As we move forward into the Fall semester, the Platform & Integrations team is implementing two new cloud platforms, Application Platform as a Service (aPaaS) and Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS), which will shorten the application development lifecycle from 4-6 months to 2-4 weeks.
aPaaS: Facilitating Agile Best Practices
Adopting aPaaS enables rapid application development and quick prototyping, while also promoting reusability by removing the need for “just-in-time” solutions. With aPaaS, developers create reusable components that can be utilized later on, simplifying the development process. Additionally, developers can quickly create mock-ups and working prototypes of a requested application and collect user feedback within the same platform.
“Collecting feedback in the same space removes any ambiguity,” explains Sameer Jaleel, Director of Platform & Integration Solutions. “We have user comments side by side with the prototypes, meaning we can see exactly what users are referencing in their feedback.” This process is quicker and provides more accurate feedback, resulting in higher-quality apps for the end user. Overall, these tools result in more efficient processes for the development team, serving as a vital step in embracing Agile methodology.
iPaaS: Removing Redundancy
iPaaS adoption streamlines the process of connecting disparate systems to exchange data, aka allowing two different systems to “talk” to each other. Utilizing an integration platform will remove redundancy where it currently exists and reduces complexity in future integration projects. Simplifying the integration and governance process means projects can be completed more efficiently.
The first round of projects leveraging aPaaS and iPaaS go live in late August. Current plans are to continue implementing and growing into the platforms over the next 12 months. “The end goal is to remove complexities in applications development,” says Jaleel, “Then we can shift our focus to providing solutions in other areas.”
