How can I trust in your efficiency and believe that Gateway can deliver?
Gateway has achieved nearly 100% success with every project that it has handled till date. This strength has been summarized by one of our clients very succinctly. According to him, Gateway is one of the 10% of Indian software companies that can actually deliver.
We use an indigenously built software management tool to manage ongoing Media Projects from the commencement of the project to the final delivery gives us a better control to monitor the project, its modules and the resources working on it, all through its lifecycle.
In offshore dedicated development, what are the risks and how do you answer them?
There are roughly four types of risks involved during the remote Creative Media Development. Firstly, there are usual risks like improper definition of the tasks, improper planning, improper managing and development processes. At Gateway, all these risk issues are catered with utter alertness so that there are no chances of the failure. Secondly, the other risk factor is of the improper communication between the vendors and the clients. Keeping into consideration the sensitivity of the issue we use a unique method of “24X7 reply principle”. All queries addressed to us are answered during the same day and we expect the same from our customers. Thirdly, the other risk factor is the agreements. Responsibilities, payments and other arrangements have to be well made-up, safeguarding both sides. Finally, we come across a major risk of the cultural differences due to the remote locations of the outsourcing companies and the clients. There can also be some misunderstandings among the people involved. Your patience and our experience will help to overcome this.
Is the difference in time zones a problem?
The difference in time zones is a natural consequence of the situation when the development team is in another area of the world. The best way around this is setting mutually acceptable times for online meetings. If you want to have your Dedicated Resource’s working hours shifted so they better align with yours, we can arrange it, but it needs to be done when we are assembling the team. However, this requirement can raise the cost of the service, as the team members will have to work a nonstandard schedule. Also, note that the time difference may be an advantage, if you are interested in "round-the-clock" programming. Working with the overseas team in shifts, so that programming goes on 24 hours a day, is extremely efficient if you need to reduce the time to market.
What sort of job descriptions/specs do you normally work from?
We have a great deal of in-house expertise in specialized design analysis, relevant requirement gathering and documentation. Based on the project requirements we either ask for a definite formulated template document from the client they might have in place or we mutually develop and approve a format that can best define a job description or specification for the desired task at hand.
What are the normal build-up stages for setting up of a Dedicated Development Centre for ongoing Media Development?
The normal build – up stages for setting up of a dedicated development centre are as follows:
Selection Process Of Designer / DTP Resources (Client Interactions with the PM)
Exchange Of Contracts And Legal Formalities
IT Infrastructure And Environment Setup (If required)
Knowledge Transition phase initiated (Client onsite Visit if required)
Offshore Project Execution
Reporting Mechanisms
How will the members of my team be selected and what will be my role in it?
A manager, with appropriate expertise, is always picked from within Gateway’s key personnel. The core team members are selected from our experienced designer and DTP professionals having an indepth understanding of the relevant industry. If necessary, we employ additional designers and DTP professionals and testers using our database of qualified and skilled candidates. During the selection phase, you review the resumes of all potential team members, and can coordinate an interview with the candidates via the telephone.
Is a team member temporarily replaced when he/she takes a sick leave or vacation?
Replacing team members that take sick leave or vacation, if necessary, is our responsibility, and Gateway covers any related expenses.
What assurance can you provide for client confidentiality?
Security & Confidentiality Gateway understands the anxiety one would go through before making someone else privy to the ideas and concepts that have been nurtured and evolved over period of time. We believe in ethical conduct of business, and consider protecting the vital classified information received from client and built in to the project sacrosanct. We believe in providing security and confidentiality at all levels of vulnerability.
IPR Protection Gateway respects the IPR of the product being conceptualised, designed, developed, maintained, supported and enhanced by it. Hence, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon and pursuant to the business model undertaken, all materials, produced by Gateway in the course of project execution, e.g. software, source code, data structures, documentation, design options, etc., fully belong to the client. On contract termination, all material will be transferred to the client, and after the confirmation of the successful receipt, all electronic copies of this data will be purged unless instructed otherwise by you.
NDAs Company NDA: We ensure very high-level protection of the data received from our Customers while executing their orders. We will sign the NDA with the client in a mutually agreed format. Employee NDA: Gateway requires each of its employees to sign a very strict contract, preventing disclosure of any information.
Network security We recommend using a VPN connection to transfer data to and from our ODC. This ensures the security in transportation of data. We will also make sure that the network used by a product team is independent of the rest of the Gateway computing network to avoid any internal leakages.
Document security All the electronic material is protected by access level passwords. Even, the printed physical copies of such material are secured and not allowed out of the facility.
Do you provide a local manager with whom I can meet in person on a regular basis?
We can do it if we have a representative in your region. However, being separated from the rest of the team, this manager will serve as a liaison rather than a team member, and you will be billed for their time in addition to your Dedicated Resource charges based on the Local Charges. Since our inception, however, we have not needed someone in this position, and have an unbroken record of success.
Will I be able to communicate with each Designer or DTP Professional on the fly?
Yes, you will. Telephone conversations, e-mail, and instant messaging will allow you to establish prompt and reliable communication with the all the members of your Dedicated Resource. However, practice shows that all major issues should be discussed with the Dedicated Resource management personnel, as dealing with the rank and file can be counterproductive to quickly achieving the required solution.
Related to the payments what are your standard terms and conditions? Once a contract has been signed, we issue an invoice made according to the Payment Schedule, which is a part of the Project Plan approved by you. Usually invoices are paid by wire transfer in US Dollars or Euro or GBP to our bank accounts in India. The Payment terms in the first month usually start with an advance of 50% of the first month billing and the remainder of the amount at the end of the billing cycle, which would be on a weekly, Bi-monthly or monthly basis depending on the scope and longetivity of the resources. There after billing will be done on a regular schedule.
Related to the payments what are your standard terms and conditions?
Once a contract has been signed, we issue an invoice made according to the Payment Schedule, which is a part of the Project Plan approved by you. Usually invoices are paid by wire transfer in US Dollars or Euro or GBP to our bank accounts in India. The Payment terms in the first month usually start with an advance of 50% of the first month billing and the remainder of the amount at the end of the billing cycle, which would be on a weekly, Bi-monthly or monthly basis depending on the scope and longetivity of the resources. There after billing will be done on a regular schedule.
