Indra is again awarded level 5 CMMI certification for its Software engineering

Indra, the leading consulting and technology multinational in Spain and one of the biggest in Europe and Latin America, has again been awarded level 5 CMMI certification for its software engineering, representing the highest maturity level rating. The evaluation was conducted on the in-house developed IGEA (Geographic Enterprise Application) solution, a geographic information system (GIS) that optimizes network and critical activity management for companies operating in all industries via the real time representation of thousands of objects. IGEA was already awarded the maximum CMMI maturity level in 2011.

The rating earned by the technology multinational based on the CMMI model, run by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a global benchmark in the assessment of quality and best practices in software engineering and development, represents new recognition for Indra's permanent commitment to quality as a driver of excellence and sustainability. Just 7% of CMMI certified companies worldwide have achieved level 5 certification, a figure which dips to just 3.7% of certified companies in Spain.

This maximum CMMI rating was earned for the development, maintenance and optimization of the IGEA product, which is used in Indra solutions deployed to clients in a broad range of markets and industries - utilities, telecommunications, infrastructure, defense and environment -, meaning the solution creates exponential value for the company and its clients.

Level 5 deployment ensures the greatest possible stability and productivity for the solution, with practically nil errors. The ongoing improvement of the product via constant innovation means measurable optimization of the technology and processes, as well as greater client satisfaction, which has been demonstrated via satisfaction surveys.

A highly qualified team of Indra specialists is in charge of maintaining the maximum CMMI rating. Every three years a small group of inspectors authorized to measure such high maturity levels conducts a review on the adequacy of Indra's software engineering with respect to the maximum maturity model, with the subsequent result subject to an audit by the SEI.

One of the most positive aspects identified during the recent formal evaluation was the use of tools from Indra's Mind suite, which provides support to the entire software lifecycle, from requisite management to software delivery, and significantly facilitated the IGEA assessment. Using the full range of Mind tools offers benefits such as recording all software development and evolution activities, automating indicator calculation and obtaining productivity measurements.

Developed at Indra's Software Labs, IGEA has now been deployed to more than 30 major domestic and international clients, addressing their geographic (GIS), graphic and alphanumeric requirements, while being adaptable to a range of uses. The solution supports graphic and geographic representation in two and three dimensions based on various data sources, with one key benefit being its capacity to represent thousands of objects with response times that allow the requirements of critical systems to be addressed in real time. Based on a collection of easily configurable software components and developed using open standards, IGEA can easily be integrated with third party products.

Commitment to excellence

This recognition is the result of Indra's sustained commitment to quality, innovation and the continuous improvement of processes and products, as well as the firm's quantitative management to ensure a full understanding of processes and the ability to predict and control their behavior.

The certification also demonstrates that Indra's procedures are conducive to optimal project management and staff training, while its engineering techniques guarantee outstanding quality in its software solutions and services.

The importance of quality as a differentiating factor, generating a competitive advantage and ensuring the sustainability of companies is demonstrated by constant growth in the number of companies certified via models such as the CMMI, which has now conducted more than 8,500 evaluations the world over. Spain holds the top spot in Europe and has risen to fourth worldwide in the number of evaluations performed, according to SEI figures. The reports reveals that a total of 294 organizations have been evaluated under the CMMI model, 74 more than in 2011.

The CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration), run by the SEI, is the world's foremost certification model. It evaluates the software creation process and ensures continuous improvement, driving maturity and quality, as well as optimizing procedures.

Indra, chaired by Javier Monzón, is one of the world's largest consultancy and technology multinationals, a leader in Europe and Latin America and is expanding in other emerging economies. Innovation is the cornerstone of its business, which is highly focussed on the customer and on sustainability. The multinational is one of the leaders in its sector in Europe in terms of investment in R&D and innovation, having invested more than €570M in the last three years. With sales approaching €3,000 million, it employs 43,000 professional and has customers in 138 countries.