December 2021 - Nuvolar

The 7 software innovations that defined 2021

Posted on December 30, 2021 by dev_nuvolar

The 7 software innovations that defined 2021

Hewlett Packard Enterprise -office building in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina- acquired the SaaS-based solution CloudPhysics in February 2021.

What were the most shocking software developments of 2021? At Nuvolar, we have selected seven outstanding developments which we consider relevant and worth mentioning. As a complement, we list three important trends that could define the IT solutions landscape in 2022. If you think it is relevant to include other applications in this list, please feel free to comment.

#1: UiPath 21.4 stands out among RPA software innovations

Without a doubt, robotic process automation (RPA) is a booming trend enabling companies’ human talent to engage in more productive activities.

In addition to automating routine processes, RPA solutions can eliminate unnecessary tasks and lighten overall workloads. RPA systems typically include process mining, complementary tools for connecting to enterprise systems, resources for bot creation, and a scheduling or orchestration layer.

In 2021, UiPath, one of the leading providers of RPA software, released the latest version of its platform: UiPath 21.4. And it’s at the top of our list of software news because of the improvements it includes:

Easier policy configuration for automation users.
Updates for all user experiences.
Central oversight of key IT deployments.
Discovery, prioritization, and integrated development of the most relevant automations through Artificial Intelligence.
Rapid expansion of Automation Cloud capabilities.

You can deploy UiPath 21.4 in a hosted, public, or local cloud. We recommend the former because it is more frequently updated there.

#2: Kyligence Cloud 4.5, one of the latest software releases in Big Data

Kyligence, the developer that created Apache Kylin and Kyligence Cloud, the AI-augmented data management and services platform, launched Kyligence Cloud 4.5 in August 2021.

We are talking about the only intelligent data cloud for petabyte-level data analytics. Its responsiveness to process several petabytes of information has reached less than a second.

By adding Kyligence Smart Tiered Storage and Clickhouse’s integrated database to this new release, Kyligence Cloud is the only solution on the market with the ability to accelerate analytical queries and ad-hoc analysis on a single platform.

As if this were not enough, it also integrated Kyligence Real-Time, Kyligence, a new resource that provides a hybrid analytics model that analyses historical data and current data sources in real-time.

#3:Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s acquisition of CloudPhysics

In February 2021, Hewlett Packard acquired CloudPhysics. The SaaS-based solution monitors and analyses IT infrastructures, providing data and reports that support the upgrade, repair, and adaptation of data centers to current needs.

Rebranded HPE CloudPhysics, this resource will enable partners of the US-based company to have an accurate forecast of the impact of recommendations, whether it’s right-sizing a virtual environment, employing the cloud, or improving on-premises infrastructure.

#4: Two new Amazon Connect software releases in 2021

Amazon Connect, the cloud-based contact center software from Amazon Web Services (AWS), unifies voice, web, and mobile chat capabilities and is managed as a service with pay-per-minute usage rates.

In September, as part of its 2021 software releases, AWS added the ability to perform large-scale, outbound communications for calls, texts, and emails. This implementation will allow contracting companies to reach millions of customers every day in an easy, integrated, and cost-effective way, whether it is to drive marketing strategies or send appointment reminders and notifications about upcoming deliveries. Now, these tasks can be performed without the need to integrate third-party tools.

Contact center managers can easily schedule and send high- volume, outbound communications simply by determining the communication channel, the contact list, and the specific content to be delivered to customers.

In November 2021, Amazon Connect launched a new unified agent application, which allows operators to immediately log in and manage customer authentication, calls, and conversations. The application also allows operators to see key customer information and knowledge articles.

To understand this better, let’s say an agent receives a call or conversation, then Amazon Connect Customer Profiles will automatically present the customer’s information (name, phone number, email, etc.).

During the conversation with the customer, Amazon Connect Voice ID analyzes the caller’s voice characteristics, using machine learning to verify identity in real-time, while presenting a confidence score and status.

Meanwhile, Amazon Connect Wisdom detects customer issues and proactively provides knowledge article suggestions instantly.

#5: Cribl LogStream 3.0 makes an impact on data engineering

LongStream is a flagship observability data engineering software created by Cribl. In essence, it is a state-of-the-art log router that captures and optimizes data streams from available recognized and installed agents. It then shapes and channels the data to real-time analytics systems while preserving high-fidelity data in low-cost storage.

In version 3.0, released in June 2021, Cribl includes LogStream Packs, a powerful resource for accelerating deployments. It also formalizes the launch of LogStream Cloud, the application’s SaaS deployment model.

Users will now be able to reduce the cost, complexity, and amount of time typically spent managing an observability pipeline thanks to integrated knowledge and shareable content. They will also be able to collect more sources and route to more destinations without increasing IT budgets.

#6: Zerto 9 among new data protection software releases

Among the top software innovations this year, data protection solutions also stand out. In mid-2021, Hewlett Packard subsidiary Zerto launched the ninth version of its cloud data protection and management solution.

With this update, Zerto 9 focuses on reducing the real threat of ransomware with new functions to ensure rapid recovery from attacks. These include:

Immutability, thanks to backup storage on AWS using the API Object Lock, and immutability settings for backup data that can be managed within the Zerto user interface.
Instant restore of files from a Long Term Retention (LTR) repository. The user will be able to restore files or directories by downloading or restoring them directly to their original location from that repository, without hassle.

#7: The new features of Salesforce’s Slack-First Customer 360

During its global Dreamforce event at the end of September 2021, Salesforce, the leading Customer Relationship Management platform, unveiled a new version of its Slack-First Customer 360 tool. This product aims to integrate the functionality of the acquired collaborative platform, Slack, with Salesforce products and across industry clouds.

Based on the added innovations, teams will work collaboratively and flexibly, even away from physical company headquarters. In fact, the Salesforce-Slack pairing will allow employees, customers, and partners to connect to a single platform from anywhere.

At the same time, the various clouds were bolstered with more AI and automation. For example, new Sales Cloud features provide sales teams with greater agility and efficiency. The same is true for Service Cloud, which will now turn contact centers into digital headquarters where all information can be centralized to channel and solve customer needs.

Additionally, Salesforce Marketing Cloud has been strengthened to focus on the use of data and the personalization of interactions. Even Einstein — the intelligent CRM assistant — added tools that allow Salesforce users to build more automated workflows with low-code resources.

Software expectations and developments for 2022

Increased demand for e-commerce software solutions

According to the consulting firm Statista, online commerce will generate 14% of global retail sales in 2022. The firm also estimates that this percentage will rise to 22% by 2023.

The demand for e-commerce IT resources is expected to grow considerably in 2022, with a particular emphasis on mobile applications and secure payment systems. As a result, the global e-commerce software market is likely to grow by 16.3% between 2020 and 2027.

Cloud verticalization

Software-as-a-service providers, system integrators, and global customers are working together to develop modular, industry-specific business accelerators and services. These solutions are easily built and adapted to obtain a unique feature.

By 2022, this trend will continue to increase, making application deployment an assembly rather than creation process.

Cyber Threat Intelligence

As the threat of increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks grows, cyber AI is emerging as a resource to respond faster to potential attacks and anticipate threats to act in advance.

In this area, AI will outperform other established applications, streamlining data analysis, anomaly identification, and threat detection. Emerging AI applications will help human analysts focus on prevention and remediation and develop a more proactive and resilient approach to security.

At Nuvolar, we adapt to current and future software requirements

With more than twelve years of experience and a multidisciplinary team of professionals, we are perfectly qualified to design and build the web application or solution that your business needs, applying UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) criteria. This allows us to create agile, intuitive, and easy-to-use digital environments.

We are a Salesforce partner, on whose platform we have developed our solutions. For this reason, we are able to customize CRM applications for your organization’s sector.

At Nuvolar, we are developers of technological solutions and applications dedicated to companies in any sector. and we adapt to the continuous changes in the market, beyond software innovations. Contact us to learn how we can bring your ideas to life.

Open Source: The model that revolutionized the software industry

Posted on December 13, 2021 by dev_nuvolar

Open Source: The model that revolutionized the software industry

According to forecasts, investments in Open Source will reach $33 billion by 2022. Regardless of the market leadership of organizations that provide proprietary code, there is no doubt that Open Source is becoming increasingly popular as a basis for software development. But, what are the main characteristics of this model? And what are the main benefits compared to proprietary systems?

Open Source is one of the most widespread and powerful resources available for today’s developers and, in particular, for independent developers.

These developers benefit from the work of collaborative development community networks, and no longer have to start development projects from scratch.

What is the Open Source model?

The expression “Open Source” groups together all development environments that make programming code available to any user.

Therefore, Open Source software solutions are those whose source code has been developed with the purpose of facilitating inspection, modification, and/or improvement by anyone who requires it, usually for the purpose of creating another application.

In fact, the source code is a component of the software that goes unnoticed by an ordinary user, since it is not visible. Basically, it is the code that programmers write to make the software work correctly and fulfill its functions, whether it is a complex program or an application.

When programmers have access to the source code of a software, they are able to improve it, add more functions, and optimize the code. They can even correct errors or bugs that originated in previous versions.

It should be noted that Open Source is not the same as free software, since the latter is software that can be downloaded and distributed free of charge.

The 9 main characteristics of the Open Source model

In order to explain the characteristics of Open Source, we refer to the Open Source Initiative, the educational organization dedicated to explaining, managing, and defending the “Open Source” label.

First of all, the institution indicates that this computer resource is not only characterized by free access to the source code, but also a series of conditions and criteria applied to the distribution of Open Source software, including:

1. Free redistribution

The license does not restrict any person or entity from selling or giving away the software as part of an aggregate distribution of software.

Besides that, obtaining the license shall not require the payment of a royalty or other remuneration for such sale.

2. Source code

The program must include the source code and allow distribution in both Open Source and compiled form.

Moreover, if any variant of a software is not distributed with the source code, it is essential to provide a well-promoted means to obtain it for a reasonable reproduction cost or, preferably, to allow its downloading through the Internet free of charge.

In addition, it warns that the source code must be the preferred option for a programmer to modify the program. It is not valid to deliberately distort the source code and intermediate forms. reprocessor or translator output are not allowed.

3. Derivative works

The license allows modifications and derivative applications, as well as their distribution under the same terms as the original software license.

4. Open Source and integrity of the author source code

To quote the Open Source Initiative directly:

The license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form only if the license allows the distribution of “patch files” with the source code for the purpose of modifying the program at build time. The license must explicitly permit distribution of software built from modified source code. The license may require derived works to carry a different name or version number from the original software.

5. Open Source is inclusive

The license shall not discriminate against any person or group of persons because of their characteristics or conditions, nor shall it restrict the use of the resource to a specific field of work.

Therefore, the use of the code in companies or in scientific research, including genetics, may not be restricted.

6. License distribution

The rights inherent in the program shall apply to all those to whom the program is redistributed, without requiring the execution of an additional license by the parties involved.

7. The license will not be specific to certain products

The rights related to the program will not depend on whether the program is part of a particular software distribution.

In other words, if the program is taken from such a distribution and is used or distributed under the terms of the program’s license, all parties to whom it is redistributed will have the same rights granted in conjunction with the original software distribution.

8. The license shall not restrict other software

The license shall not impose restrictions on other software distributed in conjunction with the licensed software.

To illustrate with an example: the license will not require that all other software distributed on the same medium be without a doubt, Open Source is one of the most widespread and powerful resources available for today’s developers and, in particular, for independent developers.

These developers benefit from the work of collaborative development community networks, and no longer have to start development projects from scratch.

9. The Open Source license is technologically neutral

No provision of the license shall be based on any single technology or on any particular style of interface.

Open Source vs Proprietary systems (main 3 differences)

Before establishing the differences between Open Source and proprietary systems, it is important to remember that the latter, also known as proprietary or closed, are those that do not allow free access to their source code.

That is to say, the reading, modification, and adaptation of the latter is the sole responsibility of its developers. In fact, a license or subscription fee is required for use by third parties.

In addition to the examples already given, we can add that business solutions such as CRM or ERP are usually closed source, as in the case of Salesforce.

1. Operational differences

Usability: Proprietary solutions require specialists to operate them. These specialists know all of the details and how to get the most out of them.

Maintenance and monitoring: For these tasks, the difference is favorable for proprietary software because they usually have very powerful internal resources for maintenance. Open Source software does not have similar tools.

2. Support and community

Proprietary solutions usually have a very effective 24/7 support service. In the case of Open Source models, their support is lower and, for this reason, it is necessary to seek support from collaborative user communities.

The availability of large support communities is a favorable and valuable feature of Open Source environments. Salesforce has promoted the Trailblazers community where users themselves can share knowledge, provide support, and build a network of contacts to enrich themselves with help from the experience of other users.

3. Flexibility and functionality

Proprietary solutions offer a large number and variety of functionalities.

However, when it comes to making changes, they are not as flexible as Open Source models since modifications must be made following the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure the quality and efficiency of the product.

Open Source & the Collaborative Model

Since their emergence over two decades ago, the flexibility and versatility of Open Source solutions have given rise to a wide variety of tools and applications used in many different organizations, regardless of their sector or size.

Today, the growing popularity of Open Source coincides with the rise of technologies with very similar guiding principles, such as cloud computing, big data, machine learning, and advanced analytics.

How Nuvolar takes full advantage of Open Source & Proprietary Software

At Nuvolar, we are experts in web and application development for companies of all sectors.

For this reason, we know and take advantage of the potential of Open Source resources to help us with complementary tasks, and we use the full potential of proprietary software to structure effective business solutions that optimize business processes and customer interactions.

We are certified partners of Salesforce, and we have been developing Salesforce-related projects for more than twelve years.

For this reason, we have a staff of multidisciplinary professionals capable of understanding the needs of our customers and building efficient and dynamic solutions.

Our development model is based on agile methodologies, allowing us to perform an iterative process of continuous improvement of applications and deliver complete products within agreed deadlines.

Salesforce ‘Backup & Restore’: All you need to know about this new SF solution

Posted on December 1, 2021 by dev_nuvolar

Salesforce ‘Backup & Restore’: All you need to know about this new SF solution

Having a good data restore system on the cloud is crucial for companies. Salesforce Backup and Restore offers so much value for the business.

Salesforce recently announced a cloud backup solution at its Dreamforce event that enables a complete data recovery and backup system for businesses. The new solution, called ‘Backup and Restore’, is designed with the same simplicity as the rest of the services and tools developed by Salesforce. What can we expect from Salesforce Backup?

It is a challenging moment for companies. Data is widely dispersed due to remote work and as a result, it is essential to have a good data restore system.

At Nuvolar, we are a software development company and a certified Salesforce consulting partner with 12+ years of experience in the cloud. In this article, we’ll answer several questions regarding Salesforce Backup and Restore so that you understand how useful this new cloud backup solution is and the value that data recovery systems offer for companies.

Which will be the main features of Salesforce Backup?

At launch, Salesforce Backup will come with all the necessary features to ensure data protection. In addition, it will be an easy-to-use tool, although we will talk about this later when we mention the other advantages of Backup and Restore.

Some of the functions that can be performed with this data recovery system include:

Automating backups.
Restoring previously backed up data in organizations.
Deleting old backups without user intervention.
Knowing who initiates and executes backups.

In addition to these features of Backup and Restore, there is the added protection and peace of mind that comes with data encryption in the transmission and storage of backups. These are the primary features that the Salesforce cloud backup solution will deliver at launch.

How to implement the Salesforce cloud backup solution in the enterprise?

Those responsible for managing the company’s CRM system may be wondering how this new data recovery system fits into their company’s current security strategy.

First of all, it is a system that seeks to safeguard a company’s information in the worst of times, according to Salesforce.

The idea is that Backup and Restore turns a serious incident into a small bump and minimizes the effects on the company’s productivity, allowing for business continuity.

Thanks to the automation options and the simplicity with which it has been designed, this tool will easily fit into any company, regardless of its security policy.

Salesforce developers have made it clear that there are three pillars on which this tool is based: ease of use, agility, and productivity.

What is the main difference between Salesforce Data Recovery and other solutions?

A very interesting question, isn’t it? The answer is simplicity.

Backup and Restore was designed to make creating and restoring a complete backup a simple process that can be performed with just a few clicks.

Everything is done within Salesforce so there is no need to upload external files. Salesforce has succeeded in creating a simple and effective cloud backup solution because it has listened to its users.

Based on their feedback, they have concluded that it was vital to implement a natively working data recovery system.

This approach has resulted in a solution that is fast, quick, and very easy to use.

When will enterprises need to use Salesforce backup?

As soon as possible. The peace of mind that Backup and Restore brings is hard to beat.

For example, it is an excellent ally in combating dangerous ransomware attacks.

Additionally, businesses need to create backups that act as restore points in specific cases. Considering that errors, such as accidental deletion or modification of data, can occur at any time, it is urgent to start using tools of this type.

After all, incorrect modification of information is an ever-present danger.

Ultimately, with Backup and Restore, Salesforce CRM users have peace of mind knowing that they can restore their data back to a previous state with just a few clicks.

The key benefits of Salesforce Backup

Having answered some of the most frequently asked questions about this type of system and, more specifically, about the Salesforce cloud backup solution, it’s time to review some of its advantages:

Automation: Backup and Restore will have the ability to schedule daily backups with standard objects, custom objects, files, and attachments.
Metadata backup: Beyond creating a backup of the data itself, metadata is included in the Salesforce backup on a daily basis.
Systematic deletion of old copies: The data recovery system automatically deletes the oldest backups. The time interval is fully customizable.
Security audit options: With this new cloud backup solution, it is possible to perform audits and find out who is initiating, modifying, or executing backups.
Data encryption: All data backups will be encrypted once stored and at the time of data transmission.

Backup and Restore, when will this cloud backup solution arrive?

Salesforce’s presentation only confirms the importance that the company gives to security within its ecosystem. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, the new cloud backup solution was announced at Dreamforce 2021.

Will it take time to be available? Not at all. Backup and Restore will be a general reality this year.

All those who want to enjoy the benefits of Salesforce backup will not have to wait too long!

Need assistance? Contact us to receive further information on Salesforce Backup and Restore!