How to choose the web/mobile/desktop application type?

When you intend to work with an IT company that is to prepare a custom-made application for you, one of the first questions will be: on what platform will your new solution work? Below are some important aspects of this issue – all to make it easier for you to make a decision.

From this entry you will learn:

• Which applications are the best for mobile/web/desktop?
• What are the costs of maintaining the web vs desktop application
• In which industry solutions will web/mobile/desktop work better?
• How to choose an IT company that will create the best dedicated application

Let’s start by explaining exactly what each application is – mobile, desktop and web-based, as well as how the native and hybrid applications differ from each other:

mobile application – created for mobile devices such as phones and tablets, which runs as a pre-installed application and not as a website. The application can only work on a selected platform (Android, iOS, Windows Phone) or be adapted to all these platforms at the same time

web (internet) application – created to run in web browsers and requiring access to the internet. It can be characterized by responsiveness, i.e. the ability to adapt to the size of the screen, including phone and tablet

desktop application – created for desktops and laptops run directly from the operating system (most often Windows)

native application – written specifically for a given mobile platform

hybrid application – one application for several systems, some of which can be shared

Which applications are the best for mobile/web/desktop?

The choice of a particular type of application depends primarily on your business needs. Sometimes you only need to decide on one type of application, you don’t necessarily have to develop all three versions. This situation occurs, for example, when you choose between a web and mobile application – thanks to current technologies, browsing responsive websites on your phone can be just as convenient as using a phone-only application.

What are the costs of maintaining the web vs desktop application

For both types of these platforms, in addition to the costs of creating the application, you should also add maintenance and development costs. Applications require proper infrastructure – for example, to maintain a database.

A large number of workstations or a large number of supported branches of the company, in which a desktop application must be available, is associated with a higher cost. The reason is, for example, the need to update the desktop application on many workstations usually distributed in different locations.

Applications running in a web browser must be installed on the server. The higher the assumed performance of the application or storage needed to store and archive data, the higher the requirements must be made for the server and the higher its cost will be.

However, it is worth paying attention to the solution that is used by more and more companies. This is cloud computing. A big advantage of the cloud is its flexibility, associated with the ability to configure any settings and adjust the amount of the fee to the resources actually used.

In which industry solutions will web/mobile/desktop work better?

For commercial companies dealing with customer orders and the sale of services or products on an ongoing basis, Internet and mobile applications will work. An example of a solution are online stores, which are an additional channel for the distribution of goods and services and very often constitute an additional business card of the company.

A big advantage of internet applications is the possibility of free access to applications from anywhere in the world, at any time. This asset will be valuable for all companies that operate in different time zones.

Are desktop applications obsolete? Not necessarily, there are still industries where such a platform works perfectly. Production companies are a perfect example. Work in the hall goes very smoothly using the application for industrial panel computers with a touch screen.

Mobile applications are convenient in companies where employees often have to move. An example would be salesmen who work in the field and collect orders from their customers, or warehouse workers who need to have convenient, small and easy to move devices to do their work effectively.

Of course, mobile applications will also work great in the event and entertainment industry. Currently, all types of events – festivals or congresses – are popular applications for participants. They can display a schedule, map, allow contact with other participants or contain discount coupons for services.

You also can not forget about all types of social applications, which are also most often of the mobile variety. The 2018 Hootsuite report shows that over 3 billion people use social media every month, including 9 out of 10 users using mobile devices.

How to choose an IT company that will create the best dedicated application

Regardless of whether your application will work on your phone, computer or web browser, one of the most important factors is whether this solution will meet the needs of you, your customers or your contractors. Not only are the application functions important, but also how it was designed – whether it is transparent, readable, allows users to quickly find the information they need.
When choosing a company creating dedicated software, it is worth paying attention to whether it has both a team of professionals from many fields (business analyst, UX specialist – user experience designer, experienced programmers) as well as a rich portfolio of applications created so far.

Entry prepared in cooperation with Paweł Zawartka, Software Development Manager