Enterprise application development is basically a process of app creation that is aimed at fulfilling the needs of a particular company. These enterprise-focused apps are designed to serve a specific purpose such as enhancing workflow, improving communication, etc. Their main purpose is to benefit the main stakeholders of a company, whether these are owners, employees, or customers.
From this very simple definition, it is already possible to see that this app development approach differs from the one that is usually applied in consumer market apps. That is why it is so important to understand what are the top attributes of the modern enterprise app development approach as it is a different way of thinking altogether!
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It is about the mindset!
First things first. Enterprise app development is unique because it does not focus on such factors as profitability and/or marketing, it is about creating convenience for the internal body of the company. With this understanding, it is possible to begin untangling the key features of the enterprise app development approach.
Implementing enterprise design thinking framework
IBM was a pioneer in a variety of different directions regarding business practices, but we are interested in its so-called Enterprise Design Thinking framework. Although it may sound like a buzz phrase from a generic management masterclass, in fact, it is not. Statistics show that teams that utilize this framework are 75% more efficient and twice as fast when it comes to market delivery, according to a research by Forrester.
The Enterprise Design Thinking framework is based on three principles:
- A focus on outcomes;
- Restless reinvention;
- Diverse empowered teams.
A focus on outcomes as practiced by the mobile app developer in Singapore is a pretty straightforward principle that is based on the idea of taking care of the users’ experiences and problems. So, this is basically an ongoing process of collecting information about the needs of enterprise users and finding ways to provide appropriate outcomes for them.
The principle of restless reinvention is quite interesting as it’s centered on the idea of rapid prototyping. This process is focused on delivering a product in a more rapid fashion, collecting feedback from users, and fixing any problems. Coupled with the ideation process, which is basically brainstorming, restless reinvention is a great solution for delivering products in the faster and more efficient way.
Diverse empowered teams are considered to be a staple mark of modern managerial practices. The reason is quite simple — a team of people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, views, and skills can bring new perspectives to any kind of project!
The Internet of things is a new norm — act accordingly
When it comes to the modern enterprise app development approach, it’s imperative to remember that the Internet of things is now a reality. A variety of devices are interconnected through the Internet, and this fact is shaping the way applications are developed at present.
As a result, enterprises are using a large number of gadgets that are often different in terms of both software and hardware, which is especially applicable to smartphones. Smartphones are used by everyone due to obvious benefits — mobility, accessibility, and convenience. After all, smartphones are usually the main focus of the app development process.
Nonetheless, there are many companies that use different technologies and operating systems. Thus, it is essential to approach enterprise app development with cross-platform compatibility in mind. Even more, some users might want to open an app from their PCs or laptops. So, a feature such as cross-platform compatibility brings the much-required convenience to the stakeholders.
Testing is an integral part of the development process
All the apps that are about to be distributed among the end-users have to pass testing and quality assurance. After all, QA specialists are the ones who detect bugs and errors so the end-user could receive a well-functioning and useful product.
However, it is important to remember that just like with Enterprise Design Thinking, testing should be a continuous process. That is why the development should employ testing on all the stages as it will be possible to avoid any failures and deliver an excellent product. So, a combination of manual and automated testing is the best idea to cover all the factors that can lead to a failure.
New ways to ease the development process
Cloud-based technologies and microservices infrastructure have been and continue to be one of the most favored things among app developers. The reason is quite simple — they are convenient and highly functional, which is imperative for enterprise apps.
Cloud technologies
It is hard to overlook the benefits of cloud in app development. First of all, we have enhanced performance. Secondly, we have integration of large data chunks and their effective exchange. Finally, cloud computing is a great way to leverage expenditures due to infrastructure cost savings.
Microservices infrastructure
Yet another interesting trend that is applicable in enterprise app development. Basically, it’s about breaking down a monolithic application with a set of functions into several smaller ones, each with their own function. This approach is great for companies that have a need to deliver their enterprise software in a quick manner. Think of Google’s services on the Android platform!
DevOps, DevSecOps, and CI/CD
Nowadays, the use of DevOps and CI/CD is basically mandatory. These practices have the purpose of ensuring the highest quality of software while significantly enhancing the development and delivery speeds. From the perspective of enterprise app development, DevOps and CI/CD are also great for effectively delivering frequent updates to the software.
Finally, we reach security. The modern enterprise app development approach features security concerns among the top priorities and for a reason. DevSecOps, which stands for development, security and operations, is a practice that focuses on ensuring the highest security at every software development step.
It is also important to consider enterprise mobility from the security perspective. Companies are actively using remote employees, and this means there is a need to enhance security measures to prevent any data leaks and thefts. Mobile device management, as a part of DevSecOps, can ensure the effective security of enterprise software even if it is used from an employee’s personal device.