Enteprise Mobility Customization Hypothesis Testing

Part
01
of two
Part
01

Enteprise Mobility Customization Hypothesis 1

eViewMobile and MFSCombo are 2 examples of case studies that show development of custom enterprise mobile apps is more cost-effective and improve efficiency better compared to off-the-shelf generic solutions.

EVIEWMOBILE ENTERPRISE APP DEVELOPMENT

MFSCOMBO

CUSTOM VS OFF-THE-SHELF

RESEARCH STRATEGY

We have provided 2 case studies that illustrate the advantages and cost-effectiveness of custom enterprise application/software development over generic, off-the-shelf solutions.

However, as enterprise mobile apps and software in general widely vary in costs to build and maintain, we could not make a direct comparison of any individual enterprise app development case study to an average total cost of ownership of an off-the-shelf deployment solution. This data point was also not preexisting. BuildFire states that the cost to develop an app depends on features, rate per hour, expertise, and other factors. A small app costs $3,000-$8,000 while a more complex app can cost $5,000 to $150,000. These cost ranges can also differ significantly between types of businesses and industries.

Therefore, to address the request scope and criteria, we researched extensively for case studies that featured these characteristics: a direct comparison or migration from a generic off-the-shelf app from a third party vendor, custom enterprise mobile or software development as the solution, and cost-effectivity, efficiency or savings as a result. We found 2 case studies that fit these criteria and outlined their details above. We also provided additional information on the advantages of custom enterprise mobile app or software development over generic, off-the-shelf products. These have been outlined above along with the case studies.

Part
02
of two
Part
02

Enteprise Mobility Customization Hypothesis 2

JAMES E. FULTON & SONS

  • James E. Fulton & Sons is a construction and excavation company based in Michigan. The company had a misaligned process of automation in administrative procedures, and decided to work with a software provider to develop a fully-customized software which automated their workflow, approvals, time scheduling, work orders, and other related business processes instead of utilizing an off-the-shelf solution.
  • The customized solution impacted direct-on-time saving and boosted productivity among employees.
  • Additionally, the software provider implemented an employee mobile application where each employee could manage individual tasks. This resulted in highly-motivated workers and "positive changes to their business bottom-line."

TESLA

  • Tesla wanted to implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and, after a comparison with an off-the-shelf solution, company decided to build a custom package.
  • While the custom package maintained similar levels of functionality, the full process was successfully implemented within only four months, as compared to the year it would have taken to integrate an off-the-shelf piece of software.
  • OTHER BENEFITS

  • Custom software applications mimic what workers typically do manually, which increases adoption rates.
  • According to Spark, Custom Applications maintain a better ROI by an average of $8.71 for every $1 spent, because the metrics can be easily quantified.
  • Custom applications can boost productivity and employee satisfaction, and are typically better-accepted by employees.

Did this report spark your curiosity?

Sources
Sources

From Part 01
Quotes
  • "AllianceTek assisted a client in migrating their outdated and convoluted application on Flex to eViewMobile, a PhoneGap application."
  • "The technology the client had been using was outdated and not suited to perform the tasks they needed accomplished. The development work they did was convoluted, with inflexible code and inferior app architecture that resulted in time-consuming processes to make minor changes. "
  • "Moreover, the vendor they had hired wasn’t responsive, but continued to nickel and dime them and charge for estimates. Essentially, the client was being held hostage by their time-consuming, over-complicated structure."
  • "AllianceTek took full ownership of the project and developed a cross-platform mobile application that exceeded the client’s expectations with a superior user experience, enhanced process efficiency and secure, around the clock access. "
  • "AllianceTek started by reviewing client’s existing code and application, and derived features to create a thorough roadmap for the application’s development. The team provided technology recommendations that would make the application cost-efficient."
  • "As a result of AllianceTek’s mobile app solution, the client’s business processes were vastly accelerated and they no longer had to rely on slow, outdated technology to access their system and data. Now that their website is synchronized with an advanced and secure mobile application, the client’s technicians can update and retrieve information in real-time from any location. "
Quotes
  • "The idea to develop a custom combo plug-in evolved when Mindfire, working for a client, had bought a combo control from a third party as a license for one of its project. "
  • "To eliminate the involvement of third party suppliers for these requirements, and to create a light weight combo control which can be used as a custom text box, Mindfire Solutions decided to develop it in-house. "
  • "This custom combo developed named MFSCombo, provided a cost effective solution to the client without any dependency of third party control and simultaneously acted as an open source to our entire clientele. "
  • "It takes less time to load and has cross browser compatibility. Thus, Mindfire provided client’s with a better and efficient means of combo control."
Quotes
  • "The COST varies according to the Features, Rate Per Hour, Expertise etc."
  • "A Small App costs $3000-$8000"
  • "More Complex App costs $50000-$150000"
  • "Gaming App costs $10,000-$250,000"
Quotes
  • "A custom solution can have a high upfront cost, but potentially you can get the greatest return on investment and cause the least interruption to your business model."
  • "An off-the-shelf product may work for your business today, but it can’t be easily modified and isn’t designed to accommodate future needs."
  • "When you evaluate off-the-shelf solutions, make sure you look at 3-4 options and have a clear understanding of what your business needs are. Evaluate what each option will and will not do and the impact that this would have to your business process flow."
  • "Most off-the-shelf solutions will not be a perfect fit for your company. The fact that you will have to adjust your processes and staff behavior to fit the software (rather than the software fitting your business) is one of hidden cost."
Quotes
  • "Pros of creating a custom-made application: - Create the bare minimum and add new functionality with the costumer on the go"
  • "- Changes can be made quickly - Can be tailored to the exact business needs and processes."
  • "Cons of creating a custom-made application - New developers need some time to “learn” the client and processes before joining the dev team."
  • "Pros of creating a generic application - Can contain many unique features that not every costumer will use"