The need for speed in mobile application development outsourcing

Oct 16, 2014SHORE Blog

Global software application development has been moving at breakneck speed, and one of its segments, mobile application development, at an even faster rate. It’s been estimated that there will be close to five billion mobile phone users all over the world by the end of 2014, and of this number, 1.75 billion will be smartphone users. Hence, the requirement for mobile application development outsourcing is bound to increase.

Mobile application development is fueled by the demands of the billions of users who conduct their business and their day-to-day lives through their mobile devices. These mobile devices are handheld instruments such as phones, tablets, netbook computers, and lately, even watches, that users carry with them. Long gone are the days when mobile phones were used only for calling, messaging (SMS or texting), and the occasional picture-taking. These days, mobile devices are relied on to do everything related to work and home: from banking to communication to entertainment and virtually everything in between.

Increasing the complexity is that the requirements must work across devices and, then too, there are many platforms: iOS, android, Windows, blackberry and many more. Millions of apps are developed across these platforms and downloaded daily. The major hardware providers may have their team of inhouse developers, but what about the millions of companies who want to be represented through apps in these devices?

This is where mobile application development outsourcing comes in. To illustrate, one small insurance company may want a customized mobile application for its products and services. Or a medium-sized retail company may have changing demands, based on the changing tastes of its markets, for its required apps. A small staff of inhouse developers cannot possibly have all the skills and knowledge about the latest technologies and multiple mobile platforms. A mobile application development provider offshore with a solid track record and experience would have different programmers and developers who could expertly address diverse requirements.

Moreover, testing of applications on the different platforms is time-consuming and expensive. Outsourcing mobile application testing to an experienced BPO provider would ensure that the mobile applications are thoroughly tested before these are released to the fickle public. Launching these tested applications ahead of the competition would also contribute to the increased acceptance of the apps.

Finally, mobile application developers abroad do not charge as high as those in developed countries. Many other related costs offshore are likewise cheaper. Hence, mobile application development outsourcing, as with outsourcing of other functions, will make the source company save on costs that can be more profitably used in other areas.