Learn how Multisite CMS can transform your business. Learn how a centralized dashboard can increase operational efficiency and provide a unified solution for managing multiple websites. Find out how it contributes to today's digital landscape and understand its universal features.

Mastering Digital Management with Multisite Content Management Systems

Learn how Multisite CMSs are revolutionizing the digital domain. Take a deep dive into the essence of Multisite CMS and learn how it simplifies managing multiple websites seamlessly.

<h2>Multisite CMS Platform Overview</h2>
<p>Today's digital landscape is more complex and vibrant than ever before. You can think of Multisite Content Management System (CMS) as a super-organized, time-saving tool for websites. This way, managing multiple websites becomes more accessible and efficient, allowing them to flow seamlessly and efficiently.</p>
<p>So, let's embark on a journey to understand the essence of Multisite CMS, elucidating how it revolutionizes the digital management domain.</p>
<p>Single-site CMS are typically designed to manage one website, limiting your ability to manage multiple domains effectively from a single access point. This often leads to juggling multiple login credentials and interfaces, complicating workflow and reducing efficiency.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/c8875e23593242f9b9d92bbd7883e48e.jpg" alt="Diagram illustrating the architecture of a Single-Site CMS." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 1. A diagram illustrating a single-site CMS architecture.</em></p>
<p>Using a single-site CMS in an enterprise setting can inadvertently contribute to app overload, undermining productivity and workflow efficiency. Employees are estimated to navigate through 60 different applications, including four collaboration apps, daily. The multitude of platforms leads to a tedious process of switching between apps up to ten times an hour, resulting in a significant loss of focus. In addition to switching between different CMS platforms, each with its own interface and operational nuances, nearly 70% of workers report disruption due to frequent app switching, resulting in a 40% productivity drop.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/6ff51419ebd440c3a41c26c29b027b6c.png" alt="Diagram illustrating the challenge of using multiple Single-Site CMS platforms, showing workers toggling between different systems, highlighting the disruption and productivity loss due to frequent app switching." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 2. A graph showing how productivity drops when employees switch between multiple CMS platforms and collaboration apps at work.</em></p>
<p>Multisite CMS allows you to manage and operate multiple websites on a single platform. Unlike conventional CMS, it doesn't limit you to managing only one website. The unified interface enables you to manage multiple websites through one interface. It saves time and reduces complexity by eliminating the need to repeatedly log in and out of different sites.</p>
<p>In the heart of a Multisite CMS lies a robust and centralized dashboard. This feature lets you update, monitor, and publish content across different websites. By doing so, website management becomes unified and simplified.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/fab45d0b150d4cb5bfecc9ec3a1d9d8f.jpg" alt="Diagram showing centralized management of a Multisite CMS with a single dashboard interconnected to multiple websites, simplifying operations and reducing app switching to enhance productivity." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 3. A diagram illustrating a Multisite CMS architecture.</em></p>
<p>It's a versatile platform that transforming your digital strategy by elevating operational efficiency, enhancing control, and ensuring consistency across multiple websites.</p>
<h2>The Importance of Multisite Features</h2>
<p>In digital management, where multiple websites often intertwine in a complex web of content and functionality, a Multisite Content Management System (CMS) shines with features built for efficiency and effectiveness. Why are these features so important, and how do they impact our ability to manage multiple websites?</p>
<p>At its core, the platform is based on centralized management. Providing a unified dashboard eliminates the need for multiple admin panels for each website. Even those with no background in technology have no difficulty managing multiple sites with this system, as it simplifies and makes intuitive the administration process.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/1f35d139f969420ea57f27e4f7ea4abd.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application, Word" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 4. Easily manage multiple sites with Penzle's centralized dashboard, which is suitable for users with no technical skills.</em></p>
<p>Managing the security of multiple websites individually can be challenging. By centralizing security management, multisite CMS eliminates this difficulty by making it easy to monitor, update, and secure all of your websites from one central location.</p>
<p>The role assignment feature is crucial in delineating responsibilities and access within your website. Different roles can be assigned depending on the responsibilities of team members and the websites they manage. This way, a more organized structure is created, where users know their duties and permissions, and the right people can access the right information. The balance between autonomy and control can be achieved by assigning someone administrator access to one website while giving them editor access to another.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/7f290ef3fb0e448ba15a0e95ea938bcb.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, text, application, email" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 5. A role assignment interface for website management that balances autonomy and control between users.</em></p>
<p>In addition to role management, Multisite CMS also offers customized workflow. It may be necessary to manage and publish content differently for each site in your network, depending on its specific purpose. Using multisite CMS, you can tailor the workflow to meet each site's specific needs and objectives. Managing content creation, review, approval, and publication can thus be customized according to each site's unique requirements.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/b9ff3063ed02415f883b73d10adc0e5f.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 6. Adaptable workflow interface for multisite CMS that enables tailored content management processes.</em></p>
<p>Additionally, it provides scalability, which is essential to growth. As your digital presence grows, you can easily add more websites to your network without managing them individually. A streamlined approach allows digital needs and trends to be quickly adapted and expanded.</p>
<h2>Tips for Effective Multisite Content Management</h2>
<p>Managing content across multiple sites requires a strategic approach that combines coherence with customization, flexibility, and adaptability. A roadmap must respect each site's uniqueness while maintaining a consistent overarching strategy.</p>
<p>Establish a centralized strategy first. This strategy aims to ensure that the brand voice and messaging are consistent across all of your websites. An integrated online strategy weaves a common thread between multiple websites by creating a cohesive online presence.</p>
<p>A key component of the multisite ecosystem is customization. It is essential to recognize that each website has its audience and purpose. The content should be tailored to resonate with the specific audiences, aligning with their expectations and needs. Create engaging and relevant content for each site by adjusting its tone, style, and substance.</p>
<p>To keep the websites vibrant and relevant, the content must be updated and refreshed continuously. The ease of managing multiple websites with a multisite CMS allows you to keep your content updated, fresh, and current on all sites.</p>
<p>Analyze your content strategy to refine it. In most cases, multisite CMS comes with tools for analyzing traffic, engagement, and behavior of users. Optimize your content strategies for better performance and engagement by using these insights.</p>
<p>An effective multisite content management strategy relies on a balanced approach. Using a multisite CMS, you can leverage centralized control while respecting the individuality of each site. Multisite content management will be more resonant and impactful by combining coherence with customization.</p>
<h2>Managing multiple websites has never been easier with Penzle</h2>
<p>In the diverse world of Content Management Systems (CMS), Penzle emerges as a formidable player, especially when it comes to managing multiple websites. Why is Penzle's multisite approach revolutionary for the modern digital landscape? Now let's look deeper into Penzle's multisite management capabilities.</p>
<p>Penzle adopts a headless CMS architecture, separating content management from the presentation layer. This architectural brilliance means that content resides in a centralized repository, allowing it to be pushed seamlessly across various platforms and websites. It creates an ecosystem where content flows effortlessly, ensuring uniformity and consistency, vital for multisite configurations.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/be70707ec576430da408baf569585d24.jpg" alt="The diagram illustrates the separation of presentation and content management layers in a headless Multisite CMS." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 7. Penzle's headless CMS diagram shows a centralized content repository for seamless distribution across multiple platforms and websites.</em></p>
<p>See how Penzle manages multisites in the video below.</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p0nyfqLCe7A?si=6sTlQN77TXY3430Y" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>A traditional CMS may have difficulty handling multisite setups effectively due to their lack of flexibility and scalability. With robust APIs, Penzle facilitates seamless content management across various platforms by enabling integration of various platforms. Penzle allows you to define content models, structures, and relationships, which are crucial to maintaining an effective multisite content strategy.</p>
<p>Why is Penzle's approach to multisite management so significant? Adaptability and real-time content updates are essential in today's digital world. Penzle's headless CMS architecture promotes real-time synchronization, ensuring content across all sites is consistent and up-to-date. By leveraging APIs, businesses can push content across various platforms rather than just websites, which increases reach and engagement.</p>
<p>Moreover, it streamlines the workflow, making the content management process more efficient and less cumbersome. It allows for content reusability, saving time and resources that would have been spent managing each site's content individually. It also reduces the complexities of handling different technologies and platforms in a multisite setup.</p>
<p>In conclusion, Penzle revolutionizes multisite content management by leveraging the power of headless CMS and robust APIs. Using it, you can manage multiple websites effectively because it promotes a flexible, scalable, and efficient content management system. Its importance resonates with the modern necessities of adaptability, consistency, and simplified workflows, making Penzle an exemplary choice for multisite configurations.</p>

Benefits of Multisite CMS in Modern Web Management

Discover the transformative power of multi-tenancy in software. Explore key architectures, understand their vital benefits, and see how it's innovatively reshaping today's CMS platforms.

Mastering Single-Tenant & Multi-Tenancy | Architectures, Benefits & Modern CMS Insights

Dive into the world of multi-tenancy! Explore its transformative impact on modern CMS platforms and how it's shaping the future of SaaS. 

Cloud-like digital environments represent a multi-tenant environment in the digital world.

<p>Let's imagine an apartment building. Each unit within the building is distinct, housing different families with unique decorations, preferences, and lifestyles. These units share the same foundational structure, plumbing, and electrical systems. In the world of software, this apartment building represents a multi-tenant system.</p>
<p>At its core, multitenancy is an architectural approach where a single instance of a software application serves multiple customers, known as tenants. Like the apartment building, each tenant has its own secure space but shares the same underlying infrastructure.</p>
<h2>Why Does Multi-Tenancy Matter?</h2>
<p>Businesses are constantly looking for ways to optimize operations and reduce costs in the digital age. SaaS providers significantly, can benefit from multi-tenancy. Multi-tenant architectures allow providers to serve multiple clients using a unified infrastructure, resulting in economies of scale and streamlined maintenance.</p>
<p>As a result of the ever-growing emphasis on sustainability, multitenancy stands out as a green option. We save costs and minimize our carbon footprint by maximizing resource use and reducing redundancy.</p>
<h2>History of Multi-Tenancy</h2>
<p>The roots of multi-tenancy can be traced back through the history of computing. As a concept, it is not a new invention but a refinement of decades-old ideas. Multi-tenancy was born in the 1960s, a period of innovation and breaking traditional boundaries.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/21c7a6a351794d20a7bcd88e65c70c35.jpg" alt="The image represents multi-tenancy in the 1960s; among the pioneers in this field were universities with powerful and expensive mainframe computers." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 1. Mainframe computers at pioneering universities use timesharing software to allow multiple users simultaneous access to computational resources.</em></p>
<p>Among the pioneers in this field were universities with powerful and expensive mainframe computers. Due to the need to maximize their computing investments, they developed timesharing software. In this type of solution, multiple users were able to access, utilize, and take advantage of the mainframe's capabilities simultaneously, essentially sharing the computational space and resources of the mainframe simultaneously.</p>
<p>It was this historical inception that laid the foundation for multi-tenant architecture. This early understanding of resource optimization and accessibility continues to drive and define multi-tenancy evolution in our modern technological world.</p>
<h2>Multi-Tenant vs. Single-Tenant: What Is the Difference?</h2>
<p>Two terminology phrases resound when navigating software architecture terminology: Single-Tenant and Multi-tenant. Both terms have pros and cons when it comes to the software application environment. Here's a brief explanation of these terms, and we'll discuss their meanings and implications.</p>
<h3>Single-Tenant Architecture: An Exclusive Allocation</h3>
<p>Single-tenant architecture epitomizes a model of exclusivity and dedicated resource allocation. There is a high degree of customization and security for each tenant because they operate in an isolated environment.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/ebfeb6cb1816494e91b48946f3490325.jpg" alt="Diagram illustrating the architecture of a single tenant environment, showcasing dedicated resources and isolated operational components." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 2. A diagram illustrating a single-tenant architecture.</em></p>
<p>Benefits of single-tenant:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Dedicated Resources: </strong>In a single-tenant environment, each customer (tenant) has a dedicated set of resources, including databases and servers. This ensures optimal performance and customization capabilities.</li>
<li><strong>Enhanced Security:</strong> With resources not being shared, the risk of data leakage or vulnerability is minimized, making it a preferred choice for organizations with stringent security requirements.</li>
<li><strong>Customizability:</strong> Single tenancy allows for extensive customization, enabling the tenant to tailor the application environment to meet specific needs and preferences.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Multi-Tenant Architecture: A Shared Resource Model</h3>
<p>A multi-tenant architecture, on the other hand, implies resource optimization and communal operations. This model allows tenants to share infrastructure components within a unified environment while maintaining individual operational autonomy.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/5542048bc9bb42518939e79c22540f7b.jpg" alt="Diagram depicting the architecture of a multi-tenant environment, highlighting shared resources and infrastructure among multiple tenants." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 3. </em><em style="text-align: center;">A diagram illustrating a multi-tenant architecture.</em></p>
<p>Benefits of multi-tenant:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Cost-Effectiveness: </strong>In a multi-tenant environment, the software provider can serve multiple tenants with a single instance of the application and supporting infrastructure, so the ongoing costs tend to be lower than those for a single-tenant arrangement (since tenants share the burden of software maintenance infrastructure, and data center operations). Typically, SaaS software is offered for a predictable subscription price on a monthly or annual basis based on the number of users, usage level, or data volume that can be managed in the application.</li>
<li><strong> Getting Customized without Coding:</strong> SaaS solutions allow tenants to customize applications to meet specific business needs easily, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming custom development.</li>
<li><strong>Continuous and Consistent Updates:</strong> The provider centrally manages updates and patches in a multi-tenant SaaS environment, seamlessly introducing new features or fixes. Unlike in single-tenant architectures, this streamlined approach spares customers from individual update hassles, where each instance must be updated separately.</li>
<li><strong>Enhanced Tenant Productivity:</strong> With no need to manage infrastructure or software, tenants can concentrate more on innovation and critical tasks, improving their productivity.</li>
<li><strong>Continuous Improvement:</strong> Updates and enhancements flow seamlessly, ensuring all tenants can access the latest features and improvements.</li>
<li><strong> Resource Optimization: </strong>The architecture maximizes resource utilization to ensure performance and efficiency.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Types of Multi-Tenant Architecture</h2>
<p>When you navigate the world of Multi-Tenant architecture, you'll find a variety of models, all designed to optimize resource efficiency, scalability, and performance in unique ways. The concept of Multi-Tenancy, which is a fundamental component of cloud computing and SaaS, manifests in many forms and has specific architectural features and strategic advantages. We'll explore the different types of Multi-Tenant architectures, unraveling their distinct characteristics.</p>
<h3>Shared Everything Architecture</h3>
<p>Every resource, from databases to user interfaces, is shared among tenants. All elements operate within a unified ecosystem that is intertwined and harmonious. There is no doubt that this architecture is highly efficient and cost-effective, but it requires detailed management to ensure data isolation and security, as well as the ability to isolate performance fluctuations.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/7f5279973163458ea5cf12c51a023788.jpg" alt="Diagram illustrating the 'Shared Everything Architecture' in a multi-tenant environment, emphasizing the complete sharing of resources, infrastructure, and components among various tenants." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 4. </em><em style="text-align: center;">A diagram illustrating a multi-tenant shared everything architecture.</em></p>
<h3>Shared Database, Separate Schemas</h3>
<p>A common database is shared among multiple tenants, but each tenant has its own schema. This solution offers a shared environment while retaining a sense of separation and customization. Scalability and performance are ensured by careful design, but easier maintenance and management are facilitated.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/d522ad052b454369a567d9ec3cce8242.jpg" alt="Diagram showcasing the 'Shared Database, Separate Schemas' multi-tenant architecture, highlighting a common database utilized by multiple tenants, each with a distinct schema for organized and isolated data management." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 5. </em><em style="text-align: center;">A diagram illustrating a multi-tenant&nbsp;<em>shared database, separate schemas </em>architecture.</em><em style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</em></p>
<h3>Separate Database, Shared Application</h3>
<p>Each tenant has its own database, while the application layer is shared. This model enhances data isolation and security, providing each tenant with a private database while maintaining a unified application structure for operational efficiency.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/a3337a66eb3b4cd2a2db2c33916f4638.jpg" alt="Diagram displaying the 'Separate Database, Shared Application' multi-tenant architecture, illustrating individual databases for each tenant while sharing a common application layer, emphasizing data isolation and unified application management." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 6. </em><em style="text-align: center;">A diagram illustrating a multi-tenant&nbsp;<em>shared&nbsp;<em>separate database, shared application</em>&nbsp;</em>architecture.</em><em style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</em></p>
<h3>Hybrid Models</h3>
<p>In hybrid models, various elements from all of the above architectures are combined to create a multi-tenancy environment tailored to each tenant's needs.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/586648d3bccd4e53aadb40b83c05650a.jpg" alt="Diagram representing the 'Hybrid Models' of multi-tenant architecture, showcasing a fusion of various architectural elements to create a customized, adaptable, and efficient multi-tenancy environment." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 7. </em><em style="text-align: center;">A diagram illustrating a multi-tenant&nbsp;<em><em>hybrid model</em>&nbsp;</em>architecture.</em><em style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</em></p>
<h2>Transforming CMS Platforms into SaaS through Multi-Tenancy</h2>
<p>Software as a Service (SaaS) has revolutionized Content Management Systems (CMS) through multi-tenancy, a fundamental aspect of the dynamic evolution of CMS. Historically, CMS platforms were ensconced in monolithic architectures, bounded by single-tenancy limitations, which hindered their adaptability and scalability in a cloud-based environment.</p>
<h3>Limitations of traditional content management systems in the past</h3>
<p>In the traditional landscape, CMS platforms were predominantly standalone, requiring dedicated resources and infrastructures. Hardware and software investments were significant, and the operational overhead was high. Due to their rigidity, these systems are difficult to adapt to evolving business demands, limiting the agility and flexibility of organizations.</p>
<h3>The Multi-Tenant Revolution</h3>
<p>CMS platforms now offer unprecedented flexibility, scalability, and accessibility thanks to multi-tenancy. Using multi-tenancy, multiple users or organizations could securely interact in a single digital environment. This architectural innovation enabled CMS platforms to surpass the constraints of traditional models, taking advantage of the benefits and efficiencies of the SaaS model.</p>
<h3>CMS in the SaaS Era</h3>
<p>With multi-tenancy at its core, CMS platforms could be transformed into SaaS offerings, representing a model of accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and dynamic scalability. Organizations could utilize CMS as a service, eliminating the complexities of managing dedicated infrastructures and enabling a focus on core business functions. This transformation indicated a new era of CMS utilization, characterized by improved user experiences, streamlined operations, and adaptive digital environments.</p>
<h2>Penzle Multi-Tenant Management: A Revolutionized Approach</h2>
<p>Penzle's design principles combine with multitenancy principles in a landscape where innovation and adaptability are crucial. Penzle brings a transformative approach to content management through this approach, leveraging multitenancy to improve functionality, scalability, and user experience.</p>
<p>By employing database isolation (separate database for each tenant) in its multi-tenant architecture, Penzle stands out when it comes to data security and integrity. With this strategic implementation, tenants' data remains isolated and secure, enhancing overall system reliability and trustworthiness while preventing potential vulnerabilities.</p>
<p>Penzle's multi-tenancy architecture allows multiple users to share infrastructure and code, enhancing efficiency and flexibility. Each digital experience can operate within its own secure, customized environment and host a wide range of content projects simultaneously. Besides optimizing resource utilization, this enhances the ability to implement updates and enhancements centrally, reducing operational costs and ensuring consistency.</p>
<p>An integrated platform ensures consistency and easy access to content across multiple channels. Scalability is also improved, allowing the platform to handle changes in demand and user base without compromising performance or stability.</p>
<h3>Feature Spotlight: Penzle's Project Environment Facilitating Multi-Tenancy</h3>
<p>One of the remarkable features that Penzle brings to the forefront of multi-tenancy is its innovative "Project" environment. It demonstrates Penzle's commitment to providing a robust and flexible multi-tenant architecture. With a "Project" environment, you can run multiple projects or teams within the same account in their own isolated world.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/1f35d139f969420ea57f27e4f7ea4abd.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application, Word" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 8. </em><em style="text-align: center;">Image displaying the multi-tenant dashboard in Penzle.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p>"Projects" are universes of their own, containing content, assets, and configurations tailored to meet a team or project's specific needs and objectives. This separation ensures that each tenant's data and content remain secure and uncompromised, maintaining the integrity of the multi-tenant architecture. In addition, each "Project" can be configured and managed according to individual preferences and requirements.</p>
<p>The role assignment feature in a multi-tenant architecture is essential in orchestrating security and harmonization. Regarding multi-tenancy and workflow customization, it is a crucial tool for delineating responsibilities and access. By meticulously assigning roles, it ensures that each user or team interacts with the system in a manner that aligns with their responsibilities and expertise.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/7f290ef3fb0e448ba15a0e95ea938bcb.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, text, application, email" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">Figure 9. </em><em style="text-align: center;">Image displaying the role assignment feature in Penzle.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p>Using access control based on a user's role will not only improve the security of the project by limiting access based on user characteristics but will also foster a more organized and efficient workflow, ensuring that all aspects of the project are managed and executed by the most qualified individuals. Therefore, role assignment guides a symphony of multi-tenancy to efficiency, security, and excellence through its conductor.</p>

Diving Deep into Multi-Tenancy Benefits, Architectures & CMS Impact

Discover the ACID principles that make online transactions secure and reliable. From Atomicity to Durability, learn how Penzle System ensures each click counts in your financial transfers.

Unlock the Secrets of Secure Online Transactions with ACID - Penzle System

<p>Ever been caught in the suspenseful moment of making an online payment and the internet blatantly bails on you? The dilemma of 'Did it, didn't it?' sounds familiar, doesn't it? We're cutting through the jargon and diving deep into the pulse of online transactions. Let's unravel what makes our digital world spin flawlessly.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/b7838dca0da5430b931e96b05bf26f0b.jpeg" alt="a red and white puzzle" width="3790" height="2868" /></p>
<h2>The Slippery Concept of a Transaction</h2>
<p>Let's begin with the basics. What is a transaction exactly? In its simplest sense, it's just a sequence of operations executed as a single unit, just like making a sandwich. You can't just slap some mayo on bread and call it a day; you must add lettuce, turkey, and cheese to complete it. Similarly, in the digital space, a transaction would, by definition, be a set of steps or activities, all of which must happen for it to be considered 'done.'</p>
<p>Have you ever found yourself mid-way transferring money from savings to checking and wondered what happens when things go wrong?</p>
<p>Visualize this - you're shifting cash around in your accounts. A sequence of events unfolds. Verifying sufficient funds in savings, then decreasing those reserves. Simultaneously, your checking account swells.</p>
<p>But let's pause. What happens if a hiccup occurs in this process? Ideally, the transaction should reverse. Pretend it was a mirage, never materialized. Here, the term 'transaction' begins to appear 'slippery.' It's not merely about undertaking actions but ensuring a complete success or a coherent failure.</p>
<h2>The Meaning of ACID</h2>
<p>ACID isn't as scary as it sounds. It's just four principles that keep your transactions ticking over smoothly. Let me break it down.</p>
<p>Atomicity: It's all or nothing, like Mercedes: "The Best Or Nothing". Transactions are only successful if every operation goes to plan. One hiccup? The whole transaction quits.</p>
<p>Consistency: A little like a brilliant cleaner, this principle ensures databases transition from one spick-and-span state to another.</p>
<p>Isolation: Everyone needs their space. Transactions are no exception. They run concurrently, without any interference.</p>
<p>Durability: This is the keeper of promises. A committed transaction is always committed, no matter how many systems fail or go under.</p>
<p>Now that you've unlocked the code of ACID, dare you apply it to your tech solutions with Penzle.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/4823014bda5d4b26b9785132a6a4fba7.png" alt="diagram" /></p>
<h2>Sleep Easy with Online Transactions</h2>
<p>Have you ever had a heart-thumping moment during an online money transfer? Here's why ACID has your back: Moving from one account to another? Point A to Point B - no halfway houses. That's Atomicity.</p>
<p>Are you worried about your account balance teetering off point? ACID keeps the digital scales balanced - before and after the transaction. That's Consistency.</p>
<p>A queue of transactions? No jostling allowed. Each deal has its VIP lane. Say hello to Isolation. A system crash at the bank? Your money doesn't vanish into a digital black hole. It's secured with Durability.</p>
<p>Your transactions are safe even if the system takes a nosedive. Isn't it time you slept better knowing ACID has your back which core of Penzle System?</p>
<h2>For the end</h2>
<p>Behind every button click online, a symphony of ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) works tirelessly. Mind-boggling? Perhaps.</p>
<p>But fear not - ACID transforms this digital labyrinth into a walk in the park. Think of it the next time you breeze through an online transaction, savoring the smoothness.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/e19b1cc68fda4f71a5802b1a31ac16ac.jpg" alt="a child in a shopping cart" /></p>
<p>Have you ever wondered who's got your back when transferring money online? That's ACID, making each click count. Quite the unsung hero, right?</p>
<p>Ready to dive deep into the ACID magic? Turn slippery concepts into hard facts and unravel the mystery. You're just a click away!</p>
<p>Cheers! 👋</p>

Ever been caught in the suspenseful moment of making an online payment and the internet blatantly bails on you? The dilemma of ‘Did it, didn’t it?’ sounds familiar, doesn’t it? We’re cutting through the jargon and diving deep into the pulse of online transactions.

Understanding ACID and Transaction Complexity

Penzle v2 introduces a series of transformative innovations that will allow you to take advantage of the future of content management. From AI-driven insights to real-time visual editing, Penzle v2 paves the way for better content management.

Experience advanced content management with Penzle v2

Penzle v2 transforms your CMS experience, offering live edits, smarter AI, and seamless integrations.

<p>In this article, we will take a closer look at Penzle V2, which is shown in the short video below.</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hF6uibHSMcg?si=kV-2hN-lTtH4dHEp" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>It's a necessity to have a content management system (CMS) that's agile and dynamic in today's digital age. Penzle is a platform designed for creators, innovators, and visionaries in the digital world.</p>
<p>The core of Penzle is more than just a content management system. This powerful platform enables businesses of all sizes to create, manage, and deploy content across multiple digital channels seamlessly. Whether you're looking to populate a website, a mobile application, or even a virtual reality space, Penzle offers a variety of tools and flexibility.</p>
<p>But why does this matter? Businesses today must be agile enough to react quickly to changes, optimize content for different audiences, and ensure consistent brand presence across all touchpoints in the fast-paced digital landscape. The traditional CMS platforms, which often rely on rigid templates and structures, absolutely cannot keep up. With Penzle, these chains are broken, providing a dynamic, API-first approach that makes modern digital strategies easier to implement.</p>
<p>Having a CMS that can adapt and serve the diverse needs of your organization is critical as we move toward a more interconnected world where any device, platform, and interface can serve content.</p>
<p>Penzle is more than just content management; it's about future-proofing your content strategy and staying ahead of the curve.</p>
<h2><strong>A Quick Recap of </strong><strong>Penzle v1</strong></h2>
<p>In the beginning, Penzle changed the way we thought about content management systems at the time it was launched. A key feature of the platform was its flexibility, interoperability, and ease of use for both content creators and developers. The following are some key features of the original version that made it stand out:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong>API-first Design</strong>: Allowing for more integrations and a seamless connection between various digital platforms.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Flexible Content Modelling</strong>: Allows users to shape their content without using traditional templates.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Multi-Platform Distribution</strong>: We ensured that the content looked great on any platform whether it was a website, a mobile app, or another digital platform.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Efficient Workflow Management</strong>: A variety of features were available to facilitate the creation, review, and publication of content to help teams collaborate efficiently.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>As to be expected, there was always room for improvement, and Penzle v2 was born due to feedback received from our loyal user base and the ever-evolving digital landscape.</p>
<h2>What's New in Penzle v2?</h2>
<p>Taking advantage of the robust foundation that Penzle v1 laid out, Penzle v2 introduces a series of new features that take content management to the next level.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong>Entry-Level Permissions</strong>: In version 2, you can tailor access control for every individual piece of content, so as to ensure that the right people have the right permissions at every stage of content creation and editing, whether it is a simple or complex project.<br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/05404f7009754c00a294776196a677a1.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" /></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Visual Editor:</strong> You can watch your content evolve in real time, making on-page edits and seeing them reflect instantly, no matter any web technology you use. Plus, our SDK for live updates is now open-source! Dive in, review, and contribute to its growth on <a href="https://github.com/Penzle/Penzle.Visual-Editor">GitHub</a>.<br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/79fbfcb2378745b593bb2d53c8bee2dd.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, text, application" /></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>AI Capabilities</strong>: The power of artificial intelligence enables you to increase the effectiveness of your content with a range of features, including deeper insights that help you better understand your audience, as well as auto-tagging tools that organize your content efficiently.<br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/3187cea3e78342ed92e810c988bc8193.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" /></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Enhanced Web Hooks</strong>: <br />Amplify your workflows with improved integration and automation capabilities. Through our enhanced web hooks, you can seamlessly integrate third-party tools and automate routine tasks.<br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/6f876158225440bf81aace48b5a2b518.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" /></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>There is no doubt that digital is going to become a more complex place as time goes on. The challenge is to guide businesses through the challenges of managing content with ease. It is more than just creating content; it is creating smart, efficient, and effective content strategies.</p>
<h2><strong>A seamless transition from Penzle v1 to v2</strong></h2>
<p>It is not surprising that content management is ever-evolving, with innovations and upgrades constantly striving to make our digital experiences more efficient, seamless, and smart. In light of Penzle's transition from version 1 to version 2, users may naturally be concerned about migrating their content, tools, and integrations.</p>
<p>The good news?</p>
<p>The transition promises to be seamless, thanks to thoughtful design and careful planning. Here's a comprehensive guide to migrating from Penzle v1 to v2.</p>
<h3><strong>API Consistency</strong></h3>
<p>For those of you who are concerned about integrations, adjustments, and overhauls, we are pleased to let you know that there is no need to worry. There is one of the biggest advantages to moving to Penzle version 2 that the API remains the same. Therefore, all the connections, the third party tools and custom setups you had incorporated with v1 will remain intact and operational. It does not require a complete re-configuration, which can save both time and frustration.</p>
<h2><strong>Cloud-Based Migration</strong></h2>
<p>In the traditional IT landscape, migration is often associated with extensive downloads, uploads, manual data transfers, as well as the possibility of downtime. With Penzle v2, that's a story of the past. The migration process has been designed cloud-first, ensuring that all the heavy lifting happens behind the scenes, in the cloud.</p>
<p>What does this mean for you?</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong>No Downtime: </strong>As the cloud-based migration is handled by us, you can be sure that your platforms, whether they are websites, apps, or other digital platforms, will remain up and running without interruption. This will ensure that your audiences do not experience any interruption.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Data Integrity: </strong>As the migration occurs in the cloud, there doesn't need to be any concern about data loss or corruption as every piece of content, every tag and every image remain exactly as they were when they were added to the platform.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Scalability: </strong>Migrations to the cloud are inherently scalable, and regardless of whether you're a small business with limited content or an enterprise with a vast library of content, the migration process scales and is therefore efficient at all levels no matter how many users you have.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Embracing the New</strong></h2>
<p>The core API of Penzle v2 remains unchanged, but there are now many new features you should familiarize yourself with. In order to improve your content strategy, it is crucial to understand and take advantage of these new features, whether they are the enhanced AI capabilities, entry-level permissions, or live updates.</p>
<h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<p>As digital content management continues to evolve, staying on top of the curve is something that is paramount. With our transition from version 1 to version 2, Penzle is more than an upgrade; it is a testament to our commitment to ensuring our users have access to the best tools possible.</p>
<p>Through the seamless integration of an unchanged API and the innovative approach of cloud-based migration, the shift is designed to make users' lives easier and more efficient. This is an exciting time for content managers, because for the first time, they will be able to embark on a new path that not only respects the work they have done in the past, but also empowers them moving forward. With Penzle v2, the world of content management is expansive, promising, and undeniably exciting.</p>

Experience next-level content management with Penzle v2. Explore live updates, smarter AI insights, and more in our latest edition.

Discover the Power of Penzle v2 Innovations

Dive deep into the comprehensive analysis of hidden expenses in Headless CMS implementations. Explore unforeseen costs like third-party applications, integration, maintenance, and scalability to make a well-informed decision for your project’s success. 

Unlocking the True Costs of Headless CMS and Strategies for an Informed Investment

Explore the obscured costs of implementing a headless CMS, revealing what vendors often omit. As a result, you can make an informed decision based on considerations ranging from integration to scalability.

<p>A headless CMS has become one of the most popular architectures for modern applications. There are numerous benefits to using a headless CMS, like decreased development time, improved scalability, and flexibility of content delivery, but like so many technologies, these benefits come with a cost - both in money and time invested upfront. The initial cost of each Headless CMS may seem very affordable initially, but the costs can become very high over some time. In this blog post, I will highlight key points around these costs so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not this type of solution is right for your project. There are several potential hidden costs associated with using a headless CMS that current vendors are not talking about:</p>
<h2>Third-party application</h2>
<p>When it comes to website building, mapping out your requirements and factoring in third-party integrations is essential. Conversely, when designing bespoke software, including external services may not be necessary at all.</p>
<p>Behind a website's scenes, multiple small components need to be considered for it to offer an engaging experience. Content from CMSs must work together with other modules that create polished digital experiences and contribute towards business success.</p>
<p>If you want to create a successful website, you will need more than just a great landing page. To convert visitors into leads and leads into customers, you will need an effective strategy. There are many different strategies available for converting potential customers into loyal customers, the marketing funnel is one such example of a strategy that will help to convert potential customers into loyal customers:</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/d6aafead6fc14d3ca7bec2846ec1a53d.jpg" alt="Headless CMS marketing-funnel diagram." /></p>
<p>The marketing funnel consists of the following steps:</p>
<ol>
<li>As a first step, strangers will come to your website from search engines (such as Google), social media, paid advertisements, or offline marketing in an effort to find out more about your business.</li>
<li>Strangers become anonymous visitors when they visit your website.</li>
<li>A lead is created when a website visitor registers their contact information.</li>
<li>Whenever a lead submits a purchase order, you close the deal and they become customers.</li>
</ol>
<p>For those steps to be successful, you will also need to include additional components such as:</p>
<ol>
<li>You will be able to pull relevant content directly from the CMS when a visitor visits your website. A successful website must attract and engage more visitors. Adding a personalization module is a great way to give your users the option to view personalized content, which can significantly boost conversions. According to research, personalization drives 10 to 15 percent of revenue.</li>
<li>To ensure that your website collects valuable information about your visitors, you will need to set up a form module that will enable you to capture their contact information. Contact information should be saved into a CRM lead database for future use. With access to this detailed lead database, you will be able to build relationships easily over time.</li>
<li>Delivering a warm thank you after someone submits your form is an easy and effective way to stay in touch with potential leads. Utilize effective campaigns to maintain relationships with leads in your database. A good email campaign management strategy can help you stay in touch with your leads. You will need an effective module to manage email campaigns and autoresponder emails.</li>
</ol>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/20ff71d10e5c48d2a50a08946c67c233.jpg" alt="Diagram of hidden costs of Headless CMS with supported modules." /></p>
<p>As a result of this process, a headless CMS will be used to deliver content to your website. It is important to note that the headless CMS does not include follow-up modules. You might not be able to handle all of those steps at the beginning of your digital journey, but over time, you will need to support your marketing team for your company to succeed.</p>
<p>It is important to note that you will also need to include an additional cost for personalization, form module, CRM, and email management module as part of your headless CMS license.</p>
<h2>Integration costs</h2>
<p>You will need to invest in integration efforts if you plan to use a headless CMS along with other systems, such as a customer relationship management (CRM) or an email marketing system, to ensure that all of these systems work together seamlessly.</p>
<p>Several factors can affect the integration cost, including the complexity of the integration and the number of integrations required. The process of integrating a headless CMS into an existing website or application can be complex and involve several stages, which include:</p>
<ol>
<li>Configuring the headless CMS to meet the project's specific requirements.</li>
<li>Integrating the headless CMS with the frontend of the website or application may involve using APIs or other integration technologies.</li>
<li>Content migration between systems, if necessary.</li>
<li>Testing the integration to ensure that it is working as expected. The cost of integrating a third-party system can be influenced by the level of support and assistance the third-party vendor provides and the availability of resources to handle the integration process. In general, it is a good idea to carefully consider the integration costs of a headless CMS before deciding to use one, as they can significantly impact the overall cost of a project.</li>
</ol>
<p>The cost of integrating a third-party system can be influenced by the level of support and assistance the third-party vendor provides and the availability of resources to handle the integration process. In general, it is a good idea to carefully consider the integration costs of a headless CMS before deciding to use one, as they can significantly impact the overall cost of a project.</p>
<h2>Training costs</h2>
<p>In order to integrate with an additional system, your team may need to invest time and resources in learning how to use it effectively. This can involve training costs for both developers and content creators. When estimating training costs, you should consider the following factors:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Time</strong>: How much time will it take to learn and become proficient in using the system? Several factors may affect this, such as the complexity of the system, your team's existing technical skills and experience, and the availability of training resources.</li>
<li><strong>Resources</strong>: What are the resources you will need to learn the system? Depending on the CMS vendor, training courses, documentation, and support services may be available to all users.</li>
<li><strong>Opportunity cost</strong>: What are the financial costs associated with not using the system while your team learns it? The costs associated with this could include lost revenue, missed opportunities in the business world, or the cost of using alternative solutions in the interim.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Maintenance and support costs</h2>
<p>As with any software system, your application will require ongoing maintenance and support to ensure it continues to function properly and meet your organization's needs.</p>
<p>In most cases, a headless CMS will require you to run your application in a different environment that consumes the content from the headless CMS. As your project evolves, you may need to invest in additional development resources to ensure that the application is maintained and updated as well as the hosting environment of your application. That can involve costs for bug fixes, updates, and other support services.</p>
<p>Some vendors offer maintenance support, including things like fixes, security updates, and technical support. The cost of vendor support should be included in the overall maintenance cost.</p>
<h2>Scalability costs</h2>
<p>The scalability costs will depend on the specific product you are using and the size and complexity of your project. If you need to handle a large volume of traffic or data, you need to scale the hosting environment of your application and headless CMS. Generally speaking, if you are using a cloud-based headless CMS, it is common that all cloud providers have data and traffic limits, which means that you will need to upgrade your vendor subscription in order to operate the system. As you look at each vendor's website, you will notice that they each have a data and traffic limitations, and you will need to calculate the cost of upgrading your license based on how your business grows.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/1ea62c5eeb644356ba3149a7832c3943.jpg" alt="Headless CMS price comparison." /></p>
<p>Overall, the cost should be calculated based on the application and vendor license scaling, which will support the amount of traffic or data you need.</p>
<p>You may also need to invest in additional resources if your project scales as you will be required to maintain and update your application and integrate the headless CMS with other systems or APIs as your project grows.</p>
<h2>How Penzle solves headless CMS challenges</h2>
<p>The Penzle platform is designed to address the challenges and hidden costs associated with traditional headless CMS, making it an efficient and cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. As we explore Penzle's solutions in this section, we will take a look at how it solves the challenges outlined in the article.</p>
<h3>Third-party application</h3>
<p>Penzle is designed to be a one-stop solution for businesses looking to streamline their content management processes and reduce the need for additional third-party applications. To achieve this goal, Penzle provides users with several features and tools to manage and organize their content efficiently, minimizing the need to rely on additional resources or external services.</p>
<p>Among Penzle's many strengths is its wide array of built-in business-critical modules, such as <a href="/products/marketing-and-promotions">marketing</a>, <a href="/products/forms" target="_self">forms</a>, and <a href="/products/marketing-and-promotions#38ea68b0-b067-4a9c-b01f-23d5a01b21f3" target="_self">CRM</a>, which constitute one of its critical assets. Several of the modules are designed to provide businesses with the flexibility and scalability they need to grow their customer base and improve their company's bottom line.<br /><br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/a012cad6da05414197160b71a4b41197.jpg" alt="Headless CMS marketing modules, email marketing and CRM." /></p>
<h3>Integration costs</h3>
<p>Integration costs are addressed through its API-first architecture, allowing easy integration with other systems and platforms. In this way, it is possible to reduce the costs involved in connecting the CMS to other systems and simplify the overall workflow of the system by eliminating the need for additional development resources.</p>
<p>Penzle also offers a variety of official and community-driven SDKs and integrations with other technologies, such as .NET, React, Angular and more, which can be used to easily connect the CMS to other systems, reducing the need for third-party applications.</p>
<p>Additionally, the platform is equipped with a webhooks feature that allows developers to subscribe to specific events and be notified whenever they occur, making it possible for them to trigger specific actions in other systems, reducing the need for additional development resources on their side.</p>
<h3>Training costs</h3>
<p>Throughout the platform's development, accessibility guidelines and the platform's user-friendliness were considered, reducing the need for extensive training.</p>
<p>With its comprehensive documentation, developer portal, video tutorials, and API-first architecture, the platform makes it easy for developers and other users to learn and understand how it works.</p>
<p>Due to the API-first architecture, the platform is familiar to many developers and is easy to use for front-end developers, reducing the need for extensive training on the platform.</p>
<p>As an added benefit, the platform offers a variety of training options that can be customized according to a company's specific needs, making it an excellent cost-effective solution for businesses that want to manage their content without incurring considerable training expenses.</p>
<h3>Maintenance and support costs</h3>
<p>Considering that the platform is built on a modern architecture, it ensures that it is constantly updated and improved by the Penzle team, so you will never have to worry about the maintenance of the platform itself.</p>
<p>It is important to note that the platform provides multiple support options to assist users with any issues or questions. Penzle also offers a variety of support options, including email and phone support, which are available 24/7, and a dedicated customer success manager for enterprise customers.</p>
<p>In this way, Penzle can be viewed as a cost-effective solution for businesses that are looking for a way to manage their content and ensure that their websites or applications function properly.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Overall, while a headless CMS has the potential to offer many benefits, one important thing to remember is that there may be hidden costs that can result in a project's total cost being higher than initially anticipated.</p>
<p>It is important to note that these costs may include costs such as third-party applications, or development , integration , maintenance , training , and scalability costs.</p>
<p>Knowing these costs will help you decide whether a headless CMS is right for your project and which vendor offers the best value. Taking into account these costs and ensuring that you have a solid strategy in place to manage them is the key to ensure the success of your headless CMS project.</p>
<p>If you are having trouble finding a headless CMS that is right for your organization, Penzle can help.</p>

Uncovering the True Cost of a Headless CMS: What Vendors Aren’t Telling You

Unravel the distinctions between coupled, decoupled, and headless CMS architectures. Learn about their strengths and differences, and discover why Penzle might be the perfect headless solution for your brand's digital strategy.

Coupled, Decoupled, or Headless CMS? Navigating Your Best Fit

a computer screen with a keyboard and mouse on it

Navigating the CMS Landscape – Coupled, Decoupled, or Headless CMS?

In the ever-changing digital realm, businesses today face the decision of selecting between coupled, decoupled, or headless CMS systems. Dive deep into the intricacies of each, weighing their benefits and challenges. 

<p>In today's ever-evolving digital landscape, one of the decisions many businesses are grappling with is choosing a coupled, decoupled, or headless content management system (CMS).</p>
<p>While these all facilitate managing content and information on websites, there can be a range of usability tradeoffs that companies must consider before determining which solution is right for them and how CMS will support your business goals now and in the future.</p>
<p>Before making a decision, it is important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of coupled, decoupled, and headless architectures.</p>
<h2>What is a Coupled CMS?</h2>
<p>A coupled CMS combines the backend and frontend into a single application. You will find the CMS code, the content repository, the backend editor interface, and your custom code all bundled together.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/3010da2b9e904a5f91fc5c3cbc1b9aa4.jpg" alt="Diagram showcasing the architecture of a coupled CMS, where content management and content presentation are tightly integrated." /></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30px; font-family: Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); letter-spacing: 0.3px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Figure 1. Diagram illustrating the architecture of a coupled CMS.</em></p>
<p><strong>This architecture is used by most traditional CMSs.</strong></p>
<p>Here are some pros and cons of using a coupled CMS:</p>
<p><strong> Pros </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Simplicity </strong><br />Both the frontend and backend are integrated, so there's only one environment to manage.</li>
<li><strong>Efficiency </strong><br />The built-in themes and templates make it easy to add new landing pages.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cons </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Omnichannel</strong><br /> Limited content types and delivery channels.</li>
<li><strong>Frameworks </strong><br />A programming framework is limited to one.</li>
<li><strong>Security </strong><br />A public server exposes CMS code, which increases security&nbsp;risks.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Use Cases that cannot be covered by a Coupled CMS</h3>
<p>Many modern applications and channels cannot get the data they need from a traditional content management system. <br />The following use cases require either bespoke solutions or a headless CMS:</p>
<ul>
<li>Native Mobile Apps (iOS, Android)</li>
<li>Delivering the same content to a website and an application from the same source (omnichannel/multichannel)</li>
<li>Voice apps</li>
<li>AR applications</li>
<li>VR applications</li>
<li>Choosing the frontend first and the CMS second. In the case of using a new Javascript framework (Vue.js, React), you would have a difficult time adapting a traditional CMS in order to make it work in your situation.</li>
<li>Static website generators (e.g. Gatsby, Hugo, Jekyll, Middleman)</li>
<li>Improve product information on eCommerce sites</li>
</ul>
<h2>What is a Decoupled CMS?</h2>
<p>Decoupled CMS decouples or separates the backend and frontend into two systems. The backend app allows content creators to create and manage content independently. At the same time, the fronted system consumes data via an application programming interface (API). By consuming data via API, it is possible to customize any frontend framework and deliver content to any device or channel. The front-end and backend are hosted and maintained separately.</p>
<p>While the frontend and backend work independently, the frontend is predetermined with a specific delivery environment (such as .Net or Angular). It is important to note that these two systems are closely linked and can function as one.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/66d26f0292b343619aa395230aa04013.jpg" alt="Diagram illustrating the architecture of a decoupled CMS, highlighting the distinct content management backend and the content delivery frontend." /></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30px; font-family: Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); letter-spacing: 0.3px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Figure 2. Diagram illustrating the architecture of a decoupled CMS.</em></p>
<p>Here are some pros and cons of using a decoupled CMS:</p>
<p><strong> Pros </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Security</strong><br /> Separation of front-end code from the CMS.</li>
<li><strong>Flexibility</strong><em> </em><br /> It is possible to deliver content using a specific delivery environment.</li>
<li><strong>Integration </strong><br />New technologies are easily integrated. </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong> Complexity </strong><br />Frontend and backend are decoupled. Maintaining two systems independently requires more skills.</li>
<li><strong>Customization  </strong><br />Design work requires front-end development.</li>
</ul>
<h2>What is a Headless CMS?</h2>
<p>A headless CMS separates back-end content management from front-end templating and design. The presentation layer is more flexible as it eliminates the front-end part. An application programming interface (API) is used by a headless CMS to deliver the content, allowing it to be accessed and displayed by any device or platform.</p>
<p>As a result, the content can be easily repurposed and displayed in various formats without being tied to any particular presentation layer. By using a headless CMS, businesses are able to revolutionize their digital presence by launching fresh content more quickly and effectively. Staying ahead of the competition is made possible by this innovative approach.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/ff7b5c43aa304f51a0cf792e8d238daa.jpg" alt="Diagram illustrating the architecture of a headless CMS, showing the separation of content management from content presentation." /></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30px; font-family: Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); letter-spacing: 0.3px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Figure 3. Diagram illustrating the architecture of a headless CMS.</em></p>
<p>Here are some pros and cons of using a headless CMS:</p>
<p><strong>Pros </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Flexible frontend</strong><em> </em><br />Any technology can be used for any platform, whether it be for native apps, VR, IoT, IoT-based devices, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Flexible staff</strong><em> </em><br /> Your goal is to hire the most talented developers possible. You don't need to learn a prehistoric template language just to manage your content. Regardless of the language stack your team chooses, you can work with it.</li>
<li><strong>API consistency</strong><em> </em><br />Content creation for each platform can be complex and time-consuming. With a single, unified API, you can significantly reduce overhead and development operations, making accessing content easy and affordable.</li>
<li><strong>Reliability separation</strong><br /> The separation of the presentation layer from the CMS code is clearly defined, without having to interfere with any CMS code.</li>
<li><strong>Scalability and security</strong><br /> It provides high levels of security and a greater degree of scalability.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cons </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Cost of development</strong><em> </em><br />There may be limitations for marketers since they may need to rely on developers for scenarios like building landing pages with custom layouts.</li>
<li><strong>Content Preview</strong><br /> In-page editing and live previews are difficult to see without significant development assistance.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Which One to Choose?</h2>
<p>When choosing the right CMS, you should focus on understanding its features, consider the changing digital landscape, and prepare your business for the future. As you can imagine, many options are available these days, so why would a Headless CMS be the better choice for so many people?</p>
<h4>Technical Resources and Expertise</h4>
<ul>
<li>Coupled CMS: Suitable for conventional websites that do not require complex integrations.</li>
<li>Headless CMS: Optimized for forward-thinking teams and supported by modern frameworks, this CMS stands out for its pure flexibility.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Future Scalability Requirements</h4>
<ul>
<li>Coupled CMS: For entities that plan to establish a steady digital presence.</li>
<li>Headless CMS: This approach excels for brands with rapid growth forecasts and platform diversifications, helping them adapt quickly to new digital developments.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Content Delivery Channels</h4>
<ul>
<li>Coupled CMS: Best for websites that focus on a single channel.</li>
<li>Headless CMS: Can serve content across websites, apps, IoT devices, and other platforms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Here are a few reasons why headless CMS is often a better option</h3>
<ol>
<li><strong>Unprecedented Flexibility</strong>: A headless CMS allows developers to use any framework or technology, ensuring your brand stays current with the latest technology.</li>
<li><strong>Omnichannel Ready</strong>: A headless CMS enables brands to deliver content consistently across multiple devices and platforms.</li>
<li><strong>Future-Proofing Your Business</strong>: A headless CMS makes pivoting to new digital strategies or channels considerably easier since the presentation layer is uncoupled.</li>
<li><strong> Enhanced Performance</strong>: Without the overhead of a predefined frontend, websites and apps can be optimized for speed, improving user experience and SEO.</li>
<li><strong>Hybrid Possibilities</strong>: Some Modern Headless CMS platforms offer hybrid capabilities, allowing for traditional content previews when required, blending the best of both worlds.</li>
</ol>
<h2>Why Choose Penzle as Your Headless CMS?</h2>
<p>Many headless CMSs are on the market today, but Penzle has managed to carve a niche among them. What makes Penzle different from others? Let's dig into the core advantages and reasons why you could be your CMS of choice.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Intuitive User Interface:</strong> With Penzle, you do not have to struggle with long learning curves as it offers a smooth, intuitive interface that supports multiple admin themes and complies with accessibility standards.</li>
<li><strong>Scalability:</strong> The Penzle infrastructure is designed to be scalable, irrespective of whether you are a startup looking to grow or a large enterprise seeking to expand your digital footprint.</li>
<li><strong>Seamless Integrations:</strong> The Penzle architecture supports seamless integration with various tools, platforms, and languages, including eCommerce platforms and analytics services.</li>
<li><strong>Robust APIs:</strong> To ensure seamless content delivery and management, Penzle excels in offering comprehensive APIs that provide content delivery and management as seamlessly as possible. One of the major strengths of a headless CMS is its API-first approach. Our robust APIs are well documented and are known for being one of the industry's best management APIs, allowing your engineering team to organize and manage even the most complex digital ecosystems. Every step of the creation process will be backed by straightforward resources and support that will guide your developers.</li>
<li><strong>Future-Proof:</strong> The Penzle platform is constantly updated with the latest digital trends, so adopting the platform is more than just meeting present needs; it's also about securing your future digital endeavors.</li>
<li><strong>Affordable Pricing &amp; Transparent Costs:&nbsp;</strong>Our platform supports self-hosting with unlimited users, entries, and more -&nbsp;<span style="color: #0e101a; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">entirely&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #0e101a; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true">free, forever. Those interested in SaaS can use Penzle's affordable pricing and free extensions, which enhance marketing and form functionality. Are you concerned about hidden costs? We have you covered. Read our blog "The Hidden Costs of Headless CMS" to discover more.</span></li>
<li><strong style="color: #0e101a; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Security &amp; Compliance</strong><span style="color: #0e101a; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true">: Our regular audits, GDPR compliance, and advanced security measures ensure the safety and security of your content and data.</span></li>
</ol>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Today, businesses must choose the right Content Management System (CMS) to align their current and future goals. Whether it's a coupled, decoupled, or headless CMS, each has unique advantages and challenges.</p>
<p>While the coupled CMS offers simplicity and efficiency, it has limitations in catering to modern digital requirements. The decoupled CMS provides flexibility but requires skills in managing separate systems. The headless CMS stands out for its extreme flexibility, making it a favorite for brands anticipating rapid growth and diversification in their digital channels.</p>
<p>However, the right choice ultimately boils down to understanding a business's specific needs, technical resources, scalability requirements, and content delivery preferences. For those leaning toward a headless CMS, Penzle emerges as a standout option, given its intuitive interface, scalability, seamless integrations, and commitment to security and future developments. Regardless of the path businesses choose, they must make a strategic and forward-looking decision, ensuring they meet today's needs and tomorrow's.</p>

Coupled, decoupled, or headless?

Explore what a headless CMS is, its unique architecture, and the pros and cons of adopting it. Discover how businesses can leverage its power to build a flexible, future-proof digital presence.

Understanding Headless CMS: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Why It's the Future

What is a Headless CMS?

Explore the transformational shift from traditional CMS to the dynamic world of Headless CMS. Find out what it offers, how it stands apart from the competition, and why businesses implement it to create a seamless digital presence. 

<p>In today's world of content management, the Headless Content Management System known as Headless CMS stands out as a modern approach, diverging from traditional CMS. But what exactly is it? Read on to learn more!</p>
<h2>What is a Headless CMS?</h2>
<p>A headless CMS separates back-end content management from front-end templating and design. The presentation layer is more flexible as it eliminates the front-end part. An application programming interface (API) is used by a headless CMS to deliver the content, allowing it to be accessed and displayed by any device or platform.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/ff7b5c43aa304f51a0cf792e8d238daa.jpg" alt="Diagram illustrating the architecture of a headless CMS, showing the separation of content management from content presentation." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Figure 1. Diagram illustrating the architecture of a headless CMS.</em></p>
<p>As a result, the content can be easily repurposed and displayed in various formats without being tied to any particular presentation layer, allowing it to be easily repurposed and displayed in multiple ways. By using a headless CMS, businesses are able to revolutionize their digital presence by launching fresh content more quickly and effectively.</p>
<h2>The Rise of the Headless CMS</h2>
<p>As the world continued to embrace technology, businesses had to adjust their strategies to stay competitive. Having a responsive website or optimizing a landing page is no longer enough to provide a good user experience for customers. In the early days of the web, traditional CMSs like WordPress, Joomla, and Umbraco were primarily used for creating and managing static pages of content.</p>
<p>The traditional CMSs combine images, content, HTML, and CSS into a single application. Your code and CMS code are bundled together, which makes it impossible to reuse content.</p>
<p>In today's technology-driven world, consumers find augmented reality, virtual reality, and mobile apps increasingly helpful. They can now speak with digital assistants or control things using voice commands! If you're not taking advantage of how customers communicate, you may risk missing out on opportunities for growth!&nbsp;</p>
<p>The need to deliver digital experiences in multiple formats continues to increase daily. As we gear towards being able to provide these new types of content across various channels, it is imperative that a CMS be prepared with how they will deliver each one.</p>
<p>The traditional CMS failed to deliver experiences in multiple formats. Why? Organizing content in webpage-based frameworks makes it impossible for the same content to fit into other digital channels. With these limitations in mind, Headless CMS began its journey as a more adaptable CMS solution.</p>
<h2>Understanding Traditional CMS</h2>
<p>A traditional CMS uses what's known as a coupled architecture, often referred to as a coupled CMS. This architecture combines the backend and frontend into a single application. You will find the CMS code, the content repository, the backend editor interface, and your custom code all bundled together.</p>
<h3>Use Cases that cannot be covered by a traditional CMS</h3>
<p>Many modern applications and channels cannot get the data they need from a traditional content management system.</p>
<p>The following use cases require either bespoke solutions or a headless CMS:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Native Mobile Apps (iOS, Android)</li>
<li>Delivering the same content to a website and an application from the same source (omnichannel/- multichannel)</li>
<li>Voice apps, AR applications, VR applications</li>
<li>Choosing the frontend first and the CMS second. In the case of using a new Javascript frameworks.</li>
<li>Static website generators (e.g. Gatsby, Hugo, Jekyll, Middleman)</li>
</ul>
<h2>Defining the difference between a headless CMS and a decoupled CMS</h2>
<p>A decoupled and headless CMS separates the backend from the front-end systems. As a result of this approach to architectural design, there needs to be more clarity in the market, and people often mistakenly think that headless CMS is simply another name for decoupled CMS.</p>
<p>It is essential to understand that decoupled CMSs use the templating model to control how the content is displayed. A headless content management system consists of a backend and a frontend. In contrast, a frontend does not use any front-end environment or templating model at all. You are responsible for all aspects of the presentation layer</p>
<h2>Defining the differences between a true headless-first versus &ldquo;me too&rdquo; headless CMS</h2>
<p>As a result of the popularity of the headless CMS approach, it has become a favored option for new projects. Traditional vendors are making a big push to stay competitive in the digital age by implementing REST APIs, allowing them to be accessed 'headless' and reach modern customers.</p>
<p>It is important to realize that there is a big difference between a CMS designed with a "headless" or "API first" approach in mind from the very beginning and a CMS with the API added as an afterthought. An API-first approach was used to develop a headless CMS that unlocks the full potential of its capabilities. Generally speaking, CMS products that offer only a REST API don't provide specific components such as scalability or security.</p>
<p>A true headless CMS, which follows an API-first approach to web development, will also support GraphQL. In contrast, a CMS that follows a pure REST approach won't have any support for it at all.</p>
<h2>Why should you choose a headless CMS?</h2>
<p>In the past, CMSs were built primarily for the development of websites and to provide one-channel support. Companies were forced to use different CMS for each channel because they have different requirements, resulting in a disjointed online experience.</p>
<p>The traditional way of delivering experiences through single-channel technology is being replaced by more flexible options that span across teams, products, and channels to provide seamless omnichannel customer journeys.</p>
<h2>The advantages of headless CMS and why you should use it</h2>
<p>In this article, we defined what a headless CMS is, how it works, and why it is a better solution than traditional and decoupled CMSs. We will further explore the benefits of implementing a headless CMS in your organization.</p>
<h3>There is a need to deliver content across multiple platforms or devices</h3>
<p>With a headless CMS, you can easily manage and publish your content across multiple platforms and devices, including websites, mobile apps, and even smartwatches. Your audience can view your content from anywhere.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>You are having difficulty finding and keeping developers working on your CMS</h3>
<p>A headless CMS gives developers much-needed freedom, enabling them to craft digital experiences without being restricted by a specific language requirement. It's an ideal choice for those looking to achieve maximum creativity and efficiency in the development process.</p>
<h3>Performance is an important factor for your app</h3>
<p>By enabling fast and secure content delivery through APIs, a headless CMS could help you supercharge your app's performance and improve its user experience.</p>
<h3>Multiple CMSs are already in use</h3>
<p>Changing from one content management system to another can be difficult and lead to inaccurate results. Headless CMS is an effective way to add efficiency to the process while ensuring high-quality results are achieved.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Microservices and independent teams will be used to develop many features</h3>
<p>By leveraging microservices and independent teams, you can efficiently handle large-scale features. Breaking big features into smaller components makes it possible to achieve remarkable results.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Your content strategy is complex</h3>
<p>The flexibility and scalability of a headless CMS enable you to manage your content effectively, even if your content strategy involves a complex content strategy that requires a high level of customization.</p>
<h2>Penzle is a content platform for everyone</h2>
<p>Penzle revolutionizes the way teams deliver digital experiences with its cloud-first and API-First Headless Content Management System (CMS). Our API-first approach helps aggregate data, simplify workflows, save time, and connect multiple SaaS platforms. App developers can use Penzle&rsquo;s CMS to create innovative, high-performing apps and share them across digital channels. This innovative platform unlocks unprecedented speed, efficiency, and scalability for creating cutting-edge multi-channel experiences.</p>
<p>With Penzle, developers and teams get the best of both worlds. The developers will enjoy the speed at which they can create and deliver new digital products and features. In addition to Penzle's powerful, well-documented APIs , developers have access to a wide range of development resources and support at every stage of the process. Content creators and marketers will love AI's power to skyrocket their content. Smart content analysis, automated categorization, keyword extraction, and other AI features allow teams to create more personalized and targeted content.</p>
<p><a href="/request-a-demo">Learn how Penzle's headless platform works.</a></p>

What is a headless CMS?

Dive into the world of CMS hosting. Compare on-premise, cloud-managed, and SaaS models. Discover the evolution, benefits, and best practices for a seamless web experience. Make informed decisions for your website's future.

Choosing the Right CMS Hosting: On-Premise vs. Cloud vs. SaaS

Explore the intricacies of CMS hosting. From traditional on-premise setups to innovative SaaS solutions, this guide unpacks each model's advantages, challenges, and suitability. Whether launching a website or optimizing one, navigate your hosting choices confidently.

<p>Choosing a hosting model for your website or web application will be a crucial decision when you launch your website or web application. There is a wide range of options, including on-premise, cloud-managed, and software-as-a-service (SaaS). The choice can be overwhelming.</p>
<p>In the past, in most cases, you managed the installation of your CMS in the Cloud. As a result of the headless approach, it is finally possible to make a CMS available as a "Software as a Service" (SaaS).  </p>
<h2>Self-hosted on premise</h2>
<p>Self-hosted on-premise refers to the CMS that runs on a server located on the premises of the organization using it, rather than being hosted by a third party or a cloud such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.</p>
<p>This case requires you to manage:</p>
<ul>
<li>Server configuration and setup</li>
<li>Managing CMS installations and updates</li>
<li>Maintaining backups, security, and performance</li>
</ul>
<p>Many customers are looking for a better solution than this one because it requires so much effort and IT expertise. <br />However, many mid-market and enterprise companies must satisfy strict compliance, privacy, security, and business continuity policies before committing to software off their servers.</p>
<h2>Self-hosted in the Cloud</h2>
<p>A CMS hosted in the cloud through a platform such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform still requires regular maintenance for issues such as CMS upgrades, fixes, etc.</p>
<p>As a result of cloud-based hosting, we are not required to worry about infrastructure maintenance. There is no doubt that this is a more acceptable option than on-premise, but maintaining a CMS still takes significant effort and time.</p>
<h2>Software as a Service (SaaS)</h2>
<p>The headless model has revolutionized the CMS industry by allowing vendors to offer a true Software as a Service (SaaS) solution for their customers, which was previously impossible. The benefits of multi-tenancy can also be seen for vendors - scalability, cost savings, and increased flexibility. The modern approach enables users to experience advanced performance with ease like never before.</p>
<p>With this approach, vendors and clients can take on different responsibilities, allowing both parties to focus on their respective tasks without compromising either party's ability to create a beautiful final product. The customer fully controls how their app is designed and the content they use to implement it. Everyone can focus on their strengths when vendor service is separated from client needs!</p>
<h2>Taking a look at future trends in CMS hosting</h2>
<p>The world of CMS hosting is continuously evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing user behaviors, and the ever-growing demands of digital experiences. As we peer beyond the current landscape of on-premise, cloud-managed, and SaaS solutions, several emerging trends promise to redefine our understanding and utilization of CMS hosting.</p>
<p>Decentralized web hosting is gaining traction with the rise of blockchain technologies. Websites and applications may soon rely on a distributed network instead of being bound by a centralized server or data center. This change enhances security, uptime, and resistance to censorship.</p>
<p>Building on the cloud's foundations, serverless computing is emerging as the next step. It empowers developers to craft and run applications without the burden of the underlying infrastructure. With dynamic scalability, faster deployments, and a pay-as-you-use model, serverless architectures are becoming increasingly appealing.</p>
<p>Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are now pivotal in reshaping CMS hosting. These technologies introduce predictive analytics that anticipate traffic fluctuations, auto-scale resources, and automated security measures that instantly detect and neutralize threats.</p>
<p>Edge computing, a concept of processing data closer to its source, such as IoT devices, promises reduced latency and faster load times. By decentralizing processing away from core data centers, user experiences are enhanced, especially for audiences across various locations.</p>
<p>In an era of heightened environmental consciousness, the push for sustainable hosting solutions is stronger than ever. Future data centers will likely prioritize renewable energy, efficient cooling mechanisms, and sustainable hardware practices.</p>
<p>Personalization is set to transform as businesses lean heavily on AI and big data to serve dynamic content based on individual user behaviors and histories. This shift will elevate user experiences to unprecedented levels of customization.</p>
<p>Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are poised to integrate deeper into the digital world. Future CMS platforms will be geared to support the hosting demands of immersive AR and VR content, ensuring rich, interactive experiences for end-users.</p>
<p>Lastly, continuous optimization tools embedded within CMS platforms will be pivotal. These tools, designed to monitor and enhance performance autonomously, will bolster security protocols and optimize user interactions.</p>
<h2>Your peace of mind with a cloud-first headless CMS</h2>
<p>A headless model offers vendors an opportunity to provide CMSs as true Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, thereby allowing them to offer a true Software as a Service (SaaS) model. For ultimate performance and scalability, consider using a cloud-first headless CMS. Built specifically for the Cloud from day one, this valuable tool offers unparalleled benefits over any other CMS model.</p>
<h2>Benefits of cloud-first Headless CMS  </h2>
<p>The SaaS model is one of the most popular methods for providing software to businesses and organizations seeking to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Here are some key benefits of SaaS:</p>
<h3>Cost savings</h3>
<p>Headless CMS has a lower upfront cost compared to purchasing and installing CMS on individual servers. As part of their services, SaaS vendors handle maintenance, middleware, servers, networks, and storage for their customers.</p>
<h3>Scalability</h3>
<p>It is common for SaaS providers to be able to handle a large number of users and fluctuations in demand, making them a useful tool for businesses that may experience seasonal fluctuations in usage.</p>
<h3>Better security</h3>
<p>Due to the depth of knowledge that the vendor has on the infrastructure and CMS architecture on which the application is built, it is much easier for them to ensure proper security. One of the advantages of SaaS is that every time a security problem is fixed, it is applied to all customers. There is no doubt that SaaS vendors invest heavily in security measures to ensure the security of their customer's data. Data privacy and integrity can be secured through encryption, firewalls, and other security measures.</p>
<h3>Flexibility</h3>
<p>There are often times when SaaS subscriptions can be adapted or scaled up or down as necessary to meet the changing needs of a business.</p>
<h3>No painful upgrades</h3>
<p>Using a cloud-based headless CMS, you can ensure that you always use the latest version of the CMS without having to go through painful and costly upgrades. <br /><br />SaaS vendors typically release regular updates to their software, which are automatically applied to all customers. This ensures that customers are always using the latest version of the software.</p>
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A comparison of on-premise, cloud, and SaaS CMS hosting



Dive deep into the strategic considerations of employing microservices architecture. Find out how microservices optimize growth and agility when to use them, and ascertain scenarios where their adoption might not be the ideal choice.

Microservices Decision Guide: When to Implement and When to Avoid

Understand how to navigate the complex landscape of architectural choices and determine when microservices may be a good idea versus when they should be avoided. 


<p>Microservices has become one of the most popular architectures for modern software, but are microservices always a good idea? This blog post will explore when microservices might be a bad idea and when microservices can be beneficial.</p>
<p>In the <a title="Choosing Between Microservices and Monolithic Architecture - How to Avoid Architecture Disaster?" href="/blog/strategic-choices-microservices-vs-monoliths-for-architectural-success/">previous blog article</a>, we get familiar with monolith and microservices architecture. We have seen that each architecture has some benefits as well as challenges. When considering the advantages and disadvantages of each architecture, it&rsquo;s time to consider essential factors that you should consider before you choose microservices.</p>
<h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Why Might You Choose Microservices?</span></h2>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">I can&rsquo;t tell you what your company does or the goals it wants to achieve, but I know that many companies worldwide are using microservices for various reasons. I can outline the reasons why companies using microservices around the world.&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3>Team Autonomy</h3>
<div class="quote-container">
<p class="title">Whatever industry you operate in, it is all about your people, and catching them doing things right, and providing them with the confidence, the motivation, the freedom and desire to achieve their true potential.</p>
<span class="author">John Timpson </span></div>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Missing autonomy is critical for a company&rsquo;s ability to grow and scale. Many companies have shown the benefits of creating autonomous teams. Keeping organizational groups small and allowing them to work effectively has helped many companies grow and scale faster than their peers. Autonomy work at smaller and most modern companies. You should always be looking at how to improve team autonomy. Having the proper autonomy can help people to grow and get jobs faster. Distribution of responsibility can play out in many ways.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The importance of knowing what responsibilities each team has and how they can work together to get the job done is critical. It&rsquo;s not just about efficiently organizing tasks but also understanding that taking on some responsibility might be better suited for another person or group with strengths in different areas. That ensures that all available resources are used as effectively as possible, making everyone more productive.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;<span data-preserver-spaces="true">To better manage the workload of a codebase, we have identified which areas need more attention and assigned them accordingly. Giving proper responsibility, e.g., Matt knows display slider best, so he is responsible for that. Steve knows how to optimize DB queries best, so he is responsible for that. When teams own microservices and have complete control over those services, they increase their autonomy within a larger organization.</span></p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Reduce Time to Market</span></h3>
<p>One of the best benefits of microservices is that they allow for independent deployment, so you don't have to wait until coordinated releases. We can provide the functionality to our clients more quickly by creating and deploying microservices individually and without waiting for coordinated releases.</p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Scale Cost-Effectively for Load</span></h3>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Our processing can be scaled independently by dividing it down into independent microservices. That means we can have cost-effectively-scale. We can scale up only individual parts that are handling our load. It also follows that we can scale down those microservices under less load or even turn them off when not needed.</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">We add redundancy to our system by running many copies of your monolith, potentially behind a load balancer or another load distribution mechanism like a queue. By dispersing instances of our monolith across several failure planes (e.g., not having all computers in the same rack or data center), we may boost the robustness of our applications even further.</span></p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/4772a2417cb24fd091e0585dfef22641.jpg" alt="Diagram of microservice organization." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Figure&nbsp;1 - Microservice organization</em></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">For example, for &ldquo;Black Friday&rdquo; customers will buy more products and most likely order and product services get under the load. You need to scale order and product services to handle that load. There are several ways to do it.&nbsp;</span></p>
<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Vertical&nbsp;</span></strong></h4>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Vertical scaling means adding more power to an existing machine. The machine for purchase order microservices gets more CPU and RAM.</span></p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/706aa381ef98454294e8000a0afb3845.jpg" alt="Diagram of microservice organization with vertical scaling." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><em>Figure&nbsp;2&nbsp;- Microservice organization with vertical scaling</em></span></p>
<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Horizontal</span></strong></h4>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Horizontal scaling means adding more machines. Product microservice gets replicated into a different machine, providing the ability to support even heavier loads. With horizontal scaling load balancer should be adapted to route the request to the corresponding instance.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/414737acdaf14a22b53a79c36495fa6e.jpg" alt="Diagram of Microservice organization with horizontal scaling.

" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Figure&nbsp;3 - Microservice organization with horizontal scaling</em></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Another great benefit with microservices is that you could replace technology with alternatives to handle a better load. Keep in mind that this is not a trivial undertaking. First, consider working on existing improvements and optimizations over to a new type of database or programming language. Reducing the impact of change as well as technology is more effortless. You may change the technology used only inside the one microservice that requires it, leaving the rest of the services unnotched.&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Improve Robustness</span></h3>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The move from single-tenant software to multi-tenant SaaS applications means the impact of outages can be more widespread. Softwares are used today more than ever before, support different countries, time zones, and many other complex tasks. By breaking our application into individual, independently deployable processes, we open up a host of mechanisms to improve the robustness of our applications.</span></p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Scale the Number of Developers</span></h3>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The adage of throwing more developers at a project to make it go faster is not the answer. Some problems, however, need an extra push from team members to get them done.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">One significant product domain gets decoupled into subdomains. Each subdomain may have an independent team responsible for the entire lifecycle of the product, from development to deployment. Based on the business functionality of each subdomain, we can scale the number of devs. For example, product service has more business functionality, and we need three team members while user service needs only one member.</span></p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/80584b0a0a7f492f85a1528641978daf.jpg" alt="Diagram of Team organization with microservices." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><em>Figure&nbsp;4&nbsp;- Team organization with&nbsp;microservices</em></span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">With clearly identified boundaries, each boundary can own a team. One significant product will be divided into small subdomains where each subdomain can own a team. Consist that some boundaries are more complex and require a bigger team, we can scale the number of developers based on domain complexity. For example:</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">That is important to follow Agile and DevOps methodologies because each one with different skills learns how to work together on the same product.</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Even teams are independent; microservices will end up communicating with each other. It means you still need to manage integration between the teams at a certain point in time. Services need to communicate between, and team members have some communication. Each service might have its own version control system, such as Git.</span></p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Embrace New Technology</span></h3>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Monoliths typically limit our technology. Usually, we have one programming language on the backend with fixed to one deployment platform, one operating system, and one type of database.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">We gain the flexibility to choose those options for each service with a microservice architecture. One service boundary can have the benefit of technology isolation as an example, report DB. You can have a microservice architecture that contains individual services written using various programming languages and tool kits.</span></p>
<h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">When Might Microservices Be a Bad Idea?</span></h2>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">There are many benefits that microservice architectures bring, but I don&rsquo;t recommend microservices in a few situations. Let&rsquo;s take a look at some of those situations.</span></p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Unclear domain</span></h3>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">You have domain model unclear results in frequent changes to the models and aggregates. It can lead to the wrong identification of service boundaries and a more significant number of cross-services changes, which can be very expensive. Considering that each service is a hosted-CI solution, each change leads to a high cost and ownership. A monolith is a much better choice if you don&rsquo;t have a clear domain. If you want to decompose an existing codebase into microservices is much easier than trying to go to microservices from the beginning.</span></p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Startups</span></h3>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">It might sound controversial as many companies considered as startup companies are famous for their use of microservices. It&rsquo;s important to highlight that many of those companies, including Netflix, Airbnb moved to microservice architecture only later in their evolution.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Startups often experimenting with various ideas in an attempt to find customers. In that journey, many times, they have to change the original vision of their product. Adapting your product to your customers requires huge changes in the product domain. It requires considerable changes to services boundaries that are original design. As mentioned, it can cause many cross services changes. It&rsquo;s easier, faster, and less expensive to do changes in monolith architecture.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Your customers don&rsquo;t know which architecture you are using. Your focus should be on being a success! When you establish the fundamentals of your product and the right market, it&rsquo;s easier to do decomposition into microservices. When you reach the point that your product runs, a market is established, and cash-flow, it&rsquo;s time to think about how you take &ldquo;scale-ups&ldquo; advantage of the microservice architecture.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">I&rsquo;m not saying never do microservices for startups, but those are factors that you should consider.</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Boundaries that are clear at the beginning you could split and keep the rest on the more monolithic side. You will be able to identify your operation capacity like; if you struggle to manage two services, managing ten will be more difficult.&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Customer-Installed and Managed Software</span></h3>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">If you want to create software that is packaged for customers who then install and manage it, then microservices may not be the best choice.</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Usually, customer-installed software targets a specific version. Targeting one environment such as Windows Server or Linux is well understood by people who manage these systems. You should consider customer skills and size. It might be difficult if they need to run and manage 10 or 20 processes. Managing and monitoring those processes may be an issue for customers. Considering that some companies have required skills but the company is not large enough to manage those services.</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">If your software run on a Kubernetes cluster, or each process uses a different technology? Most customers are not ready to obtain those skills and technologies.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">It&rsquo;s easier to run and manage a single process, so monolith architecture is preferred in customer-installed software.&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Not Having a Good Reason!</span></h3>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Assuming that &ldquo;If microservices are good for Amazon, they&rsquo;re good for us!&rdquo; that is the biggest reason why you should avoid microservices.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">You must have a clear vision and goals and what you are trying to achieve. You should closely identify which benefit you can adapt from microservices.&nbsp;</span></p>
<h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Conclusion</span></h2>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">When you&rsquo;re considering how to scale your engineering team, the size of your application, or both, it may be time for a new approach. Microservices allow teams to work independently and iteratively with each other in order to build better software while maintaining high levels of robustness.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The advantages that microservices bring come with a cost, and that is complexity. Microservices are much more complex than monolithic, which creates many challenges that must be overcome for a microservices implementation to deliver more value. Developing microservices, running them in production, and maintain them over time is hard.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>

The Microservices Dilemma: When to Implement and When to Avoid

When to Choose Microservices and When Not

Learn how to choose between microservices and monolithic architectures in software development. A detailed comparison of the benefits and challenges of each architecture helps professionals and businesses make an informed, strategic decision based on their unique requirements.









Microservices vs Monolithic Architecture: Guiding Your Path to the Right Choice

Learn how to choose between microservices and monolithic architectures in our comprehensive guide. You'll learn about real-world applications, benefits, and challenges to help you make informed, strategic architecture decisions.

<p>Microservices are trendy and they&rsquo;ve become the default architecture for hundreds of companies around the world. Companies like Amazon, Netflix and Uber use microservices. Does that mean that they are good for your project? Don't risk falling into a cargo cult mentality, just assuming that &ldquo;If microservices are good for Netflix, they&rsquo;re good for us!<br /><br />I've always tried to cut through the hype and help companies to decide if microservices are right for them.<br /><br />Many companies aim to solve the problems that microservices cause, some of them plan to do the migration to microservices but don't know how to start. <br />Business today is more complex, distributed over the continents, performed 24/7 over the internet, and deals with different currencies and time zones. Applications need to meet business needs which are getting more complex. They are supposed to process huge amounts of data, be mobile, use geo-localization, and communicate with external systems. What to do if you are starting a new project or having an issue?</p>
<h2>Starting a new project or planning a migration from monolith to microservices</h2>
<p>How do you take an existing system and re-architect it without having to stop all other work? How do you break apart existing systems into a microservice architecture? - Those are everyday questions for companies who plan migration to microservices.</p>
<p>My clients face challenges when starting with microservices, and clients with existing architectures (non-microservice-oriented) struggle with adapting microservice architecture, thus I decided to create a series of blogs that will hopefully help answer those questions. <br /><br />Before we dive into working with microservices we need to make sure that we're speaking the same language. It's important that we have a common, shared understanding of what microservices are.</p>
<h2>What is a monolith?</h2>
<p>When all functionalities in a system are deployed together (one unit of deployment), we consider it a monolith. It's a single integrated application most of the time written all in one programming language. There are many types of monolithic systems, the most popular and commonly used are the single-process, modular, and the distributed monolith.</p>
<h3>The Single Process Monolith</h3>
<p>The most common example of monoliths is a system where all of the code is deployed as a single process. All code is packed into a single process and all processes read or store data from a database.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/d003dbbb6b584f7d87d8da0909c83604.jpg" alt="A single-process monolith diagram: all code is packaged into a single process." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Figure 1. A single-process monolith: all code is packaged into a single process.</em></p>
<p>These single-process monoliths represent the vast majority of the monolithic system that I can see people are struggling with.</p>
<h3>The Modular Monolith</h3>
<p>The single process consists of separate modules, each module can be worked on independently but still need to be combined for deployment as shown in Figure 2. The concept of breaking down software into modules is well known in the history of building software applications.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/e2f35f4155bd4de984e3c63e2c5b7b4d.jpg" alt="Diagram of a modular monolith with a decomposed database" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Figure 2.&nbsp;A modular monolith: the code inside the process is broken down into modules</em></p>
<p>If module boundaries are well defined, it can allow for a high degree of parallel working. For many companies, the modular monolith can be a good choice. Shopify is a great example that has used this approach as an alternative to microservice decomposition. One of the challenges of this technique is that the database tends to lack the decomposition we find at the code level. I have seen some teams having the database decomposed along the same lines as the modules, as shown in Figure 3. This can be very challenging even if you are leaving code alone. We will explore those patterns in further blogs.<br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/946150c96e0d4879a82329eba208ee8c.jpg" alt="A modular monolith diagram: the code inside the process is broken down into modules" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Image 3:&nbsp;A modular monolith with a decomposed database</em></p>
<h3>The Distributed Monolith</h3>
<div class="quote-container">
<p class="title">&ldquo;A distributed system is one in which the failure of a computer you didn&rsquo;t even know existed can render your own computer unusable.&rdquo;</p>
<span class="author">Leslie Lamport</span></div>
<p>A distributed monolith is a system that consists of multiple services but the entire system has to be deployed together. In our experience distributed monoliths have all the disadvantages of a distributed system and disadvantages of a single-process monolith.</p>
<h2>Challenges of Monoliths</h2>
<p>There are many challenges that monoliths bring, some of them are listed below:</p>
<h3>Size &amp; Complexity</h3>
<p>Adding features over the time increases the size and complexity of a single application. So every time when you add a new feature a codebase becomes bigger and more complex. (Size complexity)</p>
<h3>Effort of next change</h3>
<p>Effort to add a new feature to the monolith goes up as it gets bigger. The bigger the monolith gets, the harder it is to change.</p>
<h3>Team</h3>
<p>As you have more people working in the same place, they get in each other's way. Every developer expects to add features across the entire application code base. Different developers want to change the same piece of code, different teams want to push functionality live at different times. Who owns what and who makes decisions.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Release Cycles and Quality</h3>
<p>It may take weeks or months to deliver a new revision. Delivering one feature requires regression testing of all applications.</p>
<h2>What Advantages Can Monoliths Bring?</h2>
<p>The single-process monolith has a whole host of advantages.</p>
<h3>Simpler deployment topology</h3>
<p>It can avoid many of the pitfalls associated with distributed systems. You simply need to deploy the final artifact on the appropriate runtime, configure a few properties and that's all.</p>
<h3>Code reuse can be simplify</h3>
<p>If we want to reuse code within a distributed system we need to decide whether we want to copy code or push the shared functionality into service. Many people like this simplicity, all code is there and just use it!</p>
<h3>Simple to scale</h3>
<p>You just run multiple instances of the same application behind a load balancer and you are done. Note that scaling can be more expensive, a monolith requires scaling every part because it's all connected.</p>
<h3>Simpler end-to-end testing</h3>
<p>Most of your tests test a single piece of software.</p>
<h2>What Are Microservices?</h2>
<p>Microservices architecture is about building a single application and spreading accumulated features into a network of different services. Each microservice runs their own process developed and deployed independently. Microservices are a set of practices meant to increase the speed and efficiency of developing software solutions that scale. This set of practices is technology agnostic, meaning that there is not one single technology or programming language to build microservices. You can build microservices in all programming languages.</p>
<p>Microservice is made of &bdquo;Micro&ldquo; and &bdquo;Services&ldquo;.</p>
<h3>Micro</h3>
<p>How big should a microservice be? How to measure the size? Is that number of lines of code, the number of developers in the team, etc.? There is no universal measure.</p>
<p>The Micro refers to the scope of the service functionality. A microservice is a service built around a specific business capability that can be independently deployed. We call that bounded context. To build a large enterprise application we have to identify subdomains of our main business domain and build each sub-domain as a microservice.</p>
<h3>Service</h3>
<p>Independently deployable component of bounded code that interoperability through message-based communication. The original definition they gave summarizes it all:</p>
<div class="quote-container">
<p class="title">&ldquo;The microservice architectural style is an approach to developing a single application as a suite of small services, each running in its own process and communicating with lightweight mechanisms&rdquo;</p>
<span class="author">James Lewis and Martin Fowler</span></div>
<h2>What Advantages Can Microservices Bring?</h2>
<p>There are many advantages of microservices.</p>
<h3>The independent deployment</h3>
<p>The independent deployment is the most important part. It opens up new models for the scale and robustness of systems.</p>
<h3>Technology independent</h3>
<p>There is not one single technology or programming language to build microservices. You can build microservices in all programming languages. Process isolation makes it possible to mix different programming languages, programming styles, deployment or databases. Mix of different technologies and work in parallel is allowed.</p>
<h3>Scale the number of developers</h3>
<p>It can also be easier for developers to understand their part of the system, as they can focus their attention on just one part of it. Process isolation makes it possible.</p>
<h3>Robustness</h3>
<p>We are able to implement a more robust architecture because the functionality is decomposed &mdash; that is, an impact on one area of functionality need not bring down the whole system.</p>
<h2>What Problems DO they create?</h2>
<p>Goal of microservices is to spread accumulated features into a network of different services. Goal of services is to use multiple machines. Every communication between machines is a network call and is not instantaneous. That means we have to worry about latencies. Latencies will vary, which can make system behavior unpredictable. We should take into consideration that networks sometimes fail or packets get lost etc. Monolith has simple activities with transactions, while with microservices it's much more difficult. How to get a consistent view of data across multiple machines.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>We got familiar with microservices and the difference between microservices and monolith architecture.&nbsp; We covered major and most used types of monolith architecture. As we have seen, monolith architecture has some advantages as well as challenges, the same as microservices architecture.</p>
<p>Considering that each architecture has some advances and challenges, which architecture to choose for the next project? Now that we have a common, shared understanding of what microservices are, in the next blog article I will discuss when microservices are a bad idea and why to choose microservices for your project. Stay tuned.</p>

Strategic Choices: Microservices vs. Monoliths for Architectural Success

Discover whether microservices are ready for adoption. Learn essential metrics, gain strategic insights, and examine your organization's capabilities to navigate the challenges and complexities of microservices implementation.

Evaluating Organizational Competency for Microservice Adoption

Explore the decisive factors in adopting microservices for your software projects. Analyze key performance metrics, such as deployment frequency and recovery time, to determine if microservices are feasible. 



<p>In previous blog articles, we got acquainted with microservices and monolith architecture. Considering that each architecture has some advances and challenges, which architecture to choose for the next project? I discussed <a href="/blog/strategic-choices-microservices-vs-monoliths-for-architectural-success/">when microservices might be a bad idea</a> and when you should choose them. Many different types of projects can be developed with a microservice architecture, but not all companies have the necessary skills to create these kinds of apps.<br />The reality is that many companies are not ready for microservices. As a result, it's essential to take steps now to prepare yourself and your company so you can enter this new age of development with the knowledge needed to succeed.</p>
<p>Do you know the key factors that evaluate your development capabilities and if your company is ready for microservices? Learn some key factors that evaluate whether or not a software company will be able to move into the world of microservices.</p>
<h2>Key factors in evaluating software development capabilities</h2>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Microservice development is a highly specialized task and requires organizations to be at the top of their game. It's a complex architecture that requires advanced software development practices. Poorly performing or inexperienced organizations are likely to face many obstacles in creating, deploying, maintaining, monitoring, or supporting microservices.</span></p>
<p>Micro-managing your apps can result in some serious challenges that may not have been present before. For example - if you don't know how best practices should look for managing APIs with services like Kubernetes, then there's no telling what might happen!</p>
<p>Many factors determine software development capabilities. In 2018, authors Nicole Forsgren, PhD Jez Humble and Gene Kim published the results of their thought-out scientific study on software development organization capabilities in the form of their book, Accelerate.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/94f3d7e6f9544559b2057fe75b82873a.jpg" alt="a screenshot of a video game" />&nbsp;<br /><br />Years and years spent researching, analyzing data helped him identify four key metrics for evaluating an organization's performance in software delivery capability. Key metrics:</p>
<ul>
<li>Deployment frequency&nbsp;</li>
<li>Lead time for changes</li>
<li>Meantime to recovery (MTTR)</li>
<li>Change failure rate&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Deployment frequency</span></h3>
<p>Deployment frequency is a measure of how often the software you're developing goes into production. The more frequently your team pushes out new releases, the higher their deployment frequency will be.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/b00f962ae06745dd8f7857a2304778d1.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #537b15; font-weight: 500;">Hight performance organization</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">Doing that on-demand, potentially multiple times per day.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/99d2d5696ab6483e8b30af89e12c5276.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: 500;">Deploy once a week and once a month.</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">Deploy once a week and once a month.&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/53516f6264104c628a900601a8b2197d.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #f27373; font-weight: 500;">Low performance organization</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">Deploy once a week and once a month but has much more variability than the medium performers.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Lead time for changes</span></h3>
<p>The time it takes to build, test, and deploy a new feature increment is referred to as lead time.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/b00f962ae06745dd8f7857a2304778d1.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #537b15; font-weight: 500;">Hight performance organization</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">Can do that in less than one hour.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/99d2d5696ab6483e8b30af89e12c5276.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: 500;">Deploy once a week and once a month.</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">Can do that between one week and one month.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/53516f6264104c628a900601a8b2197d.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #f27373; font-weight: 500;">Low performance organization</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">Can do that between one week and one month; their lead times are more variable than medium performers.&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Meantime to recovery (MTTR)</span></h3>
<p>When service is interrupted due to a change that causes a problem, the meantime to recovery is the time it takes to restore service.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/b00f962ae06745dd8f7857a2304778d1.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #537b15; font-weight: 500;">Hight performance organization</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">Can do this in less than one hour.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/99d2d5696ab6483e8b30af89e12c5276.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: 500;">Deploy once a week and once a month.</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">Complete in less than a day.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/53516f6264104c628a900601a8b2197d.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #f27373; font-weight: 500;">Low performance organization</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">Complete between one day and one week.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Change failure rate</span></h3>
<p>The percentage of changes sent to production that cause service degradation or require prompt remediation is known as the change failure rate.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/b00f962ae06745dd8f7857a2304778d1.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #537b15; font-weight: 500;">Hight performance organization</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">This happens anywhere from 0-15% of the time.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/99d2d5696ab6483e8b30af89e12c5276.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: 500;">Deploy once a week and once a month.</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">This happens anywhere from 0-15% of the time.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/53516f6264104c628a900601a8b2197d.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td style="color: #f27373; font-weight: 500;">Low performance organization</td>
<td style="font-weight: 500;">Failure rate tends to be between 31-45%.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Key Metrics for Software Delivery Capability</span></h2>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Based on research, those are top indicators for software development capabilities. Let's took those key metrics and put them into a comparison table. You can compare your organization with those metrics and see if the organization is capable of adapting microservices or not.</span></p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/6ebe2d1db66343138c01d6dc58e48cac.svg" alt="null" /><br />Ready</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/848234b55eb24c03be10f0a0e6e351d9.svg" alt="null" /><br />Caution</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/b1539b10472b4d00ae0477cc1f9ad97c.svg" alt="null" /><br />Not Ready</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td style="text-align: center; font-weight: 600;">Hight performance</td>
<td style="text-align: center; font-weight: 600;">Medium performance</td>
<td style="text-align: center; font-weight: 600;">Low performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-weight: 600;">Deployment frequency</td>
<td>On-demand</td>
<td>Once a week to once a month</td>
<td>Once a week to once a month*</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-weight: 600;">Lead time for changes</td>
<td>Less than one hour</td>
<td>One week to one month</td>
<td>One week to one month*</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-weight: 600;">Meantime to recovery (MTTR)</td>
<td>Lesss than one hour</td>
<td>Less than one day</td>
<td>One day to one week</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-weight: 600;">Change failure rate</td>
<td>0-15%</td>
<td>0-15%</td>
<td>31-45%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>If you rate as:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Hight performance organization</strong> - You are capable of adopting microservices</li>
<li><strong>Medium performance organization</strong> - Most likely, you are capable of adapting microservices, but with caution.</li>
<li><strong>Low performance organization</strong> - It strongly recommends against adopting microservices.</li>
</ul>
<h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Improvement&nbsp;Process</span></h2>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">It takes time and effort to create an organizational culture primed for success with microservice architecture. Still, it's worth doing if you want better agility with software development. Eventually, even small companies will realize they need more than one person to develop their systems as their complexity grows over time.<br />If your company is not ready for microservices, it might be time to implement some changes that will help you transform into a more efficient organization.</span></p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Culture&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p>Learning and teaching are the key to success. It is a well-known fact that the learning and teaching environment plays an essential role in any organization. It is important that employees learn new skills while also offering them self-education opportunities through training programs and educating others on how they work best. In addition, by adapting their style as educators for themselves or other colleagues, they can accelerate this journey towards improving software development capabilities within your workforce. <br />Taking the time and look back over the process tools to become more effective over time.</p>
<p>It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and forget about how far you've come. Take time by looking back on your overall processes and tools that made it possible for you to become more effective, as this is one of the most important steps!</p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">DevOps Culture</span></h3>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">To ensure that software is always delivered on time, the company must ensure development and operation are fully integrated into all processes. Creating team responsibilities for their software during production and building robust automation and tools that will help minimize friction when delivering it. Monitoring system performance also helps guide future decision-making as well as opportunities for improvement.</span></p>
<h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Quality Culture</span></h3>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">It would help if you always were investigating the design improvements of your software.</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">You must constantly explore new and inventive ways to improve your systems. Allocate at least one dedicated software architect who works exclusively on shepherding the system architecture. Implementing and improving robust test automation to ensure no significant errors in production will enhance the organization's quality culture.&nbsp;</span></p>
<h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Conclusion</span></h2>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Microservices are hard. An inexperienced company is likely to face many obstacles when it comes to managing microservices. In this blog, we have seen vital factors that evaluate software development capabilities. Organizations with high deployment frequency, low lead time for changes, short MTTRs (mean-time to recovery), and low change failure rates will have higher success rates when developing microservices than those who do not meet these requirements. Companies that perform as a low level organization are strongly recommended to avoid microservices.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Essential Factors for Microservices Development

Learn how to maximize web accessibility with our in-depth guide. Explore essential HTML structures, ARIA practices, and practical tips to make your website universally user-friendly, ensuring a seamless browsing experience for all, including those using assistive technologies.

Enhancing Web Accessibility: A Comprehensive Guide to HTML Structures & ARIA for Assistive Technologies

Discover the art of creating inclusive web experiences. Dive into best practices, HTML structures, and ARIA roles to make your website truly accessible for all.

<p>In the previous <a href="/blog/follow-accessibility-rules-for-successful-software/">blog post</a>, I discussed accessibility rules for successful software. We realized that around 20% of the population has some sort of disability and companies who continue to ignore accessibility are already losing customers and will end up losing even more in the coming years. Now, when we have knowledge of WCAG guidelines it&rsquo;s time to see how we can apply those rules to our digital product.</p>
<h2>Clean markup</h2>
<p>The clean HTML structure is what every developer must follow to make page complied with multiple browsers and devices. We need to make sure that we don't have duplicated IDs, HTML tags that are not closed, and so on. Our page structure has two major meanings.</p>
<ol>
<li>Our document page in the development sense. How the page itself is structured, the frame or architecture. This is machine-readable code which is important for assistive technologies like screen readers.</li>
<li>Our document page related to the information architecture of the page. Our document must be human-readable and keep order that makes sense for end-user. We should consider that assistive technologies don't see information in human-readable form. One part of this are "landmarks". Landmarks are sectioning containers, standard ways of designating sections for your page. These are HTML5 elements like header, main, footer, etc.</li>
</ol>
<h2>Page navigation</h2>
<p>The way you navigate through the content of a single web page and find what you're looking for sighted users is very important. Designing a clear hierarchy and visual design of the page is what does most of the work, as well as the position and layout of navigation menu. The main content is usually a large section with large text near the center top of the page.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/bcfe579d26194718ae414b93e51f7a0b.jpg" alt="Graphical user interface representing clear visual hierarchy." /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Image: Define clear visual hierarchy</p>
<p>Screen readers don't see the page like sighted users. Screen readers see the page in form of accessibility tree. Navigating with a screen reader can be very frustrating even with a very simple page. Without a clear structure, you may see the main content first or navigation may be rendered as a simple link. Some elements can be almost impossible to find.</p>
<p>Defining landmark roles navigation for screen readers can be simplified and solved. For example:</p>
<pre>&lt;div <span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">role="main"</span>&gt;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp; &lt;h1&gt;Full-Scale Digital Development Solutions&lt;/h1&gt;<br /> &nbsp; ....<br /> &lt;/div&gt;</pre>
<p>With landmark roles on the screen reader, there is no need for manual walk through each element. We can get to the desired section by using landmarks tool:<br /><br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/56291aaa72a447fd9e77905d41ed854f.jpg" alt="Landmark roles on the screen reader." /></p>
<p>Selecting main element reads:<br /><br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/32b7cc34b45f4df6b8aad1bfcaaac4ad.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" /></p>
<p>With landmark roles, we increase user experience. They assign meaning to certain places on your page. Screen readers can use that meaning to navigate your page. They can get to the main content, navigation, articles, and so on. Primary landmark roles:</p>
<ul>
<li>Main</li>
<li>Banner</li>
<li>Article</li>
<li>Region</li>
<li>Complementary</li>
<li>Form</li>
<li>Navigation</li>
<li>Content info</li>
<li>Search</li>
</ul>
<p>If you want to have a clean HTML structure and avoid landmark roles you can use semantic section elements. It means that the meaning is included in the element and landmark roles are built in. Now our HTML can be simplified with the same meaning but just less code.</p>
<pre>&lt;div&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">role</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"main"</span>&gt;....&lt;/div&gt;
<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">&lt;main&gt;...&lt;/main&nbsp;&gt;</span>
<br />OR

&lt;div&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">role</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"navigation"</span>&gt;....&lt;/div&gt;
<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">&lt;nav&gt;...&lt;/nav&gt;</span>
</pre>
<p>In the following table you can see major semantic elements.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Element</strong></td>
<td><strong>Meaning</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>&lt;main&gt;</strong></em></td>
<td>Main content on the page.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>&lt;section&gt;</strong></em></td>
<td>Major sections of the page.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>&lt;nav&gt;</strong></em></td>
<td>Links to navigate.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>&lt;aside&gt;</strong></em></td>
<td>Complementary to the main content.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>For more information, explore the W3C&nbsp;<a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-practices/examples/landmarks/main.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ARIA Landmarks Example</a>.</p>
<h3>DIV vs Section</h3>
<p>​Main difference between divs and sections is that divs don't convey meaning, but they are useful for generic grouping of elements. The section element is for sections, which make sense to your visitors.</p>
<h2>Headlines</h2>
<p>People who cannot see the visual cues of a web page rely on title and heading elements to understand how the page is structured. Headlines are used to create an outline of our page. They show relationship of subsections and model of our page.<br /><br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/85d0ed026aa2481d8d52b4980c764e95.jpg" alt="Headlines are used to create an outline of our page." /></p>
<p>This only works if the headlines are set up properly, so follow these guidelines. Use only one h1 per page. Your h1 is usually the title of your page. You should never skip levels, if there is an h6 on your page then there should be h5, h4, h3, and h2 above it.<br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/a4ded1c302ab45e4a88b9d5492e5029e.jpg" alt="text" /></p>
<h2>Accessible Rich Internet Applications &ndash; ARIA</h2>
<p>Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) is a technical specification that can work in tandem with HTML5 to help make web pages and applications more accessible. ARIA is not part of HTML5, but its attributes can be used in conjunction with HTML5 elements in certain instances.<br />For more information, learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/html-aria/#rules-wd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ARIA in HTML</a>.</p>
<p>Attributes can be added to elements to add information to the accessibility tree.</p>
<p>To give sections a name, we have two options:</p>
<ol>
<li>Add aria-label. By adding an aria-label, now our sections appear on VoiceOver.<br /><br />
<pre>&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;section&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">aria-label</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"Why Choose Penzle?"</span>&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;h2&gt;Why Choose Penzle?&lt;/h2&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;p&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Start-to-finish digital optimization that builds companies.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;/section&gt;
</pre>
<p>The main disadvantage of this approach is when changing one of the headlines you also have to change the ARIA label to match it.<br /><br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/f1e4e9fb9727431b802e7d86dac51604.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" /></p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Using aria-labelledby attribute to use the h2 as the label. For aria-labelledby to work we need to give the headlines a nuque ID and use aria-labelledby to point to that ID.</p>
<pre>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;section&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">aria-labelledby</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"penzle-mesh-header"</span>&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;h2&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">id</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"penzle-mesh-header"</span>&gt;Why Choose Penzle?&lt;/h2&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;p&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Start-to-finish digital optimization that builds companies.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;/section&gt;
</pre>
</li>
</ol>
<h2>Links</h2>
<p>Links are fundamental to the internet browsing experience. They should clearly communicate their purpose. Ensure that link names are meaningful, unique, and descriptive, whether in or out of context. Links text which seems clear for sighted visitors might be confusing for unsighted visitors.</p>
<p>The example most often used is a "Read more" or "Continue reading" link when displaying a truncated description of a longer chunk of text like a blog post. Navigating with a screen reader or screener like device will hit these in here &ldquo;Read more&rdquo;, "Read more" over and over for each one. They don't have context about what they would be reading more about depending on how they navigate to the link. This can be fixed on the following way:</p>
<pre>&lt;a&nbsp;href=/blog/follow-accessibility-rules-for-successful-software/&nbsp;class="blog-item-container"&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;span&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">class</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"visually-hidden"</span>&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Continue&nbsp;reading:&nbsp;How&nbsp;to&nbsp;Start&nbsp;With&nbsp;Your&nbsp;Application's&nbsp;Performance&nbsp;Optimization
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/a&gt;
</pre>
<pre>.blog-item-container::before{
    content: 'Continue reading';
}
</pre>
<p>Now screen reader will read the informative text, but we will have the visually appropriate &ldquo;Read more&rdquo; label for those who can see.</p>
<h3>Define Link Purpose with Alt Text on Image Links</h3>
<p>If you are using an image as a link, that image alt text will be read to describe the link. For example, it&rsquo;s common to see a company logo in the navigation bar which functions as a link to take you to the Home page. If we make the alt text simply site logo, then it doesn&rsquo;t convey what will happen.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/5d79d0021b7b4eaca5d7eaaf2c202b66.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" /></p>
<pre>&lt;a&nbsp;href="/"&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;img&nbsp;src="/logo.svg"&nbsp;alt="Site&nbsp;logo."&gt;
&lt;/a&gt;
</pre>
<p>Changing it to site home helps this image to function as a link rather than its slightly unimportant function as an image.</p>
<h2>Text alternatives</h2>
<p>Assistive technologies cannot read text in images, and when using images and not supplying a text alternative, users with vision impairments may miss out on the meaning or lack comprehension of your content.</p>
<p>Every type of media presents some sort of a problem.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Media type</strong></td>
<td><strong>Causes problems for</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong><em>Images</em></strong></td>
<td>Unsighted visitors</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong><em>Audio</em></strong></td>
<td>Hard of hearing visitors</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong><em>Video</em></strong></td>
<td>Unsighted and hard of hearing visitors</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The idea behind text alternatives is that we have a fallback option of plain text.</p>
<h3>Set Alt text on All meaningful images</h3>
<p>Alt text should be set on every image that appears on the page. If it is not set, screen reader will just read out the image name, for example img-0334 which is poor alt text.</p>
<p>Make sure that you provide specific, and informative alternative text.</p>
<div>
<p><strong>Inaccessible image example:</strong></p>
<pre>&lt;img&nbsp;src="/logo.svg"&nbsp;alt="logo"&nbsp;/&gt;</pre>
<p><br /><strong>Accessible&nbsp;image&nbsp;example:</strong></p>
<pre>&lt;img src="/logo.svg" alt="Penzle logo." /&gt;</pre>
</div>
<p>While the inaccessible example describes the image as a logo, it does not specify the type of logo, so it is not helpful to someone who relies on alt text. With the addition of the qualifier in the accessible example, a user will know exactly what the logo is.</p>
<h3>Audio and Video</h3>
<p>Alternatives text for audio and video should be provided.<br /><strong>Audio</strong> &ndash; Text transcript<br /><strong>Video</strong> &ndash; Subtitle track or text transcript</p>
<h3>SVG</h3>
<p>SVG is not recognized as an image by the assistive technologies. You can achieve it by adding role of image directly on the SVG. SVGs have a title tag that we can use to label this image. Adding aria-labelled by on the SVG will reference the title.</p>
<pre>&lt;svg&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">role</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"img"</span>&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">aria-labelledby</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"facebook-title"</span>&nbsp;xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"&nbsp;viewBox="0&nbsp;0&nbsp;28.298&nbsp;28.299"&gt;
<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;title id="facebook-title"&gt;Follow&nbsp;on&nbsp;Facebook&lt;/title&gt;</span>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;path&nbsp;id="Path_52"&nbsp;data-name="Path&nbsp;52"&nbsp;d="M216.275,156.8h0a14.149,14.149,0,0,1-14.149-14.149h0a14.149,14.149,0,0,1,14.149-14.15h0a14.149,14.149,0,0,1,14.15,14.15h0A14.149,14.149,0,0,1,216.275,156.8Z"&nbsp;transform="translate(-202.126&nbsp;-128.505)"&nbsp;fill="#1976d2"&gt;&lt;/path&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;g&nbsp;id="Group_37"&nbsp;data-name="Group&nbsp;37"&nbsp;transform="translate(6.391&nbsp;6.391)"&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;path&nbsp;id="Path_54"&nbsp;data-name="Path&nbsp;54"&nbsp;d="M219.782,142.178a3.984,3.984,0,1,0,3.984,3.984,3.984,3.984,0,0,0-3.984-3.984m0,6.57a2.586,2.586,0,1,1,2.586-2.586,2.586,2.586,0,0,1-2.586,2.586"&nbsp;transform="translate(-212.024&nbsp;-138.403)"&nbsp;fill="#fff"&gt;&lt;/path&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;path&nbsp;id="Path_55"&nbsp;data-name="Path&nbsp;55"&nbsp;d="M227.336,141.645a.931.931,0,1,1-.931-.931.931.931,0,0,1,.931.931"&nbsp;transform="translate(-214.506&nbsp;-138.028)"&nbsp;fill="#fff"&gt;&lt;/path&gt;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;/g&gt;
&lt;/svg&gt;
</pre>
<h2>Color Blindness</h2>
<p>Colors on our website can have a significant impact on accessibility and essential consideration when creating any digital product. About 8% of men and half a percent of women have some sort of color blindness. People that are color blind cannot see differences in certain color combinations. Most common forms are red-green deficiencies which make it difficult to distinguish between red and green values when they&rsquo;re of the same darkness. These could be further broken down into two categories.</p>
<h3>Red deficiencies</h3>
<p>Reds and greens look similar to one another and appear more as a beige.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/bbd04e61ea7a4994acb0277436b1b3b0.jpg" alt="chart, bar chart" /></p>
<h3>Green Deficiencies</h3>
<p>These are very similar to red efficiencies, but the reds don't look as dark.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/36dcac3962b2411d91af91badeae4991.jpg" alt="chart, bar chart" /></p>
<h3>Other</h3>
<p>There are those that can see no color at all. This very rare.</p>
<p>There are a few other design considerations regarding color. Different displays display color differently for many of us, developers and designers are likely to have a nice high-resolution display. Also, environmental lighting can influence how colors are perceived. For example, bright light sunlight will make it much more difficult to distinguish between color values.</p>
<p>How our site appears for those with color blindness can be checked with many different tools, but one that works pretty well is Chrome browser extension &ldquo;I want to see like the color blind".</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/b706fd509e414c2bb88f4cc63aa48827.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application, Word" /></p>
<p>Ensure that text and images of text provide a color contrast ratio of at least 4.5 to 1. There are several free color contrast analyzers available online. For example, you can use the&nbsp;<a href="https://accessibilityinsights.io/docs/en/windows/getstarted/colorcontrast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Color Contrast Analyzer in Accessibility Insights in Windows</a>&nbsp;to ensure accessible contrast ratios.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>We have seen many factors which make web experience difficult for people to understand and how to fix them. There are many technics benefits for those using assistive technologies like screen readers and switch devices. You&rsquo;ve learned about some of the essential requirements for building accessible websites and apps.</p>
<p>In the next article, I will cover keyboard accessibility and how to make web form accessible.</p>

a computer screen with a person standing on it

Unleash the Full Potential of Your Website with Superior Accessibility

Using comprehensive keyboard support to enhance web application accessibility. You'll learn how to ensure inclusive user interactions no matter what your disability may be. Learn about keyboard commands, focus visibility, and accessible forms to make your application universally accessible.

Ensuring Inclusive User Experience with Keyboard Accessibility in Web Applications

Explore key strategies to enhance keyboard accessibility in web applications. You will acquire the skills necessary to design universally navigable and inclusive user experiences.

<p>Keyboard support is one of the most important accessibility parts that every application should include. We must ensure every user interaction including people with disabilities. It is important that every part of our application can be used through the keyboard as well.<br />In previous blog articles, we got acquainted with accessibility standards and how to design and develop with accessibility in mind. In my last blog article in the series of digital accessibility, I wanted to discuss keyboard support for our application.</p>
<h2>Types of Disabilities</h2>
<p>Our application should be operable by keyboard users. Who are keyboard users?</p>
<ul>
<li>Persons with physical disabilities who have limitations in the use of their arms. They use a specially designed keyboard, but can't use a mouse. They don't use any other assistive technology and can't use a website if they need a mouse.</li>
<li>Persons who are legally blind. They use a screen reader to browse a website. It's a text to speech program that reads out the content of the website. They operate websites using the keyboard alone as they can't see the screen and use a mouse.</li>
<li>Persons who use a mouse with lowered hand dexterity. They find it difficult to click on small items or may accidentally click the wrong item if buttons are put too close together. They struggle with the use of mouse and keyboard more.</li>
<li>Persons with situation disabilities. In cases of e.g. arm injury,&nbsp; you may use the keyboard more than usual, or you are trying to shop online while eating. There are a lot of reasons people do not use a keyboard.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Keyboard Commands</h2>
<p>When you operate a website with a keyword, there are just a few basic commands that you need to know. There are various elements on the page that could be operated like input controls, links. These are called focusable elements. Pressing TAB on the keyboard moves the keyboard focus to the next focus element, pressing SHIFT + TAB moves backwards. Pressing the TAB through the IM site, you can see the slight outline showing the time moving. To move back press SHIFT and TAB. To navigate to the link in the menu item, press ENTER. It will activate a link or submit a form.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Keyboard command</strong></td>
<td><strong>Description </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>TAB</strong></em></td>
<td>Move between focusable elements</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>SHIFT+TAB</strong></em></td>
<td>Back to previous focusable element</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>ENTER</strong></em></td>
<td>Submit a form or active link</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>SPACE</strong></em></td>
<td>Toggle a checkbox or open a select control.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>ARROW KEY </strong></em></td>
<td>Scroll up and down on the page</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Keyboard Focus Visibility</h2>
<p>When tabbing through different elements of the page with keyboard focus, a color outline is needed. Without the outline the user will not see what the element is focused on and it will be impossible to browse a site. It&rsquo;s like using a mouse without seeing the cursor.<br /><br />Focus should be improved using a focus selector.</p>
<pre>button<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">:focus</span>{
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;//&nbsp;styles&nbsp;here
}
</pre>
<p>The default focus works well in most cases. The only occasion where you could change it is if you have a background or color that is a similar shade of color and the outline is not clear. There are a few techniques how you can improve focus indicators:</p>
<ol>
<li>Change the color of the outline<br />
<pre>.form&nbsp;.btn{
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">outline-color</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">:&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">#000</span>;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;outline-width:&nbsp;1px;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;outline-style:&nbsp;solid;
}
</pre>
</li>
<li>Change the color of the entire element<br />
<pre>.form&nbsp;.btn{
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">background-color</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">:&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">#fff</span>;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;color:&nbsp;#000;
}
</pre>
</li>
<li>Style of hyperlinks can be improved. Default outline around links can look a bit clunky.
<pre>a:focus{
<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;outline:none;</span>
<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;text-decoration:&nbsp;underline;</span>
}
</pre>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Using focus within you can make the form itself stand out visually in addition to style applied to the individual focused input. This can help the perceptibility of focus overall.</p>
<pre>forms<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">:focus-within</span>{
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;border:&nbsp;1px&nbsp;solid&nbsp;blue;
}
</pre>
<h2>Keyboard Focus Order</h2>
<p>WCAG 2.3.4 Focus order-level A criteria &ndash; Focus elements must receive focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability. Focus of the element should flow in a way that users expect. We should avoid jumping between sections.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/b1eebb8a568a4542a16bf759d2fdd975.jpg" alt="Graphical interface keyboard focus order." /></p>
<p>For example, users expect to read the page from left to right end from top to bottom. Users will expect the first focus element to be the logo then the navigation menu.</p>
<p>Using tabindext attribute you can control keyboard focus.</p>
<pre>&lt;button&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">tabindex</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"3"</span>&gt;Search&lt;/button&gt;
</pre>
<p>Tab index can have 3 values:</p>
<ul>
<li>-1 &ndash; Element is not in the tab order.</li>
<li>0 &ndash; You can tab to an element but the focus order is determined by the order of the HTML.</li>
<li>1+ - Any positive number indicates that you can tab to an element and the focus order is determined by the value of the attribute. Can be between 1 and 32.767.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Accessible Forms</h2>
<p>Every application consists of different forms where we request an engagement. Forms should be clear, logical and easy to use.</p>
<h3>Labelling a Form</h3>
<p>Screen readers have forms mode where there is read out text directly associated with an input element. It&rsquo;s important to name those properties in a proper way.</p>
<p>With each input element, we need to associate the corresponding name. The best way is to use label elements along with the input field. Labels are preferred because they solve two problems at once, the name of the element rendered visually and the name of the element in the accessibility tree. If we use labels and input elements those elements need to be connected.</p>
<pre>&lt;label&gt;Password&lt;/label&gt;
&lt;input&nbsp;type="password"&gt;
</pre>
<p>This example doesn&rsquo;t connect those elements. There are two ways to solve this problem:</p>
<ol>
<li>Wrap the input inside the label.<br />
<pre>&lt;label&gt;Password
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;input&nbsp;type="password"&gt;
&lt;/label&gt;
</pre>
</li>
<li>Set input ID and use for attribute in the label.<br />
<pre>&lt;label&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">for</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"password"</span>&gt;Password&lt;/label&gt;
&lt;input&nbsp;type="password"&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">id</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"password"</span>&gt;
</pre>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Another great usability improvement with this approach is if you can click to label in order to select a field.</p>
<h3>ARIA Labelling</h3>
<p>Sometimes there is a need for an input field without a form label. One of the most common scenarios is search input inside the navigation header. Adding aria-label attribute screen readers will read out while this attribute will not be visible.</p>
<pre>&lt;input&nbsp;type="search"&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">aria-label</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"Search"</span>&nbsp;id="search"&gt;
</pre>
<p>If there is an input field along with the button you can associate input with button text in the following way:</p>
<pre>&lt;input&nbsp;type="search"&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">aria-describedby</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"btn-search"</span>&nbsp;id="search"&gt;
&lt;button&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">id</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"btn-search"</span>&gt;Search&lt;/button&gt;
</pre>
<h3>Additional Description</h3>
<p>Screen readers only see the labels and if you need to provide additional text or description for the input element you need to add an additional aria attribute.</p>
<pre>&lt;label&nbsp;for="password"&gt;Password&lt;/label&gt;
&lt;input&nbsp;type="password"&nbsp;id="password"&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">aria-describedby</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"password-rule"</span>&gt;
<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">&lt;span&nbsp;id="password-rule"&gt;Must&nbsp;be&nbsp;at&nbsp;least&nbsp;3&nbsp;characters&nbsp;long&lt;/span&gt;</span>
</pre>
<p>Now the screen reader will read the label and additional description described by the associated element.</p>
<h3>Disabled vs Read-only Fields</h3>
<p>When you use disabled or read-only field you have to use the correct method to meet WCAG. Adding disabled or read-only attributes makes a special type of field which doesn&rsquo;t take a value. Difference between disable and read-only field:</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Disabled</strong></td>
<td><strong>Read-only</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greyed-out appearance</td>
<td>Greyed-out appearance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Can't click into field</td>
<td>Can't click into field</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Can't edit the value</td>
<td>Can't edit the value</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>Value not submitted to server</strong></em></td>
<td><em><strong>Value is submitted to server</strong></em></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em><strong>Don't receive keyboard focus</strong></em></td>
<td><em><strong>Receive keyboard focus</strong></em></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Field Types</h3>
<p>HTML 5 introduced a lot of new types of form input such as search, email, date etc. They can help in adding context for users and improve the experience. A different keyboard will be displayed on mobile when entering a telephone number versus an email.</p>
<h3>Form Validation</h3>
<p>You should always state which fields are optional and which are required. It could be a very bad experience if the user has to guess validation and after submitting the form to come back and re-enter data. Using an asterisk, the user sees which fields are required. Screen readers don&rsquo;t recognize asterisk as a required field and a note in the HTML needs to be added.</p>
<p>Adding required attributes would cause the screen reader to announce it as a required field. Another good advantage is that browsers will pick up attributes and add validation with a little popup message.</p>
<pre>&lt;input&nbsp;type="text"&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">required</span>&gt;
</pre>
<p>If you don&rsquo;t want to have browser validation which can be in conflict with your javascript validation, use the aria required attribute instead.</p>
<pre>&lt;input&nbsp;type="text"&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">aria-required</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"true"</span>&gt;
</pre>
<p>Now screen readers will read that out as required field:</p>
<h3>Validation Messages</h3>
<p>Adding aria-invalid to the field using javascript after failing validation will tell screen readers that there is a problem with the field.<br />If you hit the submit button or populate the input field with wrong data additional validation messages will appear.</p>
<pre>&lt;input&nbsp;type="password"&nbsp;id="password"&nbsp;aria-required="true"&gt;
&lt;span&gt;This&nbsp;filed&nbsp;is&nbsp;required.&lt;/span&gt;
</pre>
<p>The main problem is that screen readers are not informed of this validation message since this validation is not linked to the field in any way. <br />Adding the aria-invalid attribute will inform the screen reader that the field is not valid. Using aria-describedby will read out associate error messages so that the user knows what the issue is.</p>
<pre><span style="display: block;">&lt;input&nbsp;type="password"&nbsp;aria-required="true"&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">aria-invalid</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"true"</span>&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">aria-describedby</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"password-rule"</span>&gt;</span>&lt;span&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">id</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"password-rule"</span>&gt;This&nbsp;filed&nbsp;is&nbsp;required.&lt;/span&gt;</pre>
<h3>Validation Summary</h3>
<p>Adding a validation summary on the top of the form makes it much clearer when errors occur and guide the user towards those errors. When the user hits the submit button and if issues are found, the script will set keyboard focus to the validation summary. This jumps the user right back to the start of the form to explain there is a problem.<br /><br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/34e757beeee34627930c600a4e885158.jpg" alt="text" /></p>
<p>Status messages must be identified programmatically so that assistive technologies can announce them. This rule is according to WCAG 4.1.3 Status Messages &ndash; Level AA criteria. <br />There are two ways that you can announce a status message.</p>
<ol>
<li>Set keyboard focus to the validation summary. Keyboard focus will bring screen user attention to the issues.</li>
<li>Use live region recommended in WCAG 4.1 which uses aria attribute to mark validation summary live region. Live region announces messages to the user even if they don&rsquo;t receive keyboard focus. Adding the role attribute of alert informs the screen reader that they need to pay attention to this element because all changes need to be announced to the user. <br />
<pre>&lt;div&nbsp;id="validation-summary"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;div&nbsp;id="validation-summary"&nbsp;<span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">role</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">=</span><span style="color: #1976d2; font-weight: bold;">"alert"</span>&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</pre>
<br />This informs screen readers that they need to pay attention to this element because all changes need to be announced.</li>
</ol>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>In this blog article, we have seen how we can make our application keyboard accessible. How to design and validate form when users interact with it. A form is a complex element that manages a lot of information and we have to make sure that everything is clear and understandable for all users.<br /><br />Following this guide makes your application supported by keyboard and accessible for screen readers and ensures that users with or without a disability have a good user experience.</p>

Revolutionize Your Application with Enhanced Keyboard Accessibility

Check out our comprehensive guide to digital accessibility. Dive deep into the world of WCAG guidelines, accessibility tools, and strategies to make your digital products universally inclusive and compliant. Learn how enhancing accessibility can open up vast business opportunities.

Mastering Web Accessibility: Strategies, Tools, and WCAG Guidelines Unveiled

Optimizing Digital Accessibility Through Strategic Application of WCAG Guidelines

<p>Today, technology is meant for everyone to use it. If your digital product is not accessibility compliant, you risk that more than one billion people cannot use it. Hundreds of billions are big business opportunity. The common misconception is that accessibility is just for people with disability. Even people without disabilities will benefit if our digital product is accessibility compliant. Accessibility has become a key value in creating a digital product.</p>
<p>According to the World Health Organization* more than one billion people worldwide live with a disability. It&rsquo;s estimated that around 20% of the population has some sort of disability. While the umbrella of accessibility concerns the 20% it also includes pretty much everyone else as shown in the next section.</p>
<p>Accessibility is defined as a "word used to describe whether a product can be used by people of all abilities." There is accessibility of building and physical space with ramps, power door openers, and more. Digital accessibility is about rendering websites, software, and games to be accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. Digital accessibility is the practice of making digital product usable for the widest range of people possible.</p>
<p>Before we dive into accessibility optimization, let&rsquo;s make sure that we understand major challenges and standards that we need to follow in order to make sure that our digital product can be used by all people.</p>
<h2>Getting familiar with disabilities</h2>
<p>Disability is defined as "a mismatch in interaction between the features of a person's body and the features of the environment in which they live."</p>
<p><strong>It&rsquo;s about everyone.</strong> <br />If you don't wear glasses or contacts, consider how many people you know that do. The fact is that most of us will develop vision impairments as we age. We also develop arthritis, carpal tunnel, or similar disorders that prevent us from using a mouse or keyboard. We don't know the circumstances that will inhibit the way people access the web and mobile. For example, those are that have:</p>
<ul>
<li>Vision disabilities (blindness, low vision, color blindness)</li>
<li>Hearing disabilities (deafness, hard-of-hearing)</li>
<li>Physical disabilities (lack of motor control, speech troubles, other issues)</li>
<li>Cognitive disabilities (learning disabilities, distractibility, inability to remember or focus)</li>
<li>Technical issues (slow connection, screen size, old technology)</li>
<li>Changing abilities (changing abilities duo to age)</li>
<li>Temporary disabilities (broken bones, recovery, using site while holding a baby)</li>
</ul>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/5765b3f7483d44289a728b26700c33f2.jpg" alt="table" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Image: Persona Spectrum</p>
<blockquote class="quote-container">
<p class="title">&ldquo;We use a Persona Spectrum to understand related limitations across a spectrum of permanent, temporary, and situational disabilities. It&rsquo;s a quick tool to help foster empathy and to show how a solution can scale to a broader audience.&rdquo;<br /><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/design" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A Microsoft Design Toolkit</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>We need to consider these scenarios and make it easy as possible for this wide range of people to access the software that we build.</p>
<h2>The WCAG Guidelines</h2>
<p>WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. <br />It's set of international standards for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_accessibility">web accessibility</a>&nbsp;guidelines published by the&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_Accessibility_Initiative">Web Accessibility Initiative</a>&nbsp;(WAI) of the&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wide_Web_Consortium">World Wide Web Consortium</a>&nbsp;(W3C). The main goal is to provide a detailed set of guidelines for making web content more accessible to many people as possible. There are multiple versions of guidelines as listed below.</p>
<h3>WCAG 1.0</h3>
<p>First version 1.0 was published in May 1999 and it was first international standard for digital accessibility. It contained a set of 14 guidelines to evaluate the accessibility of the web pages.</p>
<p>Web and assistive technologies evolved over next decade the guidelines were updated to the next version.</p>
<h3>WCAG 2.0</h3>
<p>It provides 12 guidelines that are organized into four principal categories. Major things that web content&nbsp;<strong>must be</strong>&nbsp;to be considered accessible (see&nbsp;<a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/intro.html#introduction-fourprincs-head">Understanding the Four Principles of Accessibility&nbsp;</a>for the WCAG definitions). It stands for acronym &ldquo;P.O.U.R&rdquo;:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Perceivable</strong>: Information and user interface components must be able to perceive the information being presented.</li>
<li><strong>Operable</strong>: User interface components must be operable. Users must be able to control UI elements (e.g., buttons must be clickable in some way &mdash; mouse, keyboard, voice command, etc.).</li>
<li><strong>Understandable</strong>: Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable.</li>
<li><strong>Robust:</strong> The content must be developed using well-adopted web standards that will work across different browsers and assistive technologies, now and in the future.</li>
</ul>
<h3>WCAG 2.1</h3>
<p>As we can assume this version extends 2.0. It was published in June of 2018 and become the official recommendation of W3C.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Understanding WCAG 2.0 and 2.1</h2>
<p>As mentioned above this provides 12 guidelines that are organized into four principal categories.</p>
<h3>1. Perceivable: Guidelines 1.1-1.4</h3>
<p>Information and user interface components must be able to perceive the information being presented.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/afcdab6bda7a4d658f7356b9c1b12488.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>1.1</td>
<td>Text alternatives for non-text content like images must be presented.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/13f8e14d277b488b8ee30627ad847e92.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>1.2</td>
<td>Alternative methods for time-based media like captions and transcript must be presented.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/ec4af7f602d944b8acdbd8a704cf70e8.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>1.3</td>
<td>Provide ability to present content in different ways, allow for customization without breaking the site.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/1599eac255c048b5b60462f12f9bc679.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>1.4</td>
<td>Make it easier to see and hear content.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>2. Operable: Guidelines 2.1-2.4</h3>
<p>User&rsquo;s interface components must be operable.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/713460c819a849a090b709a7e6080a60.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>2.1</td>
<td>All functionality must to be available via the keyboard</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/7ededca752d64a1db7bc11b7d7b18c0a.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>2.2</td>
<td>Provide enough time to read the content and interact with interface</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/7fedce50684545739f3605b1619ac288.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>2.3</td>
<td>Avoid designing/developing contact that cause seizures</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/d895f40ce3bb495db29e844d26272f87.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td>Help user to navigate, find content and determine where they are focused</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>3. Understandable: Guidelines 3.1-3.3</h3>
<p>User&rsquo;s interface components must be operable.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/b7de887e79034663a49eb8202426790b.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>3.1</td>
<td>Text content should be readable and understandable</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/5182fa0ea8d6424ebaff476acb8dab45.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>3.2</td>
<td>Content and interface should be consistent and predictable</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/905d2f78598c458aaa7aee17827be2a0.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>3.3</td>
<td>Input assistance to help users fix mistakes when interacting</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>4. Robust: Guidelines 4.1</h3>
<p>The content must be developed using well-adopted web standards that will work across different browsers and assistive technologies, now and in the future.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/ca482326a7bc44929041df1a8171f237.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>4.1</td>
<td>Address the needs to maximize compatibility of current user agents and assistive technologies</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>WCAG Criteria and Conformance in Action</h2>
<p>In section above we have seen that WCAG consist of 13 guidelines. Each guiltiness contained several success criteria. Each of success criteria meet a certain level of accessibility conformance according to standard.<br />Level of conformance range from single A to triple A like below:</p>
<ul>
<li>A &ndash; Lowest level</li>
<li>AA &ndash; Mid-range level</li>
<li>AAA &ndash; Highest level</li>
</ul>
<p>Each is a subset of the next level up. For example, if a web page meets double of conformance level it also meets a single A conformance level. It&rsquo;s important to note that meeting the success criteria and conformance level only works on a full page. If part of the page doesn&rsquo;t meet a double level, then the whole page doesn&rsquo;t meet a double level.</p>
<h2>What are Screen Readers?</h2>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/f9702b5ae7714f2c8bbee4beca3f54e0.jpg" alt="a person playing a guitar" /></p>
<p>A screen reader is a form of assistive technology (AT) that renders text and image content as speech or braille output. Screen readers are essential to people who are blind, and are useful to people who are visually impaired, illiterate, or have a learning disability. They allow the user to interact with the computer, navigating around and entering data on forms using the keyboard. They have a wide array of keyboard shortcuts to make interactions simple. Some of the popular screen readers are Voiceover (Bundled into MacOS), JAWS, Window-Eyes, NVDA, and so on.</p>
<h3>Nonvisual desktop access - NVDA</h3>
<p>NVDA, Nonvisual desktop access is open-source solution that is completely free and one the best option for developers to test their application. You can download app and configure on windows on the following link: <a href="https://www.nvaccess.org/download/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.nvaccess.org/download/</a></p>
<p>It&rsquo;s important to note that during the testing you should just use the keyboard and not the mouse. Good way to test is to turn off monitor and see what typical user would experience. <br />NVDA has two modes:</p>
<ol>
<li>Browse is primary for reading content</li>
<li>Focus is for entering data on forms</li>
</ol>
<p>Primary commands:</p>
<ul>
<li>Space (enter focus mode for control)</li>
<li>Tab (Jump focus to next control)</li>
<li>Shift + tab (Jump focus to previous control)</li>
</ul>
<p>Quick Key Commands:</p>
<ul>
<li>H- Heading</li>
<li>K &ndash; Links</li>
<li>B &ndash; Buttons</li>
<li>L &ndash; Lists</li>
<li>D &ndash; Landmarks</li>
</ul>
<h2>Testing WCAG compliance</h2>
<p>To make digital product accessible and WCAG compliant, we should have a good testing plan and strategy. The following strategy can help you to meet that goal:</p>
<ul>
<li><em><strong>Manual keyboard testing</strong></em>. Using keyboard to ensure we can get and interact with everything.</li>
<li><em><strong>Screen reader testing</strong></em> to make sure it works as expected. Readers like NVDA, JAWS, etc.</li>
<li>Use <em><strong>&ldquo;semi-automated&rdquo; testing</strong></em> with tools like WAWE or Accessibility Insights for Web</li>
<li><em><strong>Automated testing</strong></em> with tools like AXE Core which run against our code and catch basic errors. It can be part of CI/CD process.</li>
<li><strong><em>Ask people with disabilities</em></strong> and get their feedback.</li>
</ul>
<h3>&ldquo;Semi-automated&rdquo; testing</h3>
<p>One of the best tools for &ldquo;semi-automated&rdquo; testing are <a href="https://accessibilityinsights.io/docs/en/web/overview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Accessibility Insights for Web</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://wave.webaim.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WAWE web accessibility evaluation</a>&nbsp;created by webbing. WAWE can be used by:</p>
<ul>
<li>Navigating to the webpage and pasting URL to the page and running the tool<br /><a href="https://wave.webaim.org/">https://wave.webaim.org/</a></li>
<li>Browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. It&rsquo;s much more useful for local testing and development. Once you install plugin you can start testing immediately.<br /><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/8db0b5f83b2a40c488c8a6ee34312714.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, text, application, email" /></li>
</ul>
<p>It&rsquo;s important to understand the main categories before you start the testing:</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/755710133c6e4861a9c426cffba23a0b.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>Errors</td>
<td>If you have errors that means you have problems that need to be fixed</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/2bb9b0c3c0364169a12305876ff5771d.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>Alerts</td>
<td>Those alerts are not critical, but we need to look into and try to improve behavior. Varying like: form label issues, skipped heading levels, redundant links etc.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/43ed7edbcf7946e49f4966db84e3de63.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>Accessibility features</td>
<td>Alternative text, form labels, skip links etc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/fc3cf8414b034cc3b4613c54f82808c5.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>Structure</td>
<td>Elements like heading, list, navigation. They need to be used properly in order help accessibility.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/86fb9ec2fdce48a6be7c0542b4c24073.svg" alt="null" /></td>
<td>Aria</td>
<td>Additional features for HTML elements to give more information&rsquo;s to assistive technologies about our content.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Automated testing</h3>
<p>In order to make the process easier the best way to go is automated.&nbsp; Automated testing can save time during the development phase and educate developers with error that they introduce. Our favorite automated tool is <a href="https://github.com/dequelabs/axe-core" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AXE Core</a>&nbsp;created by Deque Labs. It&rsquo;s testing engine created for HTML that is built to integrate with existing test environment for automated accessibility testing. This testing can be part of our unit and integration testing or CI/CD process.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s important to highlight that some criteria cannot be automated. For example: criteria related to mobile device interactions has to be done manually on a device. Automation testing is not a replacement for human but it helps catch some of the low-level issues and it&rsquo;s far from perfect.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>In this article, we realized that around 20% of the population has some sort of disability, and the importance for our business to keep digital product accessibility compliant. Companies who continue to ignore accessibility are already losing customers and will end up losing even more in the coming years.</p>
<p>We got familiar with WCAG standards as well as testing strategy and most popular tools that we should consider for our product.</p>
<p>In the next article, I will demonstrate some of the techniques and the most important implementation that your digital product should have.</p>

Today, technology is meant for everyone to use it. If your digital product is not accessibility compliant, you risk that more than one billion people cannot use it. Hundreds of billions are big business opportunity. Accessibility has become a key value in creating a digital product.

Optimizing Digital Accessibility Through Strategic Application of WCAG Guideliness

We’ve seen a radical shift in recent years as organizations of all types have scrambled to move their business into the digital world as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to keep up with changing consumer demands.

5 Ways to Win the Digitalisation War

<p>We&rsquo;ve seen a radical shift in recent years as organizations of all types have scrambled to move their business into the digital world as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to keep up with changing consumer demands. It&rsquo;s not enough to just have a good product or service these days, you also have to compete in terms of distribution, marketing, service delivery, scalability, and the like &ndash; all of which require a fully digital approach.</p>
<p>In fact, the ability to digitize processes and bring a company into the modern age has become a competitive advantage for many &ndash; as the business landscape evolves to being digital first. This stuff isn&rsquo;t easy of course. We&rsquo;ve seen plenty of clients struggle with this transition, wasting lots of time and resources in the process. We&rsquo;ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, and so we thought we would break down some of the key components and considerations you should be thinking about as you go about your digital transformation journey.</p>
<h2>1) Company Culture</h2>
<p>The first thing that you have to get right is the underlying culture of your organization.&nbsp; You can have the fanciest technology, the most cutting-edge back-end, and the most innovative data structures &ndash; but if your employees are not on board with the direction you&rsquo;re going in, you&rsquo;re going to struggle.&nbsp; Digital transformation is as much about the change management as it is about the new technology itself.&nbsp; Right from the top you should be communicating clearly about why the changes are necessary and how they are going to pay off over the long run.&nbsp; By setting the example and messaging correctly, you can ensure that your culture is one that embraces change and is a willing participant as you look to digitize things.&nbsp; Without this, you&rsquo;ll always be fighting uphill battles.</p>
<h2>2) Expertise</h2>
<p>Digitization requires a unique set of skills and it&rsquo;s worth investing in order to bring the right people into your organization to guide the project and manage all the necessary components.&nbsp; Some companies will choose to hire permanent employees for this, but this isn&rsquo;t necessary in most cases.&nbsp; You could choose to partner with a technology firm who has the required expertise and leverage their experience as needed to get the job done. It&rsquo;s a powerful way to do things because you get access to the expertise you need for as long as you need it, without having to commit to long-term contracts.&nbsp; You can handle digitalization on a project by project basis and retain the agility to adapt to changing circumstances as needed.</p>
<h2>3) Long-Term Thinking</h2>
<p>A common mistake we see with companies who are early in their digital transformation journeys is to get too excited with the various technology available and build something for their business of today.&nbsp; Then a few years later, the business has grown and scaled to a point where the system they have is not suitable.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s crucially important that when you are building a foundational technological stack, that you&rsquo;re thinking long-term about where the business is going.&nbsp; You want to build something that can scale along with your growth and remain relevant and useful for a long time to come.&nbsp; A little bit of foresight here allows you to build something that can last the test of the time, even if it costs you a little more in the moment.&nbsp; Build for the company of the future, not for where you are today.</p>
<h2>4) Efficiency and Alignment</h2>
<p>One of the benefits of digital assets and structures is that you can eliminate a lot of the duplicated work that is currently happening in your organization.&nbsp; So be sure to do a full evaluation of your various teams and silos to identify where you can automate or simplify processes to benefit multiple parts of your organization.&nbsp; You want your teams to be aligned and to be pulling in the same direction, but that only comes with doing the work to understand exactly what each team&rsquo;s needs are and how you can build common systems and stores that can serve those needs.&nbsp; Every decision you make should prioritize efficiency and aim to eliminate unnecessary manual work.&nbsp; If you&rsquo;re unsure of exactly what this looks like, consider working with a professional technology partner who can guide you through the process.</p>
<h2>5) Iterative Development</h2>
<p>The last consideration we&rsquo;ll consider here is the idea of iterative development.&nbsp; It can be tempting to spend a lot of time creating the perfect digital transformation plan that is going to unfold over months, trying to articulate every nuance and potential outcome before you get started.&nbsp; But this doesn&rsquo;t match to reality.&nbsp; Things change.&nbsp; You&rsquo;ll never be able to predict everything.&nbsp; The best way to tackle this journey is to go one step at a time.&nbsp; Build something, test it in the market, and then iterate based on the feedback that you get.&nbsp; Rinse and repeat.&nbsp; This method of iterating as you go helps you build momentum and ensures that you&rsquo;re aligned with what your customers actually care about.&nbsp; You&rsquo;ll be surprised at how much you learn when you develop things in this way.&nbsp; Whereas if you are determined to stick to your original plan, you might just end up deluding yourself and building something that consumers didn&rsquo;t actually want.</p>
<p>There you have it!&nbsp; Those are some of the key things to consider as you embark on a journey of digitalization.&nbsp; It really is a war, that isn&rsquo;t an exaggeration.&nbsp; As you compete in the marketplace, what is going to set you apart is how well you can take your business and port it into the digital realm of the 21<sup>st</sup> century.&nbsp; By doing it well, you&rsquo;ll make your business indispensable and it will be on the right side of history.</p>

We’ve seen a radical shift in recent years as organizations of all types have scrambled to move their business into the digital world as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to keep up with changing consumer demands. It’s not enough to just have a good product or service these days...

Learn how to measure and improve application performance. Find the most critical methods first. Get your app to perform faster for a better user experience.



How to Start With Your Application's Performance Optimization

<p>If you want to compete with the best, your system needs to be fast and scalable. I have recently seen a large number of clients facing problems with their application performance. Many systems run into performance and scalability problems as they grow. How to start and what should the first step be? Optimization can be a deadly trap and a time-waster. There is always something you can do better if you have the time, money and motivation.</p>
<p>The real trick is knowing where to look for performance and what steps to take first. What steps to consider when doing performance improvements and how to avoid common mistakes?</p>
<p>Modern applications are getting increasingly complex - they process huge amounts of data, communicate with external systems, and support for different time zones became an engineering nightmare. Some systems need to be re-engineered from scratch to handle their growth. If you are building a new application, performance work should never be left at the end! The larger and more complex your application is, the earlier you need to start considering performance as a major feature.</p>
<p>Before we dive in, let&rsquo;s highlight the difference between performance and scalability, due to frequent misunderstanding between the two concepts.</p>
<h2>The Difference Between Performance and Scalability</h2>
<p>Everybody knows how important it is to keep a system fast. Very often our clients require their system to be fast. The first question I ask is <strong><em>What do you mean by fast</em></strong>? The usual answer is that It needs to support thousands of users. A system can be slow and still support thousands of users.</p>
<p>A site&rsquo;s performance decreases the time it takes for a particular page to load or for a particular user-visible action to complete. What a single user sees while sitting at their computer is &ldquo;performance&rdquo;.</p>
<p>Scalability is connected to the number of users a site can support. If additional users can be supported by adding more hardware and network bandwidth, the site can be considered as &ldquo;scalable&rdquo;. If more hardware and network bandwidth do not solve the problem, additional users cause the site to slow down, which implies that the site has reached its scalability threshold.</p>
<h2>Planning a Performance Investigation</h2>
<p>Application involves complicated business processes that do not always focus on performance. When a feature works slowly, is it not always possible to accelerate the code. Before you dive deep into the code and try to accelerate part of the code related to your feature, make a plan for your performance.</p>
<ol>
<li>Identify problems and goals and determine what to measure</li>
<li>Select methods and tools &nbsp;</li>
<li>Analysis and Conclusion</li>
</ol>
<h2>Identify Problems and Goals and Determine What to Measure</h2>
<p>First, ask yourself a few important questions:</p>
<ul>
<li>What is wrong with the current performance level?</li>
<li>What do I want to achieve?</li>
</ul>
<p>If you start to randomly optimize your application, it will be a waste of time. Define problems and goals. Determine a set of performance requirements. Those requirements will determine which metrics you need to collect. You need concise, well-defined metrics that correspond to the goals. After obtaining the results, you should be flexible to change your goals.</p>
<p>A lot of things are involved and make sure you consider the right path. Observe aspects such as memory - measurement of memory usage and reduction. You want to measure memory usage and minimize it. But which kind of memory? Commit size, large object heap size, .NET heap size or some other variant?&nbsp;For tracking&nbsp;memory usage over time, the average per hour or peak? Be as specific as possible when describing what you want to measure and define your goals well.<br /><strong>Not well-defined:</strong> Memory should be less than 1 GB.<br /><strong>Well-defined:</strong> Working set memory usage should never exceed 1 GB during peak load of 100 queries per second.</p>
<p>Let&rsquo;s check out some of the most popular methods and tools.</p>
<h2>Select Methods and Tools</h2>
<p>There are many tools and methods that provide performance metrics. After performance analysis, make sure that the tool you select has the required characteristics such as precision, portability, etc.</p>
<h3>Coder review</h3>
<p>Particular code performance issues can sometimes be identified without measurements. Check the asymptotic complexity, big O notation, database query, or ineffective piece of code. You can solve some performance issues without analysis. Keep in mind that personal feelings can easily deceive you as well as technology change.</p>
<h3>Profiling</h3>
<p>Where to start when optimizing your application? Optimizing a random method may not affect the performance of the whole application. Trying to write fast code can increase code complexity and introduce new bugs. <br />The most important step is to find where the application spends a significant part of its time. The best way to do it is profiling. That means you take a profile, attach it to the application, take a snapshot and look at the profile. Profiling shows methods that are called frequently, and bottlenecks of your application. That helps you locate the most critical methods that require optimization first.</p>
<h3>Monitoring</h3>
<p>Certain problems can not sometimes be reproduced locally since they occur rarely or only in the production environment. In this case, profiling can not help and monitoring needs to be conducted to find a method with performance problems. There are a lot of built-in monitoring tools such as event log. Take data from logs and try to find the source of this problem.</p>
<h3>Performance tests</h3>
<p>It&rsquo;s common practice to write unit tests that ensure that the business logic works fine after any changes to your code. Unit tests are not enough to measure performances. To make sure your performance stays the same before and after changes, you need performance tests. To maintain the same level of performances in your tests, you need to have exactly the same environment (hardware + software) for all the benchmarking configurations.</p>
<p>If your tests are executed in a different environment each time, you will most likely have different results. Executing the same tests in an environment that has more hardware will affect your tests to be executed faster. Therefore, it is crucial to run tests on the same server environment. The performance tests can be executed on a build server, as part of a continuous integration (CI) pipeline.</p>
<h3>Benchmarking</h3>
<p>A benchmark measures performance properties of a piece of code especially to compare it to an alternative implementation. For benchmark tests, it&rsquo;s important to maintain the same version of a .NET runtime, an operating system, hardware, and so on. Run your benchmark tests in more iterations to achieve sufficient accuracy. Benchmarks are amazing when they test a single resource such as CPU time. You can test other things like reading files off an SSD, but you will need to isolate those resources from outside influence.</p>
<h2>Analysis and Conclusion</h2>
<blockquote>
<p>&ldquo;If you have spent less than a week studying a benchmark result, it is probably wrong.&rdquo; <br />- Brendan Gregg, author of Systems Performance: Enterprise</p>
</blockquote>
<p>An analysis is the most important part of any performance investigation. Do not take results fast and adapt the solution on the whole application, for example: &ldquo;Profiler shows that method A is faster than method B. Let&rsquo;s use A everywhere instead of B&rdquo;. We should understand why we got such results in profiler sessions. If you use one set of data,&nbsp; method A may be faster, but you should take in consideration the whole application and different set of data. Method A can probably be substantially slower than method B in some other cases.</p>
<p>Most of the performance mistakes are caused in the measurement methodology. Check other data patterns before you decide on the method in the production code. Be careful with analysis before you make a conclusion.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Planning a performance investigation requires more steps. Those steps can be customized to your needs. I covered the three most important steps that should be involved in any investigation. Identifying problems and goals, and determining what to measure should be your first step. Next step is monitoring, which helps you find a slow user scenario. The profiling will help you identify the bottleneck of your methods. Benchmarks will find the fastest way to implement the feature. Performance tests will help keep the performance on the same level in the future.</p>
<p>All approaches have a purpose and use. Last step of any investigation is data analysis and conclusion. The more time you spend in data analysis and measurement, it&rsquo;s more likely that your performance investigation is done properly.&nbsp;</p>

If you want to compete with the best, your system needs to be fast and scalable. Many systems run into performance and scalability problems as they grow. How to start and what should the first step be?

For an average guy making it in IT, I’m sure you’ve barely seen a project with a budget approved for automation testing.

State of automation testing

<p>For an average guy making it in IT, I&rsquo;m sure you&rsquo;ve barely seen a project with a budget approved for automation testing. Because sales is primarily concerned with closing the deal no matter what, the quoted project price is slashed in the blink of an eye by eliminating <strong><em>nice to have</em></strong> automation testing.</p>
<p>If we&rsquo;re talking about a startup or a smaller project, this decision can be perfectly fine, but for any project lasting more than six months, it might not be. In the case of a project that has multiple user scenarios operating the application, new feature developments or change requests will naturally cause an increase in regression testing. Ignoring automation testing is a cause of great concern if the project is put on a more aggressive schedule with a staging environment available to end users.</p>
<p>The automation testing market size is expected to grow from $20.7 billion to $49.9 billion by 2026, growing at a <a href="https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/automation-testing-market-113583451.html">CAGR of 19.2% during the forecast period </a>. Even if we use a more modest forecast of 14.2% CAGR reported by Mordor Intelligence, it is still a definite and palpable increase. This rise is owed to the increase in the adoption of automated testing methods among enterprises and SME&rsquo;s.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/69af320a87824a5e85918e79901eff17.png" alt="Automation Testing Growth Forecast 2021-2026" /></p>
<p>We can even see some new trends like smart automation testing, where your codebase is scanned for changes and only tests relating to those changes are executed, a gradual move towards helper frameworks that enable you to write codeless automation tests (AT&rsquo;s) by recording desired application scenarios, to implement cloud based cross-browser testing as well as AT integration into CI/CD loop.</p>
<p>Most of these trends gravitate towards some quality of life improvement, <strong><em>but</em></strong> only after you have finished writing your AT suite. I&rsquo;d love to talk about the most essential step after writing automation tests, which is the integration of the testing cycle into the CI/CD pipeline, but we have to start things from the beginning.</p>
<h2 id="training-of-new-automation-testers">Training of new automation testers</h2>
<p>In our experience, onboarding new personnel to quickly write their first automation test (and from there on the rest of them) has never been a problem. The amount of time that an individual needs to get familiar with the framework and write their first test is the only variable.</p>
<p><strong><em>The challenge was to get them to quickly grasp the concept of a good test.</em></strong></p>
<p>Onboarding a person with a QA background is challenging from a software development perspective. They are familiar with the concepts and approaches to testing, but it is difficult to quickly teach them coding strategies and design patterns. Onboarding a developer tends to be more difficult, on the other hand, from a testing theory perspective, especially if they have not been involved in projects requiring large unit testing code coverage.</p>
<p>A knowledge gap can be conquered with time and effort, but as a rule, it is easier to teach good testing fundamentals and their applications to a software engineer than for a QA specialist to grasp how to write good code. With that rule in mind, let&rsquo;s quickly cover the fundamentals of good testing. &nbsp;</p>
<h2 id="what-is-a-good-test">What is a good test?</h2>
<p>Let&rsquo;s start with a simpler question: what is a test?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&ldquo;A unit test is a piece of code (usually a method) that invokes another piece of code and checks the correctness of some assumptions afterward. If the assumptions turn out to be wrong, the unit test has failed. A unit is a method or function.&rdquo; - <strong><em><a href="https://www.manning.com/books/the-art-of-unit-testing-second-edition">The Art of Unit Testing Second Edition</a></em></strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>We can easily refine and adapt this general definition to automation testing.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Automation testing of a task invokes a piece of code interacting with the UI and checks one specific end result of that task. If the assumption turns out to be wrong, the automation test has failed. It is consistent in its results as long as the production code has not changed. It is readable, maintainable, and trustworthy.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I will highlight the important changes.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><em>Checking one specific end result of a task</em></strong> - We reject complex tests in favor of many simpler ones. Every test should have a single responsibility for testing.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong><em>It's consistent in its result as long as the code has not changed</em></strong> - Also known as the definition of a <a href="https://www.infinitymesh.com/blog/how-to-write-good-automation-tests/">stable test</a>. Unstable/flaky tests will sometimes pass and sometimes fail and thus should be omitted from the test suite.</li>
</ul>
<p>The final three qualities deserve their own chapter.</p>
<h2 id="readable-tests">Readable Tests</h2>
<p>A key trait of any good test is that it should be easy to read, and the intent of the test author should be clear. To achieve readability, the most important thing is to have a good test name, but it also helps to separate assertions from actions, to have good variable naming, and to eliminate magic values.</p>
<p><em>Roy Osherove</em>, the author of The Art of Unit Testing, talks about three important pieces of information that always need to be present in the test name:</p>
<ol>
<li>The name of the feature being tested</li>
<li>The scenario under which you are testing&nbsp;</li>
<li>The expected behavior</li>
</ol>
<p>If you want to test that entering an incorrect password on the login page causes an alert, use the names <code>LoginPage_Password_Should_AlertIfInvalid()</code> or <code>LoginPage_When_UsingIncorrectPassword_Alert_Should_BeDisplayed()</code>.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/ea92ea2d44c24e3483355e3a1f5ecdea.png" alt="Best naming practices" /></p>
<p>In the context of automation testing, the most important magic values you should stop yourself from using are field locators.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/79121ff6ac504129ab2a13d2e18f6579.png" alt="Avoid using magic values in field locators." /></p>
<h2 id="trustworthy-tests">Trustworthy Tests</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><strong><em>If you can&rsquo;t trust your tests, you can&rsquo;t run your tests</em></strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>It&rsquo;s as simple as that. Any test which sometimes passes and sometimes fails due to factors not controlled by the test itself, you will want to exclude from your testing suite.</p>
<p>Once you make your tests a part of your build or deploy pipeline, every time your developer sees a 100% pass rate, he should be happy and confident that his new piece of code is working as expected and did not break anything that previously used to work.</p>
<p>The best way to achieve trustworthiness is to write short, readable tests that focus on testing one specific thing. Troubleshooting a suspicious test is very straightforward. You carefully debug the test to ensure you did not make any mistakes during the test process, and if it still fails, then good job. You have just identified a bug in production. If it passes after fixing, make sure it <strong><em>consistently</em></strong> produces the same results before marking it as fixed.</p>
<h2 id="maintainable-tests">Maintainable Tests</h2>
<p>In the field of automation testing, the main cause of test changes would be UI changes. This would mean some of your locators are no longer correct. Sometimes this is unavoidable, but by proper communication with the front-end engineer, you can ensure that this does not happen often.</p>
<p>Use ID to find page elements in the case of a web app. If ID is not available, make sure you have specific classes on key elements that you can easily target. Agreed element classes should always be kept, even in the case of a frontend refactoring. If you have managed to restrain yourself from using magic values for element locators, then you probably have them listed in a single place. You can always critically look at your locator code and identify what can be improved.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/7f89e72eaee846e3841dbfbbd9c93dca.png" alt="Refactor bad locators" /></p>
<p>To improve the maintainability of tests, you can use good code writing practices, but this should be something that you constantly research on your own and not the topic of this article.</p>
<h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h2>
<p>Readable tests are trustworthy because it is immediately apparent what they are doing. That is exactly what makes them maintainable. This means that readability is a key trait of a good test, even if that wasn&rsquo;t apparent at first glance. When onboarding new automation testing engineers, you should ensure they have a good grasp of these fundamentals. It's easy to go along with the <strong><em>&ldquo;agile&rdquo;</em></strong> way of development and throw them into the fire to make them write their first test as soon as possible, but what good will it do if you end up with an unusable test suite that doesn&rsquo;t help your development cycle in the end?</p>
<p>In the next article, I will cover the inclusion of tests in the CI/CD pipeline.</p>

Transform your content into a modern, organized web page, mobile app, or any other channel with Penzle - a headless CMS system.



Getting started with Penzle

a red and white rocket with a trail of smoke

<p>If you are reading this, it means you have probably heard about what Penzle is and what Penzle does, and most likely you want to turn a heap of content that you already have into something more presentable. A modern looking web page, or maybe a mobile app of some sort? We don't know what it is exactly that you are looking for, and maybe you are also not so sure yourself, but you are still interested to know if Penzle might help you get there more easily.</p>
<p>Look no further. Whatever it is you want to do, <em><strong>Penzle can do it</strong></em>.</p>
<p>Well... not <em>everything</em>, but if it's about content, chances are Penzle can handle it. How can you host your content in an organized way, facilitating easy change and maintenance with simple data access? Oh, that's not it... you just want to know how to get from a bunch of text and images to a nice looking web page? This is almost the same question as the first one, only with less tech words.</p>
<p>The aim of this article is to guide you through this ordeal, from the sign-up process up until you view your content somewhere as a result.</p>
<p><a href="https://penzle.com/sign-up" rel="nofollow">Sign-up process</a> is as simple as you would imagine it to be, just type in some basic information and then check your inbox for that welcome message with the rest of instructions.</p>
<h2>Penzle Dashboard</h2>
<p>Upon using your credentials for the first time you are greeted with what I am sure seems like a challenging dashboard for a first-time user. Don't worry, you will know it like the back of your hand after you start publishing your own content.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/7067f81bcdf6406f984cbeb027af347e.png" alt="Penzle Home Screen" /></p>
<p>Now you would need to <em><strong>create your project</strong></em>, an ecosystem where all your content will live, but let's keep this as simple as possible. Penzle has a <em><strong>Default Project</strong></em> created just for this purpose, so you can get comfortable working with it.</p>
<p>First thing you have to make sure is that you have our <em><strong>Default Project</strong></em> selected in the top left corner. Sidebar menu is (always) related to the project that you have selected. This enables a clear separation between different projects and easy navigation.</p>
<h2>Create your content</h2>
<p>Next thing to learn is how to create your content and where to put it. There are two most important menu items you need to know about in order to achieve this:</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/a2e890df29f74bcdb4a9d50a31297beb.png" alt="Penzle sidebar" /></p>
<ol>
<li><em><strong>How can I create a form matching my content structure?</strong></em> - In CMS slang we are talking about a data template. If, for example, you want to publish your weekly blogs, then your usual content consists of a blog title, author, body, and maybe even date of creation. In the sidebar menu navigate to <code>Development -&gt; Data Templates</code> and then click the action button <em><strong>New data template</strong></em>.</li>
</ol>
<p>Template design view that opens up will be quite intuitive, and you can just drag and drop the fields you need to cover the structure of your content. Here is how it looks on our <code>Blog Post</code> template. You can refine settings for each field individually by using <code>Settings</code> on the fields you have added to your template.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/858a7993575d45789472993a34fb45c5.png" alt="Penzle data template" /></p>
<p>You will also notice we've created a template for the blog post author, along with an author list so that we can manage a complete list of authors under a single folder.</p>
<ol start="2">
<li><em><strong>Where can I start creating my content?</strong></em> - Navigate to <code>Content Editing -&gt; Content Editor</code>. This is the place where all your content will live in a hierarchically organized structure. Create a selection of blogs by using <em><strong>Add Entry</strong></em> action button and selecting your previously created data template. You can select each one of the new items you have created and write your content or copy/paste it if you have it prepared beforehand.</li>
</ol>
<p>For demonstration purposes, we have created a list of authors and a blog post example as part of <em><strong>Default Project</strong></em> content.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/c15f839339a240ed9246303f92f0de3b.png" alt="Penzle Default Project Content" /></p>
<p>When adding an author to a blog post, we want to limit the author selection to the list of authors we have previously created. To do this you can navigate back to your blog post template, and go to <code>Settings</code> for <code>Author</code> field on your template. If you expand the <code>Start Node</code> option, you will see we have pointed it to <code>/content/Authors</code> where the list of all authors is located.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/5c5cbd7740b3416e857d1f2e27c18a49.png" alt="Penzle Blog Post Author Settings" /></p>
<p>There are far more options for a complete publishing workflow, as Penzle allows you to plan your decisions and have full control over content transformation steps.</p>
<p>It can be as simple as saving entered content in order to publish it, or you can add nuances like workflow for content approval/translation, version management and much more. Read the <a href="https://github.com/Penzle">official Penzle documentation</a> for guides on how to use these.</p>
<h2>Authenticating your project</h2>
<p>Penzle is structurally a headless CMS system, meaning its primary concern is content management &amp; delivery. As a Penzle consumer, you always have the absolute freedom to use the content provided by Penzle however you want, whether it be for a Web app, Raspberry Pi, iOS/Android mobile app or something else.</p>
<p>To communicate with Penzle in order to fetch created content, you will need to use your project Id and create an access token.</p>
<p>You can create access tokens for a specific project; simply navigate to Settings in the dashboard sidebar menu, and then go to <code>Projects -&gt; [select your project] -&gt; API Tokens</code>. Write in the token name, description and expiry date. You can choose between two types of tokens:</p>
<ul>
<li><em><strong>Content delivery token</strong></em> - granting you the ability to retrieve and read data</li>
<li><em><strong>Content management token</strong></em> - granting you the ability to also modify data and save changes</li>
</ul>
<p>Choose token environment (by default this is set to <code>main</code>, but you can easily create other environments like <code>dev</code>, <code>staging</code> or <code>production</code>).</p>
<h2><em><strong>Bonus</strong></em> - Retrieving your content in .net environment</h2>
<p>Follow the <a href="https://github.com/Penzle/Penzle.Net/blob/main/docs/configuration.md">steps outlined in this configuration guide</a> to use your created tokens in scope of your .net application.</p>
<p>Then create a DTO model compatible with your data template:</p>
<div class="highlight highlight-source-cs">
<pre><span class="pl-k">public</span> <span class="pl-k">class</span> <span class="pl-en">BlogPost</span>
{
    <span class="pl-k">public</span> <span class="pl-k">string</span> <span class="pl-en">Title</span> { <span class="pl-k">get</span>; <span class="pl-k">set</span>; }
    <span class="pl-k">public</span> <span class="pl-k">string</span> <span class="pl-en">Body</span> { <span class="pl-k">get</span>; <span class="pl-k">set</span>; }
    <span class="pl-k">public</span> <span class="pl-k">string</span> <span class="pl-en">Author</span> { <span class="pl-k">get</span>; <span class="pl-k">set</span>; }
}</pre>
</div>
<p>All that remains is data retrieval using <code>IPenzleClient</code>:</p>
<div class="highlight highlight-source-cs">
<pre><span class="pl-k">var</span> <span class="pl-en">blogPost</span> <span class="pl-k">=</span> <span class="pl-k">await</span> <span class="pl-smi">_deliveryClient</span>
    .<span class="pl-smi">Entry</span>
    .<span class="pl-smi">GetEntry</span><span class="pl-k">&lt;</span><span class="pl-smi">BlogPost</span><span class="pl-k">&gt;</span>
    (
    	<span class="pl-smi">entryId</span>: <span class="pl-k">new</span> <span class="pl-en">Guid</span>(<span class="pl-s"><span class="pl-pds">"</span>2bcfc9f2-8d12-494b-b56e-8145bb4aa3a3<span class="pl-pds">"</span></span>),
    	<span class="pl-smi">cancellationToken</span>: <span class="pl-smi">CancellationToken</span>.<span class="pl-smi">None</span>
    );</pre>
</div>
<p>entryId can be obtained using the info tab on content of interest, as shown below:</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/19f62198208b4452b7b258ffe8df0d56.png" alt="Penzle - Obtain Entry Id" /></p>

With the help of Penzle's headless content platform, developers can use the toolkits and languages most appropriate for the project.

Guide for upgrading .NET Framework to .NET 7, including understanding project architecture, updating .csproj, solving breaking changes and upgrading dependencies.

Our Journey to .NET 7

<p>These days most engineers are working on upgrading their code base from .NET Framework to .NET 7. I believe you are not alone, and almost every engineer has experienced something similar at some point in their career. This post is part guide, part how-to. The main focus here is on upgrading the back-end to .NET 7, but this will be useful if you need to upgrade any .NET Framework code to .NET 7. Of course, if you do have many breaking changes, this could be very painful if your team does not have proper unit, functional, and other tests that will save your life. :-)</p>
<h2 id="lets-start">Let's start</h2>
<p>You might have an older legacy system running the .NET Framework 4.X.X. It's probably a confused mess with .NET Framework, .NET Standard, and .NET Core libraries crowded. Some of your code may be ready to run, while others may need to be first solved by breaking changes. From personal experience, it is best to take things slowly at the outset. As a result, it is necessary first to understand the relationship between your projects and domain and then proceed in that order.</p>
<p>Keep going even if your project can't be compiled right away. It's pretty standard. For instance, in 99% of my cases, it was not compiled the first time. As a result, you must begin with a project without any dependencies on others. It's prevalent to call it Common, Shared, SharedKernel, Kernel, or whatever, but your projects mustn't have any internal dependencies.</p>
<h2 id="review-your-project-architecture">Review your project architecture</h2>
<p>One of the most important things is that you will have to look at each project individually and make crucial decisions. The good news is that we often don't have time for comprehensive codebase analysis, so you may find that you don't need some code elements. You will be able to remove them.</p>
<p>However, you must decide what to do with the necessary code and, most importantly, consult with the original code owners if they can help you make a decision. Another option is to look through the references and see where the potential code is used to find the source of the problem.</p>
<p>Under refactoring the code base, existing code has to be upgraded to run in a new environment under .NET 7. With multi-targeting, it will most likely also target the .NET Framework. As a result, you'll have to rewrite some things, which means writing the code from scratch. The new code is unlikely to run on the .NET Framework, so the only goal is to write the code that will run under .NET 7.</p>
<h2 id="lets-start-with-the-first-step">Let's start with the first step</h2>
<p>Let's assume that we have a relatively simple architecture that is divided into multiple projects, like in the image below. The first step is to find the root project without dependencies marked with red and try to first work on it. The first step will be downloading the official .NET 7 SDK from the Microsoft site. <a href="https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/7.0">https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/7.0</a></p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/0c0d4de10f9c497caaedec75bb1c0d75.jpg" alt="diagram" /></p>
<p>Open project.csproj and make the following adjustments to the target framework:</p>
<pre><code class="lang-xml hljs"><span class="hljs-tag">&lt;<span class="hljs-name">PropertyGroup</span>&gt;</span>
    <span class="hljs-tag">&lt;<span class="hljs-name">TargetFramework</span>&gt;</span>net7.0<span class="hljs-tag">&lt;/<span class="hljs-name">TargetFramework</span>&gt;</span>
    <span class="hljs-tag">&lt;<span class="hljs-name">DockerDefaultTargetOS</span>&gt;</span>Linux<span class="hljs-tag">&lt;/<span class="hljs-name">DockerDefaultTargetOS</span>&gt;</span>
<span class="hljs-tag">&lt;/<span class="hljs-name">PropertyGroup</span>&gt;</span>
</code></pre>
<p>In the event that you are using containers, you will need to upgrade your base images, such as:</p>
<pre><code class="lang-docker hljs dockerfile"><span class="hljs-keyword">FROM</span> mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/aspnet:<span class="hljs-number">7.0</span> AS base
<span class="hljs-keyword">WORKDIR</span><span class="bash"> /app
</span><span class="hljs-keyword">EXPOSE</span> <span class="hljs-number">80</span>
<span class="hljs-keyword">EXPOSE</span> <span class="hljs-number">443</span>

<span class="hljs-keyword">FROM</span> mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/sdk:<span class="hljs-number">7.0</span> AS build
<span class="hljs-keyword">WORKDIR</span><span class="bash"> /src
</span>...
</code></pre>
<p>This means we'll be using BCL from .NET 7, but the most challenging part is figuring out which dependencies we have under this project and attempting to upgrade them. If a specific dependency does not yet support .NET 7, you must wait for the library's author to make it compatible, or you can remove it if you believe your project can work without it.</p>
<p>Once you have completed this section and you are able to successfully compile it, it is time to repeat the process for each project, but first, you must verify the finished project using your test project(s), which also means you must upgrade it to .NET 7 and all dependencies.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/75634104d734462da653783e87f944e3.jpg" alt="diagram" /></p>
<h2 id="solve-breaking-changes">Solve breaking changes</h2>
<p>As previously explained, using a newer .NET version, such as .NET 7, will cause compilation errors and issues. Some .NET Framework libraries could be incompatible in .NET 7 edition. So the bad news is that you must resolve all code issues that come up in your code base, but this is also an opportunity for you to take ownership of this piece of code and better understand what it is doing for you.</p>
<p>Let's imagine that the library you use in the .NET Framework is not accessible in .NET 7. In that case, you will need to find an alternative or write the code yourself. The fastest option is to find a more recently supported library and replace the existing code with a new one. Otherwise, you'll have to use <code>#if</code> statements to make a distinctive code base to target different paths.</p>
<pre><code class="lang-charp">#if NETSTANDARD2_0
   ...
#else
   ...
#endif
</code></pre>
<p>You may also use partial classes, with the main class in one file and two different versions for .NET 7 and other .NET Frameworks. You can, based on conditions, include or exclude files dependent on the framework target. Pretty much the same story for the NuGet package.</p>
<h2 id="what-about-your-database">What about your database?</h2>
<p>This may be the most difficult phase of your trip to .NET 7. Use Dapper or another (O)RM like RepoDB. There is probably not much difference between the older .NET Frameworks and .NET 6 or .NET 7. Entity Framework (Classic), on the other hand, is not the same as Entity Framework Core. Some EF will compile for EF Core, yet it will provide different results and run different SQL. This is why testing is critical. You should write a set of database tests to check that the new .NET 7 database access code accomplishes the same as the .NET Framework code.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/0e0b8d16566945ecbecabcfbf495c5ec.jpg" alt="diagram" /></p>
<h2 id="branch-strategy-during-the-upgrade">Branch strategy during the upgrade?</h2>
<p>The reality is that you must supply new features, and the world cannot stop till you finish your update. Therefore, you must design a really practical approach in terms of branching strategy. This is very dependent on team size and whether the project architecture is monolithic, hexagonal, microservice or even specific for your organization; however, I can share some of my advices.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/2017211cebee4d948c891d542cf2bf45.jpg" alt="application" /></p>
<p>Based on my experience, the ideal approach is to prioritize projects that are critical to your organization and improve them first. Of course, this is risky, but you want to reduce the amount of time you spend working on code that is not in production since you have to deliver .NET 7 to your clients as soon as possible, at least the most used features. If you keep your code on a branch for a long time, it will become non-production code, and you will have to deal with more and more merge conflicts. Trust me - this is a nightmare for engineers and a paradise for bugs.</p>
<h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h2>
<p>I would love to share a magic recipe to solve this problem with you, but there is no such thing. However, if your team does not communicate, understand the decisions, and make guesses without strong arguments, you will be very close to feeling pain.</p>
<p>We tested after the upgrade and noticed immediate improvements. The diagrams below show that we can handle &gt;63K RPS in less than 20 minutes.</p>
<p><img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/be6f5ec19d5444ebbfb750ae6b6426fd.jpg" alt="chart, line chart" /></p>
<p>If you believe we can assist you, please contact us and we would love to share our experience, especially since we are already running on .NET 7.</p>
<p>Best Luck!</p>

The .NET 7 has been released, and with it come performance enhancements that will help your applications run faster. Whether you're new to .NET or have been using it for years, there are many great features in this release worth exploring.

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