What is Technology Debt?

Businesses love innovation and making things simple both for the organization and the customers whom they serve. Technology was built on that premise and it’s the reason we have so much variety in the selection of technology providers and services in 2023. However, just like the businesses that use technology to enhance their operations, the providers of the technology are running a highly complex operation and working hard to continuously make it profitable. 

As technology providers continue to innovate and improve their products and services, they may also accumulate “technology debt”. This can happen when they rush the launch of a new product or feature, use shortcuts to solve problems, or simply neglect to properly maintain and update their systems. It’s normal to see prices rack up but not making it a priority to have paid off is dangerous.

Why is Technology Debt so Detrimental?

The biggest issue with technology debt is that it can make it harder for the provider to continue innovating and improving their technology, in addition to making it more difficult for their customers to fully utilize the technology's capabilities.

Technology debt is like when you use your allowance money as a kid to buy something you want now, but then you don't have enough money to buy something else you need later. 

When a company or organization uses shortcuts or quick fixes to solve a problem, they can get things done faster in the short term, but it can make it harder and more expensive to fix or update things in the future. So just like saving money, it's crucial to keep on top of technology debt so it doesn't become a bigger problem later on.

Last year alone, nearly 70% of organizations struggled with rising tech debt costs which was primarily attributed to the pandemic. As a result, many companies are making efforts to reduce their tech debt and invest their cash in more cost-effective solutions. These solutions include:

• Open source software: This software is free to use, simple to modify, and distribute. It can make for a cost-effective alternative to proprietary software, which typically requires a license or subscription fee.

• Cloud computing: Companies only pay for the computing resources they use, lowering initial costs and providing flexibility in usage and scaling.

• Outsourcing: This provides access to specialized expertise at a lower cost than that of maintaining an in-house team.

The main concern with tech debt in this sense is the expense of maintaining, updating, and modernizing technology in the long run. Again, using the pandemic as an example, many companies had to quickly adopt new technical methods to support remote work and online operations alike. 

This sudden increase in technology usage and adoption led to a dramatic rise in tech debt for many organizations. As a result, organizations began turning to alternative solutions like the ones listed above. 

We’ve done a lot of talking about what tech debt is, but the real question is: how can your business avoid becoming part of the 70%? The answer is simple: stay on top of your technology debt. It may seem like a daunting task, but updating your software systems can save you a lot of trouble in the long run which is a key reason to invest in IT systems. 

Aside from the obvious risks and headaches that come with accumulating debt, 6 of the main consequences of not managing tech debt include:

1. Difficulty in attracting and retaining top talent: Engineers may be less willing to work on a system that is difficult to maintain or update.

2. Reduced flexibility: The codebase may be difficult to understand or modify, limiting the ability of the organization to adapt to its own changing needs.

3. Difficulty in integrating new technologies: Branching off the above point, the existing codebase may not be compatible with newer technologies.

4. Security vulnerabilities: Code that hasn’t been updated may not have been written with optimal security measures.

5. Hard to scale: The codebase may not be designed to handle increased usage or traffic.

6. Maintenance costs: It becomes more and more expensive to maintain and update the affected systems, which may result in reduced productivity and higher costs for the business.

Managing The Issue

One of the sure ways to stay on top of your technology debt is by working with a trusted provider who can help you assess your current systems, identify areas of improvement, and, most importantly, implement cost-effective solutions. By being proactive, you can ensure that your organization is well-positioned to take advantage of new technology as it becomes available.

At ISU Corp, we understand the importance of staying ahead of technology debt. That's why we offer a range of services to help businesses like yours assess, manage, and reduce their technology debt. From open-source software and cloud computing to outsourcing, we have the expertise and resources to help you stay ahead of the curve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your organization stay on top of tech debt and overall improve your bottom line.

Written By Ben Brown

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ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.

The Top 3 Ways AI is Changing the World: An Overview of ChatGPT

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a thing of science fiction. With the advent of advanced language models like ChatGPT, AI is rapidly changing the world in ways we never thought possible. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the top three ways that AI, specifically ChatGPT, is changing the world.

OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, is a leading artificial intelligence research organization that aims to promote and develop friendly AI in a responsible manner. Founded in 2015 by Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, Wojciech Zaremba, and John Schulman, OpenAI has quickly established itself as a major player in the AI industry.

Increasing the evolutionary speed of technology

One of the most significant ways that AI is changing the world is by increasing the speed of technological evolution. With the help of language models like ChatGPT, the amalgamation of knowledge is happening at speeds beyond human capability. Insider’s guide explains that large language models like ChatGPT “not only tap into a vast amount of vocabulary and information, but also understand words in context. This helps them mimic speech patterns while dispatching an encyclopedic knowledge.”

OpenAI released ChatGPT in November of 2022, and has seen a massive increase in users since its launch. Those still waiting to try and interact with the language model may come into some trouble, as the high volumes have created problems for the platform. In the last week, users have complained that a message pops up informing them that the language model is at capacity. As OpenAI keeps up with demand, those interested in testing it out may be able to get access here.

One question I had for ChatGPT was if it would be possible for the language model to make coders obsolete. It’s fully capable of writing functioning code, but still needs prompting and input from a human. This language model can help create the puzzle pieces, but it’s up to human coders to form the big picture and know what to ask for, so developers are in the safe for the time being. However, the fact that this AI is already so powerful that it can conjure up code in seconds or less holds larger implications for the advancement of technology as a whole.

The development of technology has been exponential since the 1970s, and ChatGPT is the marker of the next wave of technological evolution. 2023 will be the year of AI, as other companies race to be in the competition of the artificial intelligence wave. Google has been working on AI for years; recall the headlines about a Google engineer that was placed on administrative leave for claiming that LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications) had developed consciousness. As far-fetched as it may seem, AI may be advancing faster than the public may be aware of. 

Farther into the future, it’s entirely possible to see AI so advanced that it’s able to build new versions of itself. This isn’t a new concept; the idea of a machine created with the ability to self-replicate is a concept coined by John Von Neumann back in 1948, but this is still just speculation for now. 

Enhancing education

Another way that AI is changing the world is by enhancing education. There are concerns of how easily students may be able to cheat using NLP technology (Natural Language Processing). After all, essays can be written in minutes in a writing style that could go undetected by teachers or even plagiarism detectors like Turnitin.

However, despite what some may believe, AI is not stunting education but rather helping it to evolve. A system that has been outdated for some time now may be forced into adapt along with technology. With the help of advanced language models like ChatGPT, students can access a wealth of information and resources that would have been impossible to access otherwise. This is especially true for students in remote or underprivileged areas, who may not have access to the same resources as their peers.

Having grown up as a student in the 2000s and 2010s, it was already common practice to teach students that intelligence was not necessarily defined by what you could memorize, but by how efficiently you could search for high-quality and accurate information using critical thought. This was a result of the widespread use of the Internet at the turn of the century. 

Only time will tell how the developments in artificial intelligence will further push the way we teach students. While AI is capable of taking on a wide array of tasks, it opens up the possibility for “students to develop agency to make a change in tomorrow’s world, which will require the ability to identify problems, generate creative solutions and work collaboratively across multi-cultural teams”. This brings us to the next point; AI’s ability to automate tasks frees up time for humans to make the most of their own time and abilities.

Improving quality of life for humans

NLP is just a branch of AI. The ability for humans to be able to interact and communicate with AI in a natural way is an exciting development. It will also make it possible to implement this new technology across many areas of life, including:

Healthcare: AI can help doctors diagnose diseases more accurately and develop personalized treatment plans for patients.

Transportation: Self-driving cars and intelligent traffic systems can reduce accidents and make transportation more efficient.

Assistive technology: AI-powered devices can assist people with disabilities or mobility issues to perform daily tasks.

Home automation: AI-powered devices can control lights, temperature, and other aspects of the home environment, making it more comfortable and convenient

Smart cities: AI can be used to optimize the use of resources such as energy and water, and to improve public services such as waste management and traffic control.

Finance and customer service: AI can be used to improve the speed and accuracy of financial transactions, and to provide customer service that is faster, more accurate and more efficient.

Research and Development: AI can be used to analyze large data sets in research and develop new products, drugs, and technologies.

As AI continues to improve, we can expect to see even more profound changes in the world. Technology like ChatGPT will become even more accurate and versatile, allowing for even more use cases. However, it's important to remember that AI is still in its infancy and that there are many ethical and societal issues that need to be addressed.

Written by Natalie Mansilla

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ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.

API Development for Small Businesses: A Key to Digital Transformation & Growth

Businesses of all sizes are constantly looking for ways to dominate today's digital markets. This has led to the emergence of various technologies that assist in doing so. In this article, we’re going to focus on one of the biggest developments.

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) have become a very valuable tool for businesses across various industries. These industries include healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and finance, which all use APIs as a means to connect with customers, partners, and other businesses. 

The use of API development has triggered a push for digital transformation in these industries as a means to stay competitive. As you can likely tell, it puts an emphasis on growth which has made API development a popular choice for small to mid-size companies looking to expand their operation. 

Take an E-Commerce store, for example. They might use APIs to manage orders, and store information on pricing and user data, as well as to catalogue content, all of which would contribute to building a better foundation for that store to scale. 

There are many ways an API works to enhance the performance of an organization but in this article, we’re going to go over just a few of the most notable:

Expanded Reach 

In previous posts, we’ve outlined that an API essentially operates through a set of guidelines and protocols in which software applications communicate with each other to perform various actions. 

What this means for small to mid-size organizations is that developing an API can allow them to easily connect with other online marketplaces (social media, E-Commerce, etc). When effectively implemented, this can drive engagement for businesses by reaching new audiences without the need to invest in a big marketing campaign.

Scalability

In addition to building and expanding the foundation of a business, API development can enhance workflows by automating and simplifying procedures. For example, when connecting different systems and software via APIs, tasks such as managing inventory, customer service, and even virtual transactions (just examples) can be automated.

In addition to the productivity boost, these improvements often allow organizations to focus more of their energy on growth and expansion. When a business uses a system that doesn't perform well, you can expect the exact opposite. 

New Revenue Potential

Now, let’s get into the best part: how you can bring in some new revenue using API development. By allowing others to access your data and services through an API, you can charge a fee for usage or simply sell access to your services to other companies. In addition to the value your business brings with the help of an API, this added revenue can potentially help to offset some of the development costs.

UI/UX (User Interface and User Experience)

Small businesses often combine API development and UI/UX design to create a custom solution that can be used as an extension of the business to access the digital marketplace. Just as we were using the example of E-Commerce stores, a brick-and-mortar retailer might use this concept to create an online store that will expand their exposure. 

Designing a powerful UI/UX landscape could create a digital space where users enjoy shopping and, most importantly, can navigate easily through the custom layouts and interactions. The API would then assist the design on the backend by retrieving data, creating interactive components, and personalizing the experience for users. 

It’s important to remember that every technology has its risks. APIs are no exception, especially when they’ve been misused or poorly developed and implemented. When it comes to a small business utilizing an API, it’s important to ensure that a secure foundation is in place first and foremost. 

When there is a lack of solid infrastructure, you can expect to see the following:

• Third-party dependency: Some small businesses may rely on a third party to function. This can lead to complications when an API faces changes or goes down. 

• Security breaches: APIs often protect sensitive information which puts a target on their back for hackers. 

• No ability to scale: If an API is poorly developed for the specific needs of the organization, the growth potential becomes limited.

• Lack of support: When a small business doesn’t have sufficient support for the API, issues can become a lot bigger. 

The key point here is that when developing an API, ensure that the necessary precautions are taken and that nothing is being left to chance.

The Takeaway

APIs represent a great opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses that are data-driven, lean, and want to improve their efficiency. With the help of APIs, companies can automate various aspects of their workflows that they may have never even thought were possible. In addition, they can create smooth interactions between all their cloud services as well as generate automated reports and dashboards. 

Nowadays, APIs are not only useful for developers, businesses that want to leverage their data and gain a competitive advantage are taking this technology and running with it. How are you going to use this opportunity to improve your business?

Written By Ben Brown

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ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.