Best Technologies to Create Mobile Apps

The demand for mobile apps has grown immensely in recent years, as has technology itself. To put it into context for you: there has been a significant increase in app downloads between the years 2016 to 2017, specifically an increase of 50 BILLION downloads! 

Each business whose goal is to provide a service, sell that service, and offer assistance is going to have an app and is going to make that app user-friendly and accessible for their customers. Of course, you want your application to drive brand-awareness along with being engaging to increase the potential for profit, however, it’s important to use the right technology. 

There are various mobile app technologies available on today’s market. We’ll be going into detail of what those are and why they’re great for mobile app development. 

5 Top Programming Languages for Mobile App Development 

1. Swift 

If your company revolves around the Apple world and products, then Swift is the language for you. It requires minimal coding, has advanced features, and can be easily maintained. 

2. C++

This language is the base for most programming languages and is able to create dynamic applications. It's simple and effective compiler based programming makes it a perfect resource which can be used on multiple platforms. 

3.Java 

Now, if you’re more android based, then this object-oriented programming language could be perfect for you. It is the official language for Android development; very easy to operate and there are plenty of open source libraries for users to select from. 

4.HTML5

The best technology to use if your business is looking at creating a web-frontend app for mobile devices.

5. PHP

PHP just as Java, is object-oriented and is relatively easy to learn. It uses a three-layer model to develop dynamic applications. It’s especially useful if your apps require database integration. 

Alright, so now you have a list of programming languages, but how do you start building an app? 

5 Developer Tools to Get You Started 

1. PhoneGap 

Also known as Apache Cordova; an open source platform that uses Java, HTML5, and CSS3 languages in order to develop apps for platforms like Windows, iOS, and Android. This structure allows you to combine native and hybrid codes to result in apps that aren’t just native mobile or web-based. 

2. Appcelerator 

An open source framework which is arguably the best to develop hardware-based apps on. It uses PHP, Java, and HTML to create apps for Windows UWP, Android, and iOS. 

3. RhoMobile 

This open source structure allows native app developers to build multiple platforms. Using technologies like HTML5, Java, CSS3, and Ruby, you’re able to create apps for major operating systems like iOS and Android. 

4. WidgetPad 

Also one of the best open source frameworks, using HTML5 and Java to offer various options like versioning, source code editing, and distribution. It enables mobile apps to be used on web, iOS, and Android. 

5. MoSync 

An open source multi-platform framework that supports PHP, Java, Ruby, and Python. It’s combined with Eclipse-based IDE and allows mobile apps to be used on a multitude of platforms using C or C++ programming. 

4 Mobile App Development Frameworks that are Major Tools for Developers 

1. Flutter 

This is a trending cross-platform mobile app technology that uses DART as its programming language, instead of Java. Flutter facilitates quick and effective analysis, forms UIs and includes highlights, while fixing bugs very quickly. Google’s SDK is one of the open source cross-platforms that extends from this and allows for Android and iOS platforms to develop mobile apps. 

2. React Native 

This is one of the most used and preferred mobile app development technologies. Using Java, it offers support to IDEs and other app development tools in order to enable the creation of native apps for iOS and Android softwares. 

3. Ionic 

Using HTML5 programming, it’s also one of the more popular mobile app development tools. With the combination of HTML, Java, and CSS3, you’re able to create native based apps and their UI functions without stress. It works on iOS’s UIWebView and Android’s WebView. 

4. Xamarin 

This is a cross-platform framework that gives you several coding advantages of C#. It uses single code for Android, iOS, Windows, and more. Xamarin is able to build apps with exact native app experiences due to its code sharing advantage. It is by far the most cost and time saving framework on today’s market. 

Is your business in need of great and innovative mobile app development? Let us help you increase your revenue! Contact us today for more information. 

4 Popular Agile Development Methods

What Is The Agile Development Method?

The practice of ad-hoc software development is what many companies such as small software development firms and start-ups tend to start off with. This could have its pros and cons. In an ideal situation this can be effective for the development of small software projects.

However, effective processes to turn a vision into a business need for software solutions requires a well thought out plan. Otherwise, an absence of clear structure can ultimately lead to a failed software project and money down the drain.

Why Use Agile Methodology?

In regards to organizing, structuring, and planning the process of software development, a set of principles and rules must be put in place to avoid setbacks and optimize efficiency. The waterfall model, which is a traditional software development methodology, is well known to fully complete a phase before the next phase can begin. In this model, software testing starts only after the development is complete. This results in a lack of flexibility and an overall slow pace. 

Nowadays, individuals are looking to use agile development methodologies to replace traditional development methodologies. The essence of an agile development methodology proposes incremental and iterative approaches to software design. Both development and testing activities are concurrent, which encourages flexible responses to change and allows for quicker project finalization.

Software Development Methodologies

1.Extreme Programming (XP): an agile software development methodology that aims to produce higher quality software and improve responsiveness to changing customer requirements. The goal is to find ways to write high-qualitative software quickly with a focus on small releases within 1 to 3 weeks. This is ensured with continuous testing, constant interaction between team members and customer collaboration.

2. Scrum: an agile development methodology that’s based on continuous learning and adjustment to changing factors. It’s exceptional for short iterations to produce small increment deliverables while being structured to help teams naturally adapt to changing conditions and user requirements. Release cycles are quite short with approximately 1 month duration each, which allows companies to constantly learn and improve. Daily scrum meetings are held by a scrum master who manages the software development lifecycle.

3.Lean Development: an agile development methodology based on the lean production concept and also used for iterative processes. Communication is vital for this methodology, it relies on the collaboration between customers and software developers. Among the key principles of this framework is optimizing development time and resources, while emphasizing individual decision making.

4.Crystal: an agile development methodology that mainly focuses on flexibility and people’s interactions. Since this methodology relies more on people than on processes, teams have a lot of autonomy to work in the way they deem most effective. Simplicity and flexibility are emphasized especially when it comes to the adaptation of software projects and processes to particular present-day problems.

With that said, agile software development methodologies help businesses for planning and delivering creative work. With the development of software in small increments within short iterations, there’s no wonder why IT professionals are using these processes to overcome obstacles and discard hindrances.

If you’re interested in learning more, contact us today for more information.

7 Tips for Successful Software Adoption

So, you have decided to adopt a new software (CRM system, timesheet tracker, marketing hub) to make your organization more effective and productive – Congrats! Often organizations only have an implementation plan and skip the adoption process. And as a result, they end up running into trouble because of the low user adoption rate and a lot of challenges during the new software being implemented.

The real challenge is in the adoption of the software by employees and its integration into business processes and corporate culture. Here, we have provided seven tips to help you have a smooth transition into your new software.

Let’s get started!

Choose the Right Software

The goal here is not to choose the best technology, the most efficient, or the one that invokes. You need to consider your business needs, don’t just weigh the name of the vendor and price. Your choice of software should be the one that will help your business achieve its strategic goals.

To help with the adoption process, your software should not require major changes in your business processes, but adapt to them.  Additionally, the right software should be simple, insightful, and useful. People are more likely to adopt new software if they see how it assists them in accomplishing their goals and objectives.

Ensure Your Support Teams Are Part of the Process

We cannot stress this enough, involve your support team in your software adoption process. They can provide their expert advice to those that will be using/implementing this software. There will be consequences if you are implementing new software in your organization without suitable support teams.

Get Your Team Excited!

How do you get your team excited? Simply communicate. You cannot just spring up change on people, even if they are your employees. The employees need to understand the benefit of the software, not only for your organization, but for themselves. You need to communicate your goals and explain how the software is a way of achieving them.  

How do you do this? Here’s a tip:

Reveal the changes that will be taking place at the weekly team meetings and host lunch meetings. Informing your employees about your decision and explaining how it will make their jobs easier will help them comprehend why the changes are occurring. You should help them recognize the new software as a tool to make their job easier, not a game-changer.

And because communication goes both ways, you should answer their questions, as well as clear up all misunderstandings. You should help your employees feel like they are a part of the decision-making process. Give room for feedback!

Find and Involve Internal Champions

The champion we are referring to is an employee open to feedback, always prepared to adjust, to correct or resolve a problem. An exceptional communicator that can convey the positive aspects of a change. The champion will also become a resource others can turn to when needed.

These champions will be happy to adopt the new software into their daily routine and their enthusiasm for the new software can be used to inspire reluctant employees. Make your champions understand the reasons for your option so they can disseminate that information as part of their discussion with other employees in your organization.

Hold Training Events

One of the major risks of user adoption is the lack of sufficient and customized training. Training is a good way to increase adoption. Training is also a good way to decrease resistance and answer your employees’ most important questions. You can also clear confusion and walk them through a practical application that will reinforce the software’s benefits.

Since we all don’t learn and adapt at the same pace, it is important to have your internal champions at the training events so that your employees know who they can approach with their questions or concerns about the software.

Market Internally

Just like you market a new product to your customer, you should create a marketing plan and a promotional strategy for your internal end-users to help with the adoption process. This can help create enthusiasm around the software adoption process without too many protests.

You can utilize contests, giveaways, and posters to help you build the drive you need to launch the project.

Highlight Progress and Celebrate Victories

You have to constantly encourage and positively reinforce the use of the software to facilitate the adoption process. To do this, you can set measurable and achievable goals in the adoption process. Recognizing your employee’s effort is a way to motivate and encourage them. Celebrating victories and progress ensures that you create a positive state of mind around the software to stimulate its adoption.

What’s Next? Make it People First!

Keep in mind that new software adoption is not easy, but it doesn’t have to be painful. Put together a plan to find and address implementation problems early and gain the commitment of employees to drive engagement and enhance efficiency. Taking the right steps and having the right outlook is important to improving user adoption – enabling you to maximize your return on investment.

You don’t want your software to be another expensive tool that no one uses effectively.

Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help you with your new software adoption needs.