From the Sales Front

New SLIM Users...
Adding to the list of new SLIM users this month are Progress Software, General Dynamics, Palidan, EMC, and Datatel. We look forward to working with these new clients! If you are interested in getting a free demo of SLIM, don't forget we offer WebEX demos that allow you to preview SLIM without ever leaving your desk. For more information, call 800-424-6755 or email keith_ciocco@qsm.com.

QSM Offers Consulting Service: Estimating Process Definition & Implementation
QSM is offering a service targeting organizations that need to get an estimation process in place prior to implementing automated tools. The process is consistent with guidelines in SEI's CMMI and PMI's PMBOK. It can also be utilized by existing QSM clients and others using virtually any estimation tools or techniques on the market. QSM offers clients the ability to set up or enhance their estimation process before or in conjunction with implementing the SLIM tools. This can include the setup, documentation, and presentation of an organization's software estimation process. Of course all of the work is custom configured depending on the client's specific needs. Please call Keith Ciocco to find out more information at 703-749-3812 or you can send an email to keith_ciocco@qsm.com.

Upcoming Trade Shows
Below is a schedule of the upcoming trade shows where QSM will be exhibiting in the spring. Please feel free to stop by and see us for a free SLIM demo and more information on our products and services.

If you would like to set up an appointment at one of the upcoming trade shows, please contact Keith Ciocco by email at keith_ciocco@qsm.com or phone 703-749-3812.

From the R&D Lab

Software Reuse: Myth or Reality?
A common assumption many developers make when starting a project is that they will be able to reuse 50 to 60% of existing code. In their research for the QSM Software Almanac: IT Metrics Edition, Kate Armel, Doug Putnam, and Don Beckett examined the distribution of projects by the amount of unmodified code (see figure below). What they discovered was that roughly 50% of the projects had less than 20% reuse and about 40% had 70% or more software reuse. The trough in the graph suggests that, for some reason, it is easier for projects to get reuse in the smaller and larger regions (i.e., when most of the application is either new or existing code) than when the proportions of new and existing code are closer to 50/50 or 40/60. This may have something to do with the difficulty of integrating large amounts of new and modified code. Whatever the reason, the data suggests it's easier for organizations to implement reuse when the reuse percentage is under 20% or over 70% (i.e., most of the code is either reused or new). It's implementing roughly equal amounts of new/reused code that seems to be problematic.

Percent of Projects vs. Unmodified Size in New, Modified Source Lines of Code

For this study and other IT metrics studies, you can order a copy of the QSM Software Almanac: IT Metrics Edition, which will be available next week. To request more information or pre-order a copy, please visit the Almanac website.

QSM Europe

QSM Europe Expects Growth in 2006
QSM Europe has noticed a growing interest in software metrics and sizing over the past twelve months and expects this trend to continue in 2006. This was reflected in the large number of participants at the QSM Europe User's Conference 2005, about 110 users attended - a large increase from the 60 participants in 2004. QSM Europe expects an even greater attendance at the User's Conference in 2006 from an even wider range of business sectors and more European countries.

QSM Europe recently welcomed such clients as the Dutch Tax and Custom Administration, ISC (the central IT department for the Dutch police), NS (the Dutch rail), Sogeti (an ICT company), Ordina (an ICT company), and ENECO. QSM Europe attributes this growth to a combination of the success of the SLIM Suite, QSM consulting services, the Function Point Analysis Center. Also of note, QSM Europe is expanding in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Switzerland, and Turkey.

QSM Europe will be be at the following upcoming trade shows:

For more information about QSM Europe, please visit www.qsm-europe.com.

From the Support Center

QSM Support Helps Produce Results for ERP Project Estimate
No matter how small the support problem may be, do not hesitate to call us. In a recent SLIM success story, a company came to us with a problem planning for a big ERP project. They had estimates, but not very much historical data. QSM was able to find similar situations from government projects in the SLIM database, allowing the company to replay assumptions. QSM helped the company evaluate the customer's bid and found the inconsistencies that needed to be fixed. Through this mentoring process, these new SLIM users learned how to efficiently use the tool, solicit the right kind of information, and package the results to have meaningful impact in the decision-making process. Though this company was local, QSM always offers you the option to WebEX and get support without ever leaving your desk. If you need support, please call or email Kate Armel at 301-865-8242 or support@qsm.com.

SLIM Training
2006 training is off to a good start with the addition of an extra course in January because of the high demand. If you have a need for training, please contact your sales rep or Keith Ciocco at keith_ciocco@qsm.com or 703-749-3812. If you are unable to make it to McLean, Va for any of the upcoming scheduled training dates below, on-site training is available, as is our "Train the Trainer" program for companies with big needs.

QSM Europe Class Schedule
Classes will be held at the QSM Europe office in Breukelen, Netherlands. If you are unable to come to Breukelen for any of the upcoming scheduled training dates, on-site training is available, as is the newly developed one day executive introduction. If you have a need for training, please contact Ernst van Waning at ernst.van.waning@qsm-europe.com or call +31 346 566 952.

Call QSM today for a FREE DEMO
of our best in class SLIM-Suite Estimation Products
800 424 6755

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