Software Development

Most enterprises are inclining themselves toward custom-based applications. The usage of custom applications is expected to grow at 22.3% CAGR till 2030. This blog lets you understand custom applications in detail.

Custom applications are powerful tools for businesses. From web applications to mobile applications to desktop apps, there are so many options you can choose from.

We hope this information can help you in building custom enterprise applications.

What is Custom application development?

Custom application development is the process in which developers develop any software to fulfill a specific need and for a particular audience. Many schools, healthcare associates, businesses, and any other sector can create these applications to serve their organizations.

There are several types of custom applications, each offering distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on the user’s goal.

1. Web applications:

These are custom applications developed for the web browser. They allow users to access and interact with online content from any device, regardless of location. Web application development requires advanced coding knowledge and an understanding of web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.

2. Mobile Applications:

Mobile apps are designed for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. These applications need to be downloaded from an app store before they can be used. Mobile app development is often more complex than web app development.

3. Enterprise Applications:

Enterprise applications are specialized software systems used by large organizations to coordinate multiple processes across multiple departments, for example, payroll systems or customer relationship management tools. These types of custom applications often require significant investments in time and resources to be developed properly.

4. Desktop applications:

Desktop applications are software programs that run on computers or laptops, such as photo editing tools or accounting systems. These applications are more feature-rich than web or mobile versions because they can access the backend more easily.

Custom applications allow businesses to tailor their applications to fulfill specific needs and requirements. These applications are highly productive and efficient.

Now let us discuss the steps you should follow to build the custom-based application.

How to build a custom app?

These are the steps that you should follow before or while creating a custom app for your company. These steps will help you to build a unique custom-based application.

Set your application’s goal and audience:

This is the first step to finding your target audience because all the features of your applications depend on it. For example, if you are creating a custom application for students’ admission then your target audience will be students and their parents. Similarly, the target audience for different applications is different.

Transform ideas into prototypes:

In this step, you can start working on your application idea by creating a prototype as a sample for testing purposes. The prototype can be good to detect errors at an early stage so that you can resolve them and save money.

Build MVP (Minimum viable product):

MVP is a product version that enables marketers to assess the potential of the product. MVP has the essential features to meet the demands of your target audience. Then after creating MVP, you can test it by providing it to the customers. Then you can ask for feedback to improve your product.

Determine between Web or Mobile app:

In this step, you can decide if you want to build a web-based or mobile-based application. Mobile applications need to get installed on your machine. You can operate web applications with the help of a web browser. You can opt for any of these, or both based on your plan.

Also Read: How Enterprise Mobile Apps are Changing IT Strategy?

Several types of Custom Applications

 

There are several types of custom applications to serve enterprise application development services to your customers based on their requirements.

1. Native Applications

Native Applications are created especially for operating systems such as android and iOS and are installed on the device itself. An android native application will not be able to perform functions for an iOS-based native application. In the case of native applications, you need to create different applications for different OS. As a result, you need to invest more money, time, and resources.

Advantages of Native Applications

• It allows offline work.
• Native applications have high speed.
• Look and feel is good in native applications.

Disadvantages of Native Applications

• The downloading process may be lengthier than hybrid applications.
• Time-consuming development process.

2. Hybrid Applications

A hybrid app unlike native apps offers reusability and enables the use of native platform capabilities and device hardware that a web application cannot access. To give hybrid apps cross-platform capabilities, they are created using widely used front-end development technologies and programming languages like JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS.

Advantages of Hybrid Applications

• The time taken to develop hybrid applications is less.
• The cost to build is less.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Applications

• Performance is low.
• Complexity is high.

3. Progressive Web Applications

PWA Web apps can be accessed through a mobile device’s web browser. Web apps are based on internet-enabled applications. These PWAs (Progressive Web Applications) are developed as web pages using languages such as HTML, CSS, jQuery, and JavaScript, or similar. A single web app can be used on most devices capable of surfing the web, it does not depend upon the operating system they use.

To access these applications, we do not need to download or install the application on the device.

Advantages of Web Applications

• No installation is needed, you can operate these applications directly from the web browser.
• It provides you with platform-specific features.
• You can operate these applications offline.

Disadvantages of Web Applications

• Performance is less than native applications.
• It comes with fewer functionalities.

Software Development Models for Custom Applications:

There are several types of software development models. But in this blog, we will discuss the waterfall and scrum development models. Out of the two, the waterfall model is not followed by most companies now. The Scrum software development model comes with several advantages and so, this model is the first developer’s choice.

1. Waterfall Development Model

It is a linear development model. In this model, the developers work sequentially. The process starts with the requirement gathering phase, then designers design the project, then development, and then submission and maintenance. It is an effortless process, but it is not as the waterfall development process is rigid and does not fit the modern development process.

Advantages of the waterfall model:

• This custom development model is easy to understand.
• In this model, phases do not overlap.
• It works well for smaller-size projects.

Disadvantages of the Waterfall model:

• After testing, it is difficult to go back and change the code as per the client’s feedback.
• It is unfit for complex projects that do not have fixed requirements.

2. Scrum Development model

It is an agile framework and uses the principles of agile. This scrum model is based on sprints. These sprints are units of development in the scrum. The Scrum development team is guided by a scrum master who takes care of the entire development process. Moreover, there are retrospectives are there for the team to underline any improvement in the sprint.

Advantages of the Scrum Development model:

• Scrum can help you to deliver the projects on time.
• It is best for the development of complex projects.
• Works in sprints which makes the process of feedback easy.
• The team gets a clear vision of the project with the help of regular scrum meetings.

Disadvantages of the Scrum Development model:

• The quality of the project is hard to maintain because of the aggressive testing process.
• Adoption of the scrum framework is a little challenging.

Also Read: Best Tips for Strong Enterprise App Development Lifecycle

Advantages of Custom Applications

1. Automation of repetitive tasks:

Custom applications come with a feature that helps you to automate the tasks. You can automate the tasks of exporting, converting, and re-uploading it. It can save time and increases productivity. Automation of these tasks can also increase the overall productivity of the application.

2. Enhance collaboration:

Custom applications are highly collaborative applications. Collaboration uplifts problem-solving methods. It can help you share skills and perspectives with others. It also promotes engagement of remote teams and increases the system’s overall productivity.

3. Support:

You can benefit from getting immediate support with custom business applications because you are no longer dependent on third parties for assistance to handle the issues. Instead, you can handle the issues by yourself.

4. Easy to use and maintain:

Custom-based applications are easy to use and maintain because of their personalization. It also increases the loyalty of the customers. Customer engagement is also integrated with existing systems.

6. Scalability:

Apps used frequently are made to manage a few resources and operations. These apps might not be able to withstand the strain if your business were to expand. On the other hand, custom apps are created considering all these factors and may be scaled up quickly when the need arises.

Custom applications are scalable and can serve several users. In custom-based applications, the scalability is high. A smooth user experience is offered for any number of users at any time as the main advantage of scalability.

7. Improves efficiency:

Custom applications provide high efficiency to their users. These applications are built to provide several distinctive features under one platform. These applications are the best to provide personalized experiences to your customer and hence increase the productivity of your applications.

8. Provides real-time access:

Since the custom applications are known to provide a personalized experience to your customers. These applications provide you with a way to synchronize your mobile phone with your desktop and other machines so that you can access your documents from anywhere by using some of the latest technologies such as cloud computing.

9. Increases productivity:

These applications increase productivity since these applications are customer-dedicated programs. Custom applications are always built to fulfill the needs of the customers. Businesses can alter bespoke software at any time based on their customer needs, and if your customer is satisfied then your applications can be considered as the high productivity application.

10. Security

These applications are more secure since they have an additional level of security, and hence these applications are much harder to hack.

Applications need user data to increase their productivity. It is the application provider’s responsibility to ensure the security of customers’ data against any data leakage. Custom applications come with all the necessary security measures to secure data and customer information.

11. Provides mobility:

These custom applications provide mobility to the users. Mobility means how easy your application interface is for the user. The main reason behind these applications’ mobility is their seamless interface. Mobility also increases the modularity and portability of these custom applications.

12. High Customer Satisfaction Rate:

These custom applications have a high customer satisfaction rate because these applications incorporate personalization. Customers find it relevant as per their needs and hence increases customer loyalty as well.

13. It Delivers Quality:

It Delivers Quality applications deliver high quality since they have been created to serve a specific category of audience. So, it is quite easy for you to fulfill the needs of your target audience.

Disadvantages of Custom-based Application

In this section, we can discuss the disadvantages and limitations of custom-based applications.

1. Price:

Custom software development suffers a higher cost than prepackaged software.

However, with the increase in productivity, you may experience offsetting costs. Since these applications offer customizations to the customers, it is a little hard and time-consuming to satisfy every customer’s need.

2. Time

Identifying your software needs and deciding how to best address them through custom software development might take some time and expertise. This can require planning before you can start implementing your plans for the result.

Crucial Points to Think about before Building Custom Apps

In this section, we will discuss a few points that you should take care of before developing a custom application.

1. Planning:

This is incredibly important to your business. You need to plan as per the requirement of your application. Custom application development needs highly qualified developers with the skillsets desired for your application.

2. Cost:

The cost of custom application development with basic features comes to $25,000 – $30,000. This will depend on the features of your application. So, before initiating the development of your custom application, we recommend deciding on the budget first. At OTS Solutions, we help you with these points. If you have a plan and want to discuss the cost of the development, you can contact us.

3. Competition:

The custom application development market is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 8.2%. You need to understand your competition first before starting the development process.

Also Read: Enterprise Apps Development Trends: Every Tech Leader Need To Know

Industries that are using Custom Applications

Logistics & Distribution:

Custom applications provide multiple advantages for the logistics industry. Some of them are enhanced security, scalability, and cost-effective solutions. Custom applications help in transforming business by improving basic logistics operations more automated, operations, and error-prone. Custom applications can help the logistics industry in simplifying processes to manage data, help in transport and tracking, enhance productivity, etc.

Travel:

Travel application is the best choice when comparing mobile sales experience quality because there is a high demand for high-quality mobile sales experiences. By physically and meaningfully enhancing the sales process, personalized travel applications streamline the process and promote long-term customer loyalty. In the travel industry, custom applications help customers to book fast and easy bookings and simple transactions with the help of the latest technologies.

Retail:

Custom retail application apps work best when providing a personalized experience to retail customers. In the retail industry, custom applications help in building immersive and seamless shopping experiences and personalized services.

Fintech:

Due to rising client expectations and increased options for financial services, it has become even more crucial in recent years. Financial institutions have been able to meet these demands thanks to custom fintech software, which offers a more individualized and user-friendly experience. Financial organizations can produce distinctive and differentiating products by using custom fintech software.

Education:

Custom education applications provide several benefits in the education sector. Custom software can be used in classrooms to assist in teaching students more interactively and engagingly. With the help of custom applications, students have limitless ways to get information, and this is one of the key advantages of custom applications in the education sector. Custom applications can also help track and monitor issues in any educational-related processes.

Social Networks:

Custom applications in social media provide you with features that meet user needs and provide a suitable user experience. There are several types of social media custom applications such as social network apps, media sharing networks, applications for customer feedback and reviews, apps for community and discussion forums, applications for content curation networks and book marketing, blogging, and many more. Social media custom applications also come with basic features such as user profile creation apps, chat, add posts, and many more.

Healthcare:

In the healthcare industry, custom applications are a friend. Custom applications for healthcare are intended to assist this sector in improving the patient experience, encouraging meaningful relationships between the patient and the doctor by providing hassle and error-free communication.

Moreover, after the pandemic, people belonging to the healthcare industry find the personalization features in applications crucial and move ahead to provide more focused patient-centric services. Every company in the healthcare sector is considering a custom application development process to create unique applications for their patients.

How to find the best Custom Application Development Company?

Check for the company’s portfolio: Before choosing any company to build custom applications. You can discuss their previous work and projects. It will help you to discuss whether you are choosing the right developers. At OTS, we have 20+ years of experience in catering to different industries such as manufacturing, Banking & Finance, Publishing, Manufacturing, Retail & Distribution, Healthcare, and many more. We recommend you check the previous work of the companies you are looking to develop your applications.

Understand the technology they used: Then you need to understand what technologies they are using to create your application. You must select an enterprise and app development company that has experts skilled with the latest technologies.

Understand their process to work: This is also one of the important aspects when choosing a development team to build your custom application. You need to check and ask questions if you are not comfortable with their development process. Also, how dedicated are they to fulfilling their commitments?

Ask about the security measures they have: You can ask questions related to the security measures that companies develop offers. For example, at our enterprise mobile application development company, we are offering diverse types of testing methods such as penetration testing, Functional Testing, Load & Performance Testing, Multiple Platform & Devices Testing, Web Services Testing, Security Testing, AR/VR Testing, and Automation/ Automated Testing Services

Choose the companies that are working in the time zone you are comfortable in: This is another crucial factor when choosing a custom application development company. Since you need to clear your requirements with the team so that they can start working on your project. If your working hours differ, the company might not understand the requirement on time.

Also Read: Choosing the Right IT Staffing Model for Your Business A Comprehensive Guide

Why should you choose OTS Solutions for Custom App Development?

We have 20+ years of experience in custom application development. Till now, we have served 300+ customers and completed more than 1500 projects to become one of the leading software development companies. If you have an idea and want to discuss it in detail, then we are here to help you out.

Conclusion:

We hope this blog will help you with the information regarding custom applications. We tried to cover all the crucial points that you must keep in mind if you are building enterprise applications. Moreover, if you have any queries or want to discuss them more, then you can contact us at OTS Solutions. We are a leading enterprise app development company delivering outstanding enterprise application development services.

Frequently asked questions

How can my business get benefits from custom application development?

Custom applications provide you with complete personalization and give many more features. Some of the other benefits of custom applications are:

• Scalability
• Productivity
• collaboration
• Security

How long does it take to develop a custom app?

The total time depends on the features that you want to add to the application. On average, it requires 7 to 12 months to complete the initial phase of the application.

Can custom apps integrate with existing systems and processes?

Yes, you can integrate your custom applications with existing systems.

How can businesses ensure the security of their custom apps?

There are several practices to ensure the security of the product. Some of them are:

• Source Code Encryption: Encryption is a technique through which we can convert source code  in unreadable form and then transform it back into readable form at the receiver’s end.
• Penetration Testing: Penetration testing helps to find out the weakest points through which hackers can enter the system.
• High-level Authentication: In high-level authentication, you can ask for credentials at multiple points to ensure the safety of the system.

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