In October and November 2010, Creative Intellect Consulting UK undertook a survey to understand the impact of security on the software development and delivery processes. This report, carried out after an in- depth survey with members of information security professional body (ISC)2; the International Association of Software Architects (IASA); software development, IT and information security professionals; and software architects around the world, represents current practices firmly in the dock. It throws up in black and white just how serious the issue is.
The perennially challenging processes for determining requirements, coding and testing.
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On 8 March 2011 Microsoft announced that it would make available to some Visual Studio customers unlimited virtual users for load testing. In theory, this should transform the economics of load testing tools. We describe here exactly what Microsoft is offering and examine its implications for the testing world. -
Increasingly IT organizations ask us how they can improve quality while still developing at speed. Their problem is that after years of responding quickly to the business, they are now unable to keep pace and find themselves mired in a swamp of inscrutable, unmaintainable and buggy code. As a result, response to the business is grinding to a halt. Such organizations have built up a toxic amount of what is termed technical debt. In this report we look at Static Analysis, an old technology in IT engineering terms, which is rising dramatically in popularity. It is riding on the tide of industry trends such as outsourcing, application security and ALM. It fits well with Agile processes. It can play an important role in repaying technical debt and restoring IT responsiveness to business needs. -
Creative Intellect Consulting UK is constantly monitoring adoption of software testing tools and best practices. In this paper we examine the benefits and challenges of early lifecycle testing for a cluster of technical test types, commonly known as performance testing. The aim is to bring managers up to date on the latest thinking on the subject and practice in the field, with a view to cutting away the myths and removing obstacles blocking adoption. -
Talk delivered by Paul Herzlich at the Micro Focus 2012 Developer Conference about the changing landscape for COBOL developers. -
The industry and market in general has been evolving towards more efficient and effective computing strategies and architectures, and successful businesses have been maturing towards them in practice. This evolutionary journey has been part of a long-term desire to maximize investments in computing, so that IT actively supports business growth and agility. For those organizations and businesses that have either begun to benefit from a strategic computing plan and implementation model, or started on the path towards them, strong architectural management is the unifying enabler - that and a steadfast commitment and vision from a management team that’s committed to the long haul. This paper looks at the business drive towards smarter IT and computing implementation and execution plans. It explains why the role of good architectural management, governance, and planning for Smarter IT is crucial to putting in place infrastructure, application services, and models to maximize the opportunities for future growth. -
The Compuware Uniface business unit continues to demonstrate the success of a strategy that created an independent entity (for the most part) from the wider Compuware organization. The rewards have been strong growth in revenue and profit, and an increase in the Uniface customer audience. In this spotlight report we look to assess Compuware Uniface’s forthcoming releases of Uniface 9.6 and Uniface 10 and determine whether they can address the needs of its existing audience and satisfy the expectations of a more demanding market place. We also look to see whether a revitalized partnership initiative, along with a more dynamic customer engagement and support program, can provide the long term growth goals of the Uniface management team. -
Over the last couple of years, Open Source software project Git, a lightweight, distributed and fast version control system has seen a significant take-up. Git is being installed by developers on their own machines allowing them to experiment with code before submitting it to the corporate version control system. To make it easier for developers to manage that integration and to address the sprawl of Git repositories that is becoming an issue for many organizations, version control software provider Perforce, has released Git Fusion. In this spotlight, we take a closer look at Git, Git Fusion and why the deployment of local version control systems extends far beyond the developer community. -
Since the arrival of the PC in the early 1980s, the demise of the mainframe has been talked about. In the last three decades we've seen the emergence and impact of client/server, distributed computing, blade computing and, more recently, cloud computing. Despite this, for large enterprises, multinationals, banking, manufacturing and governments, the mainframe is still present in the IT estate and runs some of the most business critical workloads. Investments made in the mainframe platform and the challenge of incorporating it into the workflow of a broader developer community is being recognized by the leading providers of mainframe tool support. Some of the traditional tools serving the platform have not evolved to keep in step with the sophisticated capabilities of tools serving the market today. They have not implemented many of the rich productivity features that are now considered to be standard in tools for the future. In this spotlight review report we assess Serena’s support strategy for improving the change management of mainframe application assets and enabling a broader community of developers to support the mainframe platform. -
In this report from our Creative Shorts series on Application Lifecycle Management, we suggest principles for Cloud development and lifecycle management that will ensure maximum benefits for multiple Cloud computing models. -
In this report from our Creative Shorts series on Application Lifecycle Management, we put forward a strategy for unified governance through process orchestration and management and its role in supporting the ALM process. -
In this report, from our Creative Shorts series on Application Lifecycle Management, we put forward the business value of Release Management and its role in supporting the ALM process. -
In this report, from our Creative Shorts series on Application Lifecycle Management, we put forward the business value of Requirements traceability and its role in supporting the ALM process. -
In this report, the first of our Creative Shorts series on Application Lifecycle Management, we provide the business case as to why ALM is a business critical service. Subsequent reports will focus on important process domains, workflows and management tracts within the ALM process, such as requirements traceability, release management, the ITSM-ALM interface, and process automation and management. -
In this report from our Creative Shorts series on Application Lifecycle Management, we put forward an un-bureaucratic approach to QA and testing management that supports ALM and improves business insight into IT. -
This report profiles the support delivered to improving Enterprise development and operations relations (DevOps) by Serena Software’s Release Management and Automation portfolio. In particular, the profile looks at the vendor’s goals for enabling organizations to better cater for Continuous Delivery for the most appropriate application targets. -
In this rather risqué titled podcast discussion we address the fact that given all the tooling and technology advances and the design guidance available whether there is now a case for locking up developers for producing bad apps and applications? More importantly is there a case for reforming the warranty and liability clauses when purchasing or accepting software apps. Scroll down for more details. Add to cart to download or play here. -
This report for Micro Focus examines how the advanced capabilities of its Enterprise Product Set underpin modernization strategies that were difficult or impossible until fairly recently. We describe a set of strategies for integrating legacy applications quickly into a truly modernized environment, laying the foundations for adding state-of-the-art capabilities based on business priorities, virtually unhindered by legacy technical constraints. (To download this file, you will be taken to Micro Focus's site.) -
Increasing the cadence of software delivery to drive competitive advantage, is what most Business Units want from their IT departments. Getting there is not simple, however: software in any company is a complex environment. Speeding up software delivery without adversely impacting existing systems requires strong processes, quality management and good governance. One of the most important processes in the handover of software from development into production/ operations is Release Management. This is a core process to ensure quality, stability and good governance is maintained. Ultimately, Release Management manages software as it passes through four critical phases: Planning, Development, Testing and Implementation. Each of these phases is well understood by IT, but guiding software through them, at speed, can sometimes appear to be more of a haphazard game of chance than a well thought out engineered approach. In this spotlight review we look at the next version of Serena's Release Manager, how it integrates with their existing tools and what it offers both the business and IT departments when it comes to increasing the speed of software delivery. -
This report specifically looks at the productivity gains achieved through the Uniface platform compared to the more common approach of using various frameworks, languages and paradigms to build complex applications. These gains primarily come over the life of the application, rather than all in the initial build phase. For this reason, the report looks at how applications have typically evolved during their lifetime and how the Uniface platform would have shown productivity benefits during that time, in comparison to other types of common technology development platforms. -
In this report, we identify the breadth and mix of the DevOps tooling support on z Systems and the opportunities available for balancing the support, for both open source and commercial enterprise tooling solutions. With so many options available, it is crucial that stakeholder roles strike the right balance to leverage z Systems to the full and ensure its continued value proposition in a hybrid landscape. The download consists of three papers for different audiences: the complete report, a version for business leaders and a version for technical leaders. This paper was authored on an independent basis by the analyst team at Creative Intellect Consulting, with sponsorship from IBM. The content is based on industry intelligence gathered and analysed by the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor. -
The use of cloud-based services and operations and wider support for cloud deployments is a growing reality. This is true even amongst those organisations committed to maintaining a level of support for non-cloud based workloads. Crucially, cloud underpins many of the technologies spearheading the digital economy. Across industries and markets, many also see it as a fundamental component for digital transformation. This report investigates the dynamics of the cloud market and profiles technologies that leverage cloud to enable new innovations and opportunities and improve business and operational output. Specifically, the report:- Identifies the mix of workload scenarios that are being adopted in hybrid environments, that support cloud services and on-premises IT infrastructure
- Offers guide points and step directions for those who have already, or are looking to, invest in WebSphere Application Server technology, so that they are better equipped to start their use of cloud computing
- Highlights the new features within WebSphere V9
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In today’s IT infrastructure landscape and operating climate there are key technology and processing trends that established runtime platforms must evolve to meet the new digital demands. This report summarises the main trends and practices impacting the application server estate. We recommend this briefing note as a companion to CIC’s report on Galvanising and supporting hybrid cloud delivery. -
The last few years have given us mobile, cloud computing , Internet of Things (IoT) and so on. Each of these comes with a wealth of languages, platforms, tools and more. While organisations are caught up in the frenzy to not be left behind (and get disrupted), choices are being made today that may have implications for many years to come. In this CIC report based on an independent study conducted on the drivers for adopting application programming technologies and models, we identify the following:- 7 trending dynamics in app development and delivery
- The App Development choices shaping the app market
- The criteria for what makes a language popular and ripe for adoption
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Harnessing AI engagement effectively for business and operational gain
IBM, through the capabilities of its Watson cognitive technology services, is enabling a powerful and more effective and productive Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system that can be easily implemented with existing investments in software development skillsets. In this briefing report, CIC explores the business and operational advantages that IBM Voice Gateway offers, particularly in addressing the skills challenge faced by organisation looking to support some of the latest technological advances impacting the digital landscape. We draw from research studies conducted into the support for key digital technologies across various industry sectors and the opportunities, goals and challenges expected from their use. With insights into proof of concepts conducted by independent software vendors (ISVs) and the market dynamics of contact/call centres, this report will identify vital differentiators to current IVR systems, showcase established use case scenarios and outline important usage considerations. Other points highlighted:- Getting to grips with the Artificial Intelligence hubris underpinning the digital economy with a spotlight on the cognitive reboot for telephony.
- CIC Journey Planner for IBM Voice Gateway and an ISV user profile
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The primary success of DevOps has been in helping to break down the barriers between development and operations. In and of itself, this is a significant bonus. In reality though, DevOps is a collective term and home for several foundational changes and a broader set of characteristics that have helped this happen. This CIC report outlines what they are and offers insights into the trajectory for DevOps: NoOps or Product teams? While DevOps signifies a much welcomed need for change, CIC’s attendance at Jenkins World 2017 offers a perspective on its maturity. Readers will learn the potential of a broader role for DevOps within the rest of the organisation. -
Organisations are looking to implement strategies and processes that allow them to successfully operate in the digital economy. They need guidance to understand how best to achieve their goals and what supporting practices will ensure the most effective and efficient approaches. While no two organisations are the same, learn how BP Castrol employs customer-centred outcomes, planning and enterprise architecture to support its investments in agile and DevOps. -
Organisations are looking to implement strategies and processes that allow them to successfully operate in the digital economy. They need guidance to understand how best to achieve their goals and what supporting practices will ensure the most effective and efficient approaches. While no two organisations are the same, learn how Harman International employs change management and skilled software delivery to reduce the risk of innovation. -
Organisations are looking to implement strategies and processes that allow them to successfully operate in the digital economy. They need guidance to understand how best to achieve their goals and what supporting practices will ensure the most effective and efficient approaches. While no two organisations are the same, learn how Swisscom employs it Cloud innovation lab to expose the tactics for identifying and delivering solutions in the digital economy. -
Organisations are looking to implement strategies and processes that allow them to successfully operate in the digital economy. They need guidance to understand how best to achieve their goals and what supporting practices will ensure the most effective and efficient approaches. While no two organisations are the same, learn how Capgemini strategy for APIs, along with business and solution architecture help drive consistency and maintain integrity for digital operations. -
It is widely acknowledged that the cloud market in 2018 is growing. Many indices point to this, but one in particular is from the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, which held its annual European conference in Copenhagen in May. As is the practice, the Kubernetes Conference (KubeCon) was run alongside. It attracted more than 4,100 people from around Europe and marks a key watershed moment for cloud native applications that enterprise IT should take note of. In this article, we outline how three years on and acceleration in adoption is showing from all corners and what the coming of age for Cloud-native means for the market. -
Mastering data and drawing insights and context is now recognised as a cornerstone capability for operating in the digital economy. Artificial Intelligence (AI), the umbrella term for a cohort of underpinning technologies such as Machine Learning (ML) serves as the means to extract and determine the insights that the data is pointing to and the mechanism by which to influence or directly impact an outcome. Navigating one’s way through the multitude of competing AI offerings requires a clear understanding of what is available and how it might serve your particular needs and resources. While many suppliers now make room for AI support, knowing their unique capability and strength especially as some features become commodity offerings, will allow you to align the right fit. With its focus on deep machine learning at its 2018 Amazon Web Services (AWS) Summit in London, AWS is speaking to organisations that want to realise transformative change through Artificial Intelligence. This reports looks at where a vendor like AWS is placing some of its emphasis with respect to its AI offerings. -
Organisations are looking to implement strategies and processes that allow them to successfully operate in the digital economy. They need guidance to understand how best to achieve their goals and what supporting practices will ensure the most effective and efficient approaches. While no two organisations are the same, learn a European high-tech manufacturer’s data capital, consistency and new structures for collaboration and frictionless data exchange are vital for sustaining its position in the digital economy. -
CIC’s Principal Analyst Dr Cathy Mulligan and Bola Rotibi, Research Director catch up with Brian Behlendorf, Executive Director of the Hyperledger Project at the Linux Foundation and Marta Piekarska, Director of Ecosystem at Hyperledger to discuss the important significance of MWC19 to the Hyperledger Project. Together with the Cloud Native Compute Foundation (CNCF) and the Linux Foundation Networking teams, their presence highlights the convergence that many see shaping and evolving the relationships to be had in the information, communication and technology sector going forward. In this podcast we hear about the latest projects driving the Hyperledger team forward and their impact to sustaining the viability of Blockchain for key supply chains. Add to cart to download or play here. Scroll down to see other podcasts in the MWC19 series.
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CIC’s Research Director, Bola Rotibi and Principal Analyst, Clive Howard, speak to Joan A Barcia Espin, Director of Product Management and Justin Paul, Marketing Director at Zeetta Networks to find out how MWC19 is reflecting new thinking and changed approaches in the telecommunication industry. A small and nimble player, Zeetta Networks are betting on the breakthrough in networking technology for telecoms that allows for orchestration and network slicing for targeted services. In this podcast, listeners can hear what Zeetta believes are the real drivers for 5G, the next big connectivity themes and how market disruption is resulting in a shift in the relationships the large Telecom operators are more open to building. Exciting times indeed, but who stands to gain the most? Undoubtedly, the changing market dynamics underscored by technologies such as Blockchain offers interesting potential and greater collaboration between the app development and network operations community. Listen to how both CIC and Zeeta see this playing out. Add to cart to download or play here. Scroll down to see other podcasts in the MWC19 series.
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CIC’s Principal Analyst Dr Cathy Mulligan and Bola Rotibi, Research Director discuss with Gail Wong, Product Manager, AT&T Internet of Things, the very real way that a Telecom operator such as AT&T can make good business from IoT with strong valued based partner interactions. In this podcast we hear about the foundations for a partnership model and strategy that can deliver meaningful engagement, opening the way for viable commercial returns for each participant in the partner chain. Of note are the capabilities on offer from existing connectivity investments in addition to the practical implementation requirements for edge communications. Spoiler Alert: the potential for sustaining the viability of Blockchain for key supply chains and networks is envisioned. Add to cart to download or play here. Scroll down to see other podcasts in the MWC19 series.
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CIC has attended MWC since 2014 and has seen it grow to wield influence in the direction of software development, delivery and lifecycle management across the broad software solution and communication landscape. In this podcast discussion, CIC’s Research Director, Bola Rotibi and Principal Analysts Cathy Mulligan and Clive Howard wrap up on CIC’s attendance at Mobile World Congress 2019 and offer Insights into the potential future for both the conference and the wider industry. Of particular note, are thoughts on the key challenges concerning the underpinning technologies, connectivity and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain and process strategies such as DevOps. Fast forward 3 to 5 years – find out what type of conference the CIC team think MWC will become. Add to cart to download or play here. Scroll down to see other podcasts in the MWC19 series.
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In this CIC case study, you will learn how a 40+ year old leading furniture retailer in South Florida undertook a successful mobile transformation to improve its workforce’s productivity. Important points of focus:- An overview of the transformational journey that City Furniture needed to undertake
- Discover four key insights underpinning City Furniture’s transformation execution
- Review the dynamics of a transformation in action
- Take away five essential lessons that can help guide other journeys
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There is no doubt that User Experience (UX) has become a critical concern for those that procure and develop software. BMC, a leading global IT vendor, began its UX journey almost 5 years ago. Its journey has lesson for all enterprises. This report specifically highlights a number of important considerations:- Driving Business Value
- Driving Broader Business Modernisation
- UX for managing risks
- Design and development
- Industrialising UX for scale
- A path for enterprise to follow
- A UX checklist to guide others in their journey.
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The promise of low-code, or even no-code, environments has been around for over three decades. While there have been challenges over that period on its adaption, the demand today for software from business units has outstripped the ability for IT departments to deliver. As a result Low-Code tools and strategies has broaden the development tool to meet the demands for new application quickly a backing vogue. This Briefing note highlights how OutSystems is proving and meeting market demands , specifically it covers:- OutSystems’ Low-code differentiation
- An integration strategy for speeding up app delivery
- Opportunities for embracing key future technology trends
- How to build a skilled community
- The key to sustainable business
- Plus point for customer choice
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In this spotlight report we look at HP’s Service Virtualization and Network Virtualization capabilities and offerings. In particular, we examine what it means to developers, test and quality assurance teams, and why the next generation of business applications requires a new approach to development and testing that allows not just corporate systems to be simulated, but also the network conditions and third-party services. This real-world testing is the key to ensuring not just faster time to market, but also stable systems, delivered to production with confidence. -
A change of ownership can be challenging for any organisation. For Uniface, that change is muted because it has spent the last five years running as an autonomous entity, inside Compuware, responsible for its own profit and loss accounts. With the transfer of ownership to Marlin Equity Partners, the challenge for the Uniface team now is to turn its new found freedom and investment from its new owners into a high growth future. In this spotlight, we take a look at the recent history of Uniface, along with its partner, product and customer story going forward. -
The mainframe has proven to be the most resilient computing platform in the market. It has survived the arrival of the mini-computer in the 1970’s and the PC in the early 1980s. In the last three decades client/server, distributed computing, blade computing and cloud computing have all taken their turn at trying to displace the mainframe. While there may only be one mainstream mainframe vendor left, mainframe sales are showing a rise. This is due to new computing demands and engagement methods such as mobile which offer pervasive access to the analytical processing and performance capability of the mainframe. The depth of customer investments made in the mainframe platform is recognised by the leading mainframe tools vendors. They realise that while customers are transitioning to new operating systems such as Linux and modern languages such Java on the mainframe, there is a need to ensure it is integrated into their development and operational workflows. This has led to a change in the capabilities of tools serving the market today with many struggling to incorporate the rich productivity features that are now considered to be standard for developer and operation toolkits. In this spotlight review report we assess Serena’s support strategy for improving the change management of mainframe application assets and enabling a broader community of developers to support the mainframe platform. -
This report highlights five important focus areas for those looking to understand the value of modern APIs along with crucial considerations and strategies for their creation, lifecycle management and security. Specifically, readers will discover: 1. The value in APIs Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) enable easier and faster development of many different types of applications allowing for new values and capabilities to be delivered. APIs are not new and in this report we discuss the five drivers progressing the use of APIs today, outlining the value they specifically bring to organisations and the foundations for successful APIs. 2. API evolution: backdrop to the modern API landscape There have been various abstraction and integration approaches that have evolved over the years, each achieving varying levels of success. In this section we outline the constituents of today’s API landscape today while pinpointing the underlying technologies behind the transition to modern APIs. 3. Strategies for the development community One of the big challenges from a technical perspective is how to break down an API to make it easier to develop and maintain. With APIs, those responsible for creating them will need to think about their design and how much functionality they want an API to address. In this report we identify technical skillsets to address some of the specific challenges facing those tasked with creating and managing APIs. Crucially, we outline and discuss in detail the various development and management strategies as well as the primary considerations for API Creation, API Management and API Security. 4. An effective API delivery and management strategy for practitioners IBM API Connect brings together two key IBM products – IBM API Management and IBM StrongLoop. In this section of the report readers will get an overview of IBM’s API lifecycle management solution and a detailed breakdown of the facilities it offers for creating, securing, consuming, running and managing both APIs and micro-services. We specifically discuss the competitive advantages of IBM’s API Connect solution and outline the wider potential it offers organisations and their development teams for either on-premises or cloud based application. 5. CIC Analysis CIC provides an insider’s perspective and unique user directions and qualifies why integrating software packages and services to share data and provide additional functionality has been, and continues to be, important. Readers will see first-hand CIC’s guide for building a high quality API, complete with a journey planner based on user input and experience. -
As a publicly traded company, Box has sought to bring its finances more in line with typical public companies, as opposed to capital intensive start-ups. This it is successfully doing without slowing its ability to grow both customers and capabilities. This report charts the evolution of Box’s business strategy and provides a profile and review of the Box platform in meeting the enterprise content needs of the digital workforce. Specifically, this report covers:- CIC direction and analysis
- Evolution of Box’s business and a growing product portfolio targeting a broad audience base
- Proof points of Box as a true enterprise vendor
- The business and operational value of the Box platform services with an outline of its industry leading security credentials
- Building the modern organisational unit to drive application success
- Competitive position with end user scenarios
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One of the biggest trends in the market today is Digital Transformation. Therefore, it is surprising how little clarity there is to what the term specifically means. To try to bring clarity to the term Digital Transformation and answer important questions for organisation concerned with it, CIC conducted a quantitative study of over 300 organisations of various sizes, industries and geographies. This report outlines the key findings, along with the dynamics underpinning the drive and journey towards digital transformation. Importantly, it presents the following:- A map of the challenges and barriers to overcome, as well as key channels that must be navigated if the opportunities presented by a digital transformation are to be realised.
- Defines the underlying support for low code development tools and their role in helping to deliver the digital transformation process.
- For organisations looking to ensure the most effective strategy for their digital transformation journey CIC’s study offers 4 insights that must be in their game plan.