How To Choose The Ideal Cloud Service Model For Your Business

Over the years Cloud computing has evolved drastically and is becoming the primary source for computing. What this implies is the adaptability of your business to fit within the cloud model.

If you miss out on it, your business will be left behind, especially on the technology front. Today, technology is a necessity, and next to impossible to avoid getting involved in.

As soon as you register for a cloud service model like SaaS, IaaS, or Paas, you can increase the number of possibilities, bringing in flexibility and efficiency that encourages business growth. An overall cloud platform like InfinCE will always be useful especially when looking for a seamless approach of power when running an efficient business in a secure environment.

With a steady adoption of cloud services, businesses have had the opportunity to discover how to implement them into their entire range of operations. Application development with cloud computing is an extensive process, but it is a flexible and affordable way to incorporate the cloud service models.

Having said that, there are many additional leading programs and models within the information technology industry now in competition for cloud service delivery.

Alongside the incorporation of Cloud Adoption, there are 3 major advantages to it, and here they are:

1. Scalability

Each cloud service allows for efficient scaling up and down of the computing resources to allow for adjustments.

2. Affordability

You will pay significantly less for a cloud service because it eliminates extra costs that come with any upgrades or maintenance that may occur.

3. Security

By registering for a cloud service, you are agreeing to make your data more secure by using industry grade security protocols.

If you have ever thought about the future of your business and making it more compelling, then cloud is the way to go. The next question is, which cloud computing service will fit your specific business requirements?

The 3 types of cloud service models and their benefits are:

Each model has its own collection of benefits that will serve the requirements of multiple businesses. Making the choice of one, requires a solid understanding of each cloud model, evaluating your requirements, and knowing how the chosen model will deliver the specific set of workflows.

1. SaaS

Otherwise known as ‘Software as a Service’ is the model that is specific to quick access for cloud-based web applications. The vendor will control the whole computing stack, which is accessible through a web browser. All of these applications operate through the cloud on a paid licensed subscription or free limited access.

A few examples of SaaS include the Google G Suite, Microsoft Office 365, Dropbox, etc.  

Benefits of SaaS include affordability, it’s available anywhere and it’s ready to use immediately. You should opt-in for SaaS because transferring information and scheduling meetings are made easier. However, SaaS is more geared toward small-scale businesses that don’t necessarily have the resources to afford on-premises hardware.

2. IaaS

Known as ‘Infrastructure as a Service’ a model offering a virtual arrangement of computing resources on the cloud. An IaaS will provide you an array of computing infrastructures like storage, servers, networking hardware with maintenance, and support.

A few examples of IaaS include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Compute Engine.

Benefits of IaaS include minimal costs, upgraded scalability, and easy deployment. Opting in to IaaS gives you the most flexibility out of all the cloud models, as well as it is the best option when it comes to IT hardware infrastructure. It is the correct option for you if your business requires control for the hardware infrastructure like in managing and customizing for your requirements.

The downside to IaaS is it is the most expensive of SaaS and PaaS.

 3. PaaS

Is known as ‘Platform as a Service’ a model that offers a cloud base where you can develop, test, and organize the various applications for your business.

By incorporating PaaS into your applications, it makes the process easier for enterprise software development. It allows for a virtual runtime environment for a preferred space when developing or testing applications.

A few examples of PaaS include Google App Engine, and AWS Elastic Beanstalk.

Benefits of PaaS include minimal development time, support for multiple programming languages, and increased collaboration. PaaS is the preferred option if your project requires multiple developers and vendors. Incorporating PaaS allows you to easily customize applications while it leases all the important computing and networking resources.

PaaS simplifies the process for app development, which then minimizes the organizational costs.

In short, every Cloud Service Model has their benefits, SaaS works best for cloud-based email, CRM, or productivity, IaaS works best if you want a virtual computing base, and PaaS is best for development and software testing.

If you have any additional questions or want to get started with cloud service models, reach out to one of our experts at ISU Corp!

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO THE AGILE AUTOMATED BUILD PROCESS

Have you ever thought about the steps it takes to create and deploy the code for a custom application?

Especially now since we want more and more automated, the step-by-step process has become increasingly more popular.

Here are the 5 steps for an Automate Build Process:

1. Write and upload pieces of Code

When our programmers are busy creating your customized application on their own computer, that is not properly executed, because what happens if the system crashes? There have been too many instances previously where work has been lost or almost lost forever.

To prevent this from happening, we get our programmers to upload the code regularly to a central source for a code repository. It’s basically a holding zone or database for our code.

2. Analyze the Code for Issues

With the code being in the database, we can then check-in for any common issues. There are many tools that can make that happen, based on the programming language used. Commonly we use JS Hint, FxCop, and Code Duplication Checkers.

We like scanners because they are an automatic way to continuously monitor the code before it is deployed.

3. Consolidate the code into one file

Once the code has been scanned, we will consolidate it. In this step, we will change the programmer’s commands to something that functions with your desktop, mobile device, or browser. We can also utilize scripts to help create the database tables, test data, and stored procedures.

4. Run automation tests

Conclusively, we are now ready for the automated tests. When working with a website application, scripts load the browser automatically and will land on a specific page. With the automated tests, we will test how things work on that page.

There are hundreds of automated tests for each specific application. The overall application quality exponentially improves when the automation tests are run daily.

5. Report any problems

With anything, there can be hiccups that arise. However, when an automated test detects a problem, the development team will receive immediate notification and will efficiently repair it. 

The result of this is essentially bug-free code throughout the entire development process.

When tests are done manually to detect new issues, we will develop a new automated test exclusively for that issue.

Selenium is our preferred software testing structure for easy user interface automated tests.

With the automated build process, the biggest thing coming from it is quick problem-solving. Incorporating this process so frequently results in a significantly reduced time that is required to go back and discover where the problems have occurred from.

This allows us to dedicate our time and resources to developing new and pre-existing features further. While also providing you with an inexpensive option when it comes to choosing a problem-solving method.

We hope this gave you a better understanding of the automated build process. If you have any further questions or want to get started reach out to one of our experts at ISU Corp!

THE FUTURE OF SKYPE IN BUSINESSES

Skype has been the communication method of choice for businesses all over for many years. However, in 2017 it was announced by Microsoft that they were going to transition to using Microsoft Teams. The overall goal of this transition is to eventually replace Skype for Business completely. The definitive end-date to retire Skype for Business is July 31, 2021.    

From the way they announced Microsoft Teams eventually taking over, the future of Skype for Business has been uncertain especially to our loyal customers, which have brought questions to the table like “how will this affect them.”

The first step in the future of Skype for Business is Microsoft will onboard any and all new Office 365 customers directly to Teams for chat, meetings, and calling capabilities. By doing this, it will not affect any of the current Skype for Business Online customers, they will still have the ability to use the service until the retirement date.

Okay, but why is Microsoft switching from Skype for Business to Teams?

In short, Microsoft saw an opportunity to provide organizations with a consolidated program for their teamwork. There have been various updates to the Teams platform that will replace Skype for Business and that will combine the critical business communication capabilities of Skype. Capabilities like the collaboration tools, app integrations, and file storage and sharing of Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft Teams is a modern Cloud infrastructure, and it will allow for new experiences for meetings and calling opportunities. By doing this, it will make for better use of the user’s valuable time.

What does this transition mean for existing Office 365 customers?

If you are a current Office 365 customer using Skype for Business and Teams, you’ll notice that Microsoft will be integrating new voice, video, and meeting capabilities to the Teams platform. Some of these changes may have already occurred.

How long will it take to fully upgrade my organization to Teams?

Ultimately, that will be based on your specific business needs. This is because there is no end-of-support date set by Microsoft at this time, and the future of Skype for Business is still fluid, meaning that you can choose when and how you want to migrate your organization to Teams.

Microsoft is however encouraging customers to begin using Teams independently or simultaneously with Skype for Business.

Should I do anything to prepare for the upgrade to Teams?

Definitely start out with simultaneously using Teams with Skype for Business, to get used to the Teams platform. When you’re ready to fully move to Teams, Microsoft has developed two main upgrade paths to help ease the transition.

Upgrade Basic

Designed for smaller organizations who only use Skype for Business Online for chat and meetings. This is an accelerated action plan for transitioning to Teams. With this plan, it includes core activities and resources that are designed with the intention you’ll be upgrading your entire organization at once. In a timeframe of around 30-45 days.

Upgrade Pro

Designed for larger organizations, or those with a more complex deployment of Skype for Business. This is a more prolonged upgrade plan, which offers more details for every step as well as the planning resources. The timeframe of this plan is between 120-150 days.

It is recommended when preparing to upgrade to Teams, you consider both these upgrade paths to determine which one better fits your organizational needs. Our experts can help you explore your options and decide the correct action plan.

Now, what will happen after my users upgrade to Teams?

In the beginning months, your administrators will have access to a “Teams Only” mode within your Office 365 Admin Portal. To wrap up the upgrade to Teams, you will be required to enable Teams only for each of your users.

When you do this, a number of things will happen including:

• The Skype for Business client will be disabled for use, and all calls and messages will be through Teams. However, any business meetings that were scheduled through Skype before transitioning will still operate through Skype for Business.

• Any new meetings scheduled on Outlook will be through Teams

• Any attempts to sign in to Skype for Business, a notification will be sent, saying that they’ve been upgraded to Teams.

• Users will then need to manually uninstall the Skype for Business Client for their devices

One of the most popular questions asked is if Teams are compatible with Phone System and Calling plans? And yes, it is, Microsoft has integrated a phone system and calling abilities to Teams.

If you need more help with the transition from Skype to Teams, Microsoft has developed a lot of content for helping companies switch. Including a “Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams Capabilities Roadmap.”

If you still have questions, reach out to one of our experts at ISU Corp and we can give you an in-depth introduction to the transition.