SharePoint 2013 and the Mobile SharePoint Explosion

When SharePoint was first launched, it did not have strong functionality backing up mobile access for its content and features. However, as this software platform gradually gained ground, organizations began to feel the need for tapping this product to operate efficiently on cellular devices. As a result, companies began to look for alternatives for enhancing as well as expanding mobile access to this platform. The outcome of these efforts is that SP 2013 comes with a range of new, enhanced mobile features to make SharePoint 2013 mobile development easier and quicker.

• The mobile browsing experience has become much better owing to the newly incorporated contemporary view which enables site rendering in HTML5 and operates with the latest mobile Safari, IE as well as Android browsers. Designed to ensure touch-screen interaction, it is optimized for activities such as accessing wikis, lists, web parts and document libraries. The classic view belonging to the older mobile browsers is still intact, delivering HTML based sites along with the option for displaying a complete desktop view of the website.

• Another new feature is the back-end cellular channels which render a SharePoint site for diverse cell phone devices automatically, enhancing the single default view for mobile devices as present in the 2010 edition which was difficult to customize.

• With the 2013 version, SharePoint sites come with the capability of pushing notifications towards mobile devices, making users alert regarding the changes, such as modification or addition of content.

• With SharePoint 2013, we have a couple of new native mobile applications. One is the SharePoint Newsfeed application which enables users to get access to the documents and people they are following. This feature is available for Windows Phone and iOS as well as Windows 8. The second is the SkyDrive Pro app which empowers users to access the file sharing along with cloud storage service on iOS as well as Windows 8.

Some of the other mobile features new to 2013 edition of this software platform include the ability of incorporating geolocation tags within a list, the capability of viewing specific categories of business intelligence content as well as enhanced viewing of PowerPoint, Excel and Word documents with Office Web Apps.

Using Cellular Devices for SharePoint Online Sites

Your site can be accessed with a Windows phone once the web browser of the phone is opened and the URL or Uniform Resource Locator of the SharePoint site is typed. In case you are making use of a non-Windows phone, the URL can be entered within the browser or to get an optimized mobile view, /?Mobile=1 can be just appended to the URL.

Using Windows Phone 7 for accessing SharePoint Online site

A site can be opened on a Windows Phone 7 in almost the similar manner as it is opened from a PC, simply by entering the URL in the browser. Whatever is seen on the phone is not the cellular version but the site’s actual view. The site can be operated in the same manner as it is done from the PC. Most of the tasks such as creation and editing of items within a list, changing the site theme, uploading documents, creation and edition of site pages, along with addition of images, hyperlinks or web parts can be conveniently carried out.

Utilizing non-Windows phone for SharePoint Online site

When the mobile version of a site is opened, only some of the elements seen in a desktop version are visible, such as search feature, libraries, lists and so on. While you are making use of the cellular version of SharePoint, you can easily perform the tasks of viewing items in libraries and lists or operating Open Office documents from the website.

We provide SharePoint application development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified sharepoint programmers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

Top 5 SharePoint Collaboration Apps for Android

A number of SharePoint tools are available for Android devices which are capable of rendering functionality similar to that available for Iphones and iPads. As is true for many Sharepoint apps that are meant for mobile devices, some functionality is not present or has particular limitations, in comparison to the notebook or desktop experience. This is all the more obvious when the task is of document editing, and is not only restricted by the SharePoint app in use, but also by the tools that are present within your device.

One concern to be considered is that versions of Android which are 2.3 or below do not render support to NTLM authentication. This might prevent users from entering the SharePoint site in case they are accessing the earlier versions through tablets or Smartphones. However, newer Android apps, offer extra capability to Android users accessing SP data. These applications render basic access to SP documents, calenders, lists in addition to other features such as app level content sorting, passcode lock, offline access, and so on. Let us have a look at 5 of the top SP collaboration apps for Android.

SPtoGO

With the help of this, you can have convenient access to SP images, documents, events or tasks from your tablet or phone. This tool is very easy to use, so there is no need for you to be a SharePoint expert in order to use it. The content-centric design is done keeping in mind the everyday user. With the help of the SPtoGO passcode prompt available in the Settings tab, access to the enterprise SP content can be restricted from your phone. Moreover, you can seamlessly perform a number of activities such as add, view or update tasks, download documents to the phone to ensure offline access, upload photos from phone to SharePoint image library.

SPConnect SharePoint

This tool enables you to have access to a Microsoft SP site through the Android phone. You can conveniently collaborate with your team members while you are on the go. It is also possible to update as well as review documents within document libraries whenever you want. With SharePoint within your fingertips, meetings can be scheduled within a team calendar or a team announcement can simply be posted. The Android system requirements for this collaboration app include external storage system for caching of files along with a document viewer for modification and viewing of documents.

SharePlus

Through this collaboration app, you will be able to automatically synchronize your choicest SharePoint libraries as well as lists and incorporate them within your Android Smartphone or tablet. Wherever you are, you will be able to coordinate with your team through sharing of documents and task lists. The most noteworthy thing about SP is that it is capable of working with the existing SharePoint credentials, hence there is no need to seek special permissions. The main features include document management, content management and offline support, amongst others.

Harmon.ie Lite

This is a free app which allows non-technical business users to have comprehensive access to Office 365 as well as SharePoint sites straightaway with the help of Android devices. It is possible to share and edit documents, gain access to real-time updates or enhance the social network. There are a number of benefits, including access to SP and Office 365 on the go, native Office user experience with respect to document editing, enhanced project management, noteworthy productivity and adoption of social networking features.

SharePoint DocExplore

Document navigation has become very easy with the help of this collaboration app. This app provides a great method for easy document retrieval. SharePoint DocExplore allows you to browse and search document libraries from Microsoft SP, rendering a collapsible and visual tree view. The app comes with an intuitive interface wherein you can select the theme as well as animation according to your choice. The sub-sites and document libraries can be made to slide vertically or horizontally depending on the type of animation.

You can hire developers from top SharePoint development services companies in India who can help you build products within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide SharePoint site migration services. If you would like to talk to one of our SharePoint programmers or would like to take a look at the work they have done, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

SharePoint 2013 Performance Best Practices

SharePoint 2013, the newest version of the web application development platform is already giving a tough time to developers working on it with little knowledge. Indeed, the challenges that are faced by developers working on the platform are quite extensive and heavy much like the platform itself. Well, if you are new to the particular development platforms, you must always remember to integrate some tips ensuring highest performance level of the same. Likewise, experience developers must take a cue of the ideas while, taking up any development work as it would help you strengthen knowledge as well as promote discussion, which would ultimately lead to the development of a great application.

Here is a look at the best practices following which is sure to help you build something greater and better with SharePoint:

Always take note of the best time to cross the divide

A pertinent issue that often emerges with the development project while working on the platform is the best way of interacting with other systems in the network. Since, the web application relates to a composite application platform, this particular question needs to be answered quite often. Well, the solution rests with the idea of viewing the architecture of SharePoint from the web application. This particular approach stands as the easiest for now. While writing or coding Web parts, it is always advisable to make use of the object model of the platform.

Additionally, you can also make use of Web controls that function pertaining to a particular web application or ASP.NET form codebehind. The object model offers a rich and well known set of classes that allows you to interact with the web application development platform. Viewed from the perspective of the object model of SharePoint, the web application stands as an essential security boundary. Generally, the use of the object model for initiating interactions between the web applications must be avoided in all causes.

Gain advantage from the capabilities of the Native SharePoint

Development team often face issues that take away the opportunity of gaining complete benefit of the capabilities of native SharePoint. Well, the first issue implies at the platform being wide and extensive, which often makes it easier to develop custom solutions rather than offering time in understanding the offerings of the web application without any sort of custom coding. Secondly, the business owners often creates a list of detailed requirement, application behaviors, and wireframes that leaves little room for flexibility during the time of using OOB capabilities.

However, incorporating the offerings of the SharePoint often provides dividends, even if the deliverable at the end takes a slight move than the original requirement. The trick of gaining the advantage lies in complete understanding of the technology by the development team. Additionally, they also need to communicate the value and other advantages relating to a specific implementation of the application to the business organizations.

Gain knowledge regarding essential SPDev task and information

This particular purpose allows the developer to explain the common tasks that he might need to take up during software development in detail. When it comes to packaging the solutions pertaining to the SharePoint, the ways tend to be multiple. While on the one hand, you can completely rely on manual creation of diamond directive files (DDFs) and manifest.xml, the implementation of the Visual Studio projects cannot be ruled out completely, on the other hand. The use of VseWSS projects tend to be easier than the conventional process of manual creation of DDFs.

However, it is also important for you to note that some alternatives at times emerge to be useful for the enterprise and commercial deployments that also include the WSPBuilder, SPDeploy, STSDev, and DDFGenerator. It is advisable that you evaluate each tool carefully to find out what suits your needs the best. The trick lies in creating Solution packages for incorporating deployment rather than taking up manual deployment of code components.

Find out Solutions Off – Server

Every time, you get to work with SharePoint, you must make it a point to work on solutions that are free of any sort of dependencies that are often imposed by the development process. By making use of the Visual Studio development server, SharePoint Web services, ASP.NET Web Part framework support, along with third-party tools, you can easily finish the development task on a standard and general work station as against on a computer functioning on SharePoint.

Since SharePoint works on top of ASP.NET and IIS, the web development server that comes integrated with Visual Studio often makes a wonderful start point to begin with the process of SharePoint development. For instance, you can go onto developing HTTP handlers, Web controls as well as Web Parts in the particular light ambiance.

These a few of the best practices that can easily pave the road to successful SharePoint application development integrated with high performance and scalability.

We provide SharePoint 2013 mobile development services. If you would like to talk to one of our SharePoint developers or would like to take a look at the work they have done, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

7 Apps that Bring SharePoint to the iPad

The need for the right applications is immense when it comes to catering to the vast range of mobile users. People making use of iPad and iPhones need to access SharePoint content too and it is for this reason that it becomes essential to bring SharePoint to the iPad. The unconventional applications are often found working effectively for the purpose.

Now, quite a lot of options are available for making Microsoft SharePoint accessible on the device. The traditional iPad browser paves the way for a somewhat satisfactory experience. Several factors need to be considered in this regard. For instance, content editable attribute is supported by the desktop version of Safari while such facility is not made available by the Safari on the iPhone OS. This attribute is used by the application development platform and other collaboration products such as that of the Office Web Apps. This ensures a rich editing experience within a supported browser.

On the other hand, offline support and a richer experience is facilitated by certain apps that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store. Here is an overview of some of the popular as well as prominent apps that helps in bringing SharePoint to the said device.

1. SharePlus Office Mobile Client

SharePlus emerges to be one of the most prominent and universally used iOS Client for SharePoint that enables carrying the highly valuable information assets of this web application development platform on the Smartphones or tablets, irrespective of the prevailing scenario of connectivity. The app works well on several OS like Android, iOS, Mac and Blackberry.

2. Filamente

Filamente is often considered to be the most beneficial and user- friendly apps that offers a simple yet intuitive way of interaction with the development platform from the mobile devices. Setting up Filamente for the team site is quite easy and hassle- free. Other advantages of this application come in the form of a rich text editor plus link to Dropbox feature.

3. Moprise: SharePoint Documents for iPad

Morpise is an excellent collaboration client for iPad. This application, featured by Apple in iPad @ Work, enables users to access, share as well as collaborate any of their SharePoint document on the larger screen.

4. Harmon

The version 1.2.3 of this application of 2.5 MB comes with a rather intuitive user interface while also bringing forth an easy setup for the team site.

5. Briefcase Pro

Briefcase Pro is one such app that facilitates effective search from anywhere. The application has an intuitive user interface coupled with a fairly rich text editor.

6. Native iPad

Native iPad, as an application, is widely preferred primarily because purchase of additional software is not a necessity for the same. The application has no offline capability, which ensures that the security risks are much desired. Above all, it facilitates text input for list items.

7. SP- Dashboard

Coming up to be yet another useful app for bringing SharePoint to the iPad, SP- Dashboard for iPad allows users to browse SharePoint data in a much easier and efficient manner. It offers a good experience of navigating through the SharePoint sites and viewing the lists, libraries and documents. Additionally, one can also define the favorite lists, documents as well as libraries for fast access while renaming the favorites for a better overview.

With this application at your service, presentation of the SharePoint data with complete mobility becomes possible. As the retrieved data is automatically updated and stored on the device, there is no need of an internet connection for accessing the data.

All of the above- mentioned applications and products are intuitive with some of them being better than the others. The apps not only serve the purpose of bringing SharePoint to the iPad but also reduce the cost of ownership in the long run. Sharepoint 2013 mobile development teams can help you build mobile apps using SharePoint 2013 within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide SharePoint bespoke development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified sharepoint programmers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

Steps for SharePoint and PHP Integration

With the help of document libraries and custom lists, it is possible to read list data directly from SharePoint into the existing PHP application. In this way, a number of possibilities can be explored. Certain PHP tools are available through which it is possible to leverage the potential of the .NET Connector within the world of PHP. It ensures convenient access to SharePoint data such as documents and items. If developers are capable of working with recognized ADO.NET frameworks as well as SQL, it enhances the production quality, thus making the development process faster.

Connection of PHP applications

Developers now can avail the facility of connecting their respective PHP applications to SharePoint with the help of SQL, with the same convenience as is applicable in case of an ordinary database. Existing PHP tools are able to handle predefined lists such as the ‘Task list’ or the ‘Calendar’. Custom document libraries as well as lists can also be handled.

Seamless Integration with SharePoint

PHP tools available in the market assist in saving a lot of time when it comes to integrating with the document management system. With the help of these tools, you will be able to make use of the following aspects:

• Convenient installation is possible by simply including the library files, then setting up the connection settings to the SharePoint installation service.

• Through the use of the tools, it is possible to completely handle custom list items, develop any list that is required and that too, instantly. Moreover, predefined list items can also be managed. Again, you can also manage document libraries, folders as well as documents. You can even go for storage of data in database or dynamically read through the SharePoint integration service.

• Developers can effectively leverage these tools to work faster, developing better as well as increasingly flexible solutions. Every input-output from SharePoint gets transformed into the recognized database computer language Structured Query Language. Therefore it is easy to normalize the development process. As a result of this, developers with no prior expertise in SharePoint integration or development are able to conveniently work with document libraries along with list data.

Benefits of SharePoint and PHP Integration

Through the integration of SharePoint with PHP, there are a number of benefits that are achieved:

• The threshold of requisite knowledge is considerably brought down while working with data and integration pertaining to the document management system.

• The productivity of developers can be enhanced

• The maintenance costs can be lessened.

• The need for specific training for developers can be brought down to a great extent.

• The integration ensures easier support to data connectivity.

Features and Steps

Through the SharePoint integration service provided by a number of companies, the document management system can be queried like a regular database, irrespective of whether you are making the selection from amongst a default list, an edited version of a default list, a document library or a custom list. The data will be retrieved and made available to meet the specific requirements. You can go for the following:

• Choose explicit columns (SELECT Title, Id, FROM customList)

• Choose everything (SELECT * FROM customList, include the .all in the list name to obtain each element that is available from the list)

• Make the choice by view (SELECT * FROM viewName, customList.)

There are PHP tools offering support for creation, reading, updations and deletion with the help of SQL syntax in addition to stored procedures. Comprehensive handling of list items is made convenient along with management of document libraries as well as the respective items (documents and folders).

Whether it is SharePoint 2010 development, or any other version, by leveraging a diverse collection of PHP classes, developers are capable of easily integrating SharePoint and PHP.

We provide sharepoint development services. If you would like to know what makes us expert sharepoint programmers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

How Can You Integrate DotNetNuke 6 & 7 with SharePoint?

DotNetNuke has already established itself as one of the most popular as well as preferred web content management systems, based on Microsoft. Net. DotNetNuke websites are known to offer excellent user experience while also letting the brands enhance their identity. The recent trend is that of integrating this content management system with that of Microsoft SharePoint, of which the latest version has recently come out in the form of SharePoint 2013.

The integration is quite helpful for the businesses in a number of ways. Here is a brief overview of how the integration of DotNetNuke with SharePoint can be executed with success.

Effective Document Management with SharePoint

SharePoint is undoubtedly the most preferred as well as even sought- after system for document management, helpful for businesses of varying size or nature. Now, this platform is built into cloud, which allows maximum storage and accessibility. Consequently, the professionals in a team have an opportunity to share as well as collaborate on apparently large amounts of data and documents. Additionally, the platform integrates effectively with Outlook and this enables enhancement of the significance of the social tools. All this leads to a carefully organized atmosphere. The team members can also convert the raw data into important interactive reports.

Integration of DotNetNuke with SharePoint

The best thing about integrating the web content management system with the web application development platform is that the two of them integrates quite seamlessly. An automatic integration implies that no further efforts are required when it comes to operating the system. The DNN Community can merge with the platform in a rather hassle- free manner by means of using the custom modules. The primary idea, here, is to design a system that allows the platform to communicate from behind a firewall with the people facing the website. Now, all this means that the documents can be pushed into the portal on the DotNetNuke website with higher level of safety and efficiency. At the same time, the filter rules can be designed to track down the individual documents to find out as to where they go.

DNN Enterprise and SharePoint Connector

In instances where the platform is used as the document management system, integration of the same with DotNetNuke Enterprise Edition is actually of real benefits. The custom integration saves a lot of money of the enterprise while investment that is made is actually worthy.

The DNN Enterprise SharePoint connector comes up as a powerful and significant feature, supporting both 2007 and 2010 versions of the platform. The firewall issues can be avoided at the same time. Content, on the other hand, stays fresh and is published directly from the SharePoint Document Library. It is the DotNetNuke role- based security network that performs the essential function of protecting the published documents.

Making Use of the SharePoint Folder Provider

The SharePoint Folder is particularly useful in integration with DotNetNuke 6. It enables the DNN users to store as well as synchronize the files contained in the document libraries, located in 2010 version of this platform.

Here is an overview of the features of this Folder and the way it helps:

The communication between the web application development platform and the DotNetNuke 6 becomes faster and more direct by virtue of the folder. It paves the way for multiple providers to indicate to different document libraries from either the similar platform based sites or from the different ones.

The SharePoint Folder facilitates a number of functionalities such as addition cum deleting of folders, uploading, downloading, renaming of files along with synchronization of the files and folders. Above all, this Folder actually acts as a strong base for several DNN modules, which make use of the DotNetNuke file system. Custom SharePoint development teams can help you build projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide SharePoint application development services. If you would like to talk to one of our SharePoint developers or would like to take a look at the work they have done, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

2013 Java Trends: The Cloud Floats into Java Application Development

Within a very short span of time, Cloud computing has becomes an integral part of all types of application development processes. Many companies are opting for the innovative computing to cut operational costs, along with concentrating in core business processes without being obstructed by the IT issues. The rapidly growing popularity of the dynamic computing will have a huge impact on all types of application development projects in the immediate future. Similar to other software development projects, it will also have a huge impact on the applications being developed using Java.

The benefits offered by Cloud computing will further make it easier for Java developers to optimize the performance and scalability of a variety of websites and web applications. However, an application cannot avail the advantages simply by being installed on a Cloud. The developers have to build the interfaces by following a set of practices to avail the combined advantages of Java and the popular computing. At the same time, they also need to constantly observe the latest trends in Java web application development to deliver a high level of user experience.

How Cloud Computing will Affect Java Application Development?

More Investment in Java Cloud Services: Most enterprises migrate to innovative technologies to attract more customers. Most businesses are also looking for innovative ways to upgrade their enterprise software to target the growing popularity of mobile devices. As Cloud computing can make the software development projects faster and cost-efficient, the technology will be used widely by companies to develop and test their applications. Further, the companies ready to experiment with new processes and models will also adopt the new environment to carry out the experiments without increasing their spending.

Enhanced Security: The Java Cloud services will enable users to access the applications on a variety of devices. So developers have to explore options to optimize the security of the application across all types of devices and operating systems. Also, it will become essential to protect the business data and business apps from other interfaces that are installed on the user’s personal device. As each user can combine the Clouds he use for personal and work purposes, developers have to ensure that the files and information are shared in a secure and hassle-free way.

Enterprise Cloud for Large Businesses: In the initial stages, many large enterprises dismissed hybrid Cloud due to lack of adequate control. But the implementation of private computing environment will not be effective in meeting the needs of large enterprises. So the large businesses will start investing in enterprise Cloud to optimize their usage of resources and estimate the future capacity requirements. However, each business has to deploy a team to avail the flexible and inexpensive features of public Cloud, along with the advantages of Java enterprise application development. The businesses can further hold some of their less-sensitive applications on public cloud to meet the future trends in application development.

Increase in Mobile Cloud Services: Similar to conventional Java applications, the Cloud computing will also have a huge impact on mobile app development. With many companies launching enterprise mobile apps, it will become important for them to avail the features and benefits to make the data, application and computing accessible to users anytime, anywhere. However, they have to customize the technology to according to the mobile device and operating systems being used by each user. However, the innovative technology will make it easier for enterprisers to predict the user choice, along with making their mobile apps more scalable.

Demand for Inexpensive Java Cloud Services: The huge popularity of Cloud computing will encourage businesses to invest in the new technology. But the companies will explore options to reduce the cost of using Java Cloud services. As their expenses will vary based on the amount of services consumed by them, the enterprises will explore options to reduce their regular spending. Many companies will further monitor closely how the Java Cloud services are being consumed, along with comparing the consumption according to the price of the application.

In the immediate future, Cloud computing will become popular among enterprises of different sizes. The features and functionality of Java applications will also be modified to incorporate Cloud computing. But the trends will help users in availing high quality and faster services at their own pace and convenience.

We provide Java application support services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified Java developers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

ColdFusion usage picks up steam

Developers across the globe are widely using ColdFusion since it is a very powerful as well as convenient web development platform. This platform was developed in the year 1995 with certain simple features for linking HTML pages with a database. ColdFusion’s version 2 was launched in 1996 constituting a complete scripting language along with an IDE. The latest version released in 2012, renders a collection of advanced features to the application developers for easy development of a range of potent internet applications in addition to going for enterprise integration.

Adobe’s initiatives for popularizing ColdFusion

Initiating roadmap discussions: Every company needs to collect comments, suggestions and feedback from the clients regarding the functionality and features of the applications that it has developed. Through customer interaction, the organization also conveniently comes to know the methods for boosting the application development framework’s performance. New roadmap discussions have been initiated by Adobe for popularizing ColdFusion programming. According to this initiative, the top management of the company will discuss relevant matters with customers. The suggestions and feedback received therein will be utilized for making decisions on the functionality and features with an aim to render the latest ColdFusion 10 version more powerful.

More frequent updates: Every software development company is required to make an impression on users through release of updated versions of the products. These updated frameworks constitute advanced features which help in the reduction of programmers’ efforts and time during the development of rich internet applications. A strategy has been implemented by Adobe to lessen the release cycles with respect to ColdFusion. Hence there will be frequent releases of updated versions constituting a plethora of advanced functionalities as well as features. Moreover, the reduction in the released cycles will enable Adobe to keep up with the technological changes effectively.

ColdFusion launch across the Cloud: The Cloud-based frameworks for app development are popular amongst developers owing to the convenient and flexible features. A number of companies have launched their frameworks’ Cloud version for meeting the requirements of the developers. Presently, Adobe would be offering Amazon Machine Image (AMI) with respect to ColdFusion 10 on hourly rates. ColdFusion 10’s Cloud version will invite an increasing number of programmers to benefit from this powerful platform.

Expansion of the ColdFusion community: So far as an app development framework is concerned, the popularity is dependent upon the developer community’s size. Therefore, an initiative has been taken by Adobe for promotion of ColdFusion at a number of community colleges. The goal of this initiative is to educate programmers on an exhaustive semester curriculum regarding concepts of server side programming with ColdFusion. Moreover, the program incorporates software, quizzes, tests as well as instructor guides for encouraging new programmers for use of this platform in order to develop rich applications for the web. Simultaneously, instructors as well as students have the facility to clarify their doubts through interaction with a community expert.

Active engagement of ColdFusion users: A program has been further implemented by Adobe for keeping the users actively engaged. ColdFusion events would be organized for keeping the interested user groups through working actively with them. Concurrently, the ColdFusion Business Unit present at Adobe is looking forward to arrange a full-fledged conference about the framework to encourage the user community’s involvement. However, Adobe will simply be the primary organizer, facilitating the community’s maximum involvement in numerous aspects such as content selection. Through regular interaction with developers, it will be more convenient to drive the popularity and growth of ColdFusion.

Adobe’s initiatives would encourage both experienced as well as novice programmers to go for ColdFusion migration. Moreover, the developer community’s involvement as well as active participation will definitely drive the platform’s popularity & Coldfusion web development in general.

We provide ColdFusion application development services. If you would like to hire ColdFusion developers from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Why Should You Migrate from SharePoint 2010 to SharePoint 2013?

The much awaited and highly anticipated SharePoint 2013, the popular web application platform finally arrives. Now, it is obvious for most organizations to question as to whether it would be a wise idea to upgrade to SharePoint 2013. Some are yet to understand if the upgrade will be beneficial for them in the long run. In order to take the right decision regarding migrating to the new version of this prominent web development platform, one needs to carry out a little research and grasp the nuances involved in the same.

The latest application platform comes with a good number of significant upgrades. The major difference between the two versions of the platform lies in the user experience offered by the two, which is quite a significant point for the businesses. Eventually, a migration from the 2010 version to the latter version is quite desirable. Here is a list of reasons on why it is so:

Better User Experience

The brand new version of SharePoint puts much emphasis on the social experience that users would like to have. The concerned discussion board has paved the way for an interesting activity stream, similar to that of Facebook. Though there is a similar feature in the 2010 version of this web development platform, the one in the latest version is certainly more user friendly, allowing users to be there in the loop with easily accessible continuous updates.

Increased Socialization

Additional socializing is facilitated by what is better known as the ‘Gamification’ of the community site template. As such, users can now participate by means of assigning points, badges as well as a leadership board, incorporating the ‘top contributors”. With these increased opportunities to take part in social activities, presented by the latest version, users will also be able to be a part of workplace discussions.

Easier Customization

The newly introduced features in the publishing site reduce the necessity of gathering good amount of SharePoint knowledge. Extreme expertise is no longer required in order to be able to design a site on this platform and carry out its branding successfully. Customization is easily available, which implies that the web application development platform can be used for specific purpose and requirements.

Integration with Other Products

Perhaps the best and the most beneficial feature incorporated in the SharePoint 2013 is its ability to integrate with the other Microsoft products. It works well with several programs and in particular, with Office 365, that has been recently released. Thus, the end users can be rest assured that the documents, images and files will be stored safely enough for others to access them. At the same time, all of these data will be compatible with any program used by any other party.

Advancements in Social Capabilities

The advancements made in the area of the SharePoint social capabilities are impressive apart from being quite beneficial. The enhancements revolving around mobile experience add to the overall significance of the platform.

Device- friendliness

The latest version is made much more device- friendly than the previous version. Since the program is accessible via a wide range of device, users can enjoy staying connected on tablets, Smartphones and so on, all the time. Users with an inclination for apps can also download these from external sites. With this, companies can also design apps and thereby, restrict the use completely to the private SharePoint 2013 files. Additionally, businesses have the chance of keeping track of certain things better such as that of employee travel, spending and work hours.

The above- mentioned features of SharePoint 2013, especially the ones relating to the user- interface and usability of the platform implies that a migration can be of real help. SharePoint 2013 is perfectly suited when it comes to offering the best- possible experience to the users. Hence custom SharePoint development becomes essential.

We provide SharePoint application development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified SharePoint developers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

Java mobile application trends for 2013

Upcoming trends should never be ignored in the mobile domain. By 2013 end, we will definitely be witnesses to the number of tablets and Smartphones across the globe surpassing the number of PCs. Specifically, the tablet claims to be the prime enterprise-oriented device of the future era. The abundance of cellular devices in emerging as well as established markets is triggering continuous and rapid evolution amongst mobile app developers, independent software vendors, OS designers, cell phone manufacturers, cloud vendors, enterprise IT and training institutions. Here we bring to you certain opportunities and challenges that the 2013 mobile app trends of Java may bring forth.

Mobile would become the prime channel for software access
It is a fact that a number of the modern day Smartphone apps are more potent in comparison with the enterprise software two decades back. Currently the apps are recording a highly volatile consumption level. In the year 2010, IDC projected that 76.9 billion apps would be downloaded globally by 2014. Going by this, the enterprise would need to go for a wider range of software vendors. With this kind of usage becoming the custom, businesses are required to consider licensing terms all the more.

IT will don the role of mobile mediator
No doubt IT has taken up the responsibility of rendering support to cell phone users within the enterprise setting. Although cloud is taking care of some of the administration responsibilities on behalf of IT, the cellular space does indeed require good amount of additional work. This might incorporate the following:

• Evaluation, aggregation and purchase of downloadable apps for enterprise utilization.
• Assistance to app users across a range of devices and platforms.
• Devising, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of policies for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) usage.
• Ensuring security of enterprise data which might gain exposure to mobile apps.

Security threats in the cellular domain has been a cause of concern for quite a long time now, but 2013 is more likely to bring to light some of the great drawbacks in this area. According to RIIS founder and ‘Decompiling Android’ author Godfrey Nolan, hacker’s can completely access a developer’s code since they are able to reverse-engineer the same utilizing some pretty uncomplicated de-compilation tool. Seen from a developer’s point of view, the number of people eyeing mobile applications is not much. At present there are very few mobile applications that are completely protected.

Enterprise will foray into the mobile domain
In order to regain control over their data within the mobile space, enterprises will be inclined towards creation of their own applications. Large businesses (exterior to the ISV domain) will also start offering customers their own apps directly. It has already been seen that retailers in a number of local malls are rendering a 3D barcode or a downloadable app to customers possessing Smartphones. Again we have fast food restaurants which facilitate placing of order through mobile apps even before clients can reach the drive thru.

Healthcare, hospitality and travel, energy, pharmaceuticals, education, logistics, and a number of other industry verticals are planning to elevate their app development service for outside users to newer levels in 2013. New entrants will definitely get to know that the first app developed might not be up to the mark. Continuous improvement revolving around user feedback must be taken into consideration.

One of the greatest challenges that enterprises have to face is the ever increasing number of factors that come into play during the design, development as well as deployment phase. Hence it is obvious that with the advent of each new generation of cell phones, developers would need to take into account endless adjustments.

IT will be of great significance
By 2013, IT will have full power to exploit the opportunity of becoming the mastermind of analytics and big data. As mobile forays into the domain of enterprise data, IT would get the scope of utilizing this information storehouse in the form of a feedback mechanism for improvement of business processes.

Going by the upcoming Java mobile application trends in 2013, enterprises would definitely need big data as well as mobile development experts. The crux is that some of the required skills are not yet taught as they are extremely new. With this knowledge gap coming to the forefront, it is a big question as to where our subsequent generation of cellular phone experts will appear from. Let’s wait and watch as employers go globe-hunting for talent. Java mobile app development teams can help you build projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.

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