Writing software might be the new rocket science, having (in many cases) become almost as sophisticated as the devices that operate the programs. And in a world where injecting convenience into complexity to create efficiency is an extremely valuable tool, a Scranton-based company is poised to revolutionize the way software developers work.
Hydro4GE has developed what it bills as the most effective and efficient system on the market for developing and maintaining web-based applications. The company's system shortens the traditional software development lifecycle by eliminating low-level coding and unit testing. The company's Fourth Generation Platform as a Service is the key, which automatically constructs the end-user application based on a data architecture that the developer creates. Hydro4GE makes it clear it is not to be confused with rapid prototyping tools, bur rather enhances application design by further automating code construction, which can be tedious and error-prone.
Hydro4GE is an offshoot of Archbald-based Software Engineering Associates (SEA) and the brainchild of that company's co-founder Geoff Speicher. Speicher and a team of academic talent throughout the region, mostly from The University of Scranton, contributed the product, which has roots dating back to 2000 when SEA was doing small Web application design. Over time, it went from a proprietary IT system of SEA to a software engine with a variety of commercial applications. The new company was formed in late 2008 and soon moved into the Scranton Enterprise Center business incubator.
The company also earned funding from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA to complete product beta testing, licensing documentation and branding necessary for the full release of Hydro4GE's new Online Development Environment (ODE) software tool. Hydro4GE has also received support and input from the area's technology and business leaders like Luzerne County IT director Steve Englot and Great Valley Technology Associates leader Chris Haran. With so many talented hands perfecting such a powerful tool, it seems like only a matter of time before Hydro4GE is making software developers' lives easier.