A Case Study in Advancing Innovation in Building, Delivering and Managing Software

Integrated Software Metrics, Inc. (ISM) is a software and services company focused on empowering its customers to manage challenges in building, delivering and managing software. ISM was established in 2003 to develop new and unique tools and services to detect, analyze and predict errors in software code. Building upon many years of experience in software validation and verification, the founders of ISM first created and introduced ISM's Predictive^™ product suite.

When ISM first came to the INNOVA Commercialization Group in 2003, the founders knew software development, inspection, validation and verification. The company also understood the predictive power of software metrics…and used that knowledge to create Predictive, its first product line. Predictive allows software developers, project managers and quality assurance professionals to actually predict where software defects will arise. However, ISM's small initial team and limited resources meant that it needed some assistance in getting ISM off of the ground. That's when ISM connected with INNOVA.

INNOVA provided ISM with a combination of commercialization, start up and professional services, placed a seed capital investment in ISM and delivered entrepreneurial education programs to ISM founders. INNOVA assisted ISM in forming a strong board of advisors from the local business community. This group of business professionals served as ISM's sounding board in forming and launching the business. As the board formed, INNOVA assisted ISM with securing qualified resources to create and shape its overall business plan and strategy. ISM's founder, Mike Chapman, participated in INNOVA's FastTrac entrepreneurial education program. Ultimately, INNOVA placed a seed stage capital investment into ISM which allowed the company to complete key product developments and launch the company. Today, INNOVA continues to work with ISM as a business partner and is strongly committed to the company's success in the marketplace.

According to Chapman, chief executive officer of ISM, "INNOVA provided ISM with a comprehensive and complete approach to launching our start-up company. The INNOVA team has delivered everything from hands-on services to a seed capital investment in the company. INNOVA's investment and continued support have been a central element in our ability to get off the ground and realistically plan for the future."

Since its inception, ISM has had a strong run of success. Its customers now include companies and organizations such as Alcatel^© Chevron^© Countrywide Financial^©, GST^©, Intuit^©, Lockheed Martin^©, ManTech^©, NASA and Northrop Grumman^©. ISM's Predictive product suite has been very positively reviewed by both InfoWorld and CRN Magazine. ISM has also now introduced its InSpec product offering. InSpec is a mature and proven tool automating and managing the software review process.

ISM is strongly advancing its vision of empowering its customers to manage software challenges. Contact INNOVA to find out how your vision can be advanced.

Visit ISM at www.ismwv.com.