Onset Development

Web Engineering and Construction

Onset Development is a software development and systems operations company consisting of an agile network of developers and engineers who take pride in crafting useful software and solutions using open-source technology. We bring experience, integrity and creativity to the design and construction of modern web applications.

  • Web and Mobile Design and Development
  • Systems/Web integration
  • Content Management Systems
  • e-commerce development
  • Managed Web Hosting
  • Systems operations and management

We also work with a number of marketing and branding agencies, providing development, systems administration and consulting services. We craft the strong technical solutions needed to realize a unique creative vision.

Recent Work

About Us

Agile and Results-oriented

We advocate for and practice a pragmatic Agile Development process.

"Agile" is a term that gets thrown around a lot, and has come to mean different things to different people. We believe that there is a core set of practices that are key to a successful process:

  1. Each line of code is tested (automated and repeatable tests to verify functionality)
  2. Short, iterative development cycles
  3. Periodic standups and retrospectives
  4. Frequent client/stakeholder involvement and feedback

Done properly, an agile process results in working, useful designs and software. Perhaps more importantly, it fosters a constructive, ongoing relationship between end-users, clients, designers and developers.

Flexible Workflow

We are always happy to work based on fixed-bid proposals, especially when the relationship is new, or a client must know the exact spend in advance for budgetary or other reasons.

We are even happier working under contracts where the work to be done is specified on an ongoing, iterative basis (of course, this aligns nicely with the Agile methods outlined above). This is a model that maximizes efficiency and adaptability, because all development is done with a specific, immediate goal at hand - and that goal is always set and approved in collaboration with the stakeholder.

We use web-based planning and feature/issue tracking tools on every project. In all cases we hope and expect clients will act as a involved stakeholder throughout the development cycle, collaborating in setting goals, priorities and specifications.

Principled Partnership

When considering any partner or vendor in your business, you have every right to consider your degree of trust. That's why we feel it is important to plainly state a few basic principles here - we hope you agree.

We:

  • Conduct all work in an ethical, conscientious manner meriting the respect of colleagues, clients, and the public.
  • Advance knowledge and appreciation of our profession and seek to educate when appropriate.
  • Respect and abide by copyright and property rights, while encouraging sharing.
  • Recommend the use of open-source software and standards-based development.
  • Contribute back to the open-source community whenever possible.
  • Abide by all applicable laws with regard to the operation of our business.
  • Safeguard all confidential information or documents entrusted to us.
  • Use all appropriate and reasonable industry-standard best practices for data protection and security.
  • Complete and invoice all services in a professional and timely manner.
  • Offer equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, religion, sex, creed, age, disability, or national origin.

Tools of the Trade

In any tradecraft, there is a balance to be struck between keeping up with all the latest developments and shiny new tech in the field, and developing deep expertise with proven, reliable tools. Here are some of the brand-spankin-new and tried-and-true that we like:

Stepping Ahead

In business since 2004, Onset is now primarily a web-development firm that not only boasts considerable in-house expertise, but can also draw on many trusted friends and partners to bring the full range of skills and talent to any project, from visual design to SEO, and from boutique intranet apps to heroic-scale database deployments.

Our clients have consisted of established companies and startups, sole proprietors and public corporations, as well as non-profits, and state and municipal agencies.

We also enjoy partnering with media, advertising and branding agencies to help bring creative ideas to life.