6 Signs Your Software Development Company is Cutting Corners
(Spoiler alert: An added BONUS checklist of what to keep in mind before choosing software development companies in USA)
“The mere premise of selling is that no one wants to sell themselves short. As charming as this can be from the marketing perspective, it leaves a lot to be said when choosing a product or service. After all, how do you know for certain when there is a catch to a seemingly good deal? ”
Looking for a leading software development company? Check out Sunflower Lab a USA based Digital Solutions Provider. We have over a decade’s experience in assisting clients with digital solutions.
You are checking out the various options as you zero down on a software development company in New York. You like what you see, connect to the firm in question and everything seems great. However, you can’t seem to stop those niggling doubts. Well, take a deep breath, don’t worry, we’ve all been there. And the best part? You are still to sign the dotted line. So, take your time, review the tips we’ve compiled, sleep over it, and then consider reaching for that pen.
Warning Signs That a Software Development Company is Taking You for a Ride:
- Does the company seem too eager to close the deal?
- Are the prices quoted way too low?
- Is communicating with them difficult?
- Are they transparent about their team structure?
When it doubts it is best to find out. Over the course of our decade and more experience with providing digital solutions to clients, we’ve found this to be the best mantra. In fact, this is why Sunflower Lab insists on a structured on-demand team approach. Many of our clients vouch for the same as they’ve been burnt once by cost-cutting firms and realized that there is no substitute for quality.
Contents
- All Stacked in Their Favor
- When You Should Double Check the Price Tag
- Structured Teams are a Necessity
- When to be Suspicious of a ‘Yes’
- When a Software Development Company is Too Eager to Do Battle
- Already at the Finish Line, are We?
- Your Checklist for Choosing the Right Software Development Company
1. All Stacked in Their Favor
In attempt to keep up with the competition there are many software development companies in NYC and around that will lay it on too thick with the expertise. In order to close the deal, companies tend to bank on expertise they do not have but they know the end client wants. This apart from being a disappointing trend is downright dangerous as you might end up paying more for substandard services.
Also, if you wanted developers in New York with a specific skill set you won’t be actually getting them if your software development company is trying to pull a fast one. Normally such outfits run on low staff with multi-taskers. Thus, the compromise in quality is inevitable. Among companies in New York known for their software development and digital solutions expertise, Sunflower Lab is a trusted name. We vouch for excellence, and we deliver the Same
2. When You Should Double Check the Price Tag
Software development companies that cut corners are always on the lookout for new clients which is why they project ridiculously low quotes. This serves to confuse product owners into thinking that they actually might be on to a really good deal. However, when a software development company in New York quotes you too low you should smell a rat.
Usually, to meet running costs and still make a profit over low-pitched deals; such firms take shortcuts. This can prove detrimental to the software development life cycle of your product. And it is but natural that such firms are on a constant lookout for clients as you cannot retain clients on the promise of low prices. There is no substitute for quality services and keeping one’s Word.
3.Structured Teams are a Necessity!
Transparency is an important part of any business relationship. When you choose a team to assist you with the software development aspect, it is obvious that there will be more than one person working on the product or software. If a company is not transparent about who you will have on your team or seems hesitant to introduce you to them it indeed is a red flag. After all, you need to know who is working for you and most reputed organizations have an organogram stating how and in which teams or under which reporting managers members work. Sunflower Lab; for instance, has a matrix organizational structure.
A lack of structure is an early warning sign of a shoddily run organization. If a software development company is in the clear, it will ensure that you have fixed points of contact and are aware with all transparency of the members on your team.
4. When to be Suspicious of a ‘Yes’
No one likes to hear ‘no’ but when it comes to business, integrity, and transparency are most important. Thus, a company that seems too eager to please you and says ‘yes’ to whatever you say should ring a few alarm bells. A firm that knows it will have to deliver would be cautious at commitment. However, a firm that does not care about the quality of the product or your actual needs could make arbitrary commitments that it has no intention of following up.
5. When a Software Development Company is Too Eager to Do Battle
Most development companies that are genuine are interested in getting all the details from their client. Without proper information, for instance; we at Sunflower Lab, would not be able to transform our client’s digital dreams into realities. Thus, any development company that is taking your tasks or information without much attention to detail is indicative of sloppy work. A golden rule of business is to ‘ask’. Being the product owner, you would know what your business’ needs are. Your product or software needs to reflect this otherwise you certainly aren’t getting the best deal even if you are getting it a fraction of the original cost.
6. Already at the Finish Line, are We?
We’ve all heard of delayed deadlines or those never met, but what are ‘ushed deadlines? Work takes time, and quality work can take a bit longer at times, however, work that is rushed through should raise your suspicions. Development companies that cut corners use old codes and so they can save time as they need not go to the drawing board. However, when it comes to your software development life cycle, this is detrimental. Shortcuts or rushed jobs only leave things to be done for later. And when taken up later they prove to be costlier and more complicated.
This abrupt unstructured approach will lead to haphazard testing leaving the product or software open to bugs and other glitches.
7. Your Checklist for Choosing the Right Software Development Company
- Check and verify their experience and expertise – customer reviews and recognition prove handy here.
- What are the range of services offered? – ensure that the ones beneficial to you are on the list.
- Communication is the key – miscommunication or lack of transparency do not translate into happy working experiences. Checking out how open communication lines are is integral as if response times are too long this could lead to delays later on. Also, if you have trouble communicating with the company or they cannot understand the objective there is little point in furthering business.
- Terms and conditions – when dealing with any company, be it even a software development company in New York, reading the contract carefully cannot be overestimated.
- After Project Service – Software deployment is not where things end. There might be other aspects that come up post-deployment like sudden glitches, a need to upscale and etc. Therefore, you need support from the software development company that you choose and they should have enough experience and resources to provide the same to you.
Thus, when choosing a web development or software development company for your next project, do not merely look at the price tag. What you need are dedicated and qualified professionals. If you require digital solutions and an on-demand team, we at Sunflower Lab can be of assistance. We are a trusted digital solutions firm since 2011. However, don’t merely listen to us singing our praises, talk to our team of experts and see for yourself! Click here, to contact us.
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What are Citizen Developers and How They Help Scale
Automating From the Bottom Up
Citizen developers play a vital role in helping you scale your RPA strategy. The idea of knowledge workers being the force behind robotic process automation is becoming increasingly popular as more and more companies pursue digital transformation and intelligent automation. This grassroots approach is a great way to empower your knowledge workers to learn a new skill and offload their boring, rule-based tasks on a software robot. But before we go any further, let’s learn more about what exactly a citizen developer is. Then, we’ll find out why this RPA strategy is conducive to scaling. Let’s begin!
What are Citizen Developers?
Citizen developers are non-technical employees that are capable of creating simple automation for themselves and their department without formal cording experience. These semi-tech-savvy individuals use their critical thinking skills to learn the basics of automation to drag-and-drop application components and connect them together to generate a new automated workflow. UiPath reports 86% of employees say they want more opportunities to learn new skills, and 83% wish their company gave them a way to upgrade current skills. Citizen developers are positioned somewhere between the employees that use software bots but do not have the skills to build them, and your technically-trained automation developers/Center of Excellence team. The goal behind citizen development is to give the power of automation to the people who best know the day-to-day processes.
How Citizen Developers Help Scale
Like we mentioned above, citizen developers are essential to your organization’s scaling potential. But how? By crowdsourcing your RPA strategy to your employees, you’re able to scale faster than with a top-down automation strategy for three main reasons:
1. There are more automation possibilities beyond just company-wide software bots.
Taking a top-down RPA approach will help improve your large-scale processes, but there are still dozens—even hundreds—of other processes on the individual level that could help achieve greater accuracy, higher employee satisfaction, and rapid ROI.
2. Your CoE won’t have capacity for every automation request
Your Center of Excellence team will be absorbed with building and maintaining organizational-level process automations—they won’t have time to satisfy or even consider RPA requests from knowledge workers.
3. Individual RPA workflows will empower widened adoption of automation
Implementing RPA can be a real shock to your organization, so there is a possibility your employees will resist or even reject the change. If you empower your knowledge workers to create their own automations to improve their jobs, they’ll be more inclined to accept automation into their professional lives.
Citizen Developers + CoE = Digital Transformation
Beginning your robotic process automation journey with citizen development is a safe bet because it is low risk, can produce positive results quickly, and helps warm the employees up to the idea of automation. But your RPA strategy should transcend simply low-code/no-code tools. Combining citizen development with a Center of Excellence offers the perfect combination of top-down and bottom-up RPA adoption strategies; this is sometimes called a “sandwich” approach. Typically, organizations will launch small robots which will provide value over time as more robots are created and start the large implementation in parallel. So, while the citizen developers work at the individual level and the CoE team tackles the organizational level, the entire enterprise can achieve their goal of full-scale automation.
Start Empowering Citizen Developers Today
Citizens developers are a powerful tool to generate automated workflows throughout your company. Empowering your non-technical knowledge workers to implement RPA into their own processes will add an interesting challenge to their jobs and automate the boring, repetitive tasks they were previously completing. Citizen development pairs well with Center of Excellence RPA adoption strategy, and they can be carried out simultaneously to achieve full-scale digital transformation. In our experience, teaming up with third-party RPA technology experts to develop your Center of Excellence, or even advise the citizen development initiative, increase the chances of your digital transformation being successful not only in the short-term, but long term, as well.
Sunflower Lab has multiple locations to better serve our clients. Robotic process automation services Columbus, Ohio, robotic process automation services New Jersey, and robotic process automation services New York all designed specifically to accommodate the needs in each unique market. For more information and resources regarding robotic process automation services, please reach out to our RPA Experts.
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Benefits of Microservices: What They Are, Business Value, Examples
Benefits of microservices architecture and business value it delivers to organizations planning to embrace enterprise agility through automated processes.
What are microservices?
Microservices – usually referred to as “microservice architecture” – is a manner of structuring an application such that the business capabilities to be provided in an application can be segregated, built and deployed as an independent service. Rather than developing the application as a whole (called monolithic application architecture), the entire business functionality in the application is split up into unique processes. Each process is designed and developed as an independent service, containing its own business logic and having its own set of databases.
The microservice architecture helps to reduce development complexity. Large or complex applications can be broken down into simpler, easily developable and maintainable services, that can be upgraded as and when business dynamics change and work processes have to be remodeled to reflect real-life working.
It is also easier for development teams to practice continuous delivery and deployment of code functionality to support dynamic processes involving frequent or dynamically changing business environments. Moreover, it helps a business to continuously evolve its technology stack, and adopt new processes and methods to remain competitive in the market.
Microservice Example: Amazon Microservices
It’s hard to image a day when Amazon wasn’t the well-oiled eCommerce and technology giant we know today. But 2001 was a much different time for the company. Development delays, coding challenges, and service interdependencies plagued Amazon’s ability to meet the demand’s of its growing customer base, reports DreamFactory. And so, Amazon decided to break its monolithic application up into small, independently-running applications. For example, they developed a single service for the “Buy Now” button on a product page. Each of these small applications was assigned to a team of developers. With smaller groups of developers directing all their time and attention to a single microservice, they were able to solve challenges faster and easier than ever before.
Why businesses require microservices?
Businesses today have to compete aggressively in the market to retain their competitive edge. Consumer requirements evolve at a rapid pace and businesses have to improve the scope and quality of their products and services on a continuous basis to retain their consumer base and generate profits. Productivity levels can be increased by improving in-house processes, therefore, businesses have to focus upon streamlining their workflows and adopting new processes and methods to stimulate ROI generation. To do this, organizations require process automation methods that can be easily developed, maintained, deployed and scaled as and when they grow.
The goal is to automate in-house processes in the shortest time possible. But often, it can be difficult to identify and freeze business requirements in large organizations since numerous processes have to be identified and their scope determined before the automation process can begin. Moreover, architecting a new system without properly understanding existing problems not only results in building the wrong solution, but a significant amount of time as well as financial resources are wasted in developing counterproductive systems. Development takes time. Requirements can change by the time the application is built and scope creep can drastically affect the deliverables. Using microservices platform, organizations can automate the processes one-by-one without affecting deliverables as a whole. There are several other benefits of using microservices architecture.
When to Use Microservices
There are three major use cases where microservices implementation is recommended:
1. When the system is “big”
Here “big” does not relate to the size of the application, but rather to the scaling capability of business requirements. Large organizations have varied processes and requirements. They need to be automated and remodeled as the scope changes. Monolithic architectures typically following a Waterfall development process take time to build, change and deploy. Using microservices, a particular service can be redesigned and deployed within a short time without affecting the scope of other processes or services. New services can be built within short duration and deployed independently.
2. Architecture is goal-oriented
Monolithic architectures are usually homogeneous systems employing the same technology to develop business functionality. This can reduce the business scope as all technologies have their pros and cons. This limitation is reduced with microservices as different technologies can be used to develop individual processes and services best suited to deliver the business functionality required for that particular process. The goals specified for each process can be easily attained using microservices development processes.
3. Outdated systems
At times, significant amounts of time can be saved and it can be a lot easier to develop new systems rather than updating existing ones. Time and deliverability are two important factors affecting ROI generation and businesses might find it most cost-worthy to develop new systems instead of maintaining complex systems which are difficult to update, debug and test.
Benefits of Microservices
- Microservices have been around for a while, and are becoming a popular choice for continuously deployed systems. Many web giants such as Twitter, Amazon, PayPal and Netflix have successfully adopted microservice architecture. Following their footsteps, other businesses are fast moving away from rigid monolith architectures to flexible microservice development processes. But what makes them so special?
-
Easier to build and maintain appsOrganized around business capabilities
Microservices development focuses upon simplicity. Applications are easier to create and maintain when they’re split up into smaller, easily developable functionality modules. It is also easier to code, deploy, rebuild, re-deploy and manage the microservice. Moreover, each microservice can be designed using different programming languages, databases and software environments. If a particular microservice uses too much memory or overloads the processor, it will only affect the functionality of that particular service. Each service can be deployed independently. For example, AWS Lambda offered by AWS microservices architecture lets you run your code without provisioning or managing the servers. After uploading your code, Lambda manages everything required to run and scale the code.
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Organized around business capabilities
Microservices facilitate the creation of products rather than projects. Teams can focus more upon developing business functionality instead of creating code logic and writing lengthy lines of code. They can be more creative, and center their working around business capabilities rather than focusing on technologies. Microservices can be used in multiple contexts – the same microservice can be reused many business process or over different business channels. Each team member is responsible for a particular service, which results in creating a smart, productive, cross-functional team.
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Improved productivity and speed
As different teams or developers can work on different components simultaneously and you don’t have to wait for others to finish developing a particular piece of code functionality, the microservices architecture can tackle productivity and development speed issues in a much effective manner. It is also convenient to speed up quality assurance as each microservice can be tested independently even while other programmers are working on their modules.
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Flexibility in implementing technologies and scalability aspects
Each microservice can be developed using a different technology. This simplifies the process of selecting the most appropriate tech stack to fulfill specific needs of each business component. Decoupled services written in different programming languages can coexist. This is good for scaling your solutions in the future. With microservices, one can quickly add new components into the existing architecture and scale a business process. Moreover, AWS Lambda offered by Amazon microservices provides serverless computing capabilities which reduces the hassles of managing servers.
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Autonomous, cross-functional teams
Microservices are a great blessing for distributed or remote teams. It can be messy and complicated to develop a massive monolith system if you’re working across the globe. Developers get more independence and work autonomously – they can make technical decisions quickly. So, if you’re developing a large scale solution, be sure to consider microservice architecture.
Deriving the Business Value
The microservices architecture does not define or refer to a particular set of technologies, processes, or tools. Rather, you need to focus upon the goals. For any business, the sooner the work processes are automated, the quicker will be the delivery. In addition, automated processes have to be reliable and consistent in terms of what they deliver. The real business value of microservices can be realized by focusing upon two key aspects – speed and reliability – by balancing them effectively as per your needs.
1. Speed
Doing more in less time results in increased productivity and more sales. More sales mean enhanced ROIs.
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Agility
Microservices platform offer agility while developing business functionality so businesses can build and deliver newer and more frequent products, functions, and features.
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Composability
Compared to monolithic applications, microservices functionality, like those offered by Amazon microservices, can be developed within relatively shorter time frames and easily updated.
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Comprehensibility
They simplify development planning, increase accuracy levels, and allow new resources to understand, build and maintain the functionality quickly.
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Independent deployability
Each microservice can be deployed independently, therefore each business component can be prototyped, developed and produced more quickly.
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Organizational alignment
When the management, process users and the development team are aligned and share a common focus, the ramp-up time is reduced significantly and teams find it easier to iterate the development process and build complex functionality in less time.
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Polyglotism
When different technologies and development platforms are used for developing a single component, additional functionality can be captured through the technologies and business goals can be precisely achieved.
2. Reliability
Consistent work flows result in streamlined delivery processes and increased sales activity.
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Greater efficiency
Microservices architecture reduces infrastructure costs and mitigates the risk of capacity related service outages
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Independent manageability
Microservices reduce scheduled down-times
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Replaceability of components
Microservices help to reduce technical debt created by aging systems and components
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Stronger resilience and higher availability
Microservices tend to focus upon single processes rather than the entire business scope to it is not difficult to develop them. Moreover, they can be easily tested and debugged so they’re more resilient and ensure improved customer experience.
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Better runtime scalability
Services can grow or shrink as the business scope changes.
Your Microservices Journey
Through its flexibility and modularization capabilities, microservices provide a goal-driven approach towards capturing the business potential and creating automated solutions that are easy to design, develop, test and deploy. A microservice architecture is an ideal option for corporate and small to big businesses in automating their process flows and realizing the business value in a planned and organized manner. However, like any technology platform, they have certain drawbacks. Microsoervices can prove to be expensive for start-ups and businesses operating on a shoestring budget. Nevertheless, considering their advantages, the pros outweigh the cons.
11 Benefits Of Custom Software Development
Before we dive into all the wonderful perks of implementing custom software development into your business, let’s cover some basics.
What is customized software?
Custom software, also known as “Bespoke” software, is a type of application developed specially to suit a particular business or an organization to fulfill its specific business-centric requirements. Customized software is generally designed for a single client, or a group of clients (customers) who decide what kind of functionality and processes the software should possess.
Why is custom software development special?
There are pros and cons of buying off-the-shelf software packages as well as developing specialized software from a reliable custom software development company to suit your specific business needs. While you don’t have to spend time with the development team to design your software, in case of ready made software you can get started right away. However, such applications are generic in terms of end user requirements, and may offer certain features which may not exactly fit your unique requirements. So, even after spending money, you might still have to struggle with certain aspects of business automation as some features might not be available in your ready made software.
How do you know if you need custom software?
Determining your need for custom software can be challenging, but we have a few questions we think might help. Are your current software solutions old, slow, or no longer satisfy your needs? Are you watching your competitors race ahead while it feels you’re standing in place? Do you ultimately want to save more time, make more money, and reach the next level of your professional potential? If you answered yes to even one of these questions, you are a great candidate for custom software.
Good review! Now it’s time for the good stuff: 11 benefits of custom software development. Let’s get started!
1. Optimized business process
Each organization has its own business model and in-house processes. It is very difficult for organizations to change their processes to suit a particular software package or application, however efficient and powerful it may be. Therefore, software needs to be designed and developed in a manner such that it can align with the business model and follow the organization’s unique in-house processes. Custom software development helps to optimize your business processes rather than replacing them.
2. Invention
Since the software is totally customized, you have the option to decide what kind of custom software development technology to use to design your own app. You have the power to decide and opt for trend-setting disruptive technologies to design you customized app and make it work the way you want it to. Click here to learn more about the custom software development process.
3. Emphasize your business acumen
The very fact that you are keen to custom software development sends out a strong message that you value your in-house processes and take your work seriously. It emphasizes your commitment towards your business as you streamline your process flows and your working model so it can function smoothly.
4. Reliability
The ability to upkeep and follow your business processes over time helps you to succeed eventually. Reliability is a major factor that defines success. Proper testing of your custom software ensures you have a reliable IT tool that can grow your business.
5. Uniqueness
Each business is unique. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution as far as business processes are concerned. Having a software tailor-made to suit your unique requirements can complement your working model. Custom software development also helps to support your “unique” identity in the market. Uniqueness is particularly important when it comes to custom software for startups.
Custom Software Development Examples
6. Adaptability
Organizational processes change with time, and as the market dynamics change, it becomes necessary to adapt to new processes and technologies to maintain your marketing stronghold. Customized software can be easily changed – New processes and technologies can be integrated into your existing software as and when marketing trends change, so you can remain abreast of your competitors.
7. Compatibility
Most organizations have an architecture model in which the outputs generated by a particular process (software app or module) function as an input for another process. A smooth flow of information is vital while streamlining your business model. Using different “packaged” software for different processes can disrupt your data flow since a hybrid software infrastructure often has to depend upon third party gadgets and apps to facilitate the communication between varied processes and systems. Building a custom software environment can resolve many types of issues concerning the flow of information between successive processes.
8. Exclusiveness
What works best for one business doesn’t necessary work for another. You may be following certain processes which others don’t. Software that is developed exclusively for you ensures that all of your activities and processes are properly addressed to and automated exactly as per your requirements.
9. Flexibility
You don’t have to mold your working to suit a particular software – Your software can be changed easily to suit your requirements as and when required provided it is custom made.
10. Security
A major concern for many B2B and B2C companies, data access and security concerns affect many end-users in the market today. People transacting online want to ensure their transactions are safe and secure at all times. Supporting expensive security protocols can make you pass on added costs to the services you offer to your customers. This can make you lose your competitive edge in the market. Moreover, the flow of data within internal processes of the organization also needs to be regulated by implementing strict security standards. With custom software development, you have the power to decide which data-security technology or protocol is ideally suited for your business and integrate that in your software.
11. Cost effectiveness
With custom software development, you can plan and phase the development process. You’re not required to invest a huge sum of money first on to reap the benefits of automation. Based upon you budget and funds availability, you can start automating individual process flows in an organized and timed manner over time to make development affordable through affordable software development services.
Discovering the Benefits of Custom Software Development
The takeaway for organizations and businesses is even though you’re required to spend some time to define your exact automation needs and wait while your software is developed, it’s worthwhile to opt for customized software development since you can benefit from an automation process that is tailor made to suit your unique needs and business-centric requirements.
So, if you’re ready to embark on your custom software journey, you’ve come to the right place. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Sunflower Lab is a fast-growing, award-winning mobile app, web app, and custom software development company. Since 2010, such clients like The Ohio State University and Nationwide Insurance have sought the expertise of Sunflower Lab to solve their toughest technology problems. Sunflower Lab combines rock-solid engineering with intuitive design to turn code into a genuine human experience.
At Sunflower Lab, we pride ourselves in being innovative problem-solvers, collaborative partners, and business-minded technologist. We believe in the power of technology to change your business, your life, and the world around you. Reach out for a free quote on your project today!
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Android vs iOS Which Platform to Build Your App for?
The Android vs iOS battle rages on, even after years of both operating systems going mainstream. When it comes to personal use, it will always be individual preference based on usability, functionality, and compatibility partiality. But when it comes to pursuing a mobile app development project, there are other factors at play. Not only are you concerned with creating the best product on the best platform, but you’ve also got to be conscious about your budgeting when deciding which operating system to build for. So, should you build both an Android and iOS version of your app? If not, what are the consequences? If so, which should you build first and how much will it cost? You’re not going to like this, but the answer to all these questions is: it depends. Let’s unpack the Android vs iOS battle.
Difference Between Android and iOS
There are many difference between the Android operating system and iOS as well as the devices that support them. Because of its world-wide adoptability, Android is the largest operating system in the world. It runs on devices by Samsung, LG, Google, Huawei, Nokia, and more technology hardware companies. It is mainly written in Java, C, and C++. On the other hand, iOS is designed exclusively for Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. It is the world’s second most used mobile operating system after Android. It was developed mostly using Swift.
Android vs iOS: Which is better?
Objectively, there is no better platform when it comes to Android vs iOS. Each present their own unique set of benefits compared to the other. On the other hand, they each have their downfalls. Let’s compare pros and cons of both Android and iOS.
Android Pros
- Dominant in global market
- More flexibility to customize app
- Diverse phone options
- Can side-load apps from outside the Play Store
Android Cons
- Takes longer to develop
- Users are slower to adopt new operating systems
- Users are less likely to purchase apps
- More susceptible to malware
iOS Pros
- Faster, easier, cheaper to develop
- Apple users more likely to purchase apps
- Tight security
- Apple users more likely to update OS
iOS Cons
- Less popular outside western Europe and North America
- Less flexibility to customize
- Apps take longer to be approved in App Store
- Fewer device options for users
Which Platform to Build Your App on
Now that we’ve compared and contrasted Android vs iOS, it’s time to start unpacking which platform is best suited for your app. This process involves thinking critically about four main concepts: budget, timeline, target audience, monetization strategy. All four of these factors will play a major role in deciding to build for Android or iOS.
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Android vs iOS: Budget
Unfortunately, mobile app development companies aren’t going to build you an Android and iOS version of your app for one low price. Rather, there is a price associated with both and Android version of your app and iOS. This is because the app code has to be written twice—once for iOS and once for Android. Of the two, iOS is often the cheaper option for two main reasons:
1. Apple apps are written in Swift which requires less code than Android programming languages
2. iOS has fewer devices (remember the list from above?), components, and software fragmentations to account for compared to Android
The gap between Android cost and iOS cost continues to grow beyond deployment as support and maintenance plans are more rigorous and time-consuming for Android apps. What’s more, Android developers also have to be concerned with fixes bugs for users running older operating systems since Android users are less likely to update their phones—a problem Apple users don’t have to worry much about.
Android vs iOS: Timeline
In addition to generally being more affordable, iOS app development is faster than Android app development—some estimates put development time at 30–40% longer for Android. Like mentioned above, less code, fewer device screens to make compatible, and less work after deployment are what save software engineers time during iOS development compared to Android.
Android vs iOS: Target Audience
Keeping the user at the center of your app experience is the most important thing during your app development journey. And so, it is imperative to look at your target audience and consider their geographic and demographic characteristics. If you’re targeting a global audience, Android may be your best bet. But, if your audience is in Western Europe or North America, Apple may be a better choice.
iOS Demographic Fast Facts
-iOS Apple users are more likely to have more education and hold managerial positions
-iOS users tend to be younger, with a greater share of the 18–24-year-old market
–Women are more likely to use iPhones than Android
Android Demographic Fast Facts
-Android is dominant in global up-and-coming markets, including in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
-Android users are more likely to work in technical jobs
-Slightly more men prefer Android than iOS
Source: App Annie
Monetization Strategy
Developing a monetization strategy for your app development project should be one of the first items on your to-do list. Some people opt for the investor route, others prefer a subscription program for a solid ROI. Charging users per download is another option you may consider. If you select this monetization strategy, building an iOS app will likely bring you more success over Android. Here’s why:
-iPad & iPhone users earn 40% more than the average Android user
-Apple users tend to spend more on apps
-Android users tend to be less willing to pay for apps than iOS users
Building your Android and/or iOS app
Deciding between building an Android app or an iOS app is not easy. You must consider your budget, timeline, target audience, and monetization strategy before making your decision. Ultimately, there will be tradeoffs if you decide to build either an Android or iOS app. In order to reap the benefits of both operating system, many folks opt to build them both. This is a sure-fire way to make your app available to all users!
Sunflower Lab is an iOS app development company and Android app development company with over 10 years experience. We were early adopters of both operating systems because we knew it would have a great impact on the way we live, work, and play. Our customers come from all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds to discover the power of mobile app development. To start your journey, contact our mobile app specialists today.
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Sunflower Lab Named a Top Mobile App Development Company in Columbus, Ohio
Top Mobile App Development Company in Columbus, Ohio
Sunflower Lab has been named a top mobile app development company in Columbus, Ohio. The Manifest recently released their list of top 20 software companies in Ohio and placed Sunflower Lab at #2. We are a mobile app, web app, and custom software development company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Being in Columbus means we compete with some of the most elite mobile app development companies in the U.S. However, we execute in a way others do not.
How We Became a Top Mobile App Development Company in Columbus, Ohio
User-Centric Design: Over the last decade, our designers have been recognized by agencies like Upvotes.com for being leaders in mobile app UI/UX. Our products include stunning design and striking features that set them apart from the competition. But what makes them truly unique is the experience of using them. We put the user at the center of all of our products and digital experiences. Being UX-focused allows us to turn code into a genuine human experience.
We are a software partner, not a vendor: Almost any IT firm can build mobile apps, we build relationships. We understand a client’s business and how it fits into the marketplace first. We believe in partnering with our clients on their projects and using our wealth of knowledge to bring their organization success. Being in the industry, we know how much IT matters to a company and their future. We have seen the impact over and over again. Successful IT matters. It changes companies, communities, markets and the world. We are proud to be a part of that change.
Commitment to life-long learning: At Sunflower Lab, we invest heavily in technology training and building emerging technology concepts because we truly believe in the positive impact technology will create on the world. Our brilliant pool of engineers and developers are committed to life-long learning in order to deliver the most cutting edge technology trends.
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Your idea is 100% protected by our Non-Disclosure Agreement
About The Manifest
The Manifest is a business news and how-to website that compiles and analyzes practical business wisdom for innovators, entrepreneurs, businesses, and consumers. Their mission is to “gather and verify the hard data, expert insights, and actionable advice that you need to build your brand and grow your business – to provide the practical business wisdom that manifests in your success.”
When it comes to mobile app development, The Manifest reports the following data:
Building a mobile app is expensive. In fact, it can cost $10,000 to $150,000, unless you want an out-of-the-box solution with a DIY app builder. So, choosing the right app developer is important because it can save you time and money and result in an app that makes your business stand out.As you begin the process of hiring an app development company, remember to define the type of app you want before starting conversations with developers. How complex your app idea is will determine your budget and the skill level you need in an app developer. Then, once conversations begin, ask for portfolio items, reviews, and references. Be sure to bring up timeline, too, so you align on expectations.
Overall, with about 90% of time on mobile spent in apps, investing in a mobile app for your business may help attract customers and get your brand in front of more people.
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Sunflower Lab Named Most Innovative App Development Company in Ohio, 2021
Sunflower Lab Named Most Innovative App Development Company, Ohio, 2021
Sunflower Lab is proud to announce we have been named Most Innovative App Development Company in Ohio in 2021! We were chosen among hundreds of other app development companies in the Buckeye State by Global Brands Magazine. Each year, the magazine conducts a series of awards for companies that have stood out among the industry leaders, demonstrating exceptional service and unique vision. Sunflower Lab was recognized for its outstanding mobile app, web app, and custom software development skills.
About Sunflower Lab
Started in New Jersey in 2010, Sunflower Lab is an award-winning digital product agency. We have a history of helping our clients solve their toughest technology problems. We have years of experience building both mobile and web solutions for clients across several industries, including retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and real estate. Our brilliant pool of engineers and developers guarantee cutting-edge technology and the latest trends to provide you with custom software development services.
How We Became the Most Innovative App Development Company in Ohio
To become a top app development company in Ohio is no easy task. We must set ourselves apart from the fierce competition every day in order to win the trust of business owners and entrepreneurs. There are three areas in which we excel above the rest to become the most innovative app development company in Ohio:
User-Centric Design: Not only are our products beautiful to look at, but they are easy to use. We put the user at the centre of all of our products and digital experiences. Being UX-focused allows us to turn code into a genuine human experience.
We are a software partner, not a vendor: When we sign a client, we are agreeing to more than completing a software project. We are also committing to delivering constant updates throughout the development project, IT support beyond the launch of the product, and a partner in technology for years to come. Our exceptional development and design process are what attract new customers, and our extraordinary customer service is what keeps them around for years and years.
High-End Engineering: At Sunflower Lab, we invest heavily in technology training and building emerging technology concepts because we truly believe in the positive impact technology will create on the world. Our technicians not only come from impressive tech backgrounds, but they have also committed to life-long learning in the field. This helps them stay abreast of all the latest tech trends, and keep their skills sharp.
About Global Brands Magazine
Global Brands Magazine is a leading brands magazine providing opinions and news related to various brands across the world. The company is head quartered in the United Kingdom. A fully autonomous branding magazine, Global Brands Magazine represents an astute source of information from across industries. The magazine provides the reader with up- to date news, reviews, opinions and polls on leading brands across the globe.
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3 Ways to Find the Best Custom Software Solutions in Ohio
3 Ways To Find The Best Custom Software Solutions In Ohio
Learn some tips and tricks to find the perfect IT partner in Ohio to suit your unique needs
Custom software solutions in Ohio have been helping businesses small and large achieve success for decades. But unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. There are custom software development companies that give amazing quotes, but they likely fall short when it comes to quality, customer service, reliability, or even a combination of them all. On the other hand, you may go with the “big box” company because they impress you with their expansive portfolio and glowing customer reviews. But, are they really worth the money? While a 100% success rate may be a lofty goal, we’re here to increase your chances of achieving your software development goals with some tips and tricks we’ve picked up after being in the business for over 10 years. So, without further ado, here are 3 ways to find custom software solutions in Ohio that are right for you!
Find a Custom Software Solutions Company Scaled to Suit your Business
As mentioned above, there are tons of companies out there looking to deliver custom software solutions in Ohio. But, are they the right fit for your company? It’s important to understand that the best IT company to accommodate your needs is going to be one that gives you an experienced suited for the size of your company. For example, small to midsize companies will be most satisfied with a smaller IT enterprise that can deliver a personal, even one-on-one experience. These IT companies have smaller teams that can focus on fewer projects at a time while providing constant updates throughout the software development process. Additionally, smaller software development companies often offer more affordable options which delight smaller companies with tighter budgets.
For larger companies, a bigger custom software company may be a better option for a number of reasons. One: bigger tech firms can turn around projects very quickly which may be ideal for a big company looking for custom software solutions in Ohio. Two: big development companies are able to deliver robust software solutions equipped with the latest tech trends which are often what larger companies are seeking. Three: Large tech agencies typically carry heavier price tags that suit the high budgets or bigger companies seeking a custom software solution.
As you can see, the size of the IT company plays a major role in your choice for a custom software solution in Ohio.
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Our team of experts will review your project and give you a quote at no cost.
Custom Software Solutions in Ohio Should be Experienced with Similar Projects and Clients
As you’re vetting custom software solution companies in Ohio, you should be keen on their previous clients and projects. Sift through their website and portfolio to answer the following questions:
- Do they have their case studies available to browse?
- How do their products look visually?
- Can you view a clickable prototype or video to experience the UI/UX?
- Have they worked with other companies in your industry?
- Do they have experience in the type of product or software you’re interested in?
- What do previous clients have to say about the IT company?
Ideally, the answer to all of these questions should be “yes.” If you come across a company and they can’t check all these boxes, they’re either not proud of their previous work, or they do not have the chops to take on your project—either way, move on! Going with the wrong company can cost you thousands of dollars, hours of sleep, and the edge on your competition.
Meeting your Custom Software Solutions Provider Face-to-Face
The beauty of finding custom software solutions in Ohio is that you have the ability to meet the providers face-to-face. Making personal contact with your software partner before signing a contract gives you a chance to get a true feel for the engineers and project leads. It gives your intuition an opportunity to weigh in on your decision. You’ll be able to get a more clear idea of what the company and individuals can offer that an email or phone call simply wouldn’t translate. Additionally, research shows that a physical handshake promotes cooperation and influences negotiation outcomes for the better.
So, collect the addresses of software developer prospects and spend an afternoon dropping in to their offices. The sense of intimacy, connection, and empathy that only a face-to-face interaction can garner can make a huge difference in the overall outcome of your app development experience.
Finding the Right Custom Software Solutions Company for You
Neither custom software solutions nor custom software development companies are one-size-fits-all. Ultimately your choice will come down to one question you must answer: what is the right fit for you? With a little bit of research and patience, you’ll find the perfect partner to take your business to the next level.
Looking for custom software solutions in Ohio? Look no further than Sunflower Lab. Named a top custom software development company in Ohio by Clutch, GoodFirms, and Digital.com, we help our clients reach their professional goals with custom software solutions. From building a robust safety awareness mobile app for Nationwide Insurance to architecting an custom recruiting platform for Press Sports, we never approach a problem with a one-size-fits-all solution. Sunflower Lab brings integrity to every project—just one of the reasons we are revered as one of the top software development agencies in Ohio. At Sunflower Lab, we make software for a better tomorrow.
Helpful Information
What is customized software?
Custom software, also known as “Bespoke” software, is a type of application developed specially to suit a particular business or an organization to fulfill its specific business-centric requirements. Customized software is generally designed for a single client, or a group of clients (customers) who decide what kind of functionality and processes the software should possess.
Why is custom software development special?
There are pros and cons of buying off-the-shelf software packages as well as developing specialized software from a reliable custom software development company to suit your specific business needs. While you don’t have to spend time with the development team to design your software, in case of ready made software you can get started right away. However, such applications are generic in terms of end user requirements, and may offer certain features which may not exactly fit your unique requirements. So, even after spending money, you might still have to struggle with certain aspects of business automation as some features might not be available in your ready-made software.
Sunflower Lab is an award-winning company providing android app development services, ios app development services, robotic process automation services with a history of helping clients solve their toughest technology issues, we exist to build a better and brighter tomorrow.