Mobile Application Development:Process . Challenges . Best Practices

World Class Services For Enterprise Level Mobile Apps.

Mobile Application Development Services @ SCube

SCube is an offshore mobile application development services provider , using best practices and proven methodologies to deliver best in class mobile apps to clients' worldwide. Backed by strong team of mobile app developers, we offer high-performance mobile apps development services and enterprise mobile applications to help you compete globally.

With SCube’s strong team including mobile app developers, UI designers, business analyst, testers, we deploy flexible engagement model and seamless communication in phone, Skype , chat or email.

We strive to deliver best in class native, hybrid and cross platform mobile apps to global clients. We develop idea centric, consumer centric and enterprise mobile apps .

Page: 1

Mobile Application Development Process @ SCube

Page: 2

Mobile Application Development Process @ SCube

Research, analysis, KPIs and workshops

Strategy & Concept

The initial phase of any app development process is answering the question "what is the purpose of the app?" from a company and user perspective.

This includes both proposing features based on what is possible form a technical perspective and what the users will want and expect.

At this stage creating KPIs for the app is key. If the strategy and concept is already outlined, we use our extensive experience gained from completing plenty of mobile app projects to provide feedback on what will work and what will not, as well as the pitfalls that need to be addressed or considered.

User centric approach, flowcharts and prototypes UX & Design

The goal of the UX and design phase is to deliver an app that is intuitive, easy to use and stunningly beautiful. This phase starts with an interactive prototype of the full app to discuss the different UX choices and functionality.

When the flow of the app is clear we analyze the different design style within the app-category to determine how to stand out.

We then start the pixel-magic and create a stunning mobile design while still being true to the brands existing brand identity and guidelines. In the end we make sure that all screens are pixel perfect and that the interaction animations are awesome.

Page: 3

Mobile Application Development Process @ SCube

Agile sprint planning, iterations and code reviews App Development & Optimization

For all aspects of the development process we apply an iterative process allowing for a more flexible and efficient workflow.

We have a team of passionate in-house developers who are specialized in mobile development for all the different platforms.

We practice differentiated development in order to maximize the experience for devices with higher OS versions or higher capacity.

Most apps consist of a mobile part and a backend which we either build directly on top of our easy to use CMS or integrated onto already existing frameworks or APIs.

User acceptance testing, bug fixing and approval Quality assurance & Launch

With an ever growing number of devices with different screen-sizes, OS versions and other hardware it is important to test how the app will work in all these different environments.

We have an extensive range of mobile devices covering all the latest and most popular Android phones and older versions as well as the full range of all the Apple models.

We don't upload the app to Appstore and Google Play, until it have gone through heavy testing.

Refer to SCube’s Mobile Application Testing detailed process at site.

Page: 4

Mobile Application Development Process @ SCube

Monitoring and insights Evaluation & Analytics

Although some apps might have a limited life-time to support a campaign for a shorter duration, most apps we develop are expected to live on for a long time.

No matter how well planned the concept of the app is it might always surprise how the users actually use the app and what features they truly love inside it.

We help monitor this by implementing analytics to monitor and evaluate the usage of the app. As standard we implement Google Analytics but have extensive experience in implementing a wide range of third party tracking.

Page: 5

Addressing the Challenges of Enterprise Mobile Development

When developers sit down to map theirgoals for the application, they mustdetermine how they are going to addressthe aforementioned challenges. Thedecision is based on the usage scenariosthey’re trying to accommodate. Notsurprisingly, many of these challengesoverlap. That’s why developers must look ateach one in context.

Data AccessWhere is the enterprise data users needto access? Should it be accessed througha Web browser, or through a nativeapplication running on the device? In somecases, the data might exist solely in a backenddatabase. That requires connectivity,but the state of wireless coverage issuch that, beyond one’s own office (orsometimes a well-covered metropolitanarea), you can never assume a networkconnection. To address this, developershave to determine whether some data willbe stored in the device’s native file systemor accessed solely through a browser (inwhich instance the device will most likelystore no data).For instance, do you want a salespersonto be able to download updated inventorydata onto a mobile device and head outinto a territory with spotty connection

Page: 6

strength? That requires a synchronizationcapability to help ensure that once thesalesperson is back within range, they canupdate again.Most operating systems can accommodatethe disappearance of a network connection,as well as the handoff between a broadbandwireless connection, such as 3G or 4LTE, anda local Wi-Fi connection. But the applicationmust understand when a connection isdropped, so that it can roll back to its last knowndata.

SecurityEvery mobile device manufacturerunderstands the importance ofsecurity, and offers accommodationsfor it. For developers, however, thatmeans each operating system hasits own custom architecture.Sometimes different mobile platformsprovide varying degrees of support forsecuring data stored on the device. At thesame time, not every mobile applicationneeds the same level of security, andusers dislike multiple log-ins to accessdata on the device itself or back-end data.However, the responsibility for protectingdata falls squarely on the applicationdevelopers’ shoulders, so they mustincorporate encryption into the applicationdown to the file system level.

Encryption helps to ensure that datacannot be pilfered from the device, even ifit is lost. But at the same time, developersshould also consider other options forpreserving and protecting data. Theseinclude programming backup capabilitiesfor ensuring data is archived on a periodicbasis, as well as creating remote “kill” or“wipe” capabilities so that the disk can beerased if it goes online after it’s reportedlost by the authorized user.

User ExperienceThis is especially important in cross-platformscenarios where screen sizes may not onlydiffer but offer the option of portrait versuslandscape. How is the screen real estate bestused? What features should be available?Developers have to remember that userson the go are usually looking for specificinformation, and determine how to makethat information as easy to find as possible.They also have to differentiate betweeninternal and external users. A consumerapplication requires clarity and simplicity,and frequently offers a “gotta-have wow”factor. Applications for employees, in keepingwith the precepts of consumerization, shouldalso be clear and simple productivity tools.

Mobile Development Best Practices

No matter what the answer to the foregoing questions, some commonalities apply to development efforts. The best results come from applying the following best practices in the design and deployment of mobile applications. Some of these, of course, relate to any application development effort, but most take into account the vagaries of mobile development.

Methodology

Determining the design methodology is key to mobile application development, especially in a cross-platform environmentwhere multiple efforts may be underway simultaneously. Even if the development toolkits are different, developers shouldverify that they can use common testing tools, project management and reporting.

Development Skills

Developers should confirm that their team has the proper breadth and depth: breadth in the needs of application areabeing targeted, and depth on the particular platforms being used.

Design

Developers should take into accountthe most appropriate architecture formobile applications. The best method is todevelop a layered application, where thefunctionality remains consistent acrossplatforms (while still conforming to each

Page: 6

platform’s look-and-feel), with modular pieces plugged in underneath. Within those modular pieces, retain identical business rules and application logic. Creating re-usable platform components can help speed up application development.At the same time, though, especially with cross-platform development, developers must determine which features theywill need to add. For instance, in native development, the operating system can notify applications about such events asmessage arrival and power levels. In a cross-platform environment, developers will need to add such features.

API Management

Developers should institute a strict policy regarding use of components across platforms, which facilitates maintenanceand extensibility across applications on different platforms. For instance, even though the web services libraryon Android™ and Apple® iOS will be implemented differently, the functions and their underlying code are the same.

Security

By definition, mobile devices are vulnerable. They upload and download data wirelessly, in potentially insecure locations.They’re small and can be misplaced. Think carefully about security, not only incorporating the platform’s inherent security capabilities but also using other

Page: 7

Mobile Development Best Practicestools such as encryption for sensitive data. (Remember to balance this with power consumption). The ability to remotely wipedata from a lost device is also crucial. On the reverse side, data preservation precludes the creation of an easy or even automaticbackup mechanism so that users don’t have to think about backing up stored data.

Testing and User Experience

Application testing (especially with real users) is often overlooked in development schedules, but the fact that mobile users tend to need information on a time-sensitive basis means thatapplications should be more reliable than desktop applications. Applications should be tested not only for usability,but for power consumption to verify they’re not battery hogs. They should be tested with multiple browsers and on multiple carrier connections to confirm that they accommodate both online and offline usage.

A key part of testing is the user experience, which can help make an application more successful by maximizing acceptanceand usage. With a short amount of time to develop and limited screen real-estate within which they have to communicateusability, developers must devote time to researching the most effective text and graphics. For global developers, the challenge is enhanced by the need to create graphics that are globallyrecognizable as well as culturally sensitive

Page: 8

Application Analytics

Because mobile applications do not run on an always-connected environment where IT can monitor clicks and other usage, it’scrucial to incorporate analytics features that track how users interact with the application. This will not only help identifyongoing technical support issues, but also reveal whether users are interacting with the application in the fashion developersexpected. Analytics can also show which features aren’t used, so that they can either be removed or made easier toaccess. Developers should also incorporate capabilities such as crash logs to track what’s gone wrong on devices as they’rebeing used out in the real world.

Feedback Mechanism

The flip side of automated application analytics is a feedback mechanism for users. Don’t rely solely on automatedcapabilities, but develop a capability— whether through e-mail, social networking or other means (even through theapplication itself)—for users to report bugs and offer insight into what they like and dislike about the application. This will notonly help reduce technical support issues, but also provide insight for application updates. Consolidating this feedback willshow which features or capabilities the most users are demanding.

Conclusion

Turning Challengesinto Opportunities

Sustainable application development and delivery excellence requires the implementation of five steps:

1. Optimize development and testing efforts by accurately identifying which platforms to target, whether for internal or external deployment. This facilitates a better return on development and testing investment.

2. Employ consistent and reliable development practices across all leading platforms. This facilitates consistency in look-and-feel of applications, reusability of code components, and more-easilyprogrammed updates.

3. Collaborate extensively. The application development team should incorporate coding, testing, graphical design, anduser experience skills to help applications to fulfill users’ needs.

4. Tailor distribution mechanisms appropriately. This involves creating capabilities for both initial downloads through managed application stores, periodic updates, and integrated devicemanagement for security purposes.

5. Track emerging technologies and maturing standards. Withmobile technology still advancing, developers should look for waysto make applications perform even more efficiently, whether interms of speed or features.

Page: 9

Contact US

About SCube’s Mobility Services

SCube is focused on enabling its clients to achieve breakthrough growth throughout the rapidly changing mobile ecosystem.

SCube Mobility Services offers five mobility servicesincluding consulting, software services – applications, software services – devices and platforms, managed services, andbusiness integration services.

These are designed to help organizations embracebusiness to employee (B2E), business to consumer (B2C), business to business (B2B) and machine to machine (M2M)business opportunities.

SCube offers mobility servicesacross a wide range of industries and platforms, including Android™, Apple® iOS.

Page: 10

Mobility Services Contact

Ravin KapoorDirector , Mobility Services Ravink@scubesys.com +91-9810609264 www.scubesys.com

SCube Software Square Systems Pvt LtdE32 , Sector 8 Noida 201301UP , India