Agile Cloud Indicating The Next IT Model Shift

Remarkable developments in the IT sector have created a vibrant business environment worldwide. Improvement in fields like virtualization and consolidation has promoted the IT growth rate to a level that is unprecedented. However, to make the most of these favorable IT advancements, human advancement is vital to create a win-win situation both for consumers and producers. Cloud computing can be quite effective in terms of achieving this common goal, through reduction of complexity in the IT mechanism. If applied properly, it can create a shared environment and can help any business organization, small or large, save time and space.

Advantages of Cloud Computing in Business

'Cloud computing is a better way to run a business' - This is how SalesForce.com, one of the most notable cloud service providers, described the emerging IT trend. It may sound like a slimy sales pitch to you if you don't consider the 'Say No to Software' symbol in the website of SalesForce.

In short, cloud computing is a chance for businesses to operate applications through a shared information center. It gives organizations an edge over the ones that use conventional software development methods, such as Oracle and Microsoft, which have too many processes like installations, testing and failovers. Cloud computing, on the other hand, is fast and effective. Here are some of the major benefits of cloud computing.

1.     It doesn't require any software or hardware (other than access to a browser)
2.     It follows a simple process, facilitating faster integration with different business solutions
3.     It's allows quick operations and reduces chances of failovers
4.     It creates a flexible IT environment, where solutions can be customized as per specific requirements of any business with ease
5.     It helps in obtaining maximum utilization of resources

With all these advantages, cloud computing is steadily becoming accepted among organizations around the world. In fact, some businesses are limiting their IT infrastructure in order to keep in tune with the settings of Cloud computing, as reported by SalesForce.com.

The Lean-Agile Approach

Lean and Agile are two major production techniques, used widely in businesses. The Lean approach originated from the production methodology of Toyota, post World War II. It's a biological process stressing mainly on:

•     Producing only what is required
•     Removing irrelevant things that does not contribute value
•     Discontinuing production when something is wrong

The Agile approach has contributed exponentially to the developments in the software industry. In this process, software is built in parts and is tested individually before proceeding further. The purpose of using this method is to build an immediate feedback loop between the creators and the users. However, use of the Lean method has become more extensive than the Agile method after 2008. As a result, a new trend that combines both the methodologies emerged. The need for this amalgamation rose primarily due to certain drawbacks in the Agile methods. The Agile method skips any discussion regarding the process of organizing stability of software between different wings of the business. The Lean process can be quite useful in terms of dealing with this. It breaks down development tasks into smaller streams, so that the output of one stream can create the next value stream. Therefore, this combination enables to create a more process-oriented approach to software development; thus, yielding better results.

The Waterfall Approach

The Waterfall Approach has been quite effective for developing software since 1970, when it was first introduced. The method is combination of various steps. The first stage is, understanding the requirements of the customer. To achieve success in this stage, it is important to communicate with clients. The next stage is to design and implement ideas. This is followed by an evaluation process. The phenomenal success of the Waterfall method has been due to the following benefits it has to offer:

1.     Potential changes can be easily recognized
2.     Development can be facilitated even in a large team
3.     The budget can be easily chalked out, as the process defines stages clearly
4.     Time and energy is saved due to the linear approach

Because of its impeccable track record, the Waterfall method has been able to outdo other methodologies of its time, including the incremental and spiral approaches. However, there are some pitfalls to the method as well. The effect of these drawbacks can go all the way to hamper the growth of the software industry. Its name itself is symbolic of its biggest shortcoming. Much like when the water crosses the edge it cannot retreat, similarly if a fault has been overlooked in a stage, it cannot be corrected.

Agile in Cloud Computing Environment

There is a lot of similarity in the approaches of Agile and cloud services towards application development. The Cloud approach is well known for delivering end-to-end services in application development. Likewise, the Agile method focuses on the requirements of end users. In order to achieve this goal, the Agile method breaks down the task in small parts. This facilitates detail orientation. Planning, developing and testing of each segment is done individually, which helps to remove bottlenecks in the process and maintain high quality standards. Moreover, the Agile process focuses on building a two-way beneficial environment for developers and end users. This creates ample scope to obtain and implement feedbacks as well as make the required changes at every stage.

A highly interactive environment can be created for developers as well as users by integrating Agile and Cloud. Once the developers start utilizing the cloud service, the users are instantly able to review it and give feedbacks on the process. Therefore, stages like patch installations and distributions can be eradicated, which eventually helps in saving time and energy of the organization. One of the leaders in IT consulting and technology outsourcing services, Capgemini, conducted a survey in 2010 in order to measure industry trends regarding incorporation of Agile process in cloud computing.

This study which was conducted by CapGemini in collaboration with HP on around 30,000 quality assurance managers, cloud experts, engineers, and IT managers, employed across leading firms in Asia, North America, and Europe. According to study, as much as 60% of the organizations that participated in the survey are likely to incorporate Agile methods as a part of operations for upcoming cloud projects and services. Some key advantages of integrating Agile with cloud computing are:

•     Improvement in the quality of application
•     Maximum utilization of available resources
•     Lower time to market
•     More cost effective

Jonathan Rende, the Vice President and General Manager, Business Technology Optimization Applications, Software and Solutions, HP says 'IT providers are facing intense pressure to develop new applications that provide competitive edge, bring greater efficiency and generate measurable results.'

Agile and Cloud Computing Integration: The Best of Both Worlds

Cloud computing has become a buzzword in the software industry. The immense benefits of the cloud technology have even forced Microsoft to invest heavily in enterprise cloud solutions. However, combining cloud computing with the Agile methodology can be even more rewarding, helping make the best of both worlds. If you hire a cloud computing expert for your business, it is necessary to enquire about their know-how of the Agile process as well. Knowledge on Agile is very essential to achieve the optimal results with application development.

As noted by the founder and CEO of Cyrus Innovation (an Agile consultation company), Bruce Eckfeldt, 'The greatest strength of Agile methodology is that it is self-adaptive'. This is why having someone on board who is experienced with both cloud and Agile methodologies can be a great boon for any business. The cloud technology is experiencing a dynamic paradigm shift, and the cloud technology is gradually becoming more demand-focused.

It is time for application developers in the barcoding, mobility and point-of-sale space to adopt these new approaches to application development if they intend to remain relevant in the future.

The Major Uses of Fibre-Optic Technology

The advantages of fibre-optic technology are well known. It is cost-efficient and flexible as well. The risk of signal interference is virtually non-existent. These advantages have made this technology a preferred choice for many industries. Learn where and how it is used.

Telecommunications

Undoubtedly, the fibre-optic technology has many applications in telecommunications. It is used for telephone communication and for connecting the computers within a network. It is preferred for its better performance and for providing more bandwidth.

It is really easy to see the difference between the optic and other systems. When you have a telephone conversation with someone on the other side of the Atlantic, you will hear echo if the phones are connected via satellite. There is no interference when the signal is carried by the transatlantic optic cables.

Medicine

The fibre-optic technology is used in medicine for both examination and treatments. The endoscope is a device which is based on this technology. It is used for the examination of the internal organs of the body. It is very thin and light and creates minimum discomfort for the patient while producing high-quality images at a super high speed.

The laparoscope is another extremely valuable medical tool based on this technology. It uses a thin optical cable which enables the doctor to have a clear view of the formations which have to be removed during a surgery without having to make a big cut of the abdominal or pelvic area of the patient. The cut is tiny and this speeds up the recovery time greatly.

Mechanical Applications

In mechanics, this technology is also used for inspecting the internal parts of machines which are virtually impossible to get to without complex and time-consuming disassembly. Typically, the tools which are based on this technology are used for producing images of the welding of the pipes and engines of airplanes, space shuttles and cars. They help to save time, effort and money and to ensure the highest levels of performance and security as well.

Transportation

The transportation systems are getting smarter because of the fibre-optic technology used in them. This technology helps for automatic traffic lights, message signs and even tollbooths. The fibres are used in the high-speed electric trains as well. They are the transmission medium for controlling the switching of power semiconductors within the convertors of the electrical motors.

Last, but not least, the fibre-optic technology is now extensively used by the military thanks to the high effectiveness and high security which it offers. It is used in radar systems and missile launchers.

Five Important Trends of Custom Enterprise Mobile Application Development

But the trends are now going to expand to transcend geographical boundaries for management of mobile products and other applications.

1) BYOD along with CYOD

Many large companies have implemented BYOD (Bring your own device) policy, which has enabled several mobile workers to work on their own device. The requisite software is then provided by the enterprise. The mobile device ecosystem is quite fragmented which has becoming increasingly difficult for companies to be uniform in usage.

Hence CYOD instead of BYOD is soon getting the wind where one can choose a device from a mobile ecosystem. CYOD is useful to lessen complications of device management too.

2) Access and Identity Management

Identification and authentication is important since it helps in keeping company's data secured. Companies will need to focus on three things:

    Define privacy policies related to device usage
    Single user sign in with different login credentials
    Controlled access according to employee designation

Privacy concerns can be lessened with efficient access and identity management.

3) Enterprise-focused App Development

Enterprise app development is going to change soon, since the needs and requirements will be spelled out much better than last year. Now the focus will be on having applications, which are specific to the requirements.

Enterprise-focused apps will help in better work efficiency of employees and in delivering awesome user experience. Enterprises are sure to increase adoption and securing the most popular productivity apps.

4) Cloud Security
There is no escaping the cloud computing risks involved in terms of protection of enterprise data. This is the prime reason why many companies have not jumped the bandwagon for cloud-based services. But collaborative environment demands the need of cloud technology with mobility. Enterprises can share files, retrieve data and store documents over the cloud.

Use of the cloud on top along with cloud will only add to the complexity of the IT systems which means that securing cloud technology would be first and foremost in enterprise mobility strategy for 2014. Some companies are expected to have personal clouds for their internal use, which in turn will be integrated with enterprise clouds with maximum-security features and attributes.

5) Managed Mobility Services

Non-IT enterprises are trying to make sense of mobility features whereas IT companies will be willing to up the ante in terms of smart mobility. It would be difficult for both types of companies to do everything and innovating at the same time to stay ahead of the curve. Non-It companies would have to bank on veteran IT enterprises, which are the forerunners in bringing new trends to the fore since their expansion and growth will hinge on newness and innovation.

With enterprise mobility solutions on the scene, IT companies have to gear up to prove their worth. Managed mobility services are bound to be the target of most IT firms. Even SAP and Accenture will be keen to provide relevant services.

Android Watch Phone - The Perfect Wearable Device?

For many of us, the perfect wearable device should be one that fits in nicely and has a number of useful features. True, the Google Glass is one of the best wearabale devices ever produced. The Google Glass is useful and you can wear it like a spectacle and do quite a number of cool things with it.

However is the Android watch phone far behind? Is this Android device the perfect wearable device? To answer this question fairly, one would have to ask what all qualities should a perfect wearable device have?

The basics

Any device in the modern age, first of all, has to possess some exciting features. Simply put, any device should not only have what people expect from it but also some other special features too. Now, what would you expect from an Android watch phone? Maybe you expect it to have the capability to run some Google Play store apps, since it is Android. Maybe you expect it to perform the function of a 'phone', since it is called a watch phone. The Android watch phone fulfils its basic expectations admirably. Most of these devices have Android version 2.2. They have a talk-time of around five hours or more, which makes it a practical device. It also has a standby time of five days. It looks very presentable - most of these watch phones have two volume buttons on the left and a menu and power button on the other side, leaving the top surface smooth and sleek.

The extras

You might want the device to have a few add-ons that are not its basic features. The Android watch phone has all the features you could possible think of - camera, mp 3 audio recorder, mp4 video player, Bluetooth capabilities, built-in speaker and mike, expandable memory, internal GPS antenna that supports satellite navigation, a Wi-Fi Web Browser, and a lot more Thus the Android watch phone incorporates every feature you could desire from a mini portable wearable device.

Competition

Finally, the perfect wearable device should hold its own against its competitors. The device does this handsomely. Most devices we have seen in the past, do not actually fulfil the expectations that arise from their name. The Sony 'Live-view' device for example, is just a bluetooth accessory. The 6th Generation iPod Nano can be worn as a watch, but what lets it down are its limitations - you are not allowed to upload your own watch-faces, and there is no wireless capability, which makes it impossible to tell the correct time except when it is connected to a PC running iTunes.

No wonder, the Android watch phone can be called the perfect wearable device. Google Glass is undoubtedly a great werabale device but does not have the variety an Android watch phone offers.

Benefits of Cloud Backup Services

Every business owner or manager knows just how important it is to backup essential data and when a business relies on technology to contact clients and providers, intermediate communication and store files, then almost all data is essential for business, which makes backup services critical. Cloud backup refers to protecting data by storing it on a remote, online storage space, called broadly a cloud. A recent study has shown that a high percentage of small and medium sized businesses still experience data loss because they use direct attached storage, instead of cloud services. Data loss may be crucial to a business and many small companies never recover after such an event, reason for which it is important to research one's options when it comes to storage and data backup and find the many benefits that come with cloud computing and backup, as there are quite many of them.

First of all, cloud backup services offer you improved protection for your data, ensuring that all data is recoverable. This is possible due to advanced encryption and security technologies that lay at the basis of cloud based data backup. As small or even medium sized businesses don't have a rich IT budget, affordability is important to them and cloud services provide very low total cost of ownership. Cloud storage and backup is highly affordable and subscription prices are usually for full year lengths, which means expense predictability, another important advantage for small to medium size companies. Another important benefit of cloud services is represented by ease of use, as such services offer anytime, anywhere type of access. Furthermore, with cloud based data, you will be able to enjoy user friendly interfaces and easy to use web based management systems. Minimal maintenance is necessary for those devices that are used for data synchronization to the cloud. Due to this great convenience, cloud based solutions are fast to implement, which is yet another important advantage. In a matter of minutes, business can enjoy deployment of data and simple setup and configuration. Ongoing management is not the only aspect that offers such a convenience, as the restoration process is also very simple.

The most important benefit of cloud backup is perhaps its high level of flexibility. As businesses grow or experience decreases, their IT needs change, but cloud based storages are highly scalable and can increase or decrease their capacity fast and easy, depending on your exact needs. If you resort to cloud services, you will also be able to save money on energy, as you won't require large server rooms and power consumption. Clouds are perfect for businesses with green IT initiatives. The bottom line is that cloud based backup services are automatic, simple and cheap, presenting increased protection for business data, all the advantages that any company would want from a backup service. It is definitely an alternative worth considering for small to medium sized companies.

Understanding The LED Module

A light emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor component that allows current to pass in only one direction. When current is applied, the LED emits light. The module is usually used in creating portable lighting.

Some of the applications of the module are: night lights, outdoor lighting, headlamps, flashlights, book lights, and multiple bulb units. In all of these applications the module emits bright light from a very small bulb.

Traditionally, light bulbs make light when the filament is heated by electricity. This means that if the filament ceases to function the bulb does not give light.

LED bulbs usually don't have a filament and instead have electrified semiconductors. There are a number of materials that can be used as semiconductors.

The most amazing thing is that the material used as the semiconductor element is the one that determines the color of the light given out.

Some of the popular materials used as semiconductors are: aluminum gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP) which gives orange, yellow, and red color. There is also indium gallium nitride (InGaN) that gives blue and white color.

Advantages of the modules

There a number of benefits that come with LED modules. One advantage is that the module has a longer lifespan. The manufactures say that the devices have a lifespan of 50,000 hours which means that you save a lot of money since you don't have to keep on buying the devices every now and then.

The other advantage is that the devices require just small amount of power to work; therefore, you spend less on your electricity. The reason why they require just small amount of power is because their efficiency is very high.

Another advantage of the modules is that they can be used on a number of applications. For example, they can be used in house lighting, glowing ice cubes, color-changing wands, and in LED-lit sunglasses.

The modules can also be used in mugs, faux candles, and in different types of jewelry; therefore, regardless of the type of application that you have, you will most definitely get a LED bulb to use.

Cons of the modules

Although, the devices are very effective in reducing the cost of operation, they tend to be expensive to purchase; therefore, many people are unable to afford them especially if they want to install a lot of lighting.

The good side is that there are many governments and organizations that offer financial incentives to people who want to install the lighting

The Best Way to Get the Word Out About an App

There's a lot that goes into developing an app that most people aren't aware of. Sure, your app needs to work well, aid numerous people and have zero flaws, but you also have to make sure you market it correctly. Just because you created an app and it's available online to purchase, doesn't mean it's going to be successful. Instead, you have to make sure that your targeted users get a hold of it. Similar to website owners who have to employ content marketing and SEO strategies, app designers have to use ASO, or "App Store Optimization" to get the word out about their baby. Take a look at some tips for doing this:

1.     Write out a detailed description that will get everyone's attention: The last thing you want is to have a short description that tells potential buyers absolutely nothing. Why would they want to spend money on something that they have no idea how to use? Typically, your description should be around 3 or 4 sentences long, telling the public the perks of this app, what it includes and why they can't live without it.
2.     Make sure your release date is accurate: Your original release date is the day that you sent your app in to be considered for the App Store. Once it's accepted, it takes a few days to actually appear in the App Store. That's why when it eventually does show up in the App Store, you need to edit the release date. This way it gets onto the "New Apps" list, so more people can see it exists.
3.     Create some free versions: Of course, you want to make a profit, so you charge for your app. However, if you want to see your sales go up, you should come up with a free "lite" version of the app. This ends up letting potential buyers understand your app a little more and see how it works before making the decision to buy it.
4.     Send out press releases: To get the word out about your app, you should put together some kind of press release and send it out to all of the major press outlets in your field. That means searching for blogs and any other kind of publications that are relevant to your cause. In your press release, you should tell them a little bit about your app, inviting them to try it for free and then review it. Remember, any publicity is good publicity.
5.     Promote yourself on social media: In today's world, social media is key, so use it to get the word out about your app. Whether you use YouTube, Twitter or Facebook, this will help your app make its mark online, while connecting with your targeted users.
6.     Advertise your app: Like when you're trying to promote any product, advertising is crucial. Since everything is very digital today, it's best to do this online through relevant sites that you think your targeted users would go on.

The next time you create an app, remember it takes more work than just brainstorming it. You need to put an internet marketing plan into effect to make it a success.