MIPS Project Detail:
Company
Company Description:
vCalc is an online, crowd-sourced calculating encyclopedia (wiki) with over 12,000 free, online calculators. The company’s information comes from engineers, university professors, students from around the world, and anyone else that chooses to contribute. In addition to accessing the database of calculators and formulas, users are also able to create and contribute their own equations for personal or public use.
MIPS Project
vCalc
Project #
5321
|
MIPS Round
53
|
Starting Date:
Feb 2014
MIPS Project Challenge:
vCalc was developing an online library of calculators and equations. For its first MIPS project, the company sought expertise to identify the mathematics needed for a strong set of classes, catalog those equations with strong references in a requirements document, and implement the mathematics identified into vCalc.
Project Scope:
For its first project, the company worked with researchers at Frostburg State to determine the most frequently used math equations across many college-level disciplines. They then compiled a master list of those formulas, ordered by discipline, and added them into vCalc’s online database. Once established, the company had researchers test its platform for ease of use and to ensure all the equations had direct applicability to routine math problem solving in the university environment. A notable success in this effort is the Microeconomics Calculator and suite of business and finance formulas.
Results:
VCalc now offers 12,000 online calculators that are free to the general public and are used in over 100 countries on a regular basis. The company also acquired a $420,000 contract from Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.
Principal Investigator:
George
Rinard
Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science and Information Technologies
Project Manager:
Kurt
Heckman
President and Managing Partner
Technologies:
Software Development