OUR TECHNOLOGIES

Here at Buzz, we largely work with Microsoft's .NET framework, a rich ecosystem that has high corporate support and works brilliantly with Azure (Microsoft’s cloud computing platform). This allows us to take advantage of tonnes of cloud infrastructure bringing flexibility and cost optimisation while delivering high-performing software.

Within .NET, there are also multiple languages to work with, and our preferred choice is C#. Similar to Java, C# is a ‘managed’ language, which means it takes care of all of the under-the-hood memory management, making it more reliable with less code than traditional languages like C and C++. It is well-known (and well-proven) by developers around the world.

But why is it so popular? Essentially, it’s because C# is a flexible coding language that can be utilised across multiple channels (web, apps, games). Plus, as a ‘compiled’ language, C# runs quickly, and means we’re not deploying editable (hackable!) code straight to the web. The best part is that this makes C# an incredibly secure language and, when used together with the .NET framework, we’re able to tap into a vibrant ecosystem of modules that can be used on almost any digital platform.

Nearly all Buzz developers use C#, which means we can support each other, with skills ranging from junior to very senior level, and bring extensive experience to each project we work on.

Our team of developers love using Orchard Core – our go-to content management system when it comes to website development.

As a framework built in .NET, Orchard Core allows us to build completely bespoke websites for our clients, without limitations and unexpected costs. Unlike out-of-the-box CMS platforms, these tailored builds give us the opportunity to create specialised modules that are easy-to-use, no matter your CMS skill level, and without the need for adding unexpected budget-draining, third-party plugins later down the line.

And thanks to the compiled code and a security-focused ecosystem, websites built on Orchard Core also benefit from stronger security, making it a go-to for any industry working with sensitive data (such as finance, healthcare or education).

Our crew at Buzz are so confident in Orchard Core, we’ve already developed a whole package to help businesses hit the ground running, including block-based modules that can be styled to specific brand guidelines and automatically modified for mobile devices.

Microsoft Azure Cloud is a cloud computing platform that provides services and tools for building, deploying, and managing applications globally.

But why do we use it here at Buzz? Essentially, it offers a near-infinite set of resources to run highly-connected services – from the tiniest programs to systems that support hundreds of thousands of users, which makes it incredibly scalable for the projects we work on.

We can also make the most of a pay-as-you-go pricing model that enables us to scale up or down based on demand. The result? Fewer overheads for infrastructure and the option to automatically scale (such as being turned off when not needed), which means less cost is passed onto the client.

Plus, Azure has to be squeaky-clean in terms of security, with built-in security features such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and role-based access control; together providing an incredibly secure environment. This helps us comply with our ISO27001 certification, which is essential for industries working with sensitive data and information.n.

When you’re working on a big project, it pays to be organised – which is why we use Azure DevOps. This comprehensive software development platform provides a range of tools for us to use, helping to streamline and accelerate development across the entire project lifecycle.

This all links into our Agile methodology, allowing us to manage everything from feature requests to offering immediate visibility of the current state of development through task-based dashboards and more.

Azure DevOps ensures questions can be answered in a very clear way by scoping requests to a specific task or feature, streamlining the communication in a way that surpasses emails and spreadsheets.

It’s not just great for us, though; our clients love it, too. For example, when Buzz’s clients collaborate as part of the wider project team, they can tap into DevOps to make requests and, with the ability to associate code with a task, they’ll also get automatic updates to say when it has been deployed, which version was deployed and what changes there are.

Microsoft SQL Server is a database platform that has been designed to store, manage, and retrieve massive amounts of data as required by networked applications, just like the ones that live on the modern web.

We like to use it at Buzz because it supports a whole variety of data types and structures, while also offering robust storage and retrieval features – including tools for analytics, data integration, reporting, and security.

Our favourite part? No matter the size of your software project, SQL Server can be used for both small and large enterprise systems. When coupled with Orchard Core, we can even run SQL Server as a document database, giving us powerful code driven data persistence that closely matches how we model your business in software.

These two technologies compliment and safeguard everything we do. XUnit allows us to write tests that confirm individual components of a program are doing what we expect when given a known set of parameters. Then, as code evolves, if a change is made that unintentionally causes different behaviour, we know about it before it becomes a problem. It’s a bit like double entry book keeping for programmers!

End-to-End testing comes at things from the opposite perspective, by simulating how a user would use the application. Tests specify which pages to visit and buttons to prod, and then check that the application behaves itself. Any deviant behaviour is brought to our attention so that we can administer the appropriate corrective action.