When it comes to building apps, many companies are unsure whether to take a custom or platform development approach. Although the idea of building a custom app from scratch may be appealing, it is important to recognise the hidden costs associated with it. A solution, such as an app development platform, can offer businesses customised branded apps faster and without the hefty price tag.
Here are 3 benefits of using an app development platform…
#1 Resources
The purpose of platform-based development is to rapidly build apps with ease using predefined modules. This reduces both time and monetary costs that are associated with custom app development. Furthermore, frequent changes in custom development, such as feature updates and maintenance, not only extend project timelines significantly but also require dedicated resources to manage it. For example, retaining a development team specifically for maintaining apps. Therefore, apps built using an app development platform are quicker to develop, faster to deploy and generally cost less compared to a custom approach.
Using development tools that can produce apps more rapidly is crucial for enterprises to help bridge the gap between mobile app demand and supply – Gartner
Another key benefit of app development platforms is the fact that solutions have already been developed and tested, minimising project turnaround. Subsequently, platforms often include a large library of app features, some of which might not be considered feasible to develop in a custom approach.
So how long does it take to develop an app?
#2 Scalability
The reusable code inside platforms facilitates ease of app development and deployment. The usability of these platforms allows businesses to scale or modify their product easily and efficiently during any stage of the project. More specifically, app development platforms support a range of crucial management elements such as analytics, security and lifecycle management, all of which facilitate app scalability.
Furthermore, developing platform-based apps is a lower risk solution that provides businesses with flexibility as apps can be easily changed with minimal costs. With custom development, however, there are limitations to iterations, posing a potential problem for businesses to adapt to market trends.
#3 Technical Support
Utilising an app development platform provides a significant advantage for businesses as professional technical support is generally included as part of the service. This element is even more crucial for businesses where technical proficiency may be lacking. Additionally, external support allows businesses to reduce in-house costs associated with software maintenance.
We’re seeing demand for mobile apps outstrip available development capacity, making quick creation of apps even more challenging. Mobile strategists must use tools and techniques that match the increase in mobile app needs within their organizations – Gartner
App development platforms are now offering feature-rich, scalable and high-performance solutions. The Liquid Gears platform enables businesses to build native code free cross-platform apps for a variety of business functions. To find out more, get in touch with us today.
This article was originally posted on liquid-state.com