The global crisis hit businesses of all industries all across the globe. Companies realized that investing in custom software development can be beneficial as one-size-fits-all software was no longer efficient and adequate to meet the growing and challenging needs of the business.

Let us dive deeper into the topic of custom software development and understand how it helps businesses to achieve team collaboration, performance, safety, and scalability.

What Is Custom Software Development?

Custom software development is the process of designing and developing a software product to meet the specific requirements of a business. These software solutions include features, function, performance parameters, and security features to meet the organization-specific requirements and precisely address the firms’ customer needs.

Traditionally, banking transaction applications were typically off the shelf products or platforms. However, client interaction pre-Covid was based on face to face contact and physically signed documents. Banks that are digitizing these processes are doing it with custom solutions from the ground up so that it meets their internal processes, manages their risks and fulfils customers needs. Banks that have quickly innovated in this space are well placed to be leaders in the post-Covid world.

How is Custom Software effective amid this Global crisis?

Entrepreneurs find custom software effective in addressing new challenges in business. Below we outline the ways bespoke software could be an essential tool and an effective strategy for a business.

Cost-Effective

Custom software is your very own asset. You don’t need to pay for licensing, upgrades, user fees, etc. Companies get the flexibility to build a personalized app within their budget when they go for custom software. As revenues grow they can extend the functionality of the app. Cost-effectiveness has become a critical aspect now as Covid has hit revenues and profits. This makes custom software development an effective strategy today.

Automate Business Processes

When Covid hit the world, businesses’ had to enable work from home almost overnight. Work from home, however, brought challenges to meet productivity requirements. A custom-made software in this situation helps automate several day-to-day operations and business needs and keeps everyone involved, connected. Not to mention, tailor-made software is built with unique features which are necessary for your specific business. A product on the other hand will offer you several features, not all of which may be relevant to your business.

App Integration

Integration with other third-party applications is key to business success in today’s time. Mobile apps as an extension to your website or enabling digital payment processing on your company systems are just a few examples of app integration. Custom software allows you to develop and integrate new software or apps easily into your existing business processes. Companies that are looking to tweak their business processes during this covid crisis can find it helpful. One can handle complex business requirements through app integration in custom software.

Scalable

The current crisis has affected the demand and supply equations of different products and services. So scalability of business has become essential, and it can be achieved seamlessly with a bespoke software development company. Custom software can be used to improve scalability in business operations to move faster and eliminate inefficient processes and practices. With growth comes complexity in executing business operations, and custom software are designed to handle this.

Flexibility

The product owner has complete control over the interface design, the user experience, the custom features and functionalities. This can help companies differentiate themselves from their competitors and sustain growth.

Software Maintenance

Some custom software development companies offer a dedicated support team for the maintenance of the application. The experienced and skilled professionals render regular maintenance and in-depth support to your apps. Personalized support like this means that security vulnerabilities and technical challenges will be taken care of promptly. Custom App development companies offer flexible packages on a pay as you go basis.

Streamline Methodologies and Processes

When the global crisis hit businesses, one of the biggest challenges was to streamline methodologies and processes. Companies that operated from multiple locations and branches faced many problems. Custom apps help in streamlining processes within an organization and improving team collaboration. Bespoke software can be designed to have all business data in one centralized location and distribute it from there. Cross-functional teams sitting across multiple locations can easily access this data through custom software and make informed business decisions.

Finally…

Most companies find off-the-shelf solutions appropriate for some specific conditions. If you are looking to improve operations within your company during this pandemic or thereafter, then custom software solutions might be your best choice.

Reasons that lead to WordPress Website Hacking

There are umpteen reasons how and why a WordPress website is hacked. Here the top of the charts list.

1. WordPress Update: WordPress is highly maintained and updated regularly and these updates need to be implemented on the WordPress website instantly. By ignoring WordPress website updates, one allows threats to harm your website. WordPress ensures that every latest updated version involves improvements and security updates, which addresses existing threats, and when a website is not adhering to these updates, the organization is exposing the website to threats, malware, and hacking.
2. Default Admin Login: Even kids these days understand that the default URL for an admin panel login page is probably the most used link, for instance, com/wp-admin. This predictability makes it easy for attackers to hack/phish the website. Hackers and attackers usually try various combinations of username and password for hacking a program; setting an obvious or easy to hack username and password will aid bots crack the credentials and access the admin panel with ease, allowing the attackers to go ahead with their malicious activities.
3. Common WordPress Folders: WordPress has common folders across all websites, such as Plugins folder, Themes Folder, Uploads folder, etc. The website owner can add a different folder, and so can hackers. They can enter malicious code in it.
4. Insecure HTTP Server: A WordPress site can be hosted on an insecure HTTP server, which gives way to hackers to steal credit card information by intercepting the connection.
5. Inactive Users: Users, especially Administrators, have access to modify content, and every User with a weak Username and Password is a threat to the website. When it is necessary to retain users, it is advised to change the role of the User from Administrator to Subscriber to avoid weak links.

Measures to ensure WordPress Website Security

1. Keep it up to date: Keep your WordPress, plugins and themes up to date with their respective latest versions. Every new version of WordPress brings new features along with bug fixes and security fixes. Avoid unnecessary plugins and themes to reduce the vulnerability of the website. Always download plugins and themes only from trusted sources. Reading about the plugins, checking the reviews and number of downloads will help make the decision. Also, ensure that these plugins and themes sources provide regular updates, meaning even if there are bugs, the source should ensure an update or a fix.
2. Security Firewall Plugin: Install a security firewall plugin to scan your website regularly. The firewall plugin allows periodic scanning of the website, malware removal, and track any update on the website such as login details, documents trail, suspicious login attempts, etc.
3. Customize Admin URL: Change admin login default URL /wp-admin to your custom URL using the updated plugin and limit the wrong login attempts, to reduce the exposure to unauthorized users.
4. Rename WordPress Database Prefix: While setting up a website, the default prefix used for the database is ‘wp_’, and most admins ignore changing the default settings, making it easier for hackers. Spammers and hackers run codes that mass attack ‘wp_’ files. Rename the default WordPress database prefix, rename WordPress tables, and User Meta tables. Always remember to backup WordPress files before making any changes.
5. Avoid Common Usernames: Admin, wp-admin, etc., are truly common usernames that do not hold any strength against hackers. Using these usernames for the primary administrator user account makes the website vulnerable and easy to hack. Always have complex usernames and never have a username that appears anywhere on the website; for instance, you should not have an author name as is as a username.
6. Strong Password: Using a strong password is given. However, users do not pay great attention to work-related passwords as much they need to. As a brand guideline, encourage all users to use unique username and passwords. Every password should be at least eight characters and should include all of the following.
   1. One uppercase
   2. One lowercase letter
   3. One number
   4. One special character
   5. No spaces
7. Timely Backup: Be prepared for any adversity that the future holds, and make regular backups of all files and databases of WordPress website. Even in drastic conditions where an administrator is locked out, the backups can come handy.
8. Disable PHP Execution: Block the PHP execution to untrusted folders manually by using the .htaccess file or plugin. Folders such as uploads, themes, plugins by default have read and write access, ensure these rights are allocated based on user roles.
9. SSL Certificates: Secure WordPress website through Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to avoid any data leaks. Run your website HTTPS server to protect the data from getting stolen.
10. User Rights: There are five different default users in WordPress. Each role has its own significance. Understand the user roles and assign access rights for each user role. Always remove access to any abandoned users. If an employee leaves an organization, the respective User should be either removed or transferred based on the requirement. Any unused or dormant user can be a weak link for hackers to enter.

Ensuring these measures are implemented effectively will close doors to any hackers or spammers or anyone phishing.

WordPress is an Open Source CMS which is free, but it does have some paid plugins. To secure the WordPress website, we need to take some actions on a regular basis. Always keep security and firewall plugins active to avoid all vulnerabilities. The best way is to keep a regular tab on your website and have a monthly or a fortnightly maintenance calendar to avoid missing out on any checks and maintain a secured website.
MetaSys has hands-on experience for more than two decades in providing custom software solutions. If you are looking for a WordPress expert to help you with WordPress website development or WordPress Security integration, you are at the right place. Get in touch with us and we will solve all your tech challenges.

Happy Coding!

Improving database performance is a challenging task that developers need to pay attention to in order to reduce the response time for the users. In this article, I am sharing a technique for Database Performance Optimization using Data Partitioning.

What is Data Partitioning?

Data Partitioning refers to the database process of dividing large tables into smaller parts by  Rows and Columns. A major benefit of Data Partitioning is that one only needs to specify the partitioning criteria, and then SQL handles the data by itself.

SQL uses multiple .ndf files (Secondary Database Files), in addition to the .mdf file (Primary Database File) to divide and store data based on the partition criteria. The user needs to specify those .ndf files and provide the partition criteria by using Partition Schemes and Functions. SQL Server then takes care of data maintenance by itself.

Data Partitioning can be divided into two categories:

1. Vertical Partitioning: In vertical partitioning, data is divided column-wise. For example, if  a database contains a table with 10 columns of which only 5 columns are used frequently, it can be divided into two tables with 5 columns each. This way a table is made more efficient, by dividing it into multiple filegroups based on columns.
2. Horizontal Partitioning: In horizontal partitioning, data is divided row-wise. For example, suppose there is a table with 1 lakh of records for the period 2011 – 2019, where each record includes a date. Quite often it is only necessary to access the records for last year, i.e. 2019 or recent years -2017,2018. Through horizontal partitioning, the data can be divided into yearly records in multiple filegroups.

By using these Data Partitioning techniques, we can enhance the performance of our database. This is a highly recommended technique for applications where Reporting is frequently used.

Worked example:

We have a table called tbl Data Partitioning with approximately 2.5 crore records. The data includes records from 2011 to 2014, of which the 2014 records are 45 lakhs. The Table looks like:

To execute a select query to find the 2014 records takes almost 23 seconds.

Using Horizontal Data Partitioning on the table using Created Date, the time can be significantly reduced.

For that, we first need to specify the filegroups:

After creating Partition Functions and Schemes, we can map the partitions to filegroups.

Finally, After implementing Data partitioning, the time taken by the Select query is reduced from 23 seconds to 15 seconds:

Advantages of Data Partitioning:

1. Improves performance for larger tables.
2. Fast and expensive storage can be used for active data filegroups, while keeping the less active data filegroups on slower/less expensive storage.
3. Partial backup and restoration is possible.
4. Can be used temporarily as a substitute for data archiving.

Our team has experience of working on PHP MySQL development projects and has handled many assignments from small informational website to robust enterprise applications. For more information https://development.ikf.in/metasys1/php-mysql

• Easy to develop websites with interactive dynamic content.
• PHP is fairly easy to learn
• PHP Model View Controller (MVC) framework is now available to develop, manage and maintain complex web applications.
• LAMP, XAMPP are some of the better options to deploy the applications quickly & cost-effectively.
• PHP is compatible with all major web server platforms and web browsers.
• PHP website development software can be easily embedded into an HTML file.

MetaSys Software has experienced PHP, MySQL developers who can help you with your requirements. Customers expect speed and often bounce rate goes up when websites load slowly. This can be effectively handled by experienced PHP developers at MetaSys. Our developers also use the  CakePHP Framework which speeds up the development process.

At MetaSys we offer PHP based web application development using MySQL and/or FileMaker as the backend for multi-tier architectural solution. With FileMaker PHP API it is quick to extend existing FileMaker solution to the web. A PHP MySQL being completely open source is a cost-effective combination and allows you to develop a solution customized to your business needs.

If you are looking to outsource PHP development projects then please feel free to contact us.

New Features

• Brand New Bootstrap Cards
  Cards have been introduced to unify some of the previous elements such as panels, wells, and thumbnails. It is an extensible and flexible content container. It includes options for a wide variety of content, headers and footers, powerful display options, and contextual background colors. Cards are more flexible and allow a bigger space for creative implements.
• Opt-in Flexbox Support
  In the newer version of Bootstrap, you can take advantage of CSS3’s Flexbox Layout. Flexbox layouts are adaptable and can be well utilized in the responsive design. It presents an elastic container which fills the available space either by expanding or shrinking itself to the most proficient way.
  IE 9 users, please note that Flexbox does not support version 9. Hence the default version of Bootstrap 4 uses float and display CSS properties for the implementation of a fluid layout.
•  Relative CSS Units
  As a significant move to streamline the CSS -Bootstrap 4 dropped support for the IE8 browser. The new release uses REMs and EMs which enables implementation of responsive typography on Bootstrap sites. It also improves readability and improvement in accessibility for physically challenged users.
• Handy Utilities
  Various useful helper classes have been added such as margin and padding, and text helpers. Also, there are responsive and contextual colors helper classes to hide content on particular breakpoints.

Significant Changes

• Improved Grid System
  Bootstrap’s fluid grid system allows programmers to focus various devices having different viewports. At present Bootstrap 3.x grid system offers 4 classes to define different size columns. Bootstrap 4 improves the fluid grid mechanism with a 5th one which facilitates programmers to aim for small devices having a viewport of 480 px or lesser than that.
• Completely Redesigned Navbar
  The new Navbar is simpler. You can toggle it using the Collapse component, the `.navbar-toggleable-xs`, `.navbar-toggleable-sm`, etc.. let you control the breakpoint. Here’s an example.
• Fonts are Bigger
  In Bootstrap 4, the default font size which was earlier 14px is now changed to 16px. Also, a new large display for headings which makes text stand out.
• Tether powers tooltips and Popovers
  Tether, a JavaScript library, offers the position of an absolute positioned element stay next to each other on a web page. The power of Tether will enable automatic placement of tooltips and popovers. Note that it is a 3rd party library which supports IE9+, needs to be included separately in your HTML before adding the bootstrap.js.
• A New Approach to Global Theming
  It will be the most interesting change. At present, with the version 3.x, it is very hard to do changes in RAW CSS, LESS file and overriding the settings. Easy customization of the global theme is expected in the new version.

RIP

• Rearranged Support for IE
  The newer version has dropped support for IE8 as it was not supporting CSS media queries. IE 9 does not support Flexbox. To support IE9 Bootstrap has made Flexbox as optional to integrate with the framework.
• Glyphicons Dropped
  Glyphicons, which was used by many, has been removed. The alternative provided is to use Font Awesome and Octicons as third party components. Instructions will be included eventually in the documentation.

Changes Behind the Scene

• Bye Bye LESS, Hello SAAS
  As compare to LESS, SASS is more popular among frontend developers. SASS is easier to use, offers more possibilities and has an immense community base.
• Refactored JavaScript Plugins
  All JavaScript plugins now are rewritten in ECMAScript 6 to take the benefit of the latest specification to improve the frontend experience.
• Optimized Variable Customization
  Now all the Sass variables are incorporated into one single file named _variables.scss. This makes customization very easy. To change the default values, one needs to copy the settings into another file named _custom.scss.
• New Reset Component Called Reboot
  The Reboot module now replaces the normalize.css file. The new module is the enhanced version of the normalize.css with the goal to include generic style and selectors within a single and easy to use.SCSS file. This change enabled the user to override the default setting in a better way without using ‘!important’.

This article is based on Bootstrap 4 alpha 3 version. For latest updates, visit the official blog.