The Three Tiers

Here at Mentice there are three layers, or tiers, of developers. While there is some overlap between the tiers, all developers can quite easily be categorized into them. They are:

• Core Software Developers
• Development Teams
• Content Developers.

Development of software shares a resemblance to the process of building a house. Since building a house is generally more relatable, we will use it as an analogy in order to explain what part the different developers play in our processes.

Core Developers

- Building the foundation

All buildings need a foundation on which to stand. It needs to be well thought out in order to support an entire house and everything it contains. It is the same for software, and it is commonly referred to as the Software Engine, or the Core . This is the main responsibility of the Core Software Developers. They continuously update, maintain, and adjust the foundation in order to support new additions or improve older ones.

If one wishes to build a tower – the foundation of the building needs to be able to bear the weight. The same goes for software. If we want certain features – they need to be supported by the software core.

Development Teams

- Different requirements create different rooms

Once there is a solid foundation, you may start building different rooms which would be our different modules (e.g. Neuro, Iliac, or BTK). Since not all rooms or modules are used exactly the same, each room is customized to fit the user’s needs. For instance, a kitchen has different requirements than a living room; water lines for a sink, gas lines for a stove, etc. In our software this would be that devices used in the Aorta behave very differently from those used in the tiny brain vessels.

Creating a room that suits all the needs and wants of the end user is the responsibility of the Development teams. These developers both need a strong understanding of what the foundation can support, as well as know the features and functionalities of the module. They design the software to be customized specifically towards the intended use and equip it with all the desired utilities.

Content Developers

- Custom made interior design for each room

Aiding the Development teams is the third and last tier - the Content developers. They paint the walls, put up the furniture and assist in the finishing touches of a room. What this means for our software is that they create anatomies, visualize devices, and create case logics. Essentially they assist in adding substance, but rarely make drastic changes to a module.

Modules for tailored training needs

- Customized prefab homes

Once a room or module is finished, the Content Developers can also create what is called branding projects. This is where they copy a finished room, repaint and refurnish it in order to better suit a different user. For instance, they can take one of our Generic modules and assist a customer in creating a tailored training course with custom made anatomies, varying training objectives, and interactive cases.

Once the house is built and all the paint is dried, development hands it over to our marketing and service teams. They show the house for sale or help you move back in to a renovation, because your uncle is too lazy to help you on his day off. Perhaps the analogy has gone too far, but we hope this gives you a slight insight to what our development process is like.

Thank you for reading,

 The Mentice Developers 

Watch one of our latest development or read more on The Radiation Safety Trainer