Mike Beaverson builds software programs, websites and databases that companies need to manage their business processes and data. Before a single line of code ever gets written, Mike stresses the importance of carefully defining the business process and requirements.

Q: What is the most important lesson you’ve ever learned on the job?

A: Don’t lose your cool. Consulting is fast moving and sometimes the pace is stressful, but if you hang in there, things work out and clients are impressed with your professionalism.

Q: What are the career highlights or marquee projects you are most proud of?

A: I led a team of four in designing and building a client-server mobile application. The app is now on iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone platforms, and allows users scheduling and one-click dialing for conference calls.

Q: What have you found to be the most unique aspect of working at SCS so far?

A: SCS stands out because it has talent in every area. Desktop development, web development, business intelligence, database management, networking and infrastructure, business analysis, and project management are all covered. That allows for flexibility and a quality product development process.

Q: As a newer member of the SCS application development team, what do you see as the most unique asset the team offers its clients?

A: The design-through-support process that SCS offers is a rarity in the industry. With strengths in every discipline, we can offer a closer-to-perfect product development process.

Q: When considering the skills across the application development practice today, which stand out as being in highest demand?

A: Web-based applications. Now that the Internet is coming in to its own as a delivery vehicle, businesses can offer their customers more to compete and succeed in the market.

Q: What is a key insight you have learned from being a developer?

A: Planning! You’ve got to know where you’re going before you leave the driveway. When there’s an urgent need, it’s tempting for developers to start building a solution quickly, but undesired behavior in an application is usually because of poor or hasty analysis.

Q: What do you see as the most important technology trends to watch right now?

A: Mobile and cloud spheres are the hot domains because connectivity and 24×7 data access boosts productivity. With mobile devices and network coverage getting better all the time, demand for these applications will continue to rise.

Q: What’s the most challenging part about developing a new application?

A: The biggest challenge is gathering all of the requirements. Designing quality software requires knowing what it must do, who’s going to use it and how. We talk to everyone who will interact with the software: from business leaders to daily users to support tech. Doing this well is where the biggest reward can be found. Delivering a product that everyone likes leaves both me and the customer feeling great.

Q: What do you love about coming to work every day?

A: The variety is really great. For example, in the past two months alone, I’ve worked on both desktop and web applications, done maintenance for a multi-platform business solution and managed a server installation. This work never gets stale.

Q: What are your top three favorite activities when not working?

A: I’m a pretty stereotypical nerd. I enjoy reading everything from philosophy to comic books. I’ve always enjoyed board and video games. And my love of kung fu recently took me to China for two weeks of training.