How do I know that Arden can deliver the systems on time?
Arden automatically builds in financial penalties for lateness on each project - this is a commitment to our clients and ourselves which we honor. In addition, Arden does resource planning for each project in order to ensure that all the system's elements will be available as needed so there are no hold-ups during installation.

How do I know that our system has been thoroughly tested?
Though not yet ISO certified, Arden nevertheless adheres to ISO 9000 standards, which include thorough documentation on the testing of a system. Arden's programmers and management must sign off on all documentation. In addition, Arden performs unit testing on all elements of a system before rigorously testing the system itself. Arden submits all testing documentation to the client.

Does Arden do all of its development in India?
While most Arden projects are worked on by our Development Center staff in India, we will also employ outside resources if we feel them better qualified to undertake a specific aspect of a job. In this manner, we streamline your costs by ensuring that any outside experts used are particularly necessary. Otherwise we are able to give you superior results at a lower price.

I've heard stories about Indian development companies and they tend to paint a bleak picture -effectively giving all Indian development companies a bad name. Why should I risk this important project to such a reputation?
While we will not comment on our competitors, we will point out how Arden operates differently:

• All our projects are overseen by Project Management with international exposure and experience
• We adhere to the strictest standards of documentation there is no room for "fudging"
• We recruit year-round to ensure that our staff is the best there is. We regularly train our staff to keep them on the leading edge of new technologies and increase their proficiency in standard ones.
• We have devised a stringent development methodology that checks and re-checks standards at every stage

Are the cost savings of hiring Arden that significant vs. local costs?
Yes, very significant. Our costs can sometimes be as little as ¼ of that which is quoted by local competitors (this will vary by country). It is Arden's focus and economies of scale that enables us to afford to employ leaders in the industry.

We think we need a development partner that is local. How can an offshore company like Arden achieve our goals and will we sacrifice quality in the end?
The common perception is that India is a developing country and must, therefore, be far behind in technologies. No matter where a system is developed and manufactured, it is only ever as good as the specifications it is meeting. If your requirements for a system have been addressed and met then the system may come from anywhere. By the same token, a pair of NIKE sneakers are rarely considered to be of "lesser quality" having been manufactured in Southeast Asia.

What if we really require the leading edge?
India is rapidly becoming the defacto development center of the world with its software industry growing at phenomenal pace. For this reason alone, companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Informix, Citicorp, GE, Infosys all have major development centers in India, with even more planned by 2000. With players like these, you can be sure that India is working on the latest technology available in the world.