Software Improvement Group (SIG) is on the cutting edge of technology and will be able to see you personally at our Tech Job Fair in Amsterdam!
We were able to ask them some questions about their company, which they were glad to answer.
1. Who are the creators of your brand (company)? What do they do in life, what are they passionate about?
Software Improvement Group (SIG) was a spin-off in 2000 from the CWI (Dutch: Centrum voor Wiskunde en Informatica, the Center for Mathematics and Informatics). The founders were passionate about creating analysis methods to give objective insight into the quality and risks of complex software systems. They wanted to translate scientific knowledge into practically applicable services. In doing so, they created a sort of MRI scanner for software that shows which parts can be improved, thereby removing risk.
2. What’s the story behind the creation of your company? What inspired you to start your business?
In 2000, there was concern about the Millennium bug. Many software programs represented four-digit years with only the final two digits — making the year 2000 indistinguishable from 1900. The assumption was that the turn of the millennium would result in various errors which could then cause significant incidents. During this time, researchers at the CWI were finding ways of analysing such a software system to understand the impact of the millennium change. This initiated the beginning of Software Improvement Group – using scientific models to examine very complex software systems and give practical advice on how to mitigate the risks.
3.What’s your current view on the market you work in? What makes you feel like your brand stands out?
Software is eating the world. Software systems are critical in every organisation, whether it’s a governmental organisation digitising its voting system or a bank automating dispute cash backs. Altogether, the complete software ecosystem of a single company can consist of hundreds of systems built with millions of lines of code in various programming languages. This can make changes or innovation a risky business. Digitisation started in the early ’60s, but did you know that many enterprises are still depending on software code that was written back then? Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of all these technologies is vital in creating a roadmap for the future. This is where SIG comes in: we start with analysing and understanding software code, figuring out the risks and opportunities based on those facts, and then continue to help advise and coach our customers on to get to their desired state of software quality and processes. Everything aimed at creating a better, safer and healthier technology for a brighter future.
4. What’s the thing that you appreciate/value/cherish more about what you do as a brand?
SIG has the only software lab in the world that is accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025 for software quality analysis. This is actually the same accreditation held by a blood-testing lab, for example, which means that we have developed a methodology that can analyse the quality of code objectively and compare it against our global benchmark. On top of that, we have brilliant management consultants, who can map the results of the software lab to the business goals a customer might have. They can then explain to both business and technology leaders how they can drive their organisational objectives by fundamentally improving the health and security of their software applications.
5. Do you have a special story of something unique you did for a client? Something unusual you did as a team, something memorable you’d like to share?
We have a lot of cool stories! You can find them here on our website. We’re all super proud to work for SIG based on the fact that by analysing code, we can identify and quantify hidden risks that can have a massive impact not only on companies – but also on society. For example, think about how you make digital payments, do your tax declarations or even set your car on autopilot… all of this is controlled by software! So you can imagine the impact we make as a team in creating a safer and healthier digital world.
6. What’s your company culture like? What is that you want to represent?
SIG has an open, warm and approachable culture, where knowledge sharing is vital to our development. Our organisational structure is relatively flat, and it’s crucial to us all that we inspire each other. That’s why we’ve always made a point to come together as a company every Friday for snacks, drinks, sport, catching up and idea sharing.
7. What is your team like? How do you work?
Collaboration is part of our DNA here at SIG. We’re a very collaborative group here, spanning teams and departments. All this comes with a lot of fun and laughs, as we all enjoy learning from each other.
8. What kind of people are you looking for? Who’s the best match for your team?
We are looking for people who are not afraid to challenge themselves, like to learn and develop in their skills. Show strong analytical skills, comes from a technical background and enjoy technology.
9. What benefits and perks do you offer your employees? What’s the biggest plus of working for you?
Friday level-ups with beer & wine, regular sailing and sport outings, a Company band, and free fresh fruit.
10. What are your goals and plans for the future? What’s your biggest ambition?
SIG’s mission is ‘Getting Software Right’. Of course, we cannot do this by ourselves and we need to extend our reach if we want to have a global impact. This is exactly what we are gearing up for today: to increase our reach tomorrow and impact more countries, businesses and systems. To enable our vision of a global awareness and standard on software quality, SIG is currently investing in expansion of its consulting practice to other countries and continents, in tooling to support our clients and to build partnerships that will carry the word of quality software to the far reaches of the IT space. We are actively working with both government and industry parties to get the IT business to a higher level. Although we will continue doing this in the best way we know, through consultancy, SIG will increase its reach through offering software products and training on an ever-increasing international basis of operations.
Make sure you don’t miss this amazing opportunity! Remember, Software Improvement Group is coming to our Tech Job Fair in Amsterdam! Bring your CVs! You might get the job you’ve been dreaming of at this event! Good luck!
For more updates about SIG, you may follow them on Twitter and LinkedIn. See you there!
