By Brad Powell

One of Axiaware's credit union clients recently found itself facing an uncomfortable reality: While the loan origination system this credit union had relied on for many years was still getting basic tasks done, the basics were no longer good enough. 

The system could process loans, create reports, run approval queues and accomplish the other functions a traditional financial institution needed. But it wasn't as efficient as it needed to be, and it didn't integrate with other platforms very well. And at the same time, the system's front end – the elements that members and customer service staffers used every day – was not up to modern standards. 

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By Brad Powell

You can get relationship advice nearly everywhere these days, it seems. And now I will be offering it at Agile 2014 on July 29 in Orlando.

agile2014 orlandoIt won't be that kind of relationship advice. My session focuses on Agile service providers and their prospects and customers. Negotiating the start of such a relationship can be tricky, so I believe it's best to approach it a little bit like we approach dating.

If you're attending Agile 2014, I'd love it if you came to the talk. It is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29 at 9 a.m. in the Naples room. Here's a longer desscription of the session:

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By Brad Powell

From the time we take our first quiz in school, we learn that success often requires us to come up with the right answer.

Sometimes, however, it's not about the answer. Instead, success can depend on asking the right question.

That is certainly the case when it comes time to choose a technology partner for your next development project. It is a crucial decision, determining which company will be working side by side with yours for an extended period of time, building systems that your customers and staff will depend on well beyond the development period.

To make the right choice, you need to ask good questions. To help you do that, I've listed five key questions for potential technology partners — the kinds of questions I hope a potential client will ask me before we start work together:

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