DEV Community: Mad Devs

Mad Devs’ #20 Newsletter. December 2023

Mad Devs — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 12:36:37 +0000

December highlights: Expert articles, ultimate checklists, and essential terms in a glossary.

PYUSD: Understanding PayPal’s stablecoin initiative, protections, and potential

PayPal’s foray into stablecoins: A Game-Changer? Understand PYUSD’s role in the evolving stablecoin landscape, its regulation and security aspects, and how it’s shaping opportunities for investors and the global financial scene.

Fractional CTO roles and responsibilities

Does your business need technology leadership without a full-time position? Explore the strategic advantages of fractional CTOs and analyze how they can add significant value to your company and reduce costs. Understand their diverse roles, responsibilities, and the transformative impact they can have on organizations.

Chaos engineering: Principles and best practices

In the dynamic world of software engineering, the concept of Chaos Engineering is emerging as a game-changer. This approach deliberately introduces disturbances into systems to test their robustness and resilience. This article delves into the foundational principles of Chaos Engineering, exploring how these controlled disruptions not only prevent catastrophic failures but also reinforce best practices in creating unassailable systems.

Cybersecurity as a service: What is it and how it can help your business?

Cybersecurity simplified: Embrace the future with cybersecurity-as-a-service. Learn how this modern solution allows businesses to focus on their core operations while effectively managing cybersecurity risks. Understand what sets it apart from conventional methods and the range of benefits it provides.

Empowering your tech journey with tailored checklists

We recognize the importance of streamlining technology projects and enhancing team efficiency in today’s fast-paced environment. We’re excited to announce the launch of our technology and business checklist hub, a new resource for comprehensive, expert-developed checklists.

As part of this initiative, we’re proud to present one of the crucial lists: a detailed checklist designed to guide you in evaluating the necessity of penetration testing for your organization.

Comprehensive guide to assessing your company’s need for penetration testing

This checklist will help you understand if penetration testing is needed for your organization. Here, we lay out the key security questions a company may ask itself in various scenarios, and the answers to these questions can help identify the relevant reasons for conducting penetration testing.

Tech terminology explained: Glossary for modern development and management

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, keeping up with the latest jargon in technology and business can be daunting. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive hub — your one-stop destination for deciphering and mastering the language of the modern corporate and tech world.

December popular terms that are worth your attention

Mad Devs’ trusted sources

Deloitte’s tech trends report for 2024

Deloitte’s 15th annual tech trends report helps business and technology leaders separate signal from noise and embrace technology’s evolution as a tool to revolutionize business.

What to expect in US healthcare in 2024 and beyond

A new perspective from McKinsey on how technology, transformation efforts, and other changes have affected payers, health systems, healthcare services and technology, and pharmacy services.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Enji and all its rich functionality are free for all Mad Devs customers. If you aren’t a Mad Devs customer but you have interested in Enji, we are ready to provide you with a free trial period of 6 months.

Mad Devs’ #19 Newsletter. November 2023

Mad Devs — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 13:21:39 +0000

Navigating the DevOps terrain: toolchain diversity, DBaaS efficiency, and SOC 2 compliance in our November picks.

Free and paid tools to elevate your SOC 2 audit preparation

Unlike other frameworks, SOC 2 doesn’t offer a predefined set of requirements for businesses to follow in order to attain certification. Instead, it evaluates the efficiency of controls based on the 5 Trust Service Criteria. This can add complexity to the certification process. However, specialized SOC 2 audit software can streamline this journey and be a safety net for newcomers.

Embark on the path to SOC 2 compliance with a comprehensive guide to free and paid tools that streamline the preparation process. Discover how to assess your readiness, identify key stakeholders, and select the right tools for your organization’s needs.

Mastering Aurora and RDS: DBaaS strategies for success

In the realm of cloud-based database solutions, Amazon Web Services (AWS) offer an impressive array of options to cater to various business needs. Amazon Aurora and Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) are two of the most prominent offerings.

Unlock the right DBaaS solution for your needs. Explore the strengths of Amazon RDS and Aurora Serverless to optimize your database strategy.

Toolchain talk: optimizing DevOps workflow & efficiency

Selecting appropriate DevOps tools is crucial to amplify development velocity, streamline operations, and foster collaborative teamwork.

Throughout our company’s evolution, we’ve delved into diverse infrastructure solutions and services, migrating from on-site hardware to an architecture that embraces serverless functionalities. Drawing from our learnings, we’ve assembled pivotal tools within the DevOps arsenal and are delighted to disclose our findings.

Build, run, and manage apps in the cloud with our expert Kubernetes services

Whether you are looking for the transition of your current applications, seasoned counseling in harnessing Kubernetes’ power, or an assessment to fine-tune your present Kubernetes configuration, our proficiency and know-how are geared to drive your success.

As certified Kubernetes experts, we offer a comprehensive approach, rooted in long-standing expertise and panoramic determination of all necessary steps to implement and manage environments successfully.

Take the first step towards a more efficient and scalable tech landscape. Explore our Kubernetes services now and unlock the true potential of container orchestration. Welcome to the future of application deployment!

Mad Devs’ trusted sources

Kubernetes in the enterprise: redefining the container ecosystem

In this report, Dzone further dives into Kubernetes over the last year, its core usages as well as emerging trends, challenges, and the meaning of it all for developers and the tech community.

Optimizing resource utilization: the benefits and challenges of bin packing in Kubernetes

In this article, Omer Hamerman and Matt Campbell explore the complications of bin packing in Kubernetes, discuss the challenges and trade-offs associated with this approach, and provide examples and best practices for implementing bin packing in your organization.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Mad Devs’ #18 Newsletter. October 2023

Mad Devs — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 07:47:44 +0000

The key to company resilience: transparency and trust with stakeholders. Discover how they drive innovation and enhance customer loyalty in the October recap.

The Trust Factor: The art of building transparency with stakeholders

In the tech world, trust is the ultimate currency. Building and maintaining transparency and trust with stakeholders is an ongoing process that is critical for the success and sustainability of companies.

Your employees, customers, and partners are the core of your company’s achievements. Find out how building trust with these stakeholders is a game-changer in our insightful ebook.

Fostering transparency in hybrid teams: Strategies for success

The modern workplace is transforming before our eyes, with hybrid teams taking center stage. These teams, comprising on-site and remote workers, offer immense potential for organizations but also present unique challenges. To navigate this new terrain successfully, transparency is key.

In this article, we delve into the strategies that can help you cultivate a culture of transparency in your hybrid team, ensuring that all members, whether they work from the office or home, are on the same page and contributing their best.

Unleash organization resilience in the BANI world

Sustainability has evolved beyond a mere buzzword; it’s now synonymous with an organization’s ability to endure, adapt, and prosper. At its core, this resilience is the key to unlocking a company’s potential for long-term success. This article is your gateway to understanding and improving sustainability within your organization.

We will uncover the multifaceted dimensions of organizational resilience for 2024 and provide you with a comprehensive roadmap for achieving it.

Streamlining tech team recruitment with a Build-Operate-Transfer model

Recruiting top talent for your tech team is no small task, and the complexity and duration of the process can often be a significant challenge for businesses without HR. From sourcing and screening candidates to onboarding and managing HR processes, the recruitment journey can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive endeavor.

In such a scenario, a solution that simplifies the entire process and offers an efficient way to manage HR functions is highly sought after. Enter the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, our company’s new approach that can improve your tech team recruitment.

Mad Devs’ trusted sources

2024 Gartner Top Strategic Technology Trends: Detailed Guide (eBook)

Download the ebook on Gartner Top Strategic Technology Trends and see when and how these 10 trends will drive strategic impact in 2024 and beyond.

Fintechs: A new paradigm of growth by McKinsey

After decades of hypergrowth, fintechs have entered a new era of value creation, where the focus is on sustainable, profitable growth. This report examines how fintechs can win in these disruptive times.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Mad Devs’ #17 Newsletter. September 2023

Mad Devs — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:04:08 +0000

Stay ahead in the cyber arms race — investigate the top challenges and best practices for safeguarding cybersecurity in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Red Team vs. Blue Team in Cybersecurity

This article sets a showdown between two elite squads of cybersecurity professionals — red and blue teams. Get ready for an immersive experience that mirrors the intensity of cybersecurity warfare.

The red team employs real-world adversary tradecraft to test the environment's resilience, while the blue team, composed of adept incident responders, operates within the security unit. They aim to identify, assess, and respond swiftly to any intrusion.

Uncover the fundamental principles of red and blue teams, explore how they work together, and what they bring to organizational cybersecurity.

Big Data Security Best Practices

As data volumes grow in the ever-evolving technological landscape, big data is becoming a pivotal asset for many organizations. However, with the vast potential of big data come various security challenges that require diligent attention and strategic solutions.

Delve into big data security and explore the best practices and analytics methods for organizations to fortify their data and detect potential threats and malicious activities. Discover how big data security works and what are some of the challenges down this road.

HackTheBox: hacking training write-ups

[HackTheBox Write-Up: Keeper] — [Easy]

Keeper HTB walkthrough: learn more about the interconnectedness of vulnerabilities and how, at times, lateral thinking is just as critical as technical know-how.

[HackTheBox Write-Up: Gofer] — [Hard]

Gofer machine on HackTheBox: discover the versatile skill set in penetration testing, from leveraging an email for initial access to exploiting a custom binary.

[HackTheBox Write-Up: Intentions] — [Hard]

Hack The Box Intentions Write-Up [Hard]: find out more about how we broke down the Hack The Box Intentions Lab challenge.

Unleash your cyber resilience with continuous penetration testing

Bug Bounty platforms are typically best suited for organizations with large financial resources to handle the sporadic and potentially high costs of bounties.

But what about startups that are already in production or undergoing rapid development but not yet ready to adopt bug-bounty platform security measures?

Continuous penetration testing service from Mad Devs is the optimal choice. You gain systematic vulnerability analysis synchronized with your development team, enabling timely responses to emerging security risks during rapid scaling. Learn more about the difference between opting for a Mad Devs and enlisting the services of a Bug Bounty platform.

Mad Devs’ trusted sources

CrowdStrike Global Threat Report

From relentless adversaries to resilient businesses. CrowdStrike’s 2023 Global Threat Report uncovers notable themes, trends, and events across the cyber threat landscape.

Top Priorities for Security and Risk Management

To help you prioritize your time and energy, Gartner has created the Gartner Leadership Vision to provide top-level targeted guidance based on their data-driven research.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Mad Devs’ #16 Newsletter. August 2023

Mad Devs — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 17:41:32 +0000

Learn more about choosing a metaverse development company, how smart buildings work, and enterprise learning management systems in our August newsletter.

How to Choose a Metaverse Development Company

The metaverse represents a new frontier in digital innovation, transforming the way we interact, connect, and conduct business. However, choosing the right metaverse development company can be daunting and fraught with unique challenges. With this guide from our Web3 Delivery Manager, Mamed Nuriev, you can confidently navigate the complexities of metaverse development, pick the right team and technical stack, and embark on a journey to shape the future of digital interaction.

What Are Smart Buildings and How Do They Work?

Environmental sustainability has become a pressing concern, and the concept of smart buildings emerges as a promising solution to address energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and overall resource optimization. Smart buildings integrate advanced technologies, interconnected systems, and data-driven strategies to create an intelligent, eco-friendly infrastructure.

In our article, we delve into the core principles of smart building technologies and explore various infrastructure elements, as well as use cases demonstrating the potential for creating a greener future.

Enterprise Learning Management System

Gone are the days of dull, traditional employee training. Today, corporate learning management systems are revolutionizing how businesses educate their workforce. These systems offer easy access to learning materials, track progress, and enhance employee skills, productivity, and onboarding efficiency.

In this article, explore the key features, use cases, and top players in the saturated LMS market, along with our experience using a popular tool.

ChatGPT vs. Google Bard: Which Is Better for Developers?

In recent years, generative AI has emerged as a game-changer for programmers, ushering in a new era of possibilities in the coding world. By harnessing the capabilities of advanced language models, developers can now navigate complex code writing and debugging with unprecedented ease.

However, as competing tools like ChatGPT and Bard come into play, the question arises: Which one reigns supreme for programming tasks?

Streamline your development process

At Mad Devs, we understand that navigating the ever-evolving software development landscape can be challenging. That’s why we offer expert consultation services to guide you through the intricacies of the development process.

Our seasoned consultants bring years of experience and a deep understanding of industry best practices to the table. Whether you’re a startup looking to build your first app or an enterprise seeking to optimize your development workflows, we tailor our consultation to meet your unique needs.

Mad Devs’ trusted sources

The triple play: Growth, profit, and sustainability

Revenue growth is good. Profitable growth is better. Profitable growth that advances ESG priorities is best. Here’s how outperformers who actively choose growth deliver the growth trifecta.

2023 Global Investor Survey: Priorities in an uncertain market

BCG’s 2023 Global Investor Survey finds that investors are optimistic about the next three years, pinning their hopes on stronger GDP growth and cooling inflation. Their medium-term bullishness and market-return expectations have climbed to the highest levels.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Mad Devs’ #15 Newsletter. July 2023

Mad Devs — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 14:38:47 +0000

What incident management metrics are, how supervised learning works, and our new expanded services in the July recap!

Incident Management Metrics Guide

If you want to improve the reliability of your systems, then you need to track incident management metrics. These metrics can help you measure the reliability of your plans and products, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions.

This article discusses four key incident management metrics: MTBF, MTTR, MTTA, and MTTF. We will explain how these metrics are calculated and applied and provide real-world examples of how they have been used to improve incident response.

Semi-Supervised Learning

Artificial intelligence has made remarkable progress, resembling the futuristic depictions of science fiction writers. At the core of these great capabilities lie diverse machine learning algorithms, each adept at processing data based on their unique training models.

In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of semi-supervised learning. We explore its inner workings, the problems it addresses, and the opportunities it unlocks. Before delving into the specifics, we need briefly revisit the distinctions between supervised and unsupervised learning.

Top Data Quality Management Tools

Today, data plays a crucial role in shaping organizations’ decisions, driving their business strategies, and enhancing customer experiences. However, data’s ever-growing volume, speed, and diversity create challenges in ensuring its accuracy and dependability. This is where data quality management comes into the picture, providing structured processes and tools to evaluate, enhance, and maintain data quality throughout its entire lifecycle. This encompasses various activities, such as data validation, profiling, cleansing, enrichment, and governance.

Within this article, we will delve into the significance of data quality management and explore the methods and tools it employs. By giving priority to data quality, organizations can gain a competitive edge, make well-informed decisions, and enhance overall business outcomes, thereby unlocking the full potential of their valuable data assets. Emphasizing data quality is a strategic move that empowers businesses to leverage data in today’s data-driven world effectively.

Discover our expanded services

Get world-class custom software development services from Mad Devs. Make your product smooth and efficient with top-reliable, highly scalable, tailored tech solutions.

Attract, retain, and develop talented employees with HR consulting services for your tech company. Our specialists provide expertise to improve HR procedures and implement transparent work processes.

Mad Devs’ trusted sources

McKinsey: In the face of volatility, CFOs and their organizations adapt

McKinsey’s newest survey of CFOs finds that finance leaders plan to keep their organizations moving forward despite their growing concern over volatility and inflation.

Managing Risk for the Next Wave of Digital Currencies

The digital currency marketplace has been in turmoil since the current “crypto winter” began in mid-2022. Holdings have been breached, fraudulent and illicit schemes have been revealed, and digital currency offerings have lost value, making the risks more evident.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Mad Devs’ #14 Newsletter. June 2023

Mad Devs — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:21:36 +0000

June Roundup: Must-Read Articles and Homepage Upgrade 🥳

How intelligent document processing is driving digital transformation

Our Delivery Manager Kirill Zinchenko shares his expert opinion on IDP and explains what it is, how it works, and what is the relationship between IDP and workflow automation.

Intelligent document processing (IDP) technology revolutionizes how businesses handle documents. By leveraging optical character recognition (OCR), natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI), IDP automates the extraction, interpretation, and analysis of data from documents. This allows businesses to streamline operations, reduce errors, and make better-informed decisions.

Streamlining car rental reservations: your comprehensive guide

Reservation systems are essential for any car rental that wants to streamline operations and improve customer service. These systems can help to automate the booking process, track inventory, and manage customer data.

Many different car rental reservation systems are available on the market, so it is important to choose one that is right for your business. Some factors to consider include the size of your fleet, the number of locations you have, and your budget.

What is platform engineering?

Engineering platforms are a relatively new phenomenon, but they attract much attention from leading companies and hold promise for reshaping the technological landscape. This article will explore the reasons for its emergence and core concepts. Learn about its specific principles and components, explore its unique values and challenges, and discover key practices and standards.

Whether you are a business owner or a technical expert, you will get valuable insights to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in today’s rapidly evolving technological environment.

ETL developer roles & responsibilities

Organizations rely on accurate and reliable data to make informed decisions and embrace business growth in today’s data-driven world. Extracting, transforming, and loading ETL data is a complex task that requires skilled professionals. ETL developers play a crucial role in managing this data effectively.

This article explores the world of ETL developers, highlighting their responsibilities and the significance of ETL in data management. It also provides insights into when organizations should consider hiring ETL developers and identifies indicators of the need for their expertise.

Unveiling our exciting upgrades

We’re excited to announce a new homepage for the Mad Devs website. This page is packed with information about our company, services, approach, and team.

It’s now even easier to find our projects, see team insights and get in touch. We invite you to visit our revamped page at maddevs.io to explore and get to know our company better by browsing:

New services, including custom development service and other tech consultations
Commitment to transparency and open communication
Team’s mindset and approach to collaborations
Our portfolio of successful projects.

We’d love to hear your feedback too, so please explore around and reach out to our team if you have any suggestions.

Mad Devs’ trusted sources

Сrunchbase: From AI To SVB And Everything In Between — A Quick Look Back At The First Half Of 2023

From crypto contagion to mass layoffs to a banking crisis to the neverending AI craze, the first half of 2023 has been a winding ride for ventures and startups.

McKinsey: Unleashing developer productivity with generative AI

A McKinsey study shows that software developers can complete coding tasks up to twice as fast with generative AI. Four actions can maximize productivity and minimize risks.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Mad Devs’ #13 Newsletter. May 2023

Mad Devs — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 17:55:07 +0000

The role of BRC-20 in shaping the future of digital assets, how to build sustainable technology, and more in our May recap.

BRC-20 Tokens: Transformation of the Bitcoin Ecosystem

This article, written by our Delivery Manager Mamed Nuriev, delves into the intricacies of BRC-20 and sheds light on its significance within the Bitcoin landscape. Mamed brings extensive knowledge and expertise in blockchain technology, closely following the developments in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

BRC-20 is a new standard for creating tokens on the Bitcoin blockchain. This article explores how BRC-20 works, its advantages, and its limitations. We’ take a closer look at the current impact of BRC-20 on the Bitcoin ecosystem and discuss what this trend could mean for the future of Bitcoin.

Building a Greener Future: Exploring the Benefits of Sustainable Technology

As the world becomes more aware of the impact human activities have on the environment, there has been a growing interest in eco-friendly and sustainable technology.

This article will explore the concept of sustainable technology, development trends, the hidden costs of new technology, and why we should care about sustainable technology. We also discuss great examples of sustainable technology implementation, such as renewable energy sources and green construction, and how to build sustainable apps and software.

Mad Devs Hardhat Boilerplate Project

Developing smart contracts on Ethereum and other EVM-compatible blockchains can be challenging. To ease the process, a pre-configured HardHat Ethereum development environment is available.

This article introduces a ready-to-use HardHat Ethereum development platform setup by Mad Devs, including additional tools for efficient smart-contract development. Whether you’re an experienced Ethereum engineer or a newcomer, this kit will help you quickly initiate smart-contract development. Here you will explore:

What is hardhat-mad-boiler?
What are the benefits of hardhat-mad-boiler?
What’s included in a hardhat-mad-boiler?
Create the project, init it, and configure hardhat
Key takeaways that hardhat-mad-boiler offers

We’re reaching new heights

We’re excited to share that our project RociFi has been selected for the MasterCard Start Path program.

Start Path is a startup engagement program. It helps new companies to raise capital, connect to the broader payments ecosystem, and create a more inclusive economy.

Only 6 fintech companies from around the world were selected to scale innovative solutions and build the future of commerce. We are proud of this achievement and happy to share this news.

RociFi is zero and under-collateralized lending protocol on Polygon. You can read more about how we worked on the project on our website.

Mad Devs’ trusted sources

BCG: How to Embed Trust in Your Business Ecosystem

Trust can make or break a digital ecosystem. The digital trust network can help leaders develop and bolster sustainable trust among participants.

McKinsey: Staying ahead: How the best CEOs continually improve performance

After the heady first years on the job, CEOs must sustain momentum and high performance. Here are four ways to avoid complacency and create even more value.

You might also find it useful

Everything You Need to Know About Chatbot Development

Whether you’re a business professional, developer, or simply curious about the chatbot revolution, this article serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the realm of chatbot development.

How to Save $10,000 per Month on Google Cloud Platform and Spend $2,000 in One Day
Companies seek cost-saving measures during project development to ensure smooth operations and save money. Mad Devs faced a similar situation while optimizing cloud computing costs for a PaaS project. In this article, we explore how we saved $10,000 monthly on the Google Cloud Platform. We discuss the actions taken, including an incident where $2,000 was spent in a day.

How to Build a Successful Web3 Product?
To stay on the cutting edge, embrace new technologies, and appreciate forward-thinking visionaries, we explore the concept of Web 3.0. In this article, we discuss what is Web 3.0, why it matters, what technologies are behind it, and how to build a successful Web 3.0 product.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Mad Devs’ #12 Newsletter. April 2023

Mad Devs — Wed, 31 May 2023 12:50:22 +0000

Gain Valuable Insights into Recommender Systems, HIPAA Compliance, Jira Workflows, and more with our April Newsletter!

Recommender system using machine learning

In today’s world, recommender systems have become essential. They have made our lives easier and more comfortable by suggesting books, movies, songs, and what to buy next.

A machine learning-based recommendation system uses algorithms to analyze user data and behavior in order to suggest relevant items or content to the user. These systems can be categorized as either content-based or collaborative filtering. The first type focuses on item features, while the second type utilizes user similarities for recommendations.

In this article, we will delve deeper into recommendation systems, their strengths, and weaknesses. What’s important is that we discuss our personal experience of working with them.

Jira workflow for software development

This article will give you valuable and practical information on how to build an efficient project workflow. You will find answers to the following questions:

What is the project workflow in Jira?
What elements are necessary for building the workflow in Jira?
What are common mistakes and best practices in building Jira workflow?
How to adapt Jira workflows for any department?
What are Mad Devs’ approaches for building Jira workflow?

HIPAA compliance on cloud infrastructure

Our CIO & CTO, Andrew Sapozhnikov, will try to understand HIPAA and how we can comply with this standard in the software and infrastructure scope. While HIPAA is a well-established standard, its technical requirements can be unclear in some areas, and implementation may vary from project to project.

Digital twins in medicine

The article discusses the concept of digital twins and their potential application in medicine. Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical objects or processes that can be used in medical imaging, drug development, and surgery planning. You can find real-world examples inside the article. The challenges and limitations of using digital twins in medicine are discussed, including the need for accurate data and the difficulty of integrating multiple data sources.

Overall, the article highlights the potential benefits of using digital twins in medicine and encourages further research and development.

Mad Devs case study: optimization for Veeqo

Veeqo is an inventory and shipping e-commerce platform. It helps businesses manage sales across multiple channels, ship items via multiple carriers, process refunds, control B2B orders, and forecast inventory. The list of features is almost endless. The platform integrates directly with the world’s most popular retail applications, including e-commerce services, marketplaces, shipping carriers, POS systems, and more.

The role of DevOps specialists is to bring order and predictability to the development process by removing bottlenecks, simplifying delivery, and automating as many processes as possible. The goal is to turn the development of features into a smoothly running conveyor belt.

When our DevOps team joined the Veeqo project, we began sorting out existing blockages in the development process and prioritized those that affected Veeqo’s users and the client’s business the most.

Mad Devs’ trusted sources:

BCG: Generative AI is under growing scrutiny. Here’s what that means.

The focus on artificial general intelligence is diverting attention from the actual risks posed by generative AI today.

McKinsey report: The State of Organizations 2023: Ten shifts transforming organizations

Organizations today face ten significant shifts. Here’s what they are and what to do about them.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Mad Devs’ #11 Newsletter. March 2023

Mad Devs — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 15:39:29 +0000

Digital Transformation in Banking, Mobile Banking Case Study with 2M Clients Featured in Here!

Digital transformation in banking

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, traditional financial institutions must improve their systems to keep up with customers’ demands and remain competitive. Despite the tremendous opportunities, implementing new technology for banks can take time and effort.

In the article, we discuss how the financial industry has been impacted by digital transformation and how companies can adapt to this changing landscape. We explain the key drivers of this transformation including changing customer expectations, increased competition from fintech startups, and the need for greater efficiency and cost savings.

How to ensure transparency in hybrid teams

As businesses continue to adapt to remote work, hybrid teams have become increasingly common. This challenges team leaders who must ensure everyone is on the same page, and working towards the same goals. Asynchronous communication between the team and the stakeholders needs to be improved to understand who does what.

This article explores how to ensure transparency in hybrid teams. The author, our CSO Oleg Puzanov, provides practical tips for team leaders, such as establishing clear communication channels, setting expectations for remote workers, and utilizing collaboration tools.

Oleg emphasizes the importance of trust and communication in hybrid teams while suggesting ways to build trust and facilitate action. The article also highlights the benefits of transparency, including increased productivity, improved collaboration, and better decision-making.

Skills matrix: definition, benefits, and examples

Are you looking for a way to measure the skills of your workforce, identify areas for improvement, and make more informed decisions about training and development? A skill matrix is a useful tool that can help you do this.

In this article, we explore a skill matrix, its benefits for employees, managers, and organizations, and the steps for using and maintaining this tool. We share our experience and tell you why and how we decided to create our own skill matrices. To give you a complete picture, we also share our expertise in working with matrices and tools we use.

FinTech case study: Mobile banking

More and more banks are striving to create their own ecosystems, so customers can get more products and services online. One of the largest banks in Kazakhstan, with 2 million clients and dozens of products, also faced this. Mad Devs, in partnership with one of the largest banks in Kazakhstan, developed a mobile banking application with advanced functionality and an excellent user experience.

Working with Mad Devs was both extremely productive and enjoyable. They greatly helped each of our teams and became like family to us, said a representative of the bank in Kazakhstan.

Because of NDA, we cannot disclose the name of the bank, but we are happy to tell you what challenges we faced, how we approached them, and what solutions we developed.

Mad Devs’ trusted sources:

McKinsey: Experience-led growth: a new way to create value

A strategy focused on improving the experience of existing customers can deliver breakthrough growth for incumbent companies — often more than double that of their industry peers.

PWC: It’s time for CEOs to rethink the open-door policy

Executives want more uninterrupted time to focus on big-picture issues. They can start by empowering other senior leaders to make more decisions autonomously.

You might also find it useful:

NLP applications for human resource management

NLP technology is deployed to overcome the issues of excessive information and lack of attention. Hence, the recruitment process has become engaging, immersive, and more effective even in the virtual format.

Critical path method in project management

In this article, we explore the Critical Path Method (CPM) approach concept in detail, including its benefits, limitations, and key considerations for implementation. Read to understand how the CPM can streamline project management, reduce costs, and improve overall project outcomes.

How to perform a cybersecurity audit: techniques & tools

Here we look at cybersecurity audits and how they help assess an organization’s security posture. Learn about auditing techniques and tools that help significantly reduce its complexity and cost, increase its effectiveness, and even automate it.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Mad Devs’ #10 Newsletter. February 2023

Mad Devs — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:33:06 +0000

Discover Transparent Remote Staffing Approaches, Zero Trust Security Principles, Chief Transformation Officer Roles, and more in the February newsletter!

Transparent Remote Staffing as a Future of IT Companies

When you have more IT development needs than your staff can handle, you need help. Increasingly, companies are turning to outside vendors both at home and abroad. Most importantly, you are concerned about improving the quality of your product. Here, the important question arises — which model should you use?

This article will go through outsourcing, outstaffing, insourcing and also explores the concept of transparent remote staffing and how it can benefit IT companies. It discusses the advantages of this approach, including increased efficiency and access to a global talent pool, as well as the challenges of remote staffing, such as communication barriers and cultural differences.

Everything You Need to Know About Robotic Process Automation

RPA is a technology that enables businesses to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks by using software robots or “bots”. These bots can be programmed to perform a wide range of tasks, such as data entry, report generation, and invoice processing. They can work 24/7, without getting tired or making mistakes, which can help businesses save time and money.

The article explains the key components of RPA, including the bot creation process, the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in RPA, and the benefits of using RPA for businesses.

What is Zero Trust Architecture and How Does It Work?

A zero-trust strategy is a cybersecurity approach that focuses on the context established through strict user authentication and access controls. It can help organizations improve their cyber threat defense and simplify network infrastructure.

The article discusses the benefits of zero-trust architecture, including improved security posture, better visibility into network activity, and the ability to detect and respond to security incidents quickly. The author, our Cybersecurity Lead, also provides some practical advice for implementing a zero-trust architecture, such as starting with a pilot project and involving all stakeholders in the planning and implementation.

Chief Transformation Officer: Roles & Responsibilities

A new job title has started circulating recently — chief transformation officer (CTO). This article will discuss how a chief transformation officer shouldn’t be confused with a chief technology officer, also known as a CTO. This term has been used for some time in public-sector organizations, but it is relatively new in the private sector.

There is often rapid-fire development associated with it, particularly when it comes to digital transformation. Customer experience, business infrastructure, and continuous changes are usually included in the role.

Case study: The Evolution of Yourcast.TV

While working on this project, we acquired extensive hands-on experience in building modern livestreaming and VoD services. We were amazed by the abundance of open-source tools available for building great OTT platforms and online movies. Yourcast.TV was the beginning; however, we now see that this internal project could become a cornerstone for many enterprise-level solutions.

Andrew Minkin, ex. CTO, Mad Devs

Yourcast.TV started as Mad Devs’ pet video-streaming project and evolved into a larger service after we open-sourced our code and found a customer. We integrated the platform with Plex Media Server, which provides free movie descriptions via an API. Yourcast.TV is fully open source and can serve as a foundation for other video streaming services, assuming monetization through subscription or advertising.

Mad Devs’ Trusted Sources

Growth rules: Which matter most?

McKinsey explained that achieving sustainable, profitable growth requires companies to actively choose growth through a holistic approach comprising three elements: developing an aspirational mindset and culture, activating pathways, and executing with excellence.

Your software customers need a tailored industry approach

BCG analysis indicates that verticalization (adapting their marketing and sales to distinct industry needs and use cases) has a directional correlation of 10% to 20% with average year-over-year revenue growth for B2B software businesses.

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Top test management & QA tools

This article overviews five top test management tools, highlighting their features and differences to help you make the best choice for your end-to-end test cycle.

The quality management plan in project management

In this article, we will explore the importance of QMP in project management, especially in software development projects. We will also delve into the components of a sample QMP for a software project.

Is it worth estimating the tasks of scrum teams in hours?

We say yes, it can, and in this article, we will tell you when, why, and how we do it in one of our projects. We say yes, it can, and in this article, we will tell you when, why, and how we do it in one of our projects.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.

Mad Devs’ #9 Newsletter. January 2023

Mad Devs — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 09:54:11 +0000

In January's newsletter, discover the best HR & PeopleOps practices, check your tech skills, and learn how we helped establish working processes for the RociFi team.

Human Resources Plan in Project Management

It takes time upfront to manage project HR, but the effort pays off in greater efficiency over time. The quality and timeliness of project deliverables can also be improved.

We asked our PMs and DMs what they think about the human resources plan in project management, why a PM or DM should have basic knowledge of HR, and what the benefits of human resources plan in project management are.

I believe that Mad Devs stands out very much for its personnel approach, how they value and worry about their employees. And this idea goes from top to bottom. The company tries to seize the rough diamond and shape it (through training, motivation, etc.). PMs and DMs, for their part, adopt this experience and view of work and specialists. After that, they try to build processes, so professionals do not work for wear and tear and observe work-life balance.

Zukhra Alieva, Delivery Manager in Mad Devs

People Operations and HR: What’s the Difference?

Companies realize the value of placing people first, and employees have become a vital part of the economy. This has led to the emergence of a new workforce management model known as People Operations (People Ops, POps). At first, it seems people operations might seem like a new way to refer to HR.

In this article, you’ll discover the key differences between HR and People Ops and why it’s essential to know these differences for your organization’s success. Also, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of these departments, what skills are needed to master people operations, and how to build people operations department In your company.

Ready-to-Use Technical Skill Matrix for Developers

As a developer, have you ever felt like your skills have hit a plateau or that you’re not fully utilizing your potential? Or, as a manager, have you struggled to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your team and create a comprehensive training and development plan? The solution to these challenges may lie in implementing a Technical Skill Matrix.

We have prepared a technical competency matrix that lists the skills and areas needed to hire, evaluate, and develop excellent technical staff, and to test your own level.

VIPER Architecture for iOS App Development

There are many factors to consider when choosing an architecture for an iOS app, including the size and complexity of the app, the type of data being managed, the target audience, and the goals of the project. Some common architectures used in iOS app development include MVC, MVVM, and VIPER.

In this article, you will understand why a lot of developers prefer VIPER.

DeFI Case Study: RociFi: Under-Collateralized Credit Protocol on Polygon

During the collaboration, teams established working processes, covered the code with unit & integration tests, planned protocol architecture, and developed smart contracts and their environment. After collaborating with the RociFi team, both goals were accomplished, and the protocol was released on time.

This project was interesting to Mad Devs, not only because we could provide proper expertise in blockchain. But also to build processes that initially improve development and increase the final product quality.

Pavel Zverev, Tech Lead and Advisor

Mad Devs’ Trusted Sources

McKinsey: Performance through people: Transforming human capital into a competitive advantage

Companies that adopt a more people-oriented focus and a more challenging organizational culture have much to gain. In addition to boosting financial returns, they can improve their consistency, resilience, talent retention, employee loyalty, and reputation.

BCG: Your Strategy Is Only as Good as Your Skills

Even though leading companies spend up to 1.5% of their annual budgets on learning and skill building — their leaders do not discuss skill building the same way they do other goals. This research shows that few companies tie skill building to strategy or report on how they manage skills as they do for other important assets.

Enji — TeamLead, who never sleeps

Our product helps teams effectively achieve key goals in software development. Enji provides a comprehensive project overview using all the data it collects and is always up-to-date.