The development of business software solutions is a priority for two categories of people: entrepreneurs who want a successful business with an organized workflow and IT companies whose main activity is the development of these business applications.
A simple opening of the Google Store or App Store makes us realize that there are a lot of business applications, including desktop versions. However, business owners are increasingly concerned about developing custom solutions that fit their expectations precisely.
In addition, with the increase in applications, the need to outsource the software development process to other companies has intensified.
Thus, let’s see why experts recommend working with external development teams for creating business apps:
- The application creation process can be faster due to the human resources experience of the external team.
- The application can be more intuitive and efficient if the team you outsource to has the necessary experience and know-how to develop it.
- The resources invested may cost less than hiring new people to your team of professionals.
Key points to follow
#1 Key point: Understanding the vision behind the business app
What pain points are you trying to solve by developing this business app? Why do you want it?
Each feature of the application should correspond to a need. For example, the ability to extract a data report is, in fact, the answer to the need to keep a clear record of investments / resources related to the business.
In addition, the possibility of connecting the sales process with the marketing one is realized to reach the customers more efficiently.
Thus, before starting the external process of developing an application, you need to make sure that you have already defined your goals. Then, once you have a well-developed plan, you can talk to the development team.
Otherwise, conflicts may arise. Developers do not know what to do, and their vision will not always match yours.
#2 Key point: Using the right technology
Which technology should be used for developing your business app?
The choice of the right technology depends on several aspects:
- the complexity of the project;
- the number of app users;
- the purpose for which it was created;
- the time allocated for the development process;
- the professional background of the people involved in creating the app.
There are no good or bad technologies when it comes to modern programming languages. There are only right and wrong choices.
Open-source technologies such as PHP are often used for business applications due to the multiple advantages they have:
- they are well supported by the most cloud environments and most web servers;
- they have great flexibility;
- they can be deployed on a lot of platforms;
- they come with a large variety of frameworks (MVC frameworks like Laravel and Symfony, and micro-frameworks like Lumen and Slim);
- they are not tight to an Operating System.
Other popular choices for developing business apps are .NET development services, due to their main benefits as:
- they offer project risk minimization;
- they also provide great flexibility;
- they deliver top performance to the apps;
- they have easy maintenance;
- they are cost-effective.
#3 Key point: Mobile version, desktop version, or both?
Which version is the right one for your app?
In this case, the correct answer also depends on the purpose of the business app. For example, some applications are developed only on mobile, such as taxi ordering services. On the other hand, some applications are only available in the desktop version, such as those that deal with the management of invoices and expenses of a company.
The most complex business applications are available in both mobile and desktop versions. Why? Because they provide easy access for users.
For example, if it is an enterprise business app, such as a CRM, sales agents can use it by mobile because they are in delegations, whereas the management or the financial team can use the CRM on a desktop.
#4 Key point: Data management
How secure is your business application?
Data management is a complex issue. However, all business apps use the employees’ data, customers’ data, or both.
Complex applications are based on data connections that come from multiple sources. For example, the data of customers who follow a brand on a Social Media platform can be connected with the information they provide when making a purchase in the online store.
In most cases, synchronizing data from multiple platforms in one business app leads to lower costs.
But everything must be done carefully and respect safety rules. For example, an insecure application leads to data leaks, which means a violation of the GDPR. Not to mention that it may be sensitive data such as shopping card details, which hackers can use to steal money.
#5 Key point: User authentication
What types of permissions has your enterprise application?
The application should be designed in such a way as to help the employees to carry out their work activities faster and better. Thus, it must include different permissions, which can be assigned and carefully controlled.
For example, not all users need permission to enter data. For some of them, it is enough to have access to information and just be able to read it.
On the other hand, there should be a master user who can offer permissions. This role can be assigned to someone in your company or remain in the company’s custody that developed the application if it also provides maintenance.
#6 Key point: App design
How important is the design of a business app?
Very important. It goes without saying that the design influences the use of an application.
The design should be intuitive and help users quickly find the information they need, whether it’s a report, an invoice, details about a product or service, or an employee or customer profile.
If it is a business application also used by customers, we are already talking about a different type of design: the attractive one. It should be intuitive, but it should also include perfectly assorted colors, well-chosen fonts, and well-written and convincing texts.
On the other hand, the visual of the app should be adapted to the type of business you have and correspond to its philosophy.
You can’t have an application with a too colorful design if you want to convey seriousness and trust.
#7 Key point: App maintenance & updates
Who takes care of the application maintenance?
A business application does not involve only the development process. It also needs maintenance, especially as the number of users increases.
Usually, the maintenance process is offered for a fee by the software company that develops it. But it is essential to choose a maintenance subscription that covers all your needs.
For example, find out how many changes you can make after launching the application. Moreover, find out how much it costs to add a new feature and how long all these procedures take.
Complex applications, such as financial or banking apps, have scheduled at least one maintenance session per month. Usually, the period chosen to run this process is when users use the application the least.
In any case, you should notify your customers in advance when an update and maintenance session takes place.
Examples of business apps developed by Roweb
As a business grows, it needs applications to support the activities. Here are some Roweb successful stories.
Whise – Real Estate CRM
A Real Estate CRM like Whise is a software solution that includes a wide range of customer-oriented features that comes with many responses based on clients’ input.
The required solution is a complex module that includes functionalities for managing websites data, calendar appointments, email campaigns, contact lists, invoices, and marketing strategies.
All these features can be easily adapted to future developments due to the fact that the real estate industry is very dynamic.
Our client, a leading real estate software company from Belgium, wanted to take the app to the next level and offer his customers high-class usability.
We managed to help him by providing knowledge and support. Also, for the required software solution, we followed Microsoft’s guidelines for building service-oriented applications.
Tourpaq – Tour Operator Management System
A Tour Operator Management System like Tourpaq is a software solution for travel agencies and tourism services that offers complete management of activities by using the features from a single dashboard.
Its main features include offers, invoices, due payments, intuitive reports, data visualizations, price control automation, marketing strategies, and integration with other systems, such as insurance companies or SMS systems.
The client also requested our developers to build two extra apps: a modern solution for tourists and guides and tourists and an app that enables end-users to enjoy their holiday.
The apps’ main challenge was the complexity behind the booking system, as it needed to enable the connection between bookings, tickets, finances, hotels, transportation, extra products, customers, and more.
About Roweb’s Business Apps experience:
Roweb is a software services company with a solid background in implementing complex business applications since 2004.
Our teams of experts can create elaborate, intuitive, and scalable business apps from the bottom-up, or they can upgrade your current applications to meet your new expectations and requirements.
We have a dedicated development team for each project to guarantee that each business app receives the optimal skill set and attention.
Our experts not only deal with the development of the application but also with its testing and maintenance, depending on the requirements discussed with the client.
We always treat our customers as business partners, and our approach always includes analyzing the client’s needs for identifying the best technical solutions.
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