In this guide 2023, you will understand everything about enterprise mobile app development.
In this era of technology, businesses face a crucial question: what is their top priority to stay ahead of competitors? Is it profit, growth, or customer satisfaction?
We must understand that companies want to stay ahead by being more competitive, improving their work, and finding new ways to make money. However, it can be challenging with the new trends. To solve this, they need the right solutions for their organizations.
To compete and succeed, businesses must equip themselves with the development of an enterprise mobile application. This will enable them to achieve unexpected goals and outperform their rivals by gaining extra working hours.
According to the Statista report, the worldwide enterprise software market grew to $241 billion in 2020. Meanwhile, the revenue of this market is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2028) of 6.73%, resulting in a market volume of US$376.40bn by 2028. These numbers carry significant implications.
Any company that fails to keep pace with this technological revolution risks lagging behind in the pursuit of higher profits. Therefore, are you preparing to embrace the tech revolution?
What is enterprise mobile app development?
Enterprise mobile app development is the process of creating mobile applications for large companies. It is different than app development solutions for startups and SMBs as these enterprise solutions are focused on meeting the large-scale needs of big corporations.
The primary objective is to create enterprise applications with a focus on scalability and speed. Enterprise mobile apps distinguish themselves from everyday applications by being purpose-built to address the specific challenges faced by a particular company. These apps, tailored to the needs of large organizations, can be deployed on various platforms and devices.
Building an enterprise mobile app is a complex process fraught with numerous challenges and regulatory considerations. An effective solution necessitates the creation of software with modern features, such as top-tier security, data-sharing capabilities, cloud storage, and offline access.
What are the different types of enterprise mobile apps?
In the arena of enterprise mobile app development, three main categories can be used to classify enterprise mobile applications:
1. Management Apps
When it comes to management apps, it’s a pivotal category encompassing various aspects of your business. Consider examples like:
- ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) applications, which serve to seamlessly integrate all your business elements into a unified system.
- HR management apps, are designed to automate manual tasks, store employee information, and generate data-driven reports.
- Business management apps, offering automation, support, and optimization of crucial processes.
2. Team Collaboration Apps
Team collaboration and communication app is immensely popular. Within this category, you will find:
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management) apps, assisting in the analysis, management, and communication with customers.
- CMS (Content Management System) apps, facilitate the creation, editing, and publishing of content for your enterprise’s social media and websites.
- CRM and CMS platforms are versatile tools used across businesses, ranging from small companies to large-scale organizations.
3. Marketing Automation Apps
Marketing automation apps play a pivotal role in streamlining sales funnels, launching advertising campaigns, investigating leads, and generating detailed reports for analysis. Its primary function is to accelerate repetitive processes and centralize crucial information.
4. Billing Apps
Billing apps are a frequent requirement in enterprise mobile app development. They handle tasks like automating invoicing, managing payments, implementing dunning processes, and more.
These app solutions are often seamlessly integrated with third-party payment gateways and in-house CRM or ERP platforms.
5. Messaging Apps
Messaging apps rank among the foremost communication tools, combining features such as audio and video conferencing, shared calendars, and file sharing to enhance team collaboration.
It aims at creating a comprehensive tool that fulfills all your business needs while adhering to stringent security regulations.
6. Customer Support Apps
Customer support apps encompass features like call and message routing, satisfaction ratings, self-service portals, and comprehensive customer management capabilities. Its role is to empower your team to deliver top-tier service that ensures the satisfaction of all clients.
7. Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)
Large-scale corporations often employ a variety of specialized tools for various tasks. To streamline operations, an Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) framework is essential.
It serves as an automated integration solution that links these tools, ensuring smooth data flow between applications and creating an all-in-one app for efficient collaboration.
What are the benefits of developing an enterprise mobile app?
There are several reasons for having a mobile app for enterprise in 2023; some of them include:
1. Enhanced Revenue
Online shopping is popular now and will continue to be in the future. People prefer looking for and finding things they want to buy on the Internet instead of going to regular stores all the time. This saves them time and energy.
Most online orders are made using mobile devices because searching, finding, buying, and paying for things using a phone or tablet is easy.
2. Geo-Target Marketing and Direct Communication
Mobile apps effectively capture customer attention and quickly convey information about product launches, new services, promotions, improved features, and discounted prices to a wider audience.
3. Improved Customer Engagement
Effective customer communication is vital for marketing, but it’s equally crucial to uphold customer loyalty by responding promptly to their issues and complaints. Customers appreciate it when companies address and resolve concerns without delay, fostering brand loyalty.
4. Threshold of Competition
Many businesses have not yet chosen to build a mobile app because of the expenses and investments involved. However, with the increasing popularity of mobile internet, having an app can give you an advantage over your competitors. When users download an app, they usually become more engaged.
5. Diminish Marketing Cost
Sending notifications to app users is much cheaper than traditional advertising and direct marketing. With a mobile app, you can easily announce events or new products/services at a low cost, bringing customers and brands closer together.
6. Improved Visibility
In recent years, how people search for products and services has changed significantly. Instead of relying on recommendations and browsing websites, people now prefer to use their smartphones to look things up while traveling, waiting, or even during their free time.
7. Enhance Customer Loyalty
Creating customer loyalty is a challenging part of marketing. Mobile apps aid in building loyalty by forming a connection through frequent reminders and notifications between the customer and the brand.
8. Trouble-free Order Placing
Most people prefer searching for products or services on their smartphones rather than laptops when needed. Studies indicate that most searches occur while people are busy interacting with others rather than during their free time when they can use a laptop or desktop computer.
7 challenges faced by enterprises in mobile apps
Even today, businesses encounter difficulties when creating mobile apps for official or commercial use. Here are some key challenges enterprises face during the design of mobile apps.
1. Not Knowing The Requirements Of The Target Audience
Certain companies fail to adequately understand their intended audience’s needs, creating unnecessary apps for their target users. Unpopular apps won’t receive numerous downloads even with effective marketing. App developers should consider these questions before creating an app.
- What is the reason behind developing an app?
- Does the app’s design meet the needs of our target users?
- What features and functions should the app include to serve its intended purpose effectively?
- Can we add more special features to the app to make it easier and more interesting for users?
- Does the app’s design and wireframe look attractive, interesting, modern, and user-friendly?
2. Unsatisfied Designers Unhappy About Inadequate Pay
While the quality of the app and the end result matter, it’s just as important to pay your team for app design and marketing fairly. This ensures your employees stay dedicated to the project.
If they’re unhappy with their pay, they might do a poor job, and the app won’t sell. So, it’s crucial to establish a suitable budget for the project beforehand.
3. Exclusively comprising novice app developers on your team
Freshers in the app development field excel at generating creative app design concepts but struggle to grasp essential tasks and apply optimal design methods. Therefore, it is advisable to have a team for developing your app that comprises 75% experienced experts and 25% beginners in the field of app development.
This way, you can combine well-known global app design methods with creative thinking in app design. Successful and inventive apps are usually the ones that receive the most downloads and positive feedback from users.
4. Poor Data Security Levels
The security of an app is just as crucial as its performance and design. Nobody wants their data to be exposed or put at risk. If an app has weak security, its data structure becomes vulnerable to malware and hacking, which can compromise users’ information.
5. Designing an Unappealing and Troublesome App
Regardless of how well your app performs, it won’t attract many downloads if it is difficult to use and has a plain and unattractive design. As a result, your app won’t generate much revenue and profit. People generally gravitate towards appealing and user-friendly apps.
6. No Backup Restored
Nowadays, people value their personal information as much as money. They like to install apps that automatically save their data for future access and utilization. Users might require their saved data if their app or phone stops working or gets harmed.
7. Ineffective and appropriate App Marketing
To successfully market your app on social media, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand each platform’s unique characteristics advantages, and disadvantages. This knowledge will enable you to choose the most suitable social media platforms and digital marketing strategies for promoting your app effectively online.
How to develop an enterprise mobile app from scratch?
Here is a step-by-step process to build an enterprise mobile app.
1. Business goals
This initial step in the enterprise mobile app development process involves identifying the specific business objectives to be achieved, such as improving employee communication or streamlining supply chain management.
During this stage, the development team assesses challenges, clarifies the app’s purpose, and assists in defining its core features.
2. Budget estimation
At this stage, extensive research is conducted to gather cost estimates from an experienced app development company. This helps in identifying potential costs associated with app development, design, testing, and deployment, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
It enables well-informed decision-making and the establishment of a clear budget framework.
3. Technical specifications
During this phase of mobile enterprise app development, the development partner provides a comprehensive plan that includes technical details, the technology stack, the target app platforms (such as Android and iOS), wireframes, and specific technical requirements.
4. Wireframe prototype
This stage involves the creation of a wireframe prototype, a visual representation that aligns the app’s direction with the business vision.
The wireframe serves as a blueprint, illustrating the app’s layout, functionality, and user interactions. It allows for early validation and refinement before proceeding to full-scale development.
5. UI/UX design
During this stage, the development team focuses on enhancing the user interface and user experience to make the app visually appealing and user-friendly.
The primary goal is to create an app that functions seamlessly and resonates with the brand’s identity, providing an engaging interactive experience.
6. Product development
In this phase, the development team collaborates closely with the client to address technical intricacies and implement the app’s features. This includes configuring databases, integrating APIs, and ensuring that the app aligns with the design specifications.
7. Testing and quality assurance
This stage involves rigorous quality assurance processes to ensure that the enterprise mobile app functions flawlessly. It is crucial to involve end-users in the testing procedures to gather valuable feedback and insights for improvement.
8. Maintenance and updates
After the app is launched on the desired platform, the focus shifts to post-release maintenance and ongoing updates. This phase of enterprise mobile app development includes collecting user feedback, addressing any bugs or errors, and ensuring optimal app performance across various operating systems and platforms.
How much does it cost to build an enterprise mobile app?
It costs around $200,000 to $500,000 to build an enterprise mobile app. But this is the average price range, the cost may increase as you add more features, functions, and customizations.
The cost of enterprise mobile app development depends on the following factors:
- App complexity
- Peculiarity of enterprise app
- Customizations
- Features and functions
- Development team’s geographical location
That is why it’s important to plan your app requirements and objectives beforehand to avoid budget burnout later.
How to find the right enterprise app development partner?
The 10 tips mentioned below are everything you should consider while considering an adept enterprise mobile app development partner.
1. Define your requirements
Before searching for an app development partner, clearly define your project requirements, goals, and objectives. This will help you identify the specific skills and expertise you need from a development team.
2. Experience and expertise
Look for a development partner with relevant experience and mobile app development expertise. They should have a proven track record of delivering high-quality apps for businesses in your industry. Ask for examples of their previous work and client references.
3. Technical skills
Ensure the development partner has a strong technical skill set required for your app development project. They should be proficient in the programming languages and technologies necessary to develop your desired mobile app, such as iOS, and Android, hybrid frameworks, cloud integration, and security protocols.
4. Industry knowledge
It’s beneficial to work with a mobile app development partner who understands your industry and its specific requirements. They should be familiar with industry regulations, compliance standards, and any unique challenges or opportunities that may arise during the app development.
5. Communication and collaboration
Effective communication is crucial for a successful partnership. Ensure the enterprise app development partner has a clear and efficient communication process. They should be responsive to your queries and actively involve you in the development process, providing regular updates and seeking feedback.
6. Quality assurance
A reliable development partner should have a strong quality assurance process to ensure the developed app meets your expectations. Inquire about their testing methodologies, bug-fixing procedures, and overall quality control practices.
7. Scalability and future support
Consider your long-term goals and the potential for scalability. The enterprise mobile app development partner should be able to accommodate future updates, enhancements, and feature additions to your mobile app. Additionally, inquire about their post-launch support services and maintenance plans.
8. Budget and timeline
Discuss the project budget and timeline with potential development partners upfront. While it’s essential to consider cost, remember that quality and expertise are equally important. Be wary of extremely low-cost options that may compromise the quality or security of your app.
9. Intellectual property rights
Clarify the ownership and intellectual property rights of the developed app. Ensure the development partner adheres to proper legal agreements and confidentiality measures to protect your app’s unique features and data.
10. Client testimonials and reviews
Research the reputation and reliability of the enterprise mobile application development partner by checking client testimonials, reviews, and ratings on independent platforms or through referrals. This will give you insights into their past performance and client satisfaction.
Why NetWeb Tech as your enterprise app development company?
In conclusion, NetWeb Tech is a top choice for businesses seeking an enterprise mobile app development company. Their extensive experience, technical expertise, and industry knowledge set them apart. With a strong focus on effective communication, quality assurance, and post-launch support, we ensure a collaborative and successful app development journey.
By choosing NetWeb, businesses can leverage their professionalism and commitment to deliver high-quality mobile apps that align with their goals. Trustworthy, reliable, and results-driven, we stand ready to empower businesses to unlock their mobile app potential.