Cloud & Devops

Test automation front loads the testing work. Automated test cases must be implemented by an automation engineer, this process typically takes longer than designing an equivalent set of manual test cases. Once the test cases are implemented, the cost to execute them is very low, since they are executed by a non-human agent (there are possible infrastructure costs associated with hosting the server that runs the automated test cases, but these costs are much lower than the cost of having functional testers run test cases). 

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Codeless platforms allow testers to record test steps that are executed by a functional tester. These platforms then allow the recorded test steps to be executed in an automated manner. It’s possible to parametrize the test steps, reusing the recorded test steps when there is data or environment variations. Codeless platforms reduce the time needed to create the automated test steps, they also allow for testers without coding skills to implement automated tests. Most of the codeless platforms are paid, and although cost varies from supplier to supplier, using these platforms can significantly increase the project cost.

A code based approach to automated testing brings to the top of the table increased control and flexibility over the implementation of the automated test cases. Test cases are implemented as code, using libraries designed for it. This added flexibility translates into less time needed to improve, extend or modify existing test cases. Code can be reused, which means that as more test cases get implemented, less time is required to implement new test cases. 

Yes, failing is an acceptable and valuable option in a design sprint. In fact, embracing the possibility of failure is an integral part of the design sprint methodology. Design sprints encourage experimentation, rapid prototyping, and user testing to gather feedback and learn from failures or shortcomings.

By creating a safe space for testing and exploring ideas, design sprints allow teams to identify and address potential issues early in the process. Failures or setbacks during a sprint provide valuable insights and learning opportunities that can lead to better solutions and iterations.

The success of the sprint relies on active participation, collaboration, and collective decision-making throughout the process. Each day of the sprint builds upon the progress made in the previous days, and continuity is essential to maintain the momentum and ensure a cohesive outcome. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all team members commit to being present throughout the entire duration of the sprint to fully engage in the activities, discussions, and decision-making processes.

During a full Design Sprint workshop, several key participants should be present to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative approach. The Design Sprint benefits from having a diverse group of team members from various disciplines, to bring their unique perspectives and expertise to the table, fostering creativity and holistic problem-solving.

Ideally, the Design Sprint should include 3-6 participants who play key roles in decision-making, possess expertise in the problem area, and represent the design, development, and testing fields within your business.

A Design Sprint is an extraordinary concept to validate a large number of challenges.

It's a highly flexible framework, which be tailored to fit a plethora of different problems. At The Virtual Forge, we have delivered Design Sprints for products, services, internal and external digital solutions. All in all, a Design Sprint is great for almost any kind of challenge.

The time required to execute an AI project can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of the problem, the availability and quality of data, the scope of the project, and the specific requirements. Some AI projects can be completed in a matter of weeks, while others may take several months or longer. It is crucial to thoroughly analyse the project requirements, assess the data availability, and develop a comprehensive project plan to estimate the timeline accurately.

If you are facing challenges that involve processing large amounts of data, identifying complex patterns, making predictions, automating tasks, or improving decision-making based on data-driven insights, AI may be a suitable solution. Consulting with our experts can help assess your specific problem and determine if AI is the right approach to address it effectively.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that can perform tasks, learn, and make decisions. Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of AI that focuses on enabling machines to learn and improve from data without being explicitly programmed.

This can admittedly be a tough sell, and a barrier to adoption - no matter how you try to meet the needs of your entire user base, there are some who prefer their own self-directed analysis, typically based on large Excel-like tables. The good news is that, to some degree, all modern BI platforms support the generation of CSV or Excel-based extracts, up to and including the entire data model. In that sense, BI platforms allow users to continue exploration beyond the page’s visuals so no one is, in effect, left out.

Choosing a BI platform can be difficult, since on the surface, they all achieve the same outcome.

That said, your technology stack and data ecosystem will play a significant role in your choice. If, for instance, you are a 100% Microsoft business, we’d likely recommend Power BI. If you have a large Salesforce.com user base, we’d suggest Tableau CRM.

Often enough though, enterprises cross multiple systems and methods for capturing and storing data, so the choice often comes down to which platform is the most appealing, both in terms of visual output and capabilities, and price. At The Virtual Forge, we tend to stay platform-agnostic when entering a new situation in order to find the best fit that meets the majority of your needs.

Typically, most BI platforms offer some sort of trial period to “test drive” the tool. Some, like Power BI, allow you to create and publish dashboards and reports without any additional licensing, though at some point, in order to be able to easily share and collaborate, licensing will definitely be required. Once you’ve reached that point, the level of licensing will vary depending on the size of your intended audience, as well as platform-specific considerations. 

In general, the answer is almost always “yes”, though to what extent varies by situation.

There’s always some degree of cleansing and preparation, though the scope of that effort depends on the maturity of the data in question, and the means by which it is accessed.

If, for instance, you have an established data warehouse, consuming data from multiple sources in a central location, it’s very likely that little to no preparation is necessary.

By contrast, if the sources are Excel-based and touched by many hands in the chain of control, or derived from web-based sources, then it’s very likely to require anomaly detection and resolution, and a high-degree of shaping to fit the ideal reporting data model.

While a data warehouse should be considered an integral part of any enterprise-wide analytics solution, it’s not necessarily a pre-requisite to be up and running on most BI platforms.

Modern BI solutions, to varying degrees depending on the platform, have incorporated at least some level of data pipelines, transformations, and cleansing, functions typically carried out in the traditional warehouse.

While the data warehouse is the more complete solution, these platforms are designed to get you started exploring your data quickly, which is great news for smaller businesses or teams where a full-blown warehouse isn’t financially feasible.

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A dashboard is a user-friendly interface that displays critical information and data in a visual format (bar graphs, pie charts, heat maps, scatter plots, etc.). The purpose of a dashboard is to provide quick and easy access to key metrics, data, and insights that help inform decision-making and drive business performance. Dashboards can be designed to display a wide range of data from multiple sources, including real-time updates, historical trends, and predictive analytics.

Data Dashboards become essential by providing real-time insights, improve communication, increase productivity, and enable data-driven decision-making. They can be customised to meet the specific needs of your business, providing a single source of truth for decision making.

By linking dashboards to particular metrics or KPIs, you gain critical business intelligence and the capability to delve into specific pieces of information, enabling you to continuously track your progress.

Yes, testing services can be customised to suit your unique project needs. Testing services are typically flexible and can be tailored to accommodate your specific requirements, whether it's a specific testing methodology, industry compliance, or integration with your existing development processes.

Testing services employ systematic testing methodologies and techniques to identify defects, validate functionality, and ensure that the software meets the desired quality standards. They help uncover issues early in the development cycle, allowing for timely resolution and preventing potential problems in the production environment.

The main benefits of our Software Testing Services are early detection of errors, reduction of risk and validation of the quality of the system.

Software testing is the process of verifying that a software or application does what it is intended to do.

This is not necessary limited to, we also have in consideration:

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• What is defined as scope of the product.
• Guarantee that the product is responsive across different devices.
• Execute cross browsing tests.
• Check that the product is in accordance with the pre-defined designs.
• When applicable, confirm that the product is translated  for different languages.

Quite often we’re able to import at least part of your existing design system into whichever design program you would like to move to. We would then work with your design team to recreate the components in the new software, in brand new, pixel perfect components. These components will be fully layered, meaning we will begin with your smallest components, like icons, and incorporate these into the larger components. Then in the future, updating an icon, will update it throughout your whole component set and libraries.

A prototype is a preliminary representation or simulation of a product or user interface that allows designers to visualise and test their ideas before the final development stage. It serves as a tangible, interactive model that replicates the intended functionality and user experience of the actual product.

Prototypes can range from low-fidelity sketches or wireframes to high-fidelity interactive mockups, depending on the level of detail required to gather meaningful user feedback and validate design decisions. By creating prototypes, UX designers can effectively communicate their concepts, gather user insights, and iterate on designs to refine and improve the overall user experience.

User testing is the process of gathering feedback from users to evaluate and improve the usability and overall user experience of a product or service. It involves observing users as they interact with the product or service and collecting data on their behaviours, attitudes, and opinions. User testing can be conducted in various ways, including in-person interviews, online surveys, and remote usability testing.

The purpose of user testing is to identify areas where users are struggling or encountering issues while using the product or service. User testing helps designers and product teams better understand the needs and preferences of their target audience, enabling them to make informed design decisions and create products that are more intuitive, user-friendly, and effective.

Design sprints emerged as a revolutionary methodology, originating at Google Ventures, to accelerate product development.

In just five days, cross-functional teams collaborate intensely to uncover user needs, analyse market insights, and create prototypes for rapid testing. By compressing months of work into this short timeframe, design sprints minimise risks and allow teams to iterate quickly, resulting in a well-defined vision, refined prototypes, and an actionable roadmap.

This process empowers organisations to confidently move forward, armed with clarity, direction, and a competitive advantage, as they embark on the journey of turning ideas into game-changing innovations.

User Interface Design (UI) focuses on the aesthetics of the design that users will specifically interact with. This includes buttons, typography, visual features, and so on. The specialists at The Virtual Forge will work with you to craft your unique UI design that unlocks the full potential of your solution. 

User Experience Design (UX) refers to the overall design and the specific experience, such as feel and impressions, that users journey through when interacting with your website. Here, we focus on finding solutions to all user problems to guarantee an accessible, enjoyable experience. 

Yes! Ensuring a support contract is in place means that as a Virtual Forge client you are not simply acquiring an elegant solution, but you are ensuring its maintenance and ongoing development now and in the future.

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It depends on the complexity of the issue; oftentimes it can be resolved within the hour. If it is a low priority or particularly complex issue this can take longer, as the fix needs to be channeled through our Agile sprint process from fault finding / diagnosis / fix testing / final deployment. Our clients are liaised with regularly throughout the ticketing process.

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An immediate response is automatically generated to our customers so there is a tracking number which can be referenced during triage. With Service operators in Europe and US, response times are typically within 30 minutes during operational hours.

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All clients with a The Virtual Forge Servicedesk contract have access to our ticketing system. A ticket can be raised through an online portal, or simply by sending an email. The ticket is received, triaged and answered by our team of analysts. If our first line support are unable to resolve the issue, they will liaise with relevant developers / DevOps teams to address the issue, keeping the customer informed at all stages via our ticketing system

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There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question - it depends on the maturity of the data in question, and the means by which it is accessed. If, for instance, you have an established data warehouse, consuming data from multiple sources in a central location, it's very likely that little to no data preparation is necessary. By contrast, if the data sources used are Excel-based and touched by many hands in the chain of control, or derived from web-based sources, then it's very likely to require anomaly detection and resolution, and a high-degree of shaping to fit the ideal reporting data model.

Put simply, a Power BI consultant is an expert in the field with a situation-dependent, malleable role. Through years of experience on the data platform side, a Power BI consultant has acquired the knowledge to fulfill many roles: data modeler, visual designer, advisor, and trainer. Above all, a Power BI specialist has learned to listen to you, and to assume the role that best meets your needs.

Whether you're just starting out in Power BI, encountered a seemingly intractable problem, or simply need an expert to review your implementation, , and data models, Power BI experts and consulting services exist to help you meet your unique needs efficiently and with minimal investment in time and manpower.

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Fabric is the latest innovation from Microsoft, with the aim of establishing an all-in-one, tightly integrated analytics platform. It encompasses ETL pipelines, data warehousing, AI capabilities, and visualisation via Power BI in a single scalable package.

Power BI is a best-in-class analytics tool, designed to deliver an end-to-end analytics solution, from data ingestion and cleansing, to data model design, to the delivery of beautiful and informative visuals, all wrapped in an intuitive, easy-to-use package.

By estimating the work correctly and planning according to the effort required to implement the milestones of a project. Accurately estimating is key to the success of a project. If the estimates match the actuals, there is a high probability of executing the project according to the plan, therefore delivering on time. In order to have accurate estimates, The Virtual Forge relies on experienced business analysts that, together with the client, define the scope of the project, milestone or sprint. Having a good scope definition is a key factor to have accurate estimates.

The cost of custom software development varies depending on the project. Key considerations are project scope, development time and team, technology stack, customisation and Integration, maintenance  and support.

Our team is agile and is capable of constantly adapting to solve problems and client expectations. Our process of handling potential changes in requirements fall under two core actions:

• Regular show and tell with the client - ensure the implementation is aligned with the client’s vision of the project; 
• Short development cycles that allow adding value to projects that are live or in a user acceptance environment - no need to wait months before seeing new functionality added to the build. This allows to fine tune the direction of the implementation and creates opportunities for enhanced scope refinement. Avoid cost increase due to scope changes os scope misalignment;

Our IT HelpDesk team underpins the products and services of The Virtual Forge, ensuring swift and comprehensive handling of any issues experienced by customers.

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Find out more here.

Our Backend development team is specialised in implementing the business logic and data access of the systems we deliver to our clients. This team is focused on understanding and implementing the business rules that underpin our clients’ businesses. 

This team is also expert in implementing data access layers that interact with multiple data sources with a particular focus on security, performance and scalability.

At The Virtual Forge, we like to have a good separation between backend and frontend development. With the amount of new frameworks and the evolution of existing ones, keeping up to speed with all of them (backend and frontend) is virtually impossible. We believe in having specialised developers that focus in one of the two areas. 

The Front-End team at The Virtual Forge is responsible for creating fast, modern user interfaces across a variety of devices. To do this, they work closely with other teams within the company, including the User Experience and Design team for front-end development, and the backend development and data teams for full stack applications.

• The Front-End team helps to turn the User Experience and Design team’s vision for customer needs into intuitive, pixel-perfect user interfaces. 
• The team’s goal is to produce user experiences that are both functional and enjoyable for our customers

All our solutions are built with the highest quality standards in mind. That same quality is achieved by:

• Regular show and tell with the client - ensure the implementation is aligned with the client’s vision of the project;
• In case of agile methodologies - bring the client closer to the development team by joining regular ceremonies like sprint planning or daily standups;
• Well defined and detailed test cases, executed by functional testers;
• UI Automated testing - test more, much faster;
• Unit testing - we write code that tests our code, ensuring a reduced level of regressions and defects from the backend of our builds;
• Code reviews - this practice that allows developers to review the code of other developers reduces defects and cross-pollinates the knowledge within the team;

The Virtual Forge, through its dedicated project management team, handles all the communication with the relevant stakeholders throughout the whole process.

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You can find more here.

Custom software is specifically designed for a particular organisation or user, tailored to address their unique needs and requirements, unlike generic off-the-shelf solutions.

These bespoke solutions focus on a well-defined set of requirements that align with the client's business rules, processes, on-site conditions, and UX/UI design specifications. The development process aims to design, create, deploy, and maintain software that precisely meets the end-user's needs.

This level of customisation allows the development team to intricately connect and prioritise data inputs and outputs throughout the system while maintaining a detailed level of security and crucial compliance. By constructing the software to meet actual needs rather than generic ones, the system can prevent bottlenecks and performance degradation by optimising for real rather than hypothetical usage.

Learn more in our blog post.

The development timeline for custom software can vary significantly depending on various factors. The complexity of the software, the scope of the project, the number of features required, the availability of resources, and the level of customisation needed all play a role in determining the time it takes to develop software.

Ultimately, it is recommended to consult with our experienced professionals who can assess the specific requirements of your project and provide a more accurate estimate of the development timeline.