Many successful organizations employ the services of a software development company to create solutions for them. This helps to improve business, as they can conveniently fit into the ever-changing market structure.
A software development company helps in designing, developing, and maintaining applications for businesses. Many such companies exist, with each having a unique strategy for their clients. Therefore, before you hire them to handle a project, you need to know the services they offer.
What Is Software Development?
It’s a process of creating computer software by using some programming languages to provide functionality in addressing a personal or business objective. Developing software is a planned project involving several stages and steps, which results in the birth of an operational application.
Therefore, a befitting definition is: “it’s a process involving several activities that produce computer software applications; including their deployment, testing, development, and design.” Software on its own is a series of programs or instructions that tell the computer what it should do.
It does not require hardware to function, rather, it makes the computer programmable. You may want to visit https://www.ibm.com/topics/software-development to read more about software development.
Processes in Software Development
When building or improving on a computer program, there are phases and steps that developers at places like Startup House follow. And they do so to meet the specific requirements of their clients. The goal of these processes is to ensure a project is successfully carried out within a stipulated time frame.
The four major steps involved in software development are:
1. Identification of Needs
The first step is identifying the needs of the target audience. Before a software company starts developing an application, they need to perform in-depth research to know if the product is viable. Developers must ascertain its usefulness to the end-users.
They can use surveys and consumer assessments to gather the necessary information from potential users. The team must collectively discuss the weakness, strengths, and opportunities of the product. After identifying all parameters, they can begin developing and designing the application program.
2. Development and Designing
After identifying the users’ needs, the developers can go ahead with designing and developing the program. They will craft certain technical specifications that are required and create special codes based on the client’s requirement. After the coding session is complete, they will develop the software, then test the product to verify its performance.
3. Testing
In this phase, the developers carefully check for bugs and defects. This is to verify the performance before they certify it okay for delivery. If there are defects or bugs, the developers will improve the program and retest it until it is free of bugs and defects.
4. Release and Maintenance
The final process is releasing it to the public or to the organization that hired the developers to produce the software. Even after its release, they will create a maintenance team that will help to manage issues the client may encounter when using the product.
What Services Does a Software Development Company Provide?
Before outsourcing a project to a software development agency, you need to know what type of services they offer. This will help you to know what exactly you need and which company to hire. So, let us look at some common services a software development company provides.
1. Application Development
This service focuses on creating applications that work on a traditional computer operating system such as Windows, Linux, or Mac. These apps work with the operating system and assist in the daily function of a company. Some companies may choose their apps to be stored in a cloud, others might choose server-apps due to encryption and security purposes.
2. Mobile App Development
This area focuses on creating apps for mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. Mobile phone application development is divided into 2 main operating systems (O.S) which are known as the iOS and Android systems. Developers also use cross-platforms (hybrid) to build these applications through web technologies such as PWAs (progressive web apps).
3. Web App Development
This service refers to building digital products that can function on the internet. It could be a primary website or a more complex web application that has lots of features in one program. In recent innovations of web technologies, developers use Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to build websites that have many useful features.
4. Data Science
Businesses and organizations generate tons of data that they need to analyze. Such companies can employ the services of programmers to create analytical tools. These tools will analyze the data and provide solutions for simple task handling. This ensures that companies are proactive in customer service delivery.
5. Embedded Systems
Embedded systems are a rapidly growing service that many clients and users are requesting. Internet of things is an example. It is a system where devices with internet connectivity can retrieve data through a wireless network with no human interference. This system requires different coding skills such as Arduino and Pi.
6. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a key service of software development agencies. In the past, we stored files and information locally on our computers or internet servers. But today, many companies are embracing cloud computing and data storage on remote internet servers.
As a result, companies are employing developers to help them out. The developers provide applications that integrate cloud storing apps for such businesses. You may want to click here to learn more about cloud computing.
7. IT Consultancy
Most IT companies offer technical advice to their clients. They tell them how to manage the applications and their designs. They also help them to build custom solutions by creating custom applications for them, which helps to drive innovation.
The aim of IT consulting is to ensure that your business makes progress in the right direction. The IT company will assist in optimizing the data analysis, workflows, and processes using specialized application products.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed all you should know about companies that develop software products. We also outlined the services they offer, including the processes involved in developing an application. We hope this information helps you identify a company that will meet the needs of your business.