Cloud application Development

Cloud app development refers to the work done to design, build and implement cloud-based apps.

A cloud-based app is one that users access via the internet and which runs all or in part on cloud servers rather than the local machine. In less technical terms, it's an app you usually have to be connected to the internet to use or use fully because all of the functions and data are not housed on your computer or mobile device. A common example of a cloud-based app would be social media. If you're not connected to the internet, you can't see a lot of the information on your profile or the profiles of others because that data isn't held on your phone or computer. It's held on one of the social media company's remote servers.

One of the most common types of cloud-based apps is Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS. These are apps that provide software functionality without requiring the total burden of the app (storage and power wise) to be on a local device. This lets people run apps they wouldn't necessarily be able to run fully on their own devices, makes it possible for people to use functions from multiple devices by logging in, and allows customers to pay for software as a subscription.

The difference between a cloud-based app and a traditional app is where the data and infrastructure for the app resides. When you download a traditional app, you're downloading an entire software package onto your device. Everything you need to run the app fully is in that download package, and you can run it on your device with or without internet connectivity. If updates are made to the app, your version of the app is not updated unless you download and install the updates.

With a cloud app, the functionality and data is stored in part or fully online. Depending on the app’s nature, you may be able to do some things without an internet connection, but you need to be online to do most. The only parts of the cloud-based app that are housed on your device are the user interface and any functionality required to link that interface to the remote elements.

App development costs depend on a variety of factors, including:

• The complexity of the app. This is one of the main drivers of cost, because the more you want an app to do, the more design and development work goes into the process. That causes man hours to add up, which increases costs. Complex apps might also require experience or very specific skills to build, which can be more expensive.
• Your app dev team. Freelance contractors, for example, might come at a lower cost than a dev company with a full suite of expertise. It's important to understand what you're getting for your money, though, and whether cost savings today may turn into expenses down the road.
• Platforms and cross-platform needs. How you're going to deliver the app to users impacts overall development costs. Will you use app stores? If so, you may need to support Android and iOS functionality even though your app is cloud-based. In other cases, the delivery method for the app may be built-in to the service, as is the case with something like Microsoft's 365 cloud-based Office suite.
• Support services. Assistance with user testing, training and implementation as well as ongoing support for a cloud-based app are all options you might consider investing in. They can also change the price tag for the development and long-term use of the app.

On top of the app’s development, you also need to budget for long-term costs for hosting the app and relevant data securely. To understand the potential costs of building the cloud app you have in mind, reach out to Net Solutions today for an estimate.

Timelines for developing cloud-based apps also vary widely, often depending on some of the same factors that drive cost. Complexity of the app is obviously a factor — the more designers and developers have to create, the longer it will take them.

Average timelines for app dev can be four to six months for a complete product. However, if you're looking for a fairly simple cloud app and developers can leverage open source code and other efficiency resources, you might have a situation where timelines are talked about in weeks instead of months. The best way to understand how fast your app can be built is to reach out to Net Solutions. Share a bit about what you're trying to accomplish, and our team can provide you with options and potential timeline scenarios.

When considering cloud app development partners, you may want to look for:

• Experience. You want a partner that's experienced not just in app development but in dev for your niche and industry. A company that only works with startups may not have the experience to support your enterprise needs, for example, and dev teams that are well-versed in designing solutions for food and beverage companies might not have the compliance chops to pull off healthcare apps. When you're comparing cloud app dev firms, ask questions about the type of work they've done before and whether they have teams with experience in your niche.
• Technical skills and capabilities. Cloud app dev isn't the same as developing apps for iOS or Android. While some skills may carry over, cloud dev teams must be familiar with unique technologies and skills specific to the cloud space, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
• Desire to understand your business. If your dev team doesn't take time to understand business needs, you're rolling the dice on what they might deliver. When interviewing potential cloud-app development partners, ask them about their processes for determining business requirements and working with clients to strategically develop technology solutions.
• Transparency and partnership. App dev can be a large investment and undertaking, which is why it's important to have and understand a project plan and know how you're going to communicate through the process. Look for partners who are willing to be transparent with your internal teams, work on a milestone basis and provide ongoing reports about development progress.

Net Solutions has the experience, technical skills and knowledge to deliver on a wide variety of cloud-based app development projects. As one of the first cloud development firms to receive Standard Consulting Partner designation from Amazon Web Services, we're a leader in the cloud app development space. We bring that expertise and drive for excellence to every project, whether we're creating a simple, fast app for a startup or designing a complex solution for a healthcare enterprise. 

The app development process differs slightly for each product, but we follow best practices and have a proven approach that reduces time to market and helps ensure a high-quality product. The process typically includes:

• Strategy and design. We take time to understand your business needs and goals and create business requirements documents and statements of work alongside your subject matter experts. These define the work to be done to develop the app.
• Cloud app development. Our creative designers and skilled developers then go to work to put those strategic plans into action.
• Implementation and migration. Once the product is finished and tested by our teams, we start the process of handing it over to your teams. Implementation might include ensuring all the right people have access, assistance with training, and beta and user testing to troubleshoot any issues arising as the product is rolled out. Migration can include importing data into the new cloud solution and helping you ensure a seamless integration of the new functionality into your processes.
• Monitoring, management and support. Our optional full-scope services include ongoing management of your cloud solution. That means our teams take on some of the burden of ensuring cloud-based resources are working and ready for your staff. We can also respond to technical issues related to the cloud app — troubleshooting and resolving them as quickly as possible — so you can carry on providing service to your clients.
• Ongoing security services. Our teams can continue supporting your cloud app via custom security integrations, risk management and security audits, and other services.

For more information about what Net Solutions can do for you, contact us today.