Business

Biggest Challenges for CTOs in 2023

Digital transformation has reached a pace that’s increasingly made the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) position more significant. I mean, if you consider the prevalence of technology in business today, it makes sense that those responsible for overseeing all technology-related matters within the company would carry a burden. 

Nonetheless, the contribution of CTOs and technology managers is indispensable in enhancing a company's competitiveness through innovation and optimizing workflows. The question is; What daily obstacles do these new technology experts currently confront, and what hurdles lie ahead in the months to come?

The effects of the pandemic have acted as a catalyst for digital transformation. Companies that once viewed the adoption of new technologies as a novelty found themselves abruptly transitioning their operations into the digital realm. Now, as the journey of digital transformation advances, CTOs encounter a set of new challenges in 2023. Here are the top 5 obstacles they are currently navigating:

Big Data

As businesses continue to digitize their operations, the volume of data they generate daily grows exponentially. Handling this data influx is a significant challenge, demanding a meticulously crafted strategy and a specialized infrastructure. The primary goal of initiatives in this realm is to ensure the efficient and secure internal movement and curation of data. 

Managing the Big Data landscape efficiently poses big advantages for the company, whether that’s through reduced operational expenses or more streamlined processes. Naturally, this is another facet that falls under the purview of the Chief Technology Officer, working in collaboration with the IT department.

Ongoing Advancement of IT Infrastructure

Closely intertwined with most of the challenges we’re looking at is the perpetual evolution of the IT infrastructure itself, a huge responsibility of CTOs. To ensure the organization's sustained growth, you have to establish a comprehensive strategy for expanding the infrastructure well in advance, thus laying the groundwork for what’s to come, both in terms of cost and operational efficiency. Equally important is preparing the team for what’s to come, fostering an awareness that continual adjustments and enhancements are on the horizon, all implemented for the collective benefit of the organization (It’s a mistake more common than you’d think).

The Digital Transformation Blueprint

For CTOs, particularly when they're new to an organization, a key challenge is formulating a digital transformation strategy. In the daily tasks of technology managers, this process of devising and subsequently executing the strategy takes center stage. What we looked at with the pandemic shifting workflows online, is something today that’s multiplied and is now a factor that everybody in a company needs to be trained on. So how does a CTO navigate this?

Well, they’ll need to conduct a thorough analysis, set goals for the team, formulate a strategy, and then create a process that can be broken down into elements, which only then can be rolled out into the organization. Simple, not easy. As much as the CTO needs to have a clear vision behind the initiatives, they more importantly need to ensure the team is aligned with that vision, and that the benefits encapsulate the whole company. 

Identifying Marketable Talent

By 2031, the IT labour market in the United States alone is expecting to add more than 680,000 new jobs. The IT industry has always found it difficult to find talent that’s keeping up with trends and that can quickly be brought on to the team. To be clear it's not merely about filling job openings; it's about sourcing talent capable of adapting and excelling in a rapidly changing environment. Because of this, CTOs have to be proactive and implement measures to attract and retain marketable talent.

For a CTO, this can be difficult to balance with everything in the industry they need to keep up with and the trends they need to stay on top of. 

Safeguarding Data and Systems

Ensuring the security of IT systems and data stands is one of the most formidable challenges facing organizations worldwide. Cyberattacks happen about once every 40 seconds nowadays, companies today are in a perpetual battle against potential data breaches, which are exacerbated by the escalating activities and ingenuity of hackers and cybercriminals. “Human error” tends to compound these threats.

How Can CTOs Get The Most Out of Their Team in 2023?

The answer to this question starts with a simple note: Be a leader. CTOs play a pivotal role in spearheading initiatives that drive innovation. Whether it’s leading the creation of new products and services, or internal architectures to optimize output, the team's alignment starts with you. Especially when it comes to AI, CTOs are at the forefront of ensuring successful adoption within their company, which ultimately dictates their longevity.

Beyond technological advancements, CTOs are supposed to be building a strong employer brand by encouraging engagement within the tech community, sponsoring events, and promoting engineering thought leadership, thereby attracting and retaining top talent in this competitive tech landscape.

The Takeaway

We know that leadership is hard without the right support, especially with the demands of the tech landscape today. We work with companies that have in-house teams and those who need external expertise if they’re looking to scale their business dramatically within less than a year. Talk to us today to find out what we can do for you!

Written By Ben Brown

ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.

 
 

Approaches and Difficulties in Transitioning ASP.NET Applications to .NET Core 7

The introduction of .NET Core 7 has ushered in a host of enhancements and features, prompting numerous organizations to contemplate the upgrade of their current ASP.NET applications to this iteration.

Consequently, the migration journey has a range of tactics but also comes with numerous obstacles that development firms must surmount to accomplish a seamless transition.

In this piece, we’ll look at the distinctions in architecture between ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core, dissect the transformative alterations that developers may encounter during the migration process, and even highlight the reasons compelling developers to embrace this shift.

The Architectural Contrasts Between ASP.NET and .NET Core

Though the syntax and programming model are somewhat alike, ASP.NET and .NET Core differ significantly in their underlying architecture. ASP.NET Core stands as a versatile, modular, and lightweight open-source framework, renowned for its performance and scalability.

In contrast to ASP.NET's heavy reliance on System.Web.dll and its close integration with IIS, ASP.NET Core generally adopts the Kestrel web server and boasts the flexibility to be hosted on diverse platforms, including macOS and Linux.

ASP.NET Core applications can also leverage IIS, specifically on Windows systems, unlocking advantages such as Kernel Mode Windows Authentication and direct file transmission. 

Another key distinction is the middleware pipeline. In ASP.NET Core, this pipeline is fully customizable, empowering developers to fine-tune individual middleware components according to their specific needs.

Converting Web Forms

Trying to convert ASP.NET Web Forms applications which are closely integrated with System.Web.dll and rely on IIS, into ASP.NET Core is a common pain point. To complete this migration, you’ll need a full-scale redevelopment of the application within the ASP.NET Core framework. This will take your time and money fast, especially if you don’t give it enough attention, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve got an experienced team on your side. 

To address this issue, you’ll want to pinpoint the most important parts of the application and prioritize their conversion. Another way you could solve it is by separating the business logic and other various aspects from the Web Forms pages, streamlining the code within the pages and simplifying the migration

URI Decoding Differences

ASP.NET Core and ASP.NET Framework have differences in URI decoding. In ASP.NET Core, when decoding %2F, the entire path is unescaped except for %2F itself, since converting it to '/' would alter the path structure. For that reason, it can only be decoded after splitting the path into segments. 

As Microsoft outlined, to get the HttpRequest value.Url in ASP.NET Core 7, you should use "new Uri(this.AspNetCoreHttpRequest.GetEncodedUrl());" to prevent the Uri from misinterpreting the values. This is necessary to handle URI decoding discrepancies between the two frameworks.

Transition Strategies for Migrating ASP.NET Applications to .NET Core 7

The migration of ASP.NET applications to .NET introduces several challenges. Here’s how they can be solved:

1) Validate Integration Tests Involving Application Layer Protocols:

During the migration process, you’ll want to execute integration tests to validate the continued functionality of application layer protocols like HTTP or FTP. These tests help uncover any compatibility issues that might arise because of changes in the underlying framework or libraries. For instance, when migrating HTTP-based APIs, rigorous testing should cover endpoint functionality, request handling, and response formats. Similarly, for applications employing FTP for file transfers, integration tests should confirm the seamless operation of file uploads and downloads.

2) Choose the Appropriate Migration Approach within the Development Process:

When thinking about migrating to .NET Core, development teams have two primary options:

  • Slice-by-Slice Migration: Dividing the application into smaller slices, each incrementally migrated. It’s a gradual transition and simplifies the problem-solving process.

  • Layer-by-Layer Migration: In this method, entire application layers are migrated one at a time. It’s good for applications with minimal interdependencies and well-defined layers. 

Choosing between these approaches depends on how complex your project is, how proficient the team is, and the organization's risk tolerance. In some cases, a hybrid approach combining both methods may expedite the migration process.

3) Refactor the Application in the Current Development Branch:

Before migration, it’s best to refactor the application within the current development branch. This involves code cleanup, the removal of deprecated APIs, and addressing design flaws. 

4) Keep the Code Structure for Branch Comparisons:

Maintaining the application's code structure throughout development is essential for streamlining the migration process. This makes it easy to identify issues that stem from code changes. Developers can leverage version control practices to create feature branches aligned with the existing code structure, facilitating tracking and review before merging into the main branch.

5) Thoroughly Test the Migration Across Various Dimensions:

Comprehensive testing is paramount during the migration process, encompassing:

  • Performance Testing: Evaluate application performance under a range of workloads to confirm it meets performance expectations post-migration.

  • User Acceptance Testing: Have stakeholders validate the application's behaviour from their perspective, aligning the migrated application with business objectives and user expectations.

  • Integration Testing: Assess the interaction between different components to detect issues arising from changes in interdependencies.

  • Unit Testing: Validate individual components to ensure their functionality remains intact.

The Takeaway

Moving to .NET Core 7 is one part of a major evolution in the world of web development. While there are a ton of benefits for those undergoing the transition, it demands careful planning, skilled development teams, and a systematic approach to overcome the challenges. By following the outlined strategies and best practices, businesses can migrate successfully, ultimately reaping the rewards of a more modern and adaptable development framework.

Written By Ben Brown

ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.

 
 

Introducing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot: The Next-Generation AI for Business Applications

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot is a new AI-powered feature that brings the next gen of AI and natural language processing to Dynamics 365. This is a direct byproduct of Microsoft's acquisition of OpenAI, which, since then, they have been working together on various AI projects. 

Copilot is based on the same language-learning model as ChatGPT, and It’s designed to work alongside businesses to help them create ideas and content faster. It does so by handling tedious tasks, providing insights, and the next best steps just by the user describing what’s needed. Copilot is the world’s first AI copilot natively built-in to both CRM and ERP applications.

Copilot uses natural language processing to understand what the user is trying to accomplish and provides suggestions and recommendations based on that understanding. Copilot works across all Dynamics 365 applications, including Sales, Customer Service, Field Service, Finance, Supply Chain Management, and Commerce.

3 Key Features of Copilot:

  • Natural Language Processing: Copilot uses NLP to understand what the user is trying to accomplish and then gives suggestions and recommendations based on that understanding.

  • Contextual Answers: Copilot in Dynamics 365 Customer Service is an awesome tool for agents. Copilot drafts contextual answers to queries in both chat and email, as well as providing an interactive chat experience over knowledge bases and case history so this AI-powered expertise is always available. 

  • AI-Assisted Content: Copilot in Dynamics 365 Sales helps sellers with customer follow-up by generating AI-assisted content and recommendations, such as contextual emails based on the customer’s interests and preferences.

How Developers Can Use Copilot

With its machine-learning algorithms, Copilot has a lot to offer to developers, specifically when it comes to coding. Copilot works well with JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Ruby, and Go, and it can analyze code - and then provide suggestions for the next line. That’s still just surface level, this is a more in-depth look at what Copilot can do:

Documentation:

  • It can create code comments, write a function or class descriptions, and explain code segments.

  • Developers can ask Copilot to generate documentation for specific functions, classes, or code blocks, saving them time in the long run. 

Troubleshooting:

  • When developers encounter issues or error messages, Copilot can help with troubleshooting. It will give suggestions for debugging, recommend potential solutions, and explain the more common programming errors.

  • Developers can also describe the problem they're facing, and Copilot can guide them on how to address it.

Code Formatting:

  • Copilot can help developers adhere to the guidelines for standards and formatting. It will suggest things like formatting options, style improvements, and best practices.

  • Developers can use Copilot to automatically format their code or make it consistent with their preferred coding style.

Code Review:

  • During code reviews, Copilot helps by suggesting improvements and identifying potential issues, and even offering alternative coding approaches.

  • Developers can work with Copilot to make sure the code quality meets the standards.

Code Snippets:

  • Copilot can supply code examples and snippets for common programming tasks, algorithms, and even libraries. Developers can request code samples for specific functionalities, which inevitably will save them the effort of searching for examples online.

Integrations:

  • Developers can integrate Copilot into their preferred development environments, such as code editors or integrated development environments (IDEs). This allows them to access Copilot's assistance seamlessly while coding.

Customization:

  • Developers may have the option to customize Copilot's behavior and preferences based on their specific coding requirements and coding standards.

Learning:

  • Developers, especially those learning to code or exploring new languages, can use Copilot as a learning tool. It’ll provide explanations, code samples, and insights into programming concepts.

Use Cases

Microsoft claims that more than 63,000 organizations have used Copilot's AI features, the draw is that it can integrate AI and ML across business functions. The reason a company would turn to Copilot in 2023 is because this is where the potential to normalize AI lies for Microsoft users. 

Imagine the Chat GPT responsiveness integrated into every form of customer service, sales, informational sessions, email chains, supply chain management, and operations. When people say “AI will take over”, the underlying fear there is that it’s going to increase productivity and innovation to a point people couldn’t even conceive. 

The Takeaway

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot represents a significant leap in the integration of AI and natural language processing within business applications. Copilot is engineered to empower businesses by streamlining processes, which can either paint it as a public enemy or a trusted ally, depending on how it's embraced and leveraged.

Written By Ben Brown

ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.