Friday 3 February 2017

Why ASP.NET 5 Is The Perfect Fit For Custom Web App Development?

Every business has some specific requirements which may not be fulfilled by generic web applications all the time. For that you need web applications that are tailored to suit your business-specific needs. Although there are many technologies that web app development experts utilize to build highly-functional and engaging web applications, ASP Dot Net stands out among them due to its robust security features. Our team of ASP.NET specialists chooses ASP.NET 5 for developing custom web applications for the compelling reasons mentioned below:
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Easy maintenance

The websites, web portals and web applications created using ASP.NET 5 demands low maintenance as their source code and HTML remains in one location. Thus making it easy for ASP.NET experts to edit, manage and maintain the website or the web application.

Makes task simpler

ASP.NET enables you to carry out many common tasks like form submission, site configurations, client authentication within a shorter timeframe and also with less effort and as a result development becomes simpler.

Abundant tools

You can get access to several productive tools and technologies while using ASP.NET. For instance, it is integrated with Visual Studioand while designing it facilitates you with WYSIWYG editing. Moreover, it also allows you drag-and-drop server controls and automatic deployment.

Boosts productivity

While you build large applications, ASP.NET helps you by enabling you to do so by writing lesser amount of code, especially when you develop enterprise applications. Our ASP.NET experts very much appreciate this feature. As there isn’t much code, fixing bugs and rectifying errors become easier.

High security

For business and enterprise-grade applications, security is the first and foremost priority. Being a server-side language, ASP.NET 5 addresses this concern full well because the code of the websites or apps isn’t visible in the browser. Furthermore, this language integrates additional security system into the web application. As a result the app becomes highly secure.

Improved functionality

ASP.NET brings along with it numerous functionalities and allows you to incorporate them in the web application; thus reducing the work of developers to a large extent and augmenting the usefulness of the web applications.

Supports .NET 5 framework languages

You can not only use any language from the Web.NET framework family for building your website or web app but also use different languages in order to develop different components of the same application.
Hope you now have a brief idea about the benefits of ASP.NET 5. If you need an enterprise-grade complex web application for your organization or a simple web portal for your small business, reach out to us for an estimate. We are an ASP.NET development service provider committed to helping our clients in delivering solutions to streamline their business processes and enhance business productivity.

Microsoft Is All Set To Showcase VR On Windows Platform

o create virtual reality (VR) experiences, the transition from 2D to 3D paradigm is more imperative as 3D shape is the only visual property that has enough complexity to ensure accurate identification of real world objects. Therefore, Microsoft has acquired Donya Labs, the Swedish 3D data-optimization vendor, in order to boost 3D innovation and also to make Windows instrumental in bringing 3D content consumption and creation to the mainstream.
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Simplygon 3D platform

Simplygon is automatic 3D data-optimization software by Donya Labs that enables you to rapidly create all the level of Detail (LOD)models for your game, representation meshes and much more, automatically. Thus, it saves you from doing boring manual labour to generate optimized assets for mobile or any kind of platform, such as VR platforms. It is typically used by game developers to augment the visual fidelity of their virtual realms and extract better performance. Now, it is all set to bring 3D to everyone, i.e., accessible to the masses.

Bringing 3D for everyone

Microsoft is confidently relying on its forthcoming Windows 10 Creators Update to help bring 3D, augmented reality (AR) and VR experiences around the consumers who matters the most. You will now be able to create 3D models and capture real-world objects using your smartphone cameras via the Paint 3D app. You will also be able to share your creations at Remix 3D, a new online hub. Office will also be a part of the game and its features will also work seamlessly with 3D models. Now, you will be able to add eye-catching effects to your office content by embedding 3D models into Excel, Word, PowerPoint files.

A strong move to make AR and VR affordable

The Creators Update will also enable augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences on run-of-the-mill Windows PCs by adding OS-level 3D functionality. Furthermore, Microsoft’s hardware partners including Dell, HP, Acer, ASUS and Lenovo are readying an assortment of with prices starting at $299. Hence, this update is also anticipated to usher in an era of powerful VR and AR experiences with affordable headsets for the Windows ecosystem.

Wrapping up

Being a Dot Net Development Agency, our team of dot net experts conversant with virtual reality development technology are waiting for the new wave of innovation to become empowered with creativity and do amazing things in 3D and virtual reality. If you want to bring your ideas to life in 3D then get in touch with our team for an estimate.

How To Determine Which Database Is Best For Your Web App?

Databases basically store information that is organized and processed in such a way that you can easily access, manage and update them. While we come into contact with databases all the time in the form of employee records, library card catalogues, phone books or financial records, we are here to look at databases in the context of websites. In other words, how databases can be the foundation for information-rich and dynamic websites and how we should decide which one suits our business website needs.

Building websites that are data-driven

Before we begin, let us put a glance on what do you mean by relational databases and database management systems. Relational data model was the foundation for modern database technology that began in the 1970s, and now they play pivotal role in the building of powerful data-driven websites. Server-side scripting, HTML and CSS, SQL – database language and a database management system (DBMS) are prerequisites for websites fetching and displaying data from a database. To address the challenges of Big Data, evolved the non-relational database which is a deviation from the traditional relational database model.
Databases basically store information that is organized and processed in such a way that you can easily access, manage and update them. While we come into contact with databases all the time in the form of employee records, library card catalogues, phone books or financial records, we are here to look at databases in the context of websites. In other words, how databases can be the foundation for information-rich and dynamic websites and how we should decide which one suits our business website needs. Building websites that are data-driven Before we begin, let us put a glance on what do you mean by relational databases and database management systems. Relational data model was the foundation for modern database technology that began in the 1970s, and now they play pivotal role in the building of powerful data-driven websites. Server-side scripting, HTML and CSS, SQL – database language and a database management system (DBMS) are prerequisites for websites fetching and displaying data from a database. To address the challenges of Big Data, evolved the non-relational database which is a deviation from the traditional relational database model. Relational databases These databases are great at organizing and retrieving structured data and they primarily consist of two or more tables with connected information, each table with rows and columns. These connected tables are called database objects and you need a relational database management system (RDBMS) in order to create and manage them. For instance, you have an eCommerce website and a customer wants to know the shipment status on an order placed a couple of days ago. Your e-commerce database will generate a report with data from the tables by linking them together as follows: “[Customer]’s order of [product] purchased with a [payment method] on [purchase date] is already being shipped to [address] via [method] and is due to arrive on [tracking date].” Furthermore, RDBMS enables SQL Server Application Development Specialists to create and maintain a database program including a built-in programming language, SQL, which facilitates to automate the database functions. Accessing databases with SQL SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is utilized for accessing and manipulating databases. It is a standardized programming language but does have a number of variations including few databases’ own proprietary SQL extensions. SQL writes programming to manage data and streamline data processing in RDBMS like MySQL, Oracle, Sybase, or IMB DM2. It mainly carries out the following functions: Executing queries that are questions asked of the database. Retrieving data from the database Setting permissions Editing data which includes inserting, deleting, updating, or creating new records Creating views and even new databases When you consider creating new databases from the scratch it is recommended to consult with our team of SQL Server Application Development Experts. This is because, how your database is structured will largely impact the health of your website over time. NoSQL – Non-relational and distributed databases When your data is not structured or rather say, it is inconsistent, massive or incomplete then non-relational and distributed databases come in the picture providing a flexible database solution. This is also known as NoSQL which means “Not only SQL”. Modern data gathered from the web is an ideal example of unstructured data and NoSQL is effectively addressing it by deviating from the traditional relational model. Unlike relational databases, NoSQL databases are document-oriented. It stores unstructured data including photos, articles, videos, social media data or a complete blog post in a single document which are not categorized into pre-set fields. Thus, it demands extra processing effort and more storage than its structured counterpart. Hence, modern businesses struggling with the challenges of Big Data often integrate Hadoop, an open-source computing platform, into their database platforms. Hope you now have a basic idea about relational database, non-relational database and SQL. In order to build and maintain database systems for powering your business website, which can literally get quite complicated, get in touch with us; we are an SQL Application Development Agency committed towards delivering client satisfaction.

Relational databases

These databases are great at organizing and retrieving structured data and they primarily consist of two or more tables with connected information, each table with rows and columns. These connected tables are called database objects and you need a relational database management system (RDBMS) in order to create and manage them. For instance, you have an eCommerce website and a customer wants to know the shipment status on an order placed a couple of days ago. Your e-commerce database will generate a report with data from the tables by linking them together as follows:
“[Customer]’s order of [product] purchased with a [payment method] on [purchase date] is already being shipped to [address] via [method] and is due to arrive on [tracking date].”
Furthermore, RDBMS enables SQL Server Application Development Specialists to create and maintain a database program including a built-in programming language, SQL, which facilitates to automate the database functions.

Accessing databases with SQL

SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is utilized for accessing and manipulating databases. It is a standardized programming language but does have a number of variations including few databases’ own proprietary SQL extensions. SQL writes programming to manage data and streamline data processing in RDBMS like MySQL, Oracle, Sybase, or IMB DM2. It mainly carries out the following functions:
  • Executing queries that are questions asked of the database.
  • Retrieving data from the database
  • Setting permissions
  • Editing data which includes inserting, deleting, updating, or creating new records
  • Creating views and even new databases
When you consider creating new databases from the scratch it is recommended to consult with our team of SQL Server Application Development Experts. This is because, how your database is structured will largely impact the health of your website over time.

NoSQL – Non-relational and distributed databases

When your data is not structured or rather say, it is inconsistent, massive or incomplete then non-relational and distributed databases come in the picture providing a flexible database solution. This is also known as NoSQL which means “Not only SQL”. Modern data gathered from the web is an ideal example of unstructured data and NoSQL is effectively addressing it by deviating from the traditional relational model.
Unlike relational databases, NoSQL databases are document-oriented. It stores unstructured data including photos, articles, videos, social media data or a complete blog post in a single document which are not categorized into pre-set fields. Thus, it demands extra processing effort and more storage than its structured counterpart. Hence, modern businesses struggling with the challenges of Big Data often integrate Hadoop, an open-source computing platform, into their database platforms.
Hope you now have a basic idea about relational database, non-relational database and SQL. In order to build and maintain database systems for powering your business website, which can literally get quite complicated, get in touch with us; we are an SQL Application Development Agency committed towards delivering client satisfaction.

Cybersecurity: Know Thy Opponents’ Modus Operandi With Microsoft ATA

Digital transformation is undoubtedly transforming the way modern businesses do business! It has not only extended the reach of your organization or improved management decisions but also accelerated the development of new products and services. It is fast-tracking the herald of a hyper-connected world wherein everyone and everything will perhaps be connected to the internet and to each other. Alas! It too has its share of drawbacks like every other thing. The more we depend on the internet, the more we become prone to the potential threats prevailing online.Cyberthreats translating itself into an impact is a common occurrence these days. Research reveals that the estimated cost of cyber crime to the global economy is almost 500 billion dollars. Also, the average time a cyber attacker resides within your network without getting detected, gathering classified information and waiting for the right time to strike is over 140 days. Microsoft’s Advanced Threat Analytics (ATA) is an on-premises product that detects security breaches and threats using behavioural analysis. It also provides a clear and actionable report on a simple attack timeline.
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Benefits of Advanced Threat Analytics

Before you adopt ATA to address the cyber security issues within your organizational network, you must get accustomed with the benefits of this Microsoft security tool:

Identify threats fast with behavioral analytics

ATA works round the clock and enables you to identify suspicious activities in your system by profiling and understanding what to look for specifically. It uses deep-packet inspection technology in order to analyze Active Directory (AD) traffic. Furthermore, it also collects relevant events from SIEM (security information and event management) to identify advanced attacks in near real time.

Keeps up pace with malicious users

ATA utilizes its self-learning technology to build an Organizational Security Graph which is a map of entity interactions that shows the context and activities of users, devices and resources. This in turn is leveraged for adapting to the changes in your rapidly evolving enterprise and respond to tactics of malicious hackers. It also leverages years of world-class security research to detect persistent threats and security issues occurring regionally and globally.

Effectively filters false positives

Unlike the constant reporting of traditional security tools, ATA doesn’t make you to sift through irrelevant alerts to locate the important and relevant alerts. On the other hand, it provides you with a clear, functional, and actionable attack timeline which like a social media feed surfaces the events in a very easy to understand way. It also reduces the number of false positives thus making you free to focus on the real threats. Advanced Threat Analytics is a part of Microsoft Mobility and Security Suite (E3), if you want to give it a try, have any queries regarding this or any other Microsoft technologies then please feel free to reach out to us. We are a Dot Net Development Company adept at delivering professional and cost-effective solutions for more than a decade.

How To Make Your Dot Net Application Secure?

With our increasing digital dependence, the cyber threats have got more real over the past decade and they are likely to increase over time. It hereby calls for more secure development practices so that your applications which are very critical to your business remain devoid of vulnerabilities to the maximum possible extent. Therefore, we are going to discuss about the best practices that our team of highly skilled ASP.NET Specialists follow to maintain integrity throughout the development of dot net applications. Read on and secure your dot net applications in the following four ways:

Encoding the data to mitigate XSS

When data is fetched outside the trust limit, it is recommended that you always encode the data while processing or sending. This enables you to make scripts used in the cross-site scripting (XSS) to remain inactive and averts its execution. However, the type of encoding differs based on the non-trusted data you need to handle. With regard to .NET framework, Microsoft provides the AntiXSS library which equips dot net specialists with advanced encoding methods.

ASP.NET team forbids EnableViewStateMac=false

MAC stands for Message Authentication Codes in this context and it is a cryptographic code generated by the server and affixed to the _ViewState hidden form field. The MAC makes it sure that the client has not tampered with these fields. By default EnableViewStateMac=true and by setting this value to false you were making your application vulnerable to cross-site scripting. However, since the release of ASP.NET 4.5.2 it forbids applications from setting this insecure switch to address the issue head-on and prevent potential remote code execution attack.

Basic HttpBinding vs. wsHttpBinding

It is very crucial for you to know that if you expose the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services through basic HttpBinding, the transmitted messages will appear as plain text and intruders can easily trap and manipulate them. Instead you can transport the messages in an encrypted format by using wsHttpBinding and avert unauthorized access to the same. However, our web development experts recommend always hosting services under an SSL Layer.

Sanitizing the URLs

To enable preventive security measures in an application you may implement many techniques but it is critical to prevent malicious data from entering your website. As most of the cyber attacks happen while the query string passes through the URL, defining a common place in order to whitelist the URL would be a better security practice. Thus cleaning the URLs with a set of whitelisted characters would ensure that all others apart from this set are discouraged.
It is very critical for you to make your .NET application secure and we can be your partners in protecting your intellectual property assets. We are an ASP Dot Net Development Agency committed to development best practices in order to minimize security vulnerabilities.

Craft an Exceptional Search Experience with Azure Search

Every company, be it a start-up or an established one, confront with the complexity of providing a streamlined search experience for their users. Although there are lot of options out there but they require expensive infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, a prolonged ramp up process to achieve an efficient and functional solution, and a dedicated team to make it going.
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Imagine if you could achieve that search experience or rather say still better within few minutes with much lower costs results and zero maintenance? Yes, there is a solution which will allow you to focus on creating the best possible products for your clients forgetting the maintenance part entirely.


Azure Search

Azure Search is a cloud search-as-a-service engine that entrusts Microsoft with server and infrastructure management and leaves you free with a ready to use solution that fits your business budget and can also scale as your data grows. You can include this service to your data and use to add search to your mobile or web application using a simple REST API or .NET SDK without even becoming a specialist in search. ASP.Net Experts recommend that you can create a very efficient and robust solution by pairing Azure with ASP.NET Core application.
Amazing search experience
Let us take a look on how Azure search streamlines search experiences:

  • It has facets and filters that enable you to drill down through the data and filter search results quite similar to the navigating experiences created by famous e-commerce businesses. They narrow their searches by letting you apply real-time statistics provided by them on result filters.
  • The search suggestions feature when enabled covers all the auto-complete scenarios as users enter partial search input within the search box.
  • It has advanced querying for intricate scenarios. The Lucene query syntax can enable proximity search, regular expressions, term boosting, and fuzzy search.

Final Words!
Azure Search is a very powerful and scalable search engine that takes away the pain of search infrastructure management and allows you to add robust search experiences to your mobile and web applications. So, get in touch with an ASP.NET Development Agency for streamlining search experiences of your users with Azure Search.