In this webinar replay you will learn how you can ignite your company’s managed services offering with ServiceControl’s Simplified Hybrid Identity and Account Governance platform. This is the follow-up webinar to our sponsorship of the Microsoft Worldwide Partner conference in July, 2016.
At Agile IT, we've been leading the trend in moving customers to the Microsoft Cloud. Along that roadmap is the need to secure and manage the devices that will access that data. The Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS) focuses on managing both the data that's accessible from the cloud as well as the devices that access it. In this webinar, we introduce you to EMS and focus on how cloud technologies work together to deliver a seamless solution for protecting your data.
The accompanying recording of the webinar can be found at https://youtu.be/NOWFI4xl-dM.
Preparing your enteprise for Hybrid AD Join and Conditional AccessJason Condo
In the presentation learn what you need to do in AD FS, Active Directory, and Azure Active Directory to leverage domain joined machines in conditional access policies to O365 services.
What is Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite and how to deploy itPeter De Tender
Key components of the Enterprise Mobility Suite are Azure AD Premium, Windows Intune and Azure Rights Management.
Learn from Peter De Tender, Microsoft Infrastructure Architect, MCT and MVP not only what the Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite is, but also how one can deploy it in an enterprise organization. By attending this session, you will gain the knowledge to optimize the adoption of IT, BYOD and SaaS as the core cloud solution components. Key concepts that will be covered are identity and access management, mobile device management and data protection.
At Agile IT, we've been leading the trend in moving customers to the Microsoft Cloud. Along that roadmap is the need to secure and manage the devices that will access that data. The Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS) focuses on managing both the data that's accessible from the cloud as well as the devices that access it. In this webinar, we introduce you to EMS and focus on how cloud technologies work together to deliver a seamless solution for protecting your data.
The accompanying recording of the webinar can be found at https://youtu.be/NOWFI4xl-dM.
Preparing your enteprise for Hybrid AD Join and Conditional AccessJason Condo
In the presentation learn what you need to do in AD FS, Active Directory, and Azure Active Directory to leverage domain joined machines in conditional access policies to O365 services.
What is Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite and how to deploy itPeter De Tender
Key components of the Enterprise Mobility Suite are Azure AD Premium, Windows Intune and Azure Rights Management.
Learn from Peter De Tender, Microsoft Infrastructure Architect, MCT and MVP not only what the Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite is, but also how one can deploy it in an enterprise organization. By attending this session, you will gain the knowledge to optimize the adoption of IT, BYOD and SaaS as the core cloud solution components. Key concepts that will be covered are identity and access management, mobile device management and data protection.
Overview of Identity and Access Management Product LineNovell
Attend the two-hour foundation session on the Identity and Access Management product line from Novell and start your BrainShare right! This session will deliver a high-level overview of the full Identity and Access Management product line. It will highlight how the products work together as an integrated solution, and the session has a modular format so you can attend the product overviews you are most interested in. The session will provide real life examples of integration-focused benefits, followed by a 25 minute overview and update on each of the products: Novell Identity Manager, Novell Access Manager and Novell SecureLogin.
Building Web-Based Line-of-Business Applications on the Microsoft Dynamics Li...goodfriday
In this session, we explore how developing applications on the Microsoft Dynamics Live CRM platform can speed up delivery of applications in the cloud. We look at the basics of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform and delve into how that extends into the cloud in hosted environments or on the Microsoft hosted Dynamics Live CRM. Finally we look at real-life customer scenarios of loosely coupled systems that extend Microsoft CRM or connect with Microsoft CRM over the cloud.
Windows 10 A Guide to Secure Mobility in the EnterpriseGerard Konan
Windows 10 connaît croissance significative dans l'entreprise; De 150 millions de PCs aujourd'hui, les projections prévoient 1 milliard de PCs d'ici la mi-2018. Êtes-vous prêt à gérer les nouvelles fonctionnalités et de sécuriser les terminaux mobiles dotés du dernier OS de Microsoft?
Rejoignez Chuck Brown, d'IBM MaaS360 et Jimmy Tsang pour découvrir comment les amélioration de Windows 10 sont en train de changer la donne pour les entreprises:
- Des API de sécurité universel pour smartphones, tablettes et ordinateurs portables
- Les systèmes d'exploitation convergents à travers les ordinateurs de bureau, ordinateurs portables et appareils mobiles
- Gestion unifiée des points de terminaison et appareils Mobile grâce à un seul console
- Effacement sélectif des périphériques gérés pour protéger les données sensibles de l'entreprise
Nous vous présenterons également les clé de gestion de mobilité d'entreprise permettant une intégration parfaite entre la fournitures des services IT Mobiles et le contrôle des appareils Windows XP à 10, iOS, Android avec IBM MaaS360.
Microsoft EMS - Everybody Together Now - Edge Pereira - Microsoft Office 365 ...Edge Pereira
Microsoft has solution to help you to protect your data, manage mobile devices, unify environments across OSs all this while enabling seamless collaboration. In this session we will talk about the Enterprise Mobility Suite and how it plays together with the current needs of the modern workplace. This is a DEMO HEAVY session. Bring your devices. You will be part of the demo.
CIS14: Creating a Federated Identity Service for Better SSOCloudIDSummit
Matt Tatro, Denise Lores, Wade Ellery
Radiant Logic
How to avoid building half an Enterprise IdP; demonstration of how to create a federated identity service that will complement and improve your SSO by aggregating all of your identity silos into an enterprise IdP.
Overview of Identity and Access Management Product LineNovell
Attend the two-hour foundation session on the Identity and Access Management product line from Novell and start your BrainShare right! This session will deliver a high-level overview of the full Identity and Access Management product line. It will highlight how the products work together as an integrated solution, and the session has a modular format so you can attend the product overviews you are most interested in. The session will provide real life examples of integration-focused benefits, followed by a 25 minute overview and update on each of the products: Novell Identity Manager, Novell Access Manager and Novell SecureLogin.
Building Web-Based Line-of-Business Applications on the Microsoft Dynamics Li...goodfriday
In this session, we explore how developing applications on the Microsoft Dynamics Live CRM platform can speed up delivery of applications in the cloud. We look at the basics of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform and delve into how that extends into the cloud in hosted environments or on the Microsoft hosted Dynamics Live CRM. Finally we look at real-life customer scenarios of loosely coupled systems that extend Microsoft CRM or connect with Microsoft CRM over the cloud.
Windows 10 A Guide to Secure Mobility in the EnterpriseGerard Konan
Windows 10 connaît croissance significative dans l'entreprise; De 150 millions de PCs aujourd'hui, les projections prévoient 1 milliard de PCs d'ici la mi-2018. Êtes-vous prêt à gérer les nouvelles fonctionnalités et de sécuriser les terminaux mobiles dotés du dernier OS de Microsoft?
Rejoignez Chuck Brown, d'IBM MaaS360 et Jimmy Tsang pour découvrir comment les amélioration de Windows 10 sont en train de changer la donne pour les entreprises:
- Des API de sécurité universel pour smartphones, tablettes et ordinateurs portables
- Les systèmes d'exploitation convergents à travers les ordinateurs de bureau, ordinateurs portables et appareils mobiles
- Gestion unifiée des points de terminaison et appareils Mobile grâce à un seul console
- Effacement sélectif des périphériques gérés pour protéger les données sensibles de l'entreprise
Nous vous présenterons également les clé de gestion de mobilité d'entreprise permettant une intégration parfaite entre la fournitures des services IT Mobiles et le contrôle des appareils Windows XP à 10, iOS, Android avec IBM MaaS360.
Microsoft EMS - Everybody Together Now - Edge Pereira - Microsoft Office 365 ...Edge Pereira
Microsoft has solution to help you to protect your data, manage mobile devices, unify environments across OSs all this while enabling seamless collaboration. In this session we will talk about the Enterprise Mobility Suite and how it plays together with the current needs of the modern workplace. This is a DEMO HEAVY session. Bring your devices. You will be part of the demo.
CIS14: Creating a Federated Identity Service for Better SSOCloudIDSummit
Matt Tatro, Denise Lores, Wade Ellery
Radiant Logic
How to avoid building half an Enterprise IdP; demonstration of how to create a federated identity service that will complement and improve your SSO by aggregating all of your identity silos into an enterprise IdP.
2011.04.04. Les partenaires IBM et le Cloud Business - Loic SimonClub Alliances
Deck sur les Partenaires IBM et le Cloud Business préparé par Loic Simon à l'occasion de sessions de Formation délivrées aux responsables de la relation partenaires chez IBM.
2011.11.22 - Cloud Infrastructure Provider - 8ème Forum du Club Cloud des Par...Club Cloud des Partenaires
p8ème Forum du Club Cloud des Partenaires [dans le cadre de Partner VIP - 22 novembre 2011]. Deck de slides qui accompagnent l'atelier "Hébergeurs, infogéreurs, comment différencier votre offre Cloud" [animé par Florence Marcel]
As cloud services deployment matures in the enterprise, the emphasis has moved from deploying infrastructure as a service towards a model of delivering business services in a “SaaS-like” manner. How can organizations succeed in building hybrid technology models which effectively leverage AWS to deliver business services transparently to customers? In this presentation, we will discuss how use AWS and CSC to develop business services starting with hybrid IT, moving toward robust test and development strategies for enterprise applications, and finally providing a true “SaaS-like” experience for business users and customers alike.
Craig Stires, Head of Big Data and Analytics, Amazon Web Services, APAC
Dan Angelucci, Chief Technology Officer - Asia, Middle East and Africa, CSC
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 3. In this session, we will cover desktop automation along with UI automation.
Topics covered:
UI automation Introduction,
UI automation Sample
Desktop automation flow
Pradeep Chinnala, Senior Consultant Automation Developer @WonderBotz and UiPath MVP
Deepak Rai, Automation Practice Lead, Boundaryless Group and UiPath MVP
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a buttonDianaGray10
Here is something new! In our next Connector Corner webinar, we will demonstrate how you can use a single workflow to:
Create a campaign using Mailchimp with merge tags/fields
Send an interactive Slack channel message (using buttons)
Have the message received by managers and peers along with a test email for review
But there’s more:
In a second workflow supporting the same use case, you’ll see:
Your campaign sent to target colleagues for approval
If the “Approve” button is clicked, a Jira/Zendesk ticket is created for the marketing design team
But—if the “Reject” button is pushed, colleagues will be alerted via Slack message
Join us to learn more about this new, human-in-the-loop capability, brought to you by Integration Service connectors.
And...
Speakers:
Akshay Agnihotri, Product Manager
Charlie Greenberg, Host
Elevating Tactical DDD Patterns Through Object CalisthenicsDorra BARTAGUIZ
After immersing yourself in the blue book and its red counterpart, attending DDD-focused conferences, and applying tactical patterns, you're left with a crucial question: How do I ensure my design is effective? Tactical patterns within Domain-Driven Design (DDD) serve as guiding principles for creating clear and manageable domain models. However, achieving success with these patterns requires additional guidance. Interestingly, we've observed that a set of constraints initially designed for training purposes remarkably aligns with effective pattern implementation, offering a more ‘mechanical’ approach. Let's explore together how Object Calisthenics can elevate the design of your tactical DDD patterns, offering concrete help for those venturing into DDD for the first time!
Dev Dives: Train smarter, not harder – active learning and UiPath LLMs for do...UiPathCommunity
💥 Speed, accuracy, and scaling – discover the superpowers of GenAI in action with UiPath Document Understanding and Communications Mining™:
See how to accelerate model training and optimize model performance with active learning
Learn about the latest enhancements to out-of-the-box document processing – with little to no training required
Get an exclusive demo of the new family of UiPath LLMs – GenAI models specialized for processing different types of documents and messages
This is a hands-on session specifically designed for automation developers and AI enthusiasts seeking to enhance their knowledge in leveraging the latest intelligent document processing capabilities offered by UiPath.
Speakers:
👨🏫 Andras Palfi, Senior Product Manager, UiPath
👩🏫 Lenka Dulovicova, Product Program Manager, UiPath
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf91mobiles
91mobiles recently conducted a Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey in which we asked over 3,000 respondents about the TV they own, aspects they look at on a new TV, and their TV buying preferences.
DevOps and Testing slides at DASA ConnectKari Kakkonen
My and Rik Marselis slides at 30.5.2024 DASA Connect conference. We discuss about what is testing, then what is agile testing and finally what is Testing in DevOps. Finally we had lovely workshop with the participants trying to find out different ways to think about quality and testing in different parts of the DevOps infinity loop.
Builder.ai Founder Sachin Dev Duggal's Strategic Approach to Create an Innova...Ramesh Iyer
In today's fast-changing business world, Companies that adapt and embrace new ideas often need help to keep up with the competition. However, fostering a culture of innovation takes much work. It takes vision, leadership and willingness to take risks in the right proportion. Sachin Dev Duggal, co-founder of Builder.ai, has perfected the art of this balance, creating a company culture where creativity and growth are nurtured at each stage.
Essentials of Automations: Optimizing FME Workflows with ParametersSafe Software
Are you looking to streamline your workflows and boost your projects’ efficiency? Do you find yourself searching for ways to add flexibility and control over your FME workflows? If so, you’re in the right place.
Join us for an insightful dive into the world of FME parameters, a critical element in optimizing workflow efficiency. This webinar marks the beginning of our three-part “Essentials of Automation” series. This first webinar is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to utilize parameters effectively: enhancing the flexibility, maintainability, and user control of your FME projects.
Here’s what you’ll gain:
- Essentials of FME Parameters: Understand the pivotal role of parameters, including Reader/Writer, Transformer, User, and FME Flow categories. Discover how they are the key to unlocking automation and optimization within your workflows.
- Practical Applications in FME Form: Delve into key user parameter types including choice, connections, and file URLs. Allow users to control how a workflow runs, making your workflows more reusable. Learn to import values and deliver the best user experience for your workflows while enhancing accuracy.
- Optimization Strategies in FME Flow: Explore the creation and strategic deployment of parameters in FME Flow, including the use of deployment and geometry parameters, to maximize workflow efficiency.
- Pro Tips for Success: Gain insights on parameterizing connections and leveraging new features like Conditional Visibility for clarity and simplicity.
We’ll wrap up with a glimpse into future webinars, followed by a Q&A session to address your specific questions surrounding this topic.
Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your FME expertise and drive your projects to new heights of efficiency.
Slack (or Teams) Automation for Bonterra Impact Management (fka Social Soluti...Jeffrey Haguewood
Sidekick Solutions uses Bonterra Impact Management (fka Social Solutions Apricot) and automation solutions to integrate data for business workflows.
We believe integration and automation are essential to user experience and the promise of efficient work through technology. Automation is the critical ingredient to realizing that full vision. We develop integration products and services for Bonterra Case Management software to support the deployment of automations for a variety of use cases.
This video focuses on the notifications, alerts, and approval requests using Slack for Bonterra Impact Management. The solutions covered in this webinar can also be deployed for Microsoft Teams.
Interested in deploying notification automations for Bonterra Impact Management? Contact us at sales@sidekicksolutionsllc.com to discuss next steps.
Generating a custom Ruby SDK for your web service or Rails API using Smithyg2nightmarescribd
Have you ever wanted a Ruby client API to communicate with your web service? Smithy is a protocol-agnostic language for defining services and SDKs. Smithy Ruby is an implementation of Smithy that generates a Ruby SDK using a Smithy model. In this talk, we will explore Smithy and Smithy Ruby to learn how to generate custom feature-rich SDKs that can communicate with any web service, such as a Rails JSON API.
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...James Anderson
Effective Application Security in Software Delivery lifecycle using Deployment Firewall and DBOM
The modern software delivery process (or the CI/CD process) includes many tools, distributed teams, open-source code, and cloud platforms. Constant focus on speed to release software to market, along with the traditional slow and manual security checks has caused gaps in continuous security as an important piece in the software supply chain. Today organizations feel more susceptible to external and internal cyber threats due to the vast attack surface in their applications supply chain and the lack of end-to-end governance and risk management.
The software team must secure its software delivery process to avoid vulnerability and security breaches. This needs to be achieved with existing tool chains and without extensive rework of the delivery processes. This talk will present strategies and techniques for providing visibility into the true risk of the existing vulnerabilities, preventing the introduction of security issues in the software, resolving vulnerabilities in production environments quickly, and capturing the deployment bill of materials (DBOM).
Speakers:
Bob Boule
Robert Boule is a technology enthusiast with PASSION for technology and making things work along with a knack for helping others understand how things work. He comes with around 20 years of solution engineering experience in application security, software continuous delivery, and SaaS platforms. He is known for his dynamic presentations in CI/CD and application security integrated in software delivery lifecycle.
Gopinath Rebala
Gopinath Rebala is the CTO of OpsMx, where he has overall responsibility for the machine learning and data processing architectures for Secure Software Delivery. Gopi also has a strong connection with our customers, leading design and architecture for strategic implementations. Gopi is a frequent speaker and well-known leader in continuous delivery and integrating security into software delivery.
3. Why the Cloud represents the future
The Microsoft Cloud has reached a tipping point. Customers are moving
to the cloud at a record pace, resulting in nearly 120,000 MS Azure
subscriptions every month.
According to Gartner, 50% of enterprises will use Hybrid Cloud by 2017.
According to a new IDC study, partners with more than half their
revenues in the cloud are growing twice as fast, realizing 1.5 times gross
profits, and experiencing 1.8 times more recurring revenues than those
with less than 50% of their revenues in the cloud.
4. We’re in the golden era of cloud application services.
- Satya Nadella
Microsoft CEO
5. Microsoft’s WPC 2016 message summary to partners
Partners must find ways to transition from
a break/fix model to delivering scalable,
long-term managed services for their cloud
and legacy customers.
Agility is the key to survival. Transition or
be left behind in the cloud dust and become
tomorrow’s dinosaurs!
Secure your position in the digital
transformation. Become your customer’s
trusted Managed Service Partner by
providing innovative solutions to your
customer’s new challenges.
6. The biggest MSP challenge: Cloud +
COMPLEXITY
The tools and scripts we have don’t allow us to create
and manage user accounts, application access, self-
service and workflow across our customer’s new cloud
services and existing systems.
We need to login to different admin apps on different
systems with different credentials to manage identities
for multiple Azure AD, AD on-premises, HR, CRM, ERP,
email systems, and other applications.
Each of these admin apps is complex, require
administrator permissions, and extensive training.
My systems administrators are not developers. They
can’t create and manage PowerShell scripts.
7. Customers are looking for:
Lower costs and simplicity: Reduce the amount
of training required for users to perform simple
tasks across multiple systems.
Better security: Delegate role-based
management tasks more securely.
Business Process automation: Improve
business processes and efficiency with built-in
integrated and advanced workflow.
Single point of management: Create, manage,
and audit user accounts across multiple services
from a single, easy-to-use portal.
8. MSPs value ServiceControl for its…
Simplicity
Security
Scalability
Speed of deployment
Savings and immediate return
on investment
Cloud based systems
On-premises systems
Directories
Email systems
Line of Business applications
CRM & ERP systems
Service multiple customers, across
multiple systems - from a single browser
TM
9. Why ServiceControl?
Highly scalable private cloud or on-premises
implementation.
Connects to your customer’s services and
infrastructure with minimal changes.
Remote installation and configuration services
ensure that your team is up and running quickly.
Securely designate highly technical tasks to non-
technical team members.
Remove IT and high-tech applications from
being a bottleneck. Allow your customer’s
teams to focus on high-priority, revenue-
generating projects.
Cloud based systems
On-premises systems
Directories
Email systems
Line of Business applications
CRM & ERP systems
10. ServiceControl helps us deliver secure, simple, and better
delegated management across our customer’s multiple
systems and applications.
ServiceControl’s integrated workflow and business workflow
automation deliver immediate value to all stakeholders.
13. Site-to-Site VPN
and
Express Route
ON-PREMISES
VIRTUAL NETWORK
(VNET)
Exchange Server
2016/2013/2010
Lync Server 2013
GroupWise 2014/8
Active Directory,
eDirectory, OpenLDAP
Office 365
Remote Agents (Connectors)
Exchange Online
Skype for Business
Azure AD
Example of ServiceControl deployment on Azure Cloud
ServiceControl +
Workflow Engine
14. Site-to-Site VPN
and
Express Route
ON-PREMISES
VIRTUAL NETWORK
(VNET)
Exchange Server
2016/2013/2010
Lync Server 2013
GroupWise 2014/8
Active Directory,
eDirectory, OpenLDAP
Office 365
Remote Agents (Connectors)
Exchange Online
Skype for Business
Azure AD
Example of ServiceControl deployment on Azure Cloud
ServiceControl +
Workflow Engine
Full support for Azure
Service Bus for secure,
transparent, behind the
firewall communication
between ServiceControl
and on-premises
applications.
17. GetUserById()
CreateNewUser()
User Principal Name
User License Profile
User Location
SetUserLicense()
correct licenses?
user exist?
0
1
2). Create user (skip if will be created by DirSync)
3). Assign ‘Usage Location’
4). Set user attributes
5). Check licensing profile
1). Try to get user
6). Assign licenses if necessary
CreateUser() method
2). n/a
3). Assign ‘Usage Location’
4). Set user attributes
5). Check licensing profile
1). Try to get user
6). Assign licenses if necessary
EnableUser() method
2). Remove user licenses
3). Delete user object
1). Try to get user
DeleteUser() method
2). Remove user licenses
1). Try to get user
DisableUser() method
wait for DirSync
1
ServiceControl: License-aware user account management
0
0
1
0
18. Create
Provisioning
De-provisioning
With ServiceControl, you’re in control
Cloud SaaSOn-premises ServiceControl Platform
Manage
SaaS and On-premises
Accounts
Licensing
Group Membership
Access Rights
Applications
Self-service Audit
Audit Report
Lifecycle Report
Workflows
Azure AD
Office 365
Public
cloud
Partner SaaS
AppsOther Directories
19. Microsoft Azure
Web AppsSaaS apps
Leveraging Azure AD and Microsoft Cloud Platform
Multiple directories and SaaS apps in the Cloud
(Azure Active Directory
Application Proxy)
Integrated custom apps
Other Directories
20. Integrate your partner solution with Microsoft Azure
Cloud hybrid identities
Use ServiceControl to Manage and Integrate
23. ServiceControl: Create
Simplify account creation across multiple systems
Azure Active Directory
Active Directory
eDirectory
Open LDAP
3rd party systems through connectors (SQL,
REST, SOAP)
Office 365 Exchange Online, Exchange on
premise, GroupWise
25. ServiceControl: Manage
Delegate tasks across multiple systems
Active Directory
Azure Active Directory
Open LDAP
3rd party systems (SQL, REST, SOAP)
Account status (enabling/disabling)
Lock/unlock accounts
Security and Distribution Group Membership
Account update (demographic attributes)
Task Authority:
Defines which service desk users
can carry out which tasks.
Search Authority:
Defines with which systems, OUs,
groups, users, or applications tasks
can be carried out.
36. In Summary: ServiceControl Differentiators
Workflow Integration across multiple systems
Workflow-enabled user provisioning and
manager
Hybrid Cloud user account management
Unified account management interface
Delegated authorization
ServiceControl as a Hybrid Cloud Identity hub
Workflow and Remote Action Framework (Secret Sauce)
37. How to partner with ServiceControl:
Schedule a demonstration and technical deep
dive
Complete a mutual non-disclosure agreement
Submit a partner application
http://www.servicecontrol.com/partnerapplication/
Schedule a needs analysis
Schedule a systems requirements review
Schedule 2-hour initial installation and
configuration
39. Partner programs
Value Added Resellers (VARs)
Strategic Alliance Partners
Managed Service Providers
Visit our website at:
http://www.servicecontrol.com/partners/
40. Frequently asked technical questions
Q: What is the unique value of the ServiceControl Business Process Automation
Platform in comparison with other workflow and SaaS integration platforms?
• BizTalk
• Amazon Simple Workflows,
• Nintex workflows
• SharePoint workflows
• Microsoft App Service Logic Apps
• Microsoft Flows
• Others: MuleSoft, SnapLogic, IFTTT, Zapier, etc.
41. A: Indeed, ServiceControl Business Process Automation Platform is, in fact, just another SaaS integration platform.
• Similar to SharePoint and Dynamics CRM workflows, ServiceControl is based on Microsoft Workflow Foundation.
• Similar to Microsoft App Service Logic Apps, ServiceControl uses Swagger metadata to connect to REST services.
• Similar to BizTalk, ServiceControl uses WSDL metadata to connect to SOAP/WCF services.
• Similar to Amazon Simple Workflows and Nintex, ServiceControl can be hosted in the AWS cloud.
• Similar to MuleSoft, SnapLogic, IFTTT, Zapier and others, ServiceControl uses pre-built and custom remote agents to connect to many
SaaS services.
• Similar to Microsoft Flows, ServiceControl can be hosted on Azure Cloud and leverage Azure Service Bus.
What makes ServiceControl different and unique is that the ServiceControl Automation Platform is designed with a focus on identity and
access management. This requires field-specific access and focus which is perhaps not the center of attention of other platforms.
For example:
• ServiceControl has to audit, profile and be able to report on every execution step. It needs to keep a secure record of every service
request/response, exception, email or approval action.
• ServiceControl has to connect dissimilar services in a single orchestration. In our practice, we have to deal with PowerShell, SOAP web services,
REST services, SQL and other proprietary APIs, sometimes all in the context of a single workflow. We have to work with 64-bit and 32-bit
SDKs which cannot be installed on the same box. This is why we have chosen an indirect way to invoke API calls via connectors (remote agents)
that run on independent VMs, not directly via coding workflow activities against the API.
• ServiceControl needs to use management APIs, not content APIs. Most connectors on the market today are concern with content
• management or content integration. Our connectors are mostly concern with identity and access management. These are typically packaged
in separate API sets.
• We have to compensate for the shortcomings of PowerShell APIs. Most management APIs are usually PowerShell-based. This means there
are extra dependencies on other components, multi-threading and scalability issues, incomplete metadata, and other issues.
42. Frequently asked technical questions
Q: Why not just use PowerShell, which is Microsoft’s de-facto standard for
automation and management? After all, PowerShell is used by System Center
runbooks and has many attractive features like:
• PowerShell remoting
• PowerShell workflows
• PowerShell Desirable State Configuration (DSC)
• PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE)
• Ability to write custom modules
43. A:PowerShell, is a powerful tool for script and batch management of just about everything. But is it a
good choice as the base technology for a business process automation platform? We do not think so because:
1. PowerShell is not a scalable server technology. WCF and REST are, but not PowerShell.
• PowerShell was designed for desktop client that is run by a single sysadmin in interactive mode.
• Typically, only 2-3 simultaneous remote sessions are allowed.
• Remote sessions take long time to establish, they are easily become abandoned and blocking
entire channel.
2. PowerShell requires custom coding.
• PowerShell assumes that sysadmin will become a programmer. They call it “scripting”, VB-like scripting with embedded
fragments of C# and descriptive language (in case of PS workflows and DSC).
• Our goal is opposite, we want to avoid custom coding as much as possible, which minimize the mistake sysadmin can
make and significantly simplifies DevOps maintenance.
3. PowerShell does not provide complete metadata for proxy auto-generation.
• In comparison with WSDL and Swagger, which are standard means of proxy auto-generation, PowerShell modules
are lacking this essential feature. Metadata can be partially retrieved for arguments, but not for return values
or exceptions.
4. PowerShell development environment is too basic.
• PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) is a standard tool on any Windows Server box. It is nice for a quick
and easy jobs, big improvement comparing with good old Command Prompt.
• It is dwarf, however, in comparison with Visual Studio IDE, BizTalk orchestrator or SharePoint Designer.
• Our approach to design tools is more close to the last two.
44. Frequently asked technical questions
Q: In some cases, like managing Lync 2013 or Skype for Business, PowerShell is
the only management API available. How does ServiceControl help to avoid
PowerShell programming in these scenarios?
Lync 2013 - Provides a
Silverlight-based
management portal with
PowerShell support. No
SDK or REST
management APIs
available for Lync.
45. A: ServiceControl’s connectors to Lync 2013, Skype for Business, Exchange Online, Azure AD and other
systems that require PowerShell for management, do, of course, use PowerShell.
• Note that with ServiceControl, all technical complexity and the challenges of programming with PowerShell
are hidden from you, encapsulated inside our own code that was created by experienced programmers.
• Each connector is a pluggable component that can be used in your business process orchestration.
All complexity related to one or more PowerShell modules and cmdlets is encapsulated inside our connector.
• Connectors encapsulate, aggregate and expose PowerShell functionality in a new way via standard,
ready-for-automation WCF and REST interfaces.
• To be used in workflows, these interfaces are turned into proxies that are used as workflows activities,
the elementary building blocks of any workflow.
• So, instead of programming complexity with PowerShell, we implement the simple composition of
activities into a workflow orchestration.
• At runtime, each workflow step will trigger an activity. The activity calls a proxy. The proxy calls
a connector and the connector will invoke the PowerShell cmdlet(s).
46. Frequently asked technical questions
Q: Why not just use Azure AD, Exchange Online, Skype for Business and the
standard web-based management portals provided by Microsoft?
47. A: There are a number of reasons:
• Not all management operations are available in management portals. Some require
PowerShell programming.
• Typically, IT processes/tasks involve operations on multiple cloud services, each managed from
its own management portal. It is not very convenient for a sysadmin to jump from one portal
to another just to accomplish one single task. For example, the CreateUser task may involve
creating that user account in Azure AD, then in Exchange Online, and then in Skype for Business.
This means that the system administration needs to be trained on and use three 3 different portals.
• Microsoft management portals only support operations on a one-at-a-time basis, e.g. single user
account, single group, etc. Operations on multiple users, groups, accounts are usually not possible.
Bulk importing and management operations are limited and not consistent across portals.
• Working with portals assumes manual interactive processes - no automation possible.
48. Frequently asked technical questions
Q: How can I manage my LOB applications that run behind a firewall
in an on-premises data center?
49. A: ServiceControl’s Automation Platform has the ability to connect to services
and LOB applications that are running behind a firewall.
Depending on the environment, various techniques can be used:
• Azure Virtual Network (VNET) and Site-to-Site connection
• Azure Virtual Network (VNET) and Point-to-Site connection
• Azure Virtual Network (VNET) and Express Route
• Azure AD Application Proxy
• Azure Service Bus (Relay Messaging)
Or, simply install the Azure custom connector behind your firewall. ServiceControl connectors have
built-in support for Azure Service Bus Queues and Relay Messaging.
50. Frequently asked technical questions
Q: What is required to expose my custom cloud service or an on-premises
LOB application to ServiceControl workflows?
51. A: Similar to SOA (service-oriented-architecture) requirements
for web services, ServiceControl requires your service or LOB app
to expose its functionality via a SOAP/WCF/REST web service.
To simplify the proxy auto-generation, the service should make its metadata accessible
via WSDL or Swagger interfaces. Where this is not possible, the ServiceControl
engineering team will help you to build/code the specific proxy.
53. Don’t get left behind in the Cloud dust!
Build your MSP future with ServiceControl.
Aldo Zanoni, CEO
408.675.5020 ext. 232
aldo@servicecontrol.com
www.servicecontrol.com