Software Development

C3NS offers a full range of software development services that incorporate the latest technologies and methodologies. These services are highly appreciated for their ability to meet and exceed customer specific needs in a timely manner. Additional value is provided to customers through our unique ability to consistently deliver solutions “on time and within budget”.

Our development staff has experience creating custom applications and integrated solutions often times working with or developing new and innovative technologies. Having developed software solutions that range in size from small business inventory management systems to enterprise level solutions improving Government workflow, C3NS developers have the experience that you need to make your next project a success.

Current Technologies

C3NS has the ability to provide solutions developed using C/C++, C#, Java, Perl, PHP, ASP, JSP, .NET, HTML, Flash, XML, and Visual Basic on the Windows and Unix platforms. We are also quite experienced working with major relational database systems such as Oracle, SQL Server, and Documentum.

Current Services:

C3NS offers top-quality solutions and services in the following areas:

  • System Design
  • Form Applications
  • Web Applications
  • Software Migration
  • Software Testing

System Design

With an eye for standards and a modular architecture, our enterprise architects have experience creating designs that can be used for the smallest application or large scale efforts integrating multiple technologies. We provide highly detailed diagrams and documents that provide a critical framework for your project.

Form Applications

From document triage applications to data mining tools, our development staff creates cost-effective applications that help people fill a need in their workflow. Throughout the lifetime of our solutions you can be sure that C3NS will be there to support any additional needs or questions that you may have.

Web Applications

At C3NS we provide a full range of custom dynamic and interactive web application and development services that utilize the latest technologies such as AJAX and Silverlight. From simple web site development to complex phonetic search engines we work with customers to make sure that their solutions meet the needs of their company and customer base.

Software Migration

Looking to modernize your systems but feel hindered by critical legacy components? Let C3NS extend the value of your legacy systems by migrating these critical components for you. Our development staff can update these critical components to use current technology and then align the systems closer to your current a future business needs through the development of new features and functionality.

Software Testing

C3NS has an experienced group of test engineers ready to shake down your product before release. Our testers work hard to identify the defects associated with any programmatic failures using methods such as static testing, dynamic testing, black box testing, and white box testing. Our engineers also work hard to identify any non functional requirements errors (i.e. scalability problems, stability problems, or performance issues) using such methods as load testing and software fault injection.

Software Development Processes

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) refers to any process used to develop or modify an information system. Adherence to such a process should result in a product that meets or exceeds customer expectations while staying within time and cost constraints.

C3NS has experience using the “Waterfall” model so named because the direction of development steadily flows downwards like a waterfall. The image below is a representation of the “Waterfall” SDLC model that is used by C3NS.

C3NS System Development Lifecycle


Rational Unified Process (RUP)

Some projects are highly complex and require a process less stringent and more agile process than the “Waterfall” model. In such cases C3NS uses the Rational Unified Process (RUP), an adaptable process framework that is less concrete; allowing project teams to select the elements of a process that are appropriate for the project needs.

The image below is a representation of RUP process architecture.

RUP Process Architecture

Past Performance Examples

Example #1

A customized application was developed using C# and the .NET 2.0 libraries to analyze the results of various entity extraction tools. The application would compare the results of these tools against the control set or perform a comparison of the tools against each other. Each of the tools was run against the control set and the customized application provided feedback to users, rating the tools by speed, accuracy (Type 1 and Type 2 errors), and if available, the tools ability to properly classify entities. The tools were also run against each other head to head, with the application again providing feedback to the user.

A second customized application was created (again using C# and the .NET 2.0 libraries) which integrated the various extraction tools as a suite, allowing users the ability to select and run varying combinations of tools. The results from these combinations were fed into the original custom application and compared against the control set, single tools, and other combinations.

C3NS developed and executed a series of tests against five entity extraction tools to see which tool or combination of tools would provide the best results. The end result was a recommendation which tools should be integrated into the customer’s pre-existing workflow.

To create a control set against which test results could be measured, a number of documents of varying subject matter were selected for review. These documents were then manually triaged for entities by four test engineers and their selections were then compared and discussed to confirm and classify those entities; the end result being the control set.

The final analysis and comparison of the various test results showed that certain entity extractors were better at identifying specific types of entities than others and specific combinations of these tools would provide a significant increase in the accuracy of entities extracted from a document. A formal recommendation was provided to TSWG who then integrated the selected combination into their workflow.

Example #2

Neuroeconomists seek to observe neural activity to identify what role the brain plays when people evaluate decisions, categorize risks and rewards, and interact with other individuals. To view this neural activity, neuroeconomists use functional neuroimaging tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to view the reaction of a volunteer’s brain to various economic decisions.

Collating data collected from research notes and tools such as the MRI is an arduous task which as a manual process is prone to introducing error. To improve the quality of data collected C3NS was tasked with the creation of a custom application that automates the collection, collation, and storage of research data.

Developed in C# and C++ and utilizing the .NET 2.0 libraries and SQL Server, this application communicates with an MRI, collecting data as volunteers are confronted with various economic decisions (purchase decision, price negotiations, etc). This data can be tagged and stored by users of the application as the experiment occurs and reports can be generated on the fly.

By creating a user friendly software solution, C3NS was able to greatly reduce the risk of error introduced via manual processes, providing a higher quality data set and freeing more time for research.