Digital Transformation: Key features of effective software development

Nowadays, the world is changing faster than you can imagine. With the rise of technologies like the internet of things (IoT), machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), the cloud, blockchain, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), computers and digital technologies have become a core component of business.

The need to innovate and transform is a necessary part of being competitive in the market. This is where digital transformation comes in. If you’re unsure what that is, you’re right where you need to be. Keep reading!

Using software development to differentiate brands and gain competitive advantage requires proficiency with the techniques and technologies that can accelerate software deployment, quality and efficacy.

• Artificial intelligence (AI)

  AI enables software to emulate human decision-making and learning. Neural networks, machine learning, natural language processing and cognitive capabilities present developers and businesses with the opportunity to offer products and services that disrupt marketplaces and leap ahead of the competition.

One of the top benefits of using AI is the enhanced customer experience it enables. Artificial intelligence enables organizations to put forth enhanced product offerings through the rigorous, ongoing analysis of consumer activity. For instance, if users are regularly engaging with certain features and functions, or experiencing performance issues on certain pages, AI can help you immediately identify these issues, and even provide suggestions to resolve the problem.

• Cloud-native development

  Cloud-native development is a way of building applications to exploit cloud environments. A cloud-native application consists of discrete, reusable components known as microservices that are designed to integrate into any cloud environment. These microservices act as building blocks and are often packaged in containers. Because of this architecture, cloud-native applications can use cloud environments to improve application performance, flexibility and extensibility.

• Cloud-based development

  Just as IT organizations look to the cloud to improve resource management and cut costs, so do software development organizations. In this way, the cloud can be used as a fast, flexible and cost-efficient integrated development environment (IDE) or development Platform as a Service (PaaS). Cloud-based development environments can support coding, design, integration, testing and other development functions. They can also offer access to APIs, microservices, DevOps and other development tools, services and expertise.

• Blockchain 

  Blockchain is a secure, digitally linked ledger that eliminates cost and vulnerability introduced by parties like banks, regulatory bodies and other intermediaries. It is transforming businesses by freeing capital, accelerating processes, lowering transaction costs and more.  Blockchain presents a tremendous opportunity for software development.

• Low code 

  Forrester defines low code as: “Products and/or cloud services for application development that employ visual, declarative techniques instead of programming and are available to customers at low- or no-cost in money and training …” In short, it’s a development practice that reduces the need for coding and enables non-coders or citizen developers to build or help build applications quickly and at lower cost.

• Analytics

  Annual demand for data scientists, data developers, and data engineers will reach nearly 700,000 openings by 2020. The demand signifies how critical it is for companies to gain insight and value from the explosion of data. Accordingly, software developers are integrating advanced analytics capabilities into their applications. Cloud-based services and APIs make it simpler to guide data exploration, automate predictive analytics and create dashboards that deliver new insights and improve decision making.

• Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

  In MBSE, software modeling languages are used to perform early prototyping, simulation and analysis of software designs for early validation. Building designs in MBSE helps you to analyze and elaborate project requirements and move rapidly from design to implementation.

• Mobile: 54% of global executives believe that customer buying behavior has shifted from products and services to experiences (PDF, 788 KB). Many of these experiences occur in mobile environments. A key capability for software developers is creating mobile apps with deep connections to data that enriches and elevates user experiences. Forrester has found that “deeply integrating digital/mobile customer data has a strong effect on how customers interact with brands.”

Selecting the right software development service company: Define your objectives and goals

A decision without clear, relevant and actionable objectives may create ambiguity and hinder your future success. Therefore, here are some questions that would help you organize your thoughts and produce a SMART goal:

• What are your business priorities: is it cost-saving, scalability, time-to-market, competencies, vendor diversification, or something else?
• How will you align an outsourcing model with your current business strategy?
• What services do you expect a vendor to provide?
• What will be outsourced and what will be kept in-house?
• Time-frame: When will you start the first project? What does the overall timeline and delivery plan look like? What are the milestones that need to be kept up with?

However if you really wish to have the complete benefits of the trends and technologies partnering with a right web application development really matters. Thrivative help fast-growing start-ups and scale-up to build quality software, staff their teams, and create outstanding designs for websites and applications. We are looking forward to partner with you!