Press Release

ThoughtWorks announces [omio.com]

19 Nov 2007 - ThoughtWorks develops TrafficBroker's mobile comparison site in time for Christmas rush
Opportunity for mobile retailers to tailor deals online to attract target users

London, UK - 12 November 2007 - ThoughtWorks, a global IT consultancy, today announced the successful development and launch of [www.omio.com] - a new comparison website for mobile phones and services from TrafficBroker. Built from the ground up in just 50 days, TrafficBroker worked with consultants from ThoughtWorks to build one of the UK's first applications of its kind using Ruby on Rails.

The strategic projects group within TrafficBroker spotted a gap in the market for a comparison website to facilitate navigation of the vast array of mobile phones and price plans available online to UK consumers. ThoughtWorks was brought in to support the company in building a user-centric foundation site (that could collate all of that data together) with a stable platform for further development in the future.

"We chose to work with ThoughtWorks not only because they had the relevant skills but also the flexible approach required for such a project. ThoughtWorks integrated quickly with our in-house team, bringing in a multidisciplinary team with relevant skills at each stage of the project." said Matt Wheeler, concept designer and project manager of [www.omio.com] "Crucially, we needed to work with a team who had experience with Ruby on Rails, and who we trusted could actually deliver in the required timescales."

"There was a significant time pressure on the development and launch of the site, which had to go live early in November to enable TrafficBroker to take advantage of the significant spending increase online before Christmas," said Roger Marlow, client principal for ThoughtWorks. "Time constraint was a major challenge, however we were actually able to deliver more than the agreed scope of work in advance of the launch, following test releases of the site to about 100 users at the start of October." Marlow continues, "although built rapidly, the site has a low defect rate and has been designed and tested to support a very high throughput."

Using an AJAX interface, users can filter the packages down to a shortlist that best matches their needs. The site runs on Linux and is hosted by EngineYard, a Rails-only hosting provider. CSV downloaded feeds are pushed into a mySQL database to drive the information to the user. Developed in Ruby on Rails, ThoughtWorks' CruiseControl integration and deployment tool was used for continuous integration, whilst the Selenium web applications test tool was used for automated user interface tests through the browser.

About ThoughtWorks

ThoughtWorks, Inc. ([www.thoughtworks.com]) is a global IT consultancy providing systems development, consulting, and transformation services to Global 1000 companies. The company's pioneering approach, which includes industry-acclaimed Agile and Lean best practices, helps CIOs maximise investment performance across a portfolio of complex, business critical applications, while reducing time and risk. In 2006 ThoughtWorks Studios was founded, to create software products based on the best practices established during the company's history. ThoughtWorks' 800 professionals serve clients from offices in Australia, Canada, China, India, the United Kingdom and the United States.

For further information, please contact:
Sam Routley
MS&L for ThoughtWorks
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 3137 / 3198
sam.harrisingh@mslpr.co.uk

Katy White
ThoughtWorks
Tel: +44 (0)20 7497 4500
kwhite@thoughtworks.com