intelligent automation consultant solution`s

I will start the story with what’s most important for you and then smoothly transition into technology and intelligent automation. The business model of many IT companies is built on offering you the technology they specialize in for several reasons:

  • This is an attempt to create what is called Vendor lock-in – to make it economically unfeasible for you to leave them. Economic infeasibility can include time expenses (onboarding a new programmer of yours) as well as technological expenses (switching to another technology to reduce development costs).
  • This can lead to future rate increases for various reasons, because you won’t be able to quickly transfer the project to another company (since your current vendor is developing without documentation, either deliberately or to save your costs, as maintaining documentation—writing documents, testing at every level, and supporting all this—adds another 30% to expenses).


The only justification for choosing such specialized companies is not:

  • If you really have sufficient funds, then there isn’t even anything to think about. The main thing is that the framework (programming language, structure, and code-writing approach) is widely used—this can be verified by a Fractional CTO.
  • If you need a cool architecture and you might pause development until the next investment round or until financial issues are resolved—having a solid architecture (here I’m not talking about sitting with an architect for a long and tedious process of drawing up the architecture and then creating it, as in the modern world this approach makes your project outdated by as many months as you spent designing, discussing, and then implementing it). By ‘cool architecture,’ I mean self-explaining, scalable, and resilient—an architecture that can also be easily achieved with Extreme Programming (XP) without losing a minute on developing the solution itself.

Quality, speed, professionalism.

For example: the Angular 2-18 technology.

Starting with the first official version (Angular 2), it laid the foundation for a unified approach, meaning all programmers at that time had to follow a single approach. Later, approaches such as state management of the project (NgRx, NgXs) were added, as well as a development approach where a complex application is divided into several sub-applications that interact with each other in certain ways. In this approach, the code is divided among different applications, but the common core—whether it’s visual components or business logic—is stored, developed, and maintained in one place, yet used in all sub-projects (this is known as the monorepo approach, which can be implemented using tools like NX).

 

Less successfully, Angular adopted the microservices approach (this is more of a server-side development approach where the system is broken down into very small, fully or partially autonomous services that communicate with each other using APIs. One could confidently say that from this process began Intelligence Automation: low code, no-code, and other approaches built on an event-driven architecture). In Angular, this approach is called micro-frontend.

 

Also, in recent versions, another approach has been added for parallel (or almost parallel) execution of Angular solutions, such as signal.

Summarizing this example, what we have:

  • Three possible architectural approaches to development in Angular: a simple architecture that is easy to maintain (described in the official documentation); monorepo; micro-frontend.
  • The two most notable libraries for managing state in Angular solutions: NgRx and NgXS.
  • The two most well-known libraries for managing asynchronous operations in Angular projects: RxJS and Signals. All of the above-listed libraries, tools, and methods are well-known, meaning any programmer who develops in Angular should be familiar with them, having experience with Angular for at least 4 years.

 

I hope I’ve managed to shed some light on what to consider when choosing a vendor and how this correlates with the vendor’s expertise versus their desire to profit from you.

 

My recommendation: if you are not a technical person, then hire either a senior+ developer or a fractional CTO to oversee the development process. Their task should be to establish the environment, initially control the process, which includes: adherence to communication rules, all work around version control systems (git, gitlab, sourcetree, etc.), and necessarily the quality of code (if it’s the XP approach, the code quality should be acceptable, but not perfect architecture.

 

In XP, architecture is developed during intense development since many system functions are unknown beforehand, and laying the groundwork immediately in the system is considered an architectural antipattern). In all other approaches, the code quality and architecture should be significantly higher at the beginning than in XP. If the fractional CTO has never worked in XP, it will be not only difficult for him but also unclear why everything is done this way and not as he is accustomed to; consider this nuance as well. And the last thing you need to consider is your trust in the development team.

 

Since you are the domain expert and visionary of the solution, you, like most startup founders who still have a business or are engaged in some other activity, may not have enough time to control everything—so just trust them, and try to incorporate the advice that the vendor offers into your life. In companies where honesty, transparency, and professionalism are valued, and which operate at a teal level, there are no thoughts of deception or profit margins. There is a partnership relationship where everyone understands that quality and speed are the keys to success.

 

In the paragraph where I mentioned microservices, there was the first mention of Intelligent Automation. You might think that it’s just fashionable nowadays to insert the word ‘Intelligence’ everywhere. Hype is good, but the longevity and success of a project are much better.

A bit of a historical excursion into our experience. We are often approached by companies that are already established in the market but need to update their IT system. Usually, they needed a solution last year, and there’s hardly any time left for discussions. In such cases, we offer an immediate hybrid solution, or if the company is willing to wait, we prioritize upgrading their existing IT system.

 

As an intelligent automation consultant, Aimtraction always recommends a Hybrid solution. This decision is justified for several reasons, one of which is that it’s built on Intelligent Automation: that is, if it’s economically justified at this stage to use a third-party service that allows us not to manually write code, not to set up security, not to buy physical or virtual servers, then we immediately integrate this part into the old system, clearly specifying the deadline when and under what conditions the third-party solution may become inefficient in terms of cost/resource.

 

I want to add immediately: using a third-party service means that you do not hire additional programmers to your staff, you do not hire devops to your staff, you do not look for and hire the most expensive security manager to your staff, because all this is included in a certain package of the third-party service. It is also desirable to have paid 24/7 support in case of emergencies, as well as for quick integration.

 

An example could be: https://www.confluent.io/ – a PaaS for a powerful open-source technology in the market like Kafka. You could go through the trouble of manually setting everything up, buying, configuring security, and hiring a person for each subprocess, or you could simply use confluent.io.

At the foundation of low-code, no-code lie enterprise architecture patterns. I recommend getting acquainted with what Apache Camel and Apache Synapse (ESB) are. Most of the tools available today are built using these two instruments, on top of which either their own implementation or other open-source Apache solutions have been added.

 

If you are not a technical person, then the previous paragraph for you was like calculating a triple integral (apologies for evoking tough times of mathematics from your university days).

 

Now let’s move on to information more accessible to non-technical people, i.e., users who do not create programs but use them. All these neat squares and the “if-then” connections between them are based on proven, mature technologies like Apache Camel and Apache Synapse. If the PaaS you have chosen does not have known solutions at its core, I would not recommend using them.

 

Also, the solutions that have digitized certain airports and ministries of defense are not the best, but it can certainly be said that they are among the most expensive, because they have case studies for the big players 🙂

At least ask a low-code, no-code programmer the difference between a byte and a MB, also whether the size of the data structure is important, how much time the server spends processing data. If such an “expert” can’t answer, look for someone else. From experience in fixing such kinds of low-code, no-code solutions, cheap programmers just draw the diagram without thinking about optimization because they don’t know that it’s better to rewrite or group things before passing them on. The difference in performance between a corrected version and a version by a cheap automator can be 5-15 times. By saving on cost, you end up losing even more on the resources consumed by such a poor-quality solution.

About cloud web development with AimTraction and how it's made…

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, cloud technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) have become ubiquitous, offering myriad advantages. However, these technologies often come with complexities that aren’t always immediately apparent. For professionals navigating both the programming and business aspects of technology, like us at AIMTRACTION, understanding these nuances is crucial. We stand out by ensuring our solutions are both practical and innovative. This approach involves integrating various advanced tools and services, such as AWS mobile development, cloud application development services, Azure API integration, and cloud web development, into our projects. Let’s delve deeper into these concepts and how they interplay with the broader spectrum of modern IT automation and cloud services.

 

The Synergy of Cloud and AI Technologies

Cloud computing and AI are revolutionizing the way businesses operate, providing unparalleled flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. However, the transition to cloud-based solutions isn’t always straightforward. For instance, while AWS mobile development and cloud application development services offer powerful tools for building scalable applications, they require a deep understanding of both the technology and the business processes they aim to enhance.

 

One of the key benefits of cloud computing is process automation. As an automation consultant, AIMTRACTION focuses on automating repetitive tasks, which not only saves time but also reduces the potential for human error. This is where tools like AWS Lambda come into play. Lambda integration enables developers to run code without provisioning or managing servers, allowing for scalable and cost-effective application management.

Azure API Integration and the Role of IT Automation Engineers

Azure API integration is another critical component of our cloud strategy. It allows different software systems to communicate seamlessly, thereby enhancing the overall functionality of cloud applications. An IT automation engineer plays a vital role in this process, ensuring that the integration is smooth and that the systems are operating efficiently. By leveraging Azure’s robust API management tools, we can create flexible and secure applications that meet the unique needs of our clients.

 

Furthermore, cloud web development and application architect roles are essential in designing and deploying applications that are not only functional but also secure and scalable. An architect specializing in Azure can help design an application framework that leverages Azure’s powerful cloud services, ensuring that the application can scale as needed while maintaining high levels of performance and security.

 

The Strategic Importance of Cloud Computing Development Services

 

Adopting cloud computing offers several strategic benefits for businesses:

  1. Lower Costs: Utilizing serverless architectures can significantly reduce infrastructure expenses. This cost-effective approach not only saves money but also offers flexibility in scaling resources to match business needs.
  2. Enhanced Scalability Options: Cloud platforms allow businesses to scale up or down effortlessly, handling high-load situations without additional infrastructure costs. This scalability is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and avoiding overspending.
  3. Improved Flexibility: The ability to quickly adjust application infrastructure to meet evolving business demands is vital. This flexibility ensures that the technology ecosystem aligns with business objectives.
  4. Data Loss Prevention: Implementing comprehensive backup systems with redundant configurations can prevent data loss. Customized recovery plans minimize downtime and ensure data security.
  5. Increased Security: Adopting DevSecOps practices and a zero-trust architecture in cloud products ensures that security is integrated from the development phase, protecting against vulnerabilities.
  6. Improved Data Analysis: Continuous monitoring and predictive modeling enhance system load management, cost-effectiveness, and error-free operations, leading to overall efficiency and reliability.

Advanced Automation and Consulting Services

At AIMTRACTION, we believe in leveraging advanced automation to enhance our service delivery. Deployment automation ensures that applications are consistently and reliably updated, reducing the risk of deployment-related issues. Our expertise as an automation artificial intelligence consulting firm enables us to integrate AI-driven solutions into our automation processes, further enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs.

 

Moreover, app gateways play a critical role in managing application traffic and ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently. This is particularly important in cloud environments where applications need to be both scalable and resilient.

 

The Interplay Between Web Development and Cloud Computing

Web development and cloud computing, while distinct fields, often intersect in ways that create powerful synergies. Web developers focus on creating user-friendly, visually appealing websites and applications, ensuring optimal performance and engagement. On the other hand, cloud professionals manage the infrastructure that supports these applications, ensuring scalability and reliability.

 

Front-end and Back-end Development: Web developers are skilled in both front-end (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and back-end (server-side logic, databases) development. This combination ensures that applications are not only functional but also efficient and secure.

 

Full-stack Development: Full-stack developers manage the entire development process, from designing interfaces to managing server infrastructure. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of an application are optimized for performance and security.

 

Collaborative Efforts: Cloud professionals and web developers often collaborate closely. For instance, a cloud professional might work with an application architect to design a scalable architecture, while web developers focus on creating engaging user interfaces. This collaboration ensures that the application is both robust and user-friendly.

 

Ensuring High-Quality Cloud Solutions

To deliver high-quality cloud solutions, AIMTRACTION follows best practices in development and project management. Our approach includes:

  • Predictable Project Budgets: Providing clear and honest estimates to ensure accurate financial planning.
  • Rapid Results: Leveraging Agile methodologies to deliver iterative releases, ensuring quick and tangible results.
  • Simplified Code Maintenance: Using comprehensive coding documentation and quality controls to ensure maintainable and scalable solutions.
  • High Level of Automation: Implementing DevOps practices to automate code integration, testing, and monitoring, enhancing deployment frequency and reducing failure rates.

 

A few more valuable tips and tricks:

  1. Microsoft adds $1 on top of OpenAI’s direct price. If you create a plugin via OpenAI and then consume their LLM via API, it will cost you almost $1 less for the same amount of tokens as via Azure.
  2. If you plan to create a solution based on a famous LLM, we strongly suggest using a tool that allows you to easily substitute the LLM provider, such as https://epam-rail.com/platform.

 

Share this post

Want to be up to date? Sign up for a monthly update from us!

Subscribe to our blog

Join our subscribers to receive weekly emails with fresh tech insights