The world of programming has come very far, and it continues to evolve. What this gives you is – options. Out of the many ways to fabricate these programs, the two most common ways are functional programming and microservices. This blog gives you an in-depth view of both of them.

To understand the similarities and differences between these two, we must first understand how they work individually.

What Is Functional Programming?

Functional Programming (also called FP) is a programming paradigm in which everything is bound together by using pure mathematical functions. Its programming style is declarative because it focuses on “what to solve” instead of “how to solve.”

FP is mainly based on the ancient Lambda Calculus developed in 1930. It is famously known as the smallest programming language in the world, and it defines what is computable. Functional programming languages are classified into Pure Functional Languages and Impure Functional Languages. A few examples of Programming Languages that support functional programming are – Haskell, JavaScript, and Python.

Read more: Enhance Your Small Business Growth & Success with Custom Software Solution!

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What Are Microservices?

Microservice architecture, or simply Microservices, is a modern perspective on software whereby application code is conveyed distinctively in small, manageable pieces. It mainly focuses on building small, self-contained, and ready-to-run applications that can bring great pliability and added resilience to a code.

Each service functions independently in its own process, making microservices a service-oriented architecture where applications are built as a collection of divergent smaller services rather than one whole monolithic app. The programming languages that support microservices development are – Java, Golang, Python, .Net, and Node JS.

Read more: Is Microservice Architecture The Next Best Move For Businesses?

How Are Functional Programming And Microservices Similar? 

Although Functional Programming and Microservices are very different, a few similarities can be noted between them.

  • They have a shared goal of deployed elasticity
  • Both functional programming and microservices are formulated to scale and load-balance simultaneously with any increase in demands
  • They are also designed to replace faulty instances
  • They both share a concept of encapsulation and clear separation
  • Both functional programmes and microservices are small, which means they both carry the minimum amount of logic
  • When using microservices or functional programmes, utmost discretion is advised since the major quality of experience problems could develop.
  • The most significant point of similarity between the two is that neither functional programming nor microservices should store data within a component.

With the help of transport independence and pattern matching, services can be edited from your system, letting you reposition the topology with each deployment. If you look closer, this benefit emerges from the similarities between microservices and functions from functional programming.

How Is Functional Programming Different From Microservices? 

Although often associated together, microservices and functional programming are fundamentally quite different, especially regarding software design and development. A few of these differences are listed and explained below:

  • Reasons for small size – Microservices are small to facilitate better generalization, which capacitates developers to contrive applications from a collection of small functional units. Whereas functional programmes are small to perform limited tasks. Functional programs cannot be composed into applications; instead, they are linked with events.
  • Functional programming concepts aggressively exercise stateless behavior. It emphasizes mostly on generating the same outputs from the same inputs. While microservices usually exhibit stateful behavior because they conserve state throughout a database, which is also called back-end state control.
  • Functional programming performs on asynchronous outside triggers cited as event flows. Alternatively, microservices are called by other software when they are required to be part of a workflow.
  • At a specific point during processing, you’re probably calling a microservice if you want to call an individual component. Still, if you want to respond to something external, that’s generally pursuant to functional programming.
  • Organized functions have sequences in place of workflows, and every step in the processing of an event is likely set on by the step before it. On the contrary, all activations of your software associated with microservices are explicit calls, so you don’t have to worry about figuring out how to keep the steps in sequence.
  • Exploring how they will sequence the steps in their scheduled functions is imperative for functional programming, but concurrency is the key with microservices.
  • Since microservices are called by other software, you can control how they are called, so you can control concurrency. Alternatively, you can expect event-driven functions to be concurrent.

Under What Circumstances Are Functional Programming And Microservices Best Employed? 

Functional Programming:

Typically it is used for mathematical operations, AI, and pattern matching; generically, anything that can be broken down into a set of rules that must be utilized to get a solution.

Some of FPs advantages that make it better employed are –

  • It helps solve problems effectively in an easy way.
  • It increases modularity.
  • It allows the implementation of lambda calculus in programmes to solve complex problems.
  • Some programming languages endorse nested functions which improve the tenability of the code.
  • It improves the productivity of the developer.
  • It helps debug any code briskly.

Microservices:

Microservices have quintessentially changed the way server-side engines are fabricated. Making the most of microservices is a unique science and requires discipline.

A few of their advantages that make them better employed are –

  • Each microservice, as needed, can evolve independently, enabling constant improvement and faster app updates.
  • Resources can individually be increased to the most needed microservices rather than scaling an entire app. Therefore scaling is faster and usually more cost-efficient as well.
  • If a particular microservice fails, you can prevent cascading failures that would cause the app to crash by simply isolating the failure to that single service.
  • Its smaller codebase allows teams to understand the code more easily, making it simpler to maintain.
  • Microservices boost agility by reducing the time to market and speeding up your CI/CD pipeline.

Read more: Breaking Down The Enterprise Software Monoliths!

Make the Best of These Programming languages for Your Business

Deciding which programming language is best for you is a critical decision.

Speak to our tech experts at Fingent top custom software development company to see which one is right for you and how you can implement it for your business.

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    About the Author

    ...
    Sreejith

    I have been programming since 2000, and professionally since 2007. I currently lead the Open Source team at Fingent as we work on different technology stacks, ranging from the "boring"(read tried and trusted) to the bleeding edge. I like building, tinkering with and breaking things, not necessarily in that order.

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      Technology is getting better and better each day. Several technologies and architectural patterns have emerged and evolved during the past few years, and it only gets better with time. Microservices architecture or microservices is one of those patterns. It emerged from the world of domain-driven design and persistence.

      In this article we will cover:

      • What is microservices architecture?
      • The difference between microservices, monolithic architecture, and service-oriented architecture (SOA)
      • The benefits and examples of implementing Microservices Architecture.

      What Is Microservices Architecture?

      Microservices architecture is a specific method of designing software systems that can structure a single application as a collection of loosely coupled services.

      Microservices architecture is made up of several components in their own individual compartments in the software. This makes them independently upgradeable or replaceable.

      Microservices architecture simplifies the process of building and maintaining certain types of applications by breaking them down into many smaller pieces that work together. Though this increases the complexity, it offers greater advantages over the monolithic structure.

      Now you may wonder: Isn’t Microservices just another name for monolithic architecture and service-oriented architecture (SOA)?

      Let’s clarify that for you!

      Read more: Progressive Web App Development: 10 Benefits

      Progressive Web Apps

      Microservices Architecture Vs. Monolithic Architecture

      In the current age of Kubernetes, Monolithic architecture faces many limitations. Please note a few:

      • Monolithic architecture is a single application. It is generally released once a year with the newest updates. Whereas, Microservices architecture is cloud-based and can be updated as required.
      • Monolithic architecture is slow. Modifying a small section may require complete rebuilding and deployment of the software.  Microservices on the other hand are faster to deploy and quick to isolate any defects.
      • Monolithic architecture is harder to adapt to the specific or changing product lines while individual models of Microservices architecture enable scaling and development.

      Microservices Architecture Vs. SOA (Service-oriented Architecture) 

      Microservices architecture is distinct from SOA. Here are a few differences:

      • SOA model is dependent on ESBs and so it is slower. Whereas, microservices is faster as it leverages faster-messaging mechanisms.
      • SOA focuses on imperative programming style, while microservices focuses on a responsive-actor programming style.
      • SOA has an outsized relational database. But Microservices architecture tends to use NoSQL or micro-SQL databases.

      Read more: Ways To Accelerate Business Growth and Success in 2021

      Business Growth

      Business Benefits Of Microservice Architecture

      Microservices architecture can help your business grow quicker, increase productivity, and innovate better to deploy competitive products into the market. Here are some specific benefits of the Microservices architecture:

      1. Better organization for efficiency

      Microservices architecture organizes business applications. It can extend those applications to support plugins for new features, devices, etc.  You can easily add more features to each of those popular applications to generate more revenue.

      2. Increased scalability

      Microservices architecture divides applications into smaller modules. Each of these modules can operate independently enabling businesses to scale applications up or down, as required. As these modules operate independently, a fault in the single module does not mean disruption of the entire system.

      If one module fails due to outdated technology or the inability to further develop the code, developers can use another module. In other words, the applications continue to function even when one or more modules fail.

      This capability allows developers the freedom to build and deploy services as needed without having to wait for the entire application to be corrected.

      3. Easy to maintain

      It is easier to maintain and test a single module as opposed to an entire system. Since each module has its own storage and database, organizations can build, test, and deploy all the modules with less complexity.

      4. Faster development

      Since all modules are loosely coupled, change in one module does not affect the performance of the other. This means you can update a single module at a time leading to faster development.

      5. Enhanced performance

      Microservices architecture can enhance the performance of the application. It reduces downtime while developers take their time to troubleshoot the issue and bring the system back to normalcy.

      6. Dynamic yet consistent

      The individual modular approach in Microservices architecture is easy to replicate. This allows for consistency in applications, which in turn makes managing these modules simple and easy.

      Prominent Examples of Successful Microservices Implementation

      Prominent examples of Microservices architecture are Amazon, Netflix, Uber, and Etsy. Over time these enterprises refactored their monolithic applications into Microservices-based architectures. This move has helped to quickly achieve scaling advantages, greater business agility, and unimaginable ROIs.

      1. Amazon

      In the early 2000s, untangling dependencies was a complicated process for Amazon developers. It faced development delays, coding challenges, and service interdependencies.

      However, Amazon assigned ownership to each independent service team. This allowed the developers to identify the bottlenecks and resolve issues more efficiently. Also, it helped them create a very highly decoupled architecture.

      2. Netflix

      Within a year of starting its movie-streaming service, Netflix was suffering from service outages and scaling challenges. It experienced major database corruption and was on standstill for three days! That is when it decided to move towards more reliable, horizontally scalable systems in the cloud.

      First, Netflix moved its movie-coding platform to cloud servers as an independent microservice. This allowed Netflix to overcome its scaling challenges and service outages.

      3. Uber

      Uber, the ride-sharing service faced growth hurdles. It struggled to launch new features, fix bugs, and integrate its global operations. Besides, it became increasingly difficult to make minor updates and changes to the system.

      Uber then decided to move to cloud-based microservices. This allowed its developers to build individual functions like trip management or passenger management. This boosted the speed, quality, and manageability of their services. Among other things, they achieved more reliable fault tolerance.

      4. Etsy

      Etsy experienced poor server processing time. However, with the help of Microservices architecture, Etsy created a variety of developer-friendly tools and went live in 2016. From that point forward, Etsy benefits from a structure that supports continual innovation, faster upgrades, and more.

      Read more: Enterprise Resource Planning Software: A Complete Guide!

      How Fingent Can Help You Implement Microservices Architecture

      Microservices architecture supersedes SOA and monolithic models. However, it has its challenges. This is where Fingent comes to your assistance.

      Fingent top software development company can help you implement Microservices Architecture correctly to improve your productivity and ROI. Designing your architecture is not just a technological option. It is a necessity! It is a business decision that can directly affect your business growth. Fingent can help you take care of the technical aspect while you concentrate on your business goals. Give us a call and let’s get talking.

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        About the Author

        ...
        Sreejith

        I have been programming since 2000, and professionally since 2007. I currently lead the Open Source team at Fingent as we work on different technology stacks, ranging from the "boring"(read tried and trusted) to the bleeding edge. I like building, tinkering with and breaking things, not necessarily in that order.

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          Planning a software development project for your business? Here’s a detailed guide on the various stages and life-cycle of Software Product Development!

           

          Introduction

          Behind all the conveniences that we use in our everyday life, there is complex software. Such ease of life is possible when complex software is implemented in various stages in definitive order. These models address the diverse circumstances of product owners and development vendors.

          However, such a rich choice can be confusing. To fully benefit from the development process and successfully communicate with the development team, you must realize your needs and expectations from the product.

          Here is a complete guide to help you understand and organize the complex process of Software Product Development – what each stage means and how you can drive a successful Software Product Development project.

           

          What Is Software Product Development?

          Software Product Development is a combination of steps, tools, methodologies, and management techniques that bring the concept of a product from the ideation stage to implementation and eventually to the market.

          The primary goal of Software Product Development is to provide high-level products within the set budget and timeline. Typically, the software development lifecycle includes product discovery, software development, testing, deployment, and so on.

          Read more: Types of Application Software: A Detailed Guide for 2021

          How To Gauge When Your Business Needs Software Product Development?

          Every business in today’s fast-paced and volatile world needs Software Products. Software Products help your business gain momentum and a competitive advantage for your business. Here are some scenarios that indicate when your business needs Software Product Development.

          1. When your company starts experiencing low efficiency and miscommunication-related issues.

          Are your current methods of collecting data complicating the effective management of your company? Have you noticed miscommunication between your employees and managers resulting in missed deadlines? If these are restricting your business from reaching its potential growth, you need software development.

          2. When your supply chain has many bottlenecks

          A dissatisfied customer will quickly hop over to your competition. Bottlenecks created by miscommunication lead to loss of opportunities. When your company is dealing with a higher volume of complaints and low satisfaction rates, you need software development. It can optimize your supply chain management and guide all your decisions.

          3. When your business is growing

          Despite exponential business growth, the quality of your products and services should continue to be of the highest standard. Product development can help you comply with government regulations, evaluate the quality of the suppliers and the quality of your product.

          4. When your customer base increases

          When your customers increase, data increases. And that data has to be organized and maintained to help you make better understand your finances and use it to make strategic decisions. Product development can provide you visibility into all transactions contributing to the financial health of your company.

          5. When your company is expanding to other locations

          When your organization expands to other locations, you will need a fully visible information system that records all that happens at that exact location. Software Product Development equips you with the possibility to record all inventory movements in real-time.

          Read more: Progressive Web Apps: New Cutting-Edge Trend in Web Development

          How To Prepare For Software Product Development

          All Software Product Development needs detailed documentation. This documentation must cover the business requirements and clarify product functionality. It can also serve as the basis to discuss essential issues between business owners and developers. Here is how you can prepare to start a successful Software Product Development:

          • Do your homework: Even before searching for a vendor for Software Product Development, you need to conduct marketing research. Qualified marketing research will help you achieve your sales growth now and in the future.
          • Develop precise product vision: Work out the “whys” in projects that are focused on the main product. You can eliminate mistakes by answering questions such as, “who is the product for?” and “why do they need the product?”
          • Plan: Have a clear vision and communicate that vision to the development team. This will help them to create a software product that is aligned with your requirements.
          • Timely execution: Have a written communication with designers and engineers to nudge them in the right direction. This will contribute to well-articulated timely execution.
          • Make team members accountable: From day one, help your team members see their share of tasks that contribute to the development of the software product.
          • Document everything: Keeping a record of everything from ideation to execution can help your team to access all the features that must be included in the product and the functions each of those features must perform.

          Read more: Web Application Development: A Detailed Guide for 2021

          5 Essential Stages Of Software Product Development

          Stage 1: Product Discovery

          The first stage in the Software Product Development lifecycle is where new ideas or concepts originate. A team is organized to study the idea, perform market analysis, and identify technical and market risks. This will help organizations to determine the need for Software Product Development.

          Stage 2: Product definition

          In this stage, the team creates the first comprehensive evaluation of the technology. Developers and managers evaluate the important points of differentiation of the new product. This will avoid misinterpretation of the needs of the market.

          Stage 3: Product development

          This is the most time-consuming stage. Software developers use the design document to write code for the components. The task is divided between team members according to their area of expertise. This includes front-end developers, database administrators, and software developers.

          Stage 4: Product testing

          Quality assurance team steps in this stage to ensure the software meets all the requirements for which it was built. It involves functional testing, performance testing, unit testing, security testing, and usability testing.

          During this stage, software developers fix any bugs and retest as many times as required. This stage continues until the software is free of bugs and measures up to the potential capability.

          Stage 5: Product deployment

          Now, the software is sent into the market for user acceptance testing. Once again, the software team fixes any bugs based on the feedback from its first users. Then the final version is launched into the market. This stage also includes maintenance and strengthening of the software.

          Perhaps now you feel you are ready to start Software Product Development. But, hold on! Selecting the right partner for Software Product Development will impact your company in the long term. So, read on to find a few tips that can help you define the right partner.

          Read more: Software Development Outsourcing Guide for CEOs

           

          Tips To Select The Right Partners For Software Product Development

          Selecting the right partners is an important decision that should not be treated lightly.  So, here are few tips:

          1. Conduct a background check on the company

          To validate the company’s experience and professional trajectory, contact some organizations that have worked with the vendor. This will help you know their experience and the final outcome of the product.

          2. Check their ability

          For your product to be of excellent quality, the vendor should have abilities and excellence in software development. To guarantee their excellence, find out if they have QAG (Quality Assurance Group) or GMO (Organizational Improvement Group).

          3. Knowledge of different methodologies

          Solid methodological training and experience in using various technologies are vital for product development.

          4. Ability to support throughout the cycle

          Ensure that the vendor does not abandon the project at any of the stages.

          5. Ability to understand your business

          All in the team should be able to understand your unique business requirements and help you find the best solution aligned with your objectives.

          6. Capable testers 

          Ensure the vendor in consideration has qualified testers who can guide you on how to perform your own tests.

           

          Healthier, Better Business With Software Product Development

          It may be time for you to start thinking about Software Product Development that helps you run a healthier business. True, it requires an investment of time and money. However, in the long run, you will realize that you have saved time and money by enhancing customer satisfaction and improving employee retention. We at fingent, top custom software development company ensure a streamlined product development process that simplifies both deployment and transition. Call us to see how you can get this started for you right away.

          Stay up to date on what's new

            About the Author

            ...
            Sreejith

            I have been programming since 2000, and professionally since 2007. I currently lead the Open Source team at Fingent as we work on different technology stacks, ranging from the "boring"(read tried and trusted) to the bleeding edge. I like building, tinkering with and breaking things, not necessarily in that order.

            Talk To Our Experts

              Cloud Service Models Saas, IaaS, PaaS –
              Choose the Right One for Your Business

              A Quick Introduction to Cloud Service Models

              Cloud computing services and models are gaining tremendous momentum, with more businesses migrating their workloads from on-premise infrastructures to cloud. The ability to use IT infrastructure, software applications, and platforms via the internet has transformed the way businesses operate today. Brands selling products and services online, such as ecommerce companies, virtual collaboration apps, elearning, and telehealth providers leverage at least one or all of the cloud service models to run their business successfully.
              A robust cloud strategy is inevitable to build a successful business strategy. And the most important part of your cloud strategy is to choose the right cloud service model(s) for your organization. Cloud service models are part of the broader trend – “Everything as a Service” or “XaaS.” As you explore the cloud service models, you will find options like IaaS, SaaS, PaaS, and similar terms. Choosing the right cloud service model depends on your infrastructure availability, portability of your application and data, IT staff and resources, cost considerations, compliance specifications, cloud security requirements, and scalability needs. Every cloud service model provides different levels of control and management. So, it’s important to know which model makes the most sense for your business needs.
              Statista reports that in 2021, the total global spending on public IT cloud services amounted to almost 409 billion USD. The largest spending segment was Software as a Service (SaaS), with an approximate annual revenue of 249 billion USD. More legacy business applications are getting replaced with data-driven SaaS applications, ideal for modern cloud architectures. Choosing one or more cloud service models will save your money on hardware and software, and help you manage business applications with greater flexibility and speed, and minimal vendor lock-in.
              Source: IDC Worldwide Semiannual Public Cloud Services Tracker, 2H 2021

              Are you looking for a Cloud Service Provider?

              Why Does Your Business Need Cloud Computing?

              Cloud helps create more seamless business solutions by integrating your applications, deployments, and networks. It provides numerous opportunities to design and deliver new digital services for your customers and employees. Cloud enables your business to respond quickly to the changing needs during periods of disruption. Here are a few reasons why your business needs cloud computing solutions.

              High Performance and Availability

              Cloud services are distributed across multiple cloud facilities. This eliminates your downtime, ensuring high availability. Your cloud service provider will be responsible for updating cloud systems, fixing bugs, and solving security issues in the cloud. The performance gains offered by cloud is higher than that of on-premise infrastructure.

              Scalability and Flexibility

              Cloud computing allows you to quickly scale up or down your computing resources and storage to meet the changing business needs. You don’t have to invest heavily in any physical infrastructure to support the changes, such as an increase in the load levels.

              Effective Collaboration

              Cloud storage makes your data available anywhere, anytime you need it. Location or device constraints don’t prevent you from accessing your data from anywhere in the world. As long as you have a stable internet connection and a computing device (a laptop or smartphone) in your hand, you can collaborate effectively with anyone, in any part of the world.

              Cost Savings

              When you choose a cloud service model, you only pay for the resources that you actually use. Most cloud computing services are pay as you go or pay per use. This is a great money saver for startups and small businesses with lower budgets. Your IT team doesn’t have to overbuild or overprovision your data center, so they get more time to focus on strategic work.

              Advanced Security

              Centralized data backups in the cloud provider’s data centers eliminate the need for maintaining your own backups onsite or offsite. This mitigates the risk of data loss in the wake of a disaster. Cloud providers can help restore your data from the cloud storage, which is automatically updated in real-time. To provide more robust protection, you can implement cloud security techniques, such as data encryption and two-factor authentication

              What are Cloud Service Models?

              Based on the level of flexibility, control, and management you need, you can decide how you want to deploy cloud for managing enterprise workloads. There are three main types of cloud computing service models – SaaS (Software as a Service), IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), and PaaS (Platform as a Service).

              Adopting Cloud – Choosing Between SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS

              All the three cloud service delivery models – SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS – offer enterprises unique advantages in terms of cloud application development, deployment, and maintenance. By comparing each model, you can decide which cloud model is right for your business requirements.

              SaaS

              SaaS Benefits

              Why Should You Opt SaaS?

              SaaS is the ideal choice for small businesses and startups that do not have the necessary budget and resources to deploy on-premise hardware. SaaS applications have simplified remote collaboration, transferring of content, and scheduling virtual meetings in a pandemic-affected world. Companies that require frequent collaboration on their projects will find SaaS platforms useful.
              Statista estimates that by the end of 2022, the worldwide SaaS end-user spending will be valued at 171.9 billion USD, 16% more than what it was in 2021. Supply Chain Management, Business Intelligence, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Project and Portfolio Management will see the fastest growth in end-user spending on SaaS applications, through 2022.

              Points to Consider Before SaaS Implementation

              IaaS

              IaaS Benefits

              Why Should You Opt IaaS?

              IaaS is the most flexible cloud model that helps manage and customize your IT hardware infrastructure according to your requirements. Whether you are running a startup, a small business, or a large enterprise, IaaS gives you access to all the essential computing resources, including storage, computing, and networking, without forcing you to purchase them.
              ResearchAndMarkets reports that the global IaaS market value is projected to reach $279.5 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 27.2%. Sharing large amounts of information over the cloud will reduce your capital expenditure and convert it into operational expenses, making IaaS a highly cost-effective way to support your operations.

              Points to Consider Before IaaS Implementation

              PaaS

              PaaS Benefits

              Why Should You Opt PaaS?

              PaaS is a great choice if your project involves multiple developers and vendors. PaaS solutions are specific to application and software development and typically include cloud infrastructure, middleware software, and user interface. You don’t have to face the hurdles like procuring, deploying, running, and managing infrastructure. PaaS reduces the operational burden on developers and ITOps teams.
              Developers only need to write the code and manage the apps and data, while the software development platform is maintained and managed by the PaaS provider. This significantly lowers your development cycle. It is easy to create customized applications as the PaaS provider leases all the essential computing and networking resources.
              According to Statista, the global platform as a service (PaaS) market is estimated to be worth approximately 136 billion USD in 2023. Currently, PaaS accounts for about 20% of the worldwide cloud services market.

              Points to Consider Before PaaS Implementation

              Want to know which cloud service model fits your business?

              Why is it Important to Choose the Right Cloud Service Model?

              The rise of remote and hybrid work culture, which became a common trend during the COVID-19 pandemic, has increased the need for streamlined workplace collaboration and secure data storage facilities. Cloud computing has the potential to drive efficiency and uncover new opportunities for companies functioning remotely, without the need for any significant capital investment. Cloud helps businesses, customers, partners, and employees to stay connected, regardless of where they are located. However, it is essential to choose the right cloud service model to truly gain the advantage and remain competitive in the market.

              The ultimate requirement of any enterprise today is to quickly adapt to the growing market changes and address the rising consumer demands. To achieve this, you need to implement the latest technologies, such as automation, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), facial and biometric recognition, AR, VR, and Blockchain. But all of that is possible only if you have a robust cloud infrastructure and cloud-based software.

              Implementing the right cloud service model helps meet your enterprise’s infrastructure needs in the shortest span, without any heavy investment. It provides you the flexibility to scale your computing resources, adapt to new company processes and workflows, design new products and services, and accomplish business transformation with ease.

              Criteria to Select The Right Cloud Service Provider

              Understand your specific business needs before selecting a cloud service provider. Prepare a checklist including all your requirements related to technical, data governance, security, and service management. Assess the potential cloud vendors by comparing them against your checklist. Here are some key areas to consider.

              How Can Cloud Support Your Custom Software Needs?

              The capabilities and offerings of cloud are not limited to data storage, recovery, or backup. Cloud helps manage your company’s complex IT operations, including setting up and running an environment for custom software development. Cloud service models like Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) offer the right ecosystem to build custom software applications. PaaS offers users a suite of prebuilt tools to develop, customize, and test your own applications.

              SaaS vs. IaaS vs. PaaS: Which Cloud Service Model Fits Your Business?

              Choosing a cloud service model for your business should be based on the level of flexibility, control, and management you need. A few potential scenarios are listed here.

              When Do You Need SaaS?

              Select SaaS cloud model when you want to:

              When Do You Need IaaS?

              Select IaaS cloud model when you want to:

              When Do You Need PaaS?

              Select PaaS cloud model when you want to:

              Looking For Experts To Discuss Your Cloud Requirements?

              Top Cloud Computing Trends To Follow

              The massive ongoing adoption of cloud computing has been a key enabler of the most transformative tech trends that businesses need to leverage today.

              1 Hybrid Cloud and Multi-Cloud

              Early cloud services typically asked the user to choose between private and public cloud solutions. When public cloud offered more pay as you go services, private cloud systems focused on providing more secure data storage.
              The rise of hybrid cloud aims to offer users the best of both worlds. Hybrid cloud combines public cloud and on-premises infrastructure, including private cloud, to enable data and applications to be shared between them. Multi-cloud computing refers to using multiple cloud computing services from more than one cloud provider, including private and public clouds, in a heterogeneous environment.
              Example of Multi-Cloud Example of Hybrid Cloud
              An organization hosting its web front-end application on AWS, while keeping its Exchange servers on Microsoft Azure Combining your on-premises data center with a public cloud computing environment like Google Cloud
              According to Flexera’s State of The Cloud Report, 89% of organizations reported having a multi-cloud strategy and 80% are taking a hybrid approach, as of 2022.
              Source: Flexera 2022 State of The Cloud Report

              2 Cloud-Fueled AI and ML

              Cloud-fueled AI and ML allow organizations to access the computing power and resources they need to drive innovation, uncover in-depth insights, and make their operations more efficient and cost-effective. Some of the recent AI/ML use cases in customized marketing, recommendations to upsell and cross-sell, healthcare analysis during COVID-19, and logistics and distribution efficiency were made truly possible with the support of cloud services. The disposability, elasticity, and scalability of cloud infrastructure can boost AI and ML software applications. Cloud offers access to large-scale data stores and compute resources that can infer, store, and process high-velocity real-time streaming data, mandatory for training AI models.
              Gartner predicts that by 2023, cloud-based AI will increase up to five times from 2019, making AI one of the top cloud services.

              3 Cloud Security

              The growth of the cloud computing landscape has triggered the need for robust cloud security provisions. To strike the right balance between productivity and security, organizations will opt for multi-cloud security that best aligns with their varying platforms. To prevent hackers from targeting the weak links in the supply chain, cybersecurity experts will devise measures to stop cyber attackers from moving laterally. This can be done by reducing the privileges and entitlements for every internal and external identity. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Zero Trust frameworks will enable fast and secure cloud adoption.
              TechRepublic reports that the global cloud security market will surpass $123 billion by 2032.

              4 Low-Code and No-Code Cloud Services

              Widespread dispersal of organizations and distributed workplaces have accelerated the low-code and no-code movement. People with little or no developer experience (non-IT professionals or citizen developers) can leverage no-code/ low-code frameworks to quickly create scalable business applications that meet the changing industry demands. Pre-built functions and integrations and drag-and-drop functionality of low-code/ no-code platforms empower your workforce to automate workflows and case management activities, integrate with existing systems, incorporate complex business logic, and drive a slick user experience.
              According to Statista, the global low-code platform market revenue is estimated to be worth 65 billion USD in 2027, with a projected CAGR of 26% over the forecast period 2018-2025.

              5 Serverless Cloud Computing

              Serverless computing redefines the way enterprises develop, deploy, and integrate cloud-native applications by eliminating the need for manual infrastructure provisioning and management. It allows developers to focus on optimizing code and application design, without worrying about code execution as it is handled by the cloud service provider. Serverless helps tackle the problem of allocating cloud compute resources by automating scaling decisions of workload services in line with actual service demand. Efficient allocation and usage of cloud resources lead to better cost savings, by avoiding both waste and loss.
              According to Gartner, the best manifestation of serverless computing is “function Platform as a Service”, or fPaaS. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 50% of global enterprises will have deployed fPaaS, up from only 20% today.

              How Does Fingent Help You Adopt The Right Cloud Service Model?

              Despite knowing that cloud is their destination, some organizations get stranded in the middle of an experimental mindset that slows down their efforts to adopt and scale to cloud. Fingent helps such organizations identify a clear business case for scaling up their use of cloud. Our cloud application development, implementation, and maintenance services have helped leading brands, including Fortune 500 companies to outmaneuver uncertainties and sustain operations under severe disruption.
              Fingent helps migrate your workloads to the cloud rapidly and securely by selecting the right infrastructure for your needs. We help leverage the innovation and investments made by leading cloud providers, such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, SAP, IBM Cloud, and others to work for your business. Using cloud-native architectures, applications and data, we help accelerate your organizational speed and agility. Our cloud infrastructure maintenance and development services are designed to ensure higher levels of business performance and sustainability.
              We understand the heart of your business.
              Maximize the value of your cloud investments by partnering with our experts.

              Frequently Asked Questions on Cloud Service Models

              Based on the type of service offered, there are three kinds of cloud service models: Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS).
              SaaS examples: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack
              IaaS examples: Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Engine
              PaaS examples: AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Google App Engine, VMware Cloud Foundry
              The most commonly used cloud service model is Software as a Service (SaaS), with the global SaaS market share projected to reach $145 billion in revenue by the end of 2022, according to research analyst Gartner.
              Before selecting a cloud service provider, you need to verify their technology and service roadmap, certifications and industry standards, SLAs, terms, and conditions, disaster recovery and backup resilience plans, cybersecurity policies, data governance and management, downtime planning, company profile, clientele, migration support, steps to avoid vendor lock-in, and similar factors.
              The most maintenance free cloud service model is Software as a Service. SaaS enables companies to benefit from application usage without the need to maintain and update infrastructure, platform, and application components. Some of the most commonly used online office tools, collaboration apps, ERPs, and email are SaaS-based.
              Platform as a Service (PaaS) is the most cost-effective way for developers to focus on building a highly optimized application, without bothering about software updates on the backend. Businesses don’t need to invest in expensive hardware as the PaaS vendors provide and maintain hardware infrastructure: servers, storage, and networking resources.

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                About the Author

                ...
                Vinod Saratchandran

                Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

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                  Progressive Web Apps: New Cutting-Edge Trend in Web Development

                  Speed and convenience have become crucial in keeping online shoppers engaged. Progressive Web Apps development is a solution that allows the shopper to enjoy an app-like experience via a website (using web browsers). Users can install the PWA application from the browser window and access it just like a native app. In addition, progressive web apps improve the quality of your web applications, making them reliable, fast, and engaging.

                  Are you considering PWA for your business growth? Is it worth exploring this option? This blog will help you take a closer look at why Progressive Web Apps are turning to be the new cutting-edge trend in web development.

                  What is a Progressive Web App?

                  Frances Berriman and Alex Russel coined the buzzword “Progressive Web Apps” in 2015. To date, PWA has been a big player in this mobile-first world. Progressive Web Apps (PWA) have caused digital marketers to rethink how they design and deliver sites.

                  Progressive Web Apps can deliver a blazingly fast and slick app-like shopping experience to the end-user. It combines the best of two worlds: your website and the native application. It can be called a hybrid app as users can now browse your website on their mobile. Besides, PWA promises to solve two vital issues:

                  1. Performance and usability
                  2. Mobile-web conversion rates

                  Read more: Native Apps vs. Web Apps: Choosing the Best for Your Brand

                  Native vs web app

                  Business Benefits of Progressive Web Apps

                  Several companies that focused their efforts on PWAs instead of having a separate native app have experienced increased conversions. A best case in point is the world’s largest online B2B trading platform, Alibaba.com. Alibaba.com increased its conversion rate by 76% across browsers after upgrading its website to PWA.

                  Here’s how your business can benefit from PWA:

                  1. High-performance rate

                  Response time is crucial for audience engagement and better conversion rates. PWA responds quickly as the browser uses caching to save the elements of the layout that are repeated in the template. This improves the speed of downloads and reduces page load time. Subsequently, better performance leads to a better user experience, which in turn increases customer retention rates.

                  2. Ease of use across multiple devices

                  Progressive Web Apps are built with a responsive layout in mind for an improved user experience. A responsive design will fit into any size of the screen with ease. In other words, PWA will adjust the experience as per the device screen size. You can further improve the user experience with a PWA manifest file that controls the full-screen view.

                  3. Seamless browsing experience

                  A traditional website is virtually useless without a stable internet connection, but not a Progressive Web App. PWA can be easily viewed offline as service workers automatically cache important application features and information from the user’s last online access. This way, the user can access it without any network. Plus, you can add a brand logo, product descriptions, and few advanced features to your offline page.

                  This is an additional incentive for shoppers to choose businesses with a Progressive Web App over those that use native apps. Such a seamless browsing experience rewards you with better engagement rates and customer retention.

                  4. Resembles native-built applications

                  PWAs can be designed to look and behave like native apps, or they can be designed to let users know they are browsing the Progressive Web App. Regardless of the developer’s choice, it can contain a complete set of traditional app functionalities with database access. The best part is that you can seamlessly integrate the application into an existing website or an app.

                  Watch Video: Fingent software development experts can help you choose the right mobile app development approach by evaluating your requirements.

                  5. No installation is needed

                  Shoppers can download your app directly onto their devices. Once downloaded, it gets its own icon on the screen, just like a traditional mobile application. This will avoid the slow and complex installation process, improve user experience, and reduce user abandonment.

                  Here is another way it can benefit you: users can easily access the PWA via a URL. In other words, a user can easily share this link with a friend contributing to increased leads.

                  6. No manual updates are required

                  Native apps must be updated periodically through mobile internet or a WIFI connection. Such updates can consume large amounts of data, which may be costly for some users. Fortunately, Progressive Web App updates are performed “on-use,” much like how a website is updated.

                  7. Low development cost

                  Developing a mobile app can be a costly process, especially for small businesses and startups. Thankfully, PWA development is much cheaper than traditional app development but provides a better option for companies to generate a positive ROI.

                  Read more: Mobile app development: 4 tips to consider 

                  Mobile app development

                  8. Wide range of features

                  The most prominent feature of PWA is push notifications. Publishers and developers can use this feature to implement creative advertising solutions. As the push notifications appear on a shopper’s device screen, it is read more often than emails or updates on social media. This can lead to valuable brand awareness and promote products or services.

                  9. Improved app and data security

                  Security has been a concern for both users and developers. According to new standards of web design, all customer information must be moved to HTTPS. So it is highly convenient to launch Progressive Web App within a safe environment. Moreover, it builds customer confidence in the security of their personal information as they enter sensitive data into your PWA.

                  10. Low data and low storage

                  Data is costly in some developing nations. That is why it is a bonus that Progressive Web App consumes only a fraction of data usage compared to native apps. Moreover, it does not take up significant storage space on devices, so users are more inclined to use a lighter app on their smartphones. Also, it contributes to better performance.

                  Read more: Building a Business Mobile App in 2021? Here’s What You Need to Know 

                  Mobile App

                  Progress with Progressive Web Apps

                  Progressive Web Apps are the future of web-hosted apps as they can overcome the inherent limitations of web performance and insufficient or unavailable internet connections. Since PWAs can run on any modern platform, soon they will overtake truly native apps. Yes, PWAs have the potential to change the way the web works. However, Progressive Web Apps will not replace websites and mobile apps altogether. It is still in its infancy. To know which option is best for your business, have a chat with the technology experts at Fingent.

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                    About the Author

                    ...
                    Sreejith

                    I have been programming since 2000, and professionally since 2007. I currently lead the Open Source team at Fingent as we work on different technology stacks, ranging from the "boring"(read tried and trusted) to the bleeding edge. I like building, tinkering with and breaking things, not necessarily in that order.

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                      The Significance of Odoo Migration and How to Do It?

                      Odoo is an open-source ERP software that comprises an integrated suite of business modules such as eCommerce, accounting, warehouse management, project management, financial management, customer relationship management (CRM), manufacturing, and purchasing. These modules ensure seamless and efficient communication with each other to exchange information.

                      Read more: 5 Salient Features of Odoo that Make it a Reliable ERP for Enterprises

                      Odoo

                      Odoo ERP can be used by businesses of all sizes and is available in both cloud or on-premise versions. Odoo is open source and highly customizable, allowing developers to access the code and make changes in the module based on their business needs. Odoo ERP can be easily integrated with payment processors and external shipping systems such as UPS, eBay, FedEx, Amazon, and QuickBooks.

                      Read more: 5 Reasons to Integrate Your E-commerce Application with Odoo ERP

                      Odoo ERP

                      So, if you are new and planning to implement Odoo ERP for your business, you should consider the most recent and latest version of Odoo, that is, Odoo 14.0. 

                      However, if you are already leveraging Odoo and thinking of migrating to Odoo 14, you need to assimilate the situation before migrating.

                      Odoo migration involves two parts:

                      • Data migration 
                      • Odoo apps migration 

                      You can migrate both your company data and the apps used in the older version of your ERP. This migration process requires expertise and an experienced Odoo ERP partner to achieve it. Your older data must be optimized for the newer version smoothly and is best done by a professional Odoo ERP implementation partner like Fingent.

                      Why migrate to the latest version of Odoo ERP?

                      Undeniably, the latest versions of Odoo include improved features such as security, speed, and stability. Migrating to the latest version indicates that you are ready to update your system and move forward. Moving forward does not mean that you lose your old data and turn to new data. Migration ensures that all the previous data is kept intact while stepping into the new one.

                      The latest version, Odoo 14 got released in October 2020. As businesses are ever-changing, the new version comes with many added or deleted features as found optimal by Odoo. This is needed to ensure the ERP keeps running at its best performance and also delivers high performance. It is considered to be four times faster than Odoo 13. So, if you are looking for speed, then you can switch to Odoo 14.

                      Top features of Odoo 14

                      Some of the features of Odoo 14 are:

                      1. Improved user experience

                      Odoo is a great competitor to big names like Oracle, Dynamics, and SAP. Odoo 14 has added more shortcut keys to control the system faster, improving the system speed and more on-click features to help you save time. There are more widgets in the list view that allows you to send messages directly to your colleagues within a single click.

                      2. Automated CRM

                      CRM is a powerful tool that provides your company with a better insight and focuses more on clients and not on the data input. The insight helps you forecast sales or find information about the clients easily. In the absence of a CRM, the salespeople can randomly fill the customer’s information, making it difficult for other team members to follow up or get complete sales information.

                      As Odoo 14 CRM is automated, you can add and search for customer’s data accurately and quickly.

                      3. Outlook plugins

                      This feature automates the communication logging and allows you to communicate with the clients automatically in the CRM. It also helps sales managers track the communication of their subordinates.

                      4. To-do activities list

                      Odoo 14 helps salespeople focus on selling instead of data input. The to-do activities feature allows the salespeople to quickly check the to-do list, the next activity, and its priority with its impact every day. This feature comes with an improved follow-up section that helps salespeople send an email or SMS to the potential client directly from the CRM.

                      Points to consider before Odoo migration

                      1. Performance

                      Odoo 14 is designed to deliver more both in terms of performance and features. It includes additional features that can benefit new businesses. The new features ensure the business processes are carried out as smoothly as possible. However, you must make sure to understand the purposes and needs of your business before you avail of the updated version. 

                      2. Deleting a few features 

                      While the new version includes new features, some of the old features have been revoked by Odoo. So, it would help if you had an idea about what features will be lost in the newer update. This is where an Odoo ERP implementation partner like Fingent can help you. Our Odoo consultants can help you migrate to the latest version of Odoo without losing your crucial company data. 

                      Read more: 6 Ways Odoo ERP Customization Can Benefit Your Business

                      Odoo ERP

                      3. Downtime

                      An update would mean that your business operations would be affected in the meantime. So, you must be prepared to overcome this downtime if you opt for migration. You can use the pilot version to run the platform with updates in the background. However, it is not possible in the live environment. You can discuss this in detail with the migration expert at Fingent.

                      4. Cost

                      The cost of the migration process may vary depending on your customized business requirements. Understanding the need for the latest update and knowing if the expense is the right investment for your company is essential. You can consult the software development experts at Fingent to get an estimate of the Odoo migration expenses for your business.

                      While migrating your old Odoo versions to newer and better ones is essential, it is a complex and tedious task. So, it is vital to have a good Odoo migration partner, which is why most businesses entrust us with Odoo ERP migration.

                      Read more: Why Choose Fingent as Your Odoo ERP Partner

                      Odoo ERP

                      Odoo migration: How to migrate to the newer version?

                      The Odoo migration process is done in two parts:

                      Part 1: Data migration

                      The company data present in the Odoo platform is of utmost importance and cannot be lost under any circumstances. This data requires some adaptation to work in sync with the new version. To make sure your data is suited for migration formulation, your information, such as charts, tables, contacts, etc., will be carried out.

                      Part 2: Odoo apps migration

                      The Odoo apps functional in the older version are used for specific needs and cannot be lost or compromised in the process of updating. Necessary changes to the existing applications or developing new ones will need to be done to meet the needs of your business.

                      The migration of applications and data will enhance the platform’s functionality without losing your company data.

                      To know more about Odoo migration and how we can help achieve it successfully, please contact us.

                      Stay up to date on what's new

                        About the Author

                        ...
                        Yaseen Shareef

                        Yaseen Shareef has been developing solutions with Odoo since 2013 and currently manages Odoo projects for Fingent's clients, making business functions more productive. Outside of work, Yaseen enjoys vlogging, traveling and catching up on the latest action movies.

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                          Being an Official Partner of Odoo, Fingent has always catered to the needs of various customers and streamlined their operations, thus saving their costs, time, and resources. In this post, you will see how Odoo ERP implementation helps retail management.

                          Odoo ERP: A Highly Customizable Cloud-based Platform for Retailers!

                          The retail industry is one of the primary beneficiaries of digital transformation. In 2010, eCommerce accounted for only 5-6% of the aggregate retail sales in the US. The industry has witnessed phenomenal growth over the past decade with the development and adoption of retail technology, ERPs, eCommerce applications, custom retail solutions, and stiff market competition. At present, online retail sales in the US account for 21% of the total retail purchases. Isn’t that mind-blowing?

                          The paradigm shift from the traditional operating landscape to a digital world presents both opportunities and challenges. Many people look for products online, make buying decisions based on social media reviews, and order products to be delivered home. They even use the internet to search local shops, order online and collect from nearby stores (click & collect) or find retailers that offer discounts in their area. The message is clear: physical/ in-store retailing also needs to pace up with the change.  

                          To overcome the challenges in managing physical and digital selling, retailers need to adopt a modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

                          Read more: 5 Reasons to Integrate Your E-commerce Application with Odoo ERP

                          Odoo ERP

                          Today, ERP is extensively used to simplify and automate customer relationship management, project management, accounting, compliance, inventory, and supply chain operations. ERP is a reliable investment for business owners as they can control and monitor their operations, get reports, and gain insights on consumer behavior and market situations.  

                          Odoo ERP for Retail Management

                          ERP software allows integrating the core processes to run a company in one place, such as finance, manufacturing, HR, supply chain, inventory, procurement, tracking, transactions, etc. It also integrates all the data and related business processes of an organization. 

                          Odoo ERP is a popular, open-source, cloud-based business management software that helps manage various business needs such as manufacturing, finance, inventory, point of sale (POS), eCommerce, purchase, logistics, etc. Odoo is an intelligent ERP system that allows retailers to integrate their whole data and all the processes associated with the retail industry. For retailers, Odoo is a perfect choice that increases profit and enhances productivity as it provides comprehensive solutions that can seamlessly integrate with eCommerce.

                          Read more: 5 signs which imply that your business needs Odoo ERP

                          Odoo ERP

                          How Odoo ERP Benefits Retail Management

                          Following are the significant benefits of using Odoo ERP in retail:

                          1. One-step checkout 

                          In online shopping apps, the checkout stage tends to have several processes spread across different web pages. This can put off some customers who don’t want to spend their time navigating through each. Odoo eliminates these multiple processes by offering a one-step checkout that is fast, convenient, and intuitive. It has the potential to reduce checkout abandonment and thereby increase sales.

                          2. Craft stunning product pages

                          For eCommerce websites, high-quality product pages are crucial to gain maximum traction. Long descriptions with dull-looking pages are outdated. Odoo ERP lets you build beautiful and stunning product pages with a simple drag and drop feature. You can also customize your online store’s look, layout, color, and theme with Odoo and make last-minute changes to meet the demands and expectations of your clients. You can also make changes and enhancements at regular intervals to add more features to your store. Make sure that your digital store is mobile responsive to be compatible with the changes and new features.

                          3. Payment module integration

                          Having different payment options can enhance the customer experience. With Odoo’s plugins and extensions, retailers can integrate and customize various modules like wallets, cryptocurrencies, credit and debit cards, and UPI. It also supports PayPal, PayUMoney, Buckaroo, Sips, Stripe, Ingenico, Adyen, and Authorize.net.

                          4. Sales, purchase, and finance management

                          Odoo offers non-retail and retail companies different sales management processes. Odoo has a Point of Sale (POS) module, which is integrated with the sales and inventory module. This module helps retailers track stock and commodities in real-time. The module also allows for the use of biometric devices to log in and out. It’s compatible with any hardware and doesn’t require installation. What’s more, the POS remains operational even when offline.

                          Read more: How Odoo ERP Simplifies Sales Management in Your Organization

                          Odoo ERP

                          5. Inventory management

                          It’s a known fact that inventory management in a volatile and dynamic consumer goods market is an arduous task for many retailers. With several issues such as excess inventory or out-of-stock scenarios, inefficient inventory management processes result in financial loss and lead many retailers to bankruptcy. 

                          Odoo ERP offers inventory management as its integral feature, where it stores details of an organization’s entire inventory, including the individual product details. Odoo enables retail managers to keep track of crucial information such as:

                          • The present status of the inventory
                          • Items that will run out of stock
                          • Shelf life details of each product
                          • Notifications related to product expiry
                          • Ability to make demand forecasts based on past trends and customers’ online behavior and buying habits

                          Odoo ERP enables retailers to gain a competitive edge by modifying inventory to meet the fluctuating customer demands.

                          Read more: Fingent’s new plugin facilitates the scheduling of Zoom meetings from Odoo! 

                          Odoo Zoom

                          6. Manufacturing and production

                          Retailers who are also engaged in manufacturing and production can use Odoo’s module to help run functions. The Manufacturing module can assist in creating bills of materials (BoMs), managing semi-finished products, subcontracting manufacturing, etc. It can also help in configuring work centers and managing and configuring kits.

                          7. The Cloud Advantage

                          • Odoo solutions are cloud-based, allowing retailers to access their e-commerce stores from anywhere in the world. 
                          • Odoo is flexible, customizable, and scalable, making it especially ideal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 
                          • Odoo is an affordable ERP solution with the maintenance fees included in the license fee.

                          In a nutshell, Odoo ERP serves as a high-performance retail management system where retailers can manage everything on a single system. It can bring tremendous benefits to the retailing industry. They can integrate Odoo’s various business apps such as Sales, Accounting, Customer relationship management (CRM), Inventory, etc., with Odoo e-commerce. 

                          The Odoo App Store features nearly 10,000 apps that connect to the same database on Odoo’s own servers. A testament to Odoo’s popularity is in the numbers: it has more than 5 million users worldwide, from start-ups to large enterprises. 

                          With a simple checkout process, robust customer portal (order tracking, advanced shipping rules, and return management), order review, and wish lists, Odoo ERP provides real-time information to users.

                          Read more: Why Choose Fingent as Your Odoo ERP Partner

                          Odoo ERP

                          Fingent has an ace team of Odoo developers that offers consulting, development, and implementation services. Whether you want to integrate Odoo ERP with your existing e-commerce store or build an online store from scratch powered by Odoo integration, give us a call right away.       

                          Stay up to date on what's new

                            About the Author

                            ...
                            Tony Joseph

                            Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

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                              Logistics Management Software:
                              Business Applications & Use Cases

                              Pfizer became the world’s largest sterile injectables supplier during the pandemic because the company excels in its logistics management. Without logistics software management, neither can they store, transport, and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to multiple countries, maintaining ultra-low temperatures.
                              In today’s fast-paced environment with growing transport volumes, logistic management software play a key role in digitizing every touchpoint of the supply chain- monitor shipments, optimize delivery routes, communicate with partners, handle a gamut of operations, and oversee distribution with complete transparency. Investing in logistic management software streamlines your processes and eliminates workflow headaches, yielding positive results with significant changes in processes, procedures, and distribution.
                              In this article, we will cover everything that you need to know about logistics management software.

                              What is Logistics Management Software?

                              Logistics management is a part of the supply chain that uses planning and implementation to store and deliver goods and services to the customer. Typically a logistics management system administers inbound and outbound transportation management, warehouse management, fleet management, processing orders, inventory control, managing third-party logistics service providers, and planning supply and demand. It coordinates several critical activities of the supply chain that range from product development to commercialization, such as production planning, sourcing, procurement, packaging, and dispatching. It also involves finding a suitable means to deliver goods and services to the end user.
                              Logistics Management Software (LMS) simplifies logistics operations by refining the production cycle and making it easier to access important information quickly. Logistics management software helps businesses manage the various processes in the production cycle, from delivering raw materials to shipping the finished products to the consumers.
                              Logistics Management Software Market has witnessed tremendous growth in USD million from 2017 to 2022, with the highest CAGR estimated to reach USD in 2029.
                              Source: Industry Research
                              Logistics software has become broader in its scope and functionality to deal with a vast array of operations and processes. It shares similarities with supply chain management software (SCMS), which contains tools that help deal with transactions, processes, and suppliers. The functionality of logistics management software extends to areas such as
                              Logistics management software can get rid of all the conventional approaches like paperwork and spreadsheets to simplify management. Consequently, logistics will become more refined and fast, changing how materials, goods, freight, sales orders, inventory, and production are managed. It has three variations: warehouse management systems, enterprise resource planning systems, and integrated supply chain management suites.
                              Companies with an in-house logistics or supply chain division and third-party logistics providers utilize any of these different versions according to their requirements to efficiently manage their logistical and supply chain operations.

                              Key Features of Logistics Management Software

                              A logistic and supply management company must have powerful and functional management software to manage its operations, planning, procurement, and distribution of products, data information, and finances. If your company is looking to procure or build a logistic management solution, ensure it includes certain features necessary for the smooth functioning of shipment. Some of the key must-have features of Logistics Management Software include-
                              An order management system effectively handles large volumes of online orders. It monitors and tracks all the orders from the time of placing an order till it reaches the delivery point. It manages all the processes like order receiving, scheduling, processing, storage, and shipping and delivery. Some features like automatic scheduling, real-time optimization and tracking, automatic bill generation, managing order status, and multiple payment gateways simplify the order management process for businesses.
                              CRM modules store relevant information from customer orders, such as order dates, contact information, cargo status, order estimation, and payment information. This ensures that every transaction is recorded in one place to help logistics managers easily control the flow of inventory and easily look up the associated records whenever needed.
                              With proper inventory management, organizations can easily monitor active orders, track shipments, and reorder supplies with real-time sales data and historical trend analysis. Logistics management organizes, tracks, and processes orders as they come in, thereby saving the organization’s time and money by automatically fulfilling orders as they come in and reducing the risk of order errors or fraud.
                              Warehouse management helps the owners and managers to monitor their physical warehouses in real time. It uses IoT devices, sensors, and smart storage tools to maintain optimal conditions for the storage and distribution of inventory with minimal human intervention. This translates to faster shipping, lower cost, optimized storage, tracking, and order fulfillment.
                              Efficient supply chain management helps to maximize customer value, increase profitability, and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. It manages the transformation of goods from raw materials to finished goods and links the production, shipment, and delivery of goods. The activities involved include discovering optimal sourcing locations, determining the optimal quantity and type of inventory required to meet demand, and identifying the best delivery locations for the products.
                              The demand forecasting feature helps organizations to plan inventory and supply based on the increase and decrease in demand. Demand planning tools help analyze a product’s lifecycle based on historical sales data, identify trends, and predict future demand. This feature helps to avoid ordering too much or too little inventory.
                              Transportation management capabilities help businesses to plan, execute, and optimize the physical transportation of finished products from warehouses to customers. It helps fleet managers to identify optimal delivery routes, streamline driver assignments, and speed up pickup and delivery operations, thereby minimizing costs. It also helps to predict when their delivery times will be the longest and shortest.
                              Modern logistics management software includes a real-time visibility feature to obtain the status of every product and shipment in the supply chain. This allows managers to access real-time information about the location and progress in every stage of the supply chain, helping them make informed decisions about when to order more inventory and stop production.

                              Business Benefits of Using Logistics Software

                              Proper planning, sourcing, production, delivery, and return are required to improve supply chain performance. Handing these processes to logistics management software provides operational fluency to the supply chain. With logistics management software, a company or 3PL (third-party logistics) provider can avail of the following benefits.

                              Refine Transportation

                              Transportation is a crucial and vital area in logistics management. It incurs the most fuel, labor, energy, and shipping charges. Using logistics software helps to simplify and reduce the cost incurred in transportation considerably. Logistics management software makes it easy to analyze data and make relevant decisions for lowering costs and maximizing efficiency.

                              Faster Delivery

                              The logistics and supply chain industry are prone to face several issues affecting delivery and delays. By incorporating logistics software, businesses can rapidly deliver their products to customers. Logistics management software significantly improves delivery time by speeding up the production cycle and choosing a suitable carrier. It ultimately reduces shipping delays to a great extent.

                              Minimize Human Errors

                              Another notable advantage of implementing logistics management software is minimizing human errors. Manually analyzing large quantities of data is tedious and time-consuming, which leads to flaws. Logistics software simplifies work by quickly processing these data and seamlessly pushing forward the operations with minimal delays.

                              Automate Functions

                              Process Automation is a tremendous boon of logistics software integration. Logistics software easily automates certain functions like creating shipment routes, load planning, and tendering of loads to carriers. Moreover, it eliminates paperwork, which helps deal with the processes efficiently and timely.

                              Reduce Costs

                              Logistics software can automatically compare different shipping services, delivery agents, and transportation methods to find the least-pricing ones. The other way logistics software reduces costs is by lowering the expedited shipments through improved shipment planning.

                              Customer Support

                              Logistics software provides good customer support service tools for all assistance. It provides a platform to centralize all customer support needs. Chatbots, automated alerts, notifications, and virtual assistants improve customer service speed and quality.

                              How To Overcome Logistics Challenges with Logistics Software

                              The logistics industry is complex and involves a lot of complicated processes and hassles. With the pandemic, businesses were compelled to rely more on logistics management software to pace with changing demands and provide essential items to customers. To address the pressing challenges in logistics management, a modern logistics software solution promises to add increased scalability, speed of delivery, efficiency, and accuracy.

                              1 Rising transportation costs

                              With the hike in fuel prices, the cost of transporting goods increases substantially. The logistics industry is greatly impacted by the challenge of maintaining low shipping costs for delivering products to customers.
                              The route optimization feature in logistics software can help the logistics industry overcome this chaotic challenge. With the right implementation, companies can easily detect the fastest route to deliver goods and save fuel expenses. Hence, this is economical for the logistics company and customers, as they can avoid paying high shipping costs.

                              2 Delay in delivery

                              Another important problem is the inadequate waiting time for products. Due to climatic conditions, factory shutdowns, port capacity issues, or other disruptive events, delivery of products may be slowed or sometimes comes to a standstill.
                              Logistics software makes it easy to automate your delivery processes and increase efficiency. Get timely updates on the movement of products using tracking software or real-time visibility of shipments. This helps to give a bigger picture of when the goods are dispatched, procured, and when they will be delivered. Automation saves your time lost when working manually and provides accurate data and tracking, thereby improving the overall delivery process.

                              3 Lack Effective Coordination

                              The major problems in the logistics industry creep in from its inconsistency and fragmentation. With multiple parties involved in the logistics supply chain- manufacturers, storekeepers, drivers, managers, and customers, it is difficult to have centralized control over their communication path.
                              Such issues can be alleviated by adopting effective communication and real-time visibility software systems that can be integrated directly into the warehouse management system, providing access to partners and clients. This puts everyone in the loop with proper visibility of the various stages in production and distribution.

                              4 Meeting the demand surge

                              Demand surges or panic buying influences inventory stock levels and customer service satisfaction and can also impact the entire supply chain. Filling the inventory stock on time is a massive operation and requires proper planning.
                              Forecast accuracy and automation help get a proper inventory stock overview and meet perpetual demand fluctuations. To fulfill growing delivery volumes and maintain customer satisfaction, logistic software with a digitized system helps to orchestrate these operations effectively and flawlessly.

                              5 Warehouse management errors

                              Flaws in warehouse management are common such as misplaced products, packing or shipping wrong products, incomplete orders, or damaged items during delivery. Such human errors can become costly when they are not regulated.
                              The best way to reduce such mistakes is by leveraging an effective and updated warehouse management system. Logistics companies must invest in modern technologies like artificial and augmented intelligence, advanced analytics, automation, and warehouse robotics to manage their inventory and improve business scalability and competitive edge.
                              IoT helps to improve the logistic processes by providing proper visibility in every stage of the supply chain and maintaining inventory efficiency. Integrating an IoT device in the logistics ecosystem enables clear-cut transparency in various operations like real-time visibility of goods, condition monitoring, storage and warehousing, and fleet management.
                              Logistics companies use AI to identify patterns in data and churn insights. It helps to advance operations such as intelligent transportation, route optimization, demand forecasting, budget planning, etc. McKinsey reports that AI-driven logistics optimization can reduce costs through real-time forecasts and behavioral coaching. The potential incremental value of AI in the logistics and transportation industry (89%) will be more than other analytics techniques.
                              Over the last few decades, innovative logistic robotic companies have worked hard to mesh AI and machine learning, better sensors and response capabilities, warehouse management software, or logistics management software. Recently, warehouse robotics in the supply chain has picked up pace exponentially. There has been colossal funding and investment in the industry. For example, Alibaba invested $15 billion into robotic logistics infrastructure, and Google invested $500 million into automated logistics for JD. It is also estimated that the global market for warehouse robotics in the supply chain will reach a market value of $22.4 billion by the end of 2021.
                              In a pandemic-troubled world, contactless delivery is more critical than ever. eCommerce companies and carriers face increasing pressure due to the surge in online shopping. It’s crucial to stay agile by ensuring business continuity. At the same time, it is also vital to remain safe and meet delivery needs. Electronic parcel lockers, contactless parcel delivery and collection, and self-service pick-up automate delivery processes to reduce physical interactions between customers and delivery agents. Custom logistics software applications can help fulfill the increasing demand for last-mile delivery. Fingent helps build healthy tech partnership ecosystems to ensure uninterrupted supply and distribution of your products and services.
                              Automating warehouses promises to streamline processes and improve efficiency, speed, and productivity with a considerable reduction in human interventions. Many processes, such as procurement, distribution, customer service, etc., can be automated along a supply chain. The Global Logistics Automation Market size was $50.9 billion in 2020, but its CAGR of 12.4% may grow to $82.3 billion by 2026.
                              Blockchain, also known as distributed ledger technology, can record transactions between parties securely and permanently. The shared and secured databases enabled by blockchain help avoid intermediaries and third parties verifying records and coordinating supply chain transactions. Blockchain helps increase the traceability of the material supply chain, improve the credibility and trust of shared data, digitize physical assets like contracts and critical documents, streamline administrative processes, reduce costs, and enable effective auditing of supply chain data.

                              Example of blockchain application in logistics: The international logistics giant DHL uses blockchain-based serialization of pharmaceutical drugs and products to ensure that the products come only from legitimate manufacturers, not counterfeit, and are adequately tracked and traced through their journey from origin to consumption.
                              The emergence of sensor technologies and AI has contributed heavily to the rapid growth of predictive maintenance in the logistics industry. Supply chain leaders want to utilize data effectively to optimize predictive maintenance, forecast demands, adjust inventory levels, improve cold chain transportation, and protect the integrity of the supply chain. Smart and optimized data management through predictive analytics and AI allow logistics providers to refine and transform the supply chain in the coming years.
                              Cloud-integrated logistics management software allows real-time price updates, inventory, and tracking. It enables real-time accuracy and 360-degree management of processes and systems. You can track a product’s lifecycle, from ordering to distribution. It significantly cuts down the costs of lost products, missing deliveries, locating a shipment at any stage of transport, and rerouting a misdirected shipment. Cloud-based logistics software allows everyone in a trade network to communicate and share real-time data, make decisions quickly, and scale on demand.
                              Autonomous vehicles enable the delivery of goods without any human intervention. This helps the supply chain respond quickly and more quickly to customer demands. It helps to deliver goods safely and faster while improving vehicle safety and eliminating human errors. It significantly contributes to fuel efficiency, performance, and cost.
                              Elastic logistics helps companies upscale or downscale their warehouse operations and resources efficiently in the event of changing demands. It can tackle the challenges of supply chain companies, amending the production lines, including managing space in a warehouse, better inventory management, and distribution of goods without jeopardizing the current working of the facility or incurring higher costs.

                              Choosing the Right Logistics Management Software

                              With the trends shifting logistics management in a progressive direction, the need for software solutions in the field has become indispensable. Businesses, whether focussing on e-commerce or delivering services, can benefit from having logistics management software. However, the real question is finding the right kind of logistics software since the requirements vary for each business.
                              Before settling on software for logistics management, it is vital to understand the daily requirements and challenges a business faces. Carrying out a detailed analysis can help identify deficiencies in the existing logistical operations of a business. Besides that, it can suggest measures to redeem any discovered shortcomings in the cycle.
                              There are several essential factors to consider when deciding on logistics management software. Firstly, it should contain a basic set of functions that can aid in simple logistical management operations. Besides that, numerous other things should also be present in the software to tackle the wide base of a business’s logistical operations and processes.
                              Here is a checklist of the essentials to look for while choosing logistics management software.
                              Refer to the chart below to get a grip on the overall profile of any software logistics management:
                              With logistics pushed to the forefront of business operations, leveraging the right technology can make your business compatible with the changing environment.
                              Outsourcing to a software development vendor will help deploy scalable software for logistics management into your entire supply chain operations. A global software solutions provider like Fingent can give you the advantage of custom logistics solutions based solely on your requirements.

                              Common Business Applications of Logistics Management Software

                              #1 Quickly respond to logistics
                              RFQs
                              Employ automated chatbots
                              #2 Identify financial discrepancies in
                              invoices
                              Use of AI or ML techniques
                              #3 Cargo movement &
                              collection
                              Implement warehouse automation
                              #4 Better customer service
                              Use of chatbots and virtual assistants
                              #5 Demand forecasting
                              Employ AI-powered predictive analytics
                              #6 Good inventory control
                              Adopt an ERP system
                              #7 Displaying route information on drivers’ windscreen
                              Use of AR or VR devices

                              Use Case # 1 Quick Response to logistics RFQs

                              Logistic operators must respond quickly to client requests and schedule and process orders. Implementing bots helps respond to RFQs on time and speed up the quotation process with less human intervention. Bots can help provide timely quotations and improve the chances of winning the RFQ. Bots can also support increasing sales because of their 24/7 availability and faster response rate.

                              Use Case # 2 Identifying invoice discrepancies

                              On many occasions, the invoices have price differences with the order or quantity differences between the receipt of the goods. Such scenarios in the logistics industry can be avoided using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) techniques. AI uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools to extract essential data from invoices to identify budget discrepancies.

                              Use Case # 3 Displaying route information on drivers’ windscreen

                              Logistic companies use AR/VR to transport goods, ensuring the delivery of goods is safe, on time, and effective. A driver traveling with the load would find it easy and convenient to find essential information about traffic jams and alternative routes displayed on the vehicle's windscreen. Or the relevant information can also be shown on a smart glass that can be worn by the driver while driving. Such innovative methods help to save time rather than checking information on a separate gadget.

                              Use Case # 4 Cargo collection and movement

                              Warehouse automation can automate the movement of goods to and from warehouses with minimal human assistance. Businesses can eliminate repetitive physical work, labor-intensive duties, and manual data entry and analysis. Warehouses can employ robots for tasks like cross-dock transportation and moving cargo from the warehouse to the shipping zone, and automated software can record the movement of that inventory. This helps save upfront costs, from improving operations to minimizing human error.

                              Use Case # 5 Delivering Better Customer Service

                              Logistic companies must always be prepared to meet customer needs appropriately. Automated customer service or tools like chatbots and virtual assistants can answer customer queries regarding delivery status, consignment location, and delivery time. The logistic system must be automated, bridging gaps between disparate IT systems with quick access to information to provide quality customer service. This helps customer service agents become more productive and fulfill better customer experiences.

                              Use Case # 6 Demand forecasting

                              Demand forecasting is key to success and growth, which helps identify potential scope for expansions and potential threats. The AI-powered predictive analytics feature in logistic management software supports demand forecasting, which enables companies to predict demand, supply, and pricing within an industry. This feature combines historical data from various sources and helps improve demand forecasting accuracy. It will help companies to stock up sufficient quantities to meet customer demands without having a surplus. Moreover, it helps to organize cash flow better and plan the workforce to boost business efficiency.

                              Use Case # 7 Better control of inventory

                              An ERP system provides a centralized system to manage the inventory from all corners, with the ability to gather and bring information from different sources into one location, including current requests, inbound and outbound sales, stocks, or delivery status. It helps to streamline various operations and provides an overall picture of the entire logistics system- it tracks the live status of the goods, customer details, customer trends, transportation processes, and more.

                              Challenges Faced By Companies Implementing Logistics Software

                              Adopting digital technologies is still not as rampant a practice as it should be in the logistics industry. Many key decision-makers in companies link the process with the chaotic deployment of complicated technologies. Logistics companies plan to invest 5% of their revenue per year in digitalization. But the industry’s low profitability makes such funding challenging.
                              0 %

                              50% of US importers still use spreadsheets to manage their complex international supply chain.

                              Adopting logistics management software would mean considering many things, from employee reactions to their impact on customer relations and costs and how they align with the business objectives. Navigating these considerations can be easier said than done, as logistic companies must tackle some serious mindset blocks to go ahead with digital transformation. Some common challenges companies face in implementing logistics management software are
                              Fingent enables logistic companies to implement a custom logistic solution that guarantees modernizing traditional business processes and automating mundane tasks to increase efficiency and improve the business’s overall productivity without disrupting the existing system.

                              How Custom Logistics Management Software Can Benefit Your Supply Chain

                              Like every other industry, there is no one size fits all solution for logistics management, as the requirements vary from business to business. Logistics management software refers to a wide range of technology solutions like order management, transportation management, inventory management, warehouse, operations, and fleet management. Some logistics and transportation companies turn directly to ready-made or off-the-shelf logistics solutions. However, some prefer to choose customizable logistics management software to improve their services.
                              Custom logistics management software is tailored just to your business and meets your exact specifications. They provide personalized logistic solutions that focus on fixing not just the general logistic issues faced by businesses but the ones that are specific to your company. These logistics solutions are based on the analysis of your business operations, requirements, and challenges you face, and then provide solutions to those needs.

                              Why choose custom logistic software?

                              Fingent Builds a Custom Logistic Management Software

                              We helped built a custom warehouse management and order processing software to simplify what was once considered complex order processing. It allows customers to place orders quickly and warehouses to track every order with improved efficiency and sophistication.
                              A personalized transportation management system lets our customers view their order status in real-time and access up-to-date shipping data.
                              It’s time to re-imagined logistics and supply chain operations with customized software solutions.
                              Top Benefits of the Solution:

                              Transitioning into Cloud-Based SaaS: The Future of Logistics

                              Cloud computing is gaining momentum unveiling a whole new way of processing data. Tech innovations have influenced the supply chain and logistics operations. Increased supply chain and logistics solutions adoption will shift from the on-premise model to the SaaS model.
                              Predictions estimate that a subscription-based SaaS model will dominate supply chain management in the future. Adopting a cloud-based supply chain solution offers benefits in the form of flexibility, robustness, and affordability. Free and open-source software adoption has made the cloud the primary choice for logistics providers and organizations worldwide.
                              Cloud-based SaaS supply chain solutions offer numerous benefits. It gives a comprehensive outlook on logistics operations by making processes more transparent and collaborative. Implementing a cloud system reduces upfront and operating costs. It also offers the ability to scale up with the business needs and enhances supply chain efficiency.

                              Bottom Line

                              Opting for a logistics solution is one step to simplifying the entire cycle of logistical and supply chain operations. Effective management of each process, from procurement to delivery, requires a custom logistics management solution that can accommodate each provider’s demands. For instance, an organization lacking an in-house logistics department needs a software management tool to wrap around its existing methodology and improve it.
                              Businesses can deploy logistics management software tailored to their requirements by partnering with a vendor specializing in software development. Pioneers in custom software development like Fingent can assist companies from wholesalers to distributors to e-commerce with the advantage of custom logistic solutions. Get in touch with us to spearhead your operations swiftly and efficiently.

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                                About the Author

                                ...
                                Vinod Saratchandran

                                Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

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                                  Top 5 benefits of outsourcing software development services

                                  Software development outsourcing is empowering companies worldwide, including the most successful ones across their journeys. Leading players like Google, WhatsApp, Slack, and Microsoft have ample stories to share on their victorious feats with outsourcing development.

                                  A study by Technavio reveals that the global IT outsourcing market will flourish at a CAGR of 5% during the period 2020-2024. The demand for outsourcing software development services keeps surging as organizations want to optimize their business processes and align their strategic planning with their operational strategies.

                                  Outsourcing your IT necessities can be a boon in times of financial and natural adversities because outsourcing companies like Fingent implement business continuity planning and disaster recovery plans to fulfill obligations and deliver services without interruption.

                                  If your company’s growth is dependent on software, and if you cannot afford your in-house IT team to divert from their core operations, it’s high time to outsource your software development needs. 

                                  Why software outsourcing is good for your business?

                                  Facts and testimonies speak the truth!

                                  More and more businesses today are relying on software outsourcing companies to develop their projects. Working with an outsourcing company will help you mitigate the risks of running a project internally. Outsourcing can compensate for a lack of in-house skills and ensures that your product is delivered on time. 

                                  At Fingent, we specialize as an offshore software development company. Many of our customers have shared their outsourcing success stories with us. A .NET based SaaS platform developed by Fingent has played a great role in the growth of the property management undertaking – SimpleRent. Here’s what SimpleRent’s founder told us.

                                  PwC, one of our prominent customers, reports an 80% increase in productivity and a 67% faster ticket resolution rate after Fingent helped them implement a smart ticketing system. Thanks to outsourcing!

                                  As an outsourcing development company, here are a few reasons why we think outsourcing makes your business more efficient and smarter.

                                  Related Reading: Points to Consider Before Choosing the Best Software Development Company

                                  1. Access to the finest talent and latest technology

                                  Software development outsourcing helps in finding the right talents and minimizing your human-resource problems. If your country has a limited talent pool, outsourcing gives you access to a wider talent pool available anywhere on the globe.

                                  Technology keeps evolving every day and your business needs to take advantage of its benefits. With outsourcing, you will gain access to new and innovative perspectives and an opportunity to utilize strong and diverse technology expertise.

                                  2. Outsourcing cuts down your costs

                                  The biggest benefit of offshore software development undoubtedly is the cost savings. Outsourcing software development companies do not necessarily demand you to make any upfront investments. By contracting work to other companies, you can cut down 70-90% of your labor costs, all while paying your outsourced workforce at competent rates. The cost advantages make your development project more attractive and reduce your overall workload. 

                                  Adopting a cost-effective engagement model is crucial to the success of outsourcing. We help you choose the right engagement model essential for the creation of your state-of-the-art product. 

                                  3. Improved flexibility and time management

                                  When you outsource your work, you don’t have to spend time hiring and training resources. At Fingent, we take care of all the change requirements even when the project sizes vary or resource-related demands scale up. 

                                  Outsourcing software development services accelerate your time-to-market. With people working around the clock, your competitiveness improves greatly and gives you an edge over your competitors.  

                                  4. Take your business to the next level with a focused strategy

                                  To win the technological race, you need to have a focused strategy. Every business needs to align its operational strategy with the changing people, process, and technology. When your software is developed by an outsourcing company, your business processes will be highly streamlined and optimized, allowing you to focus on the core activities that will take your business to the next level.

                                  5. Managing risks and compliance

                                  Partnering with a software outsourcing company like Fingent enables you to mitigate the risks associated with handling your project. We follow a high-quality project management system that has been tried, tested and proven across our past as well as ongoing projects. 

                                  While outsourcing your software development needs, you are setting out to work with a global talent pool. We take care of all the legal compliance-related matters that have to be fulfilled while onboarding offshore resources as well as forging contracts with our clients. This lets you focus on other things that matter. 

                                  Related Reading: The Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Mobile App Development

                                  Ready to outsource your software development needs?

                                  From resource hiring and onboarding to management training and payroll software, several functions can be outsourced by a company. In the age of globalization and technological competition, software development outsourcing is the key to your success. Share your queries and concerns about outsourcing with us. Our consultants can walk you through the best and most affordable solution that works for you. 

                                  Re-Engineer your Business Processes with Superior Solutions Now!

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                                    About the Author

                                    ...
                                    Bhuvana O G

                                    Bhuvana is a Senior Content Specialist at Fingent. She loves to research and develop creative and unique content related to technology and marketing. When not involved in full-time writing, you can see her pitching into editing and proof-reading all sorts of marketing collateral crucial for the company's branding.

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                                      How DevOps Uses Test Automation Tools to Accelerate Software Development

                                      The goal of DevOps is to build faster, effective, and responsive applications by bringing together the development team and the operations team. It is a cultural shift to remove all barriers between Dev and Ops and provide shorter as well as frequent software deliveries, thus enabling organizations to respond in a much agile manner with respect to the constantly changing customer demands and expectations. 

                                      In a nutshell, DevOps via effective collaboration, communication, streamlined delivery, and automation of processes will accelerate software development in the following key ways:

                                      • Faster time to market
                                      • Reduces risks of failures in each release
                                      • Enhances error fixing and recovery time
                                      • Improves the checking process efficiency
                                      • Speeds up the rate of change
                                      • Allows managers to make improved and effective trade-off decisions
                                      • Enables rapid and continuous feedback
                                      • Offers flawless continuity throughout the Software Development Lifecycle

                                      Testing in DevOps starts from the very beginning of application development and hence it is important to make sure that the development team and the operations team work closely with each other to ensure continuous integration and prompt delivery by continuous testing and monitoring. 

                                      Related Reading: Test Automation Trends to Accelerate Development Cycles in 2020

                                      Automation Testing in a DevOps Environment

                                      DevOps is categorized into the following 4 processes:

                                      1. Continuous Integration
                                      2. Continuous Delivery
                                      3. Continuous Testing
                                      4. Continuous Monitoring

                                      The testing teams require to align their test design, automation, as well as test case development along with DevOps to ensure that the frequent changes made have not affected the final product. 

                                      Unlike the traditional approach, automation testing in a DevOps environment requires moving test automation scripts to a control tool which is of an enterprise version. This system of centralized enterprise-level testing results in an integrated test suite that offers centralized execution and reporting. 

                                      Let us walk through the different ways in which DevOps makes use of test automation tools:

                                      How DevOps Uses Test Automation to Speed Up Software Development and Delivery 

                                      DevOps testing lays its core focus on test automation within the application’s development pipeline to ensure that by the time the application is deployable, it is done without any further confusion. Some of the popular test automation tools of DevOps are Selenium and Water.

                                      Here is a quick rundown on the popular DevOps tools:

                                      1. New Relic– New Relic offers an end to end visibility along with improved customer experience and dynamic infrastructure. It also helps the DevOps team to save their time spent in monitoring applications.

                                      2. Jenkins – Jenkins is a DevOps automation tool used for checking the execution of redundant tasks. Jenkins is an open-source CI/CD (Continuous Integration/ Continuous Delivery) server that allows users to automate various phases involved in the application delivery pipeline.

                                      3. Splunk – This automation tool is used to access machine data. It offers operational effectiveness to both the development as well as the operations teams in DevOps. It offers enterprises the ability to be more productive, competitive, secure, and reliable.

                                      4. Selenium – Being the most popular automation testing tool for DevOps, Selenium is designed to meet the specific needs of a wide range of different browsers. It makes use of lesser resources and supports parallel test execution which reduces the overall time required for the testing process. The test cases prepared can be run on any operating system as well.

                                      Cucumber, Jasmine, JUnit, and JMeter are other popular test automation tools used by DevOps to accelerate application development and deployment. 

                                      Related Reading: How To Measure The Effectiveness Of Your DevOps Program

                                      Future of Test Automation in DevOps: Enhancing Application Development

                                      With the evolution of continuous testing, DevOps has enhanced its test automation strategies where it is supported by practices such as a test-case design that is risk-based, stateful test data management, service virtualization, as well as seamless integration into the DevOps set of test automation tools. 

                                      To get the best out of test automation and to learn how to incorporate test automation tools using DevOps to accelerate your application development and deployment, talk to our experts today.

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                                        About the Author

                                        ...
                                        Sreejith

                                        I have been programming since 2000, and professionally since 2007. I currently lead the Open Source team at Fingent as we work on different technology stacks, ranging from the "boring"(read tried and trusted) to the bleeding edge. I like building, tinkering with and breaking things, not necessarily in that order.

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