Challenge: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) sought to complete the last and most significant piece of their long-term modernization plan with the technology migration of all 7(a) Fiscal Transfer Agent (FTA) systems to SBA’s Data Center, and subsequently operate the suite of applications in the private cloud Select Computing, Inc. (SCi) previously implemented for their mainframe migration. The 7(a) program is the largest SBA loan program.

Solution: SCi migrated all data from the incumbent to the SBA facilities. We migrated all mainframe files to Oracle using a cloud-based pipeline implemented in Python and Precisely Connect. SCi migrated over 30 mission-critical distributed applications into a .NET on Linux. Applications that were not implemented in C# were re-implemented to conform to the target platform. We implemented 185 data ingestion pipelines for mainframe datasets. We implemented the infrastructure that hosted the development and production environment for the FTA distributed applications. We implemented a Linux, Docker, and Kubernetes based hyperconverged environment that mirrors public cloud architecture.

Results: SCi implemented a fully automated DevOps environment that includes automated testing, continuous integration, and continuous delivery into the SBA release staging environment. The FTA System Modernization and Technology Migration will help SBA gain complete control over FTA systems, build a foundation for future systems consistent with existing SBA infrastructure, and achieve economies of scale that drive optimum stakeholder value. At the same time, core financial servicing functions remain with an appropriately credentialed financial institution.

Challenge: The mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs - Debt Management Center (VA-DMC) is to collect debts resulting from an individual’s participation in VA benefit programs and VA provided healthcare in the most efficient and cost-effective manner while maintaining compassionate, high quality service to Veterans and their families. VA-DMC sought to improve service delivery to Veterans by re-engineering its business processes and providing self-service capabilities.

Solution: Select Computing, Inc. (SCi) provided an extensive and formal architectural analysis of the VA DMC’s current systems as part of a modernization planning and management effort. SCi applied TOGAF to analyze every aspect of the DMC operation and to develop the future state architecture that supports the organization’s strategic objectives. SCi provided all IT and business modernization services to support VA-DMC’s initiative to modernize two of its legacy systems and their associated databases. SCi was responsible for the redesign, development, and implementation of the new and enhanced systems.

SCi introduced the necessary infrastructure to support service-oriented architecture (SOA), microservices, and application programming interfaces (APIs) that unlock the data and functionality these mainframe systems provide. Our team worked with the VA stakeholders to develop and socialize a target enterprise architecture.

SCi provided application production and maintenance for the DMC’s third-party software applications, and associated websites. We introduced key enabling methods and technologies such as CI/CD pipelines, SOA, and microservices technologies, which integrate legacy applications with the web.

SCi implemented an interface between the mainframe legacy debt management system and Salesforce to support the development of a Veteran’s self-service user interface. We used MuleSoft to implement a service-oriented architecture that populates an intermediate database in real time. The same MuleSoft integration platform then presents an API to Salesforce to provide it access to Veteran account information.

Results: SCi provided legacy modernization and digital transformation services which resulted in faster cycle time for the resolution of Veteran inquiries and a volume reduction at the VA-DMC Call Center. We documented the architecture of the existing systems and processes; identified major pain points and bottlenecks; developed a target architecture to address the ranked priorities; reduced the cycle time of services to stakeholders; and enabled self-service for stakeholders and Veterans through the VA’s Salesforce-based front end.

Challenge: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was searching for a reliable company that could operate and manage one of the largest Oracle database environments in the world.

Solution: Select Computing, Inc. (SCi) established a dedicated facility within 15 miles of CMS and stood up a year-round 24/7 operational capability that was led by a team of certified database management experts who were leaders in their field. Using CMMI Level 3 appraised business processes, a governance model that abided by Earned Value Management principles, and proprietary database methodologies, our technology consulting team fulfilled all performance metrics and quality standards, and ensured CMS processed its pre-defined health transaction goals.

Results: SCi’s technology consultants enabled CMS to focus on Medicare and Medicaid issues without being interrupted by technology challenges such as software downtime, or data flaws. Our team maintained the CMS technology backbone so that the Agency’s personnel could focus on what is most important to them – protecting the health and welfare of U.S. citizens and providing essential human services.

Challenge: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) needed a trustworthy company that could retain, manage, and develop technical expertise in legacy mainframe systems so that the Agency could extend the usage of economical mission critical software.

Solution: Select Computing, Inc. (SCi) organized and deployed an on-site technology consulting team that possessed technical expertise and relevant professional experience in key databases such as Sybase, Oracle, and MS SQL. Overseen by a distinguished SCi IT Program Manager, our team maintained and operated the SBA’s system without interruption and advised and performed key responsibilities for the mainframe production application: enhancements, 24/7 operation and maintenance, error recovery, scheduling, coordination, and program management.

Results: SCi’s technology consulting team operated a secure, reliable mission critical system that permitted the SBA to process, issue, and service small business and disaster loans in accordance with federal goals. Our team supported the full-lifecycle of all the direct and guaranty loan programs and investment programs, and the accounting that corresponded to each. In the end, SBA has improved its ability to access and share information with stakeholders, respond better to customer needs, and adapt to changing business needs.

Challenge: A Fortune 500 company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota was in the middle of a process improvement exercise to identity and select un-improvable areas which could be addressed through either an off-the-shelf software solution or a customized application.

Solution: Select Computing, Inc.’s (SCi) management consulting team dispatched key personnel to work on-site at the client’s facility and perform several business process analysis, management, and improvement projects that would help IT managers understand their technical strengths and weaknesses. By subscribing to SCi’s CMMI Level 3 processes, and applying select techniques from industry methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma, our process consultants systematically progressed through overlapping projects within an accelerated schedule.

Results: SCi’s process consultants helped our client reduce costs and cycle times, improve quality, and most importantly, identify process-based business functions that were eligible for software automation, in part or full. We also helped our client evolve its understanding of how particular processes align to their business goals and metrics, customer desires and needs, and product development and management.