June 29, 2011
Mobility and Workflow in the Cloud with the Highest Level of Security and Quality
Fabasoft Cloud Developer Conference 2011 Summer: Cloud Apps for Business Applications
Nothing can stop the rise to success of apps. Every day new apps become available for smartphones. During the course of the Cloud Developer Conference, Fabasoft showed its international participants how easy it is to develop Cloud Apps yourself for the implementation of business processes. Cloud Apps, which bring advantages to organizations for both in-house and external collaboration, were the focal point of the conference.
The participants were given the technical tools for their own ideas based on concrete, already existing business processes. One such example of a Cloud App which makes a universally used process available in Folio Cloud, is the “ITIL Desk”, which implements the standard ITIL V3 (IT Infrastructure Library) for the running of IT Infrastructures. This app supports the user in the management of incidents, change requests etc., in inventory, in the documenting and checking of processes as well as in the invoicing of services. Mag. Günther Fröhlich from Frogue.at developed the application as an independent third party developer. The app is available in the Folio Cloud App Store: http://www.cloudappstore.com
Andreas Dangl, keynote speaker of the conference and managing director at Fabasoft explains: “Any interested party can become a developer for Folio Cloud and offer their Cloud Apps in the Fabasoft online shop. The developer determines the price of their app themselves. Fabasoft makes the development environment and infrastructure available free of charge. Each app is subjected to a comprehensive quality assessment prior to release.” Information about the Cloud App Developer Program can be found under: http://developer.foliocloud.com
Mobility
In the workshop „Cloud Apps Go Mobile“, participants gained basic knowledge of the possibilities of expanding the application range of Cloud Apps through web services. Together with standard-conforming APIs, existing software systems and also mobile end devices can be integrated into the Cloud so that homogenous complete solutions emerge. Tools were thus presented which make it easier for Apple iPhone and iPad developers to use the authentication to Folio Cloud and the communication via web services in mobile applications. .
Workflow in the Cloud
The transfer of business processes into the Cloud is becoming increasingly popular, in certain fields it’s even a „must“. Workflows support organizations in carrying out their daily work. In a workshop, participants gained information about how Cloud Apps can be extended by incorporating workflow functionality. In doing so the existing security concepts must be considered. By means of the ad hoc workflow editor, defined workflows can also be tested immediately. The workflow function is included in Fabasoft Folio Cloud medio. This edition is available online from July 2011.
Quality
Agility in development means being able to deliver high quality results quickly. Fabasoft follows a “zero known defects” strategy: only when all know defects are overcome is a Cloud App made available to users. All developed applications have to pass through a multi-stage test procedure consisting of manual and automated tests. This ensures that only Cloud Apps of the highest quality are offered via Fabasoft Folio Cloud.
Usability and Style
Cloud Apps have to be intuitive for the user to operate. This demand is often afforded too little attention, since the focus tends to lie on technical functionality. The aim however, should be to optimize the ease of use for the user. In order to reinforce this, Fabasoft carried out a study. 200 selected Cloud users tested the product for an 8 week period. The feedback from the participants was directly implemented and integrated into the product. Findings from the study were communicated by the trainers in workshops. The result was overwhelmingly positive. According to the study, Fabasoft Folio Cloud is outstandingly secure, practical and offers almost unlimited application possibilities.
Participants from the US, Slovakia, Germany and Austria spent 3 days in Linz. The next Cloud Developer Conference will take place from December 14th to 16th in Linz.