Carmel, IN July 14, 2010 – Software Engineering Professionals (SEP), an employee-owned company today announced its sponsorship of Agile 2010, the leading international conference on Agile methods in software development set for Aug. 9 – 13 in Orlando, (http://agile2010.agilealliance.org). As a sponsor, SEP continues to support the growing Agile community as development, management and business stakeholders within information technology and software development gather annually to exchange ideas, experiences and best practices.

“We are pleased to have the support of SEP as we come together to examine the latest theory, practical applications and implications of Agile methods,” said Jim Newkirk, Agile 2010 conference chair for the Agile Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the advancement of Agile software development principles and practices. “Through the support of our sponsors the Agile conference continues to offer the most relevant and current content, while providing the community a forum to exchange information regarding all Agile development technologies.”

In its ninth year, Agile 2010 is the leading international conference on Agile methods in software development, bringing together many disciplines in the fields of information systems and software development to foster the exchange of fresh ideas and best practices. It provides independent software vendors, software consultants and in-house corporate development teams with the knowledge and shared experiences that lead to successful Agile programs. Agile 2010 connects attendees with the foremost leaders in the Agile domain, enriching the collective body of knowledge and influencing the line of thought in the field. It encourages debate and fosters innovative ideas based on real-world implementations for executives, managers, software development practitioners and researchers from labs and academia.

SEP has two speakers presenting at the conference. Chris Shinkle and Jim LaRue will present on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 on the Business Transformation Stage. The session titled, “From Estimate to Contract – Choosing the Right Model for Your Situation”, will discuss how to select the right model and go from estimates to a cooperative contracting model that fits specific situations.

“It’s important for SEP to get involved with organizations like the Agile Alliance,” said Kelly Wilson SEP Marketing Manager. “Agile2010 gives us the opportunity to share our experiences with consultants and companies across world , while learning from so many great thought leaders in the agile community.”

For more information and to view the presentation, please check out the information below:

Kanban practitioners commonly ask two questions: How can I reliably commit to a date using Kanban? and Is there a lack of perceived schedule pressure in Kanban? People in contracting or service environments must often make commitments to clients with specific delivery dates and cost estimates. We will explore how to make target-driven commitments when managing projects with Lean principles. In addition, we will look at ways to utilize those initial estimates to appropriately set team expectations. The session will show how this encourages innovation within the team leading to process improvements. At the same time providing leading indicators of project status without willfully holding to an unrealistic goal. Click Here to View Presentation

May 6, 2010 (INDIANAPOLIS) — Companies with strong workplace practices – rooted in respect, teamwork and good communication – were recognized on May 6, 2010 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom as the Indiana Chamber unveiled rankings for the 70 companies from throughout the state that made the 2010 Best Places to Work in Indiana list (which was released February 22).

Carmel-based Software Engineering Professionals (SEP), which develops new software systems and products for business, data and safety critical applications, topped the small to medium-sized employer category. Taking first place among large employers: Centier Bank, with more than 40 locations in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Marshall counties in Northern Indiana. For both, 2010 marked the first time in the top spot; and for SEP, this was its inaugural year participating.

The program honors the top companies in the state, as determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys. Winners were selected from two categories: small to medium-sized companies of between 25 and 249 employees (in Indiana or total nationally if there is a parent company) and large-sized companies consisting of 250 or more employees (in Indiana or total nationally if there is a parent company). Out-of-state parent companies were eligible to participate if at least 25 full-time employees are in Indiana.

The Best Companies Group handled the selection process and oversees similar programs in 19 other states.

“SEP and Centier Bank, along with all of the organizations on the list, are first-rate employers because they understand that making employees feel valued goes hand-in-hand with the success of the business,” states Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “We are pleased to acknowledge their efforts for fostering a positive and productive work environment.”

Click here to see the BizVoice® magazine feature on SEP.

At the dinner, representatives from all designated companies were presented with Best Place to Work awards of excellence. In addition to the BizVoice® magazine feature, honorees were also recognized through the statewide media resources of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick.

All companies that participated in the 2010 Best Places to Work program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment programs. For more information on the Indiana Chamber’s Best Places to Work program, go to www.bestplacestoworkIN.com. You can sign up to be notified by e-mail when application details for the sixth annual competition are announced this summer.

Jeff Gilbert, President & CEO, said “This has been a long term goal for me. We searched for many years for a way to encourage employee-ownership. After researching ESOPs and what one could mean to SEP, we knew this was the right path for us.”

Gilbert is one of the original founders of SEP. He started the company with three other Rose-Hulman graduates in 1988 and has helped build the organization as one of the Largest Software Developers in Indianapolis.

State Treasurer Richard Mourdock approved SEP’s participation in the Indiana ESOP Initiative Linked-Deposit Program. “Employee-owned companies have a proven track record of creating additional wealth for its employees, promoting entrepreneurial spirits, and boosting companies’ productivities overall, said Treasurer Mourdock. “I am pleased to see another Indiana company become more innovative during these challenging economic conditions.”

“The ESOP is an additional retirement benefit that will allow our employees to share in the growth and success of the company,” said Gilbert. “Despite the economy, we have continued to grow into emerging markets while adding new staff and expanding our benefits package.”

SEP recently was named a “2010 Best Places to Work in Indiana” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and a “2009 Top Workplace” by the Indianapolis Star. “We have always had a strong culture,” said Gilbert.”Our employees come here largely because they want to be challenged and work on projects that make a difference. We are very proud of what they do. This move further strengthens the connection between SEP and its people. We are now all in the same boat together.”

About Software Engineering Professionals:
SEP is a privately held software engineering company located in Carmel, IN. SEP collaborates with many Fortune 500 companies to develop new software systems and products for business, data and safety critical applications. They offer full lifecycle software solutions to clients in many markets including: medical, aerospace, energy, healthcare, logistics and national defense. SEP currently employs 83 employees. For more information visit www.sep.com.

Contact:
Kelly Wilson, Marketing Manager
Software Engineering Professionals
317.843.1640 ext. 2050

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“We wanted to have non-traditional ways of raising money,” said Brad Wolfe, System Administrator at SEP. “We held various events throughout the week, including a traveling cup cake cart around the office. We were amazed at how much people gave us for an iced cup cake!”

Through employee donations, fundraising lunches, cup cake sales and an auction, SEP employees donated nearly $1,900.00 to the Red Cross and SEP matched 100% of that amount for cash donations reaching $3,800.

“It is a part of SEP’s mission to ‘make our world a better place’,” said Traci Dossett, VP Operations.  “We really felt that a company match would help the Red Cross achieve its goals of helping the people of Haiti. Our employees were so generous and quick to pitch in.  I was thrilled with what we achieved in such a short time.”

Monetary donations wasn’t the only effort SEP was involved with, SEP partnered with Z-Coil in Carmel, to collect shoes for Haitians. “I heard about a local company here that was collecting shoes to send to Haiti,” said Kelly Wilson, Marketing Manager. “I knew we could get donations from our employees and their families, so I set up a shoe drive through Soles4Soles. Our employees did an amazing job and we donated over 175 PAIRS of shoes to send to Haiti.”

SEP takes pride in these efforts and looks forward to many more company sponsored events that help various organizations throughout the world.

(INDIANAPOLIS) — A total of 70 Hoosier companies from throughout the state are being honored this year as a “Best Place to Work in Indiana” for their strong workplace environment that values employees. The program, now in its fifth edition, is managed by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Forty-seven of the 70 companies received the same designation last year.  For 21 companies that made the 2010 list, it was their first time taking part in the evaluation. 

The program honors the top companies in the state, as determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys.  Winners were selected from two categories: small to medium-sized companies of between 25 and 249 employees (in Indiana or total nationally if there is a parent company) and large-sized companies consisting of 250 or more employees (in Indiana or total nationally if there is a parent company).  Out-of-state parent companies were eligible to participate if at least 25 full-time employees are in Indiana. 

The Best Companies Group, which handled the selection process, oversees similar programs in 19 other states.

“These 70 companies are among the state’s first-rate employers who take pride in creating an environment that allows workers to feel respected and be productive; they also recognize how this then helps the company be successful and reach its goals,” offers Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. 

“Considering the tough economic times of the past year-plus, it was especially encouraging to see so many Hoosier companies fitting the criteria, as well as so many new companies taking part in the evaluation.  That confidential feedback from employees is invaluable and really the most important aspect of the process.”

The actual rankings of the top Hoosier companies will be announced at the Best Places to Work awards dinner on May 6 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis. Winners will also be recognized via a special section of the Indiana Chamber’s bimonthly BizVoice® magazine and through Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick – both of which reach statewide audiences.  The 2010 Best Places to Work in Indiana awards dinner is open to the public. Individual tickets and tables are available at www.indianachamber.com.

Additionally, earlier in the day, a session on what makes a company a Best Place to Work will be featured as part of the Indiana Chamber’s 46th Annual Human Resources Conference. To register to attend this HR session, visit www.indianachamber.com.

All companies that participated in the 2010 Best Places to Work program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees.  In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment programs. 

For more information on the Indiana Chamber’s Best Places to Work program, go to www.bestplacestoworkIN.com.

The 2010 Best Places to Work in Indiana companies listed in alphabetical order, no ranking:

Large Companies (250 or more employees)
Company / Location                                                  �
AIT Laboratories / Indianapolis
American Structurepoint, Inc. / Indianapolis
Aprimo, Inc. / Indianapolis
Ash Brokerage Corporation / Fort Wayne
Blue & Co., LLC / Carmel
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company / Fort Wayne
Centier Bank / Merrillville
Clark Memorial Hospital / Jeffersonville
Colliers Turley Martin Tucker / Indianapolis
Columbus Regional Hospital /  Columbus
Crowe Horwath LLP / Indianapolis
Draper, Inc. / Spiceland
Edward Jones /  Plainfield
ExactTarget / Indianapolis
Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corp. / Fort Wayne
Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC / Indianapolis
Hancock Regional Hospital / Greenfield
Harrison College / Indianapolis
Hendricks Regional Health / Danville
Hilliard Lyons / Evansville
Hosparus Inc. / New Albany
Ice Miller LLP / Indianapolis
Interactive Intelligence, Inc. / Indianapolis
Katz, Sapper & Miller / Indianapolis
KPMG LLP / Indianapolis
M&I Bank / Indianapolis
Microsoft Corporation / Indianapolis
Ogletree Deakins Law Firm / Indianapolis
OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc. / Indianapolis
Parkview Health / Fort Wayne
RCI / Carmel
RW Armstrong / Indianapolis
Schneck Medical Center /  Seymour
Shiel Sexton Company, Inc. / Indianapolis
St. Joseph Hospital / Kokomo
St. Vincent Health, Corporate Center / Indianapolis
Teachers Credit Union / South Bend
The Capital Group Companies, Inc / Indianapolis
Trilogy Health Services, LLC / Petersburg
Turner Construction Company of Indiana, LLC / Indianapolis
Union Hospital, Inc. / Terre Haute
WestPoint Financial Group / Indianapolis

Small to Medium-sized Companies (25-249 employees)
Company / Location
Allegient, LLC / Indianapolis
Bamberger, Foreman, Oswald and Hahn, LLP / Evansville
Benefit Associates Inc. / Indianapolis
Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates, Inc. /  Evansville
Bingham McHale LLP / Indianapolis
Communications Products, Inc. / Indianapolis
Contact by Design / Bloomington
Design Collaborative, Inc. / Fort Wayne
Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union / Indianapolis
Employment Plus, Inc. / Bloomington
Energy Systems Group LLC / Newburgh
First Harrison Bank / Corydon
Fusion Alliance, Inc / Indianapolis
Gordon Marketing / Noblesville
Harding Poorman Group, Inc. / Indianapolis
Indesign / Indianapolis
Indiana Organ Procurement Organization / Indianapolis
International Medical Group, Inc. / Indianapolis
J.C. Hart Company, Inc. / Carmel
Krieg DeVault LLP/  Indianapolis
Matrix Integration, LLC / Jasper
Milestone Contractors, LP / Indianapolis
MJ Insurance, Inc / Indianapolis
Public Safety Medical / Indianapolis
Schmidt Associates / Indianapolis
Software Engineering Professionals / Carmel
Somerset CPAs / Indianapolis
United Consulting / Indianapolis

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SEP will be traveling to Rose-Hulman (February 4th) and Purdue (February 11th) to interview students interested in software engineering internship opportunities at SEP. If you are not on one of these campuses, that’s okay too! Here are the details:

SEP internships offer:
- Variety on every axis … tools, technologies, market sectors, methodologies
- Extremely reasonable work schedules
- Extensive opportunities to learn and extend yourself
- A community of friendly, talented, and effective peers
- Excellent facilities

If you are interested in an internship all resumes must be submitted by January 28, 2010 via the appropriate method listed below.  Please note: we will ask for an updated copy of your transcript during the interview.

Purdue:
Students should submit resume thru CCO.

Rose-Hulman:
Student should submit resume thru eRecruiting.

All Other Universities:
Student should submit resume via recruiting@sep.com

The video explores how Kanban teams at SEP matured through the lens of the Dreyfus Model for Skill Acquisition. Shinkle examines what this pattern has meant for institutionalization of Lean at SEP as well as a counter-intuitive technique for higher success and adoption rates of new methodologies.

Take a look: http://tiny.cc/sepagile09

The QCon Conferences are organized by the software community, for the software community. The result of these efforts is a high quality conference experience where a tremendous amount of attention and investment has gone into having the best content on the most important topics presented by the leaders in our community, staged in an intimate environment with the best food and comforts needed to support as much learning and networking as possible. The QCon conferences are taking place twice yearly, in London and San Francisco

Shinkle’s presentation at this conference gives attendees an overview of SEP’s experience adopting Agile practices. Below is the abstract from the program:

In 2004, SEP tried adopting Agile practices. However, Agile failed to have the desired lasting impact across the entire organization. Things changed in 2007, when SEP implemented Kanban for the first time. We will explore how Kanban teams at SEP matured through the lens of the Dreyfus Model for Skill Acquisition. We will examine what this pattern has meant for institutionalization of Lean in the organization. We will discuss a counterintuitive technique for higher success and adoption rates of new methodologies. Finally, we will review common pitfalls teams encountered adopting Kanban.

SEP is in the market for software engineers and test engineers. We’ve been providing custom software development and consulting services since 1988 covering all aspects of the software life cycle.

What we have to offer:

- Variety on every axis … tools, technologies, market sectors, methodologies
- Extremely reasonable work schedules
- Extensive opportunities to learn and extend yourself
- A community of friendly, talented, and effective peers
- The ability to truly make a difference with our clients and within SEP
- Opportunities to try out different roles with minimal risk
- Excellent facilities

Our ideal software engineer candidate has:

- A passion for engineering, software development, testing, and learning
- A craftsman mentality
- Professional experience with mainstream development technologies (.NET, Java, etc.)
- Excellent problem solving skills
- Effective communication skills
- Bachelors degree or higher (preferred)

Our ideal test engineer candidate has:

- A passion for engineering, testing and software
- Professional experience testing applications and systems
- Some combination of experience with automation tools, black and white box testing, ability to create test plans/scenarios/procedures
- Comfortable executing both manual and automated tests
- Experience testing safety critical systems is a plus
- Excellent problem solving skills
- Effective communication skills
- Bachelors degree or higher preferred

SEP does not offer visa sponsorship. SEP is an E.O.E/AA employer M/F/V/D.

For more information on these positions please contact recruiting@sep.com.