Frequently Asked Questions

The following are answers to many of the common questions asked in our -plus years of doing business. If your question isn't answered here, contact us for a prompt reply.

On-site or off-site

Q: We need help programming at our location. Can you come and help us?

A: Yes, the bcsi engineers can work at your site or ours, or a mixture of the two. With clients all over the U.S., our engineers frequently travel for planning, development, training and installation activities.

Contracting options

Q: What sort of contract do you require?

A: Most often, our services are negotiated under a time-and-materials contract, although other arrangements, such as fixed-bid, can also be made.  Rates vary based on the services provided and on the duration of the contract.

Emerging technologies

Q: With the rapid changes in computing technology, how do your engineers and developers keep up?

A: Our software engineers and developers are among the industry's best and most experienced; they are constantly seeking out, acquiring, and using the latest technology. Among our staff are specialists in real-time operating systems, device control, embedded systems, software engineering and architecture, most of whom have advanced degrees in Computer Science or Engineering and multiple years of industry experience.

Porting

Q: We have a system that requires porting to a new hardware or software environment. Can you help us?

A: Yes, our engineers have extensive experience porting applications between Windows, Linux, Solaris, or other Unix variants, Mac OS, and QNX operating systems. We can move your application to a new middleware platform using CORBA, .NET, COM/DCOM, RMI, etc.

Cost effectiveness

Q: Do you only develop custom software or do you make use of COTS components?

A: The bcsi philosophy is to use the most appropriate technology for the situation and customer requirements, always with an eye on long-term cost effectiveness. If custom software components or an entire application requires design and development, we can do it. If a COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) or Open Source solution exists, we can make use of it as appropriate. Quite often the solution relies on a combination of these approaches. What we will not do is recommend or take short cuts that are cheaper in the short-term, but may lead to excessive cost in the future.

Answers to other questions

Q: I didn't find an answer to my question here. What is the best way to contact you?

A: Phone or email during regular business hours is best. After hours, send an email or leave us a voice message and we will get back to you the next business day.