At SYNAXIOM, we have proudly served the software needs of our clients for nearly 20 years. As we approach our 20th anniversary in January 2025, we reflect on our growth from a company dedicated to bespoke software development to a product vendor with our flagship software, NIVOMAX. This evolution happened gradually as we shifted our focus to meet broader objectives and deliver more value to our customers.

We understand the importance of continuity and want to reassure our clients that we will continue to support all legacy projects until their end of life. Simultaneously, we encourage our customers to transition to NIVOMAX where applicable, as it represents the next generation of our software solutions. NIVOMAX has matured into a robust product used by thousands of users, and we are committed to ensuring that our clients experience a seamless and beneficial transition.

The Traditional Custom Development Model

In the past, our clients approached us with specific requirements, and we developed software precisely to those specifications. This model allowed clients to have significant control over the development roadmap, release dates, and the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) process. Each project was unique, and the software was designed to meet the exact needs of the client, offering a tailored solution.

The Transition to a Product Vendor

Our transition to a product vendor model with NIVOMAX has brought a broader objective to our software development. Rather than creating individual custom solutions, we now focus on delivering a robust, versatile product that can meet the needs of a wide range of users. This shift offers several advantages:

• Consistent Quality and Reliability: By developing a commercial off-the-shelf product, we ensure that all users benefit from the same high standards of quality and reliability. Regular updates and improvements are rolled out universally, ensuring that everyone has access to the latest features and enhancements.
• Cost Efficiency: The subscription-based licensing model allows clients to access NIVOMAX at a fraction of the cost of developing custom software. This model spreads the cost of development across multiple users, making it more affordable for everyone.
• Faster Implementation: With a ready-to-use product like NIVOMAX, clients can implement the software much faster than waiting for a custom solution to be developed. This reduces the time to value and allows users to start benefiting from the software immediately.
• Ongoing Support and Updates: Our product-centric approach ensures continuous support and updates. Clients receive regular software updates, new features, and improvements without the need for additional development projects.

The Change in Engagement Model

The shift to a product vendor model also changes how we engage with our clients. While some clients may be accustomed to having complete control over the software development roadmap, the commercial product approach requires a different mindset:

• Shared Roadmap: As a commercial product, NIVOMAX is designed by our teams with input from a broad user base. While we welcome feedback and suggestions, the development roadmap is managed by SYNAXIOM to ensure that the product meets the needs of all users.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT): In the context of NIVOMAX, UAT is crucial for identifying and resolving functionality issues before a release goes into production. When we provide a pre-production or CI copy for customers to perform UAT, it is intended for familiarizing them with the feature, its workings, and any limitations. It is not meant to be an approval or failure against specific requirements, workflows, or functionalities that the customer or end user had in mind.
• Feature Management: For clients who choose to exclude certain features, service charges may apply to remove and adjust the functionality in their customized distribution. This option should be exercised only if the feature’s implementation causes a detrimental effect on end users.

Bespoke Heritage in a Commercial Product

Even though NIVOMAX is an off-the-shelf commercial product at its core, we have not entirely lost our bespoke heritage. The nature of an Interactive Electronic Technical Publication (IETP) platform requires a degree of customization, and we offer many such options. Each client’s licensed copy can be tailored to fully consume their specific data, include unique encryption keys, and feature the selective inclusion of their brand logo. This allows our clients’ distributions to be distinct and easily identifiable.

Managing Expectations

To ensure a smooth transition and clear understanding, it’s important to manage expectations effectively. Clients used to the bespoke software development model must adapt to the new engagement model associated with a commercial product like NIVOMAX. Here are some key points to consider:

• Development Control: In the bespoke model, clients had significant control over every aspect of development, including specific features and timelines. With NIVOMAX, while we value client feedback, the overall development roadmap is determined by SYNAXIOM to align with the needs of a broad user base. Clients should expect regular updates and improvements based on a collective set of priorities.
• Feature Approval: Custom development allowed for feature-by-feature approval based on individual client requirements. For NIVOMAX, UAT is designed to familiarize clients with new features and their limitations. It is not a process for approving or rejecting features based on specific custom requirements but rather for ensuring functionality within the broader context of the product.
• Issue Reporting: In a bespoke model, clients could dictate immediate fixes and changes. With a commercial product, issue reporting follows a structured process where feedback is reviewed and prioritized based on impact and feasibility. This ensures that updates benefit the maximum number of users.
• Cost Implications: Custom solutions often came with flexible cost structures tied to specific client demands. The subscription model for NIVOMAX offers predictable, cost-effective pricing, though customization beyond the standard product may involve additional costs.
• Documentation and Training: To facilitate the transition, we provide comprehensive documentation and training resources. These materials help clients understand the new processes, how to effectively perform UAT, and the best practices for providing feedback and reporting issues.

The Benefits of a Commercial Product

Using a commercial off-the-shelf product like NIVOMAX offers numerous benefits over custom-made software:

• Flexibility and Scalability: NIVOMAX is designed to be flexible and scalable, meeting the needs of various customers and user groups within the industry.
• Ongoing Innovation: With dedicated development teams, NIVOMAX continually evolves, incorporating the latest technological advancements and user feedback.
• Reduced Risk: A well-established product like NIVOMAX undergoes extensive testing and validation, reducing the risk of bugs and issues in production environments. Additionally, in the bespoke model, customers were responsible for engaging the development company to make required updates, which could be costly and introduce risks. In our product vendor model, we provide all necessary updates, including security patches, as part of the license, significantly reducing both software stability and security risks.

Conclusion

The transition from custom software development to a product vendor model marks a significant milestone for SYNAXIOM. NIVOMAX represents our commitment to delivering high-quality, versatile software that meets the needs of a diverse user base. We believe that this shift offers substantial benefits to our clients, providing a reliable, cost-effective solution that is continually enhanced and supported. Furthermore, our bespoke heritage ensures that each client can have a customized distribution of NIVOMAX tailored to their specific needs.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with you and are excited about the future of NIVOMAX. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for being a valued customer.