Musato Technologies Blog

Database Management System (DBMS)

Published August 30, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Database Management System (DBMS)

A database management system (DBMS) is system software for creating and managing databases. The DBMS provides users and programmers with a systematic way to create, retrieve, update and manage data.

A DBMS makes it possible for end users to create, read, update and delete data in a database. The DBMS essentially serves as an interface between the database and end users or application programs, ensuring that data is consistently organized and remains easily accessible.

The DBMS manages three important things: the data, the database engine that allows data to be accessed, locked and modified — and the database schema, which defines the database’s logical structure. These three foundational elements help provide concurrency, security, data integrity and uniform administration procedures. Typical database administration tasks supported by the DBMS include change management, performance monitoring/tuning and backup and recovery. Many database management systems are also responsible for automated rollbacks, restarts, and recovery as well as the logging and auditing of activity. Continue reading →

Posted in Creating App, Database Management, DBMS, IT Services, Software Design, Software Development, Software Development Tools | Tagged Database, database management, DBMS, Musato Technologies

App Development for the Cloud

Published August 28, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Developing for the Cloud: Challenges and Best Practices

The developer is in demand more than ever, and yet the role still alludes most in the IT world. With some insight into cloud computing, platforms, and ecosystems, development processes can be more clearly defined, and the part of the developer will come into focus. – App Development for the Cloud

Platforms and Developers: What are Their Functions?

Look at any job board, and it would be difficult not to see the trend— companies are hiring developers. Whether they need cloud apps, mobile apps or someone to make business work when it doesn’t, companies are heralding developers as the solution to a host of problems. But while developers are in demand, knowledge of what they do is in short supply. The reason is much of what developers do is shrouded in mystery to those outside their world. In this article, we explore issues and trends in cloud development, broken down so those who think Python is a snake and Java a cup of coffee will understand. Continue reading →

Posted in Application Development, Cloud Computing, cloud network services, Creating App, CRM, Enterprise Software, IT Services, Musato Technologies | Tagged App Development, Application Development, Apps, Software Development

7 website security steps for your business

Published August 21, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

7 website security steps for your business

With the increasing number of entrepreneurs using digital assets like websites and social media profiles to grow their businesses, security is a growing concern at every level. Your business is important to you and so are your customers so it’s imperative you take the necessary steps to ensure you’re protected.

Below are seven basic steps to protect your website. Some of these steps can also be applied to protect your social media and email profiles. If you’re not comfortable with technology, share this article with your webmaster, IT manager or IT/web partner and have them ensure that the necessary steps are taken to keep your business protected.

1. Schedule regular back-ups

The first question that most people ask when it comes to back-ups is how frequently should I back-up my website? The quick answer is a question: How frequently do you update your website? If it’s every day, then you should most likely back-up your site every day and keep a copy of at least the previous 30 days. Continue reading →

Posted in IT Services

Tailored ERP packages

Published August 20, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

The four best ways to tailor ERP packages to your needs

It is an oft-repeated mantra in the ERP world that companies should not modify ERP packages. Consultants experienced users and software vendors will tell you that modifications to ERP packages are difficult, expensive and

detrimental to the ongoing operation, maintenance and development of a system.

Yet, it is widely acknowledged that a packaged software product cannot fully meet the needs of anyone company. In response to this conundrum, software developers build a considerable amount of flexibility into their ERP packages to allow users to tailor the look, feel and functionality to better suit their needs and desires. Ideally, this built-in flexibility enables the user to adapt the package enough to eliminate the need for customization — and, in fact, that is the case for many companies.

The tailoring capability in ERP software packages can be as simple as the ability to move things around on screens and menus or as extensive as changes in calculations, database formats, and content. Generally speaking, such changes are stored in a control table that is not altered or replaced when the software is updated by the developer. This means the changes will survive an upgrade and do not have to be redone or revalidated when a new release is installed.

Here is an overview of the types of changes allowed by major ERP software packages. Understand that each developer has its own tools and approaches, so your package may include some of these or others not listed. Continue reading →

Posted in Enterprise resource planning, ERP packages | Tagged Enterprise resource planning, ERP packages, Musato Technologies

Creating App for iOS, Android, or Windows Phone

Published August 18, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

How to Create an App for iOS, Android, or Windows Phone

From Android to iOS to Windows Phone, anyone can create an app—coding skills (not necessarily) required. Recommend for hobbyists. Creating App

Yes, it’s true. The Web is dead. It’s not that people aren’t using The Internet anymore—they certainly are—it’s just that users are moving away from the browser-based “Web” environment and into the mobile app-centric world.

Two quick illustrations: 1) Instagram has long been a true force in the social sphere, but it was years before it had a Web-based interface. Its entire model was mobile-based—the website was secondary. 2) Over the past years, we here at PCMag have even found it increasingly difficult to bring together our annual Top 100 Websites feature. Back in the early ‘aughts, it was a cinch. Today, it’s a stretch. (Good thing we have so many other great app roundups).

The moral: the Web is indeed dead, long live mobile. That also means all those hours you spent honing your HTML and CSS skills were for naught. It’s all about being able to create a functional and engaging mobile app.

But that doesn’t (necessarily) mean you have to take an app-programming class. Like the early days of the Web, several tools have arisen that will allow anyone to create a product with a little-to-no programming language. (But if you have the coding skills, it will give you the ability to make a truly unique thing). Continue reading →

Posted in Application Development, Creating App, Information Technologies, Mobile application, Mobile Apps, Musato Technologies, Software Design, Software Designing Tools, Software Development | Tagged Apps, Creating App, Mobile Apps, Musato Technologies

What is Industry 4.0?

Published August 10, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

How can Industry 4.0 help my business grow?

Breakthroughs in information technology, mobile communications and robotics have led to the growing use of digital technologies in businesses around the world. Learn more about Industry 4.0.

Industry 4.0 has received a lot of media attention in recent years, but the concept remains abstract for many entrepreneurs. Beyond the buzz, Industry 4.0 has the potential to significantly boost your productivity, reduce costs and improve the quality of your products.

“The core application of Industry 4.0 is to monitor and control your machinery and equipment in real time by putting sensors at every step of the production process,” says Pierre Cléroux, Vice President, Research, and Chief Economist at BDC.

Continue reading →

Posted in Musato Technologies, Technology | Tagged Digital World, Industry 4.0, Technology

Credit Card Security

Published August 6, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Latest Threat to Credit Card Security Is Undetectable

When using an ATM to withdraw cash or to check available funds, there’s a number of things you can do to ensure safe access to your account. These include covering the keypad when entering your PIN, checking no one suspicious is standing nearby, and looking the ATM over to see if it has been tampered with. However, none of those steps can help you avoid the latest threat to your card’s security: shimmers.-Credit Card Security

You’ve probably heard of a skimmer before. Skimmers are used to swipe and read the magnetic strip on a card and criminals have found novel ways to add them to ATMs. For example, they construct a new front for an ATM and stick it over the top of the real one. Some even integrate a camera to try and record your PIN (which is why you should always cover your hand when typing it in).

Skimmers work but are bulky and relatively easy to spot. Shimmers are different. They take the form of a very thin card with an embedded microchip and flash storage which is slotted inside the card reader. You cannot tell the shimmer is inserted, and it doesn’t stop cards from being used in the machine as normal. Continue reading →

Posted in Credit Card Security | Tagged Credit Card Security

Cloud for faster software development

Published August 5, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

The use the cloud for faster software development

From low-code/no-code to containers and micro services, expert Tom Nolle outlines how the cloud can dramatically shorten the software development process.

Cloud computing often seems like the universal cure for IT problems, according to various claims. Real IT managers, developers, and architects know that’s not true. But they also know the cloud can help solve a lot of problems and allow faster software development if it’s properly applied. That’s particularly true with application development, where the cloud can build a new kind of development collaboration, incorporate cloud-resident features with minimal coding, facilitate the reuse of components to reduce development effort, create realistic distributed testing for application lifecycle management and move teams toward user-level self-care in application customization.

The most straightforward approach to faster software development with the cloud is to take advantage of cloud agility and flexibility in hosting development tools. Most development tools are cloud-hostable, but some new ones are designed for cloud delivery. Continue reading →

Posted in Application Development, Cloud Computing, cloud network services, IT Services, Musato Technologies | Tagged Cloud, Software Development

.NET programming language

Published August 1, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Making more with.NET development

Introduction

The .NET developer language has been around a long time and it suffers on occasion from not being “top of mind”in the application development arena. But Microsoft has continued to invest in the platform, updating functionality and giving it features that many say rival Java 8 and other options.

Like any language, though, it helps to know the tips and tricks, and this.NET programming language provides just that. For cloud development, NET can be an obvious choice, thanks to its easy tie-ins to Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. Microsoft considers .NET to be an open source option, and it has cross-platform support for choices other than Azure. But for developers looking to create for the internet of things (IoT) and the cloud, NET is an easy starting point.

When it comes to modern application development, developers and testers need to understand the strengths and challenges in the .NET platform. Recent changes in .NET has some experts comparing it favorably to Java 8 for programming. Software testers, however, are going to need to think through what’s needed to get beneath the graphical user interface to actually test the code. It can be done, but it helps to have a well-thought-out plan and the right set of tools. Continue reading →

Posted in IT Services | Tagged .NET programming

Mobile App Development

Published August 1, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

User experience shapes the future of mobile app development

Mobile application development trends may come and go, but one thing remains constant: keeping the user at the forefront of the design process.

” Mobility has created a major shift in the consumer and enterprise technology markets, and application development has felt the brunt of it.

As more organizations consider developing and deploying their own apps, the need to keep up with consumer apps poses a significant challenge. To keep up with the future of mobile app development, organizations should take a cue from the consumer market and focus on user experience, said Bob Egan, CEO and founder of Seraphim Group, a mobile analyst firm in Falmouth, Mass.” Continue reading →

Posted in Mobile application, Mobile Apps, Mobility, Musato Technologies, Software Design, Software Designing Tools, Software Development, Software Development Tools | Tagged Mobile App Development, Mobile application development, Software