FAQ - The Farber Consulting Group Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does web scraping can do for you?
The data retrieval app, also known as screen scraping will search in parallel for multiple suppliers and competitors in their web sites at the same time. It helps the our client to find the best possible purchase price and offer a very competitive selling price. The information retrieved includes part properties, images of the part, description with additional part numbers, other related parts with their part numbers as well.
In general, the first process is similar to one of content scraping application by grabbing the raw data from multiple web sites as a starting point.
It Is a Decision Support System!
It is much then more than just as a web scraping found in the market. While it retrieves the data, it provides a decision-support system for the client in a much more sophisticated way than any regular content scraping software any client that contact us used previously.
For much more details, please check this article that some of it was written by an actual client to describe the benefits of that mission critical application that we developed: Web Scraping as Custom software development to Increase Productivity and Profit Margins.
What is an MS Access developer can do for you?
MS Access is software used to create and maintain a relational database. You can develop both the back end (server-side) and front end (client-side) of the database with one convenient desktop application. An MS Access developer should also be proficient with Visual Basic to get the most from the MS Access application.
Why do you need your application to be available from anywhere?
If you are going to go through the effort to have custom software development done for your business, you want it to optimize and enhance your existing business processes. When your application is web or mobile-based (or both), then your team can stay busy, whether they are in the office, at home, or traveling.
What can a mobile application can help my business?
Mobile applications are a vital part of modern business. A mobile app can allow your employees to work from anywhere. It can also allow your clients to shop from anywhere.
Whether the purpose of the application is to help your employees work remotely or to help a consumer to shop with your brand at any time, the development and design of a mobile application helps to improve your company’s bottom line or profit margin.
A mobile application can be a great revenue tool or a major productivity booster. Either way, the result is that your business can grow and thrive.
What is custom software development?
Custom software development is about creating software that matches the specific needs of your business. This is the opposite of off the shelf or generic software that is created for an industry and requires you to change your business processes to match the program. Your custom software developers will take the time to learn how you do business, find solutions to enhance the process, and then design software that will increase productivity.
What are the advantages of custom software development?
The Advantages of Custom Software Development:
It provides you with major advantages over off the shelf programs. Here are three significant benefits:
- Maintain your brand’s processes – You don’t have to adjust the way you do things to how the program works. The software is custom fit to the way you do business.
- Streamline your business – Generic software will have many features that your employees won’t use. These menus and buttons clutter the workspace and can add stress to your team.
- Gain a competitive advantage – One of the big advantages your business has is that it is unique. When your software is designed to enhance what makes you unique, rather than squeezing you into an industry mold, you can retain that competitive advantage.
Does your custom software make you smarter?
This question may not seem to make sense at first. How could your applications make you smarter? Think about it. To remain productive, humans need to focus. We’re not designed for multitasking, no matter how good some people may claim to be at it. Therefore, if your custom software helps you to focus, you may actually gain the appearance of being more intelligent. A user-friendly environment and an intuitive design can help individuals to excel at their job. Even if custom software doesn’t actually make an individual more intelligent, it certainly shows that you have made a smart decision to get applications that will increase productivity. You can read more why does your custom software make you smarter in my blog.
Why is your team comprised of only full stack developers?
A full stack developer can program your applications both from the server and client sides. In other words, they have experience with back end software like SQL but are also familiar with front end software tools like JavaScript and Angular. So why do you want your custom software developed by a SQL consulting firm that also has developers with front end software experience? It helps you ensure complete integration of your server-side systems and your web and mobile applications.
Therefore, a full stack developer is a person who can use all of the tools in a stack. When you are referring to custom application development, a stack includes a number of programs, coding languages, development tools, and so on. For example, you may have a developer who uses the following components in different stacks:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Java
- MySQL
- SQL
- js
- Python
- PHP
- Angular
These are just a few examples of the many technologies a full stack developer may be familiar with for a single project. While a developer may not be an expert in every single one of these technologies, they should have expertise in at least one, knowledge of the others, and have a support team who can help them to complete a project, if necessary.
Can you convert our MS Access to web based solution?
What is it so important to convert MS Access to MS SQL in modern times?
There are many good reasons to migrate your database from a desktop application like MS Access to a web-based solution like MS SQL. Here are some of the key reasons to convert Access to web if you are currently using a desktop-based database application.
- Connect multiple offices – Whether your company operates from several offices in a region or in several cities around the world, you need the convenience of a web-based database.
- Provide access to remote workers – When you convert MS Access to web, you pave the way to let employees work from home.
- Increase productivity – Access to the database from anywhere means greater productivity, even when your employees are out of the office.
- Get real-time updates – When you can update your database from anywhere, you don’t have to wait for an overnight compiling of data. Therefore, you know that query results are current.
What is a Dot Net developer?
A Dot Net developer is a type of programmer and application developer for both the web as well as desktop apps that are linked to an online database. In particular, a Dot Net developer will base their applications on Dot Net Core and the Dot Net framework, which were both developed by Microsoft. This is the number one solution for programming, software design and development, and systems implementation for Windows servers as well as cloud-based local networks.
A Dot Net developer has the knowledge and ability to determine the prerequisites for any custom software that your company needs. Then the design and development stages are carried out. Finally, continuous maintenance, support, and any necessary upgrades are all a part of the job description for a Dot Net developer.
Are Dot Net Developers in Demand?
Yes, there is currently a high demand for Dot Net developers and JavaScript. This is primarily because of the high demand for web development technologies.
While Microsoft is pushing ASP.NET Core to replace ASP.NET MVC, this doesn’t change the Dot Net framework. In fact, a Dot Net development company will understand both in order to work with existing systems and develop new web and mobile applications. This programming framework is a favorite for developers because of the design and client-side technologies that are available provide the power to meet client needs.
What are the benefits for a software application rewrite?
The tech industry moves quickly, and that can mean an older software application can become outdated, even if it was cutting edge just a few years ago. How can you know when it is time to rewrite your software applications? Here are three upgrades you will want to include if you don’t have them already:
For more please see our detailed article as follows: Here are 3 Strong Reasons You Need a Software Application Rewrit
- Real-time data – You’re falling behind if you don’t have real-time access to your database.
- Modern tech – Newer framework can give your user experience a facelift and make your applications easier to use.
- Integration – Your database and all of your web and mobile applications should integrate seamlessly.
What is the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?
There are a number of phases that were designed to help software developers with their approach to the development process. It enables them to achieve both the lowest development cost and the shortest development time. While optimizing time and cost, utilization of SDLC will result in the highest quality product as well.
The following are the phases:
- Requirements and analysis
- Software Planning
- Software design – including database design
- Software Development
- Software Testing
- Deployment
Another step could be added as Software Maintenance and that will be after deployment.
What is an Alpha AnyWhere developer?
Alpha AnyWhere is development software that helps a programmer to design and create web and mobile apps for your business. The purpose is to design custom software with the features that your business needs in order to thrive.
An Alpha AnyWhere developer can use this unique tool to rapidly create customized software that matches your company’s business processes. The efficient process reduces the development cycle, allowing an Alpha AnyWhere developer to meet tight timelines. Software development times are practically cut in half. Additionally, the framework allows for the development of easy to use mobile applications, so your custom interface is available to employees or clients at any location.
What is Alpha Five developer?
An Alpha Five developer is the same as an Alpha AnyWhere developer, with the exception that they have experience with the older version of this development software. The program used to be called Alpha Five, but the modern name is Alpha AnyWhere.
This reflects the mobility and scalability of custom applications created with this development software. The name change also reflects the shift from desktop development to web and mobile development.
Why should you choose Alpha AnyWhere for your company’s custom software development?
Alpha AnyWhere can be a powerful tool to help your company. With it, an Alpha AnyWhere developer can create web and mobile applications quickly and efficiently. You can go from the design phase to the final product in half the time. It helps to create a design environment where the applications developed can meet your requirements. Alpha AnyWhere also makes testing simple. This reduces the number of bugs your team will find once the software is in use.
The last big thing that you really need to know about Alpha AnyWhere is that it can be used to produce cloud-based software. Amazon’s cloud services are used by Alpha Cloud. This means that your applications would be able to function across almost every continent (the exceptions are Africa and Antarctica). So even international companies can benefit from Alpha AnyWhere development.
Why do you need your application to be available from anywhere?
If you are going to go through the effort to have custom software development done for your business, you want it to optimize and enhance your existing business processes.
When your application is web or mobile-based (or both), then your team can stay busy, whether they are in the office, at home, or traveling. Our Alpha AnyWhere developers can help you to achieve this goal.
What is Alpha AnyWhere software development?
Alpha AnyWhere software development involves the use of a software development engine to concentrate on web-based and mobile solutions for your brand. It helps a company to be able to make data available globally, so this is a perfect custom software development option for global corporations but also for small regional companies with multiple offices.
Additionally, this is the sort of custom software development you want if you intend to have remote workers for your business. The back end, server-side development uses xBasic, resulting in a built-in framework that speeds up production times. The applications that are created are data-driven. In other words, the mobile applications are designed to provide an immediate response from the company’s database of customers, information, or other useful data. For more details check this article: What Is Alpha AnyWhere Software Development?
Can you tell us about the Avis Car Rental Contract Manager software?
Avis Car Rental Software as Contract Manager.
This is an example of the custom software development that is performed by the Farber Consulting Group Inc. The Avis Car Rental Contract Manager was designed using Alpha AnyWhere software development. Our Alpha AnyWhere developers created a contract manager that is in use in 30 locations, including the Newark, NJ airport.
This software has helped to connect these car rental locations to streamline operations. It is a web-based application that has a built-in contract search engine. Each record is backed up instantly so that any location can check the database in real-time. It even includes damage reports and allows for digital capture of signatures on the contracts.
What kind of experince do you have with Alpha AnyWhere Software Development?
We have over 30 years of experience in database and custom software development. We use a team of multiple developers including database experts in MySQL and MS SQL.
Here are some of our four exciting case studies developed with Alpha AnyWhere:
- Avis Car Rental Contact Manager.
- No Interest Loans Account Management
- Accounting Software for School Districts
- Payroll Salaries Software for Employees of School Districts.
For more details please check our article: Alpha Anywhere Software Development Four of Our Case Studies
What is a database administrator?
Basically, this is summed up by our definition of a remote DBA. Why is that the case? It is because nearly all databases are cared for remotely nowadays rather than by an in-house technician. However, just to hit the key points again, your database administrator will be in charge of the following:Database development and design
- Database optimization
- Database monitoring
- Database upgrading
- Database migration (for example, your MS SQL remote DBA may convert MS Access to MS SQL so that your database moves from a desktop version to a web and mobile version)
Since we provide remote DBA services for mySQL and MS SQL, please check this page fore more details: MS SQL Remote DBA Services and Database Optimization.
What is a remote DBA?
Remote database administration (remote DBA) is a third-party service that can design, develop, maintain, and monitor your database from afar. From server installation to ensuring established guidelines and procedures are followed, your remote DBA can handle all of the day in and day out operations of your database as well as upgrades and other larger projects that come up from time to time. A few of the tasks your remote DBA may handle include:
- Checking the error log and correcting any issues
- Verifying backups to ensure your data is protected
- Monitoring various aspects of the database such as CPU, memory, and storage use – overuse of these resources may indicate an issue with the database
Database optimization is one of the most important things that your remote DBA will handle. When a database is optimized, it runs faster, so your queries are met with instant responses rather than a “loading…” message or icon. One key element of database optimization is removing duplicate records (or deduping).
Duplicate records slow down the system. They may also contain different information. For example, one client record may contain a name, age, email address, and phone number, while another has the same person’s name, email address, and mailing address. By merging the two records, you get one complete record, and the information can be processed accurately and in half the time. Now multiply that over a massive database, and you begin to understand why duplicate records throw off your reports and slow down the entire system. Thus, for an online database, you want a MySQL remote DBA to check your optimization.
What are the benefits of a remote DBA?
There are many good reasons that in-house database administrators have been almost completely replaced by remote DBA services. Here are some of the benefits that you get:
- Money savings – With a remote DBA, you pay for the services you need. This is often less expensive than an in-house employee who also needs to receive benefits.
- Better resource allocation – You can use your in-house technicians for mission-critical projects and leave the database to your remote administrator.
- 24/7 service – A remote DBA is always on call, as opposed to an in-house employee who may not be available in the evenings, on weekends, or while on vacation.
- Increased expertise – A remote team will have more experience and resources than an in-house individual.
Why do we use a data modeling tool for database design?
A data modeling tool will help a designer to optimize stored procedures by giving them an overview of your business processes. This is the smartest way to design a relational database because a data modeling tool provides a global view of the entire business flow and all of the processes you use.
All the relationships will make sense because the design tool will kick back an error and a suggestion on how to resolve it if there are any inconsistencies. It will even generate the SQL script for the designer to incorporate into the code. Thus, the database can be designed to resist duplicate records that could otherwise slow it down and negatively impact the results of queries.
Using a database tool will help to design a database that operates in the most efficient manner possible. It also helps to reinforce the integrity of your data. It can be utilized to remove any bottlenecks in the system that slow down response time. Additionally, it allows you to reverse engineer an existing database, which can be valuable when you need to migrate a current database to a new platform. In the end, a data modeling tool cuts design time while providing you with better results.
What services you provide as SQL consulting firm?
This is a specialty in the database administration field. A SQL consulting company will provide services based on Microsoft’s database platform, MS SQL. A SQL consultant can help support database installation and ensure proper configuration of the database. Additionally, you can expect assistance in migrating data from an older database to your new MS SQL database.
SQL consulting services that your business can benefit from include:
- Database design and development
- Database troubleshooting and optimization
- Elimination of duplicate data
- Optimization of queries
- Database support and maintenance
- Migration of an MS Access database to a SQL database
- Reverse database engineering
- Remote SQL database management
What is an MS SQL MVP?
MS SQL MVP stands for Microsoft Most Valuable Professional. This is a title that is achieved by professionals who are highly valued by the Microsoft corporation. The person is considered someone who makes a significant contribution to the tech community, for example, by helping out other users who would otherwise need the support of a Microsoft CSR.
Microsoft does not pay these MVPs. However, they do recognize the contribution that they make with a title and some occasional giveaways. MVPs are assigned depending on a particular MS product. So an MS SQL MVP is known for helping users with this particular product. It is a very exclusive group. Therefore, Microsoft also provides special MS developers access, which allows them to influence future updates and upgrades to the framework.
What is a MySQL remote DBA?
MySQL is a database management system, much like MS Access. The difference is that Access is designed as a desktop application, and MySQL is client-server based. In other words, the computer or mobile device that you are using to access the relational database is the client. The server is where the database is stored. This is usually stored by a cloud service in modern times to allow for greater flexibility and scalability. However, some larger corporations may have the hardware in-house to run their own local network with the database in the cloud locally. SQL stands for structured query language. It is the programming language that is used to create a cloud or web-based database.
With this understanding of MySQL and SQL, it is easier to understand what a MySQL remote DBA does. This is a consultant who remotely designs, develops, migrates, supports, maintains, or optimizes your database. Your MySQL remote DBA consultant monitors your database 24/7 and provides the needed support and maintenance to ensure that your system is always running smoothly and helping your team stay productive.