Tag: mobile app development

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Why is it essential to invest in app maintenance and support ?

Why is it essential to invest in app maintenance and support ?

Several people who own an app business are oblivious to the significance of putting money in mobile app maintenance and support services. In case you wish to develop a new app or have, of late, launched one, you should know about the importance of app maintenance and support for future success. So, let us delve into the significance of app maintenance and support.

Mobile App Maintenance and Support

Mobile app maintenance and support pertains to the whole set of procedures adhered to for ensuring a smooth and hassle-free operation of any live mobile app. It comprises tracking, processing, fixing and upgrading the components it is made of to provide a superior end user experience. Statistics point out that close to 52 per cent of the apps get taken down by several users within the first three months of the launch. This happens due to improper app maintenance to improve the user experience. Despite having advanced features and functionalities there will always be a room for improvement. Hence, the app maintenance and assistance, which aid in pushing the new features to your current app or deal with the bugs.

Mobile Apps Needing Maintenance

In order to gauge the support and maintenance required in any app the understanding of the feature and complexity level of the same become imperative. For example, if you own a complex eCommerce app having millions of daily active users, you need a more proactive maintenance plan. So, based on the kind of your app, the amount of daily active users, and the complexity aspect, go for the pertinent maintenance plan from any efficient mobile app maintenance and support service provider.

Several Types of Mobile App Maintenance

i. Emergency Maintenance

This type of maintenance handles all the imminent problems and mistakes that surround the system and seek quick remedy. If a company gets into an unpredictable but important troublesome situation regarding their mobile app, they must avail emergency maintenance.

ii. Perfective Maintenance

With target users utilizing the app, some new or altered user needs unravel. Perfective maintenance factors in those feedbacks. It entails operational alterations in the source code, in order to offer active app users an incredible user experience,similar to their liking.

iii. Adaptive Maintenance

Over here maintenance is focussed upon updating the system to keep it relevant with the evolving hardware or software surrounding. Environment, in this sphere, pertains to the effects and working conditions, which affect the application’s system.

iv. Preventive Maintenance

This is primarily the intervention based on cutting down or doing away with the development of errors. It basically works on lessening the complications of the application and enhancing the knowledge and maintenance factor.

v. Corrective Maintenance

Finally, corrective maintenance refers to rectifying faults and leftover errors in the daily app operations. Residual errors pertain to mistakes in design, logic or coding. They are generally extracted from the bugs flagged by users.

Significance of App Maintenance Services

More than anything else one should be aware of the significance of mobile app maintenance services. In the current cut-throat scenario it has become essential to optimize the app’s performance, and retain current users, while trying to lure more users.

Mobile app maintenance can be a blessing in such a scenario as it ensures a superlative user experience.

i. Be relevant to changing technologies

With mobile and tablet manufacturers bringing fresh models of the hardware systems, the new devices do not have similar size specifications or features. For example, the advent of a face and fingerprint recognition altered screen sizes. An app that cannot gel with the evolving hardware and OS, turns irrelevant in the current context. A diligent and dedicated maintenance team becomes essential to get along with these changes from time to time and assists in retaining user loyalty.

ii. Enhance the UI

The look and feel of any app are essential in ensuring its growth in the market. The UI has to be appealing and functional, so as to keep the users attached to it. Having an organized maintenance plan, you can easily harness the best UI.

Iii. Gel with changing OS

Each year, it is not unusual to see an update in the iOS and Android platforms. Without updating your current apps they won’t function at all or properly. Such problems should not occur with your app as well. With a maintenance plan inclusive of thorough audits if the beta version of the update released is optimal for doing away with last-minute inconvenience to the users. Maintenance prompts the right intervention at the appropriate time.

iv. Remain in line with software library updates

App developers, as a usual practice, like to utilize the pre-coded software libraries to cut out several inactive coding work. This even implies that they must make sure that your app software is in sync with any updates in the relevant libraries. Maintenance plans have a useful role on this count and make sure continued optimality.

v. Handle downtimes with ease

Downtimes are usual and inevitable in most of the segment of information technology.

Even the big fish such as Amazon, Blackberry etc have suffered downtimes which have negatively impacted their revenue. By putting money in constant and prompt app maintenance aids in spotting such downtimes before it wreaks havoc. Getting organized maintenance plans implies that you’re assured of quick remedy to restore the normal functioning in case of such problems.

vi. Assure constant and strong safety

With hackers and cybercriminals having easy time in exploiting gaps in the digital arena, even the ideal security protocols and encryptions go out of fashion in quick time.

In case your app is having crucial information, it can easily have negative and uncontrollable implications. Regular app maintenance aids in maintaining high security. It ensures that the newest security protocols and measures are implemented to safeguard the app and its users from the threats emanating from cyberspace.

Price tag of App Maintenance and Support Services

It is totally wrong to assume that app maintenance can cost you badly. In fact, the real cost is less severe than the security threats and malfunctioning of apps. Chiefly, it’s the two aspects in conjunction that dictate the price for your app:

Complexity: The more complex the app happens to be the more holistic its maintenance becomes.

Frequency: Then it is the turn of frequency of intervention. Weekly or monthly maintenance can cost more than quarterly or half yearly maintenance.

As such, the expense can be dissected into the following elements –

  • Hosting expenses
  • Monitoring and crash analytics
  • App store optimization
  • Licenses
  • Regularity of including new content
  • Marketing costs
  • Emergency scenarios

Finally

So, it is critical to accept that the cost hinges heavily on how your app got initially built. If it hasn’t been engineered to expand, the maintenance cost can go up considerably as the app increases its user base. Generally, the companies that offer app development services also give the maintenance plans. You have the option to get the same team or go for another seasoned app maintenance service provider.

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How to choose an ally for your app project?

Mobile app development has become an integral aspect of every business these days.

With startups across the globe wanting to excel these days, selecting the ideal development partner has become very significant. Hence, before doing research on the net for web and mobile app development companies, these critical aspects deserve your attention.

A peek into crucial stats

As per Statista, as of Q2 2020, Android users chose between 2.7 million apps, presenting Google as the major hub with a large number of mobile apps. Being not too far behind, Apple’s app store remains firm at second spot with roughly 1.82 million apps for iOS.


This clearly showcases the increased demand for mobile apps. Also, as per App Annie, an average mobile user takes recourse to nine apps every day and approximately 30% in a month. We devote 3 hours daily on our mobiles, out of which 90% of the time goes to apps. This proves that apps have become a significant part of our daily lives.

However, mobile apps have to win users’ hearts and minds by providing them a higher ROI (Return On Investment).


  • There are two demurs that make business owners wary:
  • Who happens to be the ideal developer for your project?
  • What will be the expenditure of Mobile app development?

As the financial aspect differs subject to the initial needs, technology stack, business requirements and awaited results, we want to assist you in analyzing the method of selecting the company that helps your business reach greater heights.

THINGS TO LOOK INTO PRIOR TO SELECTING AN APP DEVELOPMENT COMPANY?

  • The ideal quality you want in your partner
  • The money you wish to invest on the project
  • The deadline and timeline of the project,
  • The planning of working – “The Agile Methodology” to accomplish the project,
  • The technical help required from the firm,
  • The level of customer involvement.

While fixing the budget with the development company, you have to make sure that there are certain aspects that shape the cost to develop a mobile app.

These factors happen to be architecture and team strength, the platform for project development and whether a need to merge your app with third-party solutions will arise or not. In order to develop a mobile app, the majority of firms seek $25,000 for a normal app and $1,00,000 for a complex and tough app. However, a good app company will provide you with a project estimation free of cost instead of asking for a budget.


The cost and the size of the project also specify whether you need a firm or a freelancer. Of course, if it is a complex project then a seasoned and bigger team with requisite skills are required.


PLACE TO FIND AN IDEAL MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT PARTNER

SEEK REFERRALS AND SUGGESTIONS

The appropriate app development company has to be your loyal partner. Therefore ensure that you work with talented and experienced professionals, make the right use of your professional network and don’t be reluctant to seek referrals and recommendations.


Talk to your friends and trusted business partners to get their experience and contacts for the respective firm. This is an ideal knowledge source but keep in mind that each project is different, so seek the details.


SIMPLY, GOOGLE IT!

This is an ideal process. Assuming that you have searched for the ideal mobile app development company in India, go through the websites of the firms thoroughly, closely watch their portfolio, verify their experience and referrals and then write down the companies you find appropriate.

TAKE HELP FROM B2B AND B2C PLATFORMS

The IT companies such as Clutch, Linkedin etc happen to be very trustworthy sources to find the right fit for your project. These websites provide a list of IT service providers. There are also other platforms where you can find freelancers, like UpWork. Verify the reviews of each firm and freelancers as well, check their portfolio, certification and awards won by them.

ASPECTS TO CONSIDER WHILE SELECTING AN APP DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY

There happen to be various procedures of developing mobile apps however, only a few platforms to build them. Every app development journey varies from the other and needs a unique skill set and technology stacks. You have the liberty to select from Native app development to cross-platform app development, based on your requirements. Therefore, to develop your own app, choose the partner with caution. Moreover, a mobile app development company is not just a service provider, but it offers consultation. In case you are in a limbo over the next step in your app development process, choose a company having good consultancy skills. Also see if it gives you seasoned designers, quality assurance specialists, and growth consultants.

TEAM STRENGTH AND MARKET SIZE

It is imperative to get an insight into the market capture of the company you are thinking of selecting as a partner for your project. Assess or seek their team size of designers, developers, testers, UX/UI professionals, QA experts working currently in the company.


Further, get clarity over their hiring plans – do they wish to expand or simply trying to save a ship from sinking.


EXPOSURE & PROFILE MATTER A LOT

Never have any reservation with regard to asking crucial questions about their recent projects. Kindly go through their portfolio and observe reviews and clients testimonials for the app built in the respective app stores. Also, ask the firm about their experiences.


Have they worked on similar projects earlier?

How did they tackle technical complexities in past projects?

Do they possess work experience regarding your business domain?

BE CLEAR ON THE ASPECT OF PRICING

The cost of the project is very critical, but it should not be the only criteria. Never fall for a chap option as it won’t serve any purpose for you. It is better to avoid a company during the initial stage itself than fixing problems with the app after the launch. 


Quality should be given high priority while choosing the app development company for your project. Quality goes a long way in expediting the development process and making it affordable going forward. So, do not forget to validate the payment methods and terms while talking about the project’s details. What is the method of calculating the price? Will it be a total payment upfront or scattered in installment.

CLEAR CUT COMMUNICATION

Clear and good communication is very essential for your mobile app development project to succeed. You should be in the know of each and every thing in the development process. For this to happen, you should seek the medium of communication while choosing your partner.


For example, you should have total project information constantly to monitor the progress efficiently. Talk to them regarding the tools they utilize to handle the way a project is moving: Asana, Slack, Jira etc. Also while choosing a firm, observe closely the regularity with which a firm responds to your queries, messages and phone calls.

TEAM STRENGTH

What really turns a project successful is team efforts and diligence. The skill matrix and personalities are very significant, to build a successful mobile app. Also, you should have a great rapport with your technological ally to leverage development procedures. Hence, don’t be reluctant to talk to the company’s representative and create good relations with them. The environment of the project’s team creates a durable impact in ensuring the success as well.

CLIENT’S TESTIMONIALS

Always seek references and client testimonials from prospective partners. The ideal development companies provide you with anything without any request from your side. If the firm does not have a letter of recommendation or client testimonials to showcase, then simply move away from them. Also, cross check the materials given and look for some references on your own.

ACHIEVEMENTS & REFERRALS

Experience has to be one of the criteria to factor in for you to choose an ideal company. Experience is usually showcased by various awards for top projects the company has undertaken, recognitions in the media, or the result of R&D projects published on platforms such as Dribble and Github. Mobile app development is not an easy task and it needs accuracy and experience, a holistic knowledge of the target audience, and, of course, creativity. These skill sets can be obtained with experience. Recent projects give a clear view of the way a trusted company plans and operates. If they have a solid profile of big, ambitious projects then the same reflects positively on their qualities.

QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE ARE VITAL

Do not forget the fact that launching your mobile app in the app store is simply the beginning. It is just the beginning of a long procedure of regularly launching updates, handling bugs and including new features to turn your app useful and keep it ahead of the competitors.


This means it’s a must to select the apt and skilled resources with a clear cut policy that follows app maintenance and support to the core. Prior to moving ahead, assess these policies:

The cost according to each new app launch

After the launch, long-term and ongoing assistance

Handling bugs and charging accordingly

To Conclude

It is in your best interest to jot down all aspects of the best mobile app development procedure to ensure every condition is met. By doing this you can eliminate the hiccups to a great extent and focus on the important facets of your mobile app and take the right call quickly. It must have been clear to you by now that the best app development company is the one having technical exposure, great communication skills, good portfolio of successful projects and the burning desire to excel. Finally, in order to achieve desired results from the app it is critical to hire app developers carefully. A wrong move can hurt you financially and spoils the growth of your company. So, it is ideal to get good developers on board for your app project to prosper.

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Is Two-factor Authentication Process Really Foolproof ?

Is Two-factor Authentication Process Really Foolproof ?

There are people with high-tech security infrastructure to safeguard their online transactions. They are doing an incredible service for themselves. However, the majority of the people still operate under the severe risk of getting their online transactions hacked by Russian malware. Security is one of the critical factors for both users and app developers. Still we take chances. There are several sites and apps where you need to type in a code sent to you via SMS or email to verify that you are purchasing or changing your account details. Passwords are becoming longer and very complicated with certain sites demanding you to build one with special characters and numerical and users are being asked to add their mobile phone number to accounts as backup.

The latter one happens to be a part of an aspect called two-factor authentication, or 2FA for short, and it is what several tech companies use to secure their users from safety breaches. “The most frequently used 2FA uses an SMS code. While it is a good idea to have a common authentication device, phones have become the default device due to the fact that the majority own them. Password-secured accounts can easily be hacked, and, 2FA, in the best possible scenario, eliminates hackable passwords (“secret” “1234”) from the equation.

A THUMBS UP FOR TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION

After getting attention post a famous hacking of journalist Mat Honan in 2012, 2FA was celebrated as the next weapon to protect users online. Two-factor authentication needs the user to come good on two out of three factors: Something you are aware of (PIN, password), something you possess (smartphone, ATM card, fob), or something that is yours (fingerprint or voice print).

Let’s see how this functions. We all are well-versed with using a password or PIN (something they know), one factor, and now people will get a one-time code via SMS on their mobile phone (another factor), to purchase some stuffs online, replace old password with a new one on a locked account, or transfer money, among several other things. Some people opt for a code-generating fob (second factor) to safely access a bank account or a work server through VPN from home. Based on what you perform online and which device you possess, you might use fingerprints or voiceprints (something you are) to obtain access to an account details or make payment for something with, Apple Pay or Google Wallet through your smartphone (something you have).

In the U.S., Twitter, Facebook, Google, Apple, Amazon, Bitcoin, Yahoo!, almost every email service provider, banks, insurance companies, and online services have executed some kind of 2FA. You might be working a bit harder to log in to your accounts, particularly verifying some purchases or when you cannot remember your complex password. This implies that itt has become tougher for a hacker to access your account, because if you are made to toil hard then imagine the burden on their shoulders.

CERTAIN 2FAS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS

Not every 2FA’s are common. The one-time codes dispatched through SMS are quite common as this is the convenient way for a company to implement. Who wishes to hoard a code-generating fob to purchase something, say, on iTunes? Also, receiving a one-time code that makes its way straight to your mobile phone can be cumbersome at times, and how is a hacker going to intercept an SMS? Actually, it’s not very tough and it is quite common with high-profile cases more often than not.

In fact, it has occurred so frequently that the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) made up its mind in August 2016 to disallow any services that plug into government IT systems from using SMS-based 2FA codes. NIST requires people to utilize services such as Google Authenticator or USB dongles. Devolutions concludes that out of the most popular 2FA services, those dependent on a dongle offer a risk of loss. An online authenticator is an ideal alternative, and Authy seems to be the most attractive of those, which can be accessed on a desktop app as well as on mobile, and easy to merge with your phone’s authentication set ups. Looking at the non-dongle services, Authy spares you the migraine ie. if you lose your phone or buy a new one, it permits you to reinstate it without re-configuring all your accounts. Authy’s rival, Google Authenticator, doesn’t indulge in this habit. Developers have to achieve a parity among safety features, usability and pricing.

WHAT ABOUT BIOMETRICS?

We have been through a lot of discourses regarding the safety of biometrics such as fingerprints, voice prints, ear shape, iris scans, or face recognition software to safeguard your accounts. The admirers of biometrics feel this is apt, especially for high-profile users or those seeking robust security cover for the stuff they carry out online. However, the huge cause of concern is that the process involving fingerprints, or some other biometric, if compromised, it is impossible to alter the fingerprints and start again. This can be a good idea for a science fiction drama, but in reality a bit unfounded.

If these biometrics can be breached to access someone else’s iPhone or Motorola or not is a good topic but for another day. Apple and Google contain a Secure Enclave feature in their newer iPhone and Android OSs that enhances security while using fingerprint-oriented access, but if it is an “ultimate lock down.” or not can be debated at some other time. So, rest our case regarding biometrics as a safe option for now.

SECURITY HAS ITS LIMITS

There is nothing as total safety. The internet is based absolutely on the concept of openness, and any kind of hiccups with regard to connectivity can drive users crazy. The endeavor is to make it easy for users and extremely tough for hackers. Passwords are without doubt a potent tool if you opt for a tough password. Similarly, 2FA is also a powerful tool, however biometrics are more effective than SMS codes. Further, you might have noticed that the frequently used SMS codes for 2FA aren’t very adequate, despite the perception that it is secure. If this has triggered an alarm bell inside you, then use a safe method available and, critically, let the companies who operate the services and apps you are hooked onto understand that you expect nothing but the best from them.

USERS SHOULD PUT WITH INCONVENIENCE FOR THE SAKE OF SECURITY

The disadvantage of performing better is that it adds on to your list of works, and might result in frustration for users, who should ideally have had a good password to begin with. However it is not at all amusing to find a notification from a bank, email service, big-box chain, insurance, or other company telling that your personal or financial details have been compromised by cyberattack. Nobody likes the idea of changing the password or getting a new credit card. Also, the personal or financial details that were breached are still lying unsafe before a wicked hand. The 2FA is nothing but an extension of security cover offered by a company to safeguard their services. It might cause a bit of discomfort or pain or frustration to the users but the users should realize it is for their betterment.