Sourcing the right custom software development company can sometimes be a daunting process. You recognize a need, but where do you go from there? After all, building custom software is not exactly as simple as shopping for a car. And even then you are met with a wide variety of options, from luxury trims to differing sizes, engines, and efficiency. With something as potentially expensive, time consuming and sensitive as custom software development, it is important to find the right fit in a development team. One that understands your business as well as your unique needs, requirements, and objectives. With that in mind, here are a few tips for hiring the right software development partner.
Experienced
When vetting potential software development companies, make sure to take the time to thoroughly analyze their existing portfolio. If you are looking to build a web app, make sure they have ample experience building scalable web applications. Better yet, look for companies with similar experience in your industry. If you are a healthcare provider, for example, custom software development will likely involve compliance issues given HIPAA’s regulations regarding personal health information. Finding a software development company experienced in this space will not only be important to the overall success of the project, but will also likely reduce the time and costs associated with development. They’ve been there, know exactly what to expect, and how to build it. Also, make sure to find someone with a long history of successful software development projects. Choosing a more seasoned firm will not only increase your chances for a successful product, but give you the satisfaction of knowing you are in confident hands.
Local
Off-shore (outside of your country) software development can often be a tantalizing prospect to first timers given seemingly cheaper costs. After all, labor cost disparities between developed and developing countries can be substantial. While at first glance off shore development may seem like a no brainer (after all who doesn’t love saving money!) there are some potential drawbacks one must consider. Firstly, distance. Working with a partner overseas can create challenging barriers to the software development process. Differing time zones, working habits, expectations, and cultural barriers can be challenging to overcome. Secondly, there is no guarantee of delivery. Sourcing a firm overseas comes with risk. You honestly never know who is behind the screen, literally, and what their true capabilities are. In fact, overseas companies often hire unexperienced developers in order to meet demand. Lastly, there is something to be said about seeing the whites of your software development partners eyes. Sourcing a local firm who can meet for regular updates as to development progress and feedback is priceless.
Communicative
Just like any successful relationship, communication really is key. When looking for the right fit in a software development company, look for those who are attentive and objective. They respond to and carefully consider your thoughts and questions. They are quick and thorough when responding to your needs. Also, find a firm which matches your communication style. If you find your team difficult to talk to or communicate with it will no doubt impede the overall process. It is important for both parties to be completely and unequivocally on the same page. It is a partnership, after all, and it should always feel like one. Don’t settle for anything less.
As we move through 2019, it is important to utilize these software development trends. The software industry is continuously growing and changing so staying on top of new trends is vital. These 5 software development trends are the most significant for the industry, but there are always new and evolving ones to keep an eye on.
Blockchain Moves beyond the Finance Industry
Blockchain technology has moved into other industries such as retail, healthcare, insurance, and IT. The expansion of this technology has led to better use cases, with greater variety. The increase in use cases, such as the secure distribution of information through smart contracts and identity management, will lead to further investments in blockchain.
Low Code Development Speeds up Application Building
This technology reduces the need for traditional hand coding, with the ability for coders to essentially cut-and-paste the pre-built features they desire. This industry is not brand new, but is rapidly growing in 2019 as platforms for this practice become more developed. This method of coding saves time, money, and training to due to it being less technologically advanced than traditional coding.
Microservices for All
Microservices will definitely become crucial for software developers, as we move forward. This enables the building of highly scalable applications thanks to increased security, quicker updates, and improved design capabilities.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Voice User Interfaces (VUI)
AI is taking a giant step into business, and quickly, making it one of the biggest software development trends. More business in various industries such as healthcare, hospitality, and e-commerce are utilizing AI based VUI. Not only is VUI used for customer interaction, but for work tasks as well. The use of AI software in the workplace will most definitely increase productivity.
Developing on the Cloud
Businesses are taking on more and more serverless cloud architectures which can support various software applications and lower the cost of operation. This is a huge advancement and helpful for developers who are having to worry less about even virtual infrastructure. Thanks to cloud service providers and several open source frameworks, software development will be forever changed.
If you have read anything in the last few years having to do with software development, you have surely heard the term agile methodology tossed around here and there, as it has become the new standard for software development projects. So much so that it is almost synonymous with software development as a practice. If you have not, rest assured, you will shortly. The main aim of this post, however, is to uncover the many nuances behind its popularity, as more than 80% of software development companies now rely upon it for the success of all their projects. For those of you still yet unfamiliar, agile software development refers to a set of development methodologies which focus on an iterative and collaborative approach to formulating software solutions. The movement has become increasingly popular over the last 10 years given how successfully the approach works to refine and deliver a project over time. It involves a dynamic mix of continuous testing, planning, and integration to evolve a software solution in a way that is highly flexible. It is exactly this adaptability which makes it so effective, and thus exceedingly popular. In fact, even public sectors, which are often considered highly conservative and old school when it comes to their processes, are adopting agile given its vast benefits. We will go over some of these main benefits below.
For starters, that agile method is less time consuming, and therefore results in faster development overall, given such active collaboration and communication among team members. In addition, its flexibility allows software developers to continuously improve a project per all requirements. In this way, it also acts as a relative safety net, ensuring no stone is left unturned as a project progresses. It also assists in risk management as developers can identify issues and respond early on. It’s highly cost effective as short milestones and deliveries allow for a fixed cost approach, while its transparency in frequent deliveries leads to greater customer satisfaction. Lastly, and most importantly, quality is ensured by integrating testing throughout the life cycle of a project. It is for these reasons agile methodology has become, and will likely stay, the development standard for software development companies far into the future.
Here are some benefits of using agile methodology in mobile app development:
Faster time-to-market: Agile methodology emphasizes rapid prototyping and frequent releases, allowing businesses to get their app to market faster and stay ahead of the competition.
Increased flexibility: Agile methodology is well-suited to the fast-changing nature of the mobile app industry. It allows businesses to quickly pivot and adapt to changing market conditions, user needs, and other factors.
Improved collaboration: Agile methodology promotes regular communication and collaboration between team members, which can lead to a better understanding of user needs and goals, as well as a more user-friendly app.
Better quality control: Agile methodology emphasizes continuous testing and feedback, which can help businesses catch and address bugs and other issues early in the development process. This can lead to a higher-quality app.
Cost savings: By breaking the development process into smaller, more manageable chunks, Agile methodology can help businesses save money on development costs, as well as reduce the risk of costly mistakes and delays.
Improved stakeholder engagement: Agile methodology promotes transparency and visibility throughout the development process, allowing stakeholders to see what’s being worked on and provide feedback. This can help ensure that the final product meets everyone’s needs and expectations.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Agile methodology can provide businesses with a flexible, collaborative, and efficient approach to mobile app development, helping them to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
