What is our primary use case?
We are working with version 2019, but we have clients who are still on older versions. We deployed the solution in 2014 or 2015 and they still haven't upgraded.
What is most valuable?
Cross-platform development is better than all of the other frameworks. When it comes to the user interface, the context is better than other tools because it is easier to use. You can still use C# in the developer infrastructure, which makes it far better and you don't have to learn a new language.
For me, the cost is what is most important. We have an agreement with Microsoft to co-sell some of the applications. When we started developing using the Microsoft Framework, it went well because we started making more money than the cost to Microsoft. We don't have this agreement with Red Hat or JBoss.
One thing that I like is that from the usability point of view, nothing has changed all that much. We use Visual Studio and if you compare the older version of Visual Studio from 2013 to the 2019 edition, the scale is still there. You're not moving to a different environment and you are still able to find your way around very quickly. With the new features, we are still able to feel those out within a short period.
For the mobile application, I like the iOS interface. Android is a little different from what you have on iOS, but the iOS package includes the same thing.
What needs improvement?
The pricing could be cheaper.
They should have more training materials available that are specific to .NET. We spend a lot of money training our engineers. I think that it would be better if there was more training available to the partners who invest in Microsoft.
At this time, the training is all over the place and there is no specific certification.
This solution is not scalable with older versions without using patches for it to work.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with this solution for more than ten years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Microsoft's strategy is not scalable, especially with the Visual Studio environment. If for example, I am testing things from on older version, it's not available in the newer version. You will have to use notes and the patches for it to work.
Currently, we have two enterprises. One of them has over 1000 employees and an IT department with 200 developers.
How are customer service and technical support?
The technical support has been excellent. If you are working with them, they are always there to connect with you all the way, which makes things so much better.
The first day takes a couple of hours and the second day is for the configuration and switching everything out to make sure that everyone has access to it. Then they test everything to make sure that it is fine and working. It's not a lot of work for us to do.
The support has been very good, maybe because we have a local office with resources.
Some of the issues with support is not with .NET, it's dealing with some of the packages that should offer support. One of the new products that Microsoft has introduced is called Dynamics 365, this is outside of .NET. We have been struggling to find someone for support, but unfortunately, it has to be through the US.
When it comes to everything else, the .NET Framework has a lot of support from the local Office.
If they struggle with .NET there is someone in the UK office that would be able to assist us.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy for our guys who spend quite a bit of time with Microsoft.
Just today, one of the guys set up an environment for one of our clients on Azure. This was a Visual Studio environment and it took him two hours. He did not encounter any difficulties.
What about the implementation team?
We have guys take care of the server section and we have our developers that implement from the installation for the environment.
It seems very easy for them to get everything up and running.
What other advice do I have?
Small clients don't do their development internally. We have three of these types of clients. Small to medium-sized organizations don't have an environment because they are easy to develop with easy requirements.
I would recommend this solution but it depends on the environment and what they want to do.
If you do mobile applications, to avoid the headaches of doing development on multiple platforms, I think that .NET is something that really works. We have tried everything, so when we try iOS it becomes a problem because we have to re-develop what you do for Android on iOS, even though we don't use Windows phones anymore. We can still use the same tools for your desktop applications.
If you have a different environment then you have to develop based on whatever application you are going to run your application on.
I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: