Drift of Release Train

Introduction: 

As mentioned in Wikipedia: “Release Train (Release management) is the process of managing software releases from development stage to software release. It is about creating, updating and delivering the project milestones, breaking them into sprints (if following agile) or sub-releases (if following other methodology).

The art of Release Management

I consider release management an art because the build, deploy and delivery of software may sound simple, but is not. The coordination of teams, tracking of build versions, and transparency of releases is not for the faint-hearted. It is predominantly launch of a new product or revamping new features into the existing one, which will provide value to customers or users. 

Wrapping it all up in 5 steps

Phases of Release Train

Consider a software is to be designed and released. Let’s go through the phases (i.e. Planning, Building, Testing, Deployment and Closure) of release and understand how the release management process works.

• Firstly release of the software is planned to figure out what are the required tools? How many releases are required? When to release? etc. After the release team agrees on a release plan, they identify the processes, tools, and technologies required to deploy the release into production.
• Then comes the build phase, where the front-end and back-end of the software is prepared. This phase focuses on how the software will look and function. It includes following steps:

1. Build environment is prepared
2. Source code are gathered and compiled
3. Installation Packages are created

• Moving on to the next phase of release i.e., testing, which measures the completeness, correctness and quality of the release packages to ensure that it delivers the software effectively in line with requirements. Various tests are performed and approvals are obtained from intended authorities and end users. 
• Deployment is the phase where release packages are deployed to the live environment. The end users and operating staffs are trained to operate it efficiently. And the software goes live on the decided schedule and feedbacks are obtained. 
• On receiving feedback, release eventually comes into closure phase. Activity logs are updated, lessons learnt during the entire release lifecycle are documented, resources assigned to the project are released and finally status of the project is changed to close.

Conclusion:

The goal of the release management process is to ensure that all changes are deployed successfully into the production IT environment in the least disruptive manner. If organizations correctly implement the release, they can not only maximize the efficiency of the release processes, but also save a lot of money and improve the business value of services.

About Author:

Shalini Priya is a consultant in Systems Plus Pvt. Ltd. Within Systems Plus, she actively contributes to the areas of Technology and Information Security. She can be contacted at: shalini.priya@spluspl.com

AMAZON GO

Love shopping but hate waiting in checkout lines? Amazon Go to the rescue...

What if you could shop to your heart’s content without worrying about those pesky little checkout lines? Think if this could be possible that we push the boundaries of computer vision and also machine learning to create a store where customers could simply take what they want and go without checkout worries? The answer to all these questions is Amazon Go.

Amazon says all you need is their app to enter the store and start shopping, or rather, that’s what you will need when Amazon decides to open the store up to civilians as currently, and Amazon Go is available only to Amazon employees.

Amazon Go is a kind of store where no checkout is required. It will be the advanced shopping technology so that customer will never wait in queue. For Just Walk Out shopping, all you need is an Amazon account, a supported smartphone, and the free Amazon Go app to enter the store, take the products you want, and Go! 

The Tech Behind It-

The technology in the Amazon Go is supported by a complex system of computer vision, deep machine learning and sensor fusion that works seamlessly to keep communications running between the physical store, the customer’s smartphone and the Amazon Go app. When a customer arrives at the store, they can just scan their smartphone and shopping begins. Digital images of the stock, Just Walk Out technology and multiple sensors are used to detect the item being purchased. If there is any confusion, the deep machine learning aspect of the system kicks in, looking at previous purchases to ascertain which item it is most likely to be. This data is then registered with the customer’s Amazon account and a receipt is sent directly to their smartphone upon leaving the store. The artificial intelligence system comes together to create a retail experience with the convenience of online shopping and the control of walking into a traditional brick-and-mortar store.

Amazon Go potentially handle millions of transactions per day, and this includes the personal data of each individual customer that walks through their doors. This emphasizes the need for a connectivity solution that is robust, secure and most likely cloud-connected.

Amazon Go certainly has potential. Its competitive edge is “self-checkout”. A lot of easy gains come by, just by bringing self-checkout systems into supermarkets:

• No manual checkout.
• Reduced checkout staffing needs.
• Space needed by checkout counters reallocated to store goods.
• Ease & speed of transaction.
• Improved customer satisfaction.
• Enhanced customer retention.

Many analysts feel that the grocery industry is ripe for change. Customer’s habits have change dramatically over time and supermarket chains haven’t necessarily kept up. Automation of the customer experience and a friction free shopping experience could bring a true sea change in the industry.

About Author:

Ayushi Guda is a consultant in Systems Plus Pvt. Ltd. Within Systems Plus, she actively contributes to the areas of Technology and Information Security. She can be contacted at: Ayushi.Guda@spluspl.com