Agility in Action: How Custom Software Aligns with Modern Business Strategies

““It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.””

— Charles Darwin

Unlocking the Superpower of Custom Software for IT Directors, CIOs, CEOs, and Tech Decision Makers

Ladies and gentlemen, tech enthusiasts and digital daredevils, welcome to the electrifying world of Extra Nerds! We've got our capes on, our coding skills polished, and our wit honed, ready to take you on a thrilling journey into the world of custom software and how it's turning businesses into unstoppable forces of nature.

In a world where change is the only constant, agility isn't just a buzzword—it's a superpower. And, it's precisely what IT Directors, CIOs, CEOs, and other tech decision-makers need to keep their businesses ahead of the curve. So, let's talk about how custom software solutions can be your secret weapon for achieving the flexibility and adaptability your business deserves.

The Need for Speed

In today's tech-driven business landscape, speed is the name of the game. Your competitors are all jockeying for the pole position, and you can't afford to be stuck in the slow lane. That's where custom software comes to the rescue. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions that offer a one-size-fits-some approach, custom software is tailor-made for your business. It's like having a race car that's been designed just for your track.

With custom software, you can quickly adapt to changing market conditions, customer demands, and emerging technologies. Need to pivot your business model? No problem. Custom software is your pit crew, ready to make the necessary adjustments and get you back on track in record time.

Agility: Not Just for Gymnasts

Being agile in the business world doesn't mean doing somersaults or cartwheels (although that would be entertaining). It's all about being responsive and adaptable. Custom software gives you the power to react to market shifts, customer feedback, and emerging trends without breaking a sweat. It's the superhero cape you wear to ensure your business stays ahead of the game.

Consider a scenario where your company suddenly needs to support remote work due to unforeseen circumstances (we're looking at you, 2020). With custom software, you can swiftly develop and implement the tools and systems required to keep your team productive and connected, all while sipping coffee in your pajamas.

Innovate or Evaporate

The modern business landscape is a wild ride, and if you're not innovating, you're evaporating. Custom software allows you to foster a culture of innovation within your organization. You're no longer tied to the limitations of out-of-the-box software. You have the freedom to experiment, create, and develop new features and capabilities that set you apart from the competition.

This freedom to innovate can be a game-changer in industries where differentiation is key. You're not just keeping up with the trends; you're setting them. It's like being the trendsetter of the tech world—Batman's utility belt, but in the form of code.

Tailored to Perfection

Custom software is like a finely-tailored suit—made to measure. It fits your business's unique needs like a glove. Whether you're in healthcare, finance, logistics, or any other industry, custom software ensures you're equipped with the tools and capabilities necessary to excel.

Off-the-shelf software often requires you to adapt your processes to fit its limitations. Custom software does the opposite—it molds itself to your processes. It's like having an AI-powered butler that anticipates your every need and fulfills your business wishes with a snap of your fingers.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Inner Extra Nerd

In a world that demands agility, innovation, and customization, custom software is your trusted sidekick. It's the tech-savvy, witty, and incredibly talented partner you need in the ever-evolving business landscape. IT Directors, CIOs, CEOs, and tech decision-makers, it's time to embrace your inner Extra Nerd and harness the full potential of custom software solutions.

With custom software, your business can go beyond survival and thrive, adapting, innovating, and leading the way. So, suit up, power up your business with custom software, and get ready to conquer the digital world! Your competitors won't know what hit them when you unveil your secret weapon: Agility in Action.

What are the responsibilities of a Product Owner in Scrum Development?

So, we’ve talked about Agile Development, particularly Scrum  and last month we dissected the role of the Scrum Master. Now you know the duty of Scrum Master. The Product Owner then, plays a different role.

The Scrum Product Owner is basically the lynchpin of a given project.  This individual needs to have a clear understanding of what he or she needs or wants to build as well as the ability to accurately convey this end goal to the other members of the project. They do this by using a product backlog (a list of necessary features and priorities for the final product), which we will discuss in more detail below.

Of course, so far this sounds like it could be the owner of pretty much any software project. Ideally, the Scrum Product Owner needs to have a good understanding of the target users, the competition, the market, and the general dictions of the industry for which the product will be developed. These requirements vary slightly, depending on whether the product will be used commercially or for internal objectives, whether it will be software or hardware, and so on. The important take away here is that the person who takes the role of the Product Owner needs to have a vision for what is to be built and who are going to be the end users.

So, to make sure that all members of the Scrum project understand and share the Product Owner's vision, s/he typically creates a backlog: a list of important features of the product, generally prioritized. In the agile development process, the product backlog is written during the sprint planning meeting - a meeting consisting of Product Owner, Scrum Master, and the entire Agile Team. Although all members of the meeting can contribute to the backlog, it is the Product Owner job to clarify the details of the backlog items and to establish their acceptance criteria. In addition, it is their job to estimate how many sprints will be required to complete each of the backlog items.

It is important to keep in mind that the Product Owner does not specifically define when each of the backlog features will be implemented. Rather, the owner's job is to motivate the team with well-defined and achievable goals. Team members know best their abilities and can, themselves, decide during which sprints – or releasable increments - they will be able to focus on in the particular parts of the backlog.

Yet another requirement for a successful Product Owner is flexibility or adaptability. During a development process, several project aspects can change due to unexpected complexities, such as a team member’s illness, insufficient funding, or any number of external problems. For this reason, one should not treat a backlog as a fixed document and must be willing to be dynamic as the project evolves.

The only thing one should keep in mind is that any changes should preferably be implemented outside of sprints. After the team starts a sprint, the backlog really needs to stay fixed so that the team can be allowed to be focused only on the sprint goals. If the project circumstances change dramatically during the sprint, the Project Owner can end a sprint prematurely and take a different course of action.

Finally, the Product Owner has to act as an interface between the client and the Scrum Team. This means he is responsible for both communications between the client with the product developers, similar to a Project Manager, as well as having the ability to relay any Team message to the client. To achieve this successfully, the Product Owner needs to make sure he spends an appropriate amount of time with both sides of the project.

We're going to post one more blog about Scrum next month when we go into more detail about the Development Team. Join us, won't you?

What is the role of Scrum Master in Scrum Development?

Delving a bit more deeply into the world of Scrum after last month’s post about the core concepts of Agile Development, particularly Scrum, let’s talk about the Scrum Master! First, a quick review…

Most people would be familiar with the general term “scrum” as the term for a rugby huddle in which teams discuss their strategy for the next phase of the game, while wiping the blood out of their eyes. But, Scrum has taken on a new meaning to us nerds and relates to software development in case of Agile and other types of project management.

Agile software development provides a platform and a step-by-step process by which the client reviews various deliverables or features of the product being created.  Scrum comes as a helping hand in case of software development and usually refers to a protocol followed by developers where all the members working on a particular project meet up to discuss the project. Usually with less blood, however.

The team members discuss any feedback from clients and changes suggested or approved by the project manager or boss type person. Developers discuss their respective piece of the project and that which they intend to work on next.  They may also discuss any roadblocks or issues which might need attention.  This process helps in keeping the project in a live and malleable form throughout development.  The person who facilitates and in a way moderates this process is the Scrum Master.

This master need not be a team lead or anyone in managerial position, but it definitely has to be someone from the team who is technically sound and well aware of the status of the project. S/he will follow up the work status of each of the member, request updates on what has been done and that which is still pending, determine the details of any issues that require workarounds or any other issues that have arisen during the initial stages. Usually the Scrum Master will ask questions like “what did you accomplish yesterday?”, “what are you going to do today?”, and “are there any potential impediments to your continued progress?”.

The Scrum Master’s role is not rigid or even necessarily formally defined. In fact, if the paradigm allows for it, different members of the team can take turns as the Scrum Master, allowing each member to be responsible for the proceedings of the project. This can create a level of ownership unparalleled in other methodologies and makes each and every member of the team to be responsible for the final product, for better or worse.

Scrum in software is an innovative concept and has been very effective. Many software enterprises – large and small - now follow this model even for software development models other than agile development.

Stop back next week when we talk about the Product Owner in Scrum development! And feel free to peruse our website to check out our services or see what our clients have to say about our work. We can do the same for you.

What Makes Agile Software Development Better Than Waterfall?

http://mediashift.org/2014/01/the-j-school-scrum-bringing-agile-development-into-the-classroom/

One of the first decisions for every development project team is the ideal methodology to be employed in order to provide the desired result for the particular situation. This can often lead to debate.

Let’s back up for a second though to clarify what we mean by development methodology. It is essentially the process of organizing the work for a software development project. It does not necessarily involve the style of project management or a particular technical approach, but often these are interconnected.

So, back to our debate. Waterfall and Agile are the two popular frameworks often part of these discussions. Both are mature, usable methodologies, but Waterfall can best be termed a traditional approach, whereas Agile is a more specific type of Rapid Application Development (RAD), often implemented using Scrum. Scrum itself is a simple framework for team collaboration, providing an effective management and control structure for complex projects and reducing complexity, allowing the focus to be on building the software to meet client needs. And, actually, Agilists don’t call it a methodology, but more of a movement.

The Waterfall methodology uses a sequential design process and its workflow is much like manufacturing and construction processes. It has eight stages, each of which has to be satisfactorily completed before moving to the next.  This means that once the developers have completed one stage, there is no going back!  If problems arise, the only escape is ditching the entire project and starting anew. So, there really isn’t room for errors or change meaning that the project plan must be detailed, extensive, and carefully followed from the start in order to reach the desired outcome. There is stress on meticulous record keeping which does allow for the ability to make improvements in future if done properly.

In response to such a rigid framework and the perceived failure of the dominant software development project management paradigms like Waterfall, the so-called Agile Manifesto placed the emphasis more on collaboration and communication, team organization, and the flexibility to adapt. Agile software development relies on an iterative and incremental and adaptive approach. The methodology is open to the changing and encourages feedback from the end users of the product so that it also encourages accountability and consistent communication. Cross-functional teams will be able to work on iterations of a product within a specific range of time, ensuring that the end product is organized and prioritized on the basis of the customers or the business in general. Ultimately, with Agile methodologies, developers and clients work together in order to align the product with the goals and requirements.

So what makes Agile software development superior to Waterfall in our humble opinion? The concept of teamwork is often considered a powerful tool in the achievement of the goals for almost any organization. Extra Nerds, for example, works within a team paradigm and it is extremely effective. The team will vary, based on the project. The Agile movement creates a better platform on which decisions can be made by all parties at the table. It sources the efforts of both the developers and the stakeholders and combines them to form a unit that works for the greater good. Man is to err, and Waterfall methodologies make it really difficult to mend any broken bridges in software development. In contrast, Agile frameworks allow a window for changes, making it much easier to roll with the punches so to speak in the makeup of the system and to reduce redundancy.  Still, we are very flexible and some folks still prefer the rigidity of Waterfall et al. Regardless, the choice or recommendation of the software development methodology will be heavily weighted on the nature of the project. Once everyone has a clear analysis of the project, choosing the ideal framework shouldn’t be difficult.

Of course, this is just a basic overview, but there are many resources out there to learn more about Agile. You can also check out Extra Nerds to see what we can do for you and how we can manage your next project using any methodology - or movement -  you want!

Check back next month when we go more in depth about the core concepts of Agile, including Scrum.

What is a scope document and why is it important for software development?

A scope document, or a statement of scope, is one of the most critical aspects of any project as it provides a fundamental understanding of the magnitude of the project for all involved. Especially critical in software development, it explains the boundaries of a project, establishes the responsibility of each team member, and sets up the procedures for how completed pieces will be validated and approved. Essentially, it defines goals, deliverables, tasks, deadlines, andcost. It is a way for the client and the development team to come to consensus on the vision and what it will take to get there.  Its relevance lies in managing the client’s expectations and coming to an agreement about what will define the project’s success.

Without a detailed requirements agreement, a developer might end up confined to an unrealistic fixed cost and possibly unreasonable time limits. Or the client may end up feeling frustrated with constraints. It is in these cases that defining the scope of a project is most important. Gathering the functionality requirements in the outset of the project can be difficult. Using a basic outline can help with that.

The scope document should generally start with a justification for the project or, in other words, the need it is to fulfill. Next, you might want to include some of the proposed characteristics of the project or, at the very least, an overall description of the desired result. Objectives and criteria for deliverable acceptance would be included as well as any exclusions, or unwanted bi-products. It’s important to try to identify any potential constraints or restrictions upfront so that everyone knows to expect and can also agree that they don’t actively know of any other restrictions which may impede progress.

In some situations, you might want to include what industry types call assumptions. These address how uncertain information is managed as the project moves forward. As you can imagine, this aspect is critical in software development.  Once all parties agree on the scope outlined in the statement, it becomes somewhat of a binding agreement and will define the client-developer relationship as well as the likelihood of continued success.

A scope document allows for a thorough analysis of the software development process, but, of course, having this document in place does not guarantee that issues will not arise. While the document provides the project manager with guidelines for decision-making as the project moves forward, unforeseen roadblocks can become an issue, as is true more often than not. When this happens, the scope may have to be revised. A client will likely accept the proposed changes once the project is underway, recognizing that change is often inevitable in software development, but it can also be decided not to continue the project if the depth of the unanticipated problem is for some reason too daunting or somehow renders the project obsolete.

So, the purpose of creating a scope document is to develop a common understanding as to what needs to be included in or excluded from a project. With a well-outlined document, the software developer will be much more able to complete the project within the agreed upon time and within the anticipated cost expectancy making it paramount to success from all sides.

Extra Nerds offers a dedicated project manager to each client, helping to keep both the developers and clients clear on the scope of the project as well as in the loop on progress or issues as work moves forward. Contact us if you have an idea for a project that we can manage for you!

.NET Core: What is it?

ASP.NET Core is one of the subsets of the .NET Framework that was earlier started with the Compact Framework Edition. Its major components include a small runtime from the code base of the .NET Framework CLR, although features like Application domains and Code Access Security are not included. With its unique features, .NET Core is likely to form the foundation of future .NET verticals as it is not specific to ASP.NET 5 or .NET native. It is designed such that the runtimes and Base Class Library (BCL) are general purpose and the format is modular. I know, that sounds so technical, right? We'll explain further...

The deployment is delivered as a set of NuGet packages as most of the library ecosystems are already established through the platform. It incorporates a number of technologies different from Native .NET since they run using the CoreCLR runtime that is compatible with several Windows platforms. It is also open source - incorporating Apache 2 and MIT licenses - and portable, but it is optimized to only use modules from its core library unless it is required by the application. However, the class libraries have been factored to remove dependencies which enables a user a much smaller set of libraries which run independently as a system.

The ASP.NET 5 workload, which is incorporated in the framework, has one special element in that it can run on multiple versions of .NET Core 5 such that two websites can effectively run on the same machine while on different - or similar - multiple versions of the .NET Core framework. This makes it suitable for quick downloads and for use even on devices with minimal storage capabilities. It is also easy to use on several software types such as Linux, and Windows, as well as Silverlight as its design is focused on keeping the deployment considerably smaller. It is easy to use on even non-Windows platforms meaning that the user does not have to worry about the software of their device.

This framework version uses a discrete group of reference assemblies that shows only that which is supported by the runtime. It is much easier to recognize this version as it has a limited number of features which makes it much more effective and easier to cruise. It is also friendly and allows a user to comfortably create and operate full-fledged websites on several operating systems; and is accessible on Windows Phone. With time it will be incorporated in more operating systems for access through additional platforms for a much better experience available for use on all kinds of devices.

At the moment, .NET Core is a framework for Linux and Mac, but some of the key features and libraries are missing. Before, it was impossible to create websites and RESTful application programming interfaces on Linux and Mac, but now it is easier with Visual Studio Code plus .NET Core and can also be made available for set up on Ubuntu.

.NET Core has proven to be the ultimate weapon for web developers to save on time and providing the best possible results and a more fun experience.

Our Nerds know .NET Core and can help you along the way if you need it. In fact, check out our services to see what else we can do for you! And feel free to contact us anytime. We love hearing from you.

Creating a Custom Web Application: What You Need to Know

In as much as some expertise is required to develop and bring the application to life and afterwards maintain or improve it so that it generates profits enough to cover the expenses you used to invest in it, custom applications are not always difficult to create.

Basically, knowledge in programming languages, which can be accessed from several research resources and the internet through tutorials, will come in handy in ensuring that the application is functional and also help generate traffic so that it reaches a significant number of users.

Having a good idea puts you on the map and provides a foundation on which to begin the process. First, you need to know what kind of application you want to create and what impact it is going to have on its users. To design the best application, research a number of related web-based and custom applications and select one that appears most desirable and attractive to a greater number of users. For this to be a successful procedure, you will need to do fairly extensive research from as many platforms as you can access: books, the internet, and manuals or tutorials will direct you on how to proceed.

Now that you have narrowed down and identified the application you want to create, the second step is to work on database architecture as well as development for storage, data management, and information where users will fill in their credentials and use them to access the application. There are cloud-based software products that can be employed to provide the tools for organizing the graphics and texts. Additionally, they can be accessed easily from their websites at affordable prices.

Throughout the process, you are bound to make mistakes, but rather than looking at it as a failure, consider it a chance to learn new tactics that you could employ in future projects. Commitment is one quality you will have to embrace while working on creating the application and you will need to dedicate a lot of time and energy to the project. But it won't be long until you establish a process that works for you and begin to enjoy the benefits that will accompany a successful app.

With a few days to dedicate to your computer and keeping your research and reference materials nearby, you should be good to go. It is possible that at some point, however, depending on your knowledge and confidence levels, a developer may be necessary to enlist for help. A professional can guide you through the programming languages in case you are not as conversant with the framework and how they operate as may be required.

Even if you you are keen on flying solo and follow your plan to the letter, you may need some expertise if you want to come up with a custom application without compromise and the exact functionality and design that you desire.  Only you know the level of functionality and general purpose of the application, as well as your abilities. There’s no shame in bringing in an expert who does this for a living rather than compromise quality or functionality.

Whether you are building your own app or would rather just hire a professional to do it, Extra Nerds would be happy to help guide you through the most challenging pieces or the entire process. Our Nerds are experienced, knowledgeable, creative, and accessible. Check our our available services, portfolio, or credentials and contact us to see what we can do for you.

Why Are Companies Increasingly Outsourcing Web and Application Development?

Application development, both for the web and for smart technology, has become a major source of revenue for companies around the world. Although completed applications can provide high revenue, they require quite a bit of time and money to develop and to properly test. Since companies are always researching methods to reduce operational burdens, outsourcing web development has become a common practice.  Not only is the original product time-consuming to create, but most web app development continues long after it has launched. Constant updates are needed to keep the application running and up to date and occasional bugs are common threats to any type of software. Consumers want updated and feature-laden applications, so skimping on development and maintenance really isn’t something that can be avoided by companies using applications as part of their business model.

The problem, then, becomes finding people who can work full time on app development and to maintain control over any ongoing issues in an affordable, timely, and efficient manner. Businesses don’t always have the resources to retain an entire staff for this purpose and that’s where outsourcing becomes a valuable alternative. Certainly, some research should go into selecting possible contractors or contract companies to hire so that the right people are put on the project. Checking reviews or testimonials is a recommendation. 

Oftentimes, it is easier and smarter to pay contract developers who have their own hardware and software than to purchase your own and then hire someone or have someone trained on how to use it. It can also be daunting to manage in-house development projects and might be better to just leave it in the hands of someone whose sole job it is to keep up with the industry and who knows the right questions to ask to give you what you want. You still maintain control over the product, but have a field expert doing the technical work. If you have the opportunity, it is always beneficial to have a project manager as the liaison between you and the developers. This ensures accurate and consistent communication, the establishment of a timeline and deliverables, and a clear mutual understanding of expectations. To read in more detail about the benefits of having a project manager, check out our blog series on the topic.

Generally speaking, outsourced labor can be more cost effective in addition to yielding better results, and is ideal for companies that need to quickly launch their applications in order to generate a profit to cover operating costs. Not only do contractors have their own equipment and programs, but they don’t need you to pay for ongoing training, nor do they require benefits or paid leave. Not that we’re against employee benefits in general, but technology moves so fast these days, it can be really beneficial to outsource that piece of your workforce.

In short, outsourcing is a viable choice for companies looking to decrease costs and increase the value of their applications. As the world becomes more connected, it’s only natural to want to tap into the global market. Application development is certainly one way to do that and hiring a reliable and professional team to do that for you could prove invaluable. And of course, Extra Nerds can offer you a project manager and highly skilled developers to see your software, website, or application development project from fledgling idea to fruition and even provide ongoing maintenance.  (C’mon, you knew we were going to close with a shameless plug, didn’t you? But we wouldn’t do it if we weren’t sure that we were right. Let us help you and your business attain awesomeness; you won’t regret it!)

What's Going on Lately with Microsoft.NET?

Microsoft's.NET is the programming framework created by Microsoft for developers to easily create applications and web services. A programmer can choose from a selection of codes in the library of the .NET framework that can be utilized without having to write it.

Microsoft decided to open source most of the .NET framework last year and it has been keeping the promise in the latest version of the .NET framework which is in the news for open source and cross platform features.

The latest release contains the RC2 of the.NET Core run-time and libraries. The programmer requires having these files simply in his folder to run an application. Programmers who are comfortable with run-time will be able to move ahead with their projects until ASP.NET Core tools are completed.

Many developers are facing compatibility issues of existing projects with the new update. Hence, Microsoft has decided to provide guidance to developers who are facing compatibility issues with the .NET framework programming model. They have also advised programmers to target the new platform when running new projects and to upgrade old projects to new framework only if necessary.

Compatibility issues are reduced by running on the newer platform by leaving the targeted .NET framework version unchanged for an app. The newer versions of the platform are better to work on because any compatibility issues in the older versions in the subsequent release of the 4.x releases. It is also advisable to upgrade to the latest version from any previous versions of the .NET framework.

It is suggested that the developer run the app on any of the .NET framework on which he thinks the app will run. The programmer should make use of API Portability Analyzer and .NET Framework Compatibility Analyzers to find out problems areas in his app. With the help of these compatibility switches, the developer will be able to leave out the features of the app that are causing a problem while upgrading to the latest version of the .NET framework.

Developers should also need to test applications if it is built with newer compilers. A slight change in the C# and the Visual Basic compilers that cannot be fixed but do not trouble in run-time. Developers must be intentional while building apps because of the change in the compilers.

The release of the RC2 is an exciting step in the information technology industry as it is a significant step forward for Microsoft’s cross-platform.NET. This plays a crucial role in the company’s plan for Windows Server 2016 to roll out. Smaller and faster .NET applications will fit the micro-services and containers. The Exchange Server 2016 messaging server is still not supported with the Windows Server 2016, Microsoft’s latest emerging product still in the preview stage. Windows Server 2016 is said to be released later this year and that’s when it will support the Exchange Server 2016.

For Windows, users and developers need to migrate to the latest version of the latest framework which is open source and works cross-platform will now run with lesser compatibility issues with your applications once you have updated to the latest version of the framework.

Hopefully this post has been helpful in identifying some of the benefits of using .NET. If Extra Nerds can help you and your business with any such services, be sure to contact us for a quote!

Nerdy Newsletter: November, 2015

Client Highlight: King Family Farm

King Family Farm officially began in 2002, though the founders have been involved in agriculture their entire lives. Both JB & Charlene have ancestors from southeastern Ohio who were involved in agriculture, some since the 1800s, so their roots run deeply. Still, they felt the effects of a fluctuating market. Through innovation, however, they persevered and became successful. As their business continued to grow, they contacted Extra Nerds to modernize their website, including the addition of e-commerce capabilities. We're so glad to see a local business grow and succeed and we're proud to be a part of it in our own small way.

Meet a Nerd

Nick Bauer, our Design Nerd, has over 13 years of experience in the design field ranging on work for small businesses to work on billion dollar brands for Procter & Gamble. He is a ‘Jack of All Trades’ Designer who works in various medias on and off the computer. Nick has a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from Miami University and lives just north of Cincinnati with his wife and daughter, where he sits as a board member on the City of Sculpture for Hamilton, Ohio.

When he's not working hard being a Nerd, he's creating metal sculptures or furniture and playing indoor soccer. It's great to have such a talented and diverse designer on our team!

Become a Nerd

Extra Nerds is always looking for folks to add to our team. Do you have interest in becoming a part-time developer with a background in .NET and SQL Server? Our preference is for someone with knowledge of MVC, Entity Framework, and WebAPI. Javascript and CSS experience is a plus. Check out our website and if you're interested in joining our team then give Sid McFarland a call at 740-249-2200.

Extra Rewards

Be sure to take advantage of the Extra Nerds Referral Program. For every person or company you refer to Extra Nerds, you receive 1 FREE hour of development from one of our specialists. Not a bad deal, right? Spread the love!