The Benefits of Cloud Computing for Software Development

It is more important how quickly and flexibly you can act as a developer and, naturally, what the final costs are. This is where the cloud is definitely one step ahead. Andreas Gräfe sheds light on the advantages of the cloud for software development.

When developing software it is particularly important to be able to access various resources very quickly. This is usually the case when you are setting up new systems, i.e. projects that not only require manual but also financial input. Here are some examples, which you may have often heard as a developer or sysadmin:

• Who can create a TFS (Team Foundation Server) project quickly for me or can set up a new area?
• When will the central TFS finally be updated?
• Where is the TFS backup we did two weeks ago?
• Where can I quickly get a (or another) build server?
• Who can quickly let me have a test environment?

In large companies such requests are managed by a central IT department. However, this department is mainly in charge of supporting normal day-to-day business, which is why development tasks can quickly end up at the end of the queue. In today′s world when reacting quickly to changes is a must, such a situation is no longer feasible. Luckily there are alternatives like the cloud.

Cloud providers offer various solutions that make everyday tasks much easier and provide support for fast and short-term demands. In the Microsoft environment, one of these is TFS, the Microsoft Team Foundation Server. TFS is the central point for controlling tasks and software-related management and fully supports application lifecycle management. Microsoft offers a cloud version of TFS entitled Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS). It is always in line with the latest developments and is regularly and automatically updated. Backup and recovery are also included. This allows you to concentrate fully on your core tasks.

VSTS can do even more in combination with Microsoft Azure. If you want to build or test a checked-in source code, you can do it in the cloud – quickly and inexpensively. To this purpose build servers or test environments can be used in the cloud. This means you are prepared for continuous integration and continuous deployment from the outset. Your applications are built, tested and rolled out without anyone having to manually create, set up or maintain a virtual machine (VM). And you only pay for what you need.

You naturally want to supply your customers with error-free, tested software. Microsoft Azure combined with the Visual Studio Team Services also supplies efficient services in this respect. A full-featured test environment is then provided by means of a wide range of test types and the support of various frameworks and tools. Everything from small-scale, fully automated unit tests to large-scale load tests with the simulation of millions of requests is possible.

Development in the cloud: All the advantages at a glance

1. Faster and simpler access to the central services (TFS / VSTS) for you, all stakeholders and your customers.
2. No bottlenecks as the necessary resources are quickly made available.
3. Pay-as-you-use: You only pay for what you really need.
4. Scalability: Your environment grows with your needs / challenges.
5. Low prices. The service is even free of charge for small teams of up to five people.

Everything is in favor of making use of the cloud for software development. Your IT team can focus on its core tasks while Microsoft Azure does the rest. Just try it! Your development teams will thank you with higher productivity and a great deal of appreciation.