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Does Hosted Team Foundation Server Make Sense?

Posted by Jonathan Allen on Aug 07, 2007 01:24 AM

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Hosted infrastructure often makes sense for companies, especially small ones with modest needs. For less than $20/month, one can get an ASP.NET or Apache co-hosting complete with a MySQL or SQL Server database. But does it make sense for other services like source control?

According to a Microsoft blogger who goes by the name Brian or "bharry", there is now a commercial hosting service for Microsoft's Team Foundation Server. Based on new off-line features sorely lacking in TFS 2005, Readify has launched their TFS Now service.

Unlike bargain basement co-hosting, TFS Now does not come cheap. At $995 + $95/user over 5 (prices in Australian dollars), the accounting department is sure to balk. But on the other hand, it is certainly cheaper than hiring someone just to babysit the source control.

Perhaps this is pointing to a more fundamental problem with commercial source control systems. Why do heavy-duty systems like Team Foundation Server or IBM's Rational ClearCase require a person or small team just to set it up and keep it running smoothly? These products are a testament to how immature our industry still is.

It seems that there is still plenty of room for ISVs to make an integrated source control, build, and defect tracking system that doesn't cost an arm and leg. Or perhaps some open source projects like Bugzilla, Subversion, and Cruise Control merge into a complete suit. 





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3 comments

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A hosted TFS Service that does make sense! by John Collis Posted Mar 6, 2008 6:35 AM
Hosted SCM Solution by catherine sea Posted Mar 31, 2009 4:24 PM
Hosted Team Foundation Server by Daniel Gocsman Posted May 4, 2009 7:43 PM
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    A hosted TFS Service that does make sense!

    Mar 6, 2008 6:35 AM by John Collis

    Folks: TeamDevCentral is North America's premiere offering of a hosted VSTS/TFS Service. Please check us out at: www.teamdevcentral.com Cheers, John Collis

    Reply

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    Hosted SCM Solution

    Mar 31, 2009 4:24 PM by catherine sea

    Dynamsoft SCM Anywhere Hosted is a hosing SCM tool with fully integrated version control, issue tracking, build automation and professional service to manage your whole software development life cycle. Free hosting plan is available: http://www.scmsoftwareconfigurationmanagement.com/Products/SCMHosted_Plan.aspx Regards.

    Reply

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    Hosted Team Foundation Server

    May 4, 2009 7:43 PM by Daniel Gocsman

    Software as a Service (SaaS) enables you take advantage of Hosted Team Foundation Server without the typical overhead of an in-house implementation. We invite you to use our services in a secure, reliable and cost effective way. Team Foundation Server used in SaaS model has proven to be very effective, it allows you to focus on managing your projects more effectively with an increased level of productivity. Analysts claim that in 3-5 years time around 30% of new software will be delivered via SaaS. Why wait? Join our growing customer base Today! Visit us at www.praktikhosting.com

    Reply

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