We’re pretty enthusiastic about cloud computing here at Octavia.  It really is starting to look like the way of the future in many different fields.  Obviously, if you’re running a business, it can help you store your documents cheaply and often more securely – extra backups can’t really do you any harm.  It’s also a great way to access your work remotely, meaning that even if one of your employees breaks a leg he won’t have to struggle to his desk to get work done.  But the cloud is coming to play a part in other fields as well, which we think excellently demonstrates the potential that cloud computing has.

Recently, Microsoft has launched a new initiative to use cloud computing to solve scientific problems.  One of the major problems facing scientists today is, surprisingly, a lack of computing resources.  We’re getting to the stage where we can capture data, but our ability to process it is hindered on what the world’s supercomputers are doing at the time.  Only so many scientific breakthroughs can be made if they’re reliant on this.  From this come the many programs that allow normal people to use their computers to do good and interesting things, like searching for aliens or curing cancer.

Microsoft has taken this idea to another level and is employing cloud computing to help scientists attain their goals more easily.  They’re targeting the “excluded middle” – those scientists who don’t have access to a complex computer or have no idea how to manage it, thus democratising access to high powered computing resources.  Microsoft aims to connect these scientists to the computing resources they need to make more advancements for the better of everyone.

This new system is called the National Center for Biotechnology Information Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (shortened to NCBI BLAST for all of our sanity) and uses Windows Azure.  Scientists who use the service can access any NCBI life science data that Microsoft currently hosts, share private data collections and collaborate with other researchers, and most excitingly use the computational scalability of the cloud to process data.  While this is only one sector, Microsoft is working hard to bring the ability to a whole range of organisations in science, business, and government.

If major scientists using cloud computing isn’t enough to convince you to jump in the cloud, what will?  Leave us your answers in the comments.

Microsoft’s newest announcement about their popular suites of software has made us very interested indeed.  As you may know, we currently recommend and implement Microsoft’s Business Productivity Online Services and we’re thrilled at the prospect of an upgrade to Microsoft’s newest system, which is currently in beta and will be released to all organisations in 2011.  Microsoft Office 365 will completely replace BPOS, and we will be transitioning all of our clients to the new software once it’s possible, as should all IT support companies.

The new system will provide enhanced benefits to users, in addition to those they currently enjoy through BPOS.  99% uptime is still guaranteed, and security and support are still included.  Plans vary across different sizes and types of business, so depending on the individual needs of yours you may end up paying between $2 and $28 US per month.  Office 365 also supports workers who need to work from home with a variety of flexible packages designed just for them, allowing them to connect to their own email and stay hooked in to the entire organisation.

Microsoft Office 365 includes Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Lync Online, and the Microsoft Office Professional Plus desktop suite.  That means you should get everything you need with the new package.  If you’re not using BPOS yet but you’d like to get set up for 365 without delay, you can sign up today and receive the upgrade as soon as it’s available; Microsoft advise  you to have your PCs up to their new system requirements before installing to make transitioning as simply as possible.  We can, of course, help you upgrade your systems as and when necessary.

Microsoft’s new system is a natural development in light of the increased competition they’ve had from Google in terms of cloud-based productivity software.  Google’s main selling point for the service, after all, is the fact that the data can be accessed by anyone permitted anywhere with a web browser.  It makes it vastly easier to collaborate.  Now Microsoft is offering the same thing – but with their much more powerful Office suite, already used in millions of businesses worldwide, behind it.  Google’s software’s main disadvantage was simply that it couldn’t do what Word could do, making it difficult for many businesses to switch over – even if they chose to do so, despite the fact that it was cheaper.  If Microsoft can provide enough functionality within their web apps, so that documents don’t lose formatting from the initial build on desktop-based apps to their web counterparts, they may just take the initiative back from Google on this front.

In fact, the truth is that now that Google have built up some enthusiasm for cloud-based documents, including use by organisations, it’s the perfect time for Microsoft to bounce back.  People want to collaborate in real time, but they want to do it with the powerful software they ordinarily use.  If Microsoft Office 365 can deliver on this front, then they may just keep Google’s efforts down for the foreseeable future.

What do you think of Microsoft Office 365?  Will you be implementing it in your office?  Let us know in the comments – and remember to give us a ring if you need any support or have any questions about Microsoft’s online productivity services.

When it comes to hiring a specialist to develop your bespoke software solutions, you cannot afford to go with the wrong one. The developer you choose must have the necessary skills and latest knowledge; this is non-negotiable.

Familiarity with your type of business is crucial, otherwise how can your developer hope to know what is essential and what not.

Business specific knowledge is the only way the developer will understand the common problems, needs and expectations that are business type specific. Only with this knowledge can the right bespoke software solutions be created and delivered.

Weeding out process

Start off the process of selecting your bespoke software developer by going over their company website with a fine-tooth comb. This is where you can all the indications of what type of quality services they offer their clients. You are also within your rights to get references from clients they have worked with before. It is essential that you ascertain the quality and reliability of the company’s production.

Draw up a checklist and look into the bespoke software company’s delivery policies, work models and manner of communication. Ask to see samples of the software they had created for other clients. Whether the company has industry recognition is another aspect to look into. Bespoke software is costly and no business can afford to back the wrong horse.

It is in your best interests to make doubly sure the bespoke software developer measures up. That he has the experience, skills and abilities to create the bespoke software solution to your complete expectations.

Bespoke is a word the UK has fallen in love with and rightly so. Bespoke means custom. It can be custom made, custom fit, custom anything really. People love anything that is tailored specifically for them and not simply from a generic prototype. Prototypes are all well and good for some needs, but they don’t offer you that special uniqueness that you know you deserve.

Bespoke software development is a very important tool in revolutionizing they way we do business. This means that companies have custom made software for their own purposes. So what does that mean exactly and what is so revolutionary about it?

Speaking the bespoke language

Bespoke software development means that your company does not use an off the shelf generic software package. Instead you make a name for yourself by having customized software to meet all your needs not just 100% of the way. This software gives you 120% all the time. Bespoke software development is allowing businesses to go about reaching their goals in their own unique way.

This adds value to your company and your business as far as your clients and business associates are concerned. You make your business dealings more efficient and can cater to your clients’ needs. This allows customising of your business processes and dealings to specifically cater to the needs of your target market.

It adds extra oomph and credit to your reputation. A customer receiving excellent services made possible by your bespoke software feels valued and special and this creates loyalty to your company. Revolutionise your company and the way you do business with bespoke software development, it is worth it.

People often debate long and loud about the benefits of generic software and bespoke software solutions for a business. Off-the-shelf software in many cases is adequate for the needs of a specific business or industry. That is good and well for those who have their software needs satisfied with this type of software.

On the other hand, there are many companies who have specific needs and wants. These companies benefit the most from bespoke software solutions, the reason being that bespoke software is exclusively designed for a specific company. It focuses only on the needs of that company directly.

Outsourcing is cost effective

You can have your business needs for bespoke software solutions met in two ways. You can have the bespoke software developed by in-house IT professionals or you can outsource your bespoke software needs to a company that specialises in the field, such as Octavia IS. In-house personnel are not cost effective in the long run as salaries are a constant drain.

When outsourcing your bespoke software needs, you automatically have access to the expertise of that whole company. Software development is an extremely competitive industry. This means that when you outsource, the company will push all its expertise into your project. Their reputation depends on supplying you with the highest quality service. A software development company also has access to a vast labour pool of highly skilled IT professionals.

The bespoke software development company will liaise with you each step during the progress of your project to ensure your satisfaction.

In the same way as every person has their own unique qualities, so does every organisation and business. Each and every one of them is unique even if they offer the same products or services as a competitor, but it can sometimes be difficult for customers to see what makes you stand out. In order to show you uniqueness, you can spice up your business efforts when it comes to reaching business goals.

Just because you have the same goals as your competitor does not mean that you go about it in the same way. Each business will undoubtedly have different ways of reaching their own goals. So why not have customized tools to help you get there?

From generic to bespoke

Bespoke software development refers to customized computer software for your specific IT needs. The world revolves around competition. We are all forever competing in some way or another, whether you are a business competing for customers or a celebrity competing for a spot in the limelight.

Competition is competition and you need to use everything you can to stay ahead of your competitors. Bespoke software development can help you reach your business goals your way. This is because it is set up to work exactly for your requirements, whether it be a content management system or a stocktaking program, or any other system which helps your business to function.

To help your business run at its most efficient you can go a step further. Why not invest in bespoke software development for every department in your company which has different needs? This means that all your systems are working optimally to increase productivity of the whole.

Anything that is customised is usually more expensive than its generic counterpart, which you can grab off any store shelf you like. The problem with a generic product is that it is not made to fit your specific needs to the tee. That is what bespoke software development has taken off and gained such popularity as a great way to meet your business needs.

More and more businesses are cottoning on to the idea that they need to make use of bespoke software development. This is in order to optimize their IT resources and their information technology systems, which helps them be more productive and offer a better standard of services to their clients.

Bespoke your way to success

During a global financial recession a business cannot at all afford to lose potential customers and business opportunities to their competitors. You scrutinize the staff you employ so that you have only the best you can afford. This should not only include your human resources, but computers and software. You need to decide whether it will cost you more in the long term to grab generic software or to indulge in bespoke software development for your business now and save money later.

Optimising your IT resources and systems will optimise the speed and efficiency with which your business runs. You will have every daily need met so that your company never has to make do again. This means that you have better service to offer your current and prospective clients.

Customers are always looking for the best service they can find. Bespoke software development for your business grows and evolves as you do, allowing you to reach new goals and lifts the ceiling off your business potential.

Software licencing falls into the categories of proprietary, free software or open source, each one has its own distinguishing features which affects the rights of an end user.

Proprietary licenses allow a licensee to use of one or more copies of their software while they retain full ownership of any and all copies.  This leaves only a very small and very limited set of rights for the user, and even these are well defined and contain many terms which categorically prohibit certain types of use, even those which would normally be allowed under copyright laws.

The end user has to accept this licence, if they don’t they will not be able, or allowed to use the software.  Proprietary licenses contain extensive lists of retricted activities such as simultaneous use by multiple users or publishing performance tests.
Free software licenses allow ownership of the copy to be held by the end user.

This means that they afford all rights to the software by copyright law to the copy owner, but this is not the same as copyright owner.  Free software licences grant extra rights to the user which would normally be reserved by the publisher of the software, and the user may use the software without accepting the licence, but if they want to redistribute they have to accept and adhere to the software licence.

Open source licences fall into two categories.  While one attempts to preserve the freedom of the software, the other aims to give freedom to the users of the software.  This is called permissive licences.  Open source licencing is aimed at giving the user permissions to redistribute, engineer or even modify the software.

When an infraction to the software licensing rules and regulations has been found a penalty from the publisher can be imposed on the guilty party.  These are by no means small amounts!  Publishers call this ‘deficiency’ and software houses calculate these fees based on the level of compliance, which they do even before you have received notice from them.  They are open to negotiations however in order to decrease the fine, but at the end of the day you will have to pay, if you don’t you wont have a system to work from and this could mean no business.

How you are found out is usually by word of mouth and this comes mainly from disgruntled employees or business associates.  In fact there are organisations who advertise for this information.  To be fair though, often companies are not aware that their employees are loading their computers with unlicensed software, so when these disgruntled employees turn their former employers over it comes as a surprise, but surprised or not, the ultimate responsibility for unlicensed software lies squarely with management.

The only way to avoid non compliance issues is for management to ‘police’ their employee’s computers.  Another way to get caught is Software installed on any computer that is hooked up to the internet conducts a form of dialogue with its software publisher; this is without your permission.

In order to avoid penalties, keep accurate records of licence agreements because even if you are on the level, if you can’t prove you own the licence you can be penalised.  You also have to agree to the terms of the licence, understand them and comply to them. This can straightforward or very complex, especially in large companies. That is why outsourcing at least this part of your IT support can be very useful, saving you time and hassle.