The Axis Technical Group Blog

Companies large and small are continuing to seek out new ways to maximize their technology investments to drive new business and lower costs. Over the last 18 months companies have executed numerous plans to reduce cost and maximize efficiency, and in many cases this led to an increased focus on technology. However, technology itself is not cheap either.

With an increase in the development (and use) of software to help save costs and increase productivity, the development cycle has been heating up at organizations coast to coast. But the multitude of platforms and environments organizations need to support are leading to new cost concerns. The fact is, testing software applications or products that support multiple active versions and/or multiple operating systems can be very expensive and time consuming activity.

Many of the clients and IT Executives that Axis Technical Group works with have focused on ways to deal with this challenge. One such solution is to use virtual environments for software maintenance and testing. By using this solution, The Axis India team is helping several clients realize substantial benefits from reduction in overall costs, to improved turnaround time and increased reliability of the test environment.

Axis Technical Group has just published a new white paper on the subject, and it is available for download by clicking here. We would also like to hear from you about the money-saving efforts your organizations are using as we all continue to navigate this new global economy.

Download: Virtual Environments for Software Maintenance & Testing

Comments about the Axis Technical Group Blog? email us here.

Click Here to learn more about Axis Technical Group, or follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

So many brains have spent so many brain cycles on this very single puzzle- the right project metric. In simpler terms a measurement method that determines if the project is on track through the life of the project.  Each individual in the group of the ‘stake holders’ and a few outside it has keen interest in the value that this metric delivers. But what is the right metric? We can probably get a couple of hundred finalists and this can easily overwhelm an already burdened project manager. Leaving the right exact single solution to people from the world of academia we still need to find the right substitute as we await the golden answer.

Experience speaks that that there is one single metric which many high performing managers on the ground swear by and that is (thanks to Ron Jeffries) “Running Tested Features” or RTF. This is a simple common sense approach that tries to capture where the project is in terms of its ‘shipability’. Though using this metric in the polarized worlds of waterfalls, Agiles and others, can be a bit tricky, understanding the concept behind the metric often does the trick.

The focus on delivering “real software” is the gist. Right from the word go the team would need to focus on delivering the real features that the end users can actually use. As long as this number is steady in its growth it can be safely assumed that all is well with the project. Any “dead zone” would indicate trouble and would need immediate attention. The team will have to be consistent in the delivery throughout the project and not just at the end as with most of the projects.

What do you think about RTF?
Does it work? Is it possible to game it?

Please post your comments. We are eager to hear back from you.

Click Here to learn more about Axis Technical Group, or follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

We have heard of dark clouds, white clouds, and clouds with a silver lining but now the clouds are D-for-digital (d-clouds) or I- for-internet (I-cloud), not to mention the 24 more possibilities for rest of the alphabet. Well, if you need to pick an alphabet you need to pick it fast as most of them are “going going” and will soon be “gone”. In the “gone” state is the G-Cloud – the “Government Cloud” (It could have been green, growing, gaming or g-whatever) . Yes. Just as is obvious, it does mean a cloud that is of the public sector for the public sector and for the public sector.

In theory this would be huge achievement. Firstly, it would mean hefty cost savings in the IT infrastructure and most significantly energy. Secondly, the availability of the resources will be easier than ever and from the public sector point of view, standardization of all the underlying requirements will make it a dream project. If you think this concept is out of a “vision 2020” book you are wrong. The UK government had announced commencement of work on the G-cloud and that it will be available soon. If this turns out to be a success, this one event is sure going to be a game changer.
Everyone including the software product vendors, hardware vendors, support personnel, software services companies will have to pause and re strategize to meet the enormous transformation that this one single event will cause. But isn’t this taking things too far too soon? Where will all the critical, highly sensitive data lie? “There somewhere on the cloud?” Everyone knows that even the most publicized private clouds place their most sensitive data at the most secured locations.

So will the G-Cloud stand true to the expectations? Will you be comfortable with the Government offices working on the “server in the air”?  Will a single failure be a failure “en masse”?  Will a single security breach compromise the security of a whole nation? Are people behind this really sure of what they are doing or is this one of those policies that can never be realistic. The questions are more and answers are few. An issue for a  rigorous debate that we simply cannot ignore.

What do you think? Which side would you take? We would love to hear from you.

Click Here to learn more about Axis Technical Group, or follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

Many people attribute rising costs in any industry, and especially healthcare, to technology. But in reality, technology in healthcare seems to be driving healthcare costs UP. Is that really the case?

In nearly every sector of the economy, technology drives costs down – just as your digital camera gets cheaper and better every year, so technology drives down the cost of manufacturing, the cost of retailing, the cost of research. But for some reason, in healthcare, technology has the opposite effect; it doesn’t cut costs, it raises them. In fact, medical technologies – from CT scans to stents to biologics – are a significant factor in the 10% annual growth rate of healthcare spending, a rate that’s nearly triple the pace of inflation. (Overall, the US is now estimated to spend a stunning $2.7 trillion on healthcare in 2010.)

When you look closer however, some healthcare companies (including insurance companies) are using technology to improve care and service, while driving costs down.

In the world of insurance and care providers, some folks already understand this, and are way ahead of Washington policy makers in tapping cheap technologies to improve healthcare. In Hawaii, Kaiser Permanente has started a pilot project that churn through its database of patient data to predict which patients might need which tests – and then sends individuals email alerts suggesting they come in for a test or checkup. It’s the same sort of technology that Netflix uses to recommend movies. And the Cleveland Clinic has teamed up with Microsoft to bring self-monitoring tools to patients managing chronic diseases, successfully engaging them in better health behaviors without expensive visits to the hospital.

Axis Technical Group is working closely with its clients in the healthcare sectors designing, developing and implementing solutions that ultimately will push costs down, while more importantly, providing better, quicker and more interaction with primary and secondary care givers. From patient and doctor portals, to systems that predict the kinds of tests and precautionary measures individuals need, healthcare technology is leading the way to true reform in the industry.

Click here to read the entire article about technology and costs in healthcare.

Comments about the Axis Technical Group Blog? email us here.

Click Here to learn more about Axis Technical Group, or follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

The following is an excerpt from Axis Technical Group’s free report titled, “Outsourcing – Critical Factors for Success”. The entire report can be downloaded for free by clicking here.

The realities of today’s economy demand that companies large and small “do more with less”. This rallying cry is familiar to everyone in the business world, and in many cases, the recent stability in the marketplace is in large part because organizations have successfully found ways to make every dollar they spend truly count. However, technology executives are continuously faced with new challenges to ensure that their company’s critical systems can keep up with the objectives of the business.

Dramatic shifts in revenue streams over the last couple of years have forced management to cut costs by becoming more efficient and productive. Huge demands have been placed on Information Technology departments and vendors to provide solutions that streamline process and demonstrate extreme cost effectiveness. Whatever the solution is for a particular or industry, the demand to reduce cost through automation is extremely high on the to-do list of most organizational leaders in every industry. Given the financial impact on a business by failing at this, the urgency to accomplish key technology objectives as quickly as possible places additional pressure on what is usually already an understaffed IT department.

These challenges combined with shrinking IT budgets, are leaving technology leaders with very few options. Generally, their choices boil down to just two: use fewer resources, or do more with the current resources they have. One way many IT leaders have found they can get more done within their current budget constraints is to outsource a portion of their work to a near shore or offshore IT partner. Outsourcing vendors provide a wide range of services from custom software development and maintenance of existing enterprise applications to Business Analysis, software Quality Assurance, and Documentation, all the while being sensitive to organizational budgets.

Click here to download the entire free report or email us and we will reply with a copy.

Learn more about about Axis’ Strategic Consulting Services and the Axis in Motion Team.

Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

Comments about the Axis Technical Group Blog? email us here.

Axis Technical Group recently announced that Microsoft has renewed Axis’ Gold Level Partner Certification for 2010. The certifications are for key competencies in Custom Software Development, Data Management, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Business Process, as well as for Advanced Infrastructure Solutions.

Axis Expertise. Certified.

The Gold Level Partner status ensures the close working relationship between Axis and Microsoft, and stands as a testament to the outstanding work and expertise of the Axis in Motion strategic consulting team. The certifications represent the expertise and high level of competence in Axis’ service offerings, and, it doesn’t hurt our sales efforts in talking with clients either.

Read more about Axis’ certifications here.

Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

Comments about the Axis Technical Group Blog? email us here.

We came across this article on the MSNBC blog, The Red Tape Chronicles, and wanted to pass it along.

With all the press about the latest social networking site or neat little internet trick, security is as big an issue as ever. The 12 issues written about here are things we each run across every day. In particular, Issue 8 about Cell Phones, and Issue 11 about URL Shorteners are excellent reminders of new threats.

Axis wants to hear from you! What other threats should computer users be aware of in 2010 and beyond? Post your comments below or email us.

Click Here to learn more about Axis Technical Group, or follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

What is the Value of Certifications?

Even if you are not in IT, certifications are part of everyday life. For example, if you have to get your car fixed, you want the best service possible and a guarantee that the service you are receiving is done by an experienced professional. When you look for a mechanic, you expect him to hold some kind of proof that he or she is the best in the field. If he or she has a BMW certification, you know your car will be fixed in no time (or at least you hope so).

In the same way, technology certifications show expertise in the areas you are most familiar with, and in turn, transmit security to the client. Certifications will help you open doors, but it is ultimately your job to show your worth. There are so many valuable professionals with no certifications and there are so many certified “experts” with little or no knowledge of the tools they are “certified” to use.

There are several certifications Microsoft has created to allow you to show your expertise. They vary from a single product specialty to a series of skills covering a range of different technologies. There are plenty of certifications out there, and it would take more than a few pages to explain them all. When you pass your first exam you become a Microsoft Certified Professional. If you continue to take exams, you receive a premium certification. However, it is never a good idea to take more exams than you really need. As I will explain later, there may only be a few exams you need to take if you plan correctly.

The first thing you need to decide is what certifications you want to get. It is important to know that the certifications that are closely related allow you to jump from the first exam to the second exam easier than if they were not related at all. For example, the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) and MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) certifications require expertise in the operating system you use (ex. Windows), so if you get your windows certification that will help you with both of the aforementioned exams. The exams are difficult, but if you plan correctly, you can make your certifications work for you.

When you are aiming for a certification and you review the contents on the web site you will find different elements: Core exams and Elective exams. How those two types of exams interact varies on the certification you are looking for. For example, lets say I want the MCSE and the MCDBA certification. One core exam on the MCSE certification path is Exam 70-290 (Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment). Luckily enough, this exam is also a core requirement for the MCDBA path, so that core exam is killing two birds with one stone. If we don’t do this kind of validation we will end up paying a lot more money to get certified, but if you do the math correctly you will be able to be just one exam away from another premium certification.

Microsoft is adding new certifications all the time so you will need to read more and verify if the exam you want to take is really worth it. Make sure you review each certification’s requirements and find the exams that match your goals (a core exam on one can be used as an elective on another).

This adds another question, which exams are easier and which ones are harder? How valuable is my certification? There are several useful web sites listed below that will help you answer those questions.

Recommendations To Get Ready

Decide Which Certification Is Right for You: Review all the available options and verify the best path.

Gain Hands-on Experience with Microsoft Products: Practice makes perfect.

Expand Your Experience with Training : Find training resources to add to your study regimen; there is a lot of free information out there.

Know What to Expect on Exams: Verify the requirements and use study guides to prepare.

Take a Trial Run with a Practice Test : Take as many as you can find; they will give you a close perspective on the knowledge you have and how prepared you are for the exam.

Take Your Required Exams: Exams are administered by independent testing organizations at locations worldwide. Schedule your exam, prepare, and good luck!

Useful Websites

How many certified professionals are required to change a bulb?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/certified.mspx

If I get confused, where can I read more?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.mspx

I am certified in notepad, how much is my certification worth?
http://www.cramsession.com/

For training information:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning

Post Contributed by: Gilberto Ramirez is Software Development Manager on the Axis in Motion Consulting Team. He has numerous premium certifications from Microsoft including Certified Trainer, Solutions and Application Developer and Professional.

Want to learn more about Gilberto, the Axis in Motion Consulting team, and Training  Email Gilberto here

Comments about the Axis Technical Group Blog? email Axis here.

Follow Axis on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

According to this story in the NY Times, LinkedIn has joined the likes of Google and Microsoft to partner with Twitter.

An excerpt of the article reads:

LinkedIn’s 51 million members will now be able to send status updates — such as the fact that they are looking for an analyst on a certain topic, or posting a job opening — to Twitter on a case-by-case basis, and vice versa. People will also be able to add a section to their LinkedIn profile that contains their most recent tweets and view other people’s tweets when searching LinkedIn.

Jeff Weiner, LinkedIn’s chief executive, said that he wants LinkedIn to be the hub for all professional conversation. Integrating tweets into LinkedIn will help them find a home where they will become part of someone’s professional identity, and conversations will develop around them, he said.

Click Here to learn more about Axis Technical Group, or follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

What do you think about this new partnership? Is it good for LinkedIn? Is it good for Twitter? As a LinkedIn user, will you want to link your twits with LinkedIn status? Tell us what you think Want to learn more about Cary and the Staffing Services Axis offers to candidates and clients? email us here or comment below.

Comments about the Axis Technical Group Blog? email us here.

Passing along a link from Axis VP of Technology, Kenneth Tu, urging Corporate IT departments to let their employees browse how they want to.

Unchain the Office Computers! Why corporate IT should let us browse any way we want.

At Axis Technical Group , the corporate policy allows all employees to use the web browsers of their choice, and does not block any website. The Network & Infrastructure group at Axis utilizes the latest in virus and privacy technology limiting our exposure to threats.

“Our belief is work is no longer a 9 to 5 proposition like it was for our fathers and mothers,” explains Russell Wolf, Axis VP & GM. “We treat working at Axis as a lifestyle. Simply get your work done and excel at what you do.” Many Axis employees spend a small part of their day taking care of personal matters that would otherwise be complicated by waiting until after work. Have you ever tried to call the phone company or your cable company with a customer service issue after 5pm?

How does your corporate environment treat your browsing habits and choices? We want to hear from you! Email us with your feedback at info@axistechnical.com or use the comment section below.

Click Here to learn more about Axis Technical Group, or follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

Comments about the Axis Technical Group Blog? email us here.