ben brown

January 27, 2023

Business

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Mobile App

ben brown

January 27, 2023

Business

Since mobile apps were first introduced in the 1990s, people all over the world have wanted a version that fulfills their interests. This has led to the creation of millions of mobile apps that do more than just entertain. It’s estimated that the average smartphone user spends around 3 hours every day using apps which presents lucrative opportunities for the app owner but even more so for the programmers who materialized the platform.

App development is expensive, there’s no denying that. Though prices vary heavily if you’re looking to build something decent, be ready to spend a minimum of around $40,000. However, be open to the fact that the ROI on building that app could be dramatically higher. Now the price of development is of course enough to scare most curious creators away. However, in those cases, it’s likely the person is simply not ready to take on the responsibility or lacks a clear vision of what the app will bring.

There are several examples of companies that owe their success to integrating mobile apps such as Uber, YouTube, Facebook, Google, and so on. This is not to say that success is imminent for everyone in this case but the principle is simple. These companies had a foundation that was ready to take on the mobile market and when they did they took it by storm.

The mobile app development market is already worth hundreds of billions of dollars and further growth is inevitable. While competition is fierce, those with a strong team, clear vision, and solid platform can still succeed. However, it's important to be aware of these 5 common misconceptions to avoid on the path to success:

The work ends when the app is released: Many fail to take into account the work that comes after a mobile application is created. This includes (but is not limited to) consistent maintenance, updates, bug fixes, and user support.
As well, marketing and promoting the application needs to be a priority after the release to attract new users and keep the app visible. Developers need to have a plan in place for the work that comes post-release to ensure the app is successful long-term.
Features are enough to make an app successful: While the features of an app are important, they will not single-handedly make your app a success. A solid user interface, user experience (UI/UX), performance, and reliability are the primary aspects that contribute to a successful mobile app.
How would you feel about an app that had all these great features but performed horribly and was difficult to navigate? You’d probably feel like deleting the app right away.
You can stop at iOS: iOS devices account only for a little over 26% of all mobile operating systems. While it’s great to have your app made for iOS devices and the market will be very good for organizations, there’s a big chunk of the demographic being excluded. Ultimately, this is going to depend on the needs/goals of the business.
It’s cheaper to build an app than a website: We’ve already gone over a bit about the kind of prices to expect, but this is a key area to be aware of. Again, every project is going to vary in terms of cost so it’s not possible to put a price tag on an app or website. However, when it comes to comparing the two, there may be misconceptions about which is more cost-efficient.
Because apps are designed for specific platforms, devices, and screen sizes, while websites need to be compatible with a variety of all three, some may assume that apps are cheaper to build. However, it's important to note that both apps and websites require maintenance, updates, and testing. With this in mind, it's important to consider all of these variables for both when deciding which type of project to pursue.
Not thoroughly testing the app: Don’t make the mistake of being so anxious to get your app out to people that you fail to prioritize the testing phase. This is where you can identify and remove bugs, evaluate performance, how it looks, and how it functions across various mobile operating systems.
Problems that app creators don’t identify and rectify will come as complaints from users which will hurt the app's success in the early stages. In short, get ahead of the curb, make sure the app is what you envisioned and that nothing is left to chance.

The Takeaway

To succeed when creating a mobile app, developers must take strategic approaches that focus on quality. This starts with a clear vision, is fueled by setting meaningful goals, and assembling a strong team that can deliver a user-friendly platform that will be around for the long haul.

By avoiding these mistakes, you won’t have all the answers but you will have a bit of an edge along the journey.

Written By Ben Brown

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ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.

ben brown

January 23, 2023

Business

What is Technology Debt?

ben brown

January 23, 2023

Business

Businesses love innovation and making things simple both for the organization and the customers whom they serve. Technology was built on that premise and it’s the reason we have so much variety in the selection of technology providers and services in 2023. However, just like the businesses that use technology to enhance their operations, the providers of the technology are running a highly complex operation and working hard to continuously make it profitable.

As technology providers continue to innovate and improve their products and services, they may also accumulate “technology debt”. This can happen when they rush the launch of a new product or feature, use shortcuts to solve problems, or simply neglect to properly maintain and update their systems. It’s normal to see prices rack up but not making it a priority to have paid off is dangerous.

Why is Technology Debt so Detrimental?

The biggest issue with technology debt is that it can make it harder for the provider to continue innovating and improving their technology, in addition to making it more difficult for their customers to fully utilize the technology's capabilities.

Technology debt is like when you use your allowance money as a kid to buy something you want now, but then you don't have enough money to buy something else you need later.

When a company or organization uses shortcuts or quick fixes to solve a problem, they can get things done faster in the short term, but it can make it harder and more expensive to fix or update things in the future. So just like saving money, it's crucial to keep on top of technology debt so it doesn't become a bigger problem later on.

Last year alone, nearly 70% of organizations struggled with rising tech debt costs which was primarily attributed to the pandemic. As a result, many companies are making efforts to reduce their tech debt and invest their cash in more cost-effective solutions. These solutions include:

Open source software: This software is free to use, simple to modify, and distribute. It can make for a cost-effective alternative to proprietary software, which typically requires a license or subscription fee.

Cloud computing: Companies only pay for the computing resources they use, lowering initial costs and providing flexibility in usage and scaling.

Outsourcing: This provides access to specialized expertise at a lower cost than that of maintaining an in-house team.

The main concern with tech debt in this sense is the expense of maintaining, updating, and modernizing technology in the long run. Again, using the pandemic as an example, many companies had to quickly adopt new technical methods to support remote work and online operations alike.

This sudden increase in technology usage and adoption led to a dramatic rise in tech debt for many organizations. As a result, organizations began turning to alternative solutions like the ones listed above.

We’ve done a lot of talking about what tech debt is, but the real question is: how can your business avoid becoming part of the 70%? The answer is simple: stay on top of your technology debt. It may seem like a daunting task, but updating your software systems can save you a lot of trouble in the long run which is a key reason to invest in IT systems.

Aside from the obvious risks and headaches that come with accumulating debt, 6 of the main consequences of not managing tech debt include:

Difficulty in attracting and retaining top talent: Engineers may be less willing to work on a system that is difficult to maintain or update.
Reduced flexibility: The codebase may be difficult to understand or modify, limiting the ability of the organization to adapt to its own changing needs.
Difficulty in integrating new technologies: Branching off the above point, the existing codebase may not be compatible with newer technologies.
Security vulnerabilities: Code that hasn’t been updated may not have been written with optimal security measures.
Hard to scale: The codebase may not be designed to handle increased usage or traffic.
Maintenance costs: It becomes more and more expensive to maintain and update the affected systems, which may result in reduced productivity and higher costs for the business.

Managing The Issue

One of the sure ways to stay on top of your technology debt is by working with a trusted provider who can help you assess your current systems, identify areas of improvement, and, most importantly, implement cost-effective solutions. By being proactive, you can ensure that your organization is well-positioned to take advantage of new technology as it becomes available.

At ISU Corp, we understand the importance of staying ahead of technology debt. That's why we offer a range of services to help businesses like yours assess, manage, and reduce their technology debt. From open-source software and cloud computing to outsourcing, we have the expertise and resources to help you stay ahead of the curve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your organization stay on top of tech debt and overall improve your bottom line.

Written By Ben Brown

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ben brown

January 16, 2023

Business

API Development for Small Businesses: A Key to Digital Transformation & Growth

ben brown

January 16, 2023

Business

Businesses of all sizes are constantly looking for ways to dominate today's digital markets. This has led to the emergence of various technologies that assist in doing so. In this article, we’re going to focus on one of the biggest developments.

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) have become a very valuable tool for businesses across various industries. These industries include healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and finance, which all use APIs as a means to connect with customers, partners, and other businesses.

The use of API development has triggered a push for digital transformation in these industries as a means to stay competitive. As you can likely tell, it puts an emphasis on growth which has made API development a popular choice for small to mid-size companies looking to expand their operation.

Take an E-Commerce store, for example. They might use APIs to manage orders, and store information on pricing and user data, as well as to catalogue content, all of which would contribute to building a better foundation for that store to scale.

There are many ways an API works to enhance the performance of an organization but in this article, we’re going to go over just a few of the most notable:

Expanded Reach

In previous posts, we’ve outlined that an API essentially operates through a set of guidelines and protocols in which software applications communicate with each other to perform various actions.

What this means for small to mid-size organizations is that developing an API can allow them to easily connect with other online marketplaces (social media, E-Commerce, etc). When effectively implemented, this can drive engagement for businesses by reaching new audiences without the need to invest in a big marketing campaign.

Scalability

In addition to building and expanding the foundation of a business, API development can enhance workflows by automating and simplifying procedures. For example, when connecting different systems and software via APIs, tasks such as managing inventory, customer service, and even virtual transactions (just examples) can be automated.

In addition to the productivity boost, these improvements often allow organizations to focus more of their energy on growth and expansion. When a business uses a system that doesn't perform well, you can expect the exact opposite.

New Revenue Potential

Now, let’s get into the best part: how you can bring in some new revenue using API development. By allowing others to access your data and services through an API, you can charge a fee for usage or simply sell access to your services to other companies. In addition to the value your business brings with the help of an API, this added revenue can potentially help to offset some of the development costs.

UI/UX (User Interface and User Experience)

Small businesses often combine API development and UI/UX design to create a custom solution that can be used as an extension of the business to access the digital marketplace. Just as we were using the example of E-Commerce stores, a brick-and-mortar retailer might use this concept to create an online store that will expand their exposure.

Designing a powerful UI/UX landscape could create a digital space where users enjoy shopping and, most importantly, can navigate easily through the custom layouts and interactions. The API would then assist the design on the backend by retrieving data, creating interactive components, and personalizing the experience for users.

It’s important to remember that every technology has its risks. APIs are no exception, especially when they’ve been misused or poorly developed and implemented. When it comes to a small business utilizing an API, it’s important to ensure that a secure foundation is in place first and foremost.

When there is a lack of solid infrastructure, you can expect to see the following:

Third-party dependency: Some small businesses may rely on a third party to function. This can lead to complications when an API faces changes or goes down.
Security breaches: APIs often protect sensitive information which puts a target on their back for hackers.
No ability to scale: If an API is poorly developed for the specific needs of the organization, the growth potential becomes limited.
Lack of support: When a small business doesn’t have sufficient support for the API, issues can become a lot bigger.

The key point here is that when developing an API, ensure that the necessary precautions are taken and that nothing is being left to chance.

The Takeaway

APIs represent a great opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses that are data-driven, lean, and want to improve their efficiency. With the help of APIs, companies can automate various aspects of their workflows that they may have never even thought were possible. In addition, they can create smooth interactions between all their cloud services as well as generate automated reports and dashboards.

Nowadays, APIs are not only useful for developers, businesses that want to leverage their data and gain a competitive advantage are taking this technology and running with it. How are you going to use this opportunity to improve your business?

Written By Ben Brown

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