Founded in 1992 by MIT alum, Practical Computer Applications, Inc. (PCA) focuses its consulting practice on just one thing: designing and developing the database application engines that fuel American business.   Located in Waltham, MA (Boston 128 Technology Corridor), we a nationally-recognized custom database application consulting and design firm.  Our Clients represent a broad range of industries and line-of-business applications, and they share a high expectation for the quality of our work (and little tolerance for less than exceptional results).

PCA employs 20+ top professionals in their field -- business and industry analysts, application design and development professionals, project managers, application testing and deployment engineers -- and each devotes all of his or her time and talent to achieving excellent outcomes within the complex application design and development practice  PCA Capabilities Brief (PDF).  PCA is a Gold-Certified Microsoft Business Partner.  PCA engineering professionals have fulfilled all of the requirements, and are active in the following Microsoft Solutions Specializations and Competencies:

A Record of Success 

PCA maintains an impressive list of highly satisfied Clients -- some approach PCA to solve a single, particularly difficult challenge, while others continue to rely on PCA expertise to expand upon systems that we designed 10 years ago -- to keep pace with changing/growing business needs.    We are happy to put you in touch with our existing Clients, as they speak best about their experience working with PCA.

Unparalleled Talent

Our success is due to our people, and PCA employs some of the top application design and development engineers in the Boston area.  PCA prides itself on a talent pool as deep as any IT consulting firm in the country.   The culture at PCA fosters challenging the status quo, and innovating beyond what most consider good-enough.  Each engineer at PCA is fully accountable to our Clients success, from the start.  We pay top salaries and bonuses based upon Company performance, and each professional at PCA is fully invested in our unique model and stands ready to handle your big-stakes Project.

The Will to Win

At PCA, we approach each Project as if the life-blood of our Client's business depends upon Project success (because it often does!).  Our methodologies, tools, processes -- everything that we do -- is designed for accuracy and agility, and to achieve the most successful result possible.  At PCA, we view difficult challenges as opportunities to help our Client, and we will tackle the most complex of issues with talent, focus and perseverance. 

A Unique Perspective

PCA has designed and built literally hundreds of custom line-of-business Smart Client applications for businesses in every market and application segment.   Our professionals have a uniquely broad perspective.  We thrive on variety, flexibility, and creativity.  Clients appreciate the many insights that our broad experience brings. "I think that’s how they keep their tools sharp," says one.   

Lean & Mean Structure

As a business, we are lean, focused and un-leveraged, with senior business and engineering professionals on every Client Project.  We rely on creativity and efficiency for profit, not leveraging under-experienced, under-paid resources.  We limit Client teams to the minimum essential personnel necessary to insure the highest possible levels of Client knowledge, project continuity and accountability.   When it comes to software, fewer people very often translates into better, tighter solutions that are more cost-effective to maintain.   After 16 years in business, we know what we need – and we can tell the difference between what is valuable, and what is just a waste of time and money.