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Predictive Analytics vs. Machine Learning: What is the Difference

Posted on by Pavel Tantsiura
In this issue:

Artificial Intelligence is a compound, highly complex technology with almost unlimited possibilities, including many structural elements and subsets. Each of them is necessary to perform specific tasks, independently or in combination with others. In this article, we will talk about such subsets as predictive analytics and machine learning. We will analyze what they have in common, or different, where they are used and why one does not replace but complements the other.

 

Predictive Analytics Definition

Predictive analytics forecast the future based on data gathered in the past to find likely patterns and behaviors. It reduces errors by removing the notorious human factor and bringing out important ideas and trends. The term “predictive analytics” refers to an approach, not a specific technology.

How Does it Work?

Techniques used in predictive analytics include descriptive analytics, advanced statistical modeling and mathematics, high-volume data mining, and AI algorithms. For this large volume to be quickly and efficiently analyzed, machine learning is needed.

Predictive analytics is based on prognostication modeling. It is more a scientific niche than a process. Predictive analytics and machine learning go hand in hand since predictive models usually include a machine learning algorithm. These models can be trained over time to respond to new data or values ​​to provide the results your business needs. Predictive modeling has a lot in common with machine learning but is not an identical phenomenon.

machine-learning-predictive-analytics

Machine Learning Definition

Machine learning is an AI tool that makes it possible to improve forecasting accuracy without additional coding. The machine exercises this by detecting specific patterns in the data clusters. The tool automates predictive modeling by creating training algorithms to find consistency and behavior in data without clearly specifying the search meaning.

How Does it Work?

Machine learning includes drilling algorithms, neural networks, or processing computers to analyze data and automatically output results at the desired scale. Machine learning usually works by combining large amounts of data through iteration and intelligent algorithms, allowing software to automatically learn from patterns or data functions.

Machine learning’s ability to learn from previous datasets and remain flexible allows for various applications, not just predictive modeling.

data-predictive-analytics

Predictive Analytics vs. Machine Learning: Similarities

The main similarity between predictive analytics and machine learning can be called a reference to the past to unravel the future. But the significance, approaches, and functions in this process are somewhat different.

Other common criteria include: 

  • the use of an extensive array of data that a person cannot cope with
  • analysis of patterns (albeit in a different way) to determine future results
  • application in the same business sectors: security, finance, retail, medicine, etc.

Even though we present machine learning and predictive analytics as related areas of AI, there are still significantly more differences.

How to make your IT project secured?

Predictive Analytics vs. Machine Learning: Difference

Let’s immediately define that predictive analytics and machine learning are different categories of a very generalized concept of AI. Machine learning is a technology that works with complex algorithms and vast amounts of data. At the same time, predictive analysis is research, not a specific technology that existed long before the advent of machine learning; it just made it much more efficient and accurate. 

Simply put, machine learning is a method that has catalyzed progress in the predictive analytics field, while predictive analytics is one of the machine learning applications. There is no problem that predictive analytics can solve, but machine learning cannot.

ml-and-predictive-analytics-uses

Benefits and challenges of predictive analytics and machine learning in business

Any AI methods used in business, sooner or later, give tangible results. Therefore, it is only important to understand to what extent these methods and technologies “come to the court” in your case. In some cases, the use of AI pays off relatively quickly; in others, its use is redundant, and the company is neither technically nor “humanly” ready for such a transition to a new level. 

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of machine learning and predictive analytics and some use cases to understand how valuable this tool will be for you and what it has to offer.

Does Your Business Really Need An Enterprise Artificial Intelligence

Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning Advantages 

 

  • Automation of processes and, as a result, saving time and money
  • Improving economic performance through a well-thought-out financial strategy and logistics
  • Getting into the vanguard of a niche due to the ability to foresee the global business trend and understand behavioral factors
  • Technology consolidation, simplifying processes for end-users

 

Predictive Analytics Disadvantages

 

  • The need to collect an impressive amount of data to get a relevant forecast
  • You need to keep all trends and patterns that were derived earlier
  • Is guided only by the historical data set, not taking into account current information
  • The unpredictability of human behavior in some aspects can give an inaccurate forecast (for example, if, as a result of an image scandal, the company’s indicators sagged at the moment)

 

Machine Learning Disadvantages

 

  • The problem must be very descriptive to find the correct algorithm to apply the solution
  • Big data requirements and training data, such as deep learning data, must be created before this algorithm is actually used
  • resource costs for technology are not always economically feasible

 

Although there are more disadvantages, the weight of the seemingly small advantages is much higher. We will prove this by briefly describing how and in which business areas both phenomena are used.

predictive-models-with-ml-help

Predictive Analytics: when used

Predictive analytics is used to detect trends in behavioral factors across various sites to personalize email advertising messages. Impressive sets of information are collected in a variety of ways, not just online. These can be sensors in retail outlets or store applications, completed questionnaires indicating email, and social networks. All this adds up to the idea of sales forecasting, logistics, and customer experience management.

Predictive analytics works with both people and mechanisms. For example, with its help, you can predict buyer behavior or the growth of a specific disease among certain groups of the population, identify the employees of your company who are thinking about dismissal, or calculate the bank’s clients who are facing bankruptcy soon.

You can predict the wear and tear of equipment or the percentage increase in fraudulent transactions among a series of such bank operations.  

Using machine learning, predictive analysts can work with not only historical data, but also current data.

Data Mining Vs. Predictive Analytics: Know The Difference

 

Machine Learning: when used

Machine learning is less about reporting than about modeling itself. It is not required to answer human questions.

Examples of using machine learning: 

  • Identifying patterns in marketing research
  • Flagging errors in transactions or data entry
  • Automatic subtitles in videos
  • Personalized shopping experience based on browsing history
  • Signaling anomalies in medical research
using-predictive-analytics

Conclusions

Machine learning is a tool, and predictive analytics is a role equipped with tools, one of which is machine learning. These are interacting concepts.

Machine learning algorithms can produce more accurate predictions, generate cleaner data, and enable predictive analytics to run faster and provide deeper insights with less control. Having a solid predictive analysis model and clean data fosters the development of machine learning applications.

To get the most out of predictive analytics and machine learning, organizations need to make sure they have an architecture that supports these solutions and high-quality data to help them learn. They should be centralized, unified, and in a consistent format. In addition, organizations need to know what problems they want to solve as this will help them determine the best and most applicable model to use. This will increase efficiency at all stages of the business. Providing the best practice, The APP Solutions can help with this!

Credits to Depositphotos

Nioxin Consultation

Posted on by Pavel Tantsiura

The Back story 

The Back story 

Our appearance has a significant impact on how we feel about ourselves, our confidence, and our actions. At the same time, thinning hair is a broad issue, affecting 50% of men and women, leaving them with low self-esteem. Nioxin, a Coty Inc sub-brand, effectively solves the problem of thinning hair by applying their 25 years of heritage and dedicated research. 

It all started when Romolo Ganzerli, Global Digital Marketing Director at Coty Inc., sent us an e-mail. 

“Hi The APP Solutions, 

I’m looking for a team that will develop a consultation web and mobile app for hairstylists and everyone with thinning hair concerns so that people can receive more personalized treatment with Nioxin products. 

Currently, I’m in Geneva, Switzerland, but I can come over to Kyiv to discuss our project in more detail.“

Once Romolo arrived at our office, we started to dwell on the project’s goals and objectives and shaped the project vision.

How Nioxin Consultation works 

Nioxin, one of Coty Inc’s brands, is a market leader for professional salon products in over 40 countries around the world. The Nioxin Consultation mobile app aims to help professional stylists suggest to clients proper hair care making the client’s hair thicker and fuller-looking without side effects so they can thrive with newfound confidence. 

To find out about the client’s hair care needs, the app analyses the client’s scalp and identifies the three signs of hair thinning (Derma, Density, and Diameter), each with innovative skincare-inspired technologies to address scalp and hair needs and deliver thicker fuller hair. 

personalized hear care treatment
nioxin personalized hair care treatment

Then, the Nioxin application delivers a complete program with personalized hair care products for a tailored treatment that works. 

The app also includes quick links to NIOXIN’s market-specific websites and salon finder.

Client’s requirements 

The client already had a design for his app and wanted us to do the following: 

  • Create a web plugin and mobile app for both iOS and Android for professional stylists and their clients with thinning hair 
  • Integrate a scalp and hair analytic tool and suggest personalized treatment programs depending on the client’s hair condition
  • Set up the logic throughout the mobile apps and web plugin backend to provide a quality consultancy test

Project Goals and Objectives 

Our main goal for the Nioxin Consultation app was to suggest relevant products to clients and improve their hair condition. We needed to develop an intuitive mobile application and web plugin for salon professionals, empowered with a product recommendation algorithm that could be used not only in salons but also at home. 

Our challenges

Comprehensive architecture. The main problem was to set up the logic that would connect two mobile applications on different platforms with the server. In addition, we also needed to build a web plugin backend that would deliver relevant product recommendations. 

Tight deadlines. At the very beginning of the project, our main priority was to build the product’s architecture from the ground. In this way, we streamlined the project’s production, in order to meet the deadlines. 

How we did it 

The client came to us with a ready-made UI/UX design for all app screens and very detailed technical documentation, so he required us to do the coding part.

For this project, we applied Scrum methodology since the project had particular tasks to be done, as well as estimated time and budget. 

  • We started the project development by estimating the time developers would require for one or another feature. Then, we broke down all elements and evaluated time in iterations, two weeks, during which we would implement the project functionality. 
  • At the end of each iteration, we ran a demonstration session to show the client our progress and receive timely feedback. Our team also had to send weekly reports to the client with a list of tasks done. 
  • Having assessed the requirements of the project, our team worked on building the proper project architecture first, followed by mobile apps and web plugin development, alongside the project’s backend.
  • After we implemented all functions for the first app release, we did a final demo with the client, received feedback, and implemented the required changes. 
  • Thanks to detailed documentation, clear client requirements, and skillful mobile developers, we managed to deliver the project on time. 
  • The development began around the middle of May, and the first project released on August 1, so it took us less than three months from start to finish.

Interesting Features We Implemented

Client profile

The app enables saving client details in personal profiles, identifying hair characteristics, and adding DERMA and DENSITY photos. In this way, hairdressers can produce a seamless salon experience and have instant access to all client profiles registered to their salon.

nioxin client profile consultation app

Salon Management

Salon chain owners track the performance of their staff and client’s hair improvement overtime via built-in statistics. Whether it’s one location or multiple, salon owners have access to statistics of how their employees performed in regards to recommending a Nioxin hair care product.


salon managment nioxin consultation app

Consultation Tool

Nioxin’s mobile apps, as well as a web plugin, include test-based recommendations of Nioxin hair care products that would be most fitting for the given client’s hair type. To identify the client’s hair condition, the app offers a short questionnaire and saves answers to keep track of the client’s progress.

nioxin app consultation tool

Our tech stack 

  • HTML for web-based application
  • Swift SDK for iPads and iOS mobile devices 
  • Android SDK for Android-powered devices 
  • Rest API 
  • Google Analytics 
  • Cocoa Pods
  • Dagger 2
  • RxJava 
  • Retrofit 
  • Realm 
  • Butter Knife 
  • Crashlytics 

Team composition

  • 2 iOS developers
  • 2 Android mobile developers
  • 2 Quality Assurance engineers
  • 1 Backend developer
  • 1 HTML developer
  • 1 Designer
  • 1 Project Manager 

Results

Nioxin Consultation Tool was an exciting and challenging project to create. It required a lot of proactive thinking and methods that, in the end, helped to fit into the deadlines without compromising quality. Currently, we are implementing more features and adding a multi-language feature to make the app available for new markets. 

Check out our app at Google Play and App Store. 

Client’s testimonial 

“It’s a real pleasure to work with The APP Solutions because it never feels like a client/supplier relationship. In essence, it’s a true collaboration aimed at delivering the best possible experience to our users, on time, and within budget.”

Romolo Ganzerli, Global Digital Marketing Director | Coty Inc.

Ready to start your mobile app project?

It all started when Romolo Ganzerli, Global Digital Marketing Director at Coty Inc., sent us an e-mail. 

“Hi The APP Solutions, 

I’m looking for a team that will develop a consultation web and mobile app for hairstylists and everyone with thinning hair concerns so that people can receive more personalized treatment with Nioxin products. 

Currently, I’m in Geneva, Switzerland, but I can come over to Kyiv to discuss our project in more detail.“

Once Romolo arrived at our office, we started to dwell on the project’s goals and objectives and shaped the project vision.

How Nioxin Consultation works 

Nioxin, one of Coty Inc’s brands, is a market leader for professional salon products in over 40 countries around the world. The Nioxin Consultation mobile app aims to help professional stylists suggest to clients proper hair care making the client’s hair thicker and fuller-looking without side effects so they can thrive with newfound confidence. 

To find out about the client’s hair care needs, the app analyses the client’s scalp and identifies the three signs of hair thinning (Derma, Density, and Diameter), each with innovative skincare-inspired technologies to address scalp and hair needs and deliver thicker fuller hair. 

personalized hear care treatment
nioxin personalized hair care treatment

Then, the Nioxin application delivers a complete program with personalized hair care products for a tailored treatment that works. 

The app also includes quick links to NIOXIN’s market-specific websites and salon finder.

Client’s requirements 

The client already had a design for his app and wanted us to do the following: 

  • Create a web plugin and mobile app for both iOS and Android for professional stylists and their clients with thinning hair 
  • Integrate a scalp and hair analytic tool and suggest personalized treatment programs depending on the client’s hair condition
  • Set up the logic throughout the mobile apps and web plugin backend to provide a quality consultancy test

Project Goals and Objectives 

Our main goal for the Nioxin Consultation app was to suggest relevant products to clients and improve their hair condition. We needed to develop an intuitive mobile application and web plugin for salon professionals, empowered with a product recommendation algorithm that could be used not only in salons but also at home. 

Our challenges

Comprehensive architecture. The main problem was to set up the logic that would connect two mobile applications on different platforms with the server. In addition, we also needed to build a web plugin backend that would deliver relevant product recommendations. 

Tight deadlines. At the very beginning of the project, our main priority was to build the product’s architecture from the ground. In this way, we streamlined the project’s production, in order to meet the deadlines. 

How we did it 

The client came to us with a ready-made UI/UX design for all app screens and very detailed technical documentation, so he required us to do the coding part.

For this project, we applied Scrum methodology since the project had particular tasks to be done, as well as estimated time and budget. 

  • We started the project development by estimating the time developers would require for one or another feature. Then, we broke down all elements and evaluated time in iterations, two weeks, during which we would implement the project functionality. 
  • At the end of each iteration, we ran a demonstration session to show the client our progress and receive timely feedback. Our team also had to send weekly reports to the client with a list of tasks done. 
  • Having assessed the requirements of the project, our team worked on building the proper project architecture first, followed by mobile apps and web plugin development, alongside the project’s backend.
  • After we implemented all functions for the first app release, we did a final demo with the client, received feedback, and implemented the required changes. 
  • Thanks to detailed documentation, clear client requirements, and skillful mobile developers, we managed to deliver the project on time. 
  • The development began around the middle of May, and the first project released on August 1, so it took us less than three months from start to finish.

Interesting Features We Implemented

Client profile

The app enables saving client details in personal profiles, identifying hair characteristics, and adding DERMA and DENSITY photos. In this way, hairdressers can produce a seamless salon experience and have instant access to all client profiles registered to their salon.

nioxin client profile consultation app

Salon Management

Salon chain owners track the performance of their staff and client’s hair improvement overtime via built-in statistics. Whether it’s one location or multiple, salon owners have access to statistics of how their employees performed in regards to recommending a Nioxin hair care product.


salon managment nioxin consultation app

Consultation Tool

Nioxin’s mobile apps, as well as a web plugin, include test-based recommendations of Nioxin hair care products that would be most fitting for the given client’s hair type. To identify the client’s hair condition, the app offers a short questionnaire and saves answers to keep track of the client’s progress.

nioxin app consultation tool

Our tech stack 

  • HTML for web-based application
  • Swift SDK for iPads and iOS mobile devices 
  • Android SDK for Android-powered devices 
  • Rest API 
  • Google Analytics 
  • Cocoa Pods
  • Dagger 2
  • RxJava 
  • Retrofit 
  • Realm 
  • Butter Knife 
  • Crashlytics 

Team composition

  • 2 iOS developers
  • 2 Android mobile developers
  • 2 Quality Assurance engineers
  • 1 Backend developer
  • 1 HTML developer
  • 1 Designer
  • 1 Project Manager 

Results

Nioxin Consultation Tool was an exciting and challenging project to create. It required a lot of proactive thinking and methods that, in the end, helped to fit into the deadlines without compromising quality. Currently, we are implementing more features and adding a multi-language feature to make the app available for new markets. 

Check out our app at Google Play and App Store. 

Client’s testimonial 

“It’s a real pleasure to work with The APP Solutions because it never feels like a client/supplier relationship. In essence, it’s a true collaboration aimed at delivering the best possible experience to our users, on time, and within budget.”

Romolo Ganzerli, Global Digital Marketing Director | Coty Inc.

Ready to start your mobile app project?

Uber API Integration: a Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on by Pavel Tantsiura
In this issue:

You might remember the Greek myth of King Midas, who turned everything into gold with his touch. Well, we did not expose his magical abilities. But we offer you valuable insight on how you can add value to your business app.  

The market for mobile applications is quite crowded, and to stand out from the competitors might be challenging. Still, you can consider adding new features to your app, like a taxi-hailing service.

For that, you do not need to reinvent the wheel. To empower your app with the taxi-booking feature, you can integrate the existing Uber API, and Ride Request Widget. Besides, with the new Rides SDKs, the development team will make such integrations easy and fast.

The numerous successful examples of Uber integrations, like Foursquare, Amazon Echo, and others, show us that this strategy works.

In this article, we are going to tell you about Uber’s successful collaborations with other businesses, the benefits of Uber API integration, and a step-by-step guide to doing it.

Key Uber statistic

Being present in 85 countries, Uber remains the most popular taxi-hailing apps. The company is a dominant player, taking in 70% of the U.S. ride sharing-market in 2022. 

As you can see in the graph, during COVID-19, the number of trips dropped catastrophically, but in February 2022, the industry slowly began to recover.

uber-share-market

Image source: Second Measure

But there is more. Uber generated $17.4 billion revenue in 2021, a 56% increase year-on-year and better than its 2019 figures. In 2020, Uber’s revenues declined by 21% due to the coronavirus pandemic.

uber-revenue-quarter

The revenue is expected to exceed $133 billion by 2023, with an annual growth rate of 12.8%. As of May 2021, Uber’s stock price was $51.73. However, financial experts predict a future value of at least $72 by 2022 and $169 by 2026. According to 2022 Uber stats, the ride-hailing company is far ahead of its competitors by a landslide.

Thus, Uber remains the most popular taxi-hailing app across the globe. Therefore, it gives exciting opportunities for mobile app owners.

Still, what benefits you can get from Uber popularity?

Keep reading to find out.

FUNCTIONAL VS NON-FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS: MAIN DIFFERENCES & EXAMPLES

Benefits from Integrating Uber API

As we said, Uber is a leading taxi-booking app that provides free API for all app developers. What you could receive from such an integration:

Improve goods transportation. Uber API integration brings the opportunity for online shops and local retailers to build on-demand delivery solutions. 

Add geolocation tracking. You can use Uber API functionality to share and exchange the location. As a social networking project or a messaging service owner, you can empower your app with the feature of notifying users about their position in real-time.

Recently, we have integrated the geolocation feature to TransProLog, a logistic app from Brazil. The TransProLog users can control the tower and know what is happening with the cargo in real-time. We also empowered the app with the built-in messenger. Visit our portfolio to learn about our other projects.

TransProLog

THIRD-PARTY API INTEGRATION TO MOBILE BUSINESS APPS: BENEFITS, TYPES, AND A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Reduce development time and cost. You can empower your app with Uber API without spending money on developing an Uber-like taxi app from scratch. The Uber development team has already done a significant part of the infrastructure.

Solve user problems. If you empower your app with Uber features, you will solve the users driving issues by letting them quickly get to their final destination. It would be exciting if your app users prefer to travel around the city or to eat out.

Provide a ready-made business model. With Uber API well-built and organized infrastructure, you can receive deceits from the whole of Uber’s business model. This way, you gain access to the Uber drivers pool without holding meetings, signing agreements, and doing tons of paperwork.

Below, we share the most inspiring examples of cooperation with Uber.

Free E-Book on Taxi Hailing App Development

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The most successful examples of Uber API integration

Before digging into the Uber API integration success stories, we’ll clarify what API is.

The application programming interface or API is a set of rules by which the application components interact with each other. By using API, developers can transmit and pull the necessary data from the application. Besides, API helps to reduce the development time to create a consistent app across the platform.

Uber API had become public in 2014. It represents a fully functional platform including a fair price estimate calculator, ride time estimate, car ordering, trip history, and so on.

Uber cooperation with other well-known companies and their benefits received from Uber API integration.

Amazon Echo

In 2016 Amazon has integrated Uber API to Amazon Echo, smart speakers connect to the voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant service Alexa. This integration enables Echo users to order an Uber by using simple commands as “Alexa, ask Uber to request a ride.” This way, Echo and Uber’s cooperation allows bringing some Sci-fi experiences to users’ everyday life. 

Echo and Uber cooperation allows bringing some Sci-fi experience

Image source: Hackernoon

Jobcase

Jobcase, a job marketplace, integrated Uber API to showcase driver reviews. Because high-quality customer service is an essential differentiator for drivers in a competitive job market. 

Jobcase, a job marketplace, integrated Uber API to showcase driver reviews

Image source: Uber 

Now, Jobcase users can share their Uber experience and rating right on their profile by using /me endpoint. This way, Uber drivers receive a competitive advantage in the job market, as well as the opportunity to find the next employers if they look for the next step in their career.

Foursquare

Foursquare, a location platform, allows users not only to check the nearest china food restaurant but also to hail an Uber taxi in-app. Judging by increased Foursquare user activity/engagement, they love Uber integration:

For that, Foursquare and Uber’s cooperation is a win-win for both parties.

Stride

Stride, an online tax app, integrated Uber API to help Uber drivers to increase the take-home earnings. By using the Strive Tax Calculator, integrated with the Uber Drive API, drives receive a report with a breakdown of their income. Besides, they are informed about expected taxes and personalized recommendations on how much to set aside each week.

Stride, an online tax app, integrated Uber API

Image source: Uber 

By using Strive, Uber drivers keep 21% more of their earnings. The Strive services also helped driver-partners claim more than $60M in tax deductions.

TripAdvisor

As we know, TripAdvisor is a traveler website where users share their experiences with local businesses and attractions. But there is nothing more disappointing than no possibility to get to the museum you have dreamed of when planned the trip. And Uber fills this gap by providing TripAdvisor users a convenient taxi-hailing experience.

By integrating the Uber API, TripAdvisor started to provide a complete travel experience inside just one travel mobile app. Now, users can quickly get to their desired point in an unknown city. Moreover, TripAdvisor app users also can create a cheaper and simpler tailored tour around local Sights & Landmarks.

TripAdvisor app users also can create a cheaper

Image source: Vulcanpost

Below we share how to integrate Uber into your app.

MONOLITHIC VS MICROSERVICES: CHOOSING THE ARCHITECTURE FOR YOUR BUSINESS APP

How to integrate Uber API to your app

There are different levels of Uber integration. For your mobile app, you can consider the following:

Button. The button is the easiest way to empower your app with the Uber Request Ride feature. The button will display the fee for a ride and transfer your app users to the Uber app. This type of integration requests low efforts from your development team. On the other hand, the Button option provides zero customization options.

Deeplink. With this type of Uber integration, users can launch Uber from within your application. Deeplink also could be integrated very quickly into your app and customized to suit your app design and layout.

Client libraries. If you want to create your custom end-to-end experience for your users, you might consider this option. With the help of mobile developers, you can use Uber’s SDK to empower your app with desired Uber features.

HOW TO ESTIMATE BASIC EXPENSES FOR ANDROID OR IOS APP DEVELOPMENT

Webhooks. You can create an app like Uber and integrate it direly to rider’s and driver’s experiences with reactive webhooks. Uber servers will send the Webhooks to your app. This way, your application can easily understand what action it may want to take based on the contents of the payload. For this type of integration, you might need help from mobile app developers.

Rest API. By using Uber’s Rest APIs, you will receive a high level of customization options and integrate the power of Uber into your app. Currently, you can incorporate the following Uber APIs:

  •   Rush API. This type of Uber API is aimed at on-demand delivery services. The UberRush API is currently available in New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco.
  •   Rides API. By using the Rides API, your developers empower your app, making Uber requests on behalf of a user.
  •   Driver API lets your mobile development team create services and solutions that make the driver experience more productive. With the driver’s permission, the developers receive access to driver profiles, including ratings, trip count, and account status from drivers, as well as driving activity – which includes the city, fare, distance, and duration of each trip. Currently, access to Driver Uber API documentation is limited.

Build Your Own Dedicated Team

Step-by-step Uber API tutorial

Below we describe the steps the development team would follow to integrate Uber API into your app

Step 1. The team will check and research the Uber API documentation and apply for Driver API access.

Step 2. Next, the developers will study the SDKs for Uber Android or iOS API integration.

Step 3. Then, they will register on the Uber Developer Dashboard.

Step 4. Install the corresponding Uber SDK for your mobile platform (Android or iOS)

Step 5. And finally, the team will set up the SDK and add the necessary functionality, such as the trip request button or any intention to book a ride predetermined by the app’s navigation.

While Uber API integration might take up to four days, it brings unbearable advantages to your mobile application.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO DEVELOP AN APP: DETAILED FEATURE BREAKDOWN

Uber API ideas for integration

Apart from Uber API use cases described above, you might consider such integration, if your business belongs to the following niches:

  •   Local food & grocery store

Solution: UberEats API. UberEats app allows delivering food from restaurants to your customers using Uber cars.

UberEats API
  •   Logistic

Solution: Uber Freight. The Uber delivery API connects shippers and carriers for goods transportation. 

  •   Car repair, beauty industry, and other B2C businesses

Solution: Uber Vouchers. Uber Voucher, a part of Uber for Business API, allows companies to engage with their customers more and pay for their trips with vouchers.


Uber Voucher

  •   Business trips

Solution: Business Travel. The app enables organizations to control their workers’ business trip expenditures and make their business trips more comfortable.

Business Trave
  •   Health care

Solution: Uber Health. This service for hospitals provides patients with convenient and reliable Uber services. 

  •   Events

Solution: Uber Events. This service allows arranging guests of your events flexible door-to-door transportation. You can also empower your event app with the feature “remind me to request Uber” to send the user notification beforehand.

  •   Hotels

Solution: Uber Central. Developed for hotel needs, Uber Central lets you deliver reliable rides to guests. The trip could be hailed immediately or scheduled in advance.

Conclusion

While Uber is a leader in the taxi-hailing market, it also becomes a competitive advantage for businesses who decided to integrate the Uber API. Such integration has a positive impact on user experience. The results of such cooperation are increased user engagement, average total, and raised users’ loyalty.

If you want to provide your app users with a new experience and stand out from the crowd, you can integrate Uber to your app.

After choosing the degree of integration, the last thing is to hire the mobile development team to make this integration for you.

And The App Solution is here to help.

Want to integrate the Uber API?

Write to us

What our clients say 

See also:

HOW TO CREATE A MUSIC APP LIKE SPOTIFY

HOW TO CREATE VIDEO SOCIAL MEDIA APP LIKE TIKTOK

HOW TO BUILD A DATING APP LIKE TINDER

HOW TO MAKE A LIVE STREAM WEBSITE LIKE TWITCH

HOW TO DEVELOP AN APP LIKE NETFLIX

What are Open Source Security Challenges and How to Avoid them?

Posted on by Pavel Tantsiura
In this issue:

 The use of open-source software is a common way of web/mobile application development that benefits both the companies and the broader development community. It is one of the driving forces of technological progress. However, the openness it provides also brings its own set of challenges you need to be aware of. 

In this article, we will explain the significant challenges of applying open-source software and the ways of avoiding them.

What are open-source security risks?

Exploits in software applications are a natural occurrence both in open source and proprietary products. These exploits present possibilities for a hacker to shake things a little and compromise the security of the system.

These things can range from mistakes and oversights in the code to full-blown backdoors used to monitor and test applications (NSA loves that stuff). 

While proprietary products are relatively safe and under wraps, open-source software is under threat. 

You might think, “if things are so rough – then why bother using open source software at all?”. Here’s why.

In one way or another, software development revolves around open source products. Some companies don’t even understand how many different open-source tools constitute their products. 

The list includes: 

  • Code libraries (NLTK)
  • Operating systems (Linux)
  • Various software applications for different use cases (performance testing tools, DLP, development frameworks, etc.)

According to a study by Synopsys, up to 96% of commercial software applications contain elements from open source in their structure. 

Why is it so? There are three reasons:

  • Cost-effectiveness – there is no point in reinventing the wheel when it comes to software development. Making your own tools for a project can take a significant chunk of time. There many different libraries and tools available in open-source that can handle the majority of development needs.
  • Flexibility – the variety of open-source tools provide enough room to figure out the best possible configuration for the project.
  • Speed – working with already existing tools saves time for mastering the tools and testing the possibilities, and instead, lets the team focus on the development process entirely.

The most common results of taking advantage of exploits are security threats like Data breaches and Denial of Service attacks. 

  • Data breach – when sensitive information is accessible to an unauthorized third party
  • DoS – when the service is shut down, overloaded or otherwise impossible to use correctly.

Open Source Security Risks to Be Aware Of

Exploits are out in the open

One of the prerequisite features of an open-source project is that its code is available to the public. The availability of the code is one of the major driving forces for the rapid evolution of an open-source project. Any member of the community can contribute in some way, including identifying emerging vulnerabilities before others can exploit them maliciously. Hackers can do that. Given the fact that open-source tools may serve as a backbone for the product – this nuance creates a significant concern.

The handling of the open-source security risks is more or less a question of time. Either you get there first, and update the code, or this will be a cybercriminal who will gladly mess with the system.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) maintains the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) that keeps the developer’s community on the same page regarding the state of security in various applications.  The database includes all reported exploits found across multiple software applications. As such, it is a community’s way of keeping threats under control. NVD is an excellent source of information.

It is important to note that among the people who like to surf it is hackers. They tend to take note of the exploits, especially those that are yet to be fixed by the project development.

The most prominent example of taking advantage of an open-source exploit is the 2017 Equifax hack. The hackers found out that the system was using a version of the Apache Struts framework with several reported and unfixed exploits. This discovery led to one of the most significant reported data breaches. 

Possible infringement risks

The thing with open-source as a concept is that:

  • it is a contribution to the community first; 
  • the product second. 

Because of its free-for-all status, open-source does not operate under standard commercial regulations. 

This vagueness creates an underlying issue as open-source tools may contain elements of the proprietary code, i.e., somebody else’s intellectual property. 

On its own, this is not an issue in the open-source product itself. It becomes an issue when the open-source applications, with the unregulated segments of the proprietary code, are used in the development of the commercial product

One of the most prominent recent infringement cases is IBM v. SCO Group. Here’s what happened: in 2001, IBM had released an operating system called “Project Monterey.” It contained elements of UNIX System V code owned by SCO Group under a standard license agreement. At the same time, IBM had contributed sections of the Project Monterey with elements of UNIX System V code to the Linux kernel. 

This led to a long-running lawsuit from the SCO Group. The company claims that the alleged presence of the proprietary code in the open-source was a case of misappropriation of trade secrets that: 

  • devalued their product; 
  • caused unfair competition; 
  • ultimately led to the company’s bankruptcy. 

As a result, they sought billions in compensation. 

That’s an extreme case, but it is a good illustration of possible consequences. How to avoid this kind of situation? 

  • Proper due diligence of the open-source tools is the best way of keeping things under control. 
  • Supply chain component analytical tools like DependencyTrack can automate the majority of the routine and let you react swiftly to any possible problems. 

Managing Licenses

The other issue that emerges from a lack of commercial regulations of the open-source software is the license conundrum.

Here’s why. The development of proprietary software often involves numerous open-source elements – libraries, frameworks, tools, etc. These elements are released under different license types (for example, Apache license for data processing frameworks) with distinct compliance requirements. 

As a result, the proprietary application gets entangled in the net of different licenses, all of which need full compliance. Non-compliance puts the company at risk of legal action, which is damaging for reputation and financial resources. 

An excellent example of the consequences of open-source license non-compliance is the recent case of Panasonic Avionics Corporation v. CoKinetic Systems Corporation. 

  • CoKinetic claims that Panasonic had intentionally ignored the General Public License to hold back the competition.
  • The thing is – Panasonic in-flight hardware uses a Linux-based operating system, which adheres to GNU General Public License. 
  • One of the requirements of this license says if the GPL-licensed tool is used to develop a piece of software, this application requires a release in open-source under the same license. 
  • Panasonic hadn’t done that, and from the perspective of CoKinetic, it blocked the competition and monopolized the market. 

The lawsuit is nowhere near protecting community standards. In reality, it is messing with the competition, as a kind of attempt to disrupt the workflow and damage the credibility of the company.

How to avoid this issue from happening?

  • License tracking is a dubious routine that requires transparency and caution. 
  • You need an excellent DevOps engineer to handle it and keep it intact. 
  • The primary tool to keep open-source licenses under control is software composition analysis apps like Blackduck, SourceClear, and WhiteSource. 

This combination provides a full view of the software components used in the application and allows you to manage any emerging licensing issues with relative ease.

Operational Inefficiency

Operational inefficiency is one of the biggest technical challenges that come with open-source software. 

The chain of events is as follows: 

  • you are using a version of a program for some purpose; 
  • someone reports on the new exploit; 
  • the latest update is pending. 
  • the emergence of an exploit creates a security risk, and you need to react swiftly.

Here’s where the challenge comes. 

There are higher priorities to take care of when it comes to software development. You need to get the thing working, optimize it all the way through, fix bugs, and handle glitches. Things like open-source software updates, and emerging security risks, usually slip away in the heat of the moment for the sake of more important things. 

That’s how the Equifax leak became reality.

How to avoid this problem? 

  • Provide transparency of the development inventory to keep the team on the same page regarding the state of the toolkit.
  • Use software composition tools to streamline the management process and implementation of updates.
  • In case of abandoned or infrequently updated open-source tools (which happens all the time), the developers need to fix the issue on their own. 

Faulty code copy-pasting 

The development process consists of routine operations. Code copy-pasting is one of them. While it is a standard operation on its own, it is what is copied and pasted that can create a significant security threat. 

The thing – developers often copy-paste the code directly from open-source libraries. As was previously mentioned, there is a chance of having an exploit inside a copied code. That is one part of the problem.

The other part of the problem is that once the code snippet is in the codebase – it is a part of an application. It is hard to update that particular snippet, and remove the exploit after the fact, without disrupting the workflow. In other words, it is like shooting yourself in the foot.

The solution to this problem is simple. 

  • You need to forbid any direct copy-pasting from open-source repositories and insist on mandatory code reviews before implementation. 

What’s next?

These are all of the significant open source security challenges you need to be aware of to avoid getting into trouble.

These days the issue of transparency and trust between the company and the user is at its peak. If the company wants to establish their product as trustworthy in the eyes of the user – the use of open source security is one of the surefire ways of showing that. 

On the other hand, going open source paves the way for the further evolution of the product – the refinement of existing features, fixes of flaws, and addition of new elements.

How to Develop a Dating App like Tinder

Posted on by Pavel Tantsiura
In this issue:

 “Ah look at all the lonely people” sang The Beatles in their Eleanor Rigby song. Since the 60s, many things have changed, including the way people find soulmates. After the revolution caused by Tinder in 2012, the niche of dating applications is still up and running.

Below, we share the main Tinder features, explain its matching algorithm, and monetization strategy.

But there is more.

You will also find mobile dating app development, step-by-step guide.

Current Dating App Statistic

As we said, modern technologies have completely changed the way we find someone to date and online dating is no longer a taboo.

A quick look at some statistics:

The dating apps market is growing, as well as the customers’ demands. Therefore, if you what to make a dating app, this is the right time. And in this case, you should look up to industry leaders, like Tinder.

Now, let’s learn how to make a dating app like Tinder. 

HOW TO DEVELOP AN APP LIKE NETFLIX 

What are Tinder’s Main Features?

As we said, Tinder is one of the most popular dating applications around the world, and the secret weapon of Tinder is a gaming spirit and swiping feature. If you like someone’s profile, you swipe right, if you don’t – you swipe left. 

Now we’ll look at Tinder app features in more detail.

Login via social networks. Users can log in with their Instagram or Facebook profiles. Then, users can connect their Facebook and Instagram profiles with a Tinder account. Such social authentication helps the platform to become more trustworthy.

Login via social networks

Geolocation. Tinder use users location to see which social spots, like bars, coffee shops, etc. they visit more frequently. Other users who have visited that place receive a notification only after the app user leaves that place. Besides, Tinder uses geolocation to find interest-based matches. This way, the app improves its services. For instance, the app will remove cinema halls from the social spots list if a lot of app users keep deleting them from their lists.

Matching algorithm. The app algorithm compares the new user profile with other profiles that are already in the database and suggests relevant matches.

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How Tinder algorithm works. 

  •   The app uses the score to rank people by the attractiveness
  •   For this, the app counts how many people swiped a person’s profile right (or Liked). 
  •   The more likes, the higher the user’s score 
  •   The app shows their profiles to other people with a similar amount of likes
  •   Thereby, the app makes the match from the most liked people

Got something to say?

Swipe Surge. As we said, Tinder users can like other profiles with a right swipe and dislike them by swiping left. According to the Tinder press release, Swipe Surge increased user activity up to 15x higher. This feature also increases the user match-making potential by 250 percent. 

Image source: Luceverntech

Find matches. Users can set interests, age, gender, etc. as search criteria. Then, the app makes a match of users who like each other’s profiles.

Profile setting. Tinder users can set their profiles to make them more trustworthy and attractive.

Push notification. When the app algorithm finds a suitable match, the user receives a push notification.  

Private chat. When the app makes a match, users can chat in build-in unscripted messenger.

Our next step is to learn how to develop a dating app.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO DEVELOP AN APP: DETAILED FEATURE BREAKDOWN

How to create your own dating app: A Step-by-step guide

To turn your idea about a dating app into a reality, you need to go through the following stages:  

Step 1. Find our niche

Finding a niche is the first stage of starting a dating app. While there are many dating apps already present in the market, you still have an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. For that, you need to choose your niche.

Below you will find the most exciting dating niches, currently present in the market. 

Preferences in food

There are many people with particular menu choices, such as gluten-free people, vegetarians, and vegans. Still, it is hard for them to meet a soul make in everyday life with the same preferences. So, you can base your dating app on some individual diet preferences.

Example:  

Gluten-Free Singles. This dating website was created for gluten-free people so that they can find dating partners, friends, and activity groups with people of the same preferences.

Gluten-Free Singles

Preferences in lifestyle

We are all different, having different ideas of the perfect place to live. While some of us are children of big cities, others might prefer living in the countryside. Shared preferences in lifestyle can be a solid basis for people to start their relationship.

Example:

Equestrian Cupid. This dating website, developed for country and horse lovers, is a perfect place to find a cowboy or cowgirl. Equestrian Cupid gathered millions of people who dislike busy cities and dream to live in the countryside. Even if the user does not own a horse, they can join the website if they share down to earth values.

Equestrian Cupid

Favorite pets

Favorite pets are another theme that may bring people together. Some of us are cat lovers, while others like dogs. Thus, you can base your dating app on common interests in pets.

Example:  

Purrsonals.This dating website brings cat lovers together, so they can look for love while discussing their pets.

Purrsonals

So, what’s next?

DO YOU NEED A MOBILE ECOMMERCE APP FOR YOUR STORE?

Step 2. Choose a business model

There are several business models that Tinder and other dating apps use for earning money:

Premium business model

Users get a free set of basic app features, but they can buy a premium app version with the following advanced features :

  •   Boosting profile. The app charges users a fixed fee to show their profile as the first in the search result.
  •   Advanced swipe. This feature, powered by a machine learning algorithm, changes the way users see photos. 

what is the technology behind it? The smart algorithm adjusts the user photos on the basis of the interests of other users. In this way, the owner of a premium account receives more chances to get matched.

  •   Unlimited likes. While users of the free app version have a limited amount of right swipes or likes, users with a paid account have an unlimited number of likes.
Unlimited likes

You can use other ways of app monetization, such as: 

In-app purchases

App users are pleased to give and receive gifts from each other. To do this, empower your app with paid gifts, such as greetings, flowers, and kisses.

Ads

Many applications use this monetization strategy. You can charge other businesses for running their ads in your app. These might be cost-per-click or cost-per-mile models.

Step 3. Choose the tech stack for a Tinder-like app

Now you need to choose the technologies that will power your app and the main thing you need to keep in mind is scaling.

But why does it matter?

As we look at Tinder as an example:

Since the app’s launch, the Tinder app developers used MongoDB, the NoSQL database, to match people. But, as the app becomes popular and gains users, it becomes hard for the team to maintain the MongoDB database performance. So, the team needed to move to the more powerful Amazon Web Services hosting.

With this in mind, consider the following Tinder technology stack for your dating app.

Tinder technology stack for your dating app

Now it is time to find some mobile app developers, right? 

BREAKING DOWN AVERAGE COST OF IPHONE APP DEVELOPMENT (THE APP SOLUTIONS EXPERIENCE)

Step 4. Choose a Dating App Development Team

With numerous options presented on the mobile app development market, you need to consider the following parameters to find the best app development team:

Developers Hourly Rate

It is no secret that developers from different countries have a different hourly rate. At the same time, they might have similar experiences and skillsets. Therefore, if you want to decrease development costs, you can consider partnering with developers from other countries.

Check the table with developers’ rates across different countries below.

Check the table with developers’ rates across different countries below

Image source: Clutch 

Portfolio

The portfolio is another sign you need to check when looking for a mobile app development team. This way, you will receive insight into the company’s level of expertise. Besides, it would be great if the mobile development company have dating apps in their portfolio.

Our recent project is WizzLuck, a mobile dating application that connects people of similar interests. 

The client hired us to refactor the MVP, debug it, and make an upgrade for the new market.  For this project, the team remastered the code, fixed the bugs, and developed a new design.

We also integrated a geolocation feature to help WizzLuck users find matches nearby.

Now, moving on.

Previous Clients

Ask the mobile development team for a list of recent clients. By contacting them, you can learn about your future developers’ reliability, communication skills, and commitments.

Development Capabilities

The size of the development team is another thing to consider. If you want to create an enterprise-level solution, you need to find a big development team. On the other hand, to create a project MVP, you can cooperate with a team with one or two mobile developers.

Step 5. Develop and Launch MVP 

After you’ve selected the development team, they will start the discovery (inception) phase. This stage will include clarification of the project’s requirements, your business goals, and project prototyping.

Feature

Description

Estimated development time

Social sign-in

 

Empower your app with sign-in via social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn for a more seamless experience.

24+ hours

User profile

 

Each user has their own profile where one indicates interests and hobbies.

 

12+ hours

Geolocation

 

With this feature, the app users will choose the region where they want to find a soulmate and even choose nearby locations.

8+ hours

Matching

To make the matching process more accurate, use AI-based algorithms.

45+ hours

Chatting

 

When users have a match, they can start chatting and get to know each other better. Also, it is possible to add stickers and GIFs optionally to make messages more vivid.

 

6+ hours

Push notifications

Push notifications will inform your app users about their matches.

18+ hours

Settings

 

Settings include main features like select by categories, on/off the sound, customize different filters, and so on.

 

16+ hours

Total

 

From 129+ hours

 

The Bottom Line

The development of a dating app might be a very profitable investment. Still, matching app development is a complicated procedure that requires, not only financial resources but also significant experience from your mobile development team.

We hope that our guide on how to create a dating app has helped you to understand how to make your own Tinder app and monetization strategies you should apply.

The only thing left is to find an experienced development team to turn your ideas into reality.

How to Develop an App Like Netflix

Posted on by Pavel Tantsiura
In this issue:

Do you remember those days when family members argue about what to watch next? Now, those days belong to the past. With online movie streaming services, you can watch anything, anytime, from any device. Moreover, the global video streaming market is estimated to be worth over $125 billion by 2025. And if you want to join the party, this is the right time. 

Below, you will find Netflix’s success story and tips on how to start a streaming service. 

Let’s begin. 

Netflix

[Source: finance.yahoo]

The story behind Netflix success

Netflix is the leader in the video streaming industry. Starting as a DVD-by-mail company in 1997, now Netflix has over 118 million paid subscribers. In the U.S. alone, over 50% of households use this service. But why is Netflix so popular?   

In 1998, Netflix launched a web-page. Besides, the platform changed from a ‘Pay per rental’ to  ‘Monthly Subscription’ model. In the early 2000s’, Netflix focused on online streaming services, and it paid off. In 2008, Netflix finally introduced the Streaming service we know today.

How to make a live stream website like Twitch

Today, the company is famous for its original shows, television classics, and movies. According to Statista, In the third quarter of 2022, the streaming company Netflix based in Los Gatos, California, reported net earnings of around 1.4 billion U.S. dollars, whilst this amount was of roughly 1.45 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2021.

netflix-income-statistics

Before answering the question of how to start a streaming service, let us take a closer look at Netflix. 

How to Build a Dating App like Tinder

Netflix business model 

The business model is not only about the way you monetize your business. It is also about how you embrace your audience. Besides, the business model creates an organization ecosystem, able to scale upwards in the future. 

Netflix uses a subscription-based business model. In combination with global expansion, this business model allows the company to scale up quickly and steadily.

Netflix Value Proposition

The Netflix value proposition includes four essential elements, such as: 

Accessibility. The company delivers video across different platforms, operating systems, and devices. By using this approach, Netflix maximizes its fan base. Subscribers watch their favorite video content via browsers, tablets, and other devices. 

Original content. Netflix broadcast exclusive programs and third-party publisher’s shows. Besides, the service offers some in-house shows which are not available on other platforms. 

No ads. Netflix shows ads only to free account users. But, we all know how irritating ads are when you are watching your favorite series. At the same time, premium subscription owners enjoy online streaming without ads. In this way, the service motivates users to buy a subscription. 

Recommendation algorithm. Netflix has thousands of T.V. shows available for streaming. The recommendation algorithm gathers relevant content and increases engagement with the platform. 

HOW TO CREATE VIDEO SOCIAL MEDIA APP LIKE TIKTOK

Ready to develop a Netflix-like app?

Netflix recommendation system

[Netflix recommendation Systems. Source: Uxplanet]

The recommendation algorithm analyzes user data from different sources. The Netflix machine learns recommendations for ranking, searching similarity, ratings, and more. Netflix also works with groups of various tastes. Thus, each subscriber fits into many groups that also affect recommendations. 

Netflix recommendation system

HOW TO CREATE A MUSIC APP LIKE SPOTIFY

How does Netflix make money?

The essential Netflix revenue source is subscriptions. Users can choose from the following three subscription monthly plans (for the USA): 

  • Basic at $9.99 per month. With this plan, users can watch movies and T.V. shows on laptops, T.V., phones, and tablets. This plan does not include high-definition viewing, and users can only watch HD videos on one screen at a time.
  • Standard at a cost of $157.49 per month. At this price, users can watch Full HD videos on two simultaneous viewings.
  • Premium costs $19.99 per month. After paying the subscription fee, users can watch 4K videos on four screens at the same time. 

There is also a new Basic with ads* plan available (from November 2022). Its price is $6.99/month.

As for the target audience, Netflix has three main business segments:

  • Domestic streaming. The platform revenues come from monthly fees, paid by U.S. subscribers.
  • International streaming. Monthly membership fees came from subscribers outside the United States.  
  • Domestic DVD. Revenue generated by US subscribers who pay DVD-by-mail monthly subscription fees. 
netflix-subscribers

Now, let us look at the steps on how to start a business like Netflix and estimate the app development cost. 

What solutions can we offer?

Find Out More

Our Success Story

CASE STUDY: VIDEO STREAMING APP PROOF OF CONCEPT

At The APP Solutions, we often receive requests from potential clients for video streaming app development. Clients, who consider The APP Solutions as a tech partner, are looking for evidence that we have expertise in video streaming and social media app development. 

We decided to build a proof of concept of a video streaming application to ensure the ownership of the tech expertise. We also gave a detailed description of the overall architecture, feature list, and technologies we applied.

video streaming app proof of concept

In addition, social media applications, doctor-on-demand projects, and virtual events software also apply video streaming functionality. 

How to Create Your Own Streaming Service App

The development of a Netflix style business is not as hard as it seems. To achieve this, you need to go through several steps as described below. 

Step 1. Find your niche

The first thing to do is to decide what content your app will stream to users. To give you a clue on profitable steaming niches, we have gathered several ideas below. 

  • Entertainment. Netflix and HBO show us that entertainment streaming services are very profitable. The audience is big enough to accommodate a new streaming provider. 
  • Fitness. Fitness is another prospective niche for VOD services. People would love to pay for a subscription to have access to fitness-related videos anytime. Besides, you can add different video categories, like yoga, dance training, or a healthy diet to enhance a wider audience.  
  • Education. Nowadays, people are more likely to watch “How to” videos, rather than reading tutorials and instructions. Moreover, you can choose from many sub-niches, like magic tricks, cake making, or even origami to attract a specific audience. 

Step 2. Decide on the content availability

Since the content is the basis of your on-demand streaming service, you need to determine what your content will be. 

  • Would you use videos from other distributors? 
  • Or, would you want to create your video content? 

If you want to cooperate with video distributors, you need to get a license for public performance. There are two ways to deal with that:

  • Renting a movie from the authorized distributor with licenses
  • Contacting the copyright holder 

Both options are legit, and the choice depends on your business goals. If you choose the first option you might contact one of two leading authorized distributors or movies and T.V. series in the USA: 

As for the second option, you need to get in touch with the studio which is the rightful holder of specific content. 

Step 3. Choose the monetization model 

For your proposed on-demand video service you can choose between three methods of video monetization: 

Pay-Per-View is the most straightforward pricing scheme which means the user pays for each video to watch. You can apply this model if you want to develop a platform to broadcast concerts, trade shows, conferences, or sports events, like boxing and MMA.

Advertising. You can charge other companies for running video advertisements on your platform. Still, this monetization strategy would only work if your platform will become famous among users. 

Subscription. As you remember, Netflix uses this exact monetization strategy. Besides, the subscription model is used by a third of professional broadcasters. Subscribers are charged a monthly fee to receive access to a content library. You can use this monetization technique if you will regularly release new content on your platform.  

Netflix monetization model

[Source: Toulousevip]

Build Your Own Dedicated Team

Step 4. Study the video streaming app requirements

For your video to perform well, you need to balance the following performance characteristics:

Internet Speed

Internet speed impacts the platform’s ability to stream on-demand videos. The minimum internet speed to stream standard definition movies is more than 2 Mb/s (megabits per second). But to broadcast HD, 3D or 4K, your Internet speed must be much higher. Let us check the Netflix example. 

Cloud hosting and computing architecture

For keeping video content we recommend using cloud hosting platforms since cloud hosting has the following advantages:

  • Cloud hosting platforms are flexible and increase the amount of space automatically. 
  • Such platforms allow quick access to video content 
  • Cloud hosting platforms are cheaper than hard drives

An on-demand video platform requires complex architecture. As your business develops, the complexity of your architecture will only increase. Subsequently, you need to think about your platform scaling from the very beginning. In this way, you can avoid complex data migrations.  

Besides, you can use cloud computing capabilities for many operations, including: 

  • Search engine
  • Recommendation system
  • A/B testing
  • Streaming service
  • Caching architecture 

Recently, we developed a cloud dataflow for the Nanopore DNA Sequencing app. We solved the issues with the data transfer speed by using data processing and subsequent storage of incoming data. To find out more, read CASE STUDY: REAL-TIME DIAGNOSTICS FROM NANOPORE DNA SEQUENCERS

Network connectivity

Even if your online streaming platform doesn’t grow quickly, consider that it will scale up in the future. To achieve this, you need to integrate a content delivery network to your service. The content delivery network (CDN) broadcasts videos to subscribers via a server network. CDN turns your streaming app into a scalable system to handle significant traffic.

Security

You need to consider content protection from unauthorized access across customer devices. To ensure that your video streaming service is secure, consider the following:

  • Network background provides 24/7 monitoring and content availability in the case of server failure.
  • Token security prevents access to the videos of a 3rd-party source without your approval.
  • Domain restriction locks content to a specific domain. Thanks to this feature, other users cannot see the embedded link in the source code and insert it into another platform or website.
  • Geographical restriction excludes specific locations due to licensing agreements.
  • Watermarking provides an extra level of live stream security. Thus, you maintain the rights to your content.

Payment gateway 

To provide your subscribers with various payment options, you can use the following popular payment solutions: 

  • Stripe, which supports subscription services, has premade UI components and an API-first approach to customize the payment gateway for your platform. 
  • 2CheckOut supports payments via Visa, Discover, MasterCard, JCB, PayPal, or other credit/debit cards.
  • PayPal Payments Pro, which allows you to create and host your own checkout pages for complete control.
  • Braintree. This payment gateway operates in over 40 countries and accepts payments in more than 130 currencies

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Step 7. Develop an on-demand streaming service MVP 

The last part of our guide on how to start an online video streaming business is the development stage. During this stage you must clarify functional and non-functional requirements, set timelines, think about the design, and so on. 

Pay extra attention to your proposed platform design since seamless user experience is the key to Netflix’s success. The platform needs an intuitive user interface. Thus, users can easily navigate films and shows, create “lists,” search by genre, actor, director, and so on. 

In the table below, we have gathered the essential MVP features and estimation in hours. 

Feature

Description

Estimation in hours

User Registration

Users can register their accounts on the platform and login to it later via email, Google, or Facebook.

From 32 hours

User Profile

Users can edit the name, upload photos, choose preferred genres, actors, directors, movies, shows, etc.

From 16 hours

Subscription and Payment Gateway

After the end of a free trial period, the service’s users will choose from several subscription options and pay for it via Stripe, Paypal, Braintree, etc. 

From 80 hours

Content Search

Users can search for their preferred content on the basis of actors, movies, TV shows, ratings, genres, user reviews and more.

From 20 hours

Push Notifications

Users receive a notification when:

  • Their subscription is about to expire
  • Their subscription is renewed 
  • They choose to cancel the subscription
  • They decide to upgrade their subscription
  • The new episode in on air

From 24 hours

Reviews and Ratings

This feature provides an option to review and rate the content they have just watched.

From 44 hours

Design

The team creates engaging platform layouts as well as each screen of the user’s experience.

From 100 hours

Total

 

From 316 hours

You might also like: WHAT IS MVP IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT?

Step 8. Gather feedback 

After the MVP launch, you need to gather user feedback from your platform. First, you need to find out how they like the existing features. Then, you can ask them what features they would like to add to your on-demand video service. This step will help you to understand the experience of real users with your service. You can gather user feedback in several ways:

  • Email survey.
  • Social media. 
  • Pools. 

Bonus section: Important metrics to track

And now, let us look at the most critical parameters you need to measure:

Customer acquisition cost (CAC). This metric tells you the cost of acquiring a new subscriber. To calculate CAC, you need:

  • Pick a specific period
  • Divide the cost of marketing by the number of paying subscribers  

The lower CAC, the better. 

Retention Rate. This metric evaluates the percentage of active subscribers and those who have stopped using the service over a given time. You can calculate the retention rate by doing the following: 

  • Subtract the number of new subscribers at the end of a season
  • Divide this number by the number of subscribers you started the season with 

In this case, your goal is to keep the retention rate as high as possible. Still, this metric varies depending on the industry.

Netflix retansion rate

Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) shows how much revenue you receive from repeat customers. This metric also helps to evaluate the quality of your product. If you can keep your average user for a year, then the revenue such users bring during the year is your CLV. 

Return on Advertising Spending (ROAS) shows the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. You can calculate ROAS in this way:

  • Divide the sales generated by your advert spending. 

Final Word

Since 1997, Netflix has become one of the media industry’s leaders. With the subscription-based model, the company continues scaling and investing in technological innovations. 

When developing a video streaming app, let the industry leaders, such as Netflix, be your successful example. In this way, you can adapt their business strategy for your video service. Consider choosing a niche and technology stack for your online streaming app. Besides, take into account certain industry-specific requirements, such as complex cloud architecture. Once you have a clear picture of your project, you can hire mobile app developers to bring your idea into reality.  

What our clients say 

Swift vs React Native: Which one is better to choose when developing your app for iOs

Posted on by Pavel Tantsiura
In this issue:

When you want to build an App for iOS the primary question is, “Should I develop a native app on Swift or a cross-platform solution on React Native”? Here is the deal. It is always better to use Swift for iOS apps. Still, in some cases, React Native could be your platform of choice. Below, we explain the difference between Swift and React Native, their pros and cons to help you choose the right solution. 

What is Swift?

Swift was created by Apple in 2014. It works with Apple’s Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks. Besides, Swift supports the existing Objective-C code developed for Apple devices. Swift has 48.2K GitHub stars and 7.71K GitHub forks. Swift is perfect for projects with complex infrastructure, native iOS features, and in-app payment. We used Swift for our recent project, Openbucks because the app required data modeling, transaction processing, and third-party integrations. To find out more, read the full case study.

Openbucks the appsolutions project

[Openbucks app by the App Solutions]

If your app requires complex integrations as well, use Swift. 

Swift Pros 

  • Available coding. Swift is an open-source language, currently distributed on Apache License. 
  • Better error-handling. Swift has a strong typing and error handling system which prevents code crashes and errors in production. 
  • Easy scaling. Swift is future-proof and can be extended with new features as needed. Thus, such apps are typically easier to scale.
  • Less coding. Swift is very concise, which means you need less code to perform the same task, as compared to React Native.
  • Faster coding. Swift was built with performance in mind. This language has a simple syntax which allows developing apps faster.

Swift Cons

  • Only for Apple devices. Since Swift is a native platform, you can only use this language for native devices. Thus, to build apps for both Android and iOS, you will have to come up with a separate app.

NODE JS VS REACT JS 

What is React Native?

React Native, a framework designed and supported by Facebook is used for cross-platform mobile applications. React Native uses JavaScript. Thus, developers can share up to 70% of the code between various platforms such as Android and iOS. Codesharing reduces the development time and cost of cross-platform apps. React Native has 78.3K GitHub stars and 17.5K forks on GitHub. 

React Native Pros

  • Faster developing. React Native is powered with JavaScript. Thus, up to 90% of the code for your mobile app may be taken from web applications. Building iOS apps with React Native is 33% faster than Swift and takes 1,5 months. 
  • Less debugging. With React Native, bug tracing requires much less effort. 
  • Less budgeting. You can run the project with a smaller team while reducing the costs.
  • Hot reloading. This feature allows mobile developers to visualize the code they have created. Thus, hot reloading makes the whole development process a lot more productive.
  • Feature expanding. You can extend your app functionality with existing or custom JavaScript modules. 

React Native Cons 

  • App Store restrictions. If your RN app uses libraries that dynamically update native code, App Store will reject it. 
  • Lack of wrappers. In some cases, developers need to create custom wrappers to empower the app with native modules, components, and APIs, which takes time. 
React Native works with native components
  • Complex design. Both Android and iOS have different design guidelines for apps. For this reason, it is tough to develop high-quality custom UI for React Native apps.
  • Security. Since React Native is an open-source framework, it has a gap in security validity. To develop banking and financial apps, you need to add extra security patches.
  • Frequent updates. React Native updates its components regularly. Thus, be ready to release your app updates more often. 

VUE VS. ANGULAR VS. REACT

React Native vs Swift comparison 

Criteria

Swift

React Native

User Interface

When building an app on Swift, developers create the code from scratch. Thus, the team should polish app design elements separately. 

React Native uses internal APIs to run native elements. Thanks to JavaScript, the app adjusts to any screen size. 

Speed of coding

Swift allows making app development easier while getting rid of drawbacks. 

React Native is a simple-yet-powerful working horse of app development. When building an app for both iOS and Android app, to some extent, this will be a copy-paste process.

Community and support

Developers receive support on technical topics at Swift public forums.

React Native is open-sourced. Contributions from companies and individuals around the world support React Native.

Performance

Native app, build on Swift, leverages all device possibilities. Besides, the platform performs better when dealing with graphic effects and computational-heavy tasks. 

The app on React Native will need to leverage internal APIs and libraries. Thus, developers have to create needed modules on their own. In other words, they need to add a middle-man between the code and platform, which impacts the app’s performance. 

Developer hourly rate

The average hourly wage for Swift developers varies depending on the location:

  • From $100 to $300 in the U.S. 
  • From $80 to $200 in Western Europe 
  • From $50 and $150 in Eastern Europe 

The average React Native Developer hourly rate varies by  country:

  • From $90 to $350 in the U.S. 
  • From $70 to $250 in Western Europe
  • From $40 to $120 in Eastern Europe 

So, Which is better: React Native or Swift?

Which one to pick when building your iOS app for the Apple products? To find the answer, let’s look at the following cases: 

  • Apps with complex user interfaces. Let’s imagine you need a resource-intensive mobile app with many user interface interactions. For instance, a messaging app with a built-in geolocation feature. In this case, your option is Swift, because building complex apps on native platforms are always the best option. 
  • Apps for a single platform. To create a complex and powerful app for iPhone users only, it is better to use Swift. 
  • Utilities and media players. It is easier to develop apps such as media players and battery monitoring on Swift because these applications always use native features and APIs provided by iOS. Developing native wrappers for APIs would increase the development time and cost.

swift vs react native which to choose

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IOS VS ANDROID APP DEVELOPMENT

To sum up

Both Swift and React Native are powerful solutions for app development. However, the choice between Swift or React Native app depends on your project type: 

Go Swift if you:

  • Want to make an iOS-only app
  • Develop a complex app that uses a large part of platform-specific code
  • Want to maintain the app over a long period
  • Need an app to manage things like memory footprint, or the app requires a lot of interactions with the user interface, like games. 
  • Need your app to support new mobile OS features after the platform updates

Go React Native in the following cases:

  • You need to build an app for both platforms with a small team with limited time and resources.
  • Your project requires fast building time, hot reloading, and live reloading features. 
  • Your app will look and work the same for both iOS and Android operating system. 

By choosing the right platform for your iOS apps, you will reduce development costs, increase app productivity, and improve ongoing app support. We hope that after reading this article, you now have an idea of what is the most suitable platform for your iOS and also Android app.  

Third-party API integration to mobile business apps: benefits, types, and a step-by-step guide

Posted on by Pavel Tantsiura
In this issue:

Let’s imagine that you recently released your app MVP and now you want to enrich it with additional functionality such as geolocation, social media login, and a list of recipes. Should your app developer build all those features from scratch? Well, no, because you can enrich your app functionality using a thousand ready-made APIs (application programming interface), provided by different services. 

If you want to find out more about API for third party integration, and the benefits they bring to your business, read on. In this article, we also highlight the most popular APIs for mobile apps and give a handy guide with API integration steps. 

What is the 3rd party API?

When you come to a restaurant and want to order, you need a waiter who will deliver your order to the kitchen and bring it to your table. In this case, API performs as a waiter. It sends the request from your mobile app to a third-party APIs system and delivers the result back to your app.  

Also known as an application programming interface, API is a defined method of communication between various software components with a set of subroutine definitions, tools, and protocols that allow your mobile app to borrow functionality and data from other apps or services. 

Secure API for mobile apps work process]

[Secure API for mobile apps work process]

A 3rd party API consists of three main components: 

  • Client, or in other words system that sends the request to the server 
  • The server might be the computer or database that responds to the request

MONOLITHIC VS MICROSERVICES: CHOOSING THE ARCHITECTURE FOR YOUR BUSINESS APP

Most of our clients use mobile API integration over developing features from scratch due to the following reasons: 

  • Fewer costs. Since your app can use functions of other applications, your development team needs less time to build an app with comprehensive features, which reduces the cost of development and time to market.  
  • More value. By providing app users with advanced features, third-party API integration might become your app USP (unique selling proposition) and help your app to stand out from the crowd.  
  • Convenient app. APIs make your app easily accessible via channels your app users interact with. By using APIs by Facebook for social media sites login, Google Maps API for determining geolocation, or Paypal API for paying for an order, you make your app even more convenient to users, thus increasing their engagement. 
  • Business ensigns. Make better data-driven decisions for your app functionality via analytics components such as usage patterns, device types, and geographical locations. Such insights are particularly useful for businesses that launched app MVP and are looking for ideas on app usability. 

If you are ready to receive all these benefits, the first thing to do is to select which type of action API your app should perform, i.e., use case. 

Build Your Own Dedicated Team

Three main API use cases

The integrated third party APIs could perform the following actions: 

Using other services features

One example is apps that use PayPal’s Braintree API as the payment gateway or our project Spotnews, an app with integrated Spotify API allowing users to listen to music while reading news. For more information, read our case study. 

Receiving other’s services information

For instance, by integrating New York’s subway system API, you can provide your app users with real-time travel data, like the schedule of trains, arrival, and departure.

UBER API INTEGRATION: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE 

Getting access to mobile app device functions

Examples of such third party API integration are apps like Snapchat and Instagram which use the phone’s camera API to take pictures. At the same time, Google Maps can define the user’s location by using the phone’s geolocation API. 

In a nutshell, by using third party API, you can add new features to your app, get access to other services data or mobile device features, without spending a fortune on developing those features from scratch.

third-party-api

Third-party API examples

To give you an idea of what features you can integrate into your app, we have built a third party API list for business apps and their features. 

  • Google Maps API is a must for any navigation or geolocation mobile apps since it shows maps and driving directions so your app users don’t get lost. 
  • Facebook API is the social network API integration we use for our projects most often since it allows authorizing new app users via their existing Facebook profile; thus, users avoid filling in long registry forms. 
  • Skyscanner API might be helpful if you want to create a travel mobile app and provide users with flight search, ticket prices, and live quotes from ticketing agencies.
  • Booking API will add such information to your mobile app as accommodation queries, facilities, prices, and other info from hotels around the world.  
  • Spoonacular API with recipes, food, and nutrition is a must for diet and fitness apps since it includes over 365,000 recipes and 86,000 food products. Also, your app users can calculate the number of calories in each meal, convert ingredients, find recipes to meet special diets, and so on. 
  • Movie Database API will work great if you consider developing an on-demand video streaming platform like Netflix. Such an API provides access to movie titles, IMDB rating, runtime, release date, awards, plot, and lots of other data for each title. 
  • Uber API will allow your app users to hail an Uber taxi via your app, pay for a drive in-app, and leave reviews. 

If you have selected API for your mobile app, let’s find out how you can do that. 

9 ALTERNATIVE ANDROID APP STORES

How to do API integration to your mobile app

So, what is third-party API integration? Let’s find out. Being responsible for different actions, functions, and information, every time, the third-party API has its own methods of integration. Here, we highlight the essential API integration patterns. 

Step 1. Hire an API integration developer

If you are not a tech person, to integrate an API to your app you will need to hire a mobile app developer. For this task, a mobile development specialist will use an SDK (software development kit) that includes a bunch of software development tools in one installable package. In this way, the developer will correctly integrate the selected API. 

Step 2. Create the project within the API provider system 

A mobile app developer should register in the API provider system because every call to the third-party APIs endpoint requires authentication. 

ANDROID APPS VS. IOS APPS – WHAT AND WHY IS BETTER?

Step 3. Receive API key and authorization token 

After registration, the developer gets an API key so the API provider system can identify the calling project and authentication token to verify that the calling user has access to make this request.

Step 4. Integrate the API framework for the app 

Now the developer installs the selected SDK with APIs to an app build environment using dependency managers such as CocoaPods for iOS and Maven for Android apps. 

Step 5. Use API request instances and methods

To make the app use new features integrated via API, the mobile developer will implement new functionality using dependencies added during the previous step.  

API integration process steps

[API integration step-by-step process]

Such integration may take the developer from 8 to 16+ hours and cost from $800 to 2k+. 

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Conclusion

By using third-party API integrations you can enrich your mobile app functionality without reinventing the wheel (Facebook, Google Maps, Paypal, online games etc.). Such an integration significantly reduces the cost and time of the app development process, while making your app to stand out from the crowd and increase user engagement. 

What to integrate third-party API?

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What our clients say

Barcode Scanning App for Inventory Management Digitalization

Posted on by Pavel Tantsiura
In this issue:

Imagine you just ordered a new PlayStation console you dreamed about for several months. You have confirmed your order, but a few seconds later, you receive an email where an online retailer said that all PlayStation consoles are out of stock. How would you feel? Probably, disappointed. Such situations occur due to improper stock management. 46% of supply chain professionals still rely on excel spreadsheets for their operations which do not effectively reflect the product inventory on their online stores. 

If you are looking for a solution to convert your stock inventory information into a digital format, you are in the right place. In this article, we explain the business benefits of barcode scanning app development, highlight the most effective barcode scanning app solutions, and explain how to create a barcode scanner app. 

But first, let’s figure out the essential reasons to digitize your inventory management.  

OUTSTAFFING VS. OUTSOURCING VS. MANAGED SERVICES: DIFFERENCES AND BENEFITS

Why there is a need for inventory management digitalization?

If you are running a supply chain business, you probably know that accurate inventory accounting is a must for business success. At the same time, inappropriate inventory accounting will result in the following:

Delivery delays. Selling products that are not in stock resulted in delayed shipped orders for 34% of businesses, which resulted in a decrease in customer satisfaction. 

Overstocking. To prevent stockouts, some retailers order too many products nobody wants to buy, which causes overstocking inventory and leads to higher storage costs. 

Inaccurate forecasting. While 43% of small businesses in the U. S. don’t track inventory or use manual records, they do not have a system to forecast demand and will always have inaccurate inventory levels.  

In a nutshell, a lack of transparency in inventory management may result in a loss of customer trust due to the long shipping period, unexpected costs caused by overstocking, and inability to forecast how many products you should order next time. With this in mind, let’s see how you can improve inventory management using a mobile barcoding app. 

E-COMMERCE CONVERSION RATE OPTIMIZATION STRATEGY EVERY ONLINE RETAILER MUST TRY
best-barcode-scanning-app

Barcode scanning app to improve inventory management

If you are already using ERP for inventory management and barcode scanners, you are on the right path to success. However, such barcode scanners do not allow editing data in real-time, and to do this, the worker should go to another place in the facility. To make inventory management even more effective and convenient for your workers, consider barcode scanner app development. Moreover, such a barcode inventory app displays more information about your inventory, such as bin, restocking information, lot number, and updates. But how do barcode scanner apps work? 

As you know, each product has a striped code on the back. The barcode scanning app for inventory uses the native mobile device camera to read the barcode, and then transfers the data to your local database or ERP system. 

Now, let’s find out what advantages a barcode scanning app might bring to your business.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ECOMMERCE: THE BEST USAGE AND TOOLS

Benefits of a barcode scanning mobile app

A barcode scanning inventory app for your inventory management will result in the following advantages: 

Provide offline access. While warehouse personnel has limited access to the internet to make transactions, a barcode scanning app allows users to perform all the operations without connecting to the internet to upload information to a server.

Improve Inventory control. By using a barcode scanning app, you will receive instant control over critical information in your inventory. Thus, your inventory management system becomes more transparent and effective. 

Enable real-time information. Since a barcode inventory app sends data to the primary system, you have real-time information on product shipping and inventory, and this eliminates selling products that are out of stock. 

Reduce counting errors. Thanks to computer vision, an inventory barcode scanner app ensures greater inventory counting accuracy while eliminating the human factor, as well as expensive recounting. 

Reduce costs. Barcode scanning apps could be installed to your workers’ mobile devices and deliver the same performance as barcode scanners while reducing your expenditures on hardware. 

barcode-scanning-app-for-iphone

Top 3 technologies for building barcode scanning app

While there are barcode scanner app builders presented on the market, we strongly advise making a barcode scanner app from scratch. The good news is that there is no need to spend a fortune on implementing image recognition technology since you can make your own barcode app using the following ready-made solutions: 

Firebase ML kit Barcode Scanning API for Android apps

  • With ML Kit’s barcode scanning API, you can empower your app with the ability to read data encoded using most standard barcode formats. 
  • Barcode scanning happens on the device; thus, a network connection is not necessary. 
  • Firebase ML kit API has integrated automatic barcode format detection, so the user does not need to specify the format of the barcode. 
  • The API supports the most common barcode formats: Codabar, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, EAN-8, EAN-13, ITF, UPC-A, UPC-E, 2D formats: Aztec, Data Matrix, PDF417, QR Code.

Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK for iOS and Android

  • Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK (software development kit) allows building barcode scanning mobile apps with market-leading scan speeds and accuracy.
  • This barcode scanner SDK for Android and iOS allows scanning barcodes in a bad light, with damaged labels, unusual barcodes, and with all mobile device types in less than a second. 
  • You can use this Barcode Scanner SDK for capturing labels, documents, machine-readable zones, and more around the barcode. 
  • Scandit barcode scanning system supports the most common 1D and 2D barcode formats, including QR Codes, PDF417, Aztec, Code-128, Data Matrix, as well as many others. 

Cognex Mobile Barcode SDK for both OS platforms

  • This software development kit, for barcode inventory tracking by Cognex, provides developers with total control over user experience, while building an app for all types of devices, including mobile, tablets, and even hybrid scanning tools.
  • You can use this SDK to develop a mobile app with barcode integration for different industries, including logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and commercial services. 
  • This SDK for barcode inventory management allows scanning damaged codes, using the app in challenging lighting conditions or harsh environments and also supports bunch scanning.
  • The SDK reads the following barcode formats: EAN, GS1 DataBar, MaxiCode, MSI Plessey, PDF417, UPC, and others. 

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How to make a barcode scanner app with The App Solutions

So you are ready to create a barcode app and digitize your inventory management. What to do next? 

STAGES OF LOGISTICS MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT

Step 1. Ask for a quote

First, you need to fill in our contact form and tell us as many details about your project as possible. 

Step 2. Clarify the project requirements

Next, your business development manager will get in touch with you via email or phone to schedule a meeting and clarify project details. 

Step 3. Sign NDA

Now, the business development manager will send you a Non-Disclosure Agreement to sign and schedule a meeting with a business analyst so that you can start the project discovery (inception) phase. 

Step 4. Create technical documentation

During the inception phase, our business analyst and project manager will create technical documentation with functional and non-functional requirements for your app, and our solution architect will offer the most suitable technical solutions to meet your business idea. 

Step 5. Enter the development stage

Our team will create a barcode scanner app which includes the development of mockups, wireframes, and prototypes. To ensure whether our team is on the same page with you, we will show you the results at the end of each two weeks iteration via a Skype call.  

How The APP Solutions works: cooperation models & development phases

Posted on by Pavel Tantsiura
In this issue:

So you want to hire a development team to build your mobile or web app? The main thing to consider is that the development team’s approach has a significant impact on the final result. Thus, before hiring an IT team for app development, you should learn more about the methodology they use for project development. At The App Solutions, we use the Agile methodology for developing software, since it has proved to be effective in delivering projects of different types. 

To learn more about the essential steps of project development at The App Solutions, read the article to the end. 

After you get in touch with us via the contact form of the app cost calculator, we start the  initiation phase. 

  • Firstly, our business development manager contacts you via phone or email to clarify more details about your project to create the project brief, receive a ready-made design, and a detailed description of your business idea. At this stage, we sign an NDA with you so you can be assured your business idea is protected. 

We understand that working with someone located in another country may present issues of trust. That is why, in some cases, we suggest an alternative project iniciation process to our clients to have a workshop in our office in Kyiv, Ukraine, and find out more about each other.  Such a workshop is a great option for shaping your business idea or to receive technical insights on how to implement your project in the best way. At the end of the workshop, you will receive meeting notes with a project vision, a list of tech solutions, tips on marketing strategy, and other information depending on your business needs.   

  • Secondly, based on the project details you clarified in brief, our business analyst, project manager, and technical lead make an overall, rough estimation for your project.

If you agree with this estimation, we clarify other project details and prepare a function decomposition with all the features and modules to integrate, estimate all the scope, and send you a preliminary estimate. 

  • Thirdly, after you agree on the preliminary estimate cost, we send you a  commercial offer, which includes an additional NDA and estimation cost of the inception phase cost. 

Why do we estimate the Inception phase separately from the project estimate total? The main reasons are:

  • The inception phase is an additional service we provide for our clients. It includes the development of technical documentation and other documents related to your project  
  • The inception phase requires significant effort from us and might take from two weeks to two months 

What are we going to do during the inception phase?  

Inception phase 

During the inception phase, our team, including a project manager, business analyst, and solution architect, schedule a kick-off meeting to introduce you to our team. During this stage, our business analyst and Solution Architect will: 

  • Identify your business processes and project value
  • Validate all the SDKs, APIs, and third-party integrations 
  • Create technical documentation for your project
  • Visualize server architecture 
  • Describe the working logic of how the project server, back-end, and front-end 

To write project technical documentation in the best way, we break project features into smaller parts, i.e., user stories or use cases, depending on your project requirements. If you need a team to create a design for your project, our business analyst will build project mock-ups with use cases while the designer will create an interactive mobile app prototype. 

[An example of an interactive mobile app prototype made by us. Try this mobile app prototype on the link]

Since we have more detailed information about your project, including features, use cases, technological solutions, and the project roadmap, we make the final estimate and send it to you. 

When inception phase deliverables and the final project estimate are agreed with you, we send you an additional agreement to sign, which includes:

  • Project iterations (we implement one user story per each iteration) 
  • Team composition required to deliver your project
  • Number of man-hours necessary to fulfill your project

The scope of the project may vary depending on your project requirements, i.e., whether we are going to create a project MVP or implement additional features to a ready-made project.

If you want to know more about the inception (discovery) phase read our article.

Now it is time to start the development stage.     

Development-Testing-Bug fixing-Production 

Instead of developing a massive part of the project and conducting comprehensive testing, we develop a small part of your project functionality during one iteration (from 1 to 2 weeks). Then, our team performs testing, bug-fixing, and shows you the result during a demo call. Our next step is uploading a small part of the project to the production environment. 

During the development stage, our team creates: 

  • Definition of ready, stated by your project manager and a business analyst in the task for a developer 
  • Definition of done, created by the quality assurance engineer, to ensure that the user story works properly and bug-free
  • Acceptance criteria, i.e., how one or another function should work to be accepted by you

Iteration by iteration, we ensure that all the code is bug-free and operates appropriately. 

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Product release

When all user stories are ready, we conduct the final project demo during a Skype call to show you the results of our work. 

If you are satisfied with the results, i.e., accepted the project, we provide you with all the accesses, databases, and other project-related data. 

Project monitoring 

After the final project demo, we provide support during the first two weeks to fix the project if anything is not working correctly. We also offer our clients additional service packages for project support. Such a package includes the team members required, the duration of the support, and the response time. 

Here is a review from one of our clients, Allen Day, Science Advocate at Google.

How The App Solutions ensures the project visibility

To achieve the most predictable results of delivering web and mobile apps, The App Solutions takes the following actions:   

Instant communication. From initiation to the final project demo, we connect with you to show you the result of each iteration and receive feedback on whether the project meets your expectations. 

Transparent process. All our team members use Jira, a project management software for tracking time spent for each iteration or task to complete. 

Clear project scope. We pay extra attention to the project scope, functional decomposition, and development of user stories to deliver your software within time and budget. 

The APP Solutions models of co-operations

All our clients have their own needs. Therefore, to cooperate with us in the most effective way, we offer the following models:

The app Solutiuons models of cooperation

Time and material for projects that take from 1 week to implement.  As for project management, APP Solutions is responsible for project delivery and quality. Thus, you can focus on your product and making it desirable for the market. We do the rest.

A dedicated team for a project which takes from 2 months. For this model, you can use your own project manager. If the PM is from the APP Solutions’ side, we are responsible for project delivery. Together with the client, we mutually agree on the workload and project requirements for a specified amount of time. 

Extended team/Outstaff suits you if your project takes from 6 months to develop.  Outstaffing is a perfect option when you have a team of developers and would like to add more members.

The app solutions cooperation models