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What To Know About The Cost Of Custom App Development - Forbes
Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Michigan Software Labs.
gettyWe hear a lot of ideas for apps at my company. People from large enterprises and small startups, located all over the world, call us to explore their mobile and web-based application ideas, and one of the first questions they ask is: How much is this app going to cost?
The Planning StageRecently, we received a call from a prospective client, whose company is headquartered in NYC and listed on the NYSE. I'll call him Dan for the sake of privacy. Dan hoped to create a custom application that could integrate with his company's back-end enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
When we first meet with prospective clients, we focus on three topics:
1. The app's intended purpose.
2. The problems it could solve for users.
3. The client's desired timeline.
Dan shared that the intended purpose of his app was to improve his company's customer experience and make the ordering process easier and more streamlined. He believed that if the process was easier for his customers, his company could drive more business.
As we asked Dan what problems the app would solve for his customers, he shared that they:
• Need to access real-time information about inventory and prioritized recommendations.
• Are on the go, needing both iOS and Android applications.
• Need to receive push notifications for relevant updates and alerts.
• Need to be able to select one of multiple languages.
Finally, Dan explained he had about six to eight months to release the minimum viable product (MVP) in the App Store and Google Play Store before a large customer conference they were hosting.
Then came the question: "So, how much will this app cost my company?"
A Three-Phase ApproachBuilding an app is similar to building a custom home, in terms of timeline and cost. Both scenarios are an investment.
But the good news is that custom app developers have likely solved similar pain points before for other clients. Most software development companies, like ours, have a fine-tuned, three-phase approach:
1. Product StrategyTypically spanning three to four weeks, this phase is spent defining your product and prioritizing any application integrations and features. This may involve creating detailed user experience and development plans and a budget estimate for the remaining work. This strategic groundwork usually requires about 90 billable hours and a budget of less than $20,000. It equips you to confidently approach your company decision-makers for project approval.
2. Product DesignThis is usually a six- to eight-week phase during which your digital product is outlined. It may involve creating higher-fidelity user experience design screens to show you what the app could potentially look like. It may also include aligning the app with your company's brand standards and UX best practices. Similar to how a custom home would have an architecture planning phase, the product design phase depicts what the app will look like.
3. Product DevelopmentGenerally encompassing six to eight months, this is where your app comes to life. Because the focus is on custom software development, this stage looks different for every client. For Dan's example, we might design a new admin interface with functions like a content management system (CMS). This would make it easy to modify app content and offer strong analytics and reporting features. We would also integrate with his existing ERP systems. In the analogy of building a home, this phase is comparable to the construction stage.
The Investment RequiredDan, for example, decided to allocate $650,000 for the project and used the product strategy phase to clarify the return on investment (ROI). With analytics in place, he tracked the net new revenue generated by the digital product and observed improvements in customer retention. He secured budget approval by demonstrating that every dollar invested in software development would yield $900 in unrealized revenue for his company while decreasing customer attrition.
As you can see, the journey of creating a custom application requires an intricate and tailored approach. Similar to constructing a custom home, the process for successful app development involves meticulous planning, design and development phases—each crucial to the final product.
As you consider the level of investment you're willing and able to make in a digital product, consider asking yourself a few questions:
• How do I increase customer engagement and interaction?
• How do I boost sales through mobile or digital platforms?
• How do I improve brand visibility and recognition?
• How do I provide value-added services to customers to differentiate us?
• How do I streamline internal business processes?
Whether for startups or established corporations, the journey from concept to creation is a collaborative, dynamic and ultimately rewarding venture, offering tangible benefits and strategic advantages in an increasingly competitive market.
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How To Build Custom Applications With Microsoft Power Apps (No Code)
Microsoft Power Apps stands as a versatile and powerful platform designed to transform application development for users across all skill levels. A platform designed to empower everyone—from novices to seasoned developers—to build robust applications with minimal coding. Whether you're looking to streamline business processes or bring a creative idea to life, Power Apps offers a user-friendly environment to turn your vision into reality. This guide by Manizha & Ryan offers insight into understanding how you can harness the power of this versatile tool, exploring everything from its pricing plans to step-by-step instructions for getting started.
Navigating the world of app development can feel daunting, especially when you're juggling budget constraints and technical limitations. But with Microsoft Power Apps, the barriers are lowered, offering a range of pricing options to suit different needs and scales. From a free developer plan to more comprehensive premium packages, there's a path for everyone.
TL;DR Key Takeaways :
As you dive into this guide, you'll discover how to use Power Apps' intuitive features, like AI powered assistance and pre-built templates, to craft applications that are not only functional but also tailored to your specific requirements.
Understanding Microsoft Power AppsAt its core, Microsoft Power Apps is a suite of apps, services, and connectors that work together to provide a robust environment for creating custom applications. It enables users to build sophisticated, scalable apps without extensive coding knowledge, making it an ideal solution for businesses looking to streamline processes and boost productivity.
Key features of Microsoft Power Apps include:
Microsoft Power Apps offers a range of pricing plans to accommodate various needs and budgets:
1. Free Developer Plan: Ideal for newcomers and small-scale projects, this plan provides:– Three developer environments– Access to pre-built connectors– Up to 750 automation flows monthly
2. Premium Plan: Priced at $20 per user each month, this plan offers:– Unlimited app usage– AI Builder credits– Advanced database features– Enhanced security and compliance capabilities
3. Enterprise Plan: Designed for larger teams with a 2,000-seat minimum, this plan costs $12 per user per month and includes:– All Premium Plan features– Dedicated support– Advanced governance and management tools
Choosing the right plan depends on your organization's size, development needs, and budget constraints. It's advisable to start with the Free Developer Plan to familiarize yourself with the platform before committing to a paid option.
Microsoft Power Apps For Beginners
Check out more relevant guides from our extensive collection on Developer environments that you might find useful.
Getting Started with Power AppsEmbarking on your Microsoft Power Apps journey is a straightforward process:
1. Sign up using a work or student email address2. Create your account and verify your credentials3. Access the Power Apps dashboard, your central hub for app development
The intuitive setup process ensures that you can start building applications quickly, regardless of your technical background.
Building Your First ApplicationMicrosoft Power Apps simplifies the app creation process through its AI-powered Co-pilot feature. This innovative tool assists in developing custom applications by:
1. Offering a wide selection of templates2. Using existing data from your organization3. Generating app structures based on natural language descriptions
To begin building your first app:
1. Choose a template or start from scratch2. Define your app's purpose and functionality3. Use the drag-and-drop interface to add components4. Customize layouts and design elements5. Integrate data sources and configure workflows
The platform's flexibility allows you to create applications tailored to your specific needs, from simple task trackers to complex business solutions.
How To Use Microsoft Power Apps
Power Apps excels in its customization capabilities, allowing you to create truly unique and powerful applications:
The Co-pilot feature proves particularly valuable for tasks such as modifying layouts, adding interactive elements, or troubleshooting issues, significantly reducing development time and complexity.
After creating your application, Power Apps provides robust tools for ongoing management and updates:
1. Preview your app directly from the dashboard2. Save and publish updates with version control3. Monitor app usage and performance metrics4. Implement security measures and access controls5. Collaborate with team members on app development
Regular updates and maintenance ensure your applications remain current, secure, and aligned with evolving business needs.
Expanding Your Power Apps SkillsTo fully use the capabilities of Microsoft Power Apps, consider:
1. Exploring official Microsoft documentation and tutorials2. Joining Power Apps community forums for peer support3. Attending webinars and virtual training sessions4. Pursuing Microsoft Power Platform certifications5. Experimenting with advanced features in a test environment
By continuously expanding your knowledge and skills, you can unlock new possibilities and create increasingly sophisticated applications.
By using Microsoft Power Apps tools, and embracing its customization options, you can create powerful, tailored applications that drive efficiency and innovation within your organization. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, Power Apps provides the resources and flexibility to bring your ideas to life. Learn more about the Microsoft platform over on the official Power Apps website.
Media Credit: Manizha & Ryan
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A friend of mine has been longing for a smartphone for years, but he's continued to hold off on the hopes that when he does eventually get one, it will do absolutely everything from making phone calls to preparing grilled cheese sandwiches. Phones these days have gotten pretty close to his ideal, but they still lack one key ingredient for him (besides the sandwich-making), and that's GPS-based turn-by-turn directions.
The iPhone's built-in Google Maps are serviceable for many purposes, but if you've ever used an in-car GPS system with automatic rerouting and a snide British voice telling you when you've taken a wrong turn, you'll know that it falls short in many places. Last July, Apple VP Greg Joswiak said that he expected that hole in the iPhone's functionality to be filled eventually, but that there were technical obstacles.
The obstacles appear not to be just technical either, as some reports indicate that Apple's SDK terms prohibit such features on the iPhone, though some this may possibly be because of Google's own terms of use for Google Maps, which restrict using the information for "real time navigation or route guidance, including but not limited to turn-by-turn route guidance."
This doesn't appear to have stopped some developers. At this year's Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Sygic showed off a prototype turn-by-turn navigation app for the iPhone, including voice prompts and automatic route recalculation, though it only contained maps for Europe. Sygic—which has developed similar applications for a number of other platforms, including many cell phones—says that it plans on submitting the program to the App Store, just to see how the cookie crumbles.
Sygic's not the only company interested in the GPS market, either. A company called XRoad has had two GPS applications on the iTunes Store for a couple of months now; however, the apps don't feature voice prompts or live turn-by-turn directions, and the user reviews of the product have been heavily mixed. Last June, GPS unit maker TomTom also said that it had an iPhone app ready to go, but as of yet, that software has yet to materialize.
It would seem likely, per Joswiak's comments if nothing else, that some sort of official turn-by-turn direction system is coming to the iPhone eventually, whether it be via Apple or a partnering company.
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