The IT systems we design introduce new ways to deliver an exceptional return on investment at a competitive cost. We are committed to understanding the goals and business processes of our customers so we can deliver targeted solutions that improve how you do business.
With a foundation in information science, we design, develop, implement, and operate business information processing centers and the IT solutions required to run them efficiently. We join web, data services, and social media to deliver compelling communication and empowered customer service at every level. We provide lifecycle systems development and have implemented a number of solutions, including records/document management systems, case management systems, business process workflow solutions with business intelligence tools and management dashboards, digital repositories and libraries, federated search tools, SharePoint solutions, content management systems, websites and web delivery systems, inventory management, accounting, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. We develop and integrate commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom applications, and design the underlying architectures to operate them. We also operate data centers and perform systems administration for local, remote, and cloud-based solutions. With an IT practice focused primarily in the Federal Government sector, we bring extensive knowledge of FISMA, NIST IT standards, Privacy Act, and Section 508 requirements, and are experienced in obtaining and maintaining security certifications.
Our systems integration and software development methodology is assessed at CMMI Level 3, guaranteeing that we perform rigorous acceptance testing prior to production. All integration and development procedures are done in accordance with several important milestones, including customer approval of system requirements, analysis, design, and walkthrough. All system components, program elements, and acceptance test results are maintained in a documentation library and available for review throughout the development and integration process. We obtain final performance test and project acceptance from you before the hardware or software is moved into production to ensure it meets your, and our, high standards.
Web and Data Services
We provide site hosting, user training, and information dissemination for all types of websites, including those with Section 508 compliance requirements. We also assemble and manage content for knowledge-based repositories, enterprise content management systems, and data digitization solutions. We don’t just deploy IT systems for your agency, we make sure your teams are comfortable with how they will be integrated into a productive, optimal workflow. Our solutions put control in the hands of the user to access information in the way he or she chooses. ZAI follows a User-Centered Design (UCD) approach in all of our design and development projects. We conduct user research and solicit user input to guide user interface designs, and perform usability tests at multiple times throughout the project’s design and development phases to assess how well the interface supports user actions. We apply usability best practices to the design of navigation, presentation, content, and interaction to create user-validated websites and applications that are:
- Intuitive and consistent
- Easy to learn and understand
- Cost-effective to develop and maintain
- In-line with users’ motivations and Agency objectives concerning value and usefulness of the user experience
Business Process and Workflow Tools
ZAI developed a production control and management tool, P3 (Planning, Performance, and Productivity), to plan resource assignments, monitor performance, and manage productivity of records, documents, and/or work elements from receipt through entry into agency systems and final delivery to the end user. P3’s real-time dashboard reports provide our managers and task leaders with the critical information they need to monitor workloads and workflow, and make informed decisions to ensure work is completed accurately and on-time. Historical workload and performance statistics are accumulated and reported at the individual, team, task, and project level. This data is used by our management team to perform trend analyses, plan resource assignments, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. P3 includes a self-service, web-based work order module, allowing end users to submit work order requests and track them through completion. There is also an inventory module for tracking supply levels and forecasting optimal re-order points. P3 is a customizable, modular system. Workflows and tasks can be easily configured for each project’s unique requirements, and modules deployed as needed to avoid duplication with existing agency systems.
Records and Document Management Systems
We have experience using a myriad of agency-provided file and request tracking and have worked with a number of databases and user interfaces. We have operated most of the leading Electronic Document Management Systems on the market today (e.g., Open Text, Documentum, FileNet, SharePoint, and Alfresco). To each engagement we bring user experience and IT systems expertise across a broad range of records and information management solutions including digital libraries, databases, inventory management, order fulfillment, web delivery systems, and SharePoint services.
