Featured Article

How to Read My Blog

First, thank you for stopping by my blog.  I hope it is as useful to you as it is to me.  I use it daily for a personal reference as well as a place to refer colleagues and clients, which is why it is essentially a network of useful facts and (perhaps more importantly) references. … Read More »

Featured Article

Alan’s Reading List Summary

I have peppered my blog posts with great books, articles, videos and Podcasts for architects to reference.  If you are not keen to wade through all of my long-winded ramblings and rants then you can find them all listed on the “Reading list”, below. As a bonus, I list them in the order I would… Read More »

Strategic Technology: Web Analytics (CoreMetrics)

This entry is part 33 of 33 in the series Strategic Technologies

Web Analytics solutions help improve Web sites by analyzing real time information or information gathered from Web server logs to uncover usage patterns. Simple, free Web analytics solutions are popular such as Google Analytics. IBM CoreMetrics is a popular paid Web Analytics solution.  Others include Adobe SiteCatalyst, WebTrends and ClickTrends.

What are Critical Success Factors?

Software architects work with business leaders to design software based upon business requirements.  A common problem is that our customers sometimes provide a specification of how the software should work instead of what it is supposed to accomplish.  Providing a functional or technical specification limits our flexibility to do design. A good way to avoid… Read More »

Digital Build vs. Buy

This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series Digital Build vs. Buy

A common question that I have helped banks struggle with over the years is “build vs. buy”.  For digital banking channels, banks are wondering if they should build a bespoke banking multi/omni/channel offing or buy a packaged product/platform. The arguments for both sides are compelling: Building a bespoke solution offers the hope of creating a… Read More »