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24-Nov-2009

Agile Development Enables World's First Internet Data Safe

Zuhlke has developed the world’s first Internet data safe for data banking experts DSwiss
using an agile approach.

The service, www.datainherit.com, a Rich Internet Application, is a solution that enables users to store documents, data and passwords in a safe and secure manner, which they can access anytime, anywhere via the Internet. In addition, owners can assign access rights to specific digital assets to beneficiaries. The DSwiss service has a broad appeal to both consumers and businesses, and as such needs to be intuitive to operate and to guarantee the highest levels of security. DataInherit is an application that can be used every day so must offer a user-friendly interface to meet the needs of consumers around the world, and across a large age range. Zuhlke was chosen as an expert in usability engineering and used the Adobe Flex framework to build the application. Adobe Flex achieved the best results in the evaluation of various technologies for Rich Internet Applications. The use of Flex also aided the rapid development of the application. Security is clearly of paramount importance when dealing with sensitive or confidential information, and the application underwent penetration testing, thanks – in part – to assistance from a state sponsored project offering security research from the Zürich University of Applied Sciences. In addition, the project was based on secure development principles, with developers constantly referring to the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) and Open Security Architecture (OSA) guidelines.
Using Scrum – an agile software development process – Product Owner Dr. Tobias Christen, CTO at DSwiss, determined the priorities for the project, setting out which features
should be implemented at each stage. By reassessing monthly, holding a ‘show and tell’, the team could explain accomplishments and plan the next week accordingly. This constant assessment meant that financial resources were optimally applied and the project came in on time and to budget. "We found that applying an agile development process to our project suited our need for innovation and superior usability. With strong cooperation between our R&D team and Zuhlke’s experts we were able to achieve the important goals that we set ourselves and to have launched a service that offers the highest level of security and satisfaction for our customers around the world," commented Dr. Christen.
“Businesses are beginning to realise the full potential of Rich Internet Applications,” said Dr. Wolfgang Emmerich, CEO of Zuhlke UK. “Web-based and user-friendly, RIAs provide a way to engage with customers that carries very little deployment cost. By taking the agile approach, RIA developers can mitigate the risk of delays, reduce budget overruns and achieve lower defect rates than with the conventional ‘Waterfall’ approach to software development projects.”

About Zuhlke:

Zuhlke is a leading independent technology and consultancy company focussed on providing bespoke software solutions and product innovation. We advise, develop and
integrate to efficiently deliver solutions of the highest quality. Zuhlke enables its clients to successfully implement their ideas with processes, products and services that set new
standards in reliability and performance. Over the past 40 years we have built an enviable track record and are now an internationally renowned solutions provider with development
centres in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Zuhlke is a medium sized financially sound business employing around 330 staff who have generated revenues in excess of GBP 36 Million in 2008.

About DSwiss:

DSwiss is a Swiss bank for information assets. DSwiss offers customers and partners around the world ultra-secure Internet services and long-term custody of important digital
data through our online service, www.datainherit.com. In addition to the DataInherit service, DSwiss and its partner, Zuehlke provide the DataSafe Technology to the world’s leading
financial institutions, insurance companies and the health sector DSwiss is an independent corporation with headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. For further
information, please go to www.dswiss.com.

Press contacts:

Jonathan Mathias or Flora Haslam
Johnson King PR
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7401 7968
Email: zuhlketeam@johnsonking.co.uk

Tobias Christen
Head of Technology and Operations
e-mail: tobias.christen@dswiss.com
phone: +41 44 515 11 11

Rod Cobain
Zuhlke
Tel: + 44 (0)870 777 2337
Email: rod.cobain@zuhlke.com