The mobile App ecosystem is experiencing tremendous growth and the demand to produce these valuable pieces of real estate on the Phone-top has created an abundance of new application development companies. Although the number of new developers is not in short supply, choosing the right one isn't for the lighthearted.
Unlike choosing a web developer where there is generally one accepted language, "HTML" and one platform, "World Wide Web" that reaches 99% of web users, mobile Apps are radically different. There are 7 languages and 4 major platforms that reach about 90% of Smartphone users collectively with each operating system having about equal share i.e. no one platform or language will reach more than 25% of users;
Content Management System
The most common type of mobile application developer is the one-off variety where a developer writes code in each different language for each platform (iPhone®, iPad®, Android®, Blackberry® or Windows® Phone) one at a time. If you wish your content to be published to all 5 devices, then there will be 5 sets of code in 5 separate languages. If your content will come from an integration to your existing content management system, then there are an additional 5 "integration bridges" to be maintained in 5 languages or 5X entry to update data through a portal or multiple portals manually. If you update the App in any way, each instance of the code has to be changed and then recompiled and resubmitted to each App store for approval. Unfortunately, this not only takes time, but often, end users never download and update the App so you can have multiple versions (some dated and some outdated) in the marketplace at the same time. Most firms only offer this type of development due to limited experience in the Mobile App industry or inability to invest millions into a platform infrastructure in advance of Mobile App demand.
The "platform" is the name of the game in this technological ecosystem. It's the engine that creates the App and keeps the App operating in a very dynamic environment. Of the latter, consider this. A significant hardware and/or operating system change occurs in the smartphone market every 90 days. How will the Apps consume these rapid changes in technology? After all, terms like "iPad" and "Droid" didn't exist just a few years ago so the question must be asked--what new device will consumers rush to buy to consume your valuable content? Answer: We just don't know. But we do know that the right platform can provide future proofing technology by shifting most of the content management into a cloud server to maintain hardware compatibility (present and future).
So how do you find a mobile application development company with the right platform? Simply ask the following questions without deviation. First, make sure they deploy their technology using a platform versus the one-off approach. Second, get references and actually call them. Yes, I know. References are usually self-appointed cheerleaders but with this technology, you'll be surprised by the conversational openness, especially since references were once App virgins too. Also, make sure the mobile app development company employs a partnership and consultative approach which can be easily determined by the number of clients that continue to work with them beyond the first App development project. Next, ask for a case study and certainly, ask if they've received any media recognition for their work. And by all means, make sure there's an ongoing support and maintenance program. While the fees associated with ongoing support plans are hard to swallow at times, think of the costs and headaches if the App fails or breaks.
The good news about the bursting marketplace is that there are reputable mobile app developers doing terrific and leading-edge work. So the extra effort spent upfront in qualifying will not only provide you with a rich, robust and sturdy piece of technology, but will also save wasted time, energy and money.
