Most professional software development shops, AndPlus included, have adopted some variation of the Agile development methodology. Among the most important concepts in Agile is that of the product backlog, which is simply a list of items (front-end features and under-the-hood tasks) that need to be implemented in the software product.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: “Virtual reality is coming, and it’s going to be so cool! It’s going to change everything! It’s…”
OK, yes, you have heard it before. So much so that, like the neighbors of the little boy who cried “wolf,” you might not believe it anymore.
So you can be excused if you’re a bit dubious about new claims that virtual reality (VR) is just around the corner and will have all this compelling content and useful applications. Every time these claims have been made, the actual results have been disappointing at best and stomach-churning at worst.
Companies are progressively realizing that IT and software have a critical role in their business strategies, and this makes it essential to align a custom software program with business goals across the organization. Before engaging in a development project, it’s important to have a clear idea of how the new software will support their strategic objectives in the long term. This enables us to understand the larger, operational context of the project, and helps at project level to spot potential roadblocks. JD Roger, project manager, explains how AndPlus works with prospective clients to ensure that we do just that.
“Holy building automation, BACman! There’s a construction project that needs our help!”
“Quickly, Bobbin! To the BACmobile!”
While our heroes make their way to the construction site on the outskirts of Gotham, let’s talk a bit about BACnet.
In the past few years, the term “outsourcing” has accumulated some unpleasant baggage, becoming associated with the idea of eliminating domestic jobs and shipping the work to much cheaper overseas providers. Worse yet, the quality of the products and services of these “outsourced” resources is often regarded as inferior to what was provided domestically.
At some point in the recent past, you may have heard someone mention the term “API.” You probably recalled hearing this term before, and had some idea of what it meant. Perhaps you nodded knowingly, making a mental note to look it up when you got back to your desk. Maybe you followed up on it, or maybe you were distracted by the coffee brewing in the break room. It happens.
