Visual Studio users get agile programming link

26.10.2006
Fall 2006 release of its agile software development platform features a plug-in for users of the Microsoft Visual Studio environment.

V1: Agile Enterprise provides application lifecycle management for software development projects utilizing agile methodologies. The Fall 2006 edition is being announced next week.

"This version was primarily about extending out to additional users," with the Visual Studio plug-in for Windows developers serving as an example of that, said Robert Holler, CEO of VersionOne. The plug-in enables Windows developers to view and update VersionOne assets without leaving Visual Studio. The company expects to add a plug-in for the Eclipse IDE next year, but so far has not had a lot of demand for it, Holler said.

The Fall 2006 edition also offers highlights in the areas of reporting and API extensibility. Additionally, it implements AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) for improved responsiveness. Customizable page configurations are featured as well, along with bolstered resource planning capabilities.

Project and program summary reports have been added to provide executive-level summaries of current status and insight into key metrics, VersionOne said. Also, the release offers the capability to better understand trends and workloads that impact resource planning.

Support is featured for agile methodologies such as Scrum, XP (Extreme Programming), DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method), and AgileUp. With agile methodologies, software is delivered in quick iterations as opposed to lengthy processes.

VersionOne competes with in the agile management space, but VersionOne believes it offers a greater breadth of reports for metrics such as velocity charts to measure team progress, Holler said. VersionOne's installed base is about 2,000 teams of developers, Holler said. The company recently took a survey that found that agile now is being championed by managers and executives instead of just developers.

V1: Agile Enterprise is available in both local, on-site, and hosted, on-demand models. Subscriptions or licensed-based pricing is available. The product is available for a subscription of US$30 per user per month or can be licensed for $500 per user plus support and maintenance. V1:Agile Team is offered as a free five-user download.