[Progress Blogs] Strengthening OpenEdge Application Quality and Security: Why Progress and...

As business applications become more complex and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, maintaining and improving the quality and security of those apps is more critical than ever. That’s where the combined strengths of Progress OpenEdge and Software Improvement Group (SIG) come into play, offering businesses a comprehensive solution to these challenges.

The Growing Importance of Application Quality and Security


Applications built on OpenEdge are integral to the core operations of the businesses that created them. This reliance on a mission-critical application means that any issues with its quality or security can have significant consequences. These can range from operational disruptions to severe data breaches, not to mention the buildup of technical debt over time as business priorities shift and employees come and go.

In this environment, businesses need to prioritize the quality and security of their applications from the ground up. Code that has degraded over time causes applications to not only run the risk of frequent crashes and system downtime but also opens the door to security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. With the stakes so high, organizations are turning to trusted partners to help them maintain and enhance their mission-critical applications.

Progress OpenEdge: A Trusted Platform for Application Development


Progress OpenEdge has long been a leader in the application development space, offering a robust platform that allows businesses to build, scale and manage their applications with confidence. Known for its scalability and flexibility, OpenEdge is a favorite platform for organizations that require high-performance applications that can evolve with their business needs.

One of the key strengths of the OpenEdge platform is that it is designed to meet current needs and anticipate future demands, allowing applications to remain reliable, secure and efficient over time. Additionally, Progress offers consulting services to help businesses optimize the performance, reliability and security of their OpenEdge applications, providing expert guidance and support every step of the way.

SIG’s Expertise in Software Quality and Security


Software Improvement Group (SIG) is the leader in software quality assurance, helping organizations become more resilient and agile by improving the quality and security of their applications. SIG offers deep source code analysis and strategic, evidence-based advice to drive long-term maintainability and modernization. They help businesses with the long-term maintainability and modernization of applications like those built on the OpenEdge platform.

At the heart of SIG’s offering is Sigrid®, a software assurance platform that provides detailed and actionable insights into software quality, maintainability, technical debt and security. Leveraging the world’s largest database of over 270 billion lines of code across more than 20,000 systems and 300+ technologies, Sigrid® identifies potential issues before they become critical. By adhering to international standards and using a data-driven approach, Sigrid® delivers recommendations that are both reliable and actionable.

The Power of Partnership: Progress and SIG Working Together


The partnership between Progress and SIG is a natural fit.

“Our partnership with SIG is important as it provides a unique opportunity to extend the value that OpenEdge provides by offering greater insight into the quality of the application code supporting mission-critical applications that our customers depend on,” said John Ainsworth, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Application and Data Platform, Progress.

“Our partnership with Progress is designed to give OpenEdge customers the confidence they need to future-proof their applications. By combining Progress’ robust OpenEdge platform with SIG’s data-driven Sigrid® software assurance platform, we help businesses address critical technical debt, strengthen security and modernize their systems efficiently,” said Luc Brandts, CEO of Software Improvement Group.

Together, Progress and SIG offer businesses a comprehensive solution that covers the entire lifecycle of application development and maintenance.

How It Works: The Application Quality and Security Management Assessment


A cornerstone of this collaboration is the Application Quality and Security Management (QSM) Assessment offered by the Progress Professional Services team.

The Application QSM Assessment gives organizations a detailed understanding of their application’s current state. By combining OpenEdge consultants' expertise with the analytical power of Sigrid, the assessment evaluates key areas of the application, including code quality, maintainability, technical debt, architecture, security vulnerabilities and reliability.

Sigrid conducts a thorough analysis that benchmarks the application against industry standards and provides a detailed report highlighting strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. The report not only identifies potential risks but also offers actionable recommendations to enhance the application’s quality and security. From there, a professional services expert guides the organization through next steps that make sense for their unique circumstances.

A QSM Assessment paired with a Progress Professional Services expert enables the delivery of deep and broad insights. By examining the application from multiple angles, the consultant and tool help organizations prioritize their efforts so they can address the most critical and impactful issues first. This holistic approach enhances the longevity of an organization’s OpenEdge application and enables businesses to make informed decisions about how to optimize their applications, ultimately leading to more secure, reliable and maintainable software.

Benefits to Businesses


By working with Progress and SIG to improve and maintain their OpenEdge applications, organizations can achieve greater confidence in the quality and security of the software that powers their business. This means fewer disruptions, reduced risk of security breaches and a longer lifespan for their software investments.

Whether a business is embarking on an application modernization project or simply looking to improve the performance and security of its existing software, the combined expertise of Progress OpenEdge professional services experts and SIG’s Sigrid platform provides a powerful solution. The Application QSM Assessment offers a structured and reliable way to gain deep insights into the health of an application and take proactive steps to address any issues.

If you’re looking to enhance the quality and security of your applications, explore how the Application Quality and Security Management service can help you achieve your goals, or contact us to schedule an assessment.

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