As a rule, customers have their vision only, not detailed written specification. It’s great when they have already written API and mockups, but, unfortunately, all they have, is general description.

Let’s see one of the requests that we had recently.

It’s all about location, location, location! Our mobile platform will use Google Maps and location-based services to deliver coupons, promotions or offers to consumers’ via their mobile or tablet devices. Consumers will also be able to share mobile coupons with their friends online or in other popular social networks like Facebook or Twitter.

That’s all we had for start.

As we remember from our previous post, the second step is to make wireframes. Of course, it’s only a first version, but it shows our professional level.

Consumers can use the service to browse for coupons based on location and see the details of coupons without logging in:

Though searching by keywords requires login:

Authorized consumers can search coupons by tags, for example within paid coupons:

To find Museum and Galleries coupons consumers can go to the Art & Entertainment category:

After defining the desired tags, the locations with coupons are found and displayed on the map:

Consumers can see the details of a coupon and even share it with their friends online or in other popular social networks like Facebook or Twitter.

Such approach with turning customer’s idea into reality helps to establish good partnership relationships and make the future project more tangible.

To determine which solution is the best for your business you have to know your customers in a good manner, the devices they use and the purpose of your application. For example, if you are looking into e-shop app development and your customers use mostly iPhones than you are should think of a native app. Why? Because users are very picky about where they shop and even a short delay of the page upload could ruin the entire shopping experience. However, what really matters is the conversion rate. In other words, if your customers use your app and the app is serving its purpose by creating more revenue then you made the right choice.

Mobile application development will essentially fall under either the native, HTML5, or hybrid apps development spheres. Each scenario comes with its own development pros and cons which you need to be familiar with. Here’s an short review of these techniques:

Native
A native app is an app written to a specific platform like iOS or Android, where the app is written in the language used for development on that platform (Objective-C and Java in this case). The portability of the code to other platforms depends on how it was written (if portability was in the developer’s mind), but will always require some level of rewriting to use on another platform. When you write native, you get access to all the hardware features exposed by the native code APIs, which is typically most of the functionality of the device, definitely more than a web app. Apple push notifications is one example from your list that is an iOS specific feature which is not supported by a web app. It is “Native” because the code you write is essentially written for that platform, it is built for the native architecture of that device (implicitly implying that cross-platform support might be an area of concern, and it is).

HTML5 (Mobile Web Apps)
An HTML5 app is essentially a website with JavaScript code written to allow the app to perform dynamically, as opposed to a static website that you need to “refresh” to see the changes. It works interactively to make it feel like an “app”, but it is running in a web browser, and is essentially a website, which (since it looks like your focus is mobile) will support multiple viewports or screen sizes so that it works well on mobile. Because it is running in a browser, it is confined to what is known is the browser sandbox, which is a limitation on what the app is capable of doing with the system hardware. It can only support features which are permissible inside the sandbox. This is done for security reasons.

Hybrid
A hybrid app is a web app that is deployed to a native platform like iPhone inside a native harness. This harness is usually little more than a browser view (to display the HTML5 content) and some other hooks to allow your web app to potentially access some more hardware features that are not available inside the browser sandbox. It improves code portability because if you want to port your app to another platform, you only need a native harness on that other platform to run it, the HTML5 content of the app is directly portable. These harnesses can be hand written, but can also be generated automatically by tools in the marketplace like the much lauded PhoneGap. These tools try and make a single point of contact for the developer, who can then turn around and push their app out to multiple platforms quickly by generating the harness and packages required to do so automatically. This sounds powerful, and it is, but clearly the PhoneGap people have a ton of configurations and hardware to support, and thus, the solutions do not always work the same across all devices, and in practice, testing and hacking of special cases will be required by the developer to get proper support if the app is anything more than a website in a browser control.

Advantages/Disadvantages of each technique

Each method comes with its fair share of pros and cons. In this section, we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. The table below offers a quick side-by-side pros/cons comparison of each method.

Summary

Native, HTML5, or hybrid? The answer: It depends. There’s no single correct solution that applies to all scenarios and needs. Each option — mobile Web apps, hybrid applications, and native apps — has its own advantages and disadvantages. The right path depends on a variety of factors.

References

• IBM Software: Native, web or hybrid mobile-app development
• Native, HTML5, or Hybrid: Understanding Your Mobile Application Development Options
• Native vs Cross Platform Development
• The Pros and Cons of Cross-Platform App development and Design
• HTML5 and native apps: the hybrid approach
• HTML5 Vs. Native Mobile Apps: Myths and Misconceptions
• Native, Web and Hybrid Apps – Understanding the Difference
• Native Apps vs. The Mobile Web vs. Web Apps? Which Route Is Best For Your Enterprise?
• Hybrid vs. Native vs. Mobile web comparison chart

Prepared by Stas Lelyuk, Svitla’s Android Developer

It depends on technical requirements that customer provides to our Company. If Customer has detailed written specification which seems reasonable to our technical specialists, Svitla may propose fixed based contract.
If, for some reason, Customer has only vision, some wireframes or mockups, then Svitla Systems propose either to write technical requirements specs prior to start development process or suggest to take an appoach by using Agile methodology with dedicated team.

What amount of developers is here in Ukraine?

According to Report there are more than 25000 software development specialists in Ukraine.

What do you think about the quality of newbie developers?

It is not sufficient in regards of practical skills and graduates usually should be tought additionally. For this purpose Svitla Systems support Ruby community with Rubyshift, RubyGirls, RubyGarage and organised RubyC.

Why do you think developers don’t like to study new programming languages?

It is quite controversial statement if we talk about developers only. However, on the other hand, it’s part of a human nature to resist changes to be able to stay in comfort zone. Only a few procents are excited about changes. As an example, Svitla has such developer.

Where are your customers from?

Up to 90% of Svitla customers are from USA and Sillicon Valley, we also provide service to some customers from Canada, South Africa and Japan.

If we sign a contract with you, we should pay extra VAT?

You, as a Svitla customer, will be signing a contract with Svitla Systems Inc. that is headquatered in the US, state of California. Hence, all taxes will be paid under country based jurisdiction.

Do you hire people on project based approach?

As a rule, Svitla Systems hire employee on the full time basis and pay them salary when they are off the project.

Those interested in web development should pay attention to the PSD to html conversion tool. It converts Photoshop’s PSD files into an HTML code. With its help one can easily convert pictures to fully functional websites.

More advanced users can check Adobe Dreamweaver. This application is designed to create fully functional websites. It can connect to a server and it allows P2P interface. With the use of Dreamweaver, designers can instantly send their ready websites to the main server page. In case there are any other changes with the pictures, Dreamweaver is integrated with Photoshop. This means that users can simply export their designs, edit it through Photoshop and then export it again to Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver already has the PSD to html conversion which can be used to convert the Photoshop’s PSD format files into HTML files.

Of course, there are also other programs which can do the conversion yet they are not integrated with Adobe. In order to use such programs, users will only need to save the PSD files into one folder and then opening such files using the conversion program. Once the conversion starts, all templates and all the layers will be flattened and the final output will be the layered HTML file. The HTML file can then be re-edited in order to become a fully functional website.

There are also companies that provide PSD to HTML conversion services such as HTMLME  and others.

The reports concerned such things as meta-programming in Ruby, how to use its possibilities for 100%, details of realization as well. Another subject of reports was Rails – powerful, widely spread framework for creating web-applications, how-toes and reasons for migration to its 3rd version; Rails hosting in clouds, points of widening Rails applications, usage of various technologies, examples and experience.
One of the special guests was Marcin Kulik from Poland, who was presenting new tool in developer’s arsenal: ascii.io, as an interesting example of the usage of many unusual techniques.
A representative from Svitla Systems Marat Kamenshchikov has reported about Hypermedia API.

Another interesting part of the conference was Lighting Talks intending to involve into communication more participants and to let less experienced developers express their points of view and suggest their ideas.
As we can submit it was a good chance to hear something new, to share your knowledge and experience, to make new acquaintances and see old good friends.

When customers buy something from your e-commerce website, they can share with friends as quick as possible what and where the bought. Such easy way allows to drive traffic to your web shop.

You can install Magento extension with one click on 1.3 – 1.7 Magento versions. After installing an extension you can quickly understand how it works due to user friendly design.

You do not have to be well-versed in the field of smartphone apps development just so you can get your hands on an application that you may use to boost and promote your business among the members of your target market. For one, there are a lot of developers that you may commission in order to do the job for you. You can easily find a software development company that will take away all the burdens and stress of smartphone apps development from you. You will just have to pay a nominal fee, obviously. As long as you pick out a good and trustworthy company, you should not have to worry about a thing.

Investing on smartphone apps development services will take a big problem off of your hands but this does not mean that you are completely scot-free. For one, you have to decide about the kind of program your developers will be working on. As with any contractor, they will be getting their instructions and directions from you, which means that you will have to do a certain amount of planning beforehand. Worry not for, as long as you have a solid and executable plan, your apps development allies should be able to deliver what you need from them in a timely fashion.

There are different platforms that you may choose from in order to make your smartphone apps development goals come true, which means that you may have to learn what you can about these platforms as well. Of course, your developers will surely know a lot more than you and will have different valuable inputs, but you will have the final say. Find out what you can about the different smartphone apps development platforms that are available to you and try to narrow down your options depending on which one will best suit your needs. This way, you would be able to give your inputs not only on the basic planning but also on the more operational side of the process.

Lower Wages

The most powerful incentive to outsourcing is financial. To put it simply, it is much cheaper to pay for the wages of employees from offshore countries than it is to pay for the services of an American employee. According to Industry Week, the average factory worker in China only earns around half a US dollar an hour. The average factory worker in Mexico only earns about $2.50 per hour. Meanwhile, the minimum wage per hour in the U.S. is $7.25 (as of 2009). The ability to employ workers at a fraction of the cost of labor in America is a very compelling motivation.

More Resources for Core Business Processes

Most people assume that the savings companies make from outsourcing go straight into the pockets of its CEOs and shareholders. But this isn’t necessarily the truth. In fact, one of the biggest benefits of outsourcing is that it frees up a significant portion of a company’s funds – money that can be put to better use instead of being spent on payroll. For example, instead of paying employees with higher wages, a company can spend its money on a new advertising campaign, new equipment, research into new products, and on refurbishing its facilities.

Lower Regulatory Costs

Apart from their significantly higher wages, workers in the United States are also more expensive because of their high regulatory costs. In the United States, the government imposes fees such as those for Medicare, Social Security, unemployment insurance, OSHA regulation, and FICA tax. Meanwhile, overseas workers require no or lower regulatory costs.

Improved Performance

Because a lot of people have experienced trying to fix a computer glitch with overseas tech support to no avail, the assumption is that lower wage costs is the payoff for lower quality service. However, experts and the companies themselves point out that improved IT performance is actually one of the primary reasons for hiring software outsourcing company. Additionally, better performance results in more revenues, which is yet another incentive for a company to outsource.

Risk Management

Launching a new product is a gamble – it could be a hit or a flop. If a company hires salaried or contracted American employees, they have to be paid regardless if the product sells or not. This means that company has to spend on their wages and regulatory costs whether or not it profits from their services. With overseas employees, this risk is eliminated because their employment can be dropped if the product fails to sell.

Ability to Downsize Easily

Because employees in the U.S. have become increasingly aware of employment laws in regards to downsizing, companies have been scampering to avoid lawsuits. They have found the solution to this in overseas outsourcing. Instead of running the risk of being sued for laying off an employee in the U.S., a company can employ one from a developing country where they can upsize or downsize at will. Outsourced employees are generally not as educated about employment law and thus are less of a risk, lawsuit-wise.

These are only a few of the reasons why companies outsource. Other incentives include: tax benefits, faster turnaround time, faster time to market, uncertainty over the political or business climate, and contractual certainty.

In the last few decades, outsourcing has gained popularity and has decidedly changed the way business is done around the world. Outsourcing means that a company in a developed country hires workers in a developing country where wages and regulatory costs are lower and there are tax benefits that are not available in their own countries. Other incentives to outsourcing include quicker turnaround time, improved performance, ability to downsize without legal complications, quicker time to market, risk management, and the ability to channel funds that would otherwise go into payrolls to core business activities. Some companies also outsource because of uncertainties about the political and/or business climate where they are.

Why Is Web Development Important?

More than ever, businesses depend on savvy web development because the Internet has become the number one venue for marketing campaigns. This is why the design of a website is very important and cannot be left to inexperienced hands. Any old website just won’t do. A website that aims to effectively sell a product or service must have a layout and a design that attracts potential customers, must contain relevant business and product information, and must be optimized for specific keywords that will help increase the website’s online presence.

Things to Consider When Outsourcing Web Development

Affordability – Probably the biggest incentive for offshore software outsourcing is the lower cost of salary and lower regulatory costs of overseas workers. This is sometimes taken to mean that the service is of lower quality, but this is not necessarily the truth. If you are considering outsourcing web development, then you should be able to get a good deal for web development services. Perform some extensive research on which web development companies provide the best value for money. Make sure that the web developer or web development company’s services are backed by expert knowledge and years of experience.

Expertise – Just because a web development company is in a developing country doesn’t mean that it can only provide services that are of substandard quality. In fact, many business experts and CEOs point out that one of the main reasons for outsourcing is the flood of IT talent overseas, particularly in countries such as the Philippines and India. When outsourcing web development services, it would be wise to check the company’s or the web developer’s portfolio to get a good gauge of the kind of outcome they can provide. Make sure that they understand the need for Internet marketing campaigns that are fresh and websites that are well-designed, attract traffic, and contain relevant information.

Keyword Optimization – A website without visitors is a useless website. Make sure that you drive traffic towards your website by utilizing a technique called search engine optimization. If you are outsourcing web development services, make sure that the web developer or the company knows how to optimize a website for keywords that you provide. These keywords should be those related to the product/s or service/s that you are offering.

Communication – This is a crucial factor in any business transaction, but more so when you are dealing with overseas employees. Before you sign the deal, make sure that you are able to communicate effectively with the web development company and any of its employees that you will be working with. Communication between you and your workers will greatly affect the outcome of the whole project. Make sure that the company will be able to follow instructions carefully and that they will respond to queries and complaints promptly. Make sure that the web development company’s personnel are able to fully understand your language and that, even if they are in a different time zone, they can be reached during your office hours.

Take time to write down everything that you want to see on your website or program. Next, take a look at other websites or programs that have designs you like and note down the structural features that you admire. Then, make a list of the features that you want your website or program to have. Be specific. Create an outline of its menu structure and the different functions of each feature. Don’t rush the planning stage. Remember that an outsourced programmer will charge you for every additional feature that wasn’t “in the specs” because he may have to rewrite the entire program to accommodate your requests.

2. Understand the needs of the users.

A website or program has to be attractive, user-friendly, and informative. Bear this in mind when you are contemplating on user interface design. It is particularly important that you get to know your users and keep them in mind when discussing your project with your outsourced programmer. Think about what users expect, how they will interact with the product, and what it can do for them. When considering what features to include, put your users’ preferences above your own personal choices. Even if your programmer thinks a particular feature is nice, if it’s of no use to your users, chuck it.

3. Let the programmer handle the project under your close observation.

Once you have the specifications written down in detail, go over it with your programmer. Make sure that the programmer understands each and every detail that you indicated and that he or she will be able to interpret these details accurately. Discuss and settle on ways by which he or she will report progress and how you will pose queries or complaints. Make sure that you will be able to reach your outsourced programmer during your office hours, even if this means that he or she will have to take the night shift. Establish milestones. Set deadlines for certain tasks.
To ensure that your programmer comes up with a suitable output, provide details about your business, your users, and other relevant data. This information will serve as a guide for the programmer. Remember that you only have the right to expect what you inspect, so keep a close eye on your programmer’s work.

4. Manage your expectations.

Don’t expect an outsourced programmer to be able to perform the amount and complexity of work that a whole team of programmers would produce. Remember that feature-rich programs take a whole army of programmers and many years to perfect. Also, a programmer is not a mind-reader. Don’t expect him or her to come up with the exact output you had in mind if you didn’t give him the specific details that you want. Put time and effort into the planning stage of the project and be involved in the process. It is also important to be flexible, as not all your ideas can be carried out. Some may be too difficult or too impractical to carry out.

5. Test the output.

When working with an outsourced programmer, test early, test often, and test everything. Remember that the earlier an error is found, the cheaper it is to fix. Because an outsourced programmer will be working on his own computers, ask him or her to upload his progress regularly (daily or weekly, depending on what is convenient) to your servers. This way, you will be able to see incremental changes and catch and fix issues without them affecting the rest of the work. Most importantly, because programmers tend to be biased to their own work, don’t let the programmer test his own output. If possible, hire an expert quality assurance professional to perform the testing.