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

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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.

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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.

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There is a new home for the Axis Technical Group Blog in cyberspace: www.axistechnical.com/blog.

Hosting our own blog will allow for greater flexibility and access to our team of global professionals. We will be experimenting with different themes & skins for the blog in the coming weeks, so we welcome your comments and suggestions.

Be sure to mark the Axis Blog a favorite in your feed, and check back often. We are planning new streams of content in topics ranging from technology trends and breakthroughs, to our take on the market (in parts and whole), and will continue to provide tips to professionals seeking work in the IT industry.

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If you are looking for a new job, or have in the last few years, then you surely have been to countless job sites. A couple of the biggest, Monster.com and Yahoo! Hot Jobs are now one in the same, according to this article from TechCrunch.com.

Yahoo has been trying to unload HotJobs for a while, and it finally came to a deal with Monster, which will take the site off of Yahoo’s hands for $225 million in cash. As part of the deal, Monster will continue to power Yahoo’s job listings for three years.

What does this mean for job seekers? The answer to that question will likely take some time to be fully realized. As an IT consulting firm, Axis Technical Group regularly provides advice to job seekers, including not to put all of their job-seeking-eggs in one basket. Other than Dice.com, the other job boards have become overrun by various staffing firms, headhunters and the like acting on behalf of companies seeking employees, with the same position often posted by several different firms with a variety of language. This does a disservice to not only the end-employer, but to the job seeker as well. Furthermore, the mentality of the job boards leads to a cattle-round-up mentality, with hundreds of resumes being submitted for each job, and with most of those from people who are unqualified for a particular position.

This commentary is not to say all job sites are bad or worthless. Quite the contrary… some sites like Indeed.com and TheLadders are making strong inroads in this space which will help job seekers. But this is a reminder to all job seekers to diversify your search. Use the job boards, but don’t rely on them. Instead, use your network, whether it be LinkedIn, FaceBook, Twitter or others to have your friends, family and colleagues get the word out that someone great, you, are seeking a job.

What have your experiences with the various job boards resulted in? Axis would love to hear your feedback. Post a comment below, or Email us here to tell your story.

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The United States remains in the grip of a challenging economy. Depending on who you talk to however, some people believe recovery is upon us, while others disagree. What can’t be argued are the record unemployment numbers that our nation faces. As of December 2009, the unemployment rate in the US is 9.7%, a number that has remained relatively flat in the last couple of months. However in California, that number is 12.2% as of November 2009 with LA County also at 12.2%, while Orange County remains more in line with the US average at 9.4%. (Click Here to View all US Unemployment Data).

Not all the news is bad. In fact, the Information Technology industry seems to have bolted out of the New Year starting gate fast and feverish. Non-technical management opportunities from mid-level to C-level remain very weak, but those professionals with strong technical skills remain in high demand.

Axis Technical Group alone has more open requirements than we have seen in a year, and are looking for hard-working, passionate and reliable individuals to join our team at key clients. Some of the positions we are currently trying to fill include (click on job title for details):

• Senior C#/WinForms Developer
• Senior BizTalk Developer
• Senior .Net Web Developer (C#, ASP.net)
• Project Manager
• and more….

If you are seeking a new opportunity, or know someone who is, please visit Axis Technical Group and submit your resume for consideration.

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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.

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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.

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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

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*Note – This Blog is a repost of Alex Espinoza’s Blog Entry on 10/31/09. You can find the original post here.

I just recently read an article from Krishnan Subramanian, which I believe is very interesting: Microsoft’s Huge Cloud Problem.

I agree with most of the article’s comments. They have to be taken with a grain of salt, since most of is speculation. Very smart speculation, but speculation none the less. But What I do disagree completely, is the following line:

“..cloud is an evolution from the web and .NET was never a platform of choice in the web…”

I agree that the cloud is an evolution of the web, but the article talks about choice, who is it referring to? Is it the open source community? Or is the enterprise community? or is it both?

Obviously as an Open Source advocate, .Net or even Mono would not be your web platform of choice. You usually go to either PHP (which is the leader in the Open Source community) Ruby or Python (just to name a few, I know there are a lot more).

But in the enterprise world, .Net is very much relevant, and in most of the cases it is the platform of choice. I know that this is a huge market and the competition is strong, but to completely dismiss Asp.Net as not a platform of choice is far from the truth.

Asp.Net and .Net are very much relevant right now, and it will stay that way for a long time. Whether Azure succeeds or not.

It is a mistake to think that everything will be in the cloud. What will prevail are hybrid environments. That is why I think Microsoft will not only survive this (even though is going to be a really difficult climb), but it will remain relevant.

Google’s view of *EVERYTHING* in the Cloud is not very down to earth (hence the name, everything in the clouds). And in my opinion, it will never get there. A lot of things are going to be done in the cloud, and probably the majority, but not all. We are creatures of choices, and we will keep our options open.

Now with the open source movement, Microsoft has done a lot. And I actually think we should thank Miguel de Icaza and his team for this. He might be called a traitor by some, but I think he is the biggest Trojan Horse of all. He has been pushing Microsoft to open source (with the help of so many).

But let’s think about Mono for a minute. Microsoft already released the source code for .Net in a very closed license, which I see as a glass box (look but don’t touch). It is getting there, to that openness that the article is talking about. They know they have to do it. But they don’t know how.

Now, Mono is a very good example. They have been reproducing the signatures and interfaces to use .Net on Linux and it works like a charm. Also they have been adding their own mix.

Microsoft will end up releasing .Net as an Open Source project, it will not be soon though. They already have their own license for that. With what Mono has done, when Microsoft plans to release, the integration with Mono will make it easier to hit the market.

The article is right about one important thing, in order to compete in the clouds, they have to kill Windows as an Desktop OS. But I think it will prevail as Windows Azure. That is why the word “Windows” appears in there.

Just one more thing before I close this rant. I think the mistake that Netscape did with Mozilla, is a learning experience that can be applied anywhere. When Netscape decided to build their browser from Scratch instead of fixing their bloated browser at the time. They lost too much time, and they lost the browser wars. They should have fixed their browser, not start a new one, which ended up with the same problems. It eventually got fixed when the community did the right thing and fixed it with Firefox, but they didn’t not start from scratch, they fixed Mozilla.

Microsoft is the browser and we (the community) are Netscape. Are we going to kill Microsoft so that Apple or Google takes its place? And then end up with the same problems all over?

I wouldn’t really want Apple in Microsoft’s shoes. I can see what they can do with their App Store. They have so much to learn. It would be like going back to the 90’s. We already went this route with Microsoft so many times, and now, Microsoft is learning.

How about Google? I wouldn’t want Google either. They are still too young, and we haven’t seen their evil yet, which scares me a lot. They not only have a lot of power in the internet, they hold most of our data, and they want *ALL* of it. Everybody has an evil side, and Google is not any different. We just haven’t seen it yet.

Microsoft is a known evil, let’s fix it. Why change it for a new one, when this evil has already been changed so much, and it is learning to live with the community?

Well enough of rants…I’m going back to work.

Post contributed by Alex Espinoza Alex Espinoza, Software Development Manager for the Axis in Motion consulting team at Axis. Read more of Alex’s blogs at http://neonlabs.structum.net/blog/

Want to learn more about Alex and the Axis in Motion team? Email Alex here

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