08-03-2024

For the layman, the terms ‘software development’, ‘app development’, and ‘outsourced product development’ are often used interchangeably, and for most intents and purposes, mean the same thing. However, if you are a business looking for, say, outsourced product development services, how would you differentiate between the three terms and how would you know what exactly you’re getting? 

Within the realm of technology creation, these terms represent distinct processes and concepts. In this article, we will delve into each of these terms, highlighting their differences and similarities.

What is Application Development?

Application development involves the creation of computer software or instructions tailored to meet the needs of businesses, enabling them to streamline their operations and fulfill specific requirements. These applications play a crucial role in automating tasks and enhancing efficiency within organizations, whether it’s managing finances, generating sales reports, or facilitating other business processes. The development of an application involves several stages, including information gathering, prototyping, testing, debugging, final implementation, and integration with devices.

Apps, or software applications, are short-term programs designed to run on desktop or mobile devices, aimed at performing specific tasks with ease and efficiency. For instance, mobile users frequently utilize various apps, such as gaming, news, or navigation apps, to accomplish tasks ranging from entertainment to productivity. The increasing global pressure on organizations to innovate with software to drive growth and adapt to changing markets underscores the importance of software development. However, rushing the development process can compromise the quality of the software. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize high-quality custom software development from the outset. Reputable software solution providers leverage their extensive experience to offer custom software development services, creating tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of businesses and support their sustained growth.

Types of Application Development

Different systems like Windows, Android, and iOS support a wide array of application types, each tailored to their respective platforms. Each platform boasts its own cadre of skilled software developers, adept in crafting applications optimized for that particular ecosystem. Among the prevalent types of applications are:

Custom Application Development

Tailored application development involves the creation of software engineered to serve distinct purposes tailored to the needs of a specific user or organization. Off-the-shelf solutions are typically designed for mass consumption. With custom software, developers work carefully to ensure that the particular requirements of their clientele are fulfilled. By opting for custom software, businesses can streamline their operations without having to conform to the limitations imposed by off-the-shelf solutions.

Desktop Application Development

Companies specializing in desktop application development employ dedicated software developers to create user-friendly, efficient, and customized desktop applications that operate independently of web browsers. These applications enable businesses to address their specific requirements, gaining a competitive edge in a rapidly expanding and highly competitive market. Tailored desktop applications are instrumental in helping businesses achieve success by accommodating their unique needs. Development firms catering to various businesses in desktop application development aid in automating systems, enhancing performance, refining business processes, and boosting productivity. Furthermore, most desktop applications can undergo upgrades over time to enhance data security and safeguard against unauthorized access.

Rapid Application Development

Rapid Application Development (RAD) represents an agile software technology devised for prototyping and swiftly releasing application versions and iterations. This approach renders developers more adaptable and flexible, facilitating swift modifications to the code even during the application development phase. Additionally, RAD encourages code reuse, resulting in reduced manual coding, fewer errors, and expedited testing processes. Concurrently, stakeholders can engage in ongoing discussions regarding code vulnerabilities and address them promptly, leading to improved risk management practices.

Web Application Development

Web application development involves the creation of software programs that run on remote systems and are accessed by end-users via the Internet. These applications are often compared to off-the-shelf apps designed specifically for a particular platform or device.

Low-Code Application Development

Low-code development is a methodology for building software applications more efficiently by minimizing the necessity for extensive coding. Visual development tools, such as drag-and-drop modelers and point-and-click interface creators, are utilized within a low-code application development platform to facilitate the rapid development, deployment, and maintenance of robust business applications. A visual development environment is employed to craft low-code applications, incorporating features like drag-and-drop modelers, intelligent services, components, and pre-built connectors. These tools obviate the need for manual coding and substantially expedite the development and deployment of applications.

Mobile Application Development

Mobile application development entails the creation of diverse applications tailored for Android and iOS devices, designed to function optimally on their respective platforms. Each mobile platform, referred to as a mobile operating system, presents unique challenges, making cross-platform development a complex endeavor. Seasoned mobile software developers recognize the distinctiveness of each platform and adeptly navigate these challenges to deliver high-quality applications.

Database Application Development

A database-centric application refers to a program designed primarily for inputting and retrieving data from a computerized database. Such applications enable multiple users to concurrently update and query a database.

Enterprise Application Development

Enterprise software development involves the integration of various enterprise challenges across different business processes into a unified enterprise application. These services yield agile and collaborative applications, optimizing time efficiency for businesses while ensuring app reliability, security, and scalability. Enterprise software applications possess the unique capability to shape an organization’s strategic direction and enhance profitability through advanced performance and productivity. These integrated platforms are multifunctional, capable of executing multiple tasks simultaneously across a distributed network, while providing valuable architectural insights. While traditional enterprise software applications are renowned for their stability and reliability, they can be complex and time-intensive. In adopting modern technologies, businesses must not overlook critical factors such as customer engagement, which has seen a significant increase in both cost and time investment recently.

What is Software Development?

Software development refers to the process of gathering requirements, specifying functionalities, designing, programming, testing, and resolving bugs, all of which contribute to the creation and ongoing maintenance of developed applications. The writing and upkeep of source code constitute a crucial aspect of this process. It involves a range of structured and typically planned activities, starting from conceptualizing the desired software to its final implementation. Various activities involved in software product development may include research, prototyping, ongoing development, modifications, emphasis on reusability, process re-engineering, and importantly, software maintenance.

Types of Software Development

Software development can be broadly categorized into four main types:

System Software

System software, often referred to as stock software, is pre-installed on devices such as computers or mobile phones, serving to interface with the device’s hardware and facilitate the operation of other application software. In a conceptualization akin to a layered model of a computer system, system software acts as an intermediary between the hardware and user applications. Its primary function lies in establishing a bridge between a company’s computer hardware and end-users. Typically characterized by speed, resistance to manipulation, and written in a low-level computer language close to the system, system software is known for its versatility.

Programming Software

Programming software refers to software tools utilized by programmers to develop other software applications. Examples of programming software include compilers, assemblers, debuggers, interpreters, and integrated development environments (IDEs), which combine these tools. Another term for programming software is programming tool or software development tool. While programming software is often considered a subset of system software, some sources categorize it separately alongside application and system software.

Application Software

An application program is a type of computer software designed for end-users to perform specific tasks unrelated to the computer’s operation itself. Examples of application software include accounting software, media players, and word processors. Developers have various options for creating applications, including open-source, project-based, or proprietary coding methods. Applications can be distributed as installers or portable files, allowing for flexibility in deployment. The term “app” commonly refers to mobile device applications, such as those found on smartphones. In information technology, an application refers to a computer program intended to assist users in completing tasks. Application software can manipulate and handle various data types, including numbers, graphics, text, and audio, depending on the user’s needs. Some application packages specialize in specific tasks, such as data processing, while others, known as integrated software, offer multiple functions and include multiple applications.

SaaS Application Development

The process of creating and delivering application software via the internet is known as SaaS application development, as opposed to traditional sales of standalone programs. Instead of being installed on individual computers, the software is hosted on remote servers and accessed online, leveraging cloud-computing technology. SaaS solutions utilize a multi-tenant architecture to optimize monetization while minimizing costs. This architecture ensures data security and facilitates seamless updates, leveraging the latest infrastructure available. By allowing applications to be shared across multiple organizations, the multi-tenant architecture of SaaS solutions offers benefits such as reduced infrastructure and operational costs, along with enhanced online capabilities. Examples of SaaS applications include calendar tools, email services, cloud storage solutions, and torrent data management platforms.

Embedded Software

Embedded software is software that has been designed in order to control devices or machines that wouldn’t typically be considered computers, such as embedded systems. It is specifically tailored to the hardware it runs on and operates within constraints related to time and memory. Embedded software is integrated into hardware or non-PC devices and is optimized for the limited computing resources of the device. It finds applications in a variety of devices, including GPS systems, factory robots, calculators, and modern smartwatches.

Embedded software shares similarities with firmware, as they both serve the function of running a device. However, firmware is a type of embedded software stored in non-volatile memory (such as ROM or EPROM), making it difficult to modify, hence the term “firm.” Firmware primarily handles device boot-up and operation. In contrast, embedded software is responsible for overall device operation and functionality.

What is Outsourced Product Development?

Outsourced product development encompasses the entire journey of taking a product from its conceptualization to its release in the market and beyond. It involves the process of introducing a new product to customers or enhancing an existing one. Customers served by a company can be both external and internal, and the scope of products developed can range from hardware and software to services and consumer goods. Various outsourced product development methodologies are employed to innovate and introduce new offerings. This process involves essential steps such as ideation, analysis, design, engineering, testing, and ultimately launching the product to meet the needs and preferences of end-users.

Stages of Outsourced Product Development

While the specific steps may vary across organizations, the following are the most common stages through which products typically progress:

Identifying market needs

The inception of a product journey begins with the recognition of a market need. Products are designed to address specific problems or offer improved solutions to existing challenges. This pivotal step involves conducting thorough research, surveys, and consultations with industry experts to identify pressing issues that require resolution. Whether serving external customers or developing internal products for organizational use, it’s imperative to align this identification process with overarching business objectives. Prior to advancing from conceptualization to implementation, it’s crucial to assess whether the proposed solution aligns with the broader business goals. Conducting feasibility studies can assist teams in evaluating the viability of a concept, providing valuable insights before committing extensive resources to market deployment efforts.

Quantifying opportunities

Not every problem warrants a product-based solution. The severity of the problem, the resources required to address it, and the potential impact on stakeholders determine the feasibility of pursuing a product-driven solution. The essence of the outsourced product development process lies in delineating the specifics of what will be created. Ahead of the product launch, it’s essential to prioritize key features and emphasize them appropriately. Thorough research into customer requirements, essential features, and rigorous product testing are imperative components of this phase.

Conceptualizing the Product

While some solutions may appear straightforward, others may pose more challenges in comprehension. The team invests considerable time and effort in discerning the optimal approach for meeting the product’s requirements. Many product teams utilize lightweight wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to illustrate their vision and gather early feedback. This ensures clarity for engineers regarding the precise specifications and functionality required for implementation.

Validation of Product

Before committing extensive resources to prototyping and design, it is essential to validate the proposed solution’s viability. Although this remains a theoretical possibility, preliminary testing helps ascertain whether a specific product idea will resonate with end-users and warrant further investment of time and energy.

Product Building

Following validation of the project and completion of preliminary assessments, a product management team is established. Collaborative efforts are focused on defining the product’s roadmap, initial themes, and objectives, all of which are integral to the outsourced product development process. This approach addresses significant challenges and serves as a catalyst for user adoption.

MVP Development

In the initial version of the product, known as the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), customers require only sufficient functionality to utilize it effectively.

Release of MVP

Numerous experiments must be conducted to assess pricing strategies, marketing channels, customer interest, and appealing packaging for the product. Additionally, this phase instigates a feedback loop, facilitating the prioritization and incorporation of ideas, complaints, and suggestions into the product backlog.

Tweaking based on Consumer Feedback

Upon release to the public, user feedback obtained through various channels informs the refinement, expansion, and modification of the product. This continuous process of improvement, aligned with the company’s objectives for the product, shapes the evolution of the product roadmap. Such efforts persist until the product reaches the end of its lifecycle and necessitates retirement.

The major differences between outsourced product development and software development or app development can be summarized as follows:

Feature	Outsourced Product Development	Software Development/App Development
Customer Involvement	Working closely with customers to understand their needs and develop accordingly	Involves feedback from customers but technical requirements have a greater focus
Metrics	Profitability, customer satisfaction, market share and revenue	Reliability, security, usability, performance
Scale	Involves resource allocation and projects on a larger scale	Various sizes and scales of projects
Goal	Delivering a market-ready product to users	Creating reliable and functional software
Key activities	Design, prototyping, market research, marketing, sales, manufacturing, ongoing support	Coding, testing it, debugging and maintaining it
Focus	Developing and delivering a complete product	Creating software solutions or applications
Scope	The entire lifecycle of the product	For a module, component or standalone application
Risk	Competition, product-market fit, market acceptance	Software bugs and technical challenges
Iteration	Iterative development and improvements over several product releases	Agile methodologies for iterative development
Example Tasks	Launching software suites, creating a smartphone	Building a mobile app, web development

Outsourced Product Development with Technoforte

Outsourced product development is the savvy choice in today’s landscape since the process can be handed over to experts from companies who can ensure that it follows a prescribed timeline in a cost-effective manner. With our outsourced product development services, we ensure:

• Managed Technical Debt
• Accelerated Time to Market
• Agile methodologies 
• Lean product lifecycle methodology
• Accountability & Transparency
• Creating Secure IPs

Experience our outsourced product development services that generate interactive, intuitive, and captivating digital encounters, elevating your business’s value and fostering customer loyalty.