Let's Get Physical

So, its something that’s been eating away at me for some time and it seems like I’m not the only one with several eminent galleries announcing that for the sake of posterity all of their digital images are to be stored as physical images. At first this sounds like madness with hard copy documents all being subject to the harsh world of the physical; Fire, damp, dirt, degradation, expense of storage space not to mention theft and any other amount of physical damage that may occur. This is however a very short term view, true; that photo stored on an array of local devices backed up on a server half way across the world with highly documented  recovery procedures spanning political and geographical borders seems on the face of it fairly safe… I mean, no one has ever irretrievably lost data like this except… they have haven’t they? Just ask the Inland Revenue! Still, balance of probability and given a certain amount of intelligence; that data will be safe as houses at least for a short period of time.

And then that term reverberates through my mind, safe as houses… Houses ARE SAFE because they are strongly based in the physical world. Anchored in reality through concrete foundations in a world in which the pure physics of interactivity just does not change. Gravity works and is constant, not constantly changing. We don’t suddenly find that our hands are no longer compatible with doors and so we can no longer enter the house, nor do we find that bricks suddenly become invisible and offer no resistance to burglars just because we fit new windows. The same is to a large degree also true of software, however there is a fundamental difference which underlies this… the landscape or Eco-system of computers changes at a rate that is far from geological so the physics of the ‘known universe’ changes with alarming speed. This of course means that some of the lesser known file formats appear and disappear within a matter of a few years and the means to read them disappear within a generation. Now, How safe is your data? That data spread around the globe, backed up in nuclear blast resistant silos. The answer is of course, still totally safe but completely inaccessible!. Now extrapolate this position over a century or two with priceless pieces of art and you can see why these galleries don’t want to entrust the Monets and Rothkos of today to the digital world. They are just to valuable to be entrusted to the transient world of software and computers.

My own situation is slightly different though not unconnected, my problem is what happens when your amazing photography collection is up there in the cloud on Facebook/Instagram/iCloud etc. The answer is of course… Nothing, it gets largely forgotten about. Sure if you suddenly remember you need a photograph of some event or such you go and look for it, generally spending hours to do so as you don’t know which album it was in. But how often does anyone as a family sit around  the computer screen cooing and ahhing at cute photographs of back in the day. I would imagine that for others just like myself it never happens. This is a shame, especially when you  now consider that there are probably far more photographs being taken at this time than ever before with every family having not just one photographic device within the household but many. I know that within our ‘creaking at the seams’ house there are around 20-25 digital cameras of differing types what with iPhones, iPads, Bridge cameras and compacts. There is never a day when photos are not taken and yet these photographs end up in a public silo safe, but never really employed or enjoyed; whole family events backed up in every crevice of the world for maximum availability but only viewed infrequently by one person browsing an album if even that happens. Why? I guess a part of the issues is that the quality of these photographs is maybe not in direct proportion to the quantity. They capture a moment sure, but maybe we are just bombarded with sheer number and due to the fact that absolutely EVERYTHING gets saved they have lost their ‘specialness’ or at least they get tarnished with the brush of all the awful and substandard photos we take. Except, photographs haven’t lost their appeal, as can be proven when one family member stumbles upon a photograph album… within 10 minutes it has become a family event that can last hours, at least it does in our house!

So why this media gap? You could argue that the ease of capture has devalued our experience with the finished media, that the sheer volume turns us off ever browsing our extensive archives or that we are just not selective enough with what we choose to keep, with what we regard as special. My own feeling? We just like and interact with physical things more positively, we feel involved not detached from them. We can’t zoom the image, change it, alter the colour or airbrush the things we don’t like; we fight over who has the best view of the album and we all hang off each other generally being very invasive of personal space and yet we get far more enjoyment out of these experiences than our full screen fully interactive sterile digital albums.

Maybe not what you expect a software developer to say….Lets get Physical? Hell Yes!

Written by Conrad Rowlands, Team Leader and Developer, DSCallards  

Six Benefits for Mobile Business Apps

At home, on the train, waiting for the kids, in the queue, at work, in the car ...
   
Mobile devices are used everywhere, and that means EVERY business has to embrace the technology and extend their systems to incorporate the current single largest pervasive technology.
Businesses have traditionally built their operational foundations on paper-based processes; these are highly inefficient, cause slow turnaround times, errors and provide poor operational visibility. Mobile apps offer unprecedented opportunities for streamlining business processes - especially as they become more prolific.

Mobile apps aren’t just confined to consumer use but are now being used by businesses for their internal operational processes such as data processing, signature and photo capture and much more.

So why should you consider leveraging the opportunities a mobile business app can offer?

The Six Benefits of Mobile Business Apps*

1. Rich data capture in real time: Processes are dramatically slower if you have to collect your data before manually uploading it to your business system. With a mobile app you can have always-on, always available, rich data capture in real time including; text, numbers, photos, signatures and GPS locations, all on a mobile phone/device app. This enables increased data visibility to key decision makers without having to be in the field, in turn giving them the ability to make a decision from the office while receiving the data in real time.

2. Work Offline: You are also able to access and collect your data whilst offline. The mobile app automatically synchronizes data in the background and stores it on the device, so that users can access data in the app even without connectivity. Captured data is also stored in the cloud so that no data is ever lost.

3. Reduce problem solving time: An issue in the field can take a long time to resolve if the right support isn’t available, this in turn can cause costly delays, e.g. confusion with project plans and measurements. Having real time communication and data availability can assist experts in providing guidance to remote field workers, dramatically decreasing issue resolution time.

4. Work the way you live: We are all adopting mobile apps in our everyday lives, whether it be for shopping, social networking or organisation. Workers are increasingly using smartphones in their private lives and expect to have the same capabilities at work. This is now possible with the development of mobile business applications that can support field workers to make more timely and effective decisions on-site.

5. Custom Branding: Your business app can be customised to suit your unique requirements whilst being consistent with your business branding. Your company name, logo and the processes can be integrated into a unique app which fits your business needs.

6. Fast and easy to use: Mobile apps are very simple to use plus the devices are small, light and easily transported. There is no need to carry around big old bulky devices or a clipboard, pen and paper which can be easily lost, when this technology is available. To progress in their industry everyone should be looking at adapting to change and using the most up to date technology.


These are just a few of the benefits of having an enterprise app and reasons why businesses should look at investing in getting one. The key point to remember is that mobile business apps will increase employee productivity regardless of time or location.

So why not be in control and plan your company strategy with applications that work on mobile as well as your desktop and be ahead of the game?

Building and deploying customised mobile apps has traditionally been expensive, slow and complex. With the availability of more stable and effective development platforms we can now have them built in weeks rather than months, with less hassle and cost.

The business world is moving very quickly towards running on mobile as well as traditional desktop – why don’t you join us in this revolution?

Talk to the experts on 0800 652 4050 to see how we can help today or visit us at www.developer-solutions.co.uk.

*Source:  The Grove Group

Taking Your Development Offshore to Devon?

Software development over the past twenty years, as predicted by Edward Yourdon’s seminal 1992 book “Decline and Fall of The American Programmer”, has seen a key migration of support services to external providers located in parts of the world that provide the cheapest resource.

From offshoring to nearshoring to reshoring, from co-sourcing to hybrishoring, experiences of service provision in software support have been variable. Offshoring and its variant combinations has suffered from logistical and time zone issues and cultural barriers increasing leading to the overall degredation of the experience and end result.*

But what if your software applications were designed, developed, implemented and supported from offices in the glorious West Country? You would be getting the advantages of outsourcing your software development but not having to suffer with traditional offshore issues such as time zone, culture or major logistical barriers.

This formula has worked for Developer Solutions for well over fifteen years with many large customers and here’s why:

• We have the right talent that can deliver quality work.
• Removing the time difference barrier and therefore the need to exchange emails with hours/one-day-delay to reply will not kill the momentum and motivation of the project.
• Although onsite visits are always necessary, working remotely for the bulk of the project with regular online meetings is a smoother, more ‘agile’, less expensive form of delivery.
• We have a great lifestyle in the West Country, which means when we work on your projects we do not have the larger city pressures of commuting or hectic offices.
• Our teams rarely change. Because we have decided to enjoy our lifestyle on the edge of Dartmoor, we really don’t want to leave so you will get to know our team.

Talk to the experts on 0800 652 4050 to see how we can help today or visit our website www.developer-solutions.co.uk.

Who Supports Your Software Apps?

Ask yourself the question, “When your old IT application fails, who are you going to call?”. If the answer is ‘"not sure", then please read on.

Most of us rely on IT Software that has stood the test of time, Support ran out years ago, the people, the team, the company that was involved in writing it, building it and supporting it have long moved on – but the system still works – it does what it’s supposed to do – JUST.

However, you’re now starting to worry. How long is too long to leave IT software running quietly in the corner? Operating systems have changed, the web has changed our lives, mobile, network solutions the whole of IT rolls on at alarming pace – leaving that piece of software slowly but surely creaking at the seams.

Developer Solutions knows this problem well. We have been working with companies for many, many years resurrecting and supporting IT software. Offering support when the person who knew has left or retired! Amending, fixing, supporting and evolving legacy systems that need to continue running because they do the job.

The risk of failure of your systems goes up every year and the cost to business when the eventual failure happens, and it will happen, is often astronomical.

Not doing anything shouldn’t be an option, it is the easy choice but will not end up being the right decision.

Developer Solutions offers an established, proven Application Support Service ensuring your business critical applications are maintained and enhanced by high calibre IT and software professionals. Developer Solutions development capabilities span the most widely used technologies, meeting the IT and software needs of clients across many different industries.

Our Application Support Service could leave you with the freedom to plan and develop your future strategic approach knowing that your existing systems are functioning at 100%.

Application Support includes:

• Support for legacy applications
• Reporting and service reviews
• Skills transfer
• Access control and security
• Application configuration
• Application upgrading and patching

Why choose support from Developer Solutions?

• Bespoke Support and SLAs to meet the needs of your enterprise.
• Technical excellence – our software developers have been writing code since 2001 and working for companies of all sizes using multiple technologies.
• Dedicated team so timely engagement of the ‘right’ resources and root cause analysis. Technical experts with in-house knowledge of your solution.
• Access to highly skilled experts able to resolve the immediate problem and devise the improvement plan forward. Ability to retain the expertise of what and how the application operates and was built.

Simply put, Developer Solutions will help you to extend the life of your applications for as long as you need them. We will ensure that your business critical applications are performing at peak efficiency, are up to date and available for use throughout the business day.

Talk to the experts on 0800 652 4050 to see how we can help today or visit out website at www.developer-solutions.co.uk.

Who Supports Your Current Software Applications?

Many businesses today use custom built software applications to fit better with their business processes, rather than be limited to 'off the shelf' solutions'.

Quite regularly these applications are critical to the smooth running of your business.

However, in many instances, the original Development, Test and Support teams are either reduced in size or are have moved onto other projects as the application has been built and delivered.

But what if Operating System updates or browser compatibility changes mean that an application has issues?  Or database updates lead to changes required within the original application?

This is where DSCallards can help.

DSCallards supply development configuration, support and maintenance for your applications within a wide range of technologies to ensure the business is kept running.  And when systems need big change, we are there with the knowledge of your current business systems and processes to design, develop, implement and support these new applications.

We can provide you with peace of mind by providing support and maintenance for your software systems.

Click here and take a look at our website to see how we can help.

Alternatively you can speak to one of our team today to find out how we can help you to take the strain!