The Hindu Business Line : Software testing — Maveric Systems offers BOT model to clients

tThe Chennai-based company, which specialises in software testing, will form a dedicated team to test a client's software. At the end of the contract, the client has the option to absorb Maveric's employees, said the company's Executive Director, Mr V.N. Mahesh. The company has replicated the idea, which it calls as build-own-transfer partner model, from the infrastructure sector.

"We provide skilled testers to detect loopholes in a software and rectify them," he said. Maveric is talking to i-flex Ltd, its client, for a dedicated team. Maveric planned have longer relationship with clients through BOT partner model, he said.

Mr Mahesh said that Maveric could help its client save 25 per cent to 30 per cent of operational cost under the BOT partner model. For instance, Maveric spends about 25 per cent of the operational cost on training and building skills for employees. This is a major saving for a client, he said.

The client also has the flexibility of seeing performance over six to nine months before deciding to hire Maveric's employees. "Our experience shows that about 10 per cent of employees are unsuitable and another 10 per cent to 15 per cent are below average performers. The BOT model insures clients against such risks," he adds. Software testing is to assess and evaluate the quality of work performed at each step of the software development process. Large companies have their own software testers, but invariably these professionals are mostly software developers.

On the other hand, independent software testing firms specialise only in testing software. Maveric's clients could be a developer or end-user of software, he said.

Maveric is increasing its number of employees to 250 from the present 160 by the year-end.

The company expects its revenue to double to about Rs 12 crore by the fiscal year ending March 2005. Maveric's major clients include i-flex, Polaris, Hexware and Mphasis, he said.

Mr Arun Jain, Chairman and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Polaris Software Lab Ltd, holds 30 per cent stake in Maveric, while four directors share 60 per cent of the stake and the rest 10 per cent is with employees, he said.