Category: Software Development

End-to-End Development: Benefits for Business Success in 2022

Posted on by oleshchenko

End-to-end development can provide a software product that will enable your business to grow considerably. An end-to-end solution opens multiple opportunities for improving workflows and increasing profitability. Understanding the advantages of this type of development will help you decide whether it’s a good investment for your business. We would like to help you make the best choice for your company.  In this post, our experts will explain both pros and cons of end-to-end software development.

What Is End-to-End Development?

When it comes to end-to-end custom software product development, a vendor has to provide you with

  • Establishing all the necessary software or hardware requirements
  • Solution installation services
  • Solution integration with third-party software (if needed)
  • Complete solution setup
  • Software maintenance

All in all, no other service providers should be involved in the end-to-end development process. For example, an end-to-end e-commerce solution aims to address business needs regarding order processing, stock and warehouse management, and accounts systems.

One of the most significant advantages of the end-to-end model for the customer is reduced business risk. When employing this type of development service, the same professionals will be responsible for the entire creation and maintenance process. Therefore, any issue can be dealt with immediately. In addition, you won’t have to spend extra resources to manage various software development and maintenance stages by several separate teams.

Why end-to-end development is a good investment for s business.

End-to-End Development Benefits for Your Business

Custom-tailored end-to-end solution (E2ES)

The main benefit is getting a solution that is ideally in tune with your business. Depending on your requirements for the product, it might provide you with an aerial view of all the workflows. Therefore, you’ll be able to monitor every aspect of the business in real time. Such help can be invaluable if your goal is to maximize profit and reduce waste and redundancy. Solutions created by an enterprise web development company can be highly complex and flexible to account for every tiny business detail.

Moreover, your total control of the business process through such solutions will enable faster and more efficient modernization. It will also help grow overall productivity and improve the performance of every unit within the enterprise.

Reduced costs and extra income

Calculating the cost of end-to-end software development is a complicated process that largely depends on the customer’s requirements. However, you can be sure that hiring an end-to-end solution developer will be cheaper than hiring several contractors to create and manage the software.

Moreover, some mistakes and issues will surely happen when different people work on one project. Therefore, it will mean losses for your business on several levels. Therefore, having a single team handle every step of the software product lifecycle is more cost-efficient overall.

In addition, consider the extra income you will gain from the productivity boost. No one can argue that top-quality custom software helps increase profits. So, the result of hiring a dedicated end-to-end development company is a reduction of your costs and the growth of your income.

Operational efficiency

Human error is an essential factor that every business must consider. Using top-grade custom software is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of human error today. However, you must remember that people who create and manage this software are liable to make mistakes. This chance increases if several unconnected teams work with the same product. Therefore, the foremost benefit of an end-to-end solution (E2ES) is reduced risk of human error.

Of course, people might make mistakes in these teams. However, if the solution is closely monitored by people who understand it fully, they can resolve any issues quickly and efficiently.

Using end-to-end development also often helps businesses boost their operational efficiency through automation. It can help you optimize workflows and improve overall resource management.

Security

End-to-end development is safer in every way. First of all, you only need to have an airtight NDA with one company. But even more important is that an end-to-end solution (E2ES) has fewer security risks.

It’s important to remember that every third-party software integration makes a solution more vulnerable to outside attacks. Also, in this case, you would rely on each of those other solutions being up-to-date with security.

In addition, it’s pretty common for different solutions to fail at integration after their separate updates. Therefore, your whole business might be at risk.

Meanwhile, an end-to-end enterprise web development company can create a highly secure software product. The developers will also update its security regularly as part of maintenance. So, you can be sure that your business is always protected from the latest cyber threats.

Why end-to-end solutions development can be the right choice for you.

Scalability

For the majority of businesses, growth is one of their foremost goals. And every business owner understands that workflow disruptions at a critical time can cause a loss of growth opportunities. Those chances might not come up again. Moreover, the business might lose a lot of money. For example, if a significant disruption happens during some big seasonal sale or a costly marketing campaign.

The ability to scale fast is one of the most significant benefits of end-to-end development. These solutions are literally designed to grow with your business. Therefore, the vendor can collaborate with the software developer to facilitate any changes in business workflows.

This way, you will not only ensure that your company runs smoothly at any time. But you will also maintain top-grade efficiency with new parameters. So, you’ll have a better chance to retain the loyalty of new customers.

Scaling up your business becomes easier and more affordable with an end-to-end solution. Moreover, you can benefit from the development company’s analytical data to help you choose the best moment and build an efficient strategy.

Transparency

Transparency is essential for any business. End-to-end development allows you to have more transparency in matters related to software. Working with a single team, you will have more effective communication. In addition, you will have access to everything that’s happening on the project.

It means more control over the development process. So you’ll be sure that you are making the best use of your resources. In addition, you will have guarantees that your data is well-protected. If you want to be sure of its safety, choose a development company that holds recognized security certificates.

Cons of end-to-end development for small businesses.

Is End-to-End Development for Everyone?

While the benefits of end-to-end solution development cannot be denied, there are some cases when it’s not the best option. The foremost concern is, of course, the cost. End-to-end development isn’t cheap. Therefore, it’s out of reach for the majority of businesses.

Remember that it’s a long-term investment. So, you’ll need to pour a lot of funds into it long before it pays off fully, let alone starts bringing a profit. Moreover, this project will require a constant flow of funds as developers will need to provide maintenance for the product.

Another thing to consider is that you’ll be stuck with the software development company you hire first. Of course, if some issues arise, it’s possible to change your contractors eventually. However, this will increase the cost and might cause multiple problems on the development side. Therefore, you must be 100% sure of the company you employ for end-to-end solution development.

Scalability can also be a concern. On the one hand, it should be easier for your development team to expand the product. They know all the ins and outs of the project and can work with it most efficiently.

Meanwhile, an end-to-end solution might not be very flexible by design. For example, adding some new advanced features might be impossible because they won’t sync with the original architecture. So, your growth opportunities might be limited down the line. Also, expanding the solutions might be too costly as you might need to rework all of it to accommodate additions.

All in all, you need to consider end-to-end software development with extreme care. Talk to the developers and discuss all pros and cons of this approach. A trustworthy custom software development company will advise you on the best choice for your business.

Bottom Line: End-to-End Development Services You Can Trust

There are many ways in which an end-to-end solution can benefit your business. However, it’s essential to understand that you would be able to enjoy these benefits only when the custom software development company you hire can deliver top-quality services.

When choosing a development team, you need to consider the following:

  • Expertise.
    Check the company’s case studies and discuss their expertise during a meeting. You need to ensure the developers have experience with the exact types of tasks you will set for them.
  • Reputation.
    Look up the company’s reviews online and ask for referrals whenever possible. However, you must also remember that restrictive NDAs cover many software development projects. Therefore, you might not be able to contact the company’s other clients directly.
  • Professionalism.
    You should be able to get a reasonable estimation of the developers’ professionalism at the early stages of negotiations. A reliable development team must be open with you from the start and ready to work with you to achieve the best business outcomes. In addition, evaluate the communication and time management skills of the people you interact with. Would you trust them with your investment?

If, after reading all this, you realize that end-to-end development is the way to go for your business, contact us! We’ll be happy to discuss your ideas and requirements in more detail during a free consultation.

What Is Smoke Testing in Software QA Testing?

Posted on by mkoftielieva

Smoke testing is a type of QA testing used to verify if the build is ready for actual testing. Software QA testing is a time-consuming and expensive task, so one has to be sure that it won’t turn into a waste of money if initiated too early. Smoke testing can help with that, as well as identify some nasty issues that must be fixed post haste. However, there are also times when this type of testing can be skipped altogether.

Keep reading to find out all you need to know about smoke testing from Devtorium’s experienced software QA consulting professionals. 

Software QA Testing Types: What Is Smoke Testing?

Smoke QA testing is used to determine whether a system or application is functioning correctly. It is typically the first step in a more comprehensive QA process and is used to quickly identify any major issues with the system before further testing can be conducted. Smoke testing can be beneficial for organizations in several ways.

It’s best to perform this type of software QA testing every time when adding a new feature or updating the app’s functionality. Simply put, whenever the existing build undergoes a change, smoke testing helps ensure that it goes smoothly. It focuses on evaluating the performance of critical functionalities. The next stage after this build assessment is functional QA testing.

Smoke testing in the process of software QA testing

Benefits of Performing Smoke Testing

  • Smoke testing can help save time and money by quickly identifying any major issues with the system. Therefore, it enables software owners to avoid spending resources on more comprehensive QA processes that may not be necessary.
  • This type of software QA testing allows for identifying problems at early stages. In addition, it’s easier and cheaper to fix them this way.
  • Smoke testing takes little time but can be crucial in detecting critical errors. Therefore, it’s a valuable tool for reducing business risks.
  • Adding another software QA testing stage will improve the overall system quality and minimize the risks of new integrations.

Smoke Software QA Testing Process Explained

The process of smoke testing goes like this. First, the development team uploads the new build to the QA environment. Then, the QA team starts their work. Usually, smoke testing is performed manually. However, there are some tools that can automate these processes. The team focuses on testing critical paths to ensure that nothing hampers the overall work of the app. When successful, the team moves on to functional testing.

See the smoke testing cycle in the picture below. Note that if experts detect any issues at this software A testing stage, the process stops until the build is fixed.

Smoke testing cycle.

When, Why, and Who Needs to Conduct Smoke Testing

Due to its numerous advantages and ease of execution, this type of software QA testing can benefit everyone. Smoke testing is cheap and can be performed by developers as well as QAs. Therefore, when applied wisely, it can help software owners save a lot of money.

It’s imperative to understand that this type of assessment is very basic. As it only investigates crucial functionalities, it won’t help you catch minor bugs. Therefore, it can’t replace more advanced software QA testing stages.

However, there is also no need to hire a software QA consulting service to perform smoke testing specifically. When outsourcing your QA, you should invest in services that allow you to get the highest quality of the final product. So, such a basic step as smoke testing should be carried out in-house.

Meanwhile, smoke testing is extensive enough to give you an idea of whether the build is usable overall. Therefore, performing it every time when making any change is imperative. Such an approach will also make it easier for you to monitor the build’s evolution and facilitate corrections.

Due to the simplicity of this step, some businesses and development teams choose to skip it, hoping that all issues are fixed at later software QA testing stages. At Devtorium, we reject this approach because it wastes resources for both the client and the QA team. Instead, we believe that thorough and structured quality assurance testing is vital, so we take the time to ensure the product’s functionality at every step.

How software QA testing is done with smoke testing.

Top 7 Programming Languages for Web Design and Development Services

Posted on by oleshchenko

Everything is turning online these days, so every business requires web design and development services at some point. People can’t imagine their lives without technology, and the Internet and programming languages are becoming the most important instruments for developing these systems. If you are new to this topic and don’t know how to select the best programming language for your future website or software, just keep reading. We’ll explain the top 7 programming languages you should know about before hiring a custom web development company.

Top programming languages for web design and development serrvices today

Choosing Web Design and Development Services: Top 7 Programming Languages

JavaScript

JavaScript is the most popular programming language for web developers worldwide, according to a StackOverflow survey. Its popularity is so high that one can say that JS is one of the core components of the modern Web. Note that this technology is so popular and versatile it’s used not only in front-end development. There are also Node.js for back-end development, as well as JS in Adobe Acrobat and Apache CouchDB.

Over 64% of developers today use JavaScript for programming. So, it’s highly likely that any custom web development company will offer this type of service.

The main reasons for the insane popularity of JS are:

  • Flexibility.
    The main benefit of JS is that it’s implemented by all browsers and is exceptionally versatile. It can be used both at the client and server side in front and back-end development.
  • Framework libraries.
    Extensive framework libraries of JavaScript further increase the flexibility of applications. The most popular among them are React.JS, jQuery, Angular, Express, Vue.js, and Svelte. Using these frameworks makes it possible to create highly complex apps, but their overhead will be reasonably low.
  • Quick communication.
    Another great advantage of JS comes from JavaScript package managers. They enable fast and efficient communication, which helps teams work more productively.
  • Node.js.
    Node.js deserves a separate mention in the JS benefits list because it allows developers to have back-end and front-end code in a single language. Therefore, mastery of JavaScript proves that a custom web development company is able to create an astounding application from the ground up

Your design must solve people’s problems. Therefore, you need to get to know the real people the product will serve.

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Python

Python is a programming language that is becoming very popular for eCommerce solution development. The rise of machine learning caused this boost in popularity. Therefore, if you are looking for a provider of web design and development services that will provide you with highly innovative solutions, consider the masters of Python.

This language is both simple and efficient. It’s incredibly flexible as well and has multiple framework libraries. Notably, Python makes it easy to scale apps. Therefore, it’s an excellent option for businesses that are developing fast and want to provide continuous top-level experience to their users.

Developers often appreciate this language for its relative ease. It has English-like syntax, and learning it is probably the fastest compared to other programming languages. It’s one of the reasons why this particular language is often applied in AI development. According to Deloitte analysis (2019), startups that offer AI-powered software increased ROI by $704 million over one year.

Note that Python also makes it easier to identify mistakes in the code. It’s executed line by line. And if a line has a mistake, the system sends out an alert about the issue instead of executing it.

Another significant benefit is that one doesn’t need to write different codes for use on different devices. With Python, only one code can run on any platform. However, remember that there might be platform-specific features that you won’t be able to use this way.

Java

With JavaScript being the most popular programming language for web design and development services, Java might seem obsolete. In fact, it’s common knowledge that experts expect not to see it at the top of programming languages every year.

But Java remains there, and its position is quite firm. Even companies like Google, Netflix, and Amazon are still actively using Java. And it’s highly possible that Java will remain one of the top choices for enterprise-level software development. The main reason for this is security.

It’s a fact that Java is one of the most secure options for software development. According to IBM, data breaches can cost businesses nearly $5 million on average. Of course, any enterprise wants to have the highest security level possible. So, Java is the method they choose to protect their precious data.

Also, Java is a language that doesn’t depend on the platform. Therefore, it’s easy to move Java apps from one platform to another using the Java Virtual Machine. Millions of available libraries further increase the flexibility of development. There are very few things that can’t be created using Java.

Another advantage is that Java is stable as clockwork. It might not be the top trendiest language. However, it’s religiously updated once every six months. Due to this, it’s often jokingly referred to as an ‘immortal language’.

C#

C#, or C-Sharp, is a programming language that enables a custom web development company to create nearly any kind of application you can imagine. It’s a great option for web design and development services if your goals are scalability and integration with other software. That’s an important detail, as applications in C# can easily integrate with other languages.

Microsoft developed this language. Therefore, it receives a lot of top-grade support that’s constantly updated. There is also a ton of literature on this language. So, it’s one of the easiest to learn for a developer. Extensive libraries also make it a lot easier to implement many features.

C# has an advantageous type of safety feature that helps identify and fix mistakes during the development process. When used with the .NET framework, C# allows developers to achieve incredible results. Also, its high level of security makes it a common choice for businesses and enterprises.

This language is one of the most popular for game development today. In particular, it’s the default programming language choice for VR and AR games.

PHP

The first thing you ought to understand about PHP is that it’s a server-side programming language. Therefore, it allows the developer and, by extension, your business to use sessions. Meaning it will process information the server stores about a user and send a response based on it in real time. It’s an important advantage for web design and development services if you want to achieve a high level of personalization.

Note that about 80% of all websites use PHP. So, any custom web development company worth its salt should have expertise in it. There are multiple tools and modules for PHP, which is an open-source language by default. Therefore, this language is highly versatile. It can be used to create static and dynamic websites.

One of the biggest advantages of PHP is that it allows for the speedy creation of web apps. Those apps are also very easy to maintain and upgrade with time. All in all, PHP is a cost-efficient option for those who need to launch their website or application fast. It’s often used in CMS, eCommerce, data analytics, and image processing apps.

Also, note that PHP apps are loading faster compared to others. Therefore, this might be the best option if you plan to launch a web application in a region with slower Internet connections.

TypeScript

First of all, you need to know that TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript. That’s an important thing to consider regarding web design and development services powered by TS. The popularity of TypeScript has been growing over the last few years. It’s not a surprise, as this language gets a lot of support from the giants Microsoft and Google.

The main thing about TypeScript is that it’s a better version of JavaScript with static typing. It allows the detection of a larger number of bugs. So, it makes any code work more efficiently by default. It’s also easier to transfer codes from other languages, like C# or PHP to TS, compared to JS.

Overall, TypeScript can help reduce bugs and is even easier and more intuitive to use for programming. However, there are some coexpression issues between TS and JS. Therefore, while the advantages of TypeScript are many, you should consult your custom web development company on whether this is the best option for your case. It’s important to take into account all pros and cons of this specific language.

But considering its consistently rising popularity. TS could likely become the more cost-efficient option for many businesses.

See how we did it in our case study

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Ruby

In terms of choosing a provider of web design and development services, business owners must understand that Ruby programming won’t be cheap. It’s because this programming language isn’t as common as JS, PHP, C#, etc. Therefore, the services of a high-class Ruby developer are expensive.

That said, those services can be a worthy investment for many companies. Ruby is definitely one of the most efficient programming languages there are right now. To give you some idea of how efficient it is, just think that GitHub and Airbnb use it.

At the moment, the Ruby on Rails ecosystem has over 3.5K contributors on GitHub. This programming language is one of the most flexible and secure options. Therefore, it’s a good option for enterprise-level companies that are looking for top quality.

In addition, Ruby also allows for rather fast development. So, enterprises get even more benefits as they can launch their project quickly without compromising quality or security.

Also, bear in mind that Ruby developers are highly paid. The framework itself is open-source. Therefore, it’s possible to find a cost-efficient solution when working with a reliable custom web development company. That’s why many startups also choose to use Ruby for their websites and apps.

Another important advantage is the scalability afforded by Ruby on Rails. It’s one more reason why it’s a good choice for innovative startups that have excellent ideas and expect fast growth.

most popular programming languages for web design and development services according to a StackOverflow survey

Bottom Line: Top Programming Languages for Web Design and Development Services in 2022

Choosing a programming language for your website or application is something a customer should discuss with your custom web development company. In fact, this is a decision that should be made only after you outline the idea and goals you have. Experienced developers would be able to offer the best options to achieve your specific goals.

Remember that there is no such thing as an ‘ultimate’ programming language for web design and development services. Each option available today, even those not listed here, has many pros and cons. The choice of language should be based on the scope, budget, and purpose of your project.

However, you can be sure of one thing, there is a perfect way to bring any idea to life through custom web development. So, if you want to see your project take form and help grow profits for your business, contact us.

Our highly experienced team of developers has expertise in multiple programming languages. We’ve successfully completed projects in the energy, security, sports, media, beauty, and insurance industries. Our developers have extensive knowledge of back-end and front-end development using different languages. Share your idea with us, and we’ll make it a reality!

How Artificial Intelligence Software Development Will Transform in 2023

Posted on by mkoftielieva

Artificial intelligence software development is the rockstar of 2023. In fact, we could say that it’s the fastest-growing tech in the 21st century. Things can’t be any other way because the world is rapidly spiraling into a crisis of unprecedented proportions. However, various applications of AI can slow, stop, and even reverse this descent. It’s only a matter of targeting AI-driven software development correctly.

We will see it growing in the directions listed below in the upcoming year.

Artificial Intelligence Software Development in 2023: General Outlook

Artificial intelligence software development future trends.

AI for sustainability

According to Gartner, sustainability is the leading trend for all technological development in 2023. Therefore, it’s no surprise that we will see many applications of AI in various sustainability projects.

In this case, the uses of AI are incredibly versatile. We will use AI processing power for calculating and predicting current environmental issues, sustainability rates, and potential project success. AI will also be widely applied in solutions that aim to reduce the carbon footprint of everything from smart homes to manufacturing enterprises.

AI-driven software development in predictive analytics

The artificial intelligence software development sector that creates predictive analytics platforms will keep growing and improving rapidly. It’s because the pandemic and the supply chain crisis it triggered made the global economy extremely volatile.

Therefore, many businesses must rely on predictive data analytics to survive. But, unfortunately, the level of volatility isn’t going to go down soon. So, better data analytics capabilities are a must-have to help businesses deal with disruptions.

Moreover, accurate AI-powered analytics solutions are necessary to monitor businesses in real time. It’s essential to understand how adequate your company’s response to the current situation is. Leaders can use this data for risk management and crisis prevention.

AI-driven software development has unparalleled data analytics capabilities. In addition, the demand from all industries will make this the hottest trend for AI software development companies.

Artificial intelligence software development for automation.

Artificial intelligence software development for automation

One of the most significant issues of the 21st century is the global shortage of workers in many industries. Everyone, from laborers at manufacturing plants to farmers to office workers, seems to be quitting their jobs. Moreover, finding replacements is extremely difficult and prohibitively expensive.

The solution to many labor shortage-related issues is AI automation of multiple tasks. The power of artificial intelligence can be applied everywhere, from HR recruiting research and candidate selection to robotizing manufacturing chains.

In 2023 we will see more AI-driven software development in the areas of automation that include:

  • Chatbots
  • Data processing and analysis
  • Menial jobs automation
  • Data entry and collection

It’s also important to note that automation is geared not only toward substituting for the workers who aren’t there. In addition, it’s an essential tool companies can use to improve the quality of work. Therefore, they can increase employee retention. Today’s qualified professionals don’t want to waste their work hours on mind-numbing repetitive tasks. Therefore, automation that frees your teams’ time for solving high-level problems can bring you a competitive advantage as an employer.

However, there is another side to this issue. The number of specialized workers is decreasing, but the unemployment rate is growing. This situation breeds resentment in certain groups that believe ‘machines are taking away jobs’.

Those same arguments existed during the start of the industrial revolution. As we can see, machines haven’t replaced people then. They simply moved humanity, as a whole, to a new level. It’s the same now. Humans are desperately needed in many industries. However, they need to be better educated and qualified to complete tasks that machines cannot.

Low-code/no-code artificial intelligence software development

There aren’t enough qualified software engineers in the world today. One of the solutions to this issue is the continuing rise of low-code/no-code AI platforms. Not only do they enable experienced professionals to save time. These platforms also allow non-professionals to become developers.

AI is unable to replace developers completely. Also, these platforms require multiple highly skilled and experienced devs to create and maintain. However, despite all this, these platforms can greatly help numerous companies. Right now, they are in high demand among small businesses and startups.

Low-code and no-code tools will continue getting more popular. Using this type of AI-driven software development for further business automation is a fantastic strategy for the coming year. Enterprise-level businesses, in particular, will leverage no-code development to its maximum. This way, they can boost efficiency and cut costs on development.

Artificial intelligence software development for content creation.

AI software development for content creation

According to research, about 30% of all outbound content from large companies and organizations will be AI-generated by 2025. Because the demand for content is enormous, human creators simply cannot keep up with the required speed.

Of course, there is a big part of creative content that AI can’t replace. However, machines can easily handle writing the majority of formal and marketing messages.

Note that this is relevant for all types of content, including videos, images, music, and text. You can check out one of the foremost successful projects that gained popularity in 2022, Midjourney. It’s an extraordinary visual content generator.

Another example is Marquètte, an AI content generator developed by Devtorium. It’s an AI content writer that can create many kinds of texts, from blog posts to essays. It produces original content that can greatly help marketers and copywriters save time.

Artificial intelligence software development for security

The importance of digital security is growing with every passing moment. AI has unparalleled capabilities in identifying and fixing weaknesses and abnormalities. Therefore, it’s no surprise that much of AI’s development trends will lie in the area of cybersecurity.

Solutions that help users take control of their data and protect it from invasion will be as in demand as solid firewalls. Also, solutions that run systems checks and analyses for any threats are already popular and quickly evolving.

AI-driven software development in healthcare

AI software has already transformed the healthcare industry. However, this trend will continue in 2023 and beyond. Enterprise-level systems require AI for better management, especially where complex database and finance management are concerned.

Also, there are AI-powered software solutions for individual healthcare consultations, vitals tracking, etc. All in all, due to its extreme complexity and need for connectivity, the healthcare industry is one of the most lucrative places for AI tech to grow. So, we will keep seeing more developments in this field.

Moreover, we will see a higher level of automation and robotics being applied in healthcare. Already there are successful projects on prosthetics and neurological implants. They can give hope and increase the quality of life for millions of people.

Innovation in artificial intelligence software development.

Computer vision AI development

Computer vision is one of the foremost AI-powered technologies we will see growing in 2023. It is quite widespread already, powering various solutions, from self-driving cars to the aforementioned healthcare apps.

We will see computer vision AI protocols becoming more sophisticated. Therefore, artificial intelligence software development that uses this technology will be capable of completing more tasks with a higher accuracy level.

In addition, this tech’s data analysis and response quality will improve, increasing its applications. This, like nothing else, has the potential to take artificial intelligence software development to the next level quite fast.

Bottom Line: The Time of Artificial Intelligence Software Development Has Come

We live in an era where custom software development can give any business a crucial advantage in a competitive market. The power of AI in this context is staggering. The level of automation it can provide, even at the most basic AI applications, can revolutionize entire industries.

These processes are happening already, and in 2023 the demand for AI-driven software development will only increase. We face multiple problems globally, from the supply chain crisis to the shortage of qualified labor. AI might not be able to solve these issues entirely yet. However, it certainly can help combat them and help businesses survive and prosper in these challenging conditions.

If you are interested in learning more about how AI-powered tech can help you or seek to create your own solution, contact us anytime!

What Is Conversational AI? History of Chatbots

Posted on by mkoftielieva

Conversational AI is so much a part of our lives now that we take it for granted. In fact, many people won’t even recognize that they are talking to an AI when interacting with customer support. That’s actually an issue that might cause your sales to drop. We’ll discuss the reasons for it and how to avoid this while getting all chatbot benefits.

It’s vital to remember that technology has undergone a fantastic transformation over the past few decades. Understanding the history of its evolution can help make more accurate predictions about the future of AI. It’s also essential information for those who plan their investments for the upcoming years. So whether you think of it as an investor or as a business owner, putting your money on conversational AI is sure to be a win.

First conversational AI chatbot examples.

History of Conversational AI: First Chatbot Examples

AI technology became a trend only a few years ago. However, the first chatbot was built in 1966. Named ELIZA, this was a rather primitive program compared to our current solutions. Funnily enough, the idea of ELIZA was to simulate a psychotherapist. Its behavior followed the extremely annoying trend of turning every user’s sentence into a question.

Obviously, ELIZA’s ability to communicate was minimal. We assume that the same goes for its proficiency in therapy. However, it was an important step for chatbot technology development.

The next big chatbot project was PARRY, ‘born’ in 1972. This time, conversational AI was simulating a patient suffering from schizophrenia. It performed admirably well as some psychiatrists couldn’t identify it as a machine while ‘talking’ to it. However, PARRY’s actual ‘talking’ ability was also minimal as well.

We can see a trend here. So, when you use a voice assistant or a chatbot support service today, remember that psychiatrists were the first to work with their creation.

From those first attempts, chatbots kept evolving until the rise of the semantic Web 4.0. This technology gave machines the power to understand context, skyrocketing chatbot evolution.

40% of all user interaction with a support service is purely emotional, so your chatbot must be capable of ’emotion’ as well

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Can Users Tell a Conversational AI from a Human?

Today, conversational AI chatbots are highly advanced and can emulate human interaction well because of sentiment analysis technology. It’s a recent development, and that’s why conversational AI has made several giant leaps in recent years.

To get some idea of how important this is, you should consider that about 40% of all user interaction with a support service is purely emotional. Chatbots based on repetition couldn’t provide valuable interaction in these situations. However, machine learning and NLP changed this. Now, a chatbot in customer service is capable of identifying and processing emotions and sentiments from the user’s request. Moreover, it’s capable of replying with a degree of simulated emotion. That’s what makes conversational AI appear human.

We must mention, however, that our ability to understand whether we communicate with a human or a machine is limited. For example, the PARRY mentioned above, which was a non-advanced system that didn’t even rely on self-studying AI, could fool certified experts. Five psychiatrists interviewed the chatbot in 1979 using teletype to hide the fact that it was a machine. They were supposed to determine whether it was an AI or a real person with a psychiatric disorder. Only one expert could clearly determine the difference between an AI and a real patient.

Imagine how much harder it would be now, when every AI-powered chatbot in customer service learns and improves with every interaction.

How conversational AI chatbots impact business.

Business Impact of Disclosed and Undisclosed Chatbots

The role of conversational AI chatbots has entirely changed with their integration into popular messaging systems. Many brands launched their chatbots to offer services through such platforms. So, today most people interact with some type of AI-powered support through:

  • Telegram
  • Viber
  • Whatsapp
  • Facebook Messenger

As you know already, conversational AI has been developing to mimic emotional human interaction. Therefore, it’s become hard for people to notice who exactly they are communicating with. Of course, some chatbot services explicitly state they are exactly that. So there is no confusion on the user’s part.

Meanwhile, there are undisclosed conversational AI chatbots. They can achieve fantastic results, especially in sales. Presumably, a chatbot can achieve the level of a specialized shopping assistant. Therefore, it can help retailers increase the number of conversions by providing more personalized top-quality service.

However, should the consumer find out they’ve been interacting with conversational AI during the process, they get upset. As a result, they buy fewer products and might even switch to a different brand.

Apparently, studies indicate that humans consider chatbots to be limited and more ‘primitive’. Therefore, when interacting with disclosed conversational AI chatbots, they use very simple language. Oftentimes, users will bring down the level of their vocabulary when interacting with a program due to their desire ‘to make the machine understand’.

However, humans don’t always do this because they think machines are too primitive to understand human language. The main driving force for this behavior is our understanding that machines are incapable of empathy. At least for the moment, it’s a complete truth. No matter how advanced conversational AI is, it will only mimic human emotion during the conversation.

Is conversational AI alive?

Is Conversational AI ‘Alive’?

Semantic Web 4.0-level technology can identify and interpret human emotion (to some degree) when processing data. Therefore, conversational AI chatbots are capable of interacting with humans more efficiently and appear more alive. So, it’s harder for users to understand if they are dealing with a human or chatbot in customer service. In fact, chatbot help turns out to be about four times more efficient.

However, humans are creatures prone to bias. Thus, as long as we are stuck believing that machines are incapable of understanding and projecting emotion, we will be uncomfortable with them doing it.

As you can see, issues discussed in science fiction novels decades ago have become our reality today. AI chatbots aren’t ‘alive’, but they learned how to mimic humans better. Combined with the outstanding processing power of artificial intelligence, we can expect this technology to become even more helpful and ‘human-like’ soon.

A chatbot is FOUR times more efficient in customer support.

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Conversational AI Chatbots Vs. Assistants

Advancements in conversational AI technology mean that its applications are growing. Similar to how computer vision tech goes into everything from self-driving car navigation to facial recognition software, conversational AI helps create different programs.

Of course, the most numerous are AI chatbots, which provide various support and educational services. However, today this technology has become a big part of the rapidly-developing AI-powered virtual assistants industry. Leaders among them are:

  • Siri (Apple)
  • Cortana (Microsoft)
  • Google Assistant
  • Alexa (Amazon)
  • Watson (IBM Cloud)

The difference between conversational AI chatbots and assistants is that while both are conversational interfaces, they fulfill different roles. A chatbot in customer service will answer questions and offer suggestions based on preset parameters. This type of software follows the same pattern when used in education as well. Basically, it’s a machine that provides information based on a prompt from the user.

Meanwhile, virtual AI-powered assistants help you with everyday tasks. Their features are versatile, for example, reminders, to-do list management, search assistance, note-taking, etc. In essence, this solution is your personal secretary. In addition, these assistants can be connected to smart devices and integrated into your IoT network. So, you might be able to manage most of your house through voice commands and your smartphone. That voice command feature is powered by a version of conversational AI.

Although they apply this technology differently, chatbots and virtual assistants run on the same principles of AI tech. Moreover, we can expect both these branches of conversational AI to keep growing at an astounding pace.

Who needs conversational AI today?

Bottom Line: Who Needs Conversational AI Products Today?

To put it simply, every business, both big and small, can benefit from implementing AI chatbots in some processes. They are good for automating routine tasks, like basic consultations and surveys. You can also use them to provide higher-quality customer support. It can be a huge advantage for small businesses, in particular.

Moreover, you can use bots powered by conversational AI for education and onboarding. Therefore, big companies can implement them to increase the productivity and efficiency of their overall operations.

There is no shortage of conversational AI chatbots applications, so you should definitely consider adding them to your business arsenal. Contact the Devtorium AI team to learn how this technology can benefit your business. We can build chatbots from scratch to ensure that the solution is custom-tailored to your needs and can grow and scale up alongside your company.

The Future of Healthcare Software Development

Posted on by mkoftielieva

The future of healthcare software development is bright, that’s for sure. Among all the horrors of the COVID pandemic, we’ve seen how the current healthcare system, even in highly developed countries, is far from perfect. In fact, it’s very far from being truly efficient. Moreover, we’ve seen that implementing technology in various healthcare processes can increase that efficiency. In the context of medicine, this means literally saving lives.

According to research published in the International Journal of Health Services, the most common problems highlighted by the pandemic crisis were:

  • Access barriers
  • Lack of control over prices and costs
  • Unsatisfactory quality of services
  • Widespread disparities and marginalization of public health

This research only covered the US. However, these issues are similar for all Western countries. Meanwhile, the situation in developing countries is much worse as people cannot access good healthcare services. It’s because such services do not exist at all or are too poorly developed. Furthermore, the level of digitalization in these parts of the world is also low. Therefore, few residents can make use of technologically-augmented medical services.

In light of this, custom medical software development is an industry that’s growing rapidly. With so many weaknesses exposed, businesses are competing to create solutions that will solve these problems. Meanwhile, other technological projects are also improving medical services in every area.

In this article, we’ll talk about the most remarkable ways of implementing tech in healthcare today.

Telemedicine in healthcare software development.

Leading Trends in Tech and Healthcare Software Development

Telemedicine and remote healthcare services

One of the leading areas of healthcare software development is now focused on telemedicine. The main task is to make medical services accessible to people living in remote and rural areas. Moreover, this type of healthcare became a must-have service under COVID restrictions. People can’t effectively access medical facilities during lockdowns, even if they live in the city. So, it’s imperative to provide everyone with access to healthcare professionals.

Of course, video conferencing solutions, like Zoom or Skype, make it possible for patients to communicate with their doctors remotely. However, a skilled healthcare software development company can take this further, making it possible to bring medical aid where there are no high-speed internet connections and multiple medical professionals available to consult online. In addition, implementing AI in healthcare software development allows for automating preliminary consultations. Therefore, more people can get the help they need.

Personal medical devices

Custom medical software development is also used to create various personal devices that help monitor and assess the patient’s physical condition. The majority of such tools available now are wearable trackers that can measure heart rate, oxygen saturation level, blood pressure, and temperature.

However, more devices are in the works. Currently, several companies are working to create tools that will measure all vitals and other important parameters for patients with chronic diseases. In the future, such monitoring devices will also be able to send a request for help to a medical professional. Also, data collected by them can be used for more efficient diagnostics.

Using AI for healthcare software development.

Healthcare software development based on AI

AI’s data processing, analysis, and automation powers are immense. Therefore, AI-based healthcare solutions can have many applications, for example:

  • Developing personalized treatment plans based on the analysis of multiple data sources.
  • Automation or repetitive, monotonous jobs, like filing and paperwork management, to free up the time of medical personnel.
  • Conducting more in-depth diagnostics using technologies like automated image analysis and classification.
  • Collecting, processing, and managing medical records. It would also be a great help to organize these records into a global network to ensure a traveling person can get the best medical help no matter where they are.
  • Using AI in healthcare software development allows for improving epidemic prevention and management. However, it’s essential to note that such practices as facial recognition, using smart devices to measure body temperature, etc., can be interpreted as widespread surveillance. Therefore, developers and governments need to work closely together to ensure that such measures remain effective without violating the human right to privacy.

Virtual and augmented reality technologies

Combining healthcare software development with VR and AR technologies can produce incredible results. These solutions help with the treatment of severe disorders like PTSD, anxiety, and pain therapy.

There are also some innovative treatments that use this tech in the process of rehabilitation. In particular, they aid in restoring motor skills and even in the treatment of memory loss.

Moreover, surgeons and hospital staff also use various VR solutions to improve their work. For example, ImmersiveTouch and Osso VR tech used for surgical training and education.

Using robotics in healthcare software development

Nanotech and robotics

Technologies that used to exist only on the pages of science fiction novels are reality now. These areas of tech are only starting to develop, but already we can see some incredible robotic prosthetics that change disabled people’s life.

The nanotech industry is slower to develop. However, it has a tremendous potential that researchers recognize. There are already some miniature tools for non-invasive diagnostics and a few basic biosensors.

Meanwhile, robotic healthcare solutions are not restricted to prosthetics only. Today some labs are developing different types of robots that can help disabled people and even become companions for them.

Both nanotech and robotic solutions require extremely careful and innovative healthcare software development. Integrating these tools with AI can truly revolutionize the world as we know it.

The future of healthcare software development is promising.

Healthcare Software Development: Industry Growth

You can be sure that the custom medical software development industry will keep developing rapidly. The pandemic crisis brought some extremely dark revelations regarding our capacity to face medical challenges. Therefore, this field will grow further and attract a stream of funding worldwide.

Healthcare software development offers versatile opportunities for investment. So, if you are interested in a project that’s sure to succeed, this is something to consider. Contact our team to discuss your ideas!

17 Best eCommerce Platforms for End-to-End eCommerce Solution Development

Posted on by oleshchenko

$5.4 trillion by 2026, that’s what the size of the eCommerce market will reach, according to predictions from Morgan Stanley. That number proves that you are clearly missing out if you aren’t looking for an end-to-end eCommerce solution development already. In fact, experts from the World Economic Forum state that the COVID-19 pandemic sped up the global switch to eCommerce by five years. So, if you want to have a whisper of a chance in sales, you must launch an online store of some kind today.

The good news is that eCommerce platforms are also evolving fast to meet the growing demand. But because of this, there are so many of them that it’s hard to choose which is best.

Fear not, as we are here to help you with a detailed guide listing the pros and cons of every top platform in the industry.

Top 17 Platforms for End-to-End eCommerce Solution Development

What is the best platform for end-to-end eCommerce solution development?

Adobe Commerce (used to be Magento)

If you are looking to create an end-to-end eCommerce solution for a large enterprise, there is no better option than Adobe Commerce. Most people will know it better by its previous name, Magento Commerce. The main benefit of this platform is that it offers you complete control of your website. It means that your eCommerce web application development company has total freedom to create a 100% unique product. You’ll get to distinguish your web presence but keep full server autonomy.

However, it’s worth noting that after becoming Adobe, the platform has changed its direction to focus on business customers. You’ll need to contact the platform to get a quote, and some reviews state it’s prohibitively expensive. However, no one can deny its robust sales, customer service, and analytics features.

Pros:

  • Suited for high-volume eCommerce businesses
  • Intuitive design
  • Doesn’t require a developer for updates
  • Free open-source software
  • Huge SEO capabilities
  • Highest level of customization available today
  • 1,000+ extensions and themes

Cons:

  • Expensive for fully-hosted websites ($1,500+)
  • Open-source software doesn’t have support

Open-source Adobe software is free, but Adobe Commerce Pro packages are not. The cost of this service package will vary depending on the Annual Gross Merchandise value. Visit the Adobe Commerce Pricing page for more information.

Shopify

Shopify is a highly flexible platform that can be integrated with Oberlo. Therefore, if you want to create an end-to-end eCommerce solution for dropshipping, this would be the best option. Shopify is easy to use, especially for adding items to your shop quickly. In addition, the platform has some outstanding features, such as social media sync and Live Chat.

Shopify offers flexible payment plans for businesses of different sizes.

Pros:

  • Easy to use drag-and-drop interface
  • 3,200+ apps for customizing your shop
  • 100+ payment gateways support
  • Dropshipping tools integration
  • High-speed website loading

Cons:

  • Foreign currencies are only accepted through third-party apps
  • Non-Shopify payments are subject to additional fees
  • The selection of free themes and extensions is limited

Shopify offers three monthly subscription plans that cost $24, $69, or $299. You can save up to 25% with annual plans. Check out the Shopify website for more details.

BigCommerce

The main advantage of the BigCommerce platform is that it can fit both small and big businesses. In fact, this platform is an excellent choice for scalability. Your eCommerce end-to-end solution development team will appreciate this choice for its flexibility. Moreover, they will be able to make your store both functional and beautiful. Also, the pricing model is flexible and affordable overall.

Pros:

  • All plans offer unlimited bandwidth, storage, and product listings
  • Allows you to add a blog
  • 65+ payment gateways
  • Accepts international payments
  • Multi-channel sales support
  • Bulk uploads of products
  • Support of multiple languages
  • Many valuable features (reviews, shipping times, etc.)

Cons:

  • Takes a while to master by non-developers
  • High-volume sales can be expensive
  • A limited number of free themes

BigCommerce allows you a free trial and a flexible pricing model. You’ll need to reach out to BigCommerce for details.

Top end-to-end eCommerce solution development platforms.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is one of the best platforms for your end-to-end eCommerce solution development due to its flexibility. It’s effortless to use and customize for your needs. WooCommerce is based on WordPress and would be the best choice for those used to working with this platform. Also, it has excellent SEO capabilities.

WooCommerce is free. So it’s perfect for small businesses that are just starting their eCommerce journey.

Pros:

  • Free platform
  • Allows high level of customization
  • Open-source software
  • Easy integration with multiple solutions

Cons:

  • Not all updates synch well with WordPress
  • A challenging platform for those who don’t know WordPress
  • The platform is free but hosting, development and maintenance costs add up

WooCommerce is free. But you can get extensions that offer proper functionality in bundles or separately. See the best offers on the WooCommerce website.

Squarespace

Squarespace is a super-scalable platform. It’s one of the best choices for a startup’s end-to-end eCommerce solution because of its capacity for customization and growth. It also offers a wide range of promotional tools to make money quickly. The website design functionality is straightforward to use, and the designs are beautiful. In addition, Squarespace provides extra SEO guidance to every customer.

Pros:

  • A drag-and-drop website builder that’s easy to use
  • Great selection of designs 
  • Email marketing features
  • Impressive website analytics functionality (conversion and sales tracking)

Cons:

  • Not many integrations are available now
  • Extra fees for payment processing
  • No phone support available

With Squarespace, you get a free trial. Then, you can choose from four plans that cost $16, $23, $27, and $49 a month. You can cut the cost by buying an annual plan. See more at Squarespace.com.

How to choose the best end-to-end eCommerce solution development platform?

Wix

Wix is the best eCommerce platform for those who need to start selling as soon as possible. It’s very easy to use and lets you get an online shop up and running within minutes. You don’t even need to hire an end-to-end eCommerce solution developer to get started. The drag-and-drop website builder is intuitive and enables you to create some beautiful designs. Also, despite its simplicity, the Wix platform has multi-channel sales capabilities.

Pros:

  • Excellent choice for small businesses that need a shop fast
  • Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) tool for creating beautiful website designs
  • Multi-channel sales support
  • Integration with all major payment providers

Cons:

  • Small storage for the Basic plan
  • Plans above Basic aren’t cheap
  • Limited add-ons and scalability

Wix is an affordable platform with many plans, starting at $4.5 a month. Business and eCommerce plans cost $17, $25, or $35 a month. You can learn more at the Wix website.

Shift4Shop (3dcart)

Shift4Shop is an end-to-end eCommerce solution formerly known as 3dcart. It’s a good option for those interested in a fast setup and mobile-first design. The platform also has robust SEO features, making marketing your shop easier. In addition, Shift4Shop has a straightforward interface. Therefore, it can be a good option as a small business end-to-end eCommerce solution. Also, the platform is intuitive and offers multiple features that can customize and optimize your store fast.

Pros:

  • Provides real-time shipping data
  • Supports 200+ payment methods
  • Offers various SEO tools
  • Multiple reporting options are available

Cons:

  • Few free themes
  • Limited customization features (compared to other top platforms)
  • No customer support by phone for some plans

Shift4Shop has a very peculiar payment model. At the moment, US customers can enjoy the platform’s services and set up a store for free as long as they use the Shift4Shop payment processing service. However, customers from other countries can sign up for plans that cost $29, $79, and $299 per month. See more details at Shift4Shop.

End-to-end eCommerce solution for small business.

Weebly

If your retail business’s primary focus is your brick-and-mortar store, Weebly is your platform. The end-to-end eCommerce solution development team you hire will be able to create a fantastic website using it. But, most importantly, you can use it to add the ‘buy online’ functionality to your brick-and-mortar business fast and without spending too much money. The platform’s drag-and-drop builder is easy to use and leaves much room for creativity. Moreover, there’s a free Weebly plan for small businesses that want to get results from online sales immediately.

Pros:

  • Simple and intuitive user interface
  • A free plan is available
  • Extra-fast and easy store setup
  • Can be integrated with 300+ eCommerce apps

Cons:

  • Cannot be integrated with Amazon
  • Supports only a few payment systems
  • Phone support isn’t available for some plans

Weebly has a rather nice but limited free plan. If you are looking for more storage, bandwidth, and functionality, you’ll have to pay for one of the paid plans ($5, $126, or $25 a month). You can save up by buying an annual plan. See Weebly to learn more.

Smoolis

Smoolis isn’t a specialized end-to-end eCommerce solution but a website builder. However, it’s rather versatile and easy to use. Also, it allows you to set up a multilingual website easily. Therefore, small businesses that want to start selling internationally can benefit from choosing this solution., Meanwhile, even though it’s not a dedicated eCommerce platform, Smoolis enables you to accept international payments.

Pros:

  • Built-in currency converter
  • Can accept international payments directly
  • Supports 58 languages
  • Easy  multilingual website setup

Cons:

  • A limited number of products for upload
  • A limited number of available web pages
  • Few integrations and add-ons compared to other platforms

Smoolis offers a free trial as a chance to create a free landing page. Then, you can upgrade it by paying for an eCommerce plan (6CHF per month). Note that this plan only offers 50 products, and you’ll need to pay an extra 2CHF for every other 50 products you want to add. Check out the Smoolis website to learn more.

Which end-to-end eCommerce solution development platform is best for enterprises?

Square Online

Square Online is a great platform choice for your end-to-end eCommerce solution if your budget is tight. It’s a platform that allows you to use up to 500MB of storage for free and has no limit on sales. Beyond that, you’ll have to use paid plans. But they are affordable as well. Also, the platform is intuitive and can have you launch a shop within a day. However, note that only more expensive plans support some payment methods, like PayPal.

Pros:

  • A Free plan is available for budget-sensitive small businesses
  • No limit on products or monthly sales
  • Built-in multichannel selling capabilities

Cons:

  • The free plan only offers limited storage
  • No international selling capabilities
  • The platform is not a good fit for scalability

Square online has a highly flexible pricing structure. So you can get a package that costs a few dollars a month or a comprehensive solution worth $60 and more. Take a look at a more detailed cost breakdown on the Square website and contact the company for a custom-tailored offer.

Ecwid

Ecwid is a great platform to use if you want to launch a small online shop right now. It’s a very easy-to-manage end-to-end eCommerce solution. Most importantly, you can launch a free store very fast. The Free account is with you for life. Ecwid can integrate with Amazon, social media, and websites. So you can sync your store across all platforms to grow your business in the best way. You can also use it for in-person live shops. The Free account functionality is minimal, but you can buy Venture, Business, or Unlimited packages for $14.08/29.08/82.50 a month, respectively.

Pros:

  • Add a store to your website in moments
  • Easy to sync with popular online marketplaces and social networks
  • Instant shop set up is free
  • Lifetime use of the Free plan
  • Very easy to use and manage
  • Supports integration of 75+ payment gateways

Cons:

  • Cheaper plans are limited
  • Limited support for Free and Venture plans (no phone)
  • Not too many integrations in the Ecwid app store

Ecwid is an eCommerce platform that makes launching a store very easy. However, if you want to set up a big professional business, you’ll need to invest in more expensive plans. In addition, if you already have a business and want to use Exwid to expand online, ensure that it supports all product integrations you need.

Top end-to-end eCommerce solution for big businesses.

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Comprehensive service is the name of the game when it comes to Salesforce Commerce Cloud. There are separate platforms for B2B and B2C businesses. This is a proper end-to-end eCommerce solution that allows you to integrate all your sales channels into the cloud. Moreover, this includes your brick-and-mortar shops as well. The pricing ranges from $25 to over $1000 a month. Additionally, there are multiple subscriptions and service packages. Therefore, you should study the offer to pick what you truly need.

Pros:

  • Comprehensive all-in-one support for running the shop daily
  • Flexible for businesses of different sizes
  • Can include a comprehensive customer service solution
  • Includes a wide range of tools and integrations for building a well-rounded eCommerce business

Cons:

  • Not cheap, especially for larger service packages
  • Peed and quality of support leave a lot to be desired

Salesforce Commerce Cloud is definitely a business-grade adaptable solution that can help you build an excellent eCommerce shop. This is the platform you should use to enhance an existing business or to launch a big store with a suitable budget. In addition, the platform supports Stripe and popular digital wallet payments.

Oracle CX Commerce

Oracle Cloud is another comprehensive cloud-based end-to-end eCommerce solution for B2B and B2C businesses. It’s integrated with a CRM, and businesses can connect it to their financial and other operational software. The result is the creation of personalized shopping experiences and effective store management. You’ll need to get a quote and use Oracle Cloud Infrastructure to build a shop on this platform.

Pros:

  • Comprehensive services and integrations
  • Allows to unify all admin tools in one interface for easy management
  • Highly customizable to meet unique business needs
  • Multiple add-ons and integrations available

Cons:

  • You must use Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
  • Pricing based on individual quotes

Oracle CX Commerce integrates with PayPal Express Checkout, Chase Paymentech, and CyberSource. It also features a generic payment webhook that you can use for integrating other payment cards and gift cards.

What is the best eCommerce platform?

Volusion

Volusion has been around since 1999, which makes it one of the oldest eCommerce platforms. However, it’s much smaller than other ‘aged’ giants, like Shopify and BigCommerce. Its functionality is good but not as extensive. Nonetheless, it’s an all-in-one eCommerce platform development solution that can be a good choice for smaller businesses. The pricing ranges from $35 to $299 a month.

Pros:

  • Good choice as an all-in-one platform for a big and mid-sized store
  • Offers many integrations and Zapier integration to extend the list

Cons:

  • Much harder to use than the majority of modern eCommerce platforms
  • Not mobile-first (but has responsive templates)

Volusion is an end-to-end eCommerce solution that has been around for a while, which proves its value in itself. It may not be the biggest or easy-to-master platform. However, it offers all the features and integrations an online shop needs, including multiple payment gateway integrations.

Vendasta

Vendasta goes far beyond an end-to-end eCommerce solution. It’s a platform that allows you to sell, market, bill, and even fulfill orders. It’s a fantastic choice if you want to start selling digital solutions from scratch. The platform has all the products you might need, and it’s highly customizable. However, that kind of comprehensive service comes with a hefty price tag. Vendasta subscription costs $199/579/1159 a month.

Pros:

  • Highly customizable for businesses of any sizes
  • All-in-one platform
  • Can improve workflow fluidity and productivity
  • Features an AI-driven marketing automation tool

Cons:

  • Limited integrations
  • Designed for selling digital products

Vendasta is a platform for digital product sellers to build a successful business and grow it at a scale. It features all the necessary tools to manage the business and its growth fully. In addition, it supports multiple payment methods.

Best end-to-end eCommerce solution development platform for lifestyle and fashion brands.

Centra

Centra is an eCommerce platform created for fashion and lifestyle brands specifically. It offers no open pricing, so you’ll need to contact the platform directly to learn the costs and get a demo. The commerce platform uses a headless model, which should make it easy to manage for globally distributed businesses.

Pros:

  • Has multiple features that specifically target lifestyle and fashion businesses
  • Offers scalability to such businesses

Cons:

  • Limited to a specific industry
  • Has a limited number of third-party integrations

If you are running a lifestyle or fashion brand and want to use an end-to-end eCommerce solution that will meet your unique needs, Centra is for you. Otherwise, there are many other more universal and flexible platforms out there.

CommentSold

CommentSold is another highly specific but valuable platform for its niche. This solution is made specifically for selling through social media comments. Don’t mix that up with ‘selling comments’, which is a very bad and punishable black-hat practice! This platform allows you to sell through comments on Facebook and Instagram quickly, set up your shop fast, and even automate answering and invoicing. In essence, it’s a one-stop tool that can help automate your hustle. However, it’s not cheap. Moreover, you’ll pay a monthly subscription fee and a percentage of your sales. There are three pricing plans, $49 and 5% and $149 and 3% monthly. Contact the team for pricing on the enterprise-level plan.

Pros:

  • Automates selling through social media comments
  • Features automated answers
  • Offers invoicing integration

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Highly specific, for one niche use only
  • Requires paying a percentage of your sales

There is no doubt that CommentSold is extremely useful for people who want to minimize the actual labor cost of selling through social media. But you need to be prepared to pay the price for it. This might not be a sustainable platform for very small businesses and private entrepreneurs.

What to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform?

Bottom Line: What’s the Best Platform for Your End-to-End eCommerce Solution Development?

As you can see, each of the top eCommerce platforms can be a good choice, depending on your business needs. That’s why you need to consider the following things when making your decision:

  • Budget.
    Decide if you can afford to hire a developer team or if you need to start with a limited free platform. You can expand as your business grows.
  • Scalability.
    Remember that while moving a store to a different platform is possible, it can also be complicated and stressful. Therefore, it will be best to choose a scalable platform from the start.
  • Features.
    Think about your business plans and make a list of features that are most important for your store. Then, look for a platform that offers them at a reasonable cost.
  • Marketing.
    If you are launching your first online store, it’s imperative to market it actively and even aggressively. So, it will be better to choose a platform that has robust SEO and other marketing features.

Did this help to relieve some of your confusion over the matter of which eCommerce platform is the best for your business? If you have any questions or need expert help making the decision, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced team of end-to-end eCommerce solution developers. We’ll gladly assist you in designing a store that’s guaranteed to succeed.

Why Invest in Fintech Software Development

Posted on by mkoftielieva

Investing in fintech software development may be your shortest way to becoming a millionaire, as this market is growing by roughly 20% a year.

Are you wondering whether the global economic crisis will affect this growth? Or what type of fintech products is the best to invest in?

Today we are answering these and other questions regarding custom fintech solutions.

Fintech Software Development Benefits: Based on Industry Overview

According to data from Adroit Research, the size of the global fintech market has already exceeded $110 billion. It’s expected to be almost $700 billion by 2030 at the rate it’s growing. For business-minded people, that’s all the motivation needed to get into that market as soon as possible.

Of course, not all predictions turn out to be true. Moreover, some skeptics might notice (rightly so!) that the global economy is falling into a recession and that financial markets are volatile. In light of this, such a growth prediction seems too good to be true, right?

You are right. All these factors will definitely affect fintech, as well as every other market. However, some undeniable facts explain why fintech is necessary and will keep growing in demand. Therefore, even if the industry might not extend to $700 billion in a decade, it has an excellent chance of making it to $600 billion. Here’s why:

  • Fintech solutions help businesses reduce costs.
    It’s no secret that cost reduction is a priority for businesses in the current economic circumstances. Some types of fintech software can help manage funds more efficiently and cut costs in different areas of the company’s work. In fact, this specific direction of fintech software development is the most promising for investors.
  • Fintech software can improve risk management.
    Another way to save and safeguard funds for businesses and investors is through specialized fintech products that rely on data and predictive analytics. These custom fintech solutions can advise on the best decisions in volatile currency, crypto, and stock markets.
  • Fintech can facilitate and speed up many business processes.
    Fintech applications development for in-house use can produce solutions that will improve operational efficiency and promote automation.

Types of fintech software development you can invest in.

Fintech Software Development: Types and Ideas

To better understand whether fintech software development is worth investing your money in, you should know what exactly you can create. Below is a list of popular technologies that exist right now. However, if you have an original idea, it might turn into a goldmine.

  • Digital banking.
    Regular banks are trustworthy, but most of their transactions take too long. Digital banking uses various fintech approaches to solve this problem and make transactions secure, instantaneous, and affordable. Note that this type of fintech applications development includes not only digital banks but different variations of payment processing systems.
  • Cryptocurrency.
    Crypto is all the rage now, so custom fintech solutions that make use of this payment technology are getting more popular.
  • Accounting solutions.
    Small businesses and private entrepreneurs are the primary consumers of accounting apps. However, some high-level solutions can be attractive for enterprises as well. This type of fintech covers billing, payroll, invoicing, and other accounting software. In some ways, ERP solutions can also fall into this category, but their functionality is wider.
  • InsureTech.
    Fintech solutions that deal with insurance policies, pensions, and other similar payments are used to process applications and data. This software can make such services more personalized, fair, and reliable. Service providers can also use it for more effective data and document management. For example, insuretech can match doctors with patients, etc.
  • Lending and debt management apps.
    This type of fintech can help find the best loans. However, another idea for such fintech software development is to help people become more financially savvy and manage their personal or business debt.

If you are looking for more inspiration about apps you can invest in, check out our post about AI-powered app ideas.

In Conclusion: Who Should Invest in Fintech Software Development

Even with an untrained eye, it’s easy to see that fintech software development has a lot of investment potential right now. These solutions are versatile, and the demand for high-quality multifunctional cross-platform products is growing.

The niche is filling up with solutions fast, but there is still room for higher-quality specialized products. So if this is the kind of software you want to invest in, set up a free consultation with our developers and let’s talk!

25 Innovative Ideas for AI Mobile App Development for Startups

Posted on by mkoftielieva

Do you think that AI mobile app development is a thing of the future? Well, you are wrong because this ‘future’ has been around for a while. In fact, those who strive to get ahead of the curve have launched dozens of AI-powered mobile apps already.

Admittedly, some of them are pretty bad and have minimal functionality. But they are raking up hefty sums for their owners regardless of any shortcomings. Moreover, the niche is filling up with competition rapidly.

So, what does it mean for you?

It means that if you want to make it in any market today, employing custom mobile app development services is a must. Therefore, a stellar application idea is your key to success.

Check out our list of the hottest ideas we built with the help of our AI-powered research tool Marquètte.

AI Mobile App Development & Other Great App Ideas for You

Mobile application development solutions available today allow one to create some truly incredible things. However, if you want to start a successful business with your app, you need to consider many things.

The mobile app development industry is highly lucrative, in general. Moreover, it’s growing even more so as the level of smartphone penetration increases. Already, nearly 6.6 billion people on the planet have smartphones. Within the next few years, it’s expected that everyone will have one. In addition, custom mobile app development services are evolving rapidly. Therefore, the number and functionality of apps that can fulfill a wide range of needs are also growing. However, this niche is still nascent, which means you can achieve great results if you launch a fantastic solution.

That said, before you can dive into end-to-end application development, you need to come up with a great app idea.

In order to do that, you’ll need to research the market and learn what’s already there. Then, if your idea is unique, your next step is understanding your target audience. Finally, you need to answer the question of whether people actually need the thing you want to offer.

In case there are apps similar to your idea available already, do not despair! You can still rock in this particular niche.

The first thing you have to do is to study those solutions. Focus on customer reviews and see what users complain about. Then, make a list of pros and cons for each of your potential competitors’ products. Finally, expand your idea to create a blueprint of an app that will stand out and have none of the issues others have.

But if you are struggling to come up with original ideas, look below. We’ve prepared a list of apps sure to be in high demand.

AI Mobile App Development for Fitness & Health

fitness apps work-from-home, carpool, using AI mobile app development for mental health treatment

  •  AI-Based fitness app for WFH

The experience of major lockdowns was enough for about 97% of workers to state that they don’t want to return to the office full-time. So, WFH (work from home) is becoming the norm in our world. However, there are quite a few issues associated with it. One of those is that people might not get enough exercise. Helping them remain healthy while working from home is a fantastic way to apply mobile app development solutions. You have a lot of room for creativity here. For example, you can combine a calorie calculator with a fitness app that offers workout guidelines and a built-in personal assistant to provide healthy lifestyle tips.

  • AI personal trainer app

Another idea is to make an advanced AI-based app that will act as a personal trainer. It will have to develop workouts based on the user’s constitution, lifestyle, etc. This app can use the data collected by smart devices, like fitness bracelets. In addition, it can use a video feed to assess your form and advise how to correct your pose and exert force. More importantly, it can provide feedback by analyzing your performance. It can be beneficial for regular users and as software for professional athletes.

AI mobile app development AR healthcare apps, vet help apps, live commerce

  • AR and VR-powered mental healthcare apps

AR and VR tech can be used not only for entertainment purposes. The capabilities of this technology are immense, especially when combined with AI and leading medical experts. Already there are VR solutions that help people suffering from severe PTSD and other mental health issues. AR technology also can be used for mental treatments and overall health monitoring. All in all, if you want your app to truly make the world a better place, combine your efforts with medical researchers. You might create a product that will literally save lives.

  • Telemedicine apps for vets

Speaking of life-saving apps, telemedicine is hardly new. Multiple solutions of this type already make healthcare services more accessible in many countries. However, veterinary medicine is lagging behind. And you might be the one to change that. Think about how you can use AI mobile app development services to help vets reach patients in remote rural areas. Even launching a chatbot that offers basic veterinary advice can make a massive difference for people and animals.

  •  AI-based emotion-tracking apps

If you want to create something that will help people, consider using AI mobile app development services to make an emotion-tracking solution. You can use current fitness trackers as a base for your product. But think about how you can use AI tech and possibly create more advanced sensors to track emotions. This solution can be invaluable for mental health monitoring and therapy apps. It can also be a great help to people who struggle with a variety of psychological and physical disorders. Study research and current technology in the healthcare industry and talk to doctors and scientists who work with tech innovations. You might be able to create incredible things together. Most importantly, these apps have the potential to save lives and improve the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses.

AI mobile app development idea face animation apps

AI Mobile App Development for Fun

  • AI-based geo-tracking app

One way to implement the power of an AI mobile app development team is to create an AI-powered geo-tracking app for travelers. Basically, this app will be the user’s virtual guide. First, it will use geo-tracking technology and AI-powered data analytics to find businesses and exciting sights in the area based on the user’s request. Then, it will essentially generate a route and itinerary for the trip.

  • AI face animator apps

Face animator apps can be a source of endless fun. These solutions enable users to avatarify any image. And when combined with good custom mobile app development services, such a product can become very entertaining. You can help people animate pictures of their friends or celebrities and create unique memes, clips, etc. But be sure to consult a top-notch legal expert to protect you from any issues and lawsuits.

  • AR games

If your main goal for dabbling into custom mobile app development services is to get some profit fast, AR games might be the best choice. This niche exploded with Pokemon Go’s launch, which became a sensation overnight. Years down the road, this game is still extremely popular and growing. It inspired dozens of similar products, but none have managed to topple the Pokemon champion. So now might be your chance!

voice-only chat app, fitness apps, eLearning, AI mobile app development for online learning

  • 3D avatars for social apps

Speaking of animated avatars, if making AI-driven moving pictures of real people isn’t your thing, consider applying this idea to 3D models. Making 3D animated avatars for social media and messaging apps is an interesting choice. It’s also an excellent opportunity for AI mobile app development. You can make these avatars to really show emotion, which is a fantastic feature for messaging. In addition, consider creating your own messaging app with this type of avatar embedded by default. But be sure to make them customizable to some extent to make them more fun for users. Personalization rules the day now!

  •  Live video streaming apps

Live streaming video is more popular than ever. But live-streaming platforms, even the giant Twitch, are having problems with both streamers and audiences. Therefore, even though there are dozens of video streaming solutions available, this niche is hot. So, combining your creativity and custom mobile app development services might help you create the next big hit. However, you’ll need to focus on market research first. This way, you can identify weaknesses in the existing solutions. Only then you’ll be able to create an app with the potential to become a huge success.

  •  Voice-only messenger apps

People often choose to use voice-operated devices, whether it’s out of a desire for convenience or disability. Now, imagine what a hit a 100% voice-based messenger app could be. Of course, you’ll need the assistance of an excellent AI mobile app development company to make this idea a reality. However, if you manage to create a truly efficient and bug-free solution, you might become the next Mark Zuckerberg. In addition, remember that smartphone technology evolves fast as well. So, the things that these devices can do in the future will expand the number of innovative solutions you can create for them.

AI Mobile App Development for Learning & Working with Information

AI mobile app development ideas for working with information

  •  AI-based news apps

Integrating AI into a news app can produce spectacular results. It can help personalize the news feed for users managing the flow of information we are all surrounded by. Such an app can be an invaluable aid for executives. It’s because they must be on top of all global news to make decisions that affect their corporations and thousands of people’s lives.

  •  AI-powered language learning apps

Creating a language learning solution is one of the most excellent applications of AI mobile app development. Artificial intelligence technology is a fantastic tool because AI can customize the existing program. It means that the app can be personalized for the user based on their progress. Furthermore, the AI will assess your performance and offer exercises and tasks that will help the user achieve the best results.

  •  AI-driven weather forecast app

Accurate weather forecasts seem to be a thing of legend. Legends that AI can help make a reality. Already forecasters are using machine learning technology in their work. However, there is still a big empty niche for reliable weather forecasting apps for travelers.

  •  eLearning apps

The eLearning industry has been growing fast, even before the pandemic. However, the lockdown period propelled it further. As of now, the US eLearning sector is predicted to grow by nearly $13 billion by 2024. Learning from home also remains a significant concern as there is a risk of more lockdowns in the future. All in all now is the time to start developing various eLearning solutions. Using AI mobile app development will be excellent for versatile educational apps as AI can help reduce teachers’ workload. Such apps can grade work or teach specific skills.

  •  Virtual classrooms

Another idea to explore with AI mobile app development is creating a virtual classroom app. In this case, your main goal will be to make sure that online interactions of the class are as efficient as they could be offline. However, if you think about it, you can see how sharing a virtual classroom can be even more convenient. In particular, think of all the opportunities for media sharing and use that the Internet offers. In addition, a clever application of this kind might help schools that don’t have the budget for advanced gadgets in physical classrooms.

  •  Virtual assistant apps

The true potential of AI mobile app development can be realized through the creation of virtual assistant apps. You have plenty of routes to explore in this niche. You can stick with simple everyday tasks and develop a solution that will help people with them. For example, create a basic technology guide for those who aren’t tech-savvy. Think about what people struggle with in their daily lives and how the current capabilities of AI can assist them.

  •  Content generation & research app

Students need to write essays and research many different topics. So an AI-powered platform that can help with research and content generation is sure to be a hit. But, of course, AI cannot write as well as a human. So, any essay generated by tech needs to be edited thoroughly. However, it can certainly find, process, and manage information much better than any student. So, overall, an AI mobile app development can produce a fantastic essay-writing aid.

  •  AI-powered data extraction apps

One more way to use AI mobile app development is to create a solution that will extract data from various sources. Then, the AI will process this data to offer actionable insights to the user. The complexity of the tasks can vary from answering basic questions about fashion to building business growth strategies. But bear in mind that this product won’t be easy to make. Machine learning takes time and resources to actually learn to the point where an AI works flawlessly. Unfortunately, it also takes a lot of resources. Therefore, be prepared that this is going to be a massive project that requires investors.

AI Mobile App Development for Business & More

AI mobile app development for business, HR, and logistics.

  •  AI-driven chatbot apps

Chatbots are the most popular application of AI mobile app development today. It’s because they have dozens of uses for business. Moreover, you can still invent many useful applications of AI-powered chatbot apps. They can teach, guide, and above all, provide customer service. These apps aren’t new, but the niche still needs better technology, more advanced options, and better “intelligence” components.

  •  AI logistics optimization

Geo-tracking AI mobile app development can have an excellent implementation for logistics. This solution can help businesses analyze traffic and build the most efficient routes. It can also collect and process relevant data to assess profitability and develop better logistics strategies for business growth. The result is improved operational efficiency. Note that transportation businesses and enterprises can use this app. But it’s also a good idea for mobile app development for startups. Such a startup would be able to provide analytics and advisory services to those same enterprises.

  •  Live commerce apps

One of the more profitable ways to use mobile application development solutions is to get on with the live commerce trend. It’s currently on the rise, riding the coattails of the great eCommerce boom brought by the pandemic. The idea of live commerce is to make the online shopping experience as ‘live’ as possible. You can play around with this idea when working on end-to-end application development. For example, you can create an app that will work from the seller’s side. Basically, it will add a feature to interact with the sales assistant in a brick-a-mortar store through a video chat of some kind. But you can also start working from the buyer’s angle. Try to create a solution that will allow people to explore the stores in real time while sitting comfortably at home. The potential in this niche is vast, so be creative!

  •  Warranty organizer/management apps

There are about 10 electronic devices in an average household today. This number is constantly growing as tech becomes more affordable. And each of these devices, as well as any gadgets people are also using, has a warranty. Keeping track of all the warranties one has can be pretty tricky. But it’s necessary as using this service can save people hundreds of dollars. Therefore, using mobile app development solutions to create an efficient warranty management app can turn into a highly profitable idea. Consider partnering with companies that offer extended warranty services. You might develop some great offers together and become a sensation in this niche. In fact, it might be possible to make this business a global success.

  •  Carpool apps

The success of Uber might be impossible to beat. And there are plenty of other businesses using a similar model now. However, carpooling is not yet well-developed as an organized business. So, this is your chance. AI mobile app development will be most helpful here. You can implement the power of AI to find the best matches and manage large volumes of requests. All in all, the success of this business will depend on the quality of software your enterprise mobile app development company can deliver. Be sure to consult some logistics experts about developing a plan for this kind of app. You will also need to consider the demand for carpools. In fact, think about starting small and developing an app for your local community/school/college/etc.

  •  AI-powered HR & recruiting apps

HR specialists and recruiters have to do a lot of mind-numbing routine tasks in their work. Sorting through surveys and reports, as well as analyzing CVs and job applications, are highly time-consuming tasks. AI can handle them better and much fast. In addition, AI mobile app development, when applied to HR, can eliminate all bias and human errors. So, this kind of app can boost Human Resources and Recruiting departments’ productivity on every level.

AI mobile app development ideas for startups.

AI Mobile App Development Challenges & How to Overcome Them

End-to-end application development is no easy task, and coming up with an awesome idea is just the first step. The success of the following steps will depend on your collaboration with a mobile app development company. Therefore, it’s crucial to find a dev team that will be able to understand your vision and work in tune with you.

The main challenges of AI mobile app development for startups are the lack of funds and technical limitations. Therefore, your priority is to find a team with the technical expertise to create the exact thing you need. That’s why looking for people with years of experience and skills gained from working on diverse projects is essential. This kind of people will be able to offer insights on how your idea can be improved and expanded to create an even greater product.

Regarding the budget, it’s important to understand your limitations. But you also need to look for financing opportunities. For example, start with creating a limited version of your ideal app. Then, take it to investors with a proposal.

It will be easier to make potential investors interested in your product when you have an actual product to show off. Moreover, you can launch this app as an alpha version so it can start generating income.

Note that you can even launch it as a free version, which will still work for you. This way, your app will generate awareness, and you can start working on digital marketing for your app.

Meanwhile, your development team should also be able to help. At Devtorium, we always offer our clients several plans to maximize the cost-efficiency of their mobile application development solutions. The trick here is to be willing to do the work needed to create maximum value for every dollar. If you are interested to learn more, contact us anytime!

It’s not All Devs: How PMs Keep Software Product Development on Track

Posted on by mkoftielieva

There’s a common misconception that devs are the only people involved in the software product development process. However, that’s far from the truth. Creating and launching a product requires input from a wide range of specialists. Project Managers should take the place of pride among them. But they are downright criminally undervalued.

In our humble opinion, Project Managers, or PMs as we call them, are magicians. They often hold the entire project together and ensure everything stays on track. They are the ones who settle all the miscommunication issues and even battles of wills between clients and devs. But above all, PMs articulate the client’s requirements in a way that developers can understand.

Devtorium has an extensive Project Management department comprised of extraordinary people. Today we talked to them about their profession so you could learn what it’s like to be a PM from PMs’ own words.

What PM does for outsourced software product development.

Victor Savinov, Senior PM/Delivery Manager: What Does a PM Do During Software Product Development?

We decided to start our interviews with Victor, a senior PM with years of experience in outsourced software product development. Victor can find humor in everything and can bring under control even the most difficult situations.

What does a PM do during software development?

Nothing 😁 Well, at least, it may look like that at first glance. Especially when you, as a PM, are utterly exhausted after another work day during which you have resolved dozens of issues. However, you have nothing to show as a result of all that work. There’s nothing tangible, at least.

Nowadays, PM’s work is not about paperwork, reports, or following a well-prepared plan. It’s more about interactions with people, quick response to changes, coaching, and maintaining a healthy, happy, and highly motivated team. Meanwhile, you also keep the customer satisfied by delivering a high-quality, valuable product.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

To maintain a high level of quality while balancing the budget, time, and scope (see PM Triangle). At the same time, I also need to keep up a healthy pace and save my team from burnout and exhaustion.

How do you handle troublesome clients who can’t explain what they want?

It’s an absolutely normal situation when a client isn’t a professional Product Owner. It can be challenging for them sometimes to express what they really need in terms of software product development. We can use quite a few techniques that can help gather product requirements. I usually suggest starting with visualization and using analogies to explain one’s concept or idea. A piece of paper and pencil are extremely useful when you’re not sure where to start😉

What do you do when a developer fails?

Well, first off, no finger-pointing! Instead, we should embrace a culture of collective commitment to improvement as a team and measure our successes and failures. Then we look at what went wrong and how we can do better next time. The whole point is to focus not on the failure but on what can help you move forward.

Can an IT project survive without a PM?

Sure! The only question is how successful the project will be. What will be the quality of that survival? How well-informed will the key stakeholders be? Who will manage risks and deadlines? What about budget and costs?

We can actually eliminate any role in a project. First, however, we must ensure all essential responsibilities and activities that the ‘role’ manages are reassigned to other people.

How can a PM impact the overall software product development process?

A PM/SM/Agile Coach is often a bridge between the business and engineering, stakeholders and developers or operations, or customers and providers facilitating their interaction. Although a PM is a composite role, it can sometimes coordinate the majority of the vital aspects of the organization. This includes budget, resources, staffing, costs, deadlines, risks, and quality. Taking that into account, it’s pretty difficult to overestimate a PM’s impact, whether positive or negative.

What is project manager's role in software product development.

Diana Novytska, Strong Junior Project Coordinator: PM’s Role in the Software Creation Process

Diana is only growing into her role as a Project Coordinator, but she is doing so with style and success. Her gentle nature might make it both easier and more challenging for her to manage complex communications within teams. However, no one can argue her reliability and dedication to making every project run smoothly to completion.

What does a PM do during software development?

A PM is the person who organizes the whole process by starting from the idea of the future project/product to its realization and support. It means that communications between customers and the team, development planning, and solving various problems are all PM’s duties. In reality, it’s only a small list of a PM’s responsibilities.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

For me personally, it’s being a good leader and having strong ‘soft skills’.

How do you handle troublesome clients who can’t explain what they want?

The secret here is asking the right questions related to his/her idea, time limits, and expectations.

What do you do when a developer fails?

We are all only people, not robots. So, we will discuss the cause of this failure and how to resolve it. Then, I just wait to check the fixed result.

Can an IT project survive without a PM?

This is a good question. Every role in the development team is very important, including a PM’s role. Without a PM, other team members should cover his/her responsibilities. Therefore, their workload increases above their individual responsibilities. As a result, the lack of a PM impacts the overall quality of work.

How can a PM impact the overall project?

A well-organized workflow, easy communication scheme, and quick resolution of unexpected issues are markers of a PM’s positive impact.

How a project manager impacts software product development process.

Artem Levenko, Middle Project Manager: What a PM Does for Outsourced Software Product Development

Artem is new to Devtorium but not new to being a Project Manager. He is highly efficient in his approach and makes every project run like clockwork.

What does a PM do during software development?

The role of a Project Manager in the software product development process encompasses a lot of different activities. The responsibilities may vary depending on a particular project. However, to put it simply, PM’s work includes:

  • Managing stakeholders
  • Collecting and analyzing requirements
  • Setting tasks for the team
  • Coordinating work processes
  • Monitoring progress
  • Ensuring that the project stays within time, budget, quality requirements, and according to scope

What is the most challenging part of your job?

For me, the hardest part of the job is to keep everything in focus and not miss anything. Also, it can be hard to make sure that neither stakeholders nor the team’s (company’s) interests are neglected.

How do you handle troublesome clients who can’t explain what they want?

I always try to get to the bottom of the situation by asking them pointed and specific questions about their requirements and needs. I do everything possible to make sure there is no room for misunderstanding and misinterpretation.

What do you do when a developer fails?

When a developer fails, I usually try to discuss the situation with them directly so that we can find the reason. Then, together, we work out steps of action to improve the situation.

Can an IT project survive without a PM?

I believe an IT project can literally “survive”. However, it will be at a high risk of failure on all parts of the PM triangle. In addition, it likely won’t meet the stakeholders’ expectations.

How can a PM impact the overall software product development project?

A PM can constantly work with the team so that the team stays productive and motivated. Also, we keep up transparent communication with clients to make sure their needs are satisfied. Also, we constantly try to find bottlenecks and improve processes, which will benefit the project’s success.

What project manager does as part of software development.

Anton Shpak, Junior Project Manager: PM’s Outlook on the Software Product Development Process

Anton is a PM who is not afraid of challenges. He is full of energy to resolve any issue and always strives to get to the button of it. He works closely with clients to help create products that meet their exact requirements.

What does a PM do during software development?

He must ensure that the customer is satisfied. In my opinion, it’s the most important thing. More specifically, the PM makes sure that everything is done as promised.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Doing tasks that you don’t believe in when you don’t understand why you have to do them at all. However, that issue probably isn’t exclusive to PMs. Speaking of PM’s duties, the biggest challenge is not having complete information about the project. The less information PMs have, the less effective they are.

How do you handle troublesome clients who can’t explain what they want?

This is where you have to make assumptions and clarify whether you’re assuming correctly. Then, step by step, we’ll find out what the exact requirements are.

What do you do when a developer fails?

It depends on the situation. First, you can determine whether or not some extra time will help and how much is needed. If a little more time solves everything, then the developer continues to work on the problem. If the developer feels that it won’t work, we ask colleagues with more experience for assistance or brainstorm how to solve the problem with the team.

Can an IT project survive without a PM?

Of course, it can. However, the project manager’s role must still be performed by someone. In many cases, it falls to the main developer in the team. Sadly, in these situations, the person might get frustrated because they are doing so much extra work. Sometimes they might get angry and leave the project entirely.

How can a PM impact the software project development process?

I feel it’s important to note that a bad PM might ruin a project. However, we can help developers solve problems faster. Being the main contact point for the client, we can protect the project and the team. We do it by communicating to clients what’s happening now, why it is needed, and when it will be over. We do it in a language that a non-developer person can understand, which is key to avoiding conflicts and miscommunications.

What it's like to be a project manager for IT.

Kateryna Mazur, Middle Project Manager: Being a PM Can Be Like Herding Cats

Kateryna is a very experienced Project Manager. She worked with a versatile selection of projects and aced many different challenges. Due to this experience, she can handle any task and bring the software product development process in order in any circumstances.

What does a PM do during software development?

Sometimes our work is similar to kindergarten teachers who need to corral a group of unruly kids. It’s because clients and developers often suffer from miscommunication issues. The PM’s duty is to be the bridge between them to ensure that everyone is satisfied and the development process runs smoothly.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Personally, the hardest part of my job is to stop working. You get used to working with time differences in the outsourced software product development industry. However, I find it hard to stick to my schedule and NOT answer emails at all times of day and night. It’s critical to draw a firm line between work and personal life.

How do you handle troublesome clients who can’t explain what they want?

When working with clients, I document absolutely everything. We discuss their ideas in detail, and I ask as many questions as needed. I also explain risks and maintain clear lines of communication to ensure all requests, risks, and adjustments are well-documented.

What do you do when a developer fails?

I’ve had my share of issues caused by irresponsible devs in my career. In this case, I believe that the most important thing is to warn the client as early as possible that something is going wrong. It’s imperative to be absolutely transparent and explain the situation, as well as offer several solutions. All in all, I do my best to smooth out the situation while being completely honest.

On the developer’s side, I talk to them to find out what caused the issue and how we can resolve it. I analyze the entire case in detail to prevent this from repeating.

Can an IT project survive without a PM?

Yes, it can. But it’s only if the whole software product development process and team-client communications are set.

How can a PM impact the software project development process?

A PM connects every person involved in the project and manages all processes to ensure everything runs smoothly. It’s a critical role because no project can succeed without efficient organization.

Project Manager’s Role Is Crucial for Outsourced Software Product Development

Being a Project Manager can be hard, but all PMs we interviewed agree that it’s extremely rewarding. Most importantly, it’s a non-developer role that has a huge impact on the success of the software product.

Software development is a complex process, and communication is key to it. So, Project Managers’ role is huge, and we value our PMs greatly. An efficient PM department with high quality standards is definitely one of the important elements of our and, therefore, our clients’ success.

We are a team of 200+ qualified software engineers, business analysts, data scientists, project managers, and UI/UX designers. All our professionals hold specialized certifications in their niches and have expertise in complex projects for a variety of industries.

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