How Cloud Platforms Save time and Effort in the Software Development Process

Cloud computing platforms started playing a major role in sharing and collaboration. These platforms gained popularity in the last 2-3 years when major companies have migrated their code to servers hosted on cloud computing platforms. Previously, code usually resided on physical servers which were prone to software failures. Moreover, sharing code was not so easy or elegant. It usually involved an elaborate check-in check-out process and was usually aided with software tools such as VSS (Virtual Source Safe).

With the advent of cloud computing platforms such as Windows Azure (http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/pricing/free-trial/) and open source hubs like Github, software code sharing has become easy. It is very easy to see your peer's code and review them as well. You can even reuse most of the functions written by other developers across the project. In Simple terms, you just use certain modules written by others and others use some modules written by you. This adds a lot of efficiency to the overall project. 

The traditional method of maintaining code on physical servers has a lot of disadvantages. They are more prone to crashes and other issues. A person should be dedicated to take backups every few days. They are also known to consume a lot of power. No employee wishes to "turn off" the server. These machines usually run 365 days a year. This also harms the hardware of the server. Today's cloud computing platforms overcome these conventional problems.  They are suited for conventional as well as agile projects. 

Companies that don't harness the power of cloud for software development process are usually doing stuff in the old fashion. This also projects a bad image of the company in front of employees and customers. Companies that adopt the cloud model are able to see the advantages almost immediately. Only the transition phase of moving the code from physical servers to cloud may be a bit tedious. But once completed, the efforts of employees compound and overall efficiency is achieved pretty fast.

Using services like Windows Azure will eliminate the need for extra physical systems. This saves power, space and the effort spent in procurement of the machines. Usually cloud platforms provide flexible pricing plans. There is also a free trial involved where employees of the company can checkout the features and maybe develop a small module or feature. They are billed if they select features outside the free plan. It is worthwhile to explore the options and setup an efficient cloud based system for the entire software development life cycle. In the long run, such initiatives are bound to save time and money.