Businesses need modern technology to survive today’s ever-evolving market. The right enterprise software solution can help businesses thrive. However, not all businesses might have the necessary in-house skills to develop one, and let’s be honest, off-the-shelf software does not fit all needs. Thanks to custom software development vendors, enterprises can access technology experts on the go to build customized technology solutions that cater to their unique business needs.

According to a survey by Deloitte, 79% of U.S. executives currently outsource software development. However, any business application is only as good as the developer who creates it. Choosing the right software development partner is a crucial responsibility.

If your business plans to hire an app development partner, here’s a quick checklist that can help. But before we get started, let’s look at why you need to choose the best software development vendor.

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Why Do Businesses Need Software Development Vendors?

Organizations rely on app development partners to:

  • Bridge talent gaps and save in-house hiring costs
  • Drive value by developing end-to-end solutions
  • Access the best of technology, skills, and expertise
  • Avoid development delays and cut operating costs
  • Increase speed-to-market and enhance core competencies
  • Mitigate the risks of running an in-house development project

You can easily unlock these advantages by choosing the right software development vendor. But what happens if you choose the wrong app development partner? Here are the risks!

What Statistics Say About Outsourcing Software Development

Risks of Choosing a Wrong Software Development Vendor

Wrong software vendor selection can leave a lasting impact on your company.

  • Poor-quality software rollouts can lead to massive sales losses. It can force your customers to go to competitors.
  • Ill-fitted software solutions affect your day-to-day operations and increase your team’s workload.
  • A bad match will never help you with add-ons and customizations you might need for the future.
  • Botched software can cause frequent business disruptions. It can affect your customer experience, reputation, and brand.
  • Faulty software can lower your team’s morale and engagement. Constant software glitches add to employee frustration and fatigue.
  • A wrong vendor may not be able to meet your deadlines. They may also charge you more than expected. There is always an inherent risk of hidden costs.
  • Communication breakdowns can create misunderstandings between the vendor and your stakeholders.
  • Inadequate security measures opted by the vendor can put your business at risk. It can increase the chance of damaged, lost, or stolen data.

How can you avoid these risks? Ace software development vendor selection by using our checklist (below).

Why is Legacy Software Modernization Inevitable for Businesses?

Read More!

Checklist: How to Choose the Right Software Development Vendor?

1. Define Your Needs and Goals

The first step to finding the right developer is identifying your goals. Why do companies seek to build customized software? Some of the common reasons are:

  • Enhancing customer experience and satisfaction
  • Improving workforce productivity and operational competency
  • Tracking and managing staff responsibilities
  • Automating specific tasks and repetitive functions
  • Boosting reliability and security

A good discernment of your objectives and business needs will allow you to proceed to the next steps more efficiently.

2. Set up a Budget

Defining your goals should help you prepare a detailed budget. At this stage, it is important to determine the capital, expenditures, and forecasted return on investment (ROI).
Assess the factors that impact the cost of your software development project:

  • Type of software you need and its level of complexity
  • Custom software or off-the-shelf software
  • UX/UI design considerations
  • Backend infrastructure and dependencies
  • Integrations with other applications you use
  • Location of the app development partner
  • Development time, resources employed
  • Investments in new technologies
  • Estimates/rates quoted by the software development vendor

Any business’s priority is to produce high-quality software. However, keeping the project within budget is vital for business success.

3. Research Potential Vendors

Research potential software development vendors. Assess the selected app development partners based on the following factors:

  • Do they have experience working on the type of software you need?
  • Have they worked in your industry or domain in the past?
  • Do they handle the entire software development lifecycle? Do they provide post-launch application maintenance and support?
  • Do they help train your staff on the new software?
  • What are the services they offer?
  • Does their rate fit your budget?
  • What other value-added services do they provide software development? Developing an e-commerce application, maybe?

4. Shortlist Top Software Development Vendors

Choosing from hundreds of service providers can be overwhelming. Once you do the research and specify your requirements, you can start shortlisting the options you find appealing.

Here are a few ways to narrow down your list:

  • Read through the company profiles, case studies, and client testimonials of potential vendors.
  • Use any credible B2B rating platform to check out their ratings and reviews. Platforms like Clutch, GoodFirms, etc. list the top vetted software development partners.
  • Filter vendors based on their minimum project costs, team size, average ratings, and location.
  • Keep your list short so you can reach out to the selected firms quickly.

5. Talk to Each of the Selected Vendors

A direct conversation with the software development vendor gives you a fair idea of their services and expertise.
Before meeting a vendor, prepare a set of questions that will help you gauge their work:

  • What technologies and programming languages are your team proficient in?
  • What are the industries and domains that you primarily cater to?
  • What project management tools do you use to manage your workflows?
  • How do you ensure the quality of your software?
  • What is your project engagement model?
  • What software development methodology do you follow—Agile, Waterfall, RAD, Lean?
  • How do you determine the costs of your work?
  • Is my budget and expected timeline realistic for my project?

Above all, it’s crucial to identify if the potential vendor’s way of operating and objectives align with your requirements.

6. Narrow Down Your List Further

A direct conversation with each vendor should help you narrow your choices between two or three developers.

  • Consult your leadership team. Weigh the pros and cons of each vendor based on your analysis.
  • Shortlist your selection to one or two providers. Ensure they can understand your needs and match your company’s culture.

7. Data Security and Privacy Measures

Your business software needs to handle confidential company data. Is your software development partner capable of protecting your application from cyber threats?

  • Before choosing a software development vendor, undertake an intellectual property due diligence inquiry.
  • Find out how the vendor will be handling your data and assets.
  • Review their integrated security and IP protection program.
  • Determine the internal measures you should adopt to safeguard your enterprise’s IP.
  • Identify which functions need to be managed in-house and what should be outsourced.

8. Compliance, Reliability, and Support

Along with analyzing the vendor’s cybersecurity offerings, you also need to verify:

  • Does the vendor’s development and delivery practice/policies comply with the essential regulations?
  • Have you done extensive background checks to ensure the integrity and reliability of the vendor?
  • Did you do a proper technical and strategic vetting of the selected development vendor?
  • Is the vendor equipped to address unexpected IT outages and disruptions?
  • What are the risk management policies/processes followed by the software development vendor? Do they have a robust disaster recovery plan?
  • Does their development process align with your organization’s sustainability goals?
  • Does the vendor stick to responsible application design, development, and maintenance that can reduce the environmental impact?

Choosing the right software development partner requires careful planning. It’s indeed a very tricky job to pick out the right one from a huge list of potential vendors. The checklist aims to make the job simple for you.

Nearshore vs In-House Software Development: Know The Pros & Cons

Read More!

Software Development Company vs. Freelancer: Which is Better?

What is the difference between a freelancer and a software development company?

  • A freelancer is an individual who works independently on software development projects.
  • A software development company is a professional organization that provides software development services.

freelancer vs. software development company

How does working with a software development company help your business?

  • A team of certified professionals well-versed in multiple areas
  • Access to the latest technologies and specific domain expertise
  • A reliable vendor-customer contract (agreement) to back you
  • Round-the-clock support and IT help desk
  • Transparent communications, no hidden surprises
  • Standardized pricing with no additional costs
  • Dedicated ongoing maintenance and support

Transform Your Business With the Right Software Development Vendor

The best software development vendor:

  • Works with you throughout the entire development process
  • Helps navigate the complexities of software creation and maintenance
  • Makes incremental changes for continuous software enhancement
  • Develops tailor-made solutions that align with your business goals
  • Improves your business’s efficiency, productivity, and financial performance

Let Us Help You Ease Your Digital Transformation Journey

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Why Choose Fingent as Your Software Development Partner?

Since 2003, Fingent has been a reliable and capable software development partner for leading global brands, including several Fortune 500 companies.

  • An impeccable track record as a successful custom software vendor
  • Experience in new and emerging technologies—AI, AR, VR, IoT, blockchain, and more
  • Legacy application modernization, cloud migration
  • Multi-platform development—web, mobile, cloud, and more
  • Diverse offshore talent pool with experienced developers and tech professionals
  • Tech certifications, partnerships, centers of excellence

Build scalable and robust applications by partnering with a professional custom software vendor. Contact us to get an extended consultation.

 

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    About the Author

    ...
    Tony Joseph

    Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

    Talk To Our Experts

      Organizations are enhancing their competitiveness by prioritizing digital transformation as the global marketplace becomes increasingly crowded and interconnected.

      Broadly speaking, the concept of digital transformation involves the systematic evolution of core and auxiliary business processes to take advantage of advances in computing and software systems to increase efficiencies.

      However, no digital transformation initiative will be effective unless it involves an app modernization component.

      Also referred to as “application modernization,” app modernization enables organizations to transform effectively, increase their competitiveness, and differentiate themselves within their respective industries.

      What is App Modernization?

      A “legacy” system uses outdated software or computing hardware to deliver important organizational capabilities but cannot interact with other systems or be updated effectively. App modernization is the process of addressing known issues in outdated legacy software. The issues may include:

      • Software problems (“bugs”) that cannot be resolved fast enough,
      • Missing features will take too long to add,
      • Fragile code (changes tend to create new problems),
      • Technology obsolescence (e.g., few programmers for the source code language used),
      • A software vendor is out of business, etc.

      Commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) may not provide source code access, preventing an organization from addressing software issues. When pursuing app modernization for software for which source code is available, your organization can choose between one of three approaches:

      • Revitalizing an application old applications
      • Replacing an application technology with custom-built solutions
      • Rehosting or re-platforming

      Organizations that choose to revitalize old applications will be updating existing software with new capabilities and features. This may also include refactoring (editing the software to do the same things better).

      Read more: Why choose custom software over commercial off-the-shelf solutions?

      custom software

      Other companies may elect to get rid of aging technology to replace it with new, custom-built solutions or with a COTS solution.

      In some instances, though, to achieve performance improvements, you may just need to move your existing application onto a more powerful computing engine, typically today on a modern, cloud-based infrastructure — a process known as rehosting or re-platforming.

      How do you know which is the best app modernization option for your needs?

      Particularly old or antiquated legacy technology will need to be replaced, whereas newer solutions might be suitable for repurposing or retrofitting. Rehosting is the most pragmatic approach if an application still meets your business’s needs but is negatively impacted by your current infrastructure.

      When updating existing software, your app modernization team will need to rewrite code to add new features to your solutions. While this can be a tedious and time-consuming process, it may be more efficient than rebuilding a new solution from the ground up.

      Opting for the more labor-intensive choice of modernizing by replacing legacy systems may provide more substantial long-term benefits altogether, especially if the landscape of your industry has changed significantly since you installed your current technology suite. Proper planning will control how the migration to a new system occurs and to what extent a legacy system needs to be operational during the transition.

      In order to determine which approach is most appropriate for your business, you should first consider whether your current application effectively meets your company’s needs. If it doesn’t, you will need to either repurpose or replace your technology, but if it does, a simple rehosting might be the most practical option.

      Why You Need It, Especially Today

      Application modernization is a core component of digital transformation. If your company’s current applications do not effectively meet its needs or promote efficiency, you will never be able to meet your digital transformation goals. In a 2019 IBM-Forrester survey, 40% of developers reported being more productive when on the cloud in a digital transformation.

      Instead, you will always be working from a disadvantage, which could allow your competitors to encroach on your market share within your respective industry.

      App modernization will not only enable you to fulfill your digital transformation goals, but it will also empower your business to operate more efficiently, enhancing the customer experience, paving the way for future growth, and boosting revenue.

      Read more: Why Top Companies Are Investing in Application Modernization

      What to Consider Before App Modernization

      You cannot approach app modernization haphazardly, or you could experience significant and potentially prolonged disruptions to your company’s operations.

      Remember, app modernization efforts will impact the functionality and performance of your company’s core software solutions, such as your customer relationship management platform and accounting software, so with that in mind, you must gauge the costs of an app modernization initiative.

      Identify what goals you want to achieve, plan how long it will take to achieve those objectives, and seek the support of a third-party technology firm that will be able to provide an objective perspective and help you determine which approach to pursue when you start your journey toward app modernization.

      Read more: The secrets to a successful app modernization journey.

      App modernization

      Knowing Your Options in App Modernization

      To decide which of these approaches is most suitable for your business, you must take an objective look at the state of your technology stack. Is the version of all elements of the stack up-to-date? Are frameworks and languages still “main stream?”  If your current solutions impede business growth, it is likely time to replace them or, at minimum, rewrite them.

      Rehosting can be incorporated into your app modernization strategies in two ways. If you have an application that meets your needs, you can simply migrate the app from a native architecture to a cloud-based one. Additionally, you can incorporate rehosting into your rip-and-replace or rewrite app modernization process, as transitioning to the cloud will improve the performance of any application.

      Steps to Kickstart Your App Modernization Journey

      The entire process can feel daunting and overwhelming when you are at the precipice of your app modernization journey. Still, you can jump-start your digital transformation and app modernization efforts through the following techniques:

      1. Finding Your Why

      First off, outline why you want to modernize your applications. Defining your “why” will help you and your team stay focused once your modernization journey is underway.

      2. Assess Your Talent

      Take an objective look at your in-house team and its capabilities. Are they going to be able to oversee your app modernization effectively? If not, it might be time to bring in some outside resources.

      3. Decide Whether You Want to Move to the Cloud

      Suppose you have invested heavily in on-premises resources in the past; in that case, it might be tough to move on from these assets and transition to the cloud. But making the switch will benefit your business both now and in the long run, so you should at least consider the notion.

      4. Assess Risk and Act

      Finally, you need to assess the risks associated with each app modernization option. Outline the benefits of rewriting your current applications, replacing them altogether, and migrating to the cloud. Once you have calculated the costs of app modernization, choose the option that best aligns with your needs and take action.

      How Fingent Can Help in Successful App Modernization

      Leveraging app modernization to enhance the efficacy of your digital transformation effort is a huge undertaking. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate this process alone, as you can partner with a talented software development team like that of Fingent.

      Fingent’s team of experts can help you apply the latest technologies to your business, including cloud-native solutions, artificial intelligence tools, and machine learning software.

      Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist with your app modernization efforts.

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        About the Author

        ...
        Tony Joseph

        Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

        Talk To Our Experts

          The right software can serve as a growth catalyst for your business. A robust software solution can empower your team to work more efficiently, better serve your clients, and optimize business performance.

          But when searching for these software solutions for your business, you’ll have to make many different decisions along the way. One of the very first choices you’ll encounter is whether you want to buy off-the-shelf software or build a custom solution.

          Either route can help your organization modernize its processes, improve efficiency, and scale effectively. Which approach will produce optimal results for your organization in the short and long term is still a question.

          Because your decision will significantly impact your business for years to come, it’s critical that you get it right.

          With that in mind, join us as we crack the code to smart software selection decision-making by exploring the pros and cons of building and buying software.

          Read more: Why Should Your Business Invest In An End-to-End Software Solution?

          End-To-End Custom Software Solution

          The Build or Buy Conundrum

          The buy option is relatively straightforward: You select software that aligns with your organization’s needs, purchase a license, and deploy the technology. When evaluating your options, you will encounter purpose-built solutions for your industry and more generalized options, like basic accounting software.

          Conversely, custom-built software for your organization will include specific tools you need — without superfluous features that distract users and get in the way of critical business functions. It’s important to understand that you won’t be building the software unless you have an in-house team of highly experienced software engineers. Instead, you will need to partner with a talented software development firm.

          Pros and Cons of Buying Software

          Before providing a decision-making roadmap, it’s crucial to outline the pros and cons of each option.

          The primary benefit of buying pre-built software is that it is already deployment-ready. As such, you can easily purchase the software and begin implementing it almost immediately. You’ll also be able to demo the product before you buy, giving you an idea of precisely what to expect. This expedited timetable is particularly appealing if your business’ current technology suite cannot keep up with your present needs.

          However, some notable drawbacks exist to buying software instead of taking the custom route. First and foremost, off-the-shelf software is less likely to align perfectly with your company’s needs. After all, off-the-shelf software is designed to appeal to as broad an audience as possible, and naturally, it will include some features you don’t need. Evaluating software can be time-consuming, and applications of any complexity may be impossible to assess fully in a reasonable amount of time.

          In addition, pre-built software typically has recurring license and maintenance costs that need to be considered and may change over time. There is also the risk that vendors of pre-built software may stop offering that edition or software or go out of business entirely. Pre-built software may depend upon older technologies that are no longer “leading edge,” which can lead to long-term viability concerns.

          For some software categories, you may only be able even to consider a few contenders, or what you find may lack some tools or capabilities your business is looking for.

          Read more: Choosing between Custom Software Solution and Commercial Off-the-Shelf Product!

          Advantages and Drawbacks of Building Custom Software

          Custom software is tailored to help your business meet its organizational goals and overcome its most significant growth hurdles. Every feature, tool, and capability of custom software is purpose-built for your business. As such, it can significantly impact your business more than an off-the-shelf alternative.

          The two potential downsides to custom software are cost and the deployment timetable. When there is an off-the-shelf alternative, building custom software will typically require a larger upfront investment, but you will have more control over the software. That means you can change your schedule without being tied to the vendor’s schedule or priorities. If the custom software meets important business requirements, you can expect a strong return on investment.

          It’s important to remember that developing and deploying a custom-built software solution will take slightly longer. Fortunately, you can streamline the build process by partnering with a highly experienced software development firm.

          How to Determine Which Option Fits Best for Your Business

          As you prepare to weigh your best opportunities with each approach, you can streamline your decision-making process with a refined approach.

          1. List Your Organizational Goals and Needs

          When choosing to buy or build, the most critical question you need to ask yourself is: What do you hope to accomplish with your new technology?

          Create a list of goals, objectives, and needs. In addition to providing more internal clarity, you can use this list to compare products during your search. If no single off-the-shelf solution meets your needs, it may be more pragmatic to build custom software. However, if you need the solution sooner rather than later.

          2. Analyze the Current Ecosystem

          Once you have created your list of goals and objectives, you can start analyzing the current ecosystem. Businesses operating in specific sectors — such as the healthcare industry — will have dozens of options when searching for off-the-shelf software solutions. As such, it is much more likely that a healthcare organization will be able to find a readily available solution that meets its needs when compared to a more niche sector.

          Even if you are already leaning toward building a custom solution, you should consider what options are available for your industry. Explore all known choices to see how these solutions align with your needs and goals. This tactic can also provide you with ideas to put on a must-have list for your custom software partner.

          3. Calculate the Potential ROI of Each Option

          While you must regard the upfront costs associated with buying vs. building software, calculating the potential long-term ROI of each option will be more useful for guiding your decision-making process. Start calculating ROI by assessing the likely cost-savings and additional profits that can be expected once the new software is in place. While this impact can often be difficult to predict fully, it may be easier to consider how large the impact would need to be to recover the cost of the investment — the break-even point.

          Building a custom solution will cost more on the front end, but this higher initial investment can yield a significant return over the software’s lifecycle. Conversely, going with a cheaper option could solve today’s business challenges, but you may quickly outgrow that software’s capabilities and find yourself looking to upgrade again in the near future.

          Read more: When does your Business need Custom Software Solution – Evaluate Now!

          custom software development

          Making Your Final Decision 

          Whether you buy a readily available option or want to leverage the power of custom-built software, you will need an experienced technology partner to oversee your deployment. Fingent is that partner.

          Our team of technology experts specializes in building dynamic, custom software solutions for our diverse array of clients. We can also assist with deploying solutions from Microsoft, SAP, and other leading technology development companies.

          To learn more about our deployment and development services, contact Fingent today.

          Stay up to date on what's new

            About the Author

            ...
            Tony Joseph

            Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

            Talk To Our Experts

              To build or to buy has been a million-dollar question most businesses seek an answer for. This can become more daunting when you consider the numerous factors influencing the decision. To make it less overwhelming, we will discuss factors and tips to help business leaders make informed decisions. This blog also explains the right process to follow once the decision is made.

              Build Or Buy: Should You Buy Software or Build It?

              Several factors must be analyzed when deciding to buy or build software internally. Here is an analysis of four key points that can help business leaders to make an informed decision that will impact their business growth:

              • What is the scope of the problem that you are attempting to solve?
              • How complex does the software solution need to fit your business?
              • Can the organization leverage exist experts, or will you need to hire more?
              • How quickly does the organization need the software?

              It is good to remember that there are no one-size-fits for all in this regard. Analyzing these questions will help businesses zero in on one of the two options. Please read on to find out top tips to help companies identify which of these two is most suitable for their business.

              Read more: Choosing the right Software Development Vendor

              Top Considerations for Companies to Help Recognize Build vs Buy

              Deciding to buy or build custom software is not as easy as flipping a coin. Here are the top considerations that will increase the odds of making the right decision:

              • Problem – Businesses must give thought to the problem at hand. Is it attempting to solve a common problem or specific to the company alone?
              • Funds – Can the company have dedicated funds to host and maintain the software solution, including upfront costs?
              • Time – Consider how time-intensive the problem at hand is. Is it just a nagging annoyance or a serious health threat to the company’s survival?
              • Strengths and Weaknesses – Analyzing a business’s strengths and weaknesses will help companies choose whether to build or buy. Can the business withstand the risks that may surface with technical debts, quality concerns, opportunity costs, and more?
              • Quality – Consider if you can fully focus business efforts on solving this problem without compromising quality.
              • Surface-Level Risks – Before buying or in the future with a trial, demo, or quote, reviewing the surface-level risks of buying versus building software is important.
              • Data – For certain companies, their data is vital to their competitive advantage. In such cases, it is crucial to consider how the third party may your proprietary data. Consider if there is the possibility of losing access or oversight to customer data or other critical business insights.
              • Security – Ensure the company’s accounts are not compromised by finding out if the third party can be trusted and if they use cybersecurity best practices.
              • Vendor Reliability – Consider if the third-party vendor is reliable. Does it have the ability to weather a market downturn or other external factors that may impact the business?

              Read more: When Does Your Business Need Custom Software Development Solution – Evaluate Now!

              custom software development

              If a company decides to build custom software after all these considerations, it is vital that they follow the right process for the successful development of software.

              What is The Right Process If You Decide to Build?

              Building custom software might be the perfect solution for your business and building it the right way is key to its success. Usually, it is developed by a third party or in-house developers. Custom solutions ensure features and functionality with the company’s needs in mind. As a result, businesses enjoy increased productivity and growth.

              To get started, here is the right process companies can follow:

              1. Define your organizational needs

              First, determine the current business process, expectations, and verifiable success. Talking to experts, finding out why the changes are necessary, and sketching out the workflows will help ensure a smooth project management process.

              2. Resist the temptation to keep everything in-house

              It may be tempting to handle all processes in-house to save money. However, working with your own IT team could cause a slowdown in the company operations as they already have their daily work. Here, outsourcing certain tasks makes the most sense. Consider working with a vendor with a verifiable track record in building custom software for other companies.

              3. Be practical

              To keep the project on track, create a realistic plan together with all involved in the project. This will allow companies to set specific deadlines. Knowing the timeline will help in allocating funds when required.

              4. Test and test

              Before implementing the new custom software, it must go through two levels of test. One is technical testing by IT professionals and developers to ensure all elements are working. The second is user testing to see if the software works as intended.

              5. Document each stage

              Documentation must include the team members’ details, roles and responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations for the project. It must also include a test plan, checklist, scope statement, training plan, implementation plans, and detailed user documentation.

              Top 5 Trends in Custom Software Development Today to Look Out For

              The custom software market is growing exponentially. Some software development trends stand out. These trends are influenced by the need for businesses to leverage advancing technology.

              • Cloud technology: The pandemic shut the door on data on-site and opened the door to cloud technology. Developing cloud-native applications will likely continue as many companies still use remote work setups.
              • Internet of Behavior: The Internet of Behavior, or IoB, studies customer behavior through the data gathered from various devices. This data allows businesses to understand how to improve the quality of their products and services.
              • Blockchain: Blockchain is used in businesses to track records without worrying about discrepancies.
              • Low-code and No-code development tools: Workers can create programs and sites even if they lack coding knowledge. According to research, by 2024, 65% of software projects will be done through low-code or no-code development.
              • Software integration: Software integration can provide a seamless user experience. Additionally, it helps the company save time and increase productivity.

              Read more: Low Code/No Code Development with SAP BTP: How It Is Turning the Future of Enterprise Resilience

              Low code/No code

              Build For the Future

              Building custom software allows organizations to use technology that addresses their unique needs. Following the right process can ensure they are implemented in a way that supports and advances business growth.

              Custom software development is our forte, and we have been able to help many clients get exactly what they need from their software.

              Give us a call, and let’s discuss what we can do for your business.

              Stay up to date on what's new

                About the Author

                ...
                Tony Joseph

                Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

                Talk To Our Experts

                  Frameworks are the backbone of mobile app development. They are essential to building dependable apps quickly. When choosing a framework, you can choose between native or cross-platform applications. Though both approaches have advantages, cross-platform applications work on multiple devices regardless of their operating system.

                  Different companies use different technologies to build and design great apps. Various company requirements have led to the emergence of four major frameworks in the market – React Native, Flutter, Ionic, and Xamarin.

                  If you are considering building a cross-platform application, you must understand the basics of the available frameworks and their unique strengths and features. Doing so will help you choose one that is most relevant to you. That is why we have put together this comparison. We will help you understand the key differences between Flutter, React Native, Ionic, and Xamarin.

                  Top 4 Characteristics to Consider While Choosing A Mobile App Framework Of 2022

                  The six most significant reasons to choose a cross-platform mobile development app are:

                  • Decreased development process
                  • Cost efficient
                  • Improved user experience
                  • Improved performance
                  • Improved quality
                  • Increased reach

                  You can determine the best mobile app framework based on the characteristics on which we can compare the four tools. Let us begin with features.

                  1. Features

                  Flutter

                  Flutter is the best UI toolkit that comes with fully customized widgets. Its layered architecture will ensure quick component rendering. Several popular organizations use Flutter.  Its features include:

                  • Built-in Cupertino widgets
                  • Supports iOS and Android platforms
                  • It is comprehensive and precise
                  • Visuals are both appealing and engaging
                  • Ability to develop high-performance apps
                  • Rich motion APIs

                  Xamarin

                  Xamarin allows code sharing on multiple platforms. It is known to offer a development ecosystem with a back-end, API, and components. Xamarin’s’ features include:

                  • Faster development time
                  • Lesser bugs
                  • Best backend infrastructure
                  • A component store that contains cross-platform libraries, third-party libraries, and UI controls.
                  • Allows application indexing and deep linking

                  Ionic

                  Ionic is useful if you want to build interactive hybrid mobile and progressive web apps with cross-platform applications. It also has another lightning and powerful version called Ionic Studio that provides an easy visual development environment. Ionic’s features include:

                  • Fast and powerful
                  • Allows complete control over app building
                  • Allows development of both native and progressive web applications
                  • Easy to handle
                  • Allows for a single code base app building

                  React Native

                  React Native is a widely used JavaScript library that helps to develop rich apps to give the best user experience. It allows developers to create platform-specific versions of various components. React Native’s features include:

                  • Single codebase across multiple platforms.
                  • Low-code requirement.
                  • Declarative API for predictive UI.
                  • Compatible with third-party plugins.
                  • Supports both iOS and Android.

                  2. Development ease

                  Development of the app should be easy and should offer smooth user engagement.

                  • Flutter is known to provide the best. It is extremely efficient and offers great performance.
                  • Xamarin can be used to develop the UI. Using Xamarin.Forms to develop apps can reduce time and simplify the process.
                  • Ionic does not apply native elements. Instead, it applies Cordova to offer a native look and feel.
                  • React Native works in tandem and offers a better user experience similar to native apps.


                  3. Performance

                  Performance is a crucial factor to consider as it shows how apps will perform when different frameworks are used.

                  • Flutter tops all of the other apps in performance. It offers amazing speed as it uses Darts.
                  • Xamarin can be used to develop apps similar to native apps. It is focused on business rationale. On the other hand, Xamarin. Forms work with the concept of broad code sharing. This may decrease the performance of the code in various operations.
                  • Ionic does not offer performance similar to native apps. Since Ionic tools use web technologies to render the app, it tends to reduce the speed.
                  • React Native can be leveraged to build apps similar to native apps. It allows developers to use native modules for scripting code for complex operations.

                  4. Top pros and cons

                  Each framework has its pro and cons. Please take a closer look at them:

                  Flutter

                  Flutter

                  React Native

                  React Native

                  Ionic

                  Ionic

                  Xamarin

                  Xamarin

                  Read more: Top Technologies Used to Develop Mobile App

                  Identifying What Suits Your Project

                  Every situation is unique. It might turn out that your technical requirements will lead to a solution. Still, this is how you can identify what suits your project:

                  • Flutter is a good option if the existing tech stack no longer satisfies your needs but it should be a very careful choice for startups.
                  • Xamarin usually fits most projects. It might be a little tricky to have everything you want, but in the long run, you will get it.
                  • Ionic excels in terms of performance. If you are a beginner in cross-platform development, Ionic may be the best option.
                  • React Native works wonders for MVPs and projects that need heavy interactivity. However, if your project is loaded with performance-hungry features, it may be best to skip it.

                  How Fingent Can Be Your Right Mobile App Development Partner

                  As a leading custom software development company, Fingent has years of experience in developing apps using various platforms for app development. Our app development team has hands-on experience in developing iOS and Android apps. No matter how complicated your app idea is, we can help you find the best solution. Let’s get talking.

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                    About the Author

                    ...
                    Girish R

                    Girish R, Programmer for 17 yrs, Blogger at Techathlon.com, LifeHacker, DIYer. He loves to write about technology, Open source & gadgets. He currently leads the mobile app development team at Fingent.

                    Talk To Our Experts

                      Modernization is a desire to stay relevant and grow. App modernization does just that for businesses. It enables them to stay relevant and grow. In line with that, organizations worldwide are scrambling toward digital transformation. How does that benefit businesses?

                      App modernization or updating older software for newer computing approaches extends the lifespan of an organization’s applications while allowing it to take advantage of technical innovations. It is like renovating an old house to improve efficiency, safety, structural integrity, and more.

                      However, there have been occasions when the app modernization project has failed. This has been a concern to most business owners considering digital transformation. Are you one of them? If so, through this blog, you can learn why and how to avoid app modernization failure.

                      First things first. Does your company need app modernization? If so, why?

                      Why Your Company Needs App Modernization

                      Apart from what we discussed earlier in this blog, app modernization integrates new features to keep up with the latest business requirements. Even so, many business leaders wonder if their business needs app modernization. Here is a list of specific reasons for you to consider:

                      • It allows you to create new features and services that align with your current business needs and goals. In addition, you can personalize these features to ensure long-term value creation.
                      • Educating new and older employees becomes easier as app modernization can automate tedious and repetitive processes.
                      • App modernization helps you leverage the benefits of the cloud environment, allowing you to provide fast and efficient customer service.
                      • Cloud-native applications offer top-notch security features as compared to legacy applications.
                      • App modernization allows you to add newer features, services, and functions. These, in turn, increase customer satisfaction leading to increased revenue.

                      Why, then, does app modernization backfire at times? And how can you ensure the success of the project?

                      Read more: Why modernize your legacy systems? What’s the best approach to legacy systems modernization?

                      Legacy system modernization

                      Why Some App Modernization Projects Fail

                      When an app modernization project fails, it may pose serious problems for your business, including wasted resources and time. Failed app modernization may hinder agility and keep your business from capitalizing on modern technology. It was noted that an alarming 79% of app modernization projects still fail. Why? Surprisingly, the failure is not due to the new system or methodology, nor caused by the modernization vendor. The reasons are much deeper. Here are the top 5 reasons why app modernization projects fail:

                      1. Ignoring the business process

                      Modernization efforts fail when the business process (accounting, inventory, finance) is poor, and a business tries to correct it with new systems. That will never work. Businesses must first understand what is slowing them down. Determining the problem is the right foundation for successful app modernization.

                      2. Implementing new systems without considering drastic business changes

                      When entirely new systems are implemented without considering the drastic business changes, the employees are forced to adapt quickly. In addition, such practice forces the business to evolve to fit the new software. Instead, the software must adapt to fit the current business process and requirements.

                      3. Businesses mistakenly assume that they are ready for a complete revamp

                      Most businesses believe that they are ready to replace the old system with new systems, and the business will run better. Now that is a huge mistake. Completely replacing all systems can send your business and your employees into shock. It may even change how customers interact with the business. A better approach is to modernize in calculated steps.

                      4. Failing to adopt an agile software

                      The pandemic helped us see that agility is king. Adopting inflexible applications can have disastrous consequences on your business. If you want to be future-ready, replace rigid applications with agile applications.

                      5. Failing to consult the end user

                      Modernization projects that do not involve the IT department and the end user fail as they do not consider how the new solution fits business needs.

                      Read more: Advancing Business Software Development With Cloud Native

                      The Secret to A Successful App Modernization Project Journey

                      Every business that embarks on a modernization project journey faces many challenges. The success of your app modernization efforts comes down to two key components: your IT team and your employees. As teams go through this journey, use these secrets to avoid failure and ensure success.

                      Secret 1.  Build a cross-functional team

                      When choosing a team or developing an innovation group, build a cross-functional team that can focus on developing the culture, process, and tools needed to improve the modernization process.

                      Secret 2.  Toss it, sort it, and commit to it

                      An effective business principle is to welcome all ideas and sort them, but when a decision is reached, you must commit to it and execute that above all else. Doing so will ensure the progress of the project.

                      Secret 3. Map out the development workflow

                      Mapping out a development workflow can help you when you encounter complexities in the project. It helps you look at every tool being used and identify dependencies.  

                      Secret 4.  Set milestones 

                      Projects may change. Setting small modernization goals will help you adjust your long-term plans and reduce engineering risk. Focus on many small steps when planning for a major milestone. Doing so will ensure smooth progress from one step to another.

                      Secret 5.  Prioritize data into categories

                      If you prioritize data into high, moderate, or low categories, you can decide what safeguards to have for each category.

                      Secret 6.  Do not sew a new cloth on an old cloak

                      Take a hard look at your development workflow and identify habits that could derail your app modernization process. Don’t just patch up old problems with a new tool. Remember, these problems can derail new tools, so don’t patch, fix.

                      Secret 7.  Keep your team in the loop

                      Your team may find it challenging to develop the knowledge they need to work on the new tools. Keeping them informed about the new tools and training them to navigate new workflows can ensure the success of application modernization.

                      Several aspects may factor into a successful modernization. That is why modernization endeavors are so challenging. However, implementing the above secrets can help the success of app modernization efforts.

                      Speaking to an expert can help you understand how to proceed with your app modernization needs. Why not reach out to us at Fingent and discuss your project with our software development experts?

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                        About the Author

                        ...
                        Tony Joseph

                        Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

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                          ‘There is success through many advisers.’ This ancient proverb has proved not just true but very effective and powerful in this digital age. This is precisely what Open-Source Software (OSS) accomplishes. It allows for collaborative development where the community can modify and enhance the source code.

                          Open-source systems can help businesses adapt quickly to changing circumstances and facilitates controlled upgrades. Integration and maintenance become less of a hurdle. With the wide range of OSS possibilities, businesses are wise to tap into this huge potential for building a robust, secure, and yet, cost-effective infrastructure.

                          This blog will help you gain an in-depth understanding of how open-source can power your digital transformation journey!

                          How Open-Source Software Powers Digital Transformation

                          Vendors today provide various software solutions indispensable to a business’s software strategy. But finding the right software solution that caters closely to an organization’s needs has always been challenging! Meanwhile, OSS helps businesses build and maintain their IT ecosystem and enables sourcing highly creative developers with hard-to-locate skills. Engaging with domain experts and making their contribution to the OSS bank helps developers find satisfaction and boosts creativity. Judicious use of OSS can be of great benefit to any business.

                          Most IT leaders believe that OSS is either “very important” or “extremely important” to the enterprise software strategy. How do we know that? In 2021, developers downloaded over 2.2 trillion open-source packages. That is a 73% increase.

                          Read more: How to Ensure Safe Use of Open Source Libraries

                          Here are more reasons to justify this statement!

                          1. OSS Can Serve as A Ramp to The Future

                          Irrespective of whether you are a small business with limited resources or an established enterprise with an established IT ecosystem, open-source software’s ability to supply code that can be easily changed and customized to your specific needs is invaluable. Many businesses are turning to AI and blockchain to better understand customer needs and work towards fulfilling them. Open-source code can not only hasten the process but also ensure efficiency.

                          AI, ML, and AR/VR could feel like the proverbial butterfly always out of reach, and more so if your business does not have a well-established IT team. OSS can then serve as your ramp to the future. Your vendor or coder could build on the resources available to ramp up your IT capabilities and reach your desired situation.

                          2. OSS Can Be a Beacon for Talent

                          OSS provides coders and developers with access to code written by experts or extremely creative pioneers. This would be an immersive learning exercise. At the same time, experienced engineers could interact with others in their community, freshening their skills while keeping up with the latest in the IT industry. This exposure would, in turn, influence their recruiting and training activities.

                          The OSS is also a repository of “glueware.” It allows software engineers to create things outside their immediate area of expertise. While it requires ingenuity and skill to glue parts together to make a whole system, OSS provides not just the individual parts and the “glue” required to fix them. It is a new method of looking at the design, resulting in greater satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

                          3. OSS Can Build Engineering Discipline

                          Open-source projects have very clear frameworks. There is structure and good practices such as separation of concerns, abstraction, and isolation. A business of any size would benefit from following the same discipline in setting up its systems.

                          Maintaining clear standards of operability ad interoperability is another advantage. Using OSS ensures that the same standards are followed. Businesses do not have to invent standards and frameworks but can build on the foundation provided by OSS.

                          4. OSS Can Improve Your “Ilities”

                          Scalability, availability, and reliability – are just a few of the many aspects that OSS can help improve. Utility to ensure efficiency and avoid duplicating work can also be added to the list. Developers or vendors would likely prefer importing sections from a tried and tested OSS repository than building from scratch.

                          Read more: Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning For Faster and Accurate Project Cost Estimation

                          project cost estimation

                          Dimensions of Open-Source Software 

                          OSS boosts the digital transformation of businesses. It is good for businesses that lack the resources to meet the needs of IT development. OSS can yield different variations by its modularity. Consider a few pros and cons of OSS:

                          • Price: The price is very low to zero. However, one must consider the need for support, customization, and hosting while considering the cost of using OSS.
                          • Source Code: Full access to the source code helps developers evaluate the quality of the software and customize it to the needs of the business.
                          • Functionality: While individual systems from the OSS may be limited, they can be easily ramped up to serve all business needs.
                          • Modularity: OSS is modular. Hence it prompts the engagement of several experts in building a specific IT system.
                          • Development: OSS code is developed worldwide by motivated developers from a wide range of roles and functions.
                          • Distribution: OSS code is distributed over the internet, which is fast, efficient, and cost-effective.
                          • Licensing: A range of OSS licenses specify how the code can be used, modified, or redistributed. However, certain restrictive licenses only support the limited use of the OSS code.
                          • Monetization: Offering support services to help integrate the system, train users, and fix bugs is one way to monetize OSS. Offering to work out the deployment of OSS systems and taking care of backups, upgrades, and downtime is another way to monetize OSS.

                          Is Customization A Smarter Choice With Open Source?

                          Remember that OSS is another tool best suited for certain tasks and not so well suited for others. OSS might not be the best choice for your strategic activities or initiatives contrary to your cultural norms. Certain projects on OSS might have too high a level of uncertainty or too little support.

                          This does not mean that OSS should be put out of the picture. Do you need to adapt quickly to the fast-paced development in certain domains? Do you need greater effectiveness in attracting and retaining talent? Do you need a solution that requires utility, quality, and speed? OSS can help you in all these scenarios.

                          Read more: Odoo Migration: Why Is It Crucial and How to Do It Seamlessly!

                          Odoo Migration

                          How Can Fingent Help?

                          Fingent can leverage open-source technology to quickly develop your customized, dynamic business application. Our experts use PHP, AngularJS, jQuery, Magento, and several other open-source technologies to develop, implement and support a wide range of open-source technologies and resources. Our extensive experience working with open-source tools helps ensure that we can provide our clients with customized, innovative solutions quickly and efficiently without compromising on quality.

                          Intrigued to learn more about how we can help you develop and leverage the best business software solutions with open source. Connect with our experts now!

                          Stay up to date on what's new

                            About the Author

                            ...
                            Vinod Saratchandran

                            Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

                            Talk To Our Experts

                              Web Application Development:
                              A Detailed Guide for 2022

                              Web Application is the first line of contact between your customers and business.

                              What is a Web Application?

                              A decade ago, web pages were mostly static, with a few images and videos scattered around. In 2005, thanks to Ajax, it made it possible to create better, faster, and more interactive web applications.

                              A web application, also known as a web app, is nothing but a computer program that uses a web browser to perform a specific function. A web application is a client-server program that comprises a client-side and a server-side. The user enters data through the client-side (front-end), while the server-side (back-end) of the application stores and processes the information. For example, shopping carts, content management systems, and online forms are typical web applications.

                              Both enterprises and individuals develop web applications to fulfill different purposes. Web apps help integrate the tailored experience of native apps with easy access on a website browser from any device. For example, LinkedIn, Basecamp, MailChimp, or even Facebook, have web apps that provide immersive and tailored experiences like the native apps directly from the browser. Hence, web application development is gaining a lot of popularity in almost all industries, including banking, eCommerce, education, healthcare, and more.

                              How does a Web Application Work?

                              Web applications are accessed over a network and need not be downloaded. Instead, users can access web applications through browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, or Safari.
                              A web application is built around three components- a Web Server, an Application Server, and a Database. The web server manages requests from the client, the application server processes requests, and the database stores the information.

                              A typical web application workflow looks like this:

                              Web apps are generally coded using JavaScript, HTML5, or Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for the client-side programming (front-end). ASP.NET, PHP, Java, and Ruby are commonly used for server-side programming.

                              What is Web Application Development?

                              Web application development refers to the process of using client-side and server-side programming to develop an application that is accessible over the web browser.
                              The web application development process begins by; first, the developer trying to find a solution to a specific problem, then designing the web app by choosing the appropriate development framework. Next, the developer tests the solution and finally deploys the web app.

                              Types of Web Applications

                              Now that we’ve covered the various aspects of web applications let’s deep dive into the different categories of web applications. Web apps are classified based on their functionalities, tools, and technologies.

                              Web App vs. Websites

                              Web applications are indeed websites. Users can access both via web browsers, and both require access to the internet. It may seem that there’s no difference between them. However, the lines between a website and a web app are blurred. Web application development differs substantially from website development. Here’s a simplified rundown on the differences between a website and a web application.

                              Web Application

                              • A web application is dynamic and is designed for user engagement.
                              • A web application is interactive and responds to user input.
                              • Web applications mostly require authentication.
                              • The functions in a web application are quite higher and more complex.
                              • The web application needs precompilation before deployment.
                              • Integration with other software for web applications is complex.

                              Website

                              • A website basically contains static content.
                              • A website is a one-way informational feed and does not allow user interaction.
                              • Authentication is not obligatory for informational websites.
                              • The functions of a website are relatively simple.
                              • A website does not need not be pre-compiled.
                              • Integration is hassle-free for websites.

                              Web Apps vs. Mobile Apps

                              While web apps and mobile apps are similar in many ways, both are different in many ways. Mobile apps are made exclusively for mobile gadgets and are suitable for Android, iOS, and cross-platform operating systems. Usually, mobile apps are mobile-first, meaning they work effectively on smartphones, tablets, or other handheld mobile devices. Most mobile apps work offline too. Examples include Google Maps, Amazon Kindle, Uber, etc.
                              On the other hand, web apps function only with internet connectivity. A web app functions in real-time in a web browser with CPU resources. With adequate internal storage, mobile apps can be downloaded from the app store or play store.

                              Benefits of Web Application Development

                              Web application comes along with an array of benefits for businesses and users.

                              Speed and cost

                              Web application development is faster and more economical than building native apps. Therefore, if the primary goal is to accelerate time-to-market, web application development is the best choice for businesses.

                              Cross-platform capabilities

                              Web applications are programmed to run on any operating system. Due to their cross-platform capabilities, web applications can adapt well to Android, iOS, Mac OS, and Windows phones. In addition, the device responsiveness of web applications helps to get rid of OS dependencies.

                              Browser compatibility

                              A web application runs on the device’s browser using an accessible URL. Modern web applications are compatible with all browsers, such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Bing. Hence, software compatibility challenges are never roadblocks.

                              Reduced operating costs

                              Web application development is a great way to cut down operating costs. It drives to eliminate unnecessary expenses such as hardware purchases, frequent device updates, and maintenance of numerous systems.

                              Easy to update

                              Updating web applications is easy, as only the server(s) would require upgrades.

                              Customization

                              Custom web application development offers several benefits, such as tailored features for the users. These applications are easily accessible via browsers with a stable internet connection. Custom web apps help cut unnecessary expenses and save time as only required features need to be developed. A custom web app can significantly improve your business traction brand awareness, communicate your brand ideology and help you gain a competitive edge in the chosen target market.

                              Expanded Security

                              Web applications are typically deployed on dedicated servers, constantly monitored, and managed by experienced server administrators. This is more effective than monitoring hundreds or even thousands of client computers, as with desktop applications. In addition, it ensures tighter security and identifies any potential breaches that could slip off.

                              Zero downloads

                              Web apps don’t need to be downloaded from app stores such as Apple’s App Store or Google Play. This helps save money since having a direct link through a web app is free.

                              Technology Stack for Web Application Development

                              The following web development technologies enable the creation of high-performing, fast, and advanced web applications.

                              Web Application Development Process

                              Whether you decide to develop your web application in-house team or outsource to a company like Fingent, your project will be more successful if you understand the process involved in web application development in advance.

                              The number of steps in the web application development process can vary.

                              Conceptualize

                              The first step is to define the problem you want to solve with a web application and collect all the relevant information needed for app development. A well-defined problem will give an excellent head-start to the project and help you identify the best solution. Next, clarify the purpose and the end goals of the application.

                              During the planning phase, the developers will take a run to answer the following questions.

                              • What app do you want to build?
                              • What features and functions should it include?
                              • What is the audience of your product?
                              Prototype & Development

                              The development phase involves creating a wireframe or prototype to communicate the solution to target users.

                              First, the developers will lay out the design elements to provide a delightful user experience to the target audience. The wireframe is then presented to potential users, considers their feedback, and iterates until they're satisfied.

                              Post-design, the next step is to build the application. The following steps will happen in this phase.

                              • To create a database for storage, the developers need to determine what data and data types are required for the application to perform well.
                              • Based on the elements approved by the users during the wireframing process, developers will create the front-end application. The developers need to identify the best frameworks for front-end development.
                              • Developers will create interaction between the user and the server.
                              • Developers either code from scratch or use front-end and back-end frameworks to develop the web app.
                              • Based on the application type, that is, client-side/ server-side/ single-page, programming is done.
                              Test and Implement

                              Whether an automated or manual web application, testing for the web application is an ongoing process throughout the software development lifecycle. Testing is an inevitable part of the software development process.

                              The Testing (QA) team will test the app for usability, compatibility, functionality, security, and performance to eliminate bugs and ensure that the application works without any glitches.Testing also helps identify any possible improvements and upgrades to make in the future.Once the testing is complete, you can finally implement the application in your company or your customer's side.

                              When using it for your company, you will have to train your employees to use the app productively (if the app requires training). In addition, you will have to create a communication strategy for customers and decide on the appropriate timing to launch the application in the market.

                              At Fingent, we help you perform all the mandatory software and usability testing to ensure that your web app functions seamlessly. We also provide training and support to use the apps effectively.

                              Hosting and Maintenance

                              You must buy a domain and choose a hosting provider to create a server location for the app. We help you choose shared hosting, dedicated hosting, or cloud hosting based on your requirements. Be it a simple website or complex web application, and every digital product needs routine checks and enhancements. Maintenance of the application or website includes:

                              • Ongoing QA testing
                              • Bug fixes and improvements
                              • Addressing changes and adding features based on user feedback
                              • Providing regular updates and technical support

                              Web Application Development Validation And Deployment

                              Once your web app is developed and ready to be launched, it is critical to perform testing to ensure that the application functions correctly before its deployment. Bug fixing alone is not sufficient. Therefore, testing is vital to web application development.
                              A standard web application undergoes the following testing,
                              After completing the quality assurance process, your web app is ready for launch. You can use GitHub, Beanstalk App, and Bitbucket App to deploy the web app to your servers. Any new features, changes, and improvements to the deployed application are implemented according to the user’s feedback.

                              Web Development Trends for 2022

                              Web development has progressed over the years and is progressing with the emergence of newer technologies. A website is the face of a business rather than mere codes. More than one-third of visitors prefer to hold on to websites with attractive content and a clean layout. In 2022, companies are more than ready to apply the latest web development trends to improve conversions and develop engaging websites without having to code. If you want to stay ahead, it is vital to focus on the latest trends, updates, techniques, and web development approaches. Why developers should bring out more innovative web development approaches- the fact is it boosts business growth rather exponentially and globally.

                              Apps For Multiple Domains With .NET Core

                              .NET Core gives you consistency across all architectures by running your code with the same behavior. Be it gaming, IoT, mobile, or AI – we can help you develop high-performing, secure, cost-effective, and flexible applications in any domain with .NET Core. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              Building Exceptional Apps With C#

                              C# is a highly versatile programming language commonly used for developing websites, Windows applications, and games. With its foundation deep-rooted in the Microsoft platform, C# is one of the most-cherished and reliable languages to build robust applications. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              Enterprise Web Applications With ASP.NET

                              ASP.NET is a framework for building web apps and services with .NET and C#. ASP.NET allows you to build large and complex applications by reducing the amount of code required. This, in turn, reduces the application development time and costs involved. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              Microsoft Azure Cloud Services

                              Take advantage of the cloud through hybrid cloud-based solutions with Microsoft Azure. We can help you migrate your solution to the cloud, enabling you with on-demand and secure resources of Azure. Scale according to your needs and improve your business agility. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              Enhance Collaboration With SharePoint Development

                              Fingent’s Microsoft team can help you develop robust SharePoint solutions that empower your organization with efficient collaboration and communication. We can help you build intuitive interfaces and simple navigation features for effective document management. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              Streamline Processes With PowerApps

                              Microsoft Power Apps enables you to build low-code, professional-grade apps that can modernize your business processes and drive innovation across your organization. Infuse your enterprise apps with AI and automation, powered by PowerApps. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              Business Analytics Service Using Power BI

                              Leveraging Microsoft Power BI, we enable businesses to develop interactive visualizations and business intelligence capabilities through simple and intuitive interfaces. Enrich your business as well as end-users with custom reports and dashboards powered by insightful data. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              Universal Windows Platform (UWP)

                              By leveraging UWP API, we help you create universal apps that run on Windows 10 compatible devices without the need to be re-written for each. As the name suggests, the Universal Windows Platform allows you to create apps that run on multiple types of devices. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)

                              Using WPF, we incorporate visually stunning user experiences into your Windows desktop applications that include features like rich user interface, media, complex business models, animation, effects, styles, templates, controls, data binding, and so on. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              Business Intelligence With SQL Server

                              Our expertise with Microsoft data platforms can empower you with real-time data for improved decision-making. Our Microsoft capabilities can help in uniting several disparate information sources and create reports from across varied systems and databases. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              Highly Responsive Applications With Cosmos DB

                              We help you develop highly responsive and highly available applications on Cosmos DB using the popular open source software APIs. Experience low latency, high throughput, real-time responses, and tunable consistency with this multi-model, NoSQL database service. Let’s Discuss Your Project

                              The Future of Web Application Development

                              The web development industry is in flux and is constantly evolving. Therefore, it is paramount for us always to look ahead and learn about what's coming up or any risk being left in the web development dust. Web development is defined through the upcoming trends and changes in the digital world. Businesses around the globe are in a quest to build outstanding websites to up their online presence with all-new frameworks, tools, and advancements. If you want your business to stay ahead of the race, the smartest thing u can do is to try out innovative and experimental things like Augmented Reality (AR) or Artificial Intelligence. Here's a quick glance at some of the exciting developments likely to happen in the near future.

                              Smarter Apps with Data Science

                              Data Science is impacting web development positively. Data science helps extract significant user information on a large scale using statistics, analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Using the extraction of meaningful information, web development is now guided into a more fruitful system to impact the business's bottom line. With data science and machine learning, you can target the right customers with personalized content at the right time within your application.

                              Augmented Reality

                              Product visualization is the most sought-after requirement among today's customers. Augmented reality has the potential to change the shopping game. Most online shoppers prefer shopping sites to integrate some form of augmented reality for a personalized experience. AR experiences in different ways are the key for customers to become more engaged in various platforms and the digital world overall. The future is not too far, where AR experiences will move into the mainstream and cease to be viewed as a niche technology.

                              Pageless Websites

                              Pageless website is a new-age concept that takes an alternative choice on web design. The entire contents of a website are displayed on a single page with an endless scroll instead of having multiple pages. With responsive elements, guided narrative, and intuitive scrolling, users can surf the entire contents of the website with ease.

                              Metaverse

                              The Metaverse is the new kid on the block that seeks to bring together many different technologies to offer users a new web experience. Today, users view content on the web. But on the Metaverse, users will be immersed in the content. Thanks to technologies like Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Machine Learning, and other forms of Artificial Intelligence. Metaverse is the next iteration of the internet where users can navigate through a virtual space instead of the current two-dimensional screen.

                              Cost of Web Application Development

                              The cost of a complicated and custom web application development process would again differ from pre-defined, packaged, and general-purpose applications. For example, suppose the app requires developing APIs and plugins or complex technical stacks, separate UX/UI elements, brand identity development, etc. In that case, the pricing will go up as the advantages are humongous.

                              Numerous factors influences the cost of web application development. As no two apps are the same, the price will vary, based on:
                              • Features and functionality of the web application
                              • Complexity of the application
                              • Phase-wise development plan
                              • Development team size
                              • Platforms selected to develop the app
                              • Technology stacks selected
                              • Estimated project timelines
                              Features
                              Functionality
                              Team Size
                              Technology
                              Level of complexity
                              Time

                              Top 5 Web Apps that Revolutionized the World

                              A polished web app is almost a mandate for successful digital businesses today. Many apps have changed the public's perception of what they can expect and what is possible. It includes everything a typical user might look for in an app regarding design, usability, reliability, and security. Here's a rundown on five apps that has made a difference to the world.

                              Facebook

                              Facebook is a free social networking website that allows people to connect with others online. It lets users share photographs, post comments, post links to interesting content on the web, live chat, and watch videos. Facebook's success is attributed to its ability to appeal to both people and businesses and its ability to interact with websites around the web by providing a single login that works across multiple sites.

                              Whatsapp

                              WhatsApp is a free, multi-platform messaging app that lets users make video and voice calls, send text messages, share their status, and make payments, all with just an internet connection. The most appealing feature of this app is that it works on various phones and computer operating systems, which bestows uninterrupted conversations anytime, anywhere. WhatsApp serves more than 2 billion people in over 180 countries, with over a billion daily active users.

                              Uber

                              Uber is a transportation company that has developed an app to allow passengers to hail a ride, and drivers get paid. The app integrates with Google maps for tracking locations, routes and directing people to their destination. Uber uses smartphone app technology to connect passengers and drivers via a car-for-hire method. Most people love the simplicity of opening the app, telling where they want to go, and then seeing an Uber driver show up in a matter of minutes.

                              Instagram

                              Instagram is a free, popular photo-sharing app that Facebook acquired in 2012. It allows users to edit and upload photos and short videos through a mobile app. Like other social networking platforms, Instagram users can like, comment, share and bookmark others' posts. It also includes a feature of private chats and video conferencing with friends.

                              Tiktok

                              TikTok is a social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos. A young crowd commonly uses the app as an outlet to express themselves through singing, dancing, comics, and lip-syncing, making fun videos and sharing them across a community. In addition, users can follow other users, like, and comment on other users' videos. TikTok app quickly soared to popularity and amassed over 500 million monthly active users, the US being the most popular country where it is downloaded over 80 million times.

                              What Can A Web Application Do for Your Business?

                              With the internet being commonplace for most modern-day businesses, web applications are a quintessential tool for better growth in their market share. If you need to bring your company or business before the right users, the secret is to be found online with a creative and engaging web application. Web applications are of paramount importance than official websites when it comes to winning business goals and generating profits. Let’s explain the different areas a web application can help your business.
                              First Point of Engagement

                              A web application is the first point of access to your business and brand for your customers. Your app is the place that reflects what you do, your services, products, and your reputation. You can stand out from your competitors by having a web application that looks interesting and clearly communicates quality information to your customers. Therefore, hiring a professional web application development company is judicious to understand your vision and shape the application accordingly.

                              A company or business without a web app or website may question the legitimacy of the business. So, having an app is an opportunity to build a great first impression and give people assurance that you’re a genuine business.

                              Boost Online Brand Visibility

                              Web applications play a crucial role in the branding process of a business. Showcasing your brand to your prospective customers is the key to positioning your business in the market. A web application is an underlying framework for branding your products or services because branding acts as the bridge to maintain a proper communication channel between potential customers and your business.

                              Clearly conveying to the customers who you are, what you provide, and what your brand represents raises your business popularity coupled with building a customer base. A web application is your brand's voice that reaches out to the world through multiple social media platforms.

                              Improve Customer Loyalty

                              Your app is one of the most powerful assets for helping business owners improve customer relationships and increase efficiency. In addition to showcasing your offering or describing who you are, your application is one of the key tools for connecting with your existing customers and keeping them engaged. In order to create customer loyalty, you need to give your customers a reason to return.

                              Web applications come in handy with a lot of scopes to build customer loyalty programs to win customers’ hearts. Even simple changes to your app can go a long way toward building your brand and encouraging more customers to use your app frequently. Your application can be the key to increasing customer loyalty, a critical piece of the puzzle.

                              Easily Customizable and Scalable

                              As your business expands, your web applications need upgrades. Off-the-shelf applications are neither flexible nor scalable, limiting their capabilities. Custom web applications are developed specifically to suit your business requirements. It is completely scalable and flexible, harmonizing with your business growth and demands. Custom applications grow with your business without any hassles of switching to new applications or extra license purchases. Moreover, the advent of cloud-native apps further enhances the flexibility and scalability of applications by adding more value to the business.

                              Enhanced Customer Support

                              The prompt and user-friendly customer support offered by web applications becomes more approachable and less intimidating for customers. So, the users of the app feel more comfortable with the company and are likely to stick on for a long time.

                              Web apps help to create an engaging space for customers to interact with brands and provide a dedicated space to track and manage all the customer support queries. The beauty of web applications is that they can be accessed at any time from any location. Hence, providing any customer assistance is never an obstacle.

                              Why develop your Web Application with Fingent?

                              Web application development is a mandate for your organization to lead the digital space and reach out to more customers in the future. Fingent provides a wide array of software development services from software customization to building Web, Mobile, Enterprise, and Cloud applications across various industries.

                              Fingent is a high-end custom software development company that has been helping businesses -small and large- across the globe with innovative solutions. We help build your brand, increase your brand identity, promote your products and services to help you gain a competitive advantage.

                              Explore our range of services.

                              Our web application development services are specifically designed to help you meet your goals, considering your business infrastructure and key facets of your industry.

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                              Most Common Q&As on Web Development

                              What is better: Multi-page Website or Single-page Website?

                              While both are good at their place, most people prefer the single-page website. This is because a single-page website offers ease of interaction and access compared to a Multi-page website.

                              If your business has a lot to do with queries and solutions or customer interactions, it is recommended you get a chat window.

                              For quality web application development, you should include both to help you avail more benefits. A combination of frameworks and pure codes will work as it will take less time and ensure quality development.

                              Some of the renowned web app development technologies are:

                              • Models:
                                  HTML, XSL, XML
                              • Animation:   AJAX, Flash, jQuery UI, ActionScript, JavaScript
                              • Databases:   MS SQL, MySQL, Microsoft Access, SQLite, Oracle, PostgreSQL
                              • CMS:   WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Kentico, Sitecore, Sitefinity, Sanity
                              • Programming:   C#, PHP, ASP, ASP.NET, ASP.NET+MVC, Python, Ruby, Django, Go
                              • Payment Systems:   PayPal, Assist, MoneyBookers, SMS, OSMP

                              The choice to outsource or hire in-house solely depends on your specific business situation.

                              Hiring an in-house developer will ensure that you have complete control over the entire development process, which is definitely great for some businesses. But it also calls for long preparation time and extra expenses. On the contrary, outsourcing cuts down costs and avoids hiring new employees altogether – which can be very useful if you are short of time or money.

                              If your outsourcing partner is a reputable and experienced agency, you can rest assured that they will care for all your web development needs without sacrificing quality.

                              Get Latest Insights on Web Application Development



                              Top Technologies Used to Develop Mobile App

                               



                              Progressive Web App Development: 10 Benefits – Fingent

                               



                              How Mobile and Web Apps Increase Customer Engagement

                               

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                                About the Author

                                ...
                                Vedavyas Shenoy

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                                  Software as a service (SaaS) is a fast-growing IT segment that commands the highest adoption rate among public cloud services, such as PaaS, IaaS, BPaaS, and others. In 2020, the worldwide end-user spending on Cloud Application Services (SaaS) accounted for USD 102,798, which shot up to a massive USD 122,633 at the end of 2021. Gartner examines that the adoption of scalable, on-demand cloud models enabled businesses to achieve cost efficiency and business continuity in a pandemic-afflicted economy. The rise in the adoption of public cloud services is giving an impetus for organizations to accelerate their digital transformation plans.

                                  Understanding more about SaaS app development is significant because it:

                                  • Helps optimize IT costs and conserve cash,
                                  • Aids and secures remote work, and
                                  • Ensures business resiliency.

                                  Watch video: Advantages of moving your key workloads to cloud

                                  SaaS solutions are inevitable in building and sustaining a collaborative, agile, mobile, and hybrid work environment. This post sums up the nitty-gritty you need to know about SaaS application development.

                                  What is SaaS application development?

                                  Ever since the launch of the internet, Application Service Providers (ASPs) that deliver software to users over the internet on a subscription basis have been popular. ASPs allowed users to subscribe to the applications and associated functionalities by following a usage-based transaction pricing model. While it was a major breakthrough, ASPs weren’t fully successful in reducing IT costs and simplifying deployments and upgrades. Thanks to cloud computing; the rise of SaaS applications has lowered the development time, cost, and effort for enterprises. Businesses of all sizes are now expanding their investments in SaaS development.

                                  Software as a service (SaaS) is a software licensing and distribution model in which the application is centrally hosted on the cloud and is maintained and updated by the SaaS developer. Along with Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and Platform as a service (PaaS), SaaS is one of the key cloud computing models that’s widely marketed to both business (B2B) and individual (B2C) users. Netflix, Office 365 suite, Google Workspace, Cisco WebEx, etc. are the common SaaS products that we use every day.

                                  Read more: Top business drivers that power legacy cloud migration

                                  Cloud migration

                                  Why are businesses investing in SaaS app development?

                                  SaaS was an extremely profitable business segment in 2020. According to a 2018-2023 forecast, companies running on SaaS will rise from 51% to 86% in a span of five years. SaaS-based solutions have enabled several business sectors, including virtual collaboration, e-commerce, FinTech, supply chain automation, and healthcare to thrive despite the large-scale disruptions inflicted by the global pandemic. Here are a few factors that make SaaS a hot choice in the investor’s market.

                                  1. Manage costs

                                  SaaS applications require minimal upfront investments. The Pay-as-you-go model allows you to start with a small capital and expand later when you anticipate better business growth and profitability. SaaS application deployment takes less time and money when compared to a traditional on-premise system setup. Most SaaS providers offer dedicated application maintenance and support which saves you from hiring and managing expensive in-house IT teams.

                                  2. Reduce IT dependencies

                                  Your SaaS application development services provider will take care of hardware maintenance, system failures, and downtimes, software updates, routine maintenance, and backups, etc. Based on your business requirements and the services subscribed to, the SaaS provider will help you customize the application, upgrade the software to its latest version, and offer training to your staff. This helps you focus on the core business activities.

                                  3. Seamless integration with other systems

                                  SaaS-based applications can be integrated easily with your legacy systems or any other third-party software that you use. By developing custom APIs and plugins, SaaS providers like Fingent will help integrate your CRM with ERP or HRM with Payroll software. The SaaS application can work as an extension of your current software, adding value to your daily operations. Cloud infrastructure and on-demand computing model empower you to scale up and meet the surging demands.

                                  4. Mitigate security risks

                                  SaaS software providers are responsible for securing the application, operating system, platform, network, and physical infrastructure. Along with these security options, the SaaS provider will help secure your customer data and user access by applying a few techniques such as Identity and Access Management (IAM), cloud data encryption, Data Loss Prevention Software (DLP), compliance solutions, real-time threat intelligence, behavioral analytics, Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solutions, etc.

                                  Read more: Why is cloud security important? What are the best practices to ensure cloud security? 

                                  cloud security

                                  Points to consider before starting your SaaS app development project 

                                  There are a few technical and business factors to consider while developing a SaaS product.

                                  Technical considerations in SaaS development

                                  • Database design: Choose a flexible and secure database(s) based on the data type, scalability, anticipated load, budget, programming languages used, read-to-write actions involved, and other specific business purposes.
                                  • Technology stack: Right technology stack helps build the right SaaS product. By partnering with a SaaS provider like Fingent, you can leverage the latest and the best tech stack to incorporate all the required features into your SaaS application.
                                  • Third-party services integration: Businesses that use SaaS products may want to integrate their applications with third-party services such as payment providers, chat and email service providers, customer-answering bots, etc. Ensure that the chosen third-party services are budget-friendly, scalable with your growth plans, credible, and offer excellent community support.
                                  • Regular patches and updates: Your SaaS application should be up-to-date and scalable to match your clients’ growing demands. Software updates must be scheduled, and new functionalities and changes to existing features (feature enhancements) should be tested thoroughly.

                                  Non-technical considerations in SaaS development

                                  • Conduct market research: Prior to starting your SaaS project, it’s important to analyze the market, understand what users are looking for, study competitors, and then visualize your SaaS solution. The market analysis leads to better project planning with realistic goals in mind.
                                  • Make the software user-friendly: The end-user of your SaaS product is not necessarily a techie. The software should appeal to the audience for which it’s built. Market it to the right audience by applying a fair pricing and subscription policy. Devise marketing strategies to improve client adoption.
                                  • Ensure software compliance: Security risk is a major barrier to SaaS adoption. Before publishing your SaaS software, ensure that it has robust data protection and sharing policies, user access policies, regular software maintenance, and 100% compliance with standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
                                  • SaaS pricing model: SaaS software market offers a variety of pricing models such as usage-based pricing, per-feature pricing, flat-rate pricing, tiered pricing, and so on. Determining the right pricing model depends on factors such as how much your customers are willing to pay, how far your product is capable of solving their problems, and how your competitors are charging for a similar suite of products. Ensure that the pricing model doesn’t stagnate your product.

                                  SaaS app development best practices

                                  Here are a few best practices to ensure the performance, productivity, and acceptance of your SaaS application.

                                  1. Focus on MVP creation as the first step

                                  Many SaaS developers use MVP (Minimum Viable Product) as the initial step for building a successful SaaS application. An MVP is a fully functional and quickly developed miniature version of an application built to test the SaaS product’s viability. Developing an MVP will help you understand the feasibility of your business idea and the changes to be accommodated based on user feedback. It helps reduce your development cost and effort.

                                  2. Multi-tenancy architecture

                                  A SaaS application isn’t made for a single user. It should be flexible enough to serve thousands or even millions of customers. Multi-tenancy is crucial in cloud computing as it allows multiple tenants (users) with different roles and access privileges to be hosted in the same environment. Each user will have a separate and secured space within the server to store their data. Multi-tenant architecture improves your ROI and helps update and maintain your SaaS application.

                                  3. Personalize your SaaS product

                                  As remote and hybrid workspaces go mainstream, and BYOD becomes common, users seek personalized SaaS products that don’t require extensive admin support. Users demand high-level personalization with your SaaS app. For example, changing the UI’s appearance, integration of Single Sign On (SSO) feature, configuring the dashboard to track the metrics quickly, and so on. They may want the SaaS app to be available in both web and mobile and any other portable devices that they use. Make your SaaS app safe and compatible to address such personalization requirements.

                                  4. Prioritize and optimize features

                                  Adding too many features as well as avoiding important features are equally wrong. Consider the reach and impact of a feature addition, such as how many users will be affected or how many customers are looking for the new feature. Track the SaaS app’s usage patterns by leveraging analytics or run a survey to understand user preferences. If more than 50% of them like an existing feature, optimize it. If only 5% of your users are interested in a new feature, eschew it.

                                  Read more: A comprehensive guide to modern cloud application development

                                  Cloud application development

                                  How Fingent helps develop exceptional SaaS applications within your budget 

                                  With Fingent, you are just a few steps away from building and managing your own SaaS application development team. Right from developing an MVP to actual product launch and post-launch support, our team handholds customers through every stage of development.

                                  InfinCE, the world’s first digital workplace orchestration platform, stands as a testament to our SaaS development capabilities. So are ReachOut Suite FSM and Skill Lake LMS. Our goal is to help businesses solve challenges through technology. We help legacy companies migrate their software solutions to the cloud as well as develop cutting-edge SaaS solutions that empower them to thrive in the new normal.

                                  Read more: What makes Fingent your best technology partner 

                                  Tech Partnership

                                  If you have an idea or a requirement, discuss it with us asap. We will set up a discovery call with you and get back with a ballpark estimate. This is followed by a detailed proposal, including mockups, demo videos, and visualizations. Our communication method is simple enough to answer your queries related to software app development. We do business with organizations of all sizes – small and large – to help them transform lives through technology. Ready to watch us in action? Talk to our SaaS expert now.

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                                    About the Author

                                    ...
                                    Vinod Saratchandran

                                    Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

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                                      The impact of the pandemic on consumers across the globe has dramatically changed their demands, needs, and behavior. Many of these changes have critical implications for businesses in most sectors. To succeed in the next normal, businesses must respond proactively.

                                      COVID-19 jolted consumer demand in a way that sets it apart from past disruptions. As a result, customer loyalty took a hard hit. Executing the four Ps of marketing (optimization of product, price, place, and promotion) became more complex than ever. Businesses must redouble and broaden their efforts toward meeting ever-changing customer demands and behavior.

                                      As with everything else, it is important for an organization to know and understand its customers. If your company is at crossroads with today’s Ecommerce customers’ needs, this article will help you understand how technology can help satisfy these uprising demands quickly and effectively. So then, let’s first understand how customer behavior, needs, and demands change.

                                      Read more: What are 3D Web Configurators? How do they Boost Ecommerce Sales and Drive Customer Satisfaction?

                                      3D web configurators

                                      Ecommerce Customers’ Behavior, Demands, and Needs

                                      Customers are like the moving targets. The key to success is to understand their behavior trends and use technology to help satisfy these uprising needs and demands. Linnworks research pointed to five such trends:

                                      • Convenience is the need of the hour: 76% of consumers feel that convenience is the top priority in choosing a retailer. 90% of shoppers focus on using a trouble-free online store.
                                      • The frictionless shopping experience is most valued: It was noted that 58% of consumers abandoned an online store altogether because they were difficult to use.
                                      • Omnichannel shopping is gaining traction: One in three consumers has purchased an item while on social media. 71% of consumers prefer to complete a purchase on a social site without having to exit to the retailer’s site.
                                      • Consumers demand flexible payment options: Four in five shoppers expect the “buy now, pay later” payment option.
                                      • Delivery convenience: 95% of consumers say that fast and reliable delivery methods play a crucial role in their decision-making.

                                      How Can Technology Help Satisfy these Uprising Needs and Demands of Today’s Consumers?

                                      1. Allow your consumers to experience products before they buy

                                      The biggest roadblock facing Ecommerce businesses has been the inability of consumers to experience products before they buy. Everyone likes to try on clothes they like to buy or see how is their new couch looks in their living room.

                                      This is where AR (Augmented Reality) can help your business. AR can help your consumers try on clothes or closely inspect the components of a mobile device. AR market is expected to reach 2.54 billion by 2023.  Online retailers who fail to take full advantage of this technology may likely experience business disruption.

                                      2. Bring your product to life with virtual shopping

                                      Virtual reality shopping can bring your products to life. It helps your customers to have an in-store-like experience, without actually being there. VR technology allows you to tag products so your customers can purchase on the spot. It can instantly connect buyers with customer service executives.

                                      VR can make product recommendations based on customer metrics. It can also cater to both desktop and mobile users. Thus, it provides a better customer experience attracting more customers to your online store.

                                      3. Be omnichannel ready

                                      Todays’ Ecommerce customers like to cross-channel research and purchase. So, they expect smooth interactions across these channels and devices. Technology can help you to provide your customers with what they want, when they want it, and where they want it to. Some of these technologies include video chat, screen sharing, document interaction, e-signature, and more.

                                      Co-browsing is an effective visual engagement system. It can bring your sales executives and customers together on the same page, at the same time. This allows your executive to guide your customers through the complex procedures making their customer journey as smooth as it can be.

                                      Read more: Custom Retail Software Solutions: Everything You Need to Know!

                                      retail software solutions

                                      4. Enhance customer communication with chatbots and AI

                                      Artificial Intelligence has a major impact on how we live and work. Voice shopping is expected to jump to $40 billion by 2022, rising from $2 billion today. And 45% of millennials have already been shopping using voice assistants.

                                      Chatbots and AI improve customer experience and boost brand image. These chatbots can be personalized to order food, get recommendations for almost anything, receive details regarding payment or order status, and more.

                                      5. Hassle-free checkout process

                                      Inefficient checkout processes can raise the chances of cart abandonment. However, this problem can be avoided by embracing technology that provides quick and efficient checkout solutions.

                                      Technology enables speedy mobile payment solutions, allows your customers to save card details for repeat purchases. Above all, it proves one-page hassle-free checkouts and offers a range of payment options. All these can alleviate any potential difficulties your customers may face at checkout.

                                      6. Enable m-commerce to enhance Ecommerce

                                      Today many shoppers shop on the go. Hence, mobile platforms have gained greater importance. So much so that m-commerce is emerging as a concept. Given that, providing a mobile-oriented shopping experience will certainly help you win potential customers, maximizing your chances of future success.

                                      Ecommerce mobile apps offer continuous engagement with your brand. It can help them familiarize with new and relevant purchasing opportunities. These apps also allow you to market products relevant to the specific geographical location of your customers.

                                      Read more: 5 Reasons to Integrate Your E-commerce Application with Odoo ERP

                                      Odoo ERP

                                      How Can Fingent Help Deploy These Evolving Technologies For Ecommerce Businesses?

                                      It is one thing to understand your consumer behavior but another thing entirely to implement technology to satisfy their demands and needs. Fingent is here to help you implement these technologies efficiently. We can help you move the needle and dominate your niche in the Ecommerce industry.

                                      Fingent can help you implement those that make sense and put the rest on the back burner. We can aid in the success of your Ecommerce venture by implementing cutting-edge technologies. Our development experts will help you promote your products in new and innovative ways.

                                      Choosing Fingent can help you save a lot of time and money and avoid unnecessary complexity as we can provide all the needed components. Our platforms are easy to manage yet robust enough to house thousands of products. We can handle unique order processes and payment terms for your Ecommerce sales. Let’s get talking.

                                       

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                                        About the Author

                                        ...
                                        Tony Joseph

                                        Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

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