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The Product Discovery Process: Phases, Features and Tips

03/04/20225 minute read

What’s Product Discovery? What Is User Research And Why It’s Important?

The product discovery process is a very important part of the development cycle. It takes place before you start coding and it’s where you find out what your users need, how they use your app, what problems they have with your app, and so on. In this blog post we will show you how to do product discovery in an easy way.

The first thing that comes into mind when we think about product discovery process is user research. User research is great but it has its limitations. You can only get information from real people who are willing to give you their time and attention. This means that most of the times you won’t be able to ask questions like “what features would make your life easier?” or “why did you leave the previous version of our app?”. Also, you don’t know if the person answering your question actually uses the app, which makes it even more difficult for you to understand the problem you are trying to solve.

Another limitation of user research is that it doesn’t work well with mobile apps because there is no way to test them on actual devices. For example, you cannot install a beta version of the app on someone’s phone and see what happens.

So, what should you do instead? Well, you should try to gather as much information as possible by yourself. But how? There are many different ways to do product discovery. The best one depends on the type of app you are building.

How To Do Product Discovery

Alignment

So, what should you do instead? Well, you should try to gather as much information as possible by yourself. But how? There are many different ways to do product discovery. The best one depends on the type of app you are building.

To align your product discovery process with business goals, you need to understand what those goals are.

For example, let’s say that your company sells widgets.

You could make the following assumptions based on your understanding of your business goals:

  • Revenue Generation – Increase sales
  • Customer Retention – Reduce churn rate
  • Cost Reduction – Cut down on marketing expenses

In the product discovery phase, you’re trying to determine the features your customers will want. In the development cycle, you’re trying to develop those features.

As you go through the process of developing your app, you’ll find out what features your customers really want. Then, you’ll build those features into your application.

This means that the product discovery phase aligns perfectly with the development cycle. After you define the features your customers want, you can start building them into your application.

User Research

There are four main types of user research: behavioral, attitudinal, qualitative and quantitative.

Behavioral research focuses on how people behave. For example, you might study how many people use your product or how long people stay on your website.

Attitudinal research looks at people’s opinions, attitudes, beliefs, values, and feelings. You might survey people in order to learn their preferences or opinions.

Qualitative research involves talking directly with people. It includes interviews, focus groups, and surveys.

Quantitative research uses numbers to measure something. This type of research includes statistics, graphs, charts, and spreadsheets.

The goal of each type of research is different. Behavioral research helps you understand how people interact with your product. Attitudinal research helps you understand why people act a certain way. Quantitative research helps you quantify things like usage, satisfaction, and conversion rates. And qualitative research allows you to talk directly with people.

Ideation

You’ve identified the user problem you’re trying to solve. Now, you need to figure out how to solve it. The ideation phase is where you come up with ideas for solving this problem.

You’ve identified the user problem you’re trying to solve. Now, you need to figure out how to solve it. The ideation phase is where you come up with ideas for solving this problem.

Step 1: Define Your Problem

Defining the problem is one of the first steps in the ideation process because it helps you narrow down what you’re working on.

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Brainstorming is an effective method for coming up with new ideas. In brainstorming, you don’t worry about whether an idea is feasible or not. Instead, you just generate as many ideas as possible.

Brainstorming is an effective method for coming up with new ideas. In brainstorming, you don’t worry about whether an idea is feasible or not. Instead, you just generate as many ideas as possible.

Step 3: Eliminate Unfeasible Solutions

After you have generated some ideas, you should be able to see which ones aren’t feasible.

As you go through the list of ideas, keep track of which ones seem feasible. This will help you focus your efforts later on.

Step 4: Choose the Best Idea

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of ideas, choose the best one.

This step depends on the nature of your project. If you’re creating something that has a clear endpoint, such as a website or mobile app, then you may want to select the best idea from the beginning. However, if you’re starting with a blank slate, then you might want to spend more time thinking about the best way to approach the problem.

Prototyping

The prototyping phase is where you actually build a prototype. It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean that you’ll immediately create a product. Instead, you’ll use the prototype to test out different aspects of your idea.

In the prototyping phase, you’ll need to do the following:

  • Develop a rough outline of what the final product will look like.
  • Create wireframes to show how the user interface will work.
  • Design the overall layout of the site/app.
  • Write code to implement the functionality of the site/app.
  • Test the site/app to ensure that everything works correctly.
Validation

During the validation phase, you’ll continue testing the product until you feel confident enough to launch it publicly.

You’ll need to do the same things during the validation phase as you did during the prototyping phase. The only difference is that now you’ll be doing all of those tasks while the public is using the site/app. You’ll want to make sure that everything still works properly after being exposed to real users.

Delivery

At this stage, you’ll no longer be working directly for the client. Instead, you’ll be working for yourself and charging money for your services.

The delivery phase is when you’ll have to answer some questions regarding the quality of the product. For example, you’ll have to provide evidence that the product meets the requirements set forth by the client.

Why Are Teams So Important In a Product Discovery Process?

  • Teams play an essential role in the product discovery process because they help you identify problems early on.
  • They also allow you to collaborate effectively. This helps you avoid wasting time on projects that aren’t going anywhere.
  • Finally, teams give you access to experts who can help you solve complex issues.

In fact, most companies use multiple teams throughout the product discovery process. Each team has its own specific purpose.

Mistakes Committed in Product Discovery Process

There are several mistakes that you should avoid making during the product discovery process.

1. Not Having A Clear Scope Document

When you start work on a new project, make sure that you write down everything that you want to achieve.

This will ensure that your deliverables match what was agreed upon.

2. Failing To Identify Potential Problems Early On

As mentioned earlier, having a clear scope document ensures that you don’t waste time on projects that aren’t going anywhere.

3. Not Communicating With Your Client At Regular Intervals

If you fail to communicate regularly with your clients, they may feel like they’ve been left behind.

4. Not Following The Rules Of Agile Development

Many agile development methods require you to follow certain rules when planning and executing your projects.

5. Using An Unsuitable Framework For The Project

It’s very common to find yourself using frameworks that were designed for something completely different.

6. Starting Work Without Planning Out All Of The Steps

You’ll need to plan every step of the way. Otherwise, you may end up spending too much time doing things that weren’t part of the original plan.

7. Hiring People Who Don’t Have The Right Skillsets

Hire people who have experience working in the field that you’re targeting. You won’t be able to do anything if you hire someone who doesn’t know what he or she is doing.

8. Ignoring Feedback From Others

Don’t ignore feedback from other people. Even if they disagree with your decisions, at least consider their input.

9. Trying To Do Too Much In One Go

Try not to try to do too much in one go. Instead, break your tasks into smaller pieces so that you can focus on them properly.

10. Going Overboard When Choosing Tools

Choosing tools can be difficult. However, there are some tools that you shouldn’t choose because they are overkill.

11. Taking Too Long To Get Things Done

The most important thing is to get things done quickly. If you take too long to complete a task, then you could lose your customer base.

How To Help Product Teams Do Product Discovery

Now that we’ve covered how to prevent these mistakes, let’s talk about ways that you can help teams discover products.

1. Create A Vision Statement

A vision statement helps you define what you want to achieve. It also helps you figure out whether you should continue pursuing it.

2. Set Up A Scrum Team

A scrum team is made up of developers, testers, product owners, and business analysts. These individuals work together to create new features.

3. Use User Stories And Acceptance Criteria

User stories are used to describe user requirements. They allow you to clearly state what users will be able to do once the feature has been developed.

Acceptance criteria are used to determine whether the feature meets its specifications.

4. Focus On What Is Essential

Focus on what is essential. This means making sure that you only develop those parts of the project that are necessary.

5. Test Early And Often

Test early and often. Doing so will ensure that you don’t waste any time developing something that no one wants.

6. Keep Your Plan Simple

Keep your plans simple. Complex plans tend to lead to problems.

7. Be Open-Minded

Be open-minded when considering ideas. Try to look at all sides of an issue before deciding which way to proceed.

8. Ask For Input

Ask for input from others whenever possible. This includes asking customers, partners, and employees.

9. Listen Carefully

Listen carefully to everyone who provides input. Don’t just accept everything that they say without question.

Discovery is a key part of any successful software development project. By using the tips we mentioned above, you can ensure that your product discovery process goes smoothly.

Softvoya knows that without good discovery, you won’t know what you need to build. So contact us today to discuss your new product!

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Methods and Principles of Agile Testing Methodology

03/04/20225 minute read

What is Agile Testing?

First, let’s start with the agile approach in software development: it’s a method of developing software iteratively, the goal of which is to deliver working software frequently and reliably. This approach has become very popular over the last decade because it allows teams to respond quickly to changing requirements.

However, the agile methodology is not only for programmers but also for testers. It helps them to work together in an effective manner. Testers are able to give valuable input on what they think about the product being developed and their ideas and suggestions help to make sure that the final product meets all expectations.

Agile testing is a way of testing software using short iterations. In each iteration, quality assurance specialists work closely with the developers to test new features or changes to existing code. They also provide feedback to developers who then incorporate their suggestions into the next version of the software.

How Can I Apply Agile Testing?

In order to successfully implement agile testing, you must first have a good understanding of your organization’s current processes. You may already have some sort of test management tool which helps you track defects and assign them to testers. If not, you may want to consider investing in one.

The agile manifesto says that “software should be built by people for people”. It means that we need to work with the end-users in order to create useful software. We also need to involve them throughout the entire process of building the product.

The agile tester will take part in all stages of the project. During the planning stage, they will help the team understand what needs to be tested and how. Then, during the implementation phase, they will review the progress and suggest improvements to the design. Finally, when the software is released, they will use it as an end-user and report any bugs found.

The agile testing process is based on three principles:

  • Test early and often.
  • Collaborate with other team members.
  • Deliver value as soon as possible.

Agile Testing vs. Waterfall Testing

Waterfall testing is a traditional approach to software development where the whole system is designed before any coding begins. This type of testing is done at the end of the project. When the tests are completed, the results are reviewed and the developer makes any necessary adjustments. Once everything is ready, the software is deployed to production.

This approach can cause problems because the final product isn’t always what was originally intended. For example, if the customer doesn’t like the colors used in the website, the developer might decide to make changes without considering whether these changes would affect the usability of the site.

On the other hand, agile testing involves iterative testing. The whole system is developed incrementally. Each time the team completes a task, they discuss their findings with the rest of the team. As they learn more about the requirements, they adjust the plan accordingly.

When the software is finally complete, the team reviews the results and makes any necessary changes. However, unlike waterfall testing, the code is never finalized. Instead, the entire system is continually being updated until the client approves it.

Agile Testing Methods

As you might expect, there are various methods used to implement agile testing. Some of these are listed below.

Test-Driven Development

This method focuses on writing tests first. Once the tests pass, developers create the actual code. This approach emphasizes writing test cases before coding.

One benefit of this method is that it encourages developers to design their code properly and think about its possible errors, inputs, and outputs. Another advantage is that it makes sure that the tests cover all of the features of the product.

This method is commonly used for unit testing. However, some testers apply it to more complex types, such as UI testing.

Behavioral Driven Development

This method focuses less on writing tests and more on observing users. It’s designed to help developers understand how users interact with the system.

This method is similar to TDD. The major difference is that it focuses on behavior rather than structure.

One benefit of this method is that it allows testers to test the entire application at once. This saves time because it eliminates the need to run multiple instances of the app.

Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD)

This method combines both acceptance and test-driven development. It uses the same basic concepts but applies them differently. The main difference between ATDD and TDD is that ATDD focuses on acceptance criteria instead of functional requirements.

Exploratory Testing

Exploratory testing is similar to user acceptance testing. However, exploratory testing involves more than just observing users. You may want to explore how the program behaves under certain conditions. For example, you might want to see if it crashes when the database connection times out.

The benefits of exploratory testing include learning about the application’s behavior and discovering problems before they occur.

You can use exploratory testing to find any issues with the application. You don’t need to know what the issue is in order to do this type of testing.

Session-Based Testing

A session-based test consists of several sessions where the tester interacts with the system. Each session includes different tasks. These tasks help determine whether the system is working as expected, and whether it’s usable and reliable.

Agile Testing Life Cycle

The agile testing life cycle consists of three phases: planning, execution, and monitoring. Agile testers work in teams during the execution phase. During this phase, they perform various activities such as gathering information from customers, creating test cases, executing tests, analyzing results, documenting findings, and releasing the product.

Planning Phase

During the planning phase, the team creates a detailed plan for the testing. This plan should include the following details:

  • A list of the functional areas that will be tested.
  • An estimate of the time required to complete each task.
  • An estimate of the number of test cases needed for each area.
Execution Phase

In the execution phase, the team executes the plan. The team members execute the test cases using their skills and experience. They may also use tools such as automated regression suites or load generators.

Monitoring Phase

In the monitoring phase, the team analyzes the results of the testing and documents them. The team also evaluates the effectiveness of the testing and adjusts the plan accordingly.

The agile testing process is a good fit for any team that wants to be more responsive to change and deliver better quality software faster. Softvoya provides high-quality development and testing services for all types and sizes of businesses, startups and enterprises. If you’re searching for a reliable software testing partner, contact us today!

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Business Applications Definition and Benefits

02/25/202215 minute read

Business applications are the software that is used to manage, automate or streamline business processes, such as accounting, human resources, sales, marketing, customer service, manufacturing, distribution, inventory management, finance, etc.

The benefits of using business application software are endless. They range from improving productivity to saving money. Most of these benefits come from the fact that these systems are designed specifically for your industry.

The following are some of the most common advantages of business applications:

  • Automation – by automating manual tasks, businesses can save time and money. For example, if you have a task that needs to be done manually every day, it’s better to automate this process so that you don’t need to do it again and again in the future.
  • Data security – with business applications, data is kept safe from unauthorized access. This means your company doesn’t need to worry about losing sensitive information because it has been secured through the use of encryption technology.
  • Cost savings – business applications allow companies to reduce costs by eliminating errors and reducing paperwork. They also help companies improve productivity and efficiency.
  • Time-saving – business applications can make work easier for employees and managers. It allows them to focus on more important things instead of spending their time doing repetitive tasks.
  • Increased productivity – employees will no longer spend hours looking for files and documents; they will just click on an icon and get what they want.
  • Improved communication – business applications can improve internal communications within the organization. With the ability to send emails, file reports, and track progress, employees can communicate easily without having to go through multiple people.
  • Improved customer satisfaction – customers can receive faster responses when contacting a business via phone or email. This helps build trust between the two parties and encourages repeat visits.

Types & Features of Business Application Software

There are many different types of business applications available today. The most widespread and useful examples include:

CRM – Customer Relationship Management

CRM software is designed to help manage all aspects of a company’s interactions with its clients. The main goal of such solutions is to provide salespeople with a way to organize and analyze client relationships. It provides tools such as contact management, marketing automation, lead scoring, and analytics.

CRM systems will:

ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning

ERP software is used to automate processes across an entire enterprise. These programs are usually very complex, but they offer numerous benefits that other types of software cannot match. For example, it can be customized to meet any changing company’s needs.

ERP systems will:

Accounting

Financial accounting software is used to keep track of financial transactions. It is especially useful for small businesses because it enables them to save money and time.

Accounting software will:

Accounting software will:

HRM software is used to streamline human resources activities. It includes modules like payroll, administration, recruitment, training, and compensation.

HRM software will:

Payroll

This type of solutions is used to process payroll data. It tracks salary information, taxes, deductions, and payments.

Payroll system will:

Inventory

These solutions are used to track inventory levels and monitor stock movements.

Inventory software will:

Project Management

These solutions help teams plan, schedule, and execute projects on time and within budget. It is often used by project managers and team leaders.

Project management software will:

Customer Support

It is a multiple channels tool used to communicate with clients, resolve their issues to ensure the best customer experience and achieve their loyalty. It may include chatbots or self-service options.

Customer support software will:

Supply Chain

These tools are used to track the movement of goods through various departments in a company. It is typically used by companies that sell products internationally.

Supply Chain software will:

Reservation Software

It is used to book rooms at hotels and restaurants. It also allows guests to check-in online.

Scheduling Systems

This software is used to create schedules for events like conferences or meetings.

Recruiting software

Such systems are used to streamline the hiring process, find candidates, screen resumes and send offer letters.

Content management systems

This type of software allows users to edit documents online. They have become increasingly popular among non-technical users who want to update content without having to pay someone else to do it.

Digital Marketing Software

Such systems are used to promote websites with SEO (search engine optimization), PPC (pay per click), email marketing, social media, etc.

Demand Forecasting

Such software is used to predict future demand for a product or service. It helps companies plan their production schedule, order the right amount of inventory, and make sure they don’t run out of stock before selling it.

Communication

Communication software is used to send messages between people over networks such as the Internet. Email, instant messaging, chat rooms, video conferencing, voice mail, and texting are all examples of communication software.

Communication software will help you to:

Document Management

Document management systems are used to store files and organize them using folders and tags.

Document management tools will:

Why Do You Need Custom Business Applications Instead of Choosing Off-the-shelf Solutions?

Yes, we discussed this many times and even dedicated a blog article (where we comprehensively analysed both options) to this topic. However, here are some common advantages of bespoke solutions that will help you to choose between buying off-the-shelf software or developing a custom one.

  • Customized solutions are more flexible. You can add new functionalities whenever you feel they are needed. This means your business will always stay ahead of the competition.As your business grows, your customized solution can grow along with it.
  • They are cheaper than off-the-shelve solutions. Since customization is done according to your needs, there’s no need for additional licenses.
  • Such solutions are more secure. Since you already understand how your data should be stored and how permissions should be managed, security becomes a matter of course.
  • Customized solutions are more reliable. Since you already tested your application, you know that it works well under all circumstances.
  • These tools are user friendly. Since you already worked on similar applications, you know which features work best and which ones are not so useful.
Choose Softvoya as Your Business Software Development Partner
Looking for a reliable business application development company? Softvoya has created more than 100 powerful software solutions for startups, middle-sized companies and large enterprises in CIS, EU and US. We develop scalable, user-friendly and cost-effective apps with your business goals in mind. With Softvoya’s business app development servies you’ll be able to:
  • Automate daily tasks
  • Reduce paperwork
  • Save your time and budget
  • Increase overall productivity
  • Improve communication between team members
  • Improve customer satisfaction
  • Help employees become more efficient
  • Track progress and manage finances
  • Avoid mistakes
  • Improve decision making
  • Create new opportunities

Contact us today to get your free consultation and discuss your future project!

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Full App Development Outsourcing Guide: Why and How to Outsource?

02/18/20227 minute read

The mobile app development industry has grown exponentially over the last decade. In 2019 alone, the in-app purchase market size was valued at $76.43 billion. This number is expected to reach $340.76 billion by 2027. There’s no doubt that the number of mobile app users will grow too: according to the forecast from Statista, around 184 billion apps in total will be downloaded by 2024: 139 billion from Google Play Store and 45 billion from Apple App Store.

With such rapid growth, it makes sense for companies that plan to launch their own app to optimize the development process by choosing outsourcing services. What are the options, pros and cons of outsourcing and is it really better than hiring an in-house team which works under your direct supervision? How to outsource mobile app development without the risk of losing control over the process and what are the tips to choose the right offshore company? In this blog post, we’ll try to answer the most common questions.

So, you decided to launch an app. First of all, what development options do you have?
  • Hire an in-house development team to work under your control
  • Choose an outsourcing app development to work remotely (either offshore development company or a freelancer)

Let’s take a closer look at the advantages, disadvantages and pitfalls of each option:

In-House Development: Pros and Cons

Among the main advantages of hiring an in-house team of developers are:

  • Scalability and flexibility: These teams can be scaled up or down based on the demand, moreover, since they are managed directly by your company, they can adapt to changes quickly and efficiently.
  • Knowledge and expertise: Since the team is formed according to a specific set of skills, domain and tech expertise, they are suitable for a particular job.
  • Stronger culture and better communication: The teams are built within the company, so they create a stronger corporate culture. Being a part of the same organization, they understand company’s values and goals well. This may lead to better productivity and results.
  • Less risk and greater motivation: Since the developers are managed by the company itself, there is more control over the team and less development risk involved. Moreover, when the teams are made up of people who share similar values, they are highly motivated and provide better results.

The cons are the following:

  • Limited skills: Since the teams are formed according to specific skills, sometimes there’s a lack of knowledge and experience in certain areas and domains.
  • Price: Salaries are not the only expense (and they’re often higher than salaries of dedicated specialists), as it requires a lot of resources to invest here, especially at the initial stages, including HR support, office rental and equipment, taxes, paying for sick and annual leaves, adaptation and training, taxes and more.
  • Dismissal of personnel: It’s a common case when the company invests lots of resources in onboarding, training and adaptation, after that watching how their valuable employee finds a new job. In this case, the company loses even more money and time to find and hire a new team member.
  • Weak communication: Since the teams are formed on demand, they have no previous experience of working together and may have difficulties with communication which can lead to conflicts and poor performance.
Outsourcing App Development: Benefits and Risks

If you want to launch a new app or update your existing one, this cas allows you not to worry about coding at all. You can hire someone else to develop your app instead of spending thousands of dollars, weeks or months on searching and hiring business analysts, QA specialists, and developers. The main pros of choosing dedicated development teams are:

  • Time and cost savings: Salaries of offshore development teams are often lower (compared to local specialists in EU and US), when the quality of their work is at the proper level. Your expenses are limited to the monthly payments to the contracting company, which takes care of all other costs related to the development. The contracting company takes full responsibility for finding the right specialists and monitoring their work and results, as well as formalizing the documents and the scope of work. All you need to do is to focus on marketing and sales.
  • Access to talents: Outsourcing opens up great opportunities to find the most talented and experienced professionals at a competitive price. Since you’re not limited to the specific region, you’re able to hire experts in certain domains and cutting-edge technologies, who can work and communicate effectively while in different time zones.
  • Focus on your project: Dedicated development teams work ONLY on your app, without being distracted by outside projects, allowing all tasks to be carried out efficiently and accurately on time.
  • Cohesive team: Usually dedicated teams have experience working with each other on similar projects, which ensures better communication between team members, faster and better results.
  • Flexibility: Your timelines can be flexible within a project as you work with the dedicated team either on a full- or part-time basis. Additionally, a dedicated team model allows you to collaborate with as many specialists as you need according to your project’s demand.
Risks to Сonsider When Choosing Outsourcing App Development Services

Outsourcing is one of the fastest-growing industries today. However, it comes with its own set of risks as well. Here are some of the major ones:

  • Timezone differences: Working remotely requires constant communication between both parties. If there is a time difference between the two countries, then it becomes even harder.
  • Unclear communication and lack of transparency: Many outsourcing companies claim to offer high-quality service but fail to prove it, as well as fail to communicate effectively with their clients. They may promise a specific deadline but never meet it. However, a good outsourcing company must be available 24/7 and adhere to the work acceptance schedule to provide a client with the results according to a fixed timeframe.
  • Loss of intellectual property rights: If your company does not retain ownership of the IP created during the project, then you may face legal challenges later.
  • Language barriers: If you choose to outsource the project to another country, then you need to ensure that all the people working on the project speak English fluently. Otherwise, you risk losing valuable business opportunities.
How to Outsource App Development Without The Risk of Losing Control Over the Process?
The most common problem faced by many business owners is that they lose control over the entire development process. As a result, they end up spending more time and resources than necessary. To avoid this situation, here are some tips that can help you out.
  • Understand the requirements: It is very important to have a clear understanding of the requirements before starting the process. This will help you identify the scope of the project.
  • Get regular updates: Keep yourself updated about the progress made by the team.
  • Monitor the performance: Check whether the team is meeting deadlines or not.
  • Review the project regularly: Check whether the project is moving ahead according to schedule.
  • Communicate clearly: Let the team know what exactly you want from them.
  • Stay connected: Always stay connected with the team so that you don’t miss anything.
  • Don’t be afraid to get involved: The team might require your input at times. So, do not hesitate to provide it.
  • Pay attention to feedback: Listen carefully to the feedback provided by the team.
  • Take corrective measures: When required, take corrective measures to improve the overall experience.
How to Choose the Right App Development Company for Outsourcing?
There are certain qualities that you must look into while selecting the best software development company for outsourcing. Here are some of them:
  • Experience: Choose a company that has been providing services for several years. They will understand your needs better and give you a solution accordingly.
  • Quality of work: Check the portfolio – whether the company provides you with high-quality apps. This will ensure that you don’t face any issues after launch.
  • Flexible payment terms: Ask the company if they accept flexible payments. You can pay them at their convenience.
  • Good communication skills: Communicate with the company regarding the project. Discuss everything thoroughly. This will save both of you from any confusion.
  • Transparency: Always keep an eye on the budget and the timeline. Don’t sign any contract without knowing what exactly you are going to do.
  • Customer support: The company must provide 24/7 technical support to solve any issue.
  • Reputation: Look for a company that has great reviews from its previous clients.
  • Reliability: When it comes to reliability, it is essential to know how long the company has been operating.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Compare the cost of hiring a local team with the cost of outsourcing.
  • Security: Make sure that the company uses secure technologies such as HTTPS.
  • High ROI: A company that offers high returns on investment (ROI) is always preferred by businesses.
  • Trustworthy: A trustworthy company will never ask for money upfront. Instead, they will charge you only after the completion of the project.
  • Technology expertise: Find out whether the company is familiar with the latest technology trends.
  • Customization: Ask the company about customization options.
Freelancers: an Option or a Risk?
App development is a highly competitive field. As a result, some companies prefer to outsource this activity to freelancers rather than employ a full-time offshore team of developers. There are some benefits and risks associated with using freelance developers. Here are some of the major concerns:

Pros:

  • Freelancers are sometimes more affordable than full-time workers.
  • They can be easily found online.
  • They are more flexible than full-time workers and can adjust their schedules accordingly.

Cons:

  • Lack of quality control: Since it may me difficult for you to estimate the level of expertise and knowledge of a freelancer, there’s the risk that they do not have the same level of expertise as a full-time employee, thus they may not be able to provide you with the best possible solution. This means that your application may not function properly.
  • Time constraints and unreliable communication: Since freelancers are working independently and remotely, it is hard to monitor their progress, moreover, they may not be available when you need them. This means that you may not receive timely updates about the status of your project.
  • Poor documentation: Since the freelancer doesn’t have a permanent office, it is hard to track down his documents. This makes it hard to find answers to technical issues.
  • Lower productivity: Since the freelancer spends much of his time looking for new clients, he cannot focus on other activities. Moreover, you cannot guarantee that he works only on oyur project and is not busy with other clients. This may reduce his productivity.
  • Low morale: Since the freelancer lacks job security, he may feel stressed and unhappy. This affects his productivity too.
Conclusion
  • Hiring an in-house team, indeed, has losts of benefits, but you should take care of everything: starting from finding the right specialists and onboarding, to constantly controlling the working process and maintaining documentation, not to mention the enormous costs of this development way.
  • Hiring freelancers may seem to be the easiest option, but also a risky one on the other hand – a person you chose may turn out to be unprofessional and unreliable and eventually let you down.
  • Hiring full-time dedicated development teams is the most secure, cost and time effective way to create and launch a successful mobile application. Choosing outsourcing mobile app development services, you get a cohesive team of professionals at a competitive price, fully devoted to your project and available 24/7 for communication.

Softvoya is a full-cycle agency specializing in software development, UX/UI design and advertising. We help our clients build mobile apps, software and websites, from start to finish, from design to product launch, with a special focus on growth marketing. Need to create an app or MVP? Contact us today to discuss the details!

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Build vs Buy Software: Which Do You Need?

12/27/20217 minute read

Running a business is hard work. One of the many challenges for any company is choosing what kind of software they need or want to use. This guide will answer the most common “build vs buy” software questions and help you decide whether custom or off-the-shelf software would be best for your business goals.

Choosing between building and buying software

There are a number of key factors that need to be considered when choosing between custom and off-the-shelf software. These include budgets, timelines, technical skill levels, expertise in your business domain, level of control over the new solution desired, team capacity and project planning needed.

One deciding factor is whether you would like to have a unique product for your company or if you would prefer a standardized solution that may already exist for your industry. For example an insurance company may not want a standard quote taking tool but rather a specific quoting system for their own internal use. Whereas an online retailer such as Amazon might want this type of quote-taking functionality from an off-the-shelf product so they can focus elsewhere on aspects customized to their brand.

How can the pros and cons of custom and off-the-shelf software be weighted?

When considering the advantages and disadvantages of each solution it is important to weigh them against budget, time constraints as well as your team’s capacity. A company may choose a custom product because they need extra functionality that an off-the-shelf software solution may not provide.  But, this could delay the project if there is no internal expertise available to build their customized solution. 

By choosing a prebuilt application you may lose some control over how it looks or functions. But, if the timeline is tight then this might be more expedient than building it from scratch. It is important to understand what business needs are being met by choosing a custom or off-the-shelf product and then to build the solution that is most appropriate for your current situation.

What are the costs of building software? Will this cause additional expenses in the future?

  • Costs include hiring an in-house development team according to project size or using outsourcing services. 
  • Implementation costs, including training and time spent by employees who will be using the software will need to be estimated.
  • There will be ongoing maintenance costs to keep up with technology changes and updates.
  • Potential for a lack of compatibility with other systems within your company or industry can create additional implementation costs down the line.

Custom software will typically cost more than off-the-shelf solutions. Unless you have a large budget for your computer system, this option may not be realistic for most companies. 

What are the costs of purchasing off-the-shelf software?

  • The initial purchase price is typically higher because it must cover all development costs instead of only covering ongoing operating expenses. In addition, customization of a specific feature often incurs an extra charge. 
  • Implementation costs are typically lower when purchasing, because it already includes training and ongoing support, which can range from minimal to extensive depending on the product you purchase.
  • The long-term costs for off-the-shelf software depend on the product you choose. Some products have lower upfront costs, but higher maintenance costs over time. Others have a higher upfront cost, but lower maintenance costs over time. It is important to carefully compare products and read the fine print before making a purchase.

Ask yourself a question: How much maintenance will I need?

Some software is never touched, like the code that runs the server that serves web pages for instance. Others, such as data analysis tools or games, often need to be updated and maintained.

The more maintenance required, the greater your risk – you will need experts who can maintain it and make sure they don’t break anything vital. With custom solutions, this expertise is yours already (since you had to build it) and with off-the-shelf software you pay extra for updates and fixes when problems arise.

What about security?

Reliability means how long a system keeps working before something goes wrong. Perhaps an update no longer works correctly or your hardware fails in some way. If there’s a problem, how easy is it to fix?

Standard software updates can sometimes cause problems. You might have a great working system then learning the new version is going to take time, or your support contract may no longer cover errors caused by out-of-date libraries. For that reason alone, off-the-shelf solutions are not always ideal. – you’re tied into using whatever they provide. If this fails you’re potentially up a creek without a paddle unless there’s money in the bank for an emergency upgrade. With custom software solutions, you make sure everything works as it should before going live because bugs will never be added at a later date.

That said, if your needs change and your software can’t adapt to suit them, developing software on your own will always be the only option.

Is off-the-shelf software scalable? How does this scale with my business’s needs and overall budget?

Off-the-shelf software is generally not scalable. It is often created for a specific purpose or set of users, and it may not be able to grow with your business’s needs. Building your own software, on the other hand, can be scaled to fit your exact needs. This makes it a more cost-effective option in the long run, as you will not need to upgrade or change your software as your business grows.

What are the risks associated with custom software development?

  • Risks associated with any software solution, such as cost overruns, missed deadlines, and poor quality.
  • An additional risk that arises from custom development is that it may not meet user requirements or be compatible with existing systems.
  • There is also a risk that the company does not have the expertise in-house to develop and maintain custom software.

And the risks associated with purchasing software

When you purchase custom software instead of building your own, there is no requirement that your needs be met or that you will receive what you expect. Additionally, because this type of work typically involves working with independent contractors rather than full-time employees, there may be difficulty in ensuring quality control. Finally, even if the product meets your expectations today, it may not meet your future requirements as they change over time. This can leave you stuck using outdated technology.

  • Loss of future development flexibility due to high reliance on one product can lead to higher upgrade costs if upgrades are needed in the future
  • Lack of integration with other software may limit data sharing and collaboration.
  • Inability to customize off-the-shelf software to fit specific business needs
  • Vendor lock-in, which can make it difficult or impossible to switch to a different vendor’s product in the future

What additional training will my staff need if I choose custom software?

If you decide to create custom software, employees will likely need extensive training to learn how to use this new system. They may also require assistance from outside sources if they have not worked with similar products. If you choose off-the-shelf software, your team members already know how to use these types of tools and won’t need any special training before using them for their everyday work duties. Also the off-the-shelf product already may include training (as stated above)

Will custom and off-the-shelf software be compatible with my current set of business tools? Or does it require an entirely new suite of tools?

This depends on the type of software you are using. Generally, custom software is more compatible with other systems because it is specifically designed to meet your needs. Off-the-shelf software may require you to purchase new tools or to make significant changes to your existing infrastructure.

3 considerations you should make before deciding whether to “build vs. buy” software

Determine the scope of your project

Software that is specific to your business and its needs can be more costly and time-consuming to build than off-the-shelf software. But, it will also likely be more tailored to your specific needs. If you have a smaller project or if you need software that is not overly complex, buying an off-the-shelf solution may be the better option.

Consider your budget

Building software from scratch can be expensive, especially if you need custom features or if you need to hire a developer or team of developers to build it for you. Off-the-shelf software is typically much more affordable, and in some cases, you may even be able to find free software options.

Evaluate your needs

If you have a complex or unique need that is not met by off-the-shelf software, then building software may be the best option. However, if your needs are relatively simple, buying off-the-shelf software may be a better choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what is most important to you – cost, complexity, or customization.

When making the “build vs buy software” decision, you need to weigh all of the potential impacts it will have on your business‘s long-term growth. Custom software development will require more time and resources upfront, but can provide a number of benefits, such as increased flexibility, better fit to your specific needs, and easier integration with existing systems. However, off-the-shelf software is typically much cheaper and easier to deploy, and may already include additional features that meet your needs. You’ll need to carefully consider all of your business requirements before making a decision.

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How Custom Software is the Resolve for Company Growth: Top Benefits of Bespoke Software

12/24/20217 minute read

As a business owner, you know that technology is essential to your success. You rely on your computer to keep an eye on finances, manage inventory, and be in touch with customers. But what happens when the software you require doesn’t exist? That’s where custom software comes in. 

Custom software is designed specially for your business, meeting your unique needs, improving efficiency and reducing costs. Still not sure whether to choose custom software over off-the-shelf solutions? We’ll try to change your mind!

Top Custom Software Development Benefits

Any company, small or large, can take advantage of custom software development services. The key is finding a custom software development company that understands your specific needs and then creates a solution just for you – one that meets all your needs and requirements and fits within your budget. With custom software development, businesses can increase efficiency, productivity and customizability, all while delivering a top-notch customer experience that will keep customers coming back for more. 

Customized software offers a number of benefits that cannot be delivered by off-the-shelf solutions or mass-produced products: access to better features, customization freedom, improved data management and security, enhanced decision-making capabilities, and maintainability. Here are the key benefits of custom software:

Cost-Effectiveness

Bespoke software is designed individually for your company: you can save money by covering all of your company’s needs, including those that don’t relate to business operations. Custom software is designed to suit your company’s specific requirements, which eliminates the necessity to pay for features that aren’t relevant to your particular situation. The price of custom development is lower in comparison to purchasing an off-the-shelf product with limited features, which means you don’t have worry about regulatory fines or penalties in the future! 

Custom software development is custom made for specific customer’s needs, it is designed to be unique, which makes the price per unit higher than mass-produced software. However, custom software can potentially give you access to better functionality that is also more affordable.

If custom software development services are outsourced to an offshore company, the costs of customizing off-the-shelf products are often lower than developing custom commercial software – for this reason, custom software is adapted from already existing programs or components that are simpler or smaller in nature. This creates less probability of errors and speeds up the process by using pre-existing modules for features that are common to most custom software.

The total cost of a custom software project can be difficult to estimate, as it depends on a variety of factors such as the complexity and size of the project, the number of custom features required, the level of testing and quality assurance required, and whether or not post-delivery support is needed. However, custom software development projects are normally more cost-effective than off-the-shelf software products that have to be heavily customized to meet specific customer requirements.

Greater Scalability & Flexibility

Bespoke software solutions are a perfect fit for you since they are designed specifically for your company’s needs. Custom software solutions evolve with your company and its requirements, so they can adapt to new situations or changes in the market. It is designed for complete flexibility, which ensures that it will continue to meet your evolving needs, you can be sure that it will always be the perfect fit for your company and also provides businesses with increased productivity. The custom solution will enable you to meet your business goals, improve communication and expand to new markets. On top of this, custom software development eliminates duplication of effort and enables departments within an organization to work more closely together.

Continuous Expert Technical Support

Among the advantages of custom software is that it is designed and developed by experts who understand your business and its needs, which ensures that you receive the best possible service and assistance when you need it.  These experts are available to assist you with any questions or problems that you may have with your custom software. You can always rely on experienced QA specialists and software engineers to help you get the most out of your custom software solution.

Increasing Customer Satisfaction and Retention Rates

Since it is tailored specifically to meet customers’ needs, custom software development is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, so customers will appreciate its streamlined design. Custom software also allows businesses to better compete in the market by tailoring their products and services to meet specific customer needs. Custom software will increase client satisfaction and retention rates, as customers will appreciate the attention to detail that has gone into the design of the software. 

Even customizing off-the-shelf software programs to meet those needs is better than using the same software as everyone else, because it saves money and time. When implemented correctly, custom software can provide significant benefits to businesses of all sizes. By tailoring a custom solution to meet your specific needs, bespoke software can improve process efficiency, productivity, and customizability. This leads to improved decision-making and a better overall customer experience. So if you’re looking for a way to take your business to the next level, consider custom software development services – it just might be the answer you’re looking for.

Automation of Business Processes

…and eliminates the need for manual input! Additionally, custom software development can be used to monitor and/or control business processes. This can help reduce the need for additional staff, as custom software offers more functionality than off-the-shelf software. The right software will help increase process efficiency and at the same time improve decision making. It can also help identify and correct errors or inefficiencies in specific business tasks or processes. Processes that are automated through custom software will run smoother and be less prone to human error; this increases customer satisfaction rates as well as organizational productivity. 

Seamless Integration with Other Systems in the Company 

Although many off-the-shelf software products can be integrated with other programs and systems used in the company, you can significantly reduce your costs and effort spent integrating the personalized software with other products: ready-made solutions may contain lots of bugs and similar problems, they can be too heavy and outdated. Custom software, developed specifically for your company’s needs, will integrate with other systems smoothly and more securely, thus enabling you to focus more of your attention on expanding your business and further growing customer satisfaction.

Improving Team Spirit & Communication in the Company Workflow

Customized software is created for a particular business reason. It will ensure that your company has a competitive advantage over other companies in your industry and can also provide a boost to employee morale as they know that their employer is investing in custom solutions that improve overall productivity levels!

Investing in custom software development reinforces an organization’s commitment to its workforce as it shows employees that management care about progress and success. A custom solution provides increased collaboration between departments as everyone works towards one common goal: ensuring the custom software enhances daily tasks. Custom software allows you to easily edit and create custom reports, facilitating decision-making and planning. Customized reporting means that you will have access to the information you need when it’s really needed – not weeks or months later.

Higher Reliability & Security 

Custom software development is known for its high level of reliability, which means that it runs without any problems or interruptions. It is designed with the highest quality and industry-leading security standards in mind, so you can rely on its performance. It will keep your data and information safe and secure. 

Conclusion

You see? Customized software is more secure and efficient than off-the-shelf software, saving you time and money! If you want to get ahead of the competition and add a competitive edge, it may be time for your company to invest in building custom software development. It’s true that there are many benefits associated with creating an application tailored specifically to your needs.

Looking for custom software development that provides a competitive advantage? We want to help you create the perfect tailor-made software solution and provide continuous support. Let us know what your requirements are and we’ll put together an initial project proposal with our best estimate of cost, timeline, and other details. If this sounds like something you could use or if you have any questions at all about how we can provide custom software benefits for your business in 2022 and beyond, contact us today!

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