third-party, or by Bass.

It is envisioned that clients will transfer management responsibility to Bass and we will be accountable for the delivery of defined service levels in partnership with the client. The following major application initiatives within potential client firms list the main targets for Bass' Outsource Services Division’s Managed Services offering:

1. Legacy modernization
2. ERP implementation
3. Process improvement and integration of systems
4. Software as a Service (SAAS) adoption

Summary

We design, develop, and deploy complex technology solutions – both off-the-shelf packages, as well as, solutions customized to your specific environment and needs. Bass focuses on listening to our clients’ needs and leveraging our strong recruiting ability and market identity to provide a diversified, yet evolving portfolio of services.

Bass & Associates' Corporate Offices

Contact Bass' Outsource Services Division today to discover how Bass can help your business improve productivity and add value through strategic Outsource.

Bass & Associates, Inc.
Outsource Services Division
2027 Dodge St., Ste 500
Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: 402.346.1505
Fax: 402.346.6454
Email: outsource@bass-inc.com