CI/CD for TIBCO Scribe Migration Using Azure DevOps
Overview
Every client typically maintains multiple environments, such as DEV, UAT, SIT, and PROD. When they need to migrate or move TIBCO Scribe solutions from one environment to another, the process often involves manual work. This manual effort can lead to errors during migration, increasing the risk and time required. To overcome these challenges, we can leverage TIBCO Scribe APIs, PowerShell scripting, and Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines to automate the migration process. This approach ensures a seamless, error-free, and efficient migration across environments.
Problem Statement
Migrating Tibco Scribe solutions between organizations can be a time-consuming and error-prone manual process, especially when dealing with multiple deployments. This blog post outlines a solution using Azure DevOps to implement a CI/CD pipeline that automates the migration process, saving you time and effort.
What is TIBCO Scribe?
TIBCO Scribe is a cloud-based integration platform that simplifies data migration, replication, and integration between applications and data sources. It provides tools for building, deploying, and managing integrations, allowing organizations to automate workflows across their ecosystem effectively.
What is CI/CD in Azure DevOps?
CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment) in Azure DevOps is a development practice that enables teams to build, test, and deploy code changes in an automated and streamlined manner. Azure DevOps provides a suite of tools for creating pipelines, managing repositories, and deploying applications across environments such as Development (Dev), User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and Production (Prod).
Authentication and Authorization
To manage multiple TIBCO Scribe organizations (Dev, UAT, Prod), authentication and authorization are performed using token-based authentication in API requests.
Generate Token: Use secure credentials to generate a token that provides temporary access for API requests. This token is used in place of username and password to enhance security.
Authenticate Requests: All API calls, such as retrieving solutions or migrating them, are authenticated using the token in the headers. This ensures secure and streamlined access to resources across all environments.
Base API Endpoint: https://agent.scribesoft.com/v1/
Scribe APIs for Migration
Below are the key APIs used for the migration process:
Get Organization Details (Org ID): Retrieves the source and destination organization IDs required for migration.
GET /v1/orgs
Get Solution ID: Fetches the unique solution ID from the source organization.
GET /v1/orgs/{orgId}/solutions
Get Destination Agent ID: Retrieves the agent ID for the destination organization to ensure the solution is migrated to the correct environment.
GET /v1/orgs/{orgId}/agents
PowerShell Script for Migration
The following steps outline a PowerShell script to automate the migration process:
1. Authenticate with Scribe
Authenticate using API credentials to access the Scribe API.
2. Check if Solution Exists in the Destination Organization
Ensure the solution does not already exist in the destination environment to prevent duplication.
3. Validate Connections in Destination Organization
Verify that all necessary connections exist in the destination organization before migrating the solution.
4. Migrate the Solution
Perform the migration by exporting the solution from the source organization and importing it into the destination organization.
Conclusion
By leveraging Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines and PowerShell scripting makes TIBCO Scribe solution migration across multiple organizations straightforward and efficient. Automation ensures that the process is consistent, minimizes manual effort, and speeds up deployment timelines. With secure token-based authentication and API integration, the migration becomes more reliable and error-free.
How iSteer can help you with this solution?
At iSteer, we understand the challenges of migrating TIBCO Scribe solutions. Many of our clients have faced similar hurdles, struggling with complex and time-consuming migrations. There is a direct document available to implement this solution, providing a clear, step-by-step guide to ensure a seamless migration process. To address these challenges, we’ve developed a streamlined, automated CI/CD solution that has successfully helped countless clients move their solutions quickly and efficiently.
Finding the Right Technology Fit for Your Business
Navigating the ever-evolving technology landscape can feel like a daunting task. Buzzwords like microservices, AI/ML, and LLMs are constantly bombarding us, and it’s easy to get swept up in the hype. While the latest advancements offer incredible potential, it’s crucial to remember that no single technology is a magic bullet.
The truth is, many businesses still rely on legacy systems and traditional processes. Perhaps you’re dealing with batch processing, EDI file exchanges, or on-premise applications. Digital transformation is a journey, not a destination, and it’s important to find solutions that align with your unique needs and pace.
At iSteer, we understand that one size does not fit all. With over 15 years of experience, we’ve helped countless clients navigate their technology challenges. We partner with leading software companies and cultivate expertise across a wide range of solutions, allowing us to offer truly customized approaches.
Here’s how we can help:
- Cloud Solutions:Â Whether you’re looking to migrate to the cloud, optimize your existing cloud infrastructure, or maintain a hybrid environment, we can guide you through the process. Our expertise spans multiple cloud platforms, ensuring you remain cloud-agnostic and retain flexibility.
- Application Modernization:Â We can help you modernize your legacy applications, integrate disparate systems, and automate manual processes, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
- API Management:Â Simplify API implementation and unlock new revenue streams with our API management solutions. We can help you design, deploy, and manage APIs effectively.
- Data Integration:Â From EDI file exchanges to large-scale data transfers, we have the expertise to ensure seamless data flow across your organization.
Our Approach:
We begin by thoroughly analyzing your requirements and understanding your business objectives. Then, we recommend the most suitable solutions, whether on-premise, cloud-based, or a hybrid approach. Our team of experts will work closely with you to:
- Provision and configure your environments
- Develop and implement deployment pipelines
- Monitor and manage your applications
Ready to embark on your technology transformation journey?
Contact iSteer today. We’re here to help you find the perfect technology fit for your business.
Cost Optimization on Cloud Platforms
Cloud computing has transformed how businesses operate by offering scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions for IT infrastructure. At iSteer, we understand that the pay-as-you-go model can sometimes lead to unexpected costs if not managed strategically. Our expertise in cost optimization helps businesses minimize cloud spending while maintaining performance and scalability.
Key Challenges in Cloud Cost Management
Unpredictable Spending Patterns
Many businesses face fluctuating costs due to unforeseen resource usage.
Underutilized Resources
Idle resources often go unnoticed, leading to unnecessary expenses.
Complex Pricing Models
The diverse pricing models across cloud providers can confuse organizations.
Benefits of Effective Cost Optimization
Improved ROI: Maximizing resource utilization ensures better returns.
Operational Efficiency: Streamlined cloud operations reduce waste.
Scalability: Resources are dynamically adjusted to meet demands without overprovisioning.
Key Strategies for Cost Optimization
Right-Sizing Resources
Description: Ensure that compute instances, storage, and other resources match actual usage requirements.
Actions: Regularly monitor resource utilization and scale resources up or down as needed.
Leveraging Reserved Instances (RIs)
Description: Commit to using certain resources for a one- or three-year term to receive significant discounts.
Actions: Analyze long-term workloads and purchase RIs for predictable usage.
Utilizing Spot Instances
Description: Use spot or preemptible instances for non-critical or flexible workloads.
Actions: Leverage these for batch processing, data analysis, or development/testing environments.
Automating Resource Management
Description: Implement automation to schedule shutdowns of unused instances and scale resources dynamically.
Actions: Use tools like AWS Auto Scaling, Azure Automation, or Google Cloud Operations.
Storage Optimization
Description: Identify unused or redundant storage and move infrequently accessed data to lower-cost tiers.
Actions: Use lifecycle management policies to transition data between storage classes.
Monitoring and Alerts
Description: Continuously monitor usage and set up alerts for unusual spending patterns.
Actions: Use native tools like AWS Cost Explorer, Azure Cost Management, or Google Cloud Billing.
Serverless Architectures
Description: Adopt serverless computing for workloads with unpredictable traffic.
Actions: Implement services like AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, or Google Cloud Functions.
Containerization and Kubernetes
Description: Use containers and orchestration tools to improve resource utilization.
Actions: Deploy applications with Kubernetes or Docker Swarm for better cost efficiency.
Using Discounts and Credits
Description: Take advantage of discounts, free tiers, and promotional credits offered by cloud providers.
Actions: Stay updated with provider offerings and negotiate custom discounts if applicable.
Adopting FinOps Practices
Description: Foster collaboration between engineering, finance, and management teams to align cloud spending with business objectives.
Actions: Establish a centralized team to enforce cost governance policies.
Tools and Services for Cost Optimization
At iSteer, we utilize the following tools to maximize your cloud investment:
AWS: AWS Trusted Advisor, AWS Cost Explorer, AWS Savings Plans
Azure: Azure Advisor, Azure Cost Management, Azure Reservations
Google Cloud: Google Cloud Pricing Calculator, Google Cloud Cost Management, Recommender
Real-World Use Cases
Case Study 1: Retail Company
Challenge: High storage costs due to unused data.
Solution: Implemented lifecycle policies to transition old data to lower-cost storage tiers.
Result: Reduced storage costs by 40%.
Case Study 2: E-commerce Platform
Challenge: Unoptimized compute instances leading to high operational costs.
Solution: Right-sized instances and utilized reserved instances for predictable workloads.
Result: Achieved 30% savings on compute costs.
Why Choose iSteer for Cloud Cost Optimization?
Our tailored solutions are designed to align with your business objectives. By leveraging industry best practices and advanced tools, iSteer ensures that your cloud infrastructure is optimized for cost efficiency and performance.
Custom Strategies: Tailored solutions for unique business needs.
Proven Expertise: Experienced professionals with a track record of success.
Continuous Support: Ongoing guidance and monitoring to ensure sustained savings.
Conclusion
Optimizing cloud costs requires continuous monitoring, strategic planning, and expert guidance. At iSteer, we are committed to helping businesses unlock the full potential of their cloud investments. Contact us today to learn how our cost optimization strategies can transform your operations and drive success.
API Management Migration: Ensuring a Seamless Transition
APIs are at the heart of the business digital operations, powering customer experiences, internal processes, and third-party integrations. But what happens when the current API platform can no longer keep up with business demands? Whether scaling for growth, modernizing legacy systems, or consolidating platforms, migrating APIs is a crucial step.
For business stakeholders, API migration is about more than just technology—it’s about ensuring continuity, reducing risks, and enabling future innovation. This guide outlines the key steps to ensure API migration aligns with business goals.
Understand the Scope of Migration
A clear understanding of the migration scope prevents surprises down the line. Here’s what to focus on:
Prioritize Key APIs
Critical APIs: Identify APIs central to business operations and prioritize them in the migration plan. These are the APIs customers or partners rely on most.
Legacy APIs: Decide the fate of older APIs:
Migrate if they’re still valuable.
Deprecate if they’re no longer needed.
Re-engineer if they need modernization to meet new business needs.
Know What’s Included
The migration involves more than APIs. It also includes:
Policies (e.g., security, rate-limiting).
Developer Portals (content, user accounts, and subscriptions).
Analytics and Reporting (historical data, dashboards).
Authentication Systems (OAuth, API keys).
Exclude Non-Essential Items
Streamline the process by excluding:
APIs scheduled for deprecation.
Outdated analytics data that won’t impact future operations.
This clarity ensures resources are spent wisely, focusing on assets that matter
Assess the Platforms
Before migrating, compare the current platform with the target one. For business stakeholders, the question is simple: What value does the new platform bring to our business?
Key Considerations
Enhanced Capabilities: Does the target platform offer features that will improve performance, security, or scalability?
Business Continuity: Are there any gaps between the two platforms that could disrupt operations?
Customization Needs: Will you need to adapt policies, integrations, or branding to align with the new platform?
Leverage New Opportunities
Look for ways to use the migration as a springboard for innovation. For example:
Automate processes to reduce costs.
Use advanced analytics to gain deeper business insights.
Improve developer onboarding and collaboration with an enhanced portal experience.
Plan the Migration
Migration is as much a business operation as it is a technical one. A well-structured plan ensures minimal disruption and maximum ROI.
Set a Realistic Timeline
Start with low-risk APIs to build confidence in the process.
Gradually move to business-critical APIs once the migration is validated.
Choose the Right Strategy
Lift-and-Shift: Ideal for quick migrations where minimal changes are needed.
Rebuild-and-Optimize: Best for long-term benefits, where APIs are redesigned to leverage the new platform’s features.
Automate Where Possible
Automation reduces risks, saves time, and ensures consistency during the migration.
Establish Milestones
Key milestones to track progress include:
Completion of API inventory.
Proof of concept (POC) to test feasibility.
A pilot phase with select APIs.
Full migration and rollout.
Test and Validate Before Deployment
Thorough testing ensures that migration delivers the business continuity that stakeholders expect.
Pre-Migration Testing
Measure performance to establish a baseline (e.g., response times, error rates).
Verify security mechanisms to protect sensitive data.
Post-Migration Testing
Confirm functionality parity with the old platform.
Ensure that all business-critical integrations work as expected.
Success Criteria
APIs meet performance benchmarks.
No security vulnerabilities.
Full integration with backend systems and external partners.
These criteria ensure the migration doesn’t just work—it works for the business.
Rollout with Minimal Risk
Rollout strategy should prioritize stability and customer satisfaction.
Choose the Right Rollout Approach
Phased Rollout: Migrate in batches, starting with less critical APIs.
Parallel Run: Keep both platforms running simultaneously until there is confidence in the new platform.
Canary Deployment: Direct a small percentage of traffic to the new platform to test performance.
Blue-Green Deployment: Maintain both platforms, and switch traffic entirely to the new one after validation.
Prepare Stakeholders
Notify internal teams, customers, and partners about the rollout timeline.
Provide updated API documentation and user guides.
Backup and Contingency Plans
Ensure that a rollback plan is in place to minimize disruptions in case of unforeseen issues.
Monitor and Optimize
The work doesn’t end after the rollout. Post-migration monitoring ensures long-term success.
Post-Rollout Monitoring
Use real-time analytics to track API performance and customer behavior.
Schedule regular reviews to ensure compliance with SLAs.
Optimize for Future Needs
Fine-tune API configurations to improve performance.
Leverage the new platform’s features for greater scalability and efficiency.
Decommission the Old Platform
Once the new platform is fully operational:
Gradually redirect all traffic.
Shut down legacy systems to save costs.
Why API Migration Matters for Your Business
API migration isn’t just a technical exercise—it’s an opportunity to future-proof the digital ecosystem, improve operational efficiency, and enhance customer experiences. By approaching migration strategically, ensure a seamless transition that supports business’s goals for growth and innovation.
Migration Automation - BW5 to BW6/Cloud Edition (CE)Â
Migrating from BW5 to BW6/Cloud Edition (CE) is a complex but essential process for businesses moving to cloud-based environments. While migration tools have significantly improved over time, some manual activities are still necessary to ensure that the code is stable and meets product standards. This process, although increasingly automated, requires ongoing effort to achieve a smooth and reliable transition to the cloud. In this context, understanding the balance between automation and manual intervention is key to successful migration.
Migration Process Evolution
Migration from BW5 to BW6/Cloud Edition (CE) has come a long way, with the migration tool evolving over time to become more stable with each version release. However, despite these advancements, there are still manual activities required to ensure that the code reaches a stable state for cloud products.
Early Challenges and Manual Intervention
In the early stages, migration tools could only handle a portion of the workload, leaving a significant amount of manual intervention necessary to complete the process. Over time, with continuous improvements and updates, the tools have become more reliable and efficient, addressing a wide range of tasks.
Ongoing Challenges and Manual Activities
Despite automation, some challenges still remain. Although much of the process is automated, certain activities, such as aligning the code as per product standards and ensuring stability, still require manual intervention. The process is not a direct lift & shift approach and needs careful handling. These tasks are critical to ensure the migrated system operates efficiently and reliably in the cloud-based environment.
Proactive Steps Towards Automation
Streamlining the Process
Recognizing the importance of streamlining these processes, we’ve taken proactive steps to automate additional tasks. By doing so, we not only reduce the time spent on migration activities but also improve the overall quality of the work. Automation eliminates repetitive, error-prone steps, ensuring a more consistent outcome, leading to faster and more reliable migrations.
Benefits of Automation
Value to Customers
These improvements bring significant value to customers. By reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency, businesses can achieve smoother transitions to the cloud with minimal downtime. Automation also frees up resources for more strategic activities, further enhancing the migration experience and the value delivered to clients.
Key Highlights:
Evolving Migration Tools: Tools have become more stable and efficient with updates.
Manual Activities: Certain tasks still require manual intervention for proper code alignment and stability.
Automation Steps: Proactive efforts to automate repetitive tasks improve quality and reduce downtime.
Customer Value: Reduced manual effort and improved efficiency lead to smoother transitions and more strategic use of resources.
Why iSteer is Best Suited for Implementing Migration Automation
iSteer is well-equipped to lead the migration from BW5 to BW6/Cloud Edition (CE) with its extensive expertise in cloud migrations and automation. Their team combines advanced tools and proven methodologies to efficiently handle both automated and manual tasks, ensuring stability, compliance, and a seamless transition. iSteer’s proactive approach to automation reduces migration time and resources, delivering faster and more reliable results for businesses moving to the cloud.
Masking Sensitive PII Data using TIBCO integration and Java-based custom...
In today’s data-driven world, protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is a critical requirement for organizations. Ensuring sensitive data is properly masked before storage, processing, or transmission is a key compliance measure to safeguard privacy. This article delves into a robust approach for automating PII data masking using TIBCO integration and Java-based custom logic.
Overview of the Process
The scenario involves automating the PII masking process by leveraging input files to define masking rules, fetching raw data from TIBCO systems, and applying the masking logic through Java activity in a business process workflow. Below is a detailed explanation of the workflow and key components.
Key Components of the Workflow
Input File Configuration The process starts with an input file containing field-specific masking instructions. This file typically includes:
Field Name: Identifies the data attribute to be masked.
Start Index: The position in the string where masking begins.
End Index: The position in the string where masking ends.
This flexible configuration allows for easy adaptation to different data schemas or requirements.
Data Retrieval from TIBCO TIBCO serves as the integration platform, responsible for fetching raw data from various upstream systems or databases. The data could include sensitive information such as names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and more.
TIBCO retrieves the raw data and sends it downstream to a Java activity, ensuring seamless integration across systems. This step ensures that the masking logic operates on the most current data.
Java Activity for Custom PII Masking The core logic for masking resides in a Java activity within the workflow. This activity:
Parses the input file to understand the masking rules.
Applies masking to the raw data based on the start and end indices defined in the file.
Returns the masked data for further processing or storage.
The Java activity offers high customization and flexibility, allowing organizations to implement domain-specific masking logic that aligns with compliance requirements.
Benefits of the Approach
Dynamic and Configurable The use of an input file for masking rules allows the workflow to adapt to evolving business needs without requiring changes to the codebase. Adding or modifying fields to be masked can be achieved by simply updating the input file.
Seamless Integration Leveraging TIBCO ensures smooth connectivity with diverse systems, enabling real-time data retrieval and processing.
Enhanced Security By masking sensitive fields at the earliest stage of data processing, the risk of unauthorized access or data leaks is significantly reduced.
Compliance Readiness This approach supports adherence to regulatory requirements like GDPR, CCPA, or HIPAA by ensuring that sensitive information is appropriately protected throughout the data lifecycle.
Use Cases and Applications
Financial Services: Masking account numbers, transaction details, or customer information before processing or storage.
Healthcare: Anonymizing patient data such as medical records and personal identifiers.
Retail: Obscuring customer contact information or payment details in analytics workflows.
Best Practices for Implementation
Validation of Input File Ensure the input file is validated for correct syntax and logical consistency. This includes checking for overlapping or invalid index ranges.
Error Handling Implement robust error-handling mechanisms to manage scenarios like missing fields, invalid indices, or unexpected data formats.
Performance Optimization Optimize the Java activity for high-performance masking, particularly when processing large volumes of data.
Audit Trails Maintain logs of masking activities for traceability and compliance verification.
Secure Storage Store the input file and raw data securely to prevent unauthorized access.
Why iSteer?
iSteer is the ideal partner for implementing an efficient and secure PII masking solution due to its deep expertise in data privacy and integration technologies. Our extensive experience with TIBCO and custom Java logic enables us to design and implement a seamless data masking solution tailored to your specific business requirements. At iSteer, we prioritize security, compliance, and performance optimization, ensuring that your data is protected in every stage of its lifecycle. With our proven track record and commitment to delivering scalable and efficient solutions, businesses can trust iSteer to help them navigate the complexities of data privacy and regulatory compliance.
Conclusion
The combination of TIBCO’s integration capabilities and Java’s processing power offers a scalable and efficient solution for automating PII data masking. This approach not only ensures the protection of sensitive information but also helps organizations meet regulatory and compliance requirements with ease. By adopting best practices and leveraging dynamic configurations, businesses can build a reliable framework for safeguarding their data assets.
For organizations seeking to enhance data privacy, this workflow serves as a foundational step toward robust PII management and secure data handling practices.
Managed Services by iSteer
Managed services offer a range of benefits for companies, particularly in today’s increasingly complex and technology-driven business environment. Some of the benefits of a company opting for Managed Services:
24/7 Proactive Monitoring : A dedicated team constantly monitors the applications and the environment looking out for any signs of failure or performance degradation.
Proactive Maintenance: Managed service providers proactively monitor and maintain IT systems, preventing potential issues before they cause disruptions.
Faster Response Times: Issues are typically resolved more quickly due to the dedicated support teams and remote access capabilities of managed service providers.
Increased Employee Productivity: With a stable and reliable IT infrastructure, employees can focus on their core tasks without worrying about technology-related problems.
Specialized Skills: Managed service providers have access to a pool of highly skilled IT professionals with expertise in various areas, such as network security, cloud computing, and data management.
Latest Technologies: They stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices, ensuring that companies have access to the most advanced solutions.
Some of the Customers whom we serve
A Manufacturing Company: iSteer manages the applications of a major manufacturer providing them 24/7 support. We have implemented monitoring solutions that do not require the Support team to be constantly monitoring the servers. In case of any failure, we get immediate notification about the issue. This helps us to inform the Customer of any potential issues that occur in their environment much before it can start affecting their business.
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A Semiconductor manufacturer: iSteer took over the Managed Services for another services Company and has been helping the Customer to close open issues that had been pending for a long time. We have made enhancements to existing applications and also identified and fixed open issues. We recently migrated the Customer to the latest version of the platform on which their applications run, all thanks to our meticulous planning and successful implementation by our experienced team.Â
Why Choose iSteer for Managed Services?
At iSteer we have been helping Customers for last 15 years in different domains like Manufacturing, Retail, Shipping, Healthcare, Financial Services, Telecom etc. During this time, we have spent countless hours in developing applications and enhancing and supporting them. We realize the importance of your business and how important it is to resolve any issues in the shortest possible time. This is the reason we have clearly defined support processes and SLAs to make them time bound. Please get in touch with us if you would like us to manage your applications.