As has been the case with the broader transformation in software development, so too has come a revolution in enterprise needs and challenges. Client-enterprise interactions have been shifting from desktop to mobile devices, which has undeniably led to an increased need for suitable mobile apps for enterprise.
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But, developing well-designed, successful enterprise mobile apps is no easy task. Here, we discuss the changing and challenging needs of enterprises, and how app developers can better cater to them.
Challenge 1: Fragmentation of Devices and Operating Systems
There's a significant amount of fragmentation of devices and operating systems currently in the marketplace. As an enterprise mobile app developer, your first challenge is choosing between the three most common platforms (iOS, Android and Windows) when making an app for your client... who in turn needs to reach their own clients.
As a developer, you obviously want to come up with an app with configurations and capabilities that are compatible with relevant vendors. On the other hand, you have to keep your client's needs in mind. Not only do they want to reach their customers with the app, they want to turn a profit in the process... It's not enough to merely consider the functional compatibility of the app; you also need to know the preferences of your enterprise's targeted clients.
Challenge 2: Development Technology
Mobile app development is mainly classified into two types:
1) Native app development, and
2) Hybrid app development.
Native apps are purposely built for a specific platform (like Apple's iOS, Google's Android, Window's Window Phone or Blackberry). Native apps are generally characterized by a better user experience and superior application performance given they are designed, developed and live within an operating system, as opposed to the web. The primary disadvantage of native apps? You have to develop apps for each platform, which is time consuming and not exactly cost effective.
Hybrid mobile apps are usually developed using HTML5 and can be installed on any mobile device, but they run via a web browser. Hybrid mobile application developments reduce the time to build and market apps across multiple platforms. On the flip side, though, hybrid apps can lag in performance, and you might have to sacrifice some key features.
When choosing the right option for you, consider that the wrong choice may lead to poor app performance, poor user experience and/or needless expenses. That's why it's essential to understand the clients' target audience and their preferred mobile vendors (as well as any third party vendors in the mix). With that, you'll have a better idea of which development technology to use.
Challenge 3: User interactivity and experience
For obvious reasons, UI/UE are major concerns for mobile app developers. Your first challenge has to do with creating the best possible client experience. But, another concern is the fickleness of clients regarding mobile app functionalities, as well as their constantly changing aesthetic preferences. As an enterprise app developer, another challenge for you is the variability of the different platforms depending on screen sizes, resolutions, and technologies.
Failing to consider any of these may result in an unintuitive and cumbersome client experience, which might further lead to a low adoption in the market. To overcome this challenge, you'll need to consider the different OS requirements, fix bugs frequently, and use icons and overriding hardware buttons (like "home" or "menu") to make your app more intuitive. Make your app usable across multiple platforms, and bring in more interactive options such as shaking, tilting and flipping.
Challenge 4: Content management and security
The need for mobile app content is ever-growing and increasingly dynamic. Other than text, there's demand for images, video, and animation within app content. The challenge comes in bundling all these into monolithic expansion files, which is necessary for some app stores. There are several mobile content management solutions out there, so experiment with a few. Besides content management, the other major concern for enterprise developers is security for such content.
Usually, the ability to access app content comes with immense opportunities for both enterprises and their clients. But the opportunities also bring a fear of information misuse. This is why some enterprises lock their apps with mobile device management solutions, which when wrongly used, lead to poor client experience. On the other hand, employees dislike too much control on company networks and over their own devices.
You can see the problem.
As an enterprise mobile app developer, your app should endeavor to come with proper authentication plans, server-side validation, and encryption of essential data to overcome these security issues. It's important that your security is flexible, and sufficiently different from one enterprise to another. For instance, the level of security and authentication you need for a banking app is completely different from that for an online display shop.
Challenge 5: Application performance vs battery life
One challenge for enterprise mobile app developers is to ensure the app actually performs well. Other than performance, the app should be bug free and able to operate at minimum battery power. It's also possible the app might be working well on newer handsets but not so well when used with older versions. Usually, when good performance is not guaranteed with low battery consumption, the clients will download the app but end up deleting it because they want their devices to keep enough charge to use for a full day without charging.
To overcome this, make sure the development team is part of the prototyping efforts. Set up a better version to run test cases with test users to avoid any performance trouble in the final version.
Do you want to create a strong mobile strategy for your organization? Partner with the leader in mobile application development. Contact us today to start the conversation.
There is no dearth of talent in the app development industry. It seems that everyone is looking for the ways to earn big through applications. If you have an idea that can create a market demand, it can be the next super hit application that brings you money. The best option for building an application is to find an experienced one who can design what you are looking for. But the process is not easy at all. Freelance developers or companies can make your money flow in the direction. You have to check the right names that meet your demand completely.
If you are not knowledgeable enough for designing your application, you should not try it. Hire a freelancer instead who will take care of your business application and will give your dreams a right frame. Here are the ways that help you design an application as flawless as you expect.
Remember that risks are there in the app development industry. Unethical developers can rob your money without giving you an expected result. So, be aware of them and pick the best option for you. If you don't want to get trapped by their false promises, follow the tips that direct you to the success.
Describe clearly what you want:
It app developers in the uk is more than just a description of your app. Mention complete things about your app in your app details. Don't miss anything, no matter how small they are. App developers design applications depending on their understanding. If they start with a misconception, the app will bring you no profit. So, give clear instructions to your chosen freelancer what you want from them. Make them understand what you expect from this application.
Get knowledge about what they know:
Since every developer is claiming to be the best, getting knowledge about their work area has become a crucial thing. You must ensure that they should offer what they are promising to you. Let them prove their claims. You have many ways to know whether they are trustworthy or not. Ask them to show their previous application sharing the same business field as yours. Know what their strategies will be if something goes wrong. Try to contact their previous clients and understand the working area.
Start with small things:
You must keep your application simple with essential details. You may have a complete idea about what your consumers want. But, including features makes navigation of an application complex. So, add only those things that meet your consumers' expectation. Start with small things and test your app. Go bigger with time and improve your offerings.
State a strict deadline and budget:
It is probably the most complex thing in the development process. Developers charge you for every single addition and change they make for your app. You only experience how money drains from you. When it comes to the deadline, they have a common tendency to broaden the timeline. Give them a strict period of time so that you can launch your application as per the expectation.
Test your app before you pay:
After payments, developers don't want to show interest in developing things further for your app. So test your app before you pay. No matter how practical and profitable their demo seems, you must test your application by yourself. It not only keeps your money on the right track but also improves your application on the users' interest. So, this is really an important step that needs to be executed carefully. If you want to change the design or any feature, ask an app developer to do so.
Your business application means a lot to you. So, design your application that solves users' problem and gives them a platform where they can find anything they want. Hire a professional who knows the technicalities of designing an application. Though there are companies specialized in the field, finding the trustworthy names is indeed the tough one. You can read about app development and its process to make a right decision for your company. Knowledge always makes you an expert.