Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
Microsoft's WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) technology is the de-facto standard for modern Windows UI development. When used properly, it is the most powerful and flexible, yet also the most productive and reusable user interface technology available. The only downside to WPF is its new paradigm and the associated learning curve, which leads many a developer astray and causes disappointing results that required way too much effort. We can help you to avoid these problems. We can assist you with all aspects of WPF development, from overall project setup, to guiding developers, to actual implementation, and even graphical design if need be.
Our experience stretches all aspects of WPF, but we focus mostly on developing WPF business applications in a productive and powerful way. Our techniques for reusable and productive WPF development have been widely published and are industry-leading.
Our Expertise
We have been involved with WPF development since before it was called "WPF" (and you may still catch us calling it "Avalon" at times). Not only have we been part of Alpha and Beta programs, but some of our people have been part of design sessions at Microsoft during which some of the earliest decisions around WPF were made. Our experts have been extensively published and have presented about WPF at various events, ranging from local user group meetings all the way up to major industry events, such as Microsoft TechEd. And most importantly, our people have extensive real-world experience in building all kinds of WPF applications.
We develop our WPF applications mostly in Visual Studio, but we are also experts in Expression Studio and especially Expression Blend. Many customers engage us for short sessions in which we do nothing but introduce a team to the productive use of Expression Blend. In fact, Microsoft is often asking us to do exactly that on their behalf.
Graphics Design
While the majority of CODE/EPS is focused on development, we also have graphics designers on staff, with skills ranging from UI design, to pure graphical design, to even print-related graphics and layout. We can thus help you with various graphics design needs. Most of the graphical design for software is related to professional UI design for business applications, as well as consumer and social apps.
Starting a WPF Project
WPF projects vary drastically in size and with it the approach to the project. In our experience, most WPF applications are quite serious apps. Most WPF projects start with a Vision & Scope Workshop to determine overall goals of the project, the size of the effort, and best approach. Based on the findings of this process, we decide on next steps together with the customer. Often, but not always, that may be a Proof of Concept or Prototype phase that subsequently moves into a further standard development process.
WPF is only the user interface layer of an application or an entire system. Most WPF applications are not developed in a vacuum, but they tie into larger systems. Overall architecture is often of significant importance for WPF projects.
Project Lifecycle and Development Approach
WPF projects vary greatly in size and complexity and thus the development and project management approach has to be customized accordingly. We work with our customers to decide on the best possible approach that matches the customer’s need and incorporates CODE at the level desired, whether that is a small supporting role or the other end of the spectrum, which has us manage and handle most of the project. In many cases, we do not use our own approach but integrate with a customer’s existing process.
Most (but not all) WPF projects utilize some variation of an Agile methodology.
Purchase Options
As WPF Applications come in all shapes and sizes, and the most appropriate business arrangements for such projects needs to be determined on a case-by-case basis together with the customers. In many cases, WPF projects are set up as “time-and-materials” projects billed on an hourly basis (either billed on an ongoing schedule, through service agreements, or as pre-paid hourly blocks). Sometimes, WPF Applications can also be built on a fixed-price basis, which is especially true for relatively small, self-contained projects (which, admittedly, is not the case very often with WPF projects). Graphical design tasks are often billed on a fixed price for a certain set of designs.
Purchasing Our Services
We offer our services in a variety of ways to meet every possible need. Options range from plain time and materials setups, to hourly blocks and montly service contracts, and sometimes even fixed price setups (especially for mobile "apps"). Contact us for more information and for a Schedule of Fees.
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