Project managers: the must-have invaluable assets

Heather StugenApp DevelopmentLeave a Comment on Project managers: the must-have invaluable assets

Manager: People, we’re really lagging in the project. Can we turn up this weekend at the office?

Executive: Sir, in case you’re not aware, we have been working on weekends for two months now. Frankly, in the absence of guidance, we don’t know where the project is headed.

Is this a common occurrence at workplaces? Disillusioned employees wailing about lack of direction. What they need is an appropriate project management strategy to show them the way.

The Workamajig, citing research conducted by PWC, claims that 97% of organizations believe that project management is critical to business performance. It’s estimated that organizations waste 12% of their resources owing to ineffective project management. Nearly 54% of businesses working on projects fail to effectively track their KPIs in real time.

Having an accomplished project manager thus becomes the key. A project manager is like a principal violinist, who oversees every beat of an orchestra right up to the final note. A strong project manager can bring a team together and guarantee high-quality results.

Dedicated project managers are an invaluable asset, thanks to their ability to organize and have a team perform at peak efficiency.

Naturally, hiring a project manager and knowing what aspects of project management must be adhered to are critical aspects of business health. There are processes to follow before we hire a project manager or, as they say, the best-certified project managers.

Project manager roles and responsibilities – an overview

Communication is one of the primary roles fulfilled by a project manager. Strong interpersonal skills are non-negotiable in any sphere. According to Workamajig, businesses believe that team communication makes a 52% impact on project management.

Secondly, a successful project manager must bring a team together and ensure everyone commits to a common objective, thereby earning the respect and trust of the group. A knack for problem-solving and the capacity to maintain composure under pressure are the key attributes.

Skills to look for when hiring a project manager

Whether you’re hiring for a website development company or just looking for a construction project manager or web project manager, the critical skills remain the same.

A web project manager, for instance, plans tasks, creates web architecture and UX, and breaks the project deliverables into different timeframes. Other responsibilities include:

• Allocating resources

• Adhering to deadlines

• Maintaining documentation

• Managing risks

• Functioning within the budget (IT projects are often called black swans for cost overruns)

Here’s a broad rundown of the foundational requirements to look for while hiring a project manager, especially in the web development industry.

Problem-solving skills and logical thinking

A successful web project manager must be able to solve problems and apply logic to situations that may pose a challenge. Being able to make sensible judgments under pressure determines the success of a project.

Adept at presenting and creating presentations

This position entails a lot of effective concept presentations to critical stakeholders to gain their support and trust. When choosing a web project manager, it’s vital to seek someone with strong presentation abilities, both personal and technical.

Verbal and written communication skills

Communication is crucial, whether it’s outlining a strategy, stressing a point through email, or bringing a team together.

Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite

Web project managers need to schedule meetings and do various other jobs made easier by Office suite tools like Excel or PowerPoint.

Effective use of project management tools

It may be advantageous to have experience with your company’s project management software or something comparable.

Soft skills are an added advantage

Practical soft skills are another good indicator of the candidate. We advise evaluating your potential recruits for your project management position for these soft skills:

Timely decision-making

Making wise choices when several factors are involved can be quite a task. In the world of project management, however, it is crucial. You may find out what your applicant prioritizes using a decision-making test.

Effective time management

To assess a candidate’s ability to prioritize various tasks, we suggest conducting a test that places them in hypothetically professional settings to evaluate how well they can juggle, plan, and deliver.

A final word

According to Knowledgehut, the US is expected to create 8.8 million project management jobs by 2027. This should be an incentive enough to pursue project management as a career.

For businesses that have never hired a web project manager, finding a competent and compelling candidate might be challenging. If you are considering hiring a project manager, the expert recruiters at SDI can help you filter through the proverbial crowd. To know more, reach us at +1.408.621.8481 or drop us a line at team@sdi.la.

Manager: People, we’re really lagging in the project. Can we turn up this weekend at the office? Executive: Sir, in case you’re not aware, we have been working on weekends for two months now. Frankly, in the absence of guidance, we don’t know where the project is headed. Is this a common occurrence at workplaces? Disillusioned employees wailing about lack of direction. What they need is an appropriate project management strategy to show them the way. The Workamajig, citing research conducted by PWC, claims that 97% of organizations believe that project management is critical to…

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How this app is setting hearts A-flutter

Sakshi SharmaApp DevelopmentLeave a Comment on How this app is setting hearts A-flutter

What’s the hallmark of a good app? Versatility and flexibility. It should have the latest feature-rich applications for multiple operating systems. If you’re a developer for that app, you should be able to code once and compile for multiple platforms. These attributes make the Flutter App, which dominated the mobile app market this year, function flawlessly and efficiently in real time.

Flutter, an open-source UI SDK created by Google for cross-platform development, is one of the most sought-after platforms in the mobile app development company and software development space. As they say, Flutter is Google’s open-source technology for creating web, desktop, and mobile apps, all with a single codebase.

It’s held that a Flutter app code is reusable up to 90%, making it a preferred choice for developing mobile apps and user interfaces.

Acclaimed for strong web support, Flutter helps enterprises create apps that help leverage the competition while providing the ability to evaluate ideas quickly with the added advantage of reducing the time-to-market factor.

Although it may be considered a relatively new kid on the block, a recent survey by Stack Overflow suggests that over 68% of developers prefer using Flutter apps, a clear indicator that the platform is here to stay.

Furthermore, Flutter’s layered architecture makes it the perfect choice for quick and hassle-free app creation.

This leads us to the inevitable question: Why do we need a Flutter developer in the first place? First, they’re equipped with high skills desired in the tech space. Flutter professionals are trained to create quality solutions in a quick time. It’s undeniable that Flutter applications are growing by the day, creating a market demand for Flutter developers. Businesses believe they must hire Flutter developers to build scalable, cost-effective apps.

Now, let’s assume you’re keen to hire dedicated Flutter teams or individual Flutter developers for your business. It’s probably a good idea to understand the essential skills to look for in potential candidates. Here’s a consolidated list of the attributes that are key to finding the best Flutter app developers.

Skills to write simple, clean codes

The ability to write clean code is critical when it comes to software development. When you hire a Flutter developer, you must ensure that the candidate has the skills to write simple codes that can be comprehended and read quickly. Clean codes, therefore, are a crucial aspect of increasing the overall pace of the application development process. Moreover, writing clean codes generates faster app scalability, saving your development team time and added effort.

App development and design

It may seem rudimentary, but all software engineers must be able to design and construct applications. When hiring Flutter developers, you must carefully gauge their abilities to design and create cross-platform apps. Also, when assessing them, remember to raise the complexity levels to grasp their ability to adapt to adverse conditions.

Adequate native programming language expertise

Your chosen developers should be well-versed in at least one central app development platform that uses native code such as iOS with Swift or Android with Kotlin. Hire dedicated Flutter programmers that understand these platforms to get the most out of the platform for app development.

Knowledge of Dart

Dart is a programming language developed by Google and used in Flutter. Any project involving Flutter also necessitates prior Dart competence. Developers must be well-versed in this language and its fundamental notions.

Experience in using Agile and Waterfall

Agile methodology is a collection of development processes and frameworks founded on the 12 principles outlined in the Agile Manifesto. On the other hand, Waterfall refers to the simple implementation of a sequential life cycle in the development process. These techniques drive the workflow of Flutter. You should hire engineers who have hands-on experience in using them to their maximum potential. So, how much does it cost to hire Flutter developers?

Flutter developers are in great demand in the United States and Western Europe, with typical salaries outstripping those of other software developers by a ratio of 1.25 or more. For instance, the average salary for a mid-level Flutter developer stands at $130,000, while those in Western Europe stand at just over $60,000.

With all that information out of the way, are you ready to hire top-rated Flutter developers for your business? We’ll find you the best Flutter developers. We also have an experienced team to take care of your Flutter App Development needs. Reach out to us at +1.408.621.8481 or drop us a line at team@sdi.la.

What’s the hallmark of a good app? Versatility and flexibility. It should have the latest feature-rich applications for multiple operating systems. If you’re a developer for that app, you should be able to code once and compile for multiple platforms. These attributes make the Flutter App, which dominated the mobile app market this year, function flawlessly and efficiently in real time. Flutter, an open-source UI SDK created by Google for cross-platform development, is one of the most sought-after platforms in the mobile app development company and software development space. As they say, Flutter is Google’s…

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How apps are bridging the gaps in businesses

Sakshi SharmaApp DevelopmentLeave a Comment on How apps are bridging the gaps in businesses

Businesses are constantly looking for better accessibility to their customers – and what better way to gain this access than via a smartphone? Today, smartphones are an essential piece of tech that businesses can use to leverage their products and services through applications.

App development, therefore, is the name of the game. Understandably, there’s demand for the best mobile app development platforms. In this article, we look at the various aspects of app development, including identifying the best platform to build apps and making an informed choice when choosing the right mobile app development company for your business.

An intro to app development software

Mobile app development software and platforms provide a wide range of development capabilities, including assisting developers and programmers in constructing more effective apps and a streamlined User Interface (UI) design process. From innovating creative social media tools to instant app upgrades, generating QR codes, mailing lists, and automated chats, effective app development software helps achieve these targets with relative ease.

Why does your business need app development software?

With digital platforms and wireless tech working seamlessly with go-to devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops, it’s no surprise that apps let you get closer to your customers and potential customer base.

Recent data from Statista suggests that the mobile app space is progressing at breakneck speed, with over 6.5 million global smartphone users. The good news doesn’t stop there either – mobile app revenue is expected to go up by over $600 billion by 2025. Quite evidently, the market is just asking to be tapped.

Choosing the best app development platform

Programmers and developers must consider several variables when choosing the best mobile app development platform for your company. These variables rely on the application they plan to design. Overall, the finest platform for app development will let you create, build, distribute, test, tweak, and maintain apps effectively throughout their lifespan. Therefore, providing efficient middleware and back-end services is essential if you want to create a well-oiled application that will only increase your visibility in the market.

It is crucial to pick an app developer that meets your specific needs. Here is a quick rundown of the top features to consider when choosing a software or platform for app development.

1. Data analytics and real-time monitoring capability

For practically any organization, tracking and monitoring your app’s effectiveness is crucial. Ensure that your app development platforms are efficient and have the right analytics tools that can provide feedback on this data.

2. Code-focused and low-code development tools

Consider using a low-code app development platform. This allows developers and programmers to include innovative functions instantly, thanks to the drag-and-drop nature of the platform.

3. Platforms with a focus on back-end services

When you employ software programs that offer essential back-end services, it takes a lot of pressure off the company, resulting in a much more inexpensive and seamless process for developing apps. The valuable features of back-end services include developing push notifications, offline synchronization, innovative API design and orchestration, added data storage, and more.

4. Support for DevOps

DevOps support facilitates automated processes and management of releases, which reduces overall workload while speeding up the app development process, with no compromise on quality.

5. An emphasis on security

It’s of utmost importance for enterprise customers while using mobile applications. Therefore, choose an application development software that effectively addresses and removes security risks.

6. Ensuring compatibility across systems

Compatibility is an important attribute to look for in an application development platform. The two most popular platforms in today’s mobile app business are iOS and Android. Your software must build native applications and be compliant and compatible to support these two operating systems. Ideally, it would be best if you used cross-platform development software, which allows people on either of these two popular operating systems to access your products and services.

Which is the best app development platform for you?

We’ve compiled a list of the five very best platforms for app development that will help you create an award-winning application for your business.

Flutter

Flutter is one of the best UI toolkits for developing native web, mobile, and desktop apps. Its customizable widgets and layered architecture help ensure quick component rendering, which in turn helps create native mobile applications.

Mendix

Mendix is perhaps the most efficient and user-friendly low-code app development platform today. Organizations frequently use it to construct high-performance mobile and online apps. It speeds up the development of enterprise apps, from concept execution through deployment and operation. Furthermore, it provides no-code and low-code tools in a single, fully integrated platform.

Xamarin

As a cross-platform and open-source app developing platform, Xamarin is known for providing a development ecosystem that includes a back-end, API, and components. The advantage of Xamarin is that it allows code exchange between platforms such as cross-platform mobile app development.

Unity Ads

Unity Ads is a critical platform for incorporating video advertisements into mobile games to improve player engagement. Unity Ads has the highest average revenue per user (ARPU) of any worldwide rewarded video ad network.

React Native

React Native is a popular JavaScript library to develop native mobile apps for all devices and platforms. It aids in developing rich apps that provide an optimum user experience. React Native empowers developers to construct platform-specific versions of numerous native app components using a single codebase across multiple platforms.

Are you searching for the best platform for app development to take your business to the next level? Our experienced team of web and app developers will get the job done. Reach out to us on +1.408.621.8481 or send an email at team@sdi.la.

Businesses are constantly looking for better accessibility to their customers – and what better way to gain this access than via a smartphone? Today, smartphones are an essential piece of tech that businesses can use to leverage their products and services through applications. App development, therefore, is the name of the game. Understandably, there’s demand for the best mobile app development platforms. In this article, we look at the various aspects of app development, including identifying the best platform to build apps and making an informed choice when choosing the right mobile app development company…

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How Kubernetes is making its presence felt

Heather StugenApp DevelopmentLeave a Comment on How Kubernetes is making its presence felt

A container orchestration system initially developed by Google, Kubernetes is one of the top-rated management softwares that runs on an open-source platform. Kubernetes’ (also referred to as K8s or Kube) primary functions include deploying, managing, and scaling containerized applications across the board.

This article will closely examine how K8s works and, more importantly, why it’s the best and go-to choice for modern software development worldwide.

Container orchestration and the benefits of Kubernetes

It’s crucial to understand what containers and container orchestration entail to ascertain the reach and scope of Kubernetes as a foundational building block of software development.

Container orchestration involves the management of applications that are built primarily on self-reliant runtimes known as containers. Having found increased popularity since the Docker project that began in 2013, containerized apps soon ran into issues when it came to scalability.

Enter Kubernetes: the open-source system for automating deployment proved to be successful at handling large volumes at a massive scale, making it a key player in what has now been dubbed the ‘container revolution.’

Currently maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), Kubernetes statistics from ContainIQ suggest that 96% of respondents in a 2021 survey reported evaluating or using the software, while 3.9 million developers utilized Kubernetes regularly.

Moreover, a Red Hat survey from 2021 revealed that over 80% of leaders in the IT industry agreed that Kubernetes was “extremely important” to cloud provider integrations and cloud-native application strategies.

How the Kubernetes architecture works

As mentioned earlier, Kubernetes’ allows for large-scale deployment and management of multi-container apps. Kubernetes for app development is often used with Docker, the most popular containerization platform. However, most Open Container Initiative (OCI) systems are also compatible with Kubernetes.

Thanks to the platform being on the open-source model, accessibility is not restricted, allowing developers to run and maintain containerized systems in a public cloud or on-premises format.

What is Kubernetes cluster and the cluster API model?

As the name suggests, a Kubernetes cluster refers to a group of machines that run the tool or software, along with the containers that are managed by it. The Kubernetes cluster is the ultimate form of abstraction in which the master (a system with command and control over all other Kubernetes machines within the cluster) takes on the role of control management and job scheduling.

Kubernetes clusters contain nodes, either in the form of physical machines or virtual ones. Abstraction and efficacy, once again, are the name of the game. Kubernetes handles deployment on appropriate substrates, ensuring containers run only on virtual machines when required, lessening the overall load on the system.

Advantages of using Kubernetes

Popular amongst ops devs and software developers alike, despite the high learning curve that comes with Kubernetes, it’s crucial to look at what makes the tool check all the right boxes. Here’s why:

1. Effective app management and load bearing

Kubernetes helps regulate the health of your app while balancing loads, replication, and efficiently allocating hardware resources. Developers have it much easier thanks to Kubernetes doing most of the legwork to keep an app up and running while catering to user demands. Moreover, Kubernetes maximizes attributes like apt utilization of network bandwidth, memory, storage I/O, and managing infrastructure as code. Automating updates and rolling back to previous versions across the cluster is a cinch, thanks to Kubernetes.

2. Deployment made easy with Helm charts

Applications with multiple external dependencies are tackled easily with package managers like Python’s Pip and Debian Linux’s APT. This means users do not have to install and configure an app manually. Helm is one package manager that provides a roadmap or chart that extrapolates how an app or service can be executed as a batch of containers with the Kubernetes system.

3. Simplified secret and storage management

Applications and containers may interact with storage in the same decoupled manner as other resources, thanks to Kubernetes’ abstractions. Containers frequently need ‘secrets’, credentials like service passwords or API keys that shouldn’t be hardcoded into a container or stored locally on a disc drive. Kubernetes has its system for managing secrets natively, but it requires careful configuration.

4. Hybrid-cloud and multi-cloud friendliness

Whether the cloud involved is public or private, the end goal is to be able to run apps from within the cloud itself while avoiding any vendor lock-in, a feat Kubernetes achieves with excellent results.

The final word

To wrap things up, Kubernetes allows applications to be managed in a simple, effective manner with little to no effort required for deployment. Kubernetes provides devs with a wide range of options to suit their needs when made accessible as a managed service, making it one of the most sought-after development tools. Do you need skilled DevOps engineers with Kubernetes expertise to manage your growing business? Contact our experienced team of developers to get the job done. We are available at +1.408.621.8481. Alternatively, drop us an email at team@sdi.la.

A container orchestration system initially developed by Google, Kubernetes is one of the top-rated management softwares that runs on an open-source platform. Kubernetes’ (also referred to as K8s or Kube) primary functions include deploying, managing, and scaling containerized applications across the board. This article will closely examine how K8s works and, more importantly, why it’s the best and go-to choice for modern software development worldwide. Container orchestration and the benefits of Kubernetes It’s crucial to understand what containers and container orchestration entail to ascertain the reach and scope of Kubernetes as a foundational building block…

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Hiring JS Developers: How You Can Identify The Best Minds

Sakshi SharmaApp DevelopmentLeave a Comment on Hiring JS Developers: How You Can Identify The Best Minds

If you’re an individual or business that’s looking to set up a top-rated website, there’s no getting around the fact that you’ll need to hire a JavaScript developer. A modern-day foundation for web development industries is the use of JavaScript programming languages.

Not only is JavaScript dynamic and user-friendly, but it also goes beyond the traditional Internet roles. For instance, it’s compatible with the internet of things (IoT), powers smart TV, and creates native apps for iOS and Android.

According to a survey conducted by Turing, top firms prefer JavaScript-oriented skill sets. Node.js, the survey reveals, is the second-most popular programming technology overall. JavaScript is the fifth most sought-after programming skill, forming 5.6% of the top 50 software skills, up from 4.6% in 2020. Guillermo Rauch, Next.js creator, and Vercel CEO is quoted as saying, “JavaScript is the dominant language today for edge computing.”

In this article, we dive deep into what a JavaScript (JS) developer does, their role in developing your website, and how to hire a JavaScript developer that can cater to your needs.

Finding the best JS Programmer – A JavaScript Developer Hiring Guide

For the uninitiated, think of the JavaScript programming language as the building blocks of an interactive website. From scroll bars to prompt-driven mouse clicks, JavaScript has been a staple of the web development community since the mid-90s.

Types of JavaScript Developers

JS developers can be categorized into three broad tiers:

1. Front-End Developers

Front-end developers, as the name suggests, use programming languages like JavaScript (along with other languages like HTML and CSS) to build the structural aspects of a website or project. These may include graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and user experience/user interface (UX/UI) functions. The front end also includes ReactJS developers (large-scale projects tend to hire a React JS development company to make things easier).

2. Back-End Developers

On the other hand, back-end developers play a role that may appear less up-front but are nonetheless crucial to running an efficient website. Top Node JS developers come within the back-end system. They are often responsible for managing databases and application programming interfaces (APIs), which do a lot of the bulky work needed to maintain and run the site. If you’re looking to hire Node JS developers, they will fall under this category.

3. Full-Stack Developers

These developers bring the best front and back-end skills to the table. The primary advantage of developers with knowledge of both sets of code and how they are implemented means you’ll only need to hire a singular developer (or a singular dev team) to get your project up and running.

Skills to look for when hiring a JavaScript developer

Next, here’s a look at the primary skills you need to look for when hiring a top-rated JavaScript developer. Here is a checklist you can use to filter out the best candidates:

    • Sufficient experience with CSS/HTML/JavaScript, along with JS Frameworks like JQuery

    • Familiarity with working with remote teams in a dev environment

    • Good organization, communication, and take-the-lead initiatives

    • Knowledge of modern framework tech like Ruby, React, or Backbone

    • Efficient debugging, integration testing, and optimization skills

    • Keen interest in adapting new technology, as well as learning how to use new tools

    • A GitHub or similar portfolio can go a long way

Ways to Source the Best JS Developers

1. Hire freelancers

This choice is among the least expensive. Many JavaScript developers advertise their talents on niche websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr. Hiring is rapid and easy, and you can launch right away.

2. Find an appropriate outsourcing vendor

Outsourcing is a definite value-for-money choice, thanks to the ability to contact businesses from any location, thus saving on expenses. Moreover, the vendor may provide guarantees on its services and can sign an NDA (Non-disclosure Agreement) if necessary. Sites like Clutch, GoodFirms, and It Firms are good places to look for such outsourcing vendors.

3. Assemble an in-house team

Although this option may be the least cost-effective, assembling an in-house team of JS devs is a win-win option. All professionals working out of the same office facilitate communication and corporate decision-making.

A Final Word

Hiring JavaScript developers requires a particular level of understanding, training, and technical know-how. As a potential employer, you’ll need to be clear about the kind of developer you’re looking for, with the right type of talent that can cater to your needs. Utilizing a technical specialist’s services to assist you in interviewing candidates and testing their technical knowledge is an excellent way to filter out the best candidates. If you’re interested in hiring the best JavaScript developers to help you create an award-winning website, give us a call at +1.408.621.8481 or email us at team@sdi.la.

If you’re an individual or business that’s looking to set up a top-rated website, there’s no getting around the fact that you’ll need to hire a JavaScript developer. A modern-day foundation for web development industries is the use of JavaScript programming languages. Not only is JavaScript dynamic and user-friendly, but it also goes beyond the traditional Internet roles. For instance, it’s compatible with the internet of things (IoT), powers smart TV, and creates native apps for iOS and Android. According to a survey conducted by Turing, top firms prefer JavaScript-oriented skill sets. Node.js, the survey…

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Why iOS Developers Are in High Demand

Sakshi SharmaApp DevelopmentLeave a Comment on Why iOS Developers Are in High Demand

Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past few decades, there isn’t much getting around the fact that smartphone apps are today’s go-to solution for small and large businesses. Whether it’s ordering some food, purchasing tickets to the hottest Broadway show, or simply keeping track of your finances, you simply can’t ignore the influence of the smartphone on users and businesses.

Businesses and App Development – Hand in Hand, Stride by Stride

It should not come as a surprise that app developers and an efficient mobile app development company are the best combination. Businesses, both online and off, are always looking to leverage their products or services – and mobile development is the first step in getting more consumers’ eyes on their offerings. Developing smartphone apps is the obvious first step in this process. Business owners struggle to find enough information to get started on software development hires. This article ought to set you on the right path.

Apple Inc. and iOS App Development – Big Player, Bigger Plays

Apple Inc. and its proprietary operating system, iOS, has a massive consumer following in the US. According to data gathered from Statista, in the United States alone, Apple is the largest manufacturer of smartphones by a significant margin, with over 53% of the market share. iOS developers, therefore, are quite naturally in high demand at the moment.

Looking to find the best iPhone developer for your business? Here’s how:

Although iOS app developers are in high demand, your business or service must find the right candidate or team of iOS developers that can help you put your best foot forward. Sure, you could run a generic Google search for “iOS app developer for hire” or simply put out a tweet from your business’ handle with a line that reads “looking to hire iOS developers/hire iOS app developers.”

However, this approach doesn’t guarantee that you’re sourcing an iOS application development expert that’s right for you and your business or service. How do you effectively filter the best iPhone app developers through the proverbial crowd? Read on to know more.

Critical points while hiring top-rated iOS developers

Here is a short list of necessary skills you need to look for when hiring efficient iOS app developers:

    • Familiarity with the ‘Human Interface Guidelines’ (HIG) already established by Apple

    • Core Data Framework expertise

    • A sense for smooth-flow UI and UX (User Interface and User Experience)

    • They should be able to navigate their way through API (Application Programming Interface) creation and development

    • Comfortable working with Xcode IDE (Apple’s integrated development environment)

The Nitty Gritty – Asking your Dev the Right Questions

While whittling down your possible set of iOS developer candidates, it’s essential to establish your expectations from them while getting a good sense of what they’re bringing to the table. This consolidated list will help you narrow down your choices in a far more effective manner.

    • Prior experience and expertise: Take a close look at the work they’ve done in the past and ensure it is in line with your business requirements

    • Mutual participation and involvement: Establish early on your expectations of how often you will need to step in to check on the progress of the project

    • Establish a singular path for communication: Setting up a sole line of communication is the ideal way forward. Remember to ask in advance how the developer or team intends to communicate project updates, release dates, timelines, etc.

    • Determine a timeline that is beneficial for both parties: An estimated time for project completion needs to be laid out (it is likely that more experienced developers will take on more than one project at a time so you won’t be left hanging)

    • Release dates and follow-up maintenance procedures: Find out how the dev/dev team intends to go about the app submission process. The last thing you’d want is to be left high and dry immediately after the app releases on the App Store. Reputed developers and iOS app development teams tend to have a system already that (typically) lasts through the app’s lifecycle. Keep in mind that this also applies to any backend/maintenance services.

With over $260 billion paid to iOS app developers in January of 2022 (Source: Statista), there’s no shortage of opportunities for iOS app development hires – the market’s right there for the taking. If you’re looking to hire the best iOS developers to help you create an award-winning app for your business or service, give us a call at +1.408.621.8481 or drop us an email at team@sdi.la.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past few decades, there isn’t much getting around the fact that smartphone apps are today’s go-to solution for small and large businesses. Whether it’s ordering some food, purchasing tickets to the hottest Broadway show, or simply keeping track of your finances, you simply can’t ignore the influence of the smartphone on users and businesses. Businesses and App Development – Hand in Hand, Stride by Stride It should not come as a surprise that app developers and an efficient mobile app development company are the best combination. Businesses,…

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Android is a growing platform, but do you have the right resources?

Sakshi Sharmaandroid app developmentLeave a Comment on Android is a growing platform, but do you have the right resources?

Did you ever go hiking, lose your way, and panic only to remember that you have a smartphone that would take you home? Imagine a world without Google Maps eons ago.

Smartphones have reconfigured the way we live, function, and even maintain relationships. Powered by the android operating system (based on the Linux kernel), the range of possibilities in smartphones has increased exponentially.

Let’s assume you are a trekking professional. You want details of your hiking trips to be accessible to interested participants on their mobile phones. All you need to do is hire an android developer to ensure that the data you have on your website is available on a mobile application too.

Android assures you of a near-perfect interface and user experience. Your website may generate traffic but how well does it fit on small screens? Trust an android programmer to get the job done.

The application is preferred

So, how do you find android app developers who understand what exactly must be done with the app? There’s a significant demand for Android developers in the job market. Zippia.com claims there are over 10,569 android developers currently employed in the US.

According to Gs.statcounter.com, as of September 2022, a whopping 71% of people use Android as their preferred operating system.

Medium.com reports that Android powers over 3 billion smart devices globally. The average Android owner uses 10 apps daily and almost 30 each month.

According to recent data published by Statista, consumers downloaded 230 billion apps on their connected devices, up by more than 63% from 140.7 billion app downloads six years ago.

Services like video calls, gaming, and music have already created a huge market for android developers. Moreover, Android applications run on numerous devices as opposed to their iOS counterparts.

Generally, a wide range of customers use android applications because of the free download options and reach.

Demand for a personalized and unique experience is growing by the day. Nowadays, experts in android app development are armed with the latest set of comprehensive tools like Android SDK, which answers every complex question. Now, do you have a basic guide on how to hire an Android developer?

While there is no specific rule to hiring android app developers, a few steps should be followed.

    • Create a specific, yet detailed job description.

    • Simple coding tests are better than time-consuming interview processes.

    • Tests could be conducted online which could save you and the candidate’s time.

    • Organize simulation-based coding tests that will help you measure the programming skills of candidates at every level.

    • Try the iMocha’s android online test to assess junior programmers.

    • Ask situation-based questions to gauge the candidate’s experience.

    • Have a broad set of questions like ‘what is Context in Android’ or ‘how to run Python on Android’ rather than getting too technical.

    • Clarify if you need developers only for the initial development or for long-term app maintenance purposes.

    • Don’t assess candidates merely on technical skills. Problem-solving abilities and creativity are often ignored attributes.

    • Select candidates who have passion for the job and not just those who apply for the money.

    • Know how well the developer thrives in a team environment.

    • Mention all the requirements and compensation clearly.

While hiring android developers, you must not agonize too much over the cost. Think of the long-term benefits of having a resource who has worked in the best android development company.

When you know how to find android app developers and eventually finalize the best candidate, you will enjoy the enormous benefits which come with their expertise. It could be top-notch security features, integration with Geographic Information System (GIS) features, payment gateways, optimal battery consumption, periodic debugging, and what not.

Errors are costly

However, you should avoid the common errors organizations generally make when they hire android developers:

    • Have clear objectives. Like Dr Strange altering the memory-wipe spell in the Spider-Man movie, changing the objectives frequently can derail the project.

    • Don’t be tight-fisted with finances. As the popular saying goes, “If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys”.

    • In this age, one can hire developers from anywhere around the world. Have options from a broad range of talent pools.

While hiring android programmers who have worked in top-rated android development companies can appear expensive, it should bear fruit in the long term. Developers who have sharpened their skills in the most-reviewed and reputed mobile application development companies would know the nitty-gritty of security, debugging, spotting malware, integrating platforms, and offering an uninterrupted user experience.

Android programming, a customizable and open-source mobile operating system, is a fast-moving area. The candidates you hire should be keen learners, willing to adapt to changes in the market, and receptive to ideas.

But your projects can’t be kept on hold even if you don’t have the right android resources. Our mobile application development company has a team of sharp and experienced programmers who will get the job done within the deadline, meeting the highest industry standards. Don’t hesitate to call us at +1.408.621.8481 or drop a line at team@sdi.la.

Did you ever go hiking, lose your way, and panic only to remember that you have a smartphone that would take you home? Imagine a world without Google Maps eons ago. Smartphones have reconfigured the way we live, function, and even maintain relationships. Powered by the android operating system (based on the Linux kernel), the range of possibilities in smartphones has increased exponentially. Let’s assume you are a trekking professional. You want details of your hiking trips to be accessible to interested participants on their mobile phones. All you need to do is hire an…

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Want To Upscale Your Web Business? Hire PHP Developers

Sakshi SharmaWeb DevelopmentLeave a Comment on Want To Upscale Your Web Business? Hire PHP Developers

The year 2004 can be remembered for many things: NASA’s space exploration projects of Mars and Jupiter, the release of the movie Spider-Man 2 starring Tobey Maguire and Alfred Molina, and the US Federal Elections. It is also known for being the foundation of Facebook, the site that has redefined social media and the word ‘friend’. If you are a millennial, your Facebook account would have seen every version from the very first user interface to the updated one. And since 2004, another thing has remained unchanged: Facebook’s programming language, PHP.

Old is gold

PHP, or Hypertext Preprocessor, is a platform-independent, open-source scripting language that is mainly known for generating dynamic page content. If you plan to create a website, you would want to make it more interesting and interactive than static, wouldn’t you? That is precisely why you must use PHP web development for your projects.

It remains the most reliable and popular programming language for web development, preferred by over 75% of websites. According to Zend.com, 59% use PHP for business-critical applications, 81% for APIs, and 41% for the backend of mobile applications. Altamira.ai, citing data by W3Techs, notes that 78.8% of websites are using PHP for their server side. PHP’s attributes of scalability, high speed, security, and cost-efficiency continue to be growth drivers.

It adds that the hourly rates of PHP developers are 15% less expensive than that of Python developers or Ruby developers. It means PHP developers are easier to hire.

On the shoulders of giants

PHP is as old as Pulp Fiction, and just like the movie, it can be considered a classic. Facebook is not the only website that uses PHP. Another giant in the World Wide Web, a database that contains over 4 billion words as of today, the best friend of students and the arch nemesis of teachers, Wikipedia, too, uses PHP as its programming language. WordPress, the go-to platform for bloggers, uses it as well. Such sites can be accessed across all platforms, and PHP provides flexibility.

Pick and choose

A major advantage of PHP programming is that it’s an open-source language. It means the language is not proprietary; it can be modified in a manner that is open to the public.

This makes PHP development easier to learn, practice, and apply. If you want to hire PHP developers or PHP programmers, consider the following:

    Ø Innate curiosity and a great eye for detail.

    Ø Excellent problem-solving skills.

    Ø Ability to connect the dots and apply learned skills across various platforms.

    Ø A healthy respect for resources, especially time.

It’s imperative to hire dedicated PHP developers to have the desired output.

Leave it to the experts

If PHP is an open-sourced language which is easy to learn, why outsource the programming process? Why should you hire PHP programmers? Would you rather do it yourself? Wrong. It would be a penny-wise but pound-foolish move not to hire experts for a platform that works on PHP. That’s because a skilled PHP programmer will use his/her expertise to work in sync with other languages to produce a result that has compatibility and combinability.

What does a PHP programmer do?

The job description for a developer includes:

    Ø Writing the source code for the website.

    Ø Testing the code across multiple platforms for compatibility.

    Ø Troubleshooting the code by identifying and resolving bugs.

    Ø Constantly updating the code to sync it with the updates of the platform.

But even the top-rated, best PHP programmers pour over pages and pages of code, constantly tweaking and debugging it.

A fly in the ointment

So, there are a few downsides to using PHP. Data security is a critical feature that needs to be implemented and PHP tends to fall just a bit short here. And although PHP is dynamic, it’s not that effective in handling multiple features at a time. Thus, it’s essential to hire PHP experts who are knowledgeable and experienced.

However, from 30 vulnerabilities in 2018 to four in 2022, PHP has vastly improved its security features, gradually working its way back into gaining a stronghold in programming.

The iconic line of Alfred Molina’s character in Spider-Man 2, “The power of the Sun… in the palm of my hand”, can be analogous to smartphones and the relative power it bestows upon us. Today, a smartphone with an internet connection is all that is needed to leapfrog into technology. But mobile applications need the right programming language too that’s interactive, flexible, user-friendly, compatible with cloud services, and platform-independent. And this is where PHP scores.

You might want to hire PHP programmers to create a robust and future-ready web application. If you need experience and skills rolled into one, you must contact us here at SDI. Get in touch with us to give your mobile application or website the much-needed flare it deserves. Call us at +1.408.621.8481 or drop us an email at team@sdi.la.

The year 2004 can be remembered for many things: NASA’s space exploration projects of Mars and Jupiter, the release of the movie Spider-Man 2 starring Tobey Maguire and Alfred Molina, and the US Federal Elections. It is also known for being the foundation of Facebook, the site that has redefined social media and the word ‘friend’. If you are a millennial, your Facebook account would have seen every version from the very first user interface to the updated one. And since 2004, another thing has remained unchanged: Facebook’s programming language, PHP. Old is gold PHP,…

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The ‘virtual’ reality of hiring developers in India

SakshiUncategorizedLeave a Comment on The ‘virtual’ reality of hiring developers in India

Remember the days when you would commute to work? While nobody would miss traffic jams and overcrowded public transport systems, our offices offered the intangible perks: camaraderie, organized structure and gossip near the coffee-maker. But now, remote working and freelancing have become widespread. You definitely don’t want to miss the vibes of entrepreneurship either.

Let’s be honest, you probably desire to have control over your life and, as they say, be your own boss. The Covid-induced lifestyle has changed the very definition of ‘normal’.

The Indian scenario

Now, multiple opportunities have opened up for both employers and potential candidates. For instance, you can start a tech firm from the comfort of your home and appoint your own staff without setting up an office.

Essentially, it means you can hire the best resources from anywhere in the world. If you are recruiting software professionals, you would know there is no shortage of programmers in India. According to Statista, on average, over 900,000 students enrolled in computer science engineering in 2020. Remember, this was the peak of Covid.

India has carved a niche for itself as a digitally advanced country, with 24-hour outsourcing services, cutting-edge technology and software solutions. Several top-rated Indian programmers are skilled at a wide range of software languages and cross-platform development. The country also has a massive pool of experienced software developers in core technologies such as PHP, Swift, Python, Java, JavaScript and C/C++.

Indian developers adapt to new technologies faster, work with a global mindset and generally maintain a high quality of deliverables.

IT is considered one of India’s top five priority industries. Liberalization policies like eliminating import duties on technology products and reducing trade barriers have made India a formidable IT nation, which is highly favorable for outsourcing. The IT industry has been attracting numerous foreign direct investments in the country. The IBEF reports that “India’s IT and business services market is projected to reach US$ 19.93 billion by 2025.” As employees, Indians are generally perceived as ready to adapt to different work cultures and even willing to relocate if working remotely is not part of an organization’s culture. Additionally, Indian graduates from top-rated institutions have the advantage of proficiency in English, work flexibility and offer high value for relatively low wages.

Their aptitude for subjects like math, science, logic and exposure to working in startups early in their careers make them all the more employable. No wonder many multinational companies are happy to hire Indian developers. Now that remote working is becoming more prevalent, hiring developers in India is fairly easy for both Indian and overseas employers, for it saves time, money and reduces the lengthy recruitment processes. Since India has access to a wide range of Internet services, hiring remote developers in India is not a cumbersome process.

Know what you want

Hiring Indian developers, or any developer needs a practical outlook. You must have a clear understanding of what you want as you hire Indian coders.

Are you interested in potentially hiring freelancers or full-time employees? Do you have the bandwidth to have each candidate vetted and selected before they are given access to your work? Most importantly, do you have a competitive pay structure?

Connect the dots

Now, let’s talk about the specifics. You want to hire PHP developers in India. What would you look for in your potential employees? The profiles of fresh candidates might appear quite similar in the areas of education, grades, projects and academic feats.

Then what sets your preferred candidate apart from the rest? It’s the ability to connect the dots and the knack of offering real-world solutions to complex issues rather than run-of-the-mill answers.

Test it out

A sample interview test for a candidate could involve one or two coding assignments and a few technical tasks, but the real tests should be on skills, aptitude, attitude and passion. Qualities like work ethics take time to develop. Don’t let it be a barrier to hiring the best candidate.

Finally, as the time-worn cliché goes, an underlying thread of trust binds recruiters and employees. Contrary to popular belief, outsourcing is not easy. You might think it would be a lot easier to do the job yourself rather than hand it over to someone else. This approach might work with a blog or a personal website, but not if you are managing mega projects.

The pandemic has turned the tide in the favor of work flexibility, so we might as well cash in. It makes absolute business sense to hire developers in India.

‘How to hire developers in India’

Intelligent, ambitious, eager-to-learn, well-trained, hardworking and cost-efficient resources are available in abundance in this country. To find them you can get online and search through ads and various companies in India. There are also companies like SDI who are a US company but have a huge team in India. You can easily learn about the team and pick who you want to work on your project.

If you need programming expertise for your website and are eager to work with the best Indian brains in the business, don’t hesitate to contact us. Call us at +1.408.621.8481 or drop an email at team@sdi.la.

Remember the days when you would commute to work? While nobody would miss traffic jams and overcrowded public transport systems, our offices offered the intangible perks: camaraderie, organized structure and gossip near the coffee-maker. But now, remote working and freelancing have become widespread. You definitely don’t want to miss the vibes of entrepreneurship either. Let’s be honest, you probably desire to have control over your life and, as they say, be your own boss. The Covid-induced lifestyle has changed the very definition of ‘normal’. The Indian scenario Now, multiple opportunities have opened up for both…

Read More→

Why The Finest Mobile Apps Need The Best Language

Heather StugenHealth and Fitness AppLeave a Comment on Why The Finest Mobile Apps Need The Best Language

You’ve had a painful breakup. Didn’t you see it coming? Someone else has had a seductive hold on your life. Your object of obsession has been eating up your waking hours, lying snugly under your bed sheet and even accompanying you for a run.

On a lighter note, you would have guessed this ‘sweet disruptor of relationships’ is your smartphone. How many times do you check your phone in a day?

The Importance of Smartphones

According to a Statista survey conducted on US citizens last year, almost half of the respondents spent 5-6 hours on their phones daily. Statista claims there are 3.3 billion smartphone users in the world. This figure is estimated to skyrocket to 3.8 billion in the next three years.

Think of the way smartphones connect the dots in our lives. That itch to respond to tweets feels incurable. The sensorial experience of Instagram and YouTube seems hard to resist. Loners find companionship in WhatsApp communities.

Our phones streamline work. They’ve become the medium for virtual meetings. Stock market updates on these 7 cm wide and 15 cm long devices regulate the heartbeats of brokers.

Our phone is a book, a bank statement, a payment device, and a pocket encyclopedia.

But it’s smartphone apps that have a say in our lives. Designed to perform specific tasks – online shopping, ordering food, watching movies, ordering a cab and whatnot – they’re an integral aspect of our day.

Do you know you can create the best smartphone apps too? All you need is the right guidance and understanding of the best language for mobile app development.

Welcome to the fascinating world of app programming. First, which is the easiest language for app development?

Java, the name matters

Java is one of the most-reviewed languages in android programming. Don’t be overawed by the name Java which has a ring of grandeur to it. Java is quite easy to learn, compile and debug.

All you need is basic web knowledge to understand this flexible, general-purpose language. Being object-oriented, you can create reusable codes and modular programs on Java. It can run on different systems and is also platform-independent both at the source and binary levels (Source: IBM.com).

How about trivia here? Modern lore has it that the name Java was derived from Java coffee. The name fits since programmers, who stay up nights, are known to consume a lot of java (or coffee if you like).

JavaScript, in comparison, is a lightweight programming language that makes web pages interactive. According to a recent survey from Coursera, JavaScript is the most popular language among developers, with around 69.7% of users. Called a client-side script, and it connects to servers in a quick time. No wonder, developers take a liking to JavaScript’s easy structure.

But there’s a catch to it. Although most mobile browsers support JavaScript, they tend to interpret the script differently. A lack of debugging facility and not-too-strong client-side security could be JavaScript’s limitations. Yet, the benefits outnumber the concerns. Software developers trust the language so much that they can access different resources for app development with JavaScript mobile app frameworks.

If JavaScript features among the five very best programming languages for mobile app development software, then Python applications may not be far behind.

Solving complex problems

Like Java, Python is easy to write, and understand and equipped to handle complex problems. While Python doesn’t have in-built mobile development capabilities, it offers packages to create mobile applications. Kivy and PyQt are examples of multi-platform application development frameworks for Python.

This high-level, multi-purpose programming language can be used on various platforms such as Windows phones, Android, iOS, and desktops. Of course, no language is perfect.

Python applications are slower at runtime compared to C++, Java, JavaScript PHP, and Swift. That’s because of the presence of the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) that allows only one thread to execute at a time. Swift-ly done

Meanwhile, a new language (Swift) is making itself heard in the mobile app development world. Inspired by Apple’s engineering culture, it’s a secure, fast, and interactive programming language. Swift combines the features of old programming languages with its originality.

The simplicity of codes, minimal errors, and short and standardized syntax make Swift the language for the future. It has emerged that Google is contemplating making Swift a first-class language for Android according to Ideamotive. For the record, Instagram, one of the finest downloadable apps, uses Swift.

Kotlin, not far behind

Swift has competition from other dynamic and compact languages. This language is called Kotlin, and it too takes little time to write and can be deployed quickly.

The features:

• Interoperable with Java codes.

• Provides stable codes in production, so reduces bugs.

• Combines the best of functional and procedural programming.

• Kotlin and Java have similarities but App developers just can’t make the switch seamlessly.

• Android apps developed with Kotlin don’t need as many lines of code as opposed to Android apps that are created using Java.

Now hold on, a conversation on mobile apps and web application development is incomplete without PWA.

PWA, bringing a paradigm shift

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are developed with established web technologies like CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. One of the most popular languages for app development, they deliver native-app experiences. For the unversed, a native application is a software program for a particular platform or device.

The characteristics:

• Allows you to surf your favorite online store offline via a cached webpage. As soon as you’re connected to the internet, order processing is done.

• Offers push notifications. Customers can re-engage with items stored in carts.

• Has a loading time that is quick.

• The user has enhanced security.

• Does have high maintenance costs.

Web.dev claims that businesses that launched PWA have witnessed a remarkable turnaround. Twitter, for example, saw a 65% increase in pages per session, 75% more Tweets and a 20% decrease in bounce rate. Nikkei experienced 2.3 times more organic traffic, 58% new subscriptions, and an increase of 49% daily active users. Hulu saw a 27% increase in return visits after switching to PWA.

Creating your own mobile app can give you an immense thrill if you learn the top-rated languages. But why not make life even easier? The world’s best mobile app developers are just a call away. Talk to one of our experts to make an award-winning mobile app. Call us at +1.408.621.8481 or write to us at team@sdi.la.

You’ve had a painful breakup. Didn’t you see it coming? Someone else has had a seductive hold on your life. Your object of obsession has been eating up your waking hours, lying snugly under your bed sheet and even accompanying you for a run. On a lighter note, you would have guessed this ‘sweet disruptor of relationships’ is your smartphone. How many times do you check your phone in a day? The Importance of Smartphones According to a Statista survey conducted on US citizens last year, almost half of the respondents spent 5-6 hours on…

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Why Language Matters For Website Development

Heather StugenWeb DevelopmentLeave a Comment on Why Language Matters For Website Development

In the age of data, businesses need an online presence to be visible to the world. Every business owner, tech-savvy or not, must understand the basics of the World Wide Web (WWW) to survive in these rapidly-changing times. As someone aptly said: “The longer you travel without visibility, the shorter your business success will be.”

Visibility is the key to opening the gateway for the outreach of one’s brand. But visibility is not a surprise gift granted by a generous magic genie, it has to be worked towards. Having a website is the first step.

Essentially, a website is a collection of e-text documents found on either a public or a private network. The e-documents require a specific set of guidelines to process the input and render the output as an easily accessible interactive platform. Those sets of languages are collectively called programming languages. So, what’s the best programming language for web development?

There are different languages based on the type of function performed by each, such as assembly languages, coding languages, scripting languages, etc. While you can always hire web developers and get the job done professionally, it’s essential to learn how to build basic pages and stay on top of modern web designing. You’ll need to know the popular programming languages and those best suited for a website.

    • HTML: HyperText Markup Language is a standard text-encoding system for web documents. One of its major components is the HTML element, which ensures the document is well-constructed, making the user interface smooth and legible. HTML is usually used with CSS and JavaScript. While HTML is fast and easy to learn, it requires lengthy codes and the security features are limited.

    • CSS: Cascading Style Sheets is a style language used to present a document in an intended way, ensuring that the document’s visual and design aspects are separated from the core material. The ‘Cascading’ refers to the priority of the element that must be prioritized while presenting the document.

    • JavaScript: It’s one of the core elements of web development embedded in multiple websites and software systems. It enables a dynamic interface that makes the webpage more interactive and engaging. It is fast and has shorter codes, but technical glitches tend to cause many bugs in the program.

    • PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor is a platform-independent, open-source interpreted server-side scripting language that can be embedded into any webpage, enhancing the functionality of the page. While it’s extremely cost-effective and flexible, it’s not recommended for high-security documents.

    • Python: It is a high-level language which is used to perform a variety of webpage functions. We can translate codes from various programming languages to Python via online python compilers that translate various languages to create an executable program. While it has dynamic semantics and a low level of syntax constructions, which makes it easier to use, Python scores low on mobile applications since it consumes time.

    • C language: C is a structured, procedural programming language with an increasing use in operating systems and drivers. It has influenced languages such as C++, D, C# etc. As an efficient and portable language, C has a unique ability to extend itself. However, it does not support Object-Oriented Programming – it organizes software design around data or objects) and exception handling – thus making it unusable on many pages.

According to a study conducted by Statista.com, JavaScript and HTML/CSS are the most popular programming languages so far this year. More than 65% of respondents said they used JavaScript. Over 55% preferred using Python, HTML/CSS, SQL and TypeScript.

In another study published by Statista.com in 2022, over 40% of recruiters prefer people with Javascript and Java skills. Python was ranked third, with 38% of recruiters preferring this skill.

All programming languages are unique. To create high-performance web applications, you need to connect the isolated chunks of information about websites, programming languages, and other related computer jargon and map them to the actual purpose of the website. This will ensure that the best programming language is chosen for web project development, enabling a better platform for the enterprise.

If the intended webpage is static or stationary, languages that support this feature such as HTML can be used. For dynamic or live webpages, a Common Gateway Interface can be produced using scripting languages such as JavaScript, PHP, Perl, etc.

For mobile applications, you want to focus on an easily accessible user interface, fast-loading time, and minimal bugs. Java has been the most preferred language. Kotlin is now a popular choice for Android applications. If the webpage needs to be accessed across multiple operating systems, the best choice would be Python, C++, JavaScript, and Swift programming language.

Clarity about the website is paramount, irrespective of whether you develop it yourself or outsource it. In this cut-throat competitive world, it’s not a bad idea to unabashedly clamor for attention. Your website could do with that magnetic pull to draw people in. If you need professional assistance for any web development project, use our programming expertise to enhance your visibility. Call us at +1.408.621.8481 or write to us at team@sdi.la.

In the age of data, businesses need an online presence to be visible to the world. Every business owner, tech-savvy or not, must understand the basics of the World Wide Web (WWW) to survive in these rapidly-changing times. As someone aptly said: “The longer you travel without visibility, the shorter your business success will be.” Visibility is the key to opening the gateway for the outreach of one’s brand. But visibility is not a surprise gift granted by a generous magic genie, it has to be worked towards. Having a website is the first step.…

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Using Airkit to Create an Advanced Customer Experience

Ananya STech StartupLeave a Comment on Using Airkit to Create an Advanced Customer Experience

You are on the lookout for a new couch to replace the one your dog tore apart. So, what exactly do you do? Open up your laptop, type ‘couches near me’ into the search bar, or you visit a website you might be familiar with, such as Ikea or HomeGoods. When you are browsing the website, pesky little chat pop-ups appear, asking if you need assistance, and when you close them, you run into other problems such as coupon pop-ups that stay on your monitor screen incessantly, or your shopping cart taking longer than expected to load, all-the-while hitting essential roadblocks that prevent you from making the final purchase.

Due to frustration and annoyance, now you have completely abandoned looking for a new couch online, dissatisfied with the online experience. A negative customer journey experience is the term for the procedure you’ve been put through. It’s the overall experience a customer gets while communicating with a brand. It’s the entire customer journey, from brand discovery to purchasing and beyond. The customer journey focuses on how a customer feels after interacting with a brand and not just the transactions. In our example, due to the company’s broken website and features, you have probably reconsidered purchasing from that said company again.

The Problem

So how do we resolve this issue? The main problem lies in the back-end of the customer journey experience. It is fundamentally messed up as most customer journeys today are anything but seamless. They’re slow, painfully manual, and devoid of any context. Everything we create should be adaptable to the circumstances in which our customers find themselves. What most businesses fail to consider is that not every client interaction is represented equally, whether it’s securing a sale or responding to an emergency. They need to focus on a customer’s most essential moments and individualize the customer journey to build a long-lasting relationship with the customer for future purchases.

Customers have every right to expect that earlier interactions, such as their orders, requests, and phone conversations, will be remembered by the company at all times. And now thanks to technology advancements, this level of personalization for a customer’s journey can now be produced seamlessly, and Airkit provides quick and effortless multi-level solutions to address and alleviate these customer journey concerns.

The Solution

Airkit creates digital, low-code customer experience (CX) automation solutions that enable Fortune 500 and large firms to reduce expenses, improve customer satisfaction, and grow revenue by providing tailored cross-channel interactions. Customers can create data flows, construct custom APIs, leverage a selection of pre-built or custom connections, manage cross-channel customer journeys, and develop apps using pre-built components and templates utilizing the company’s platform.

Security and Data Encryption

Airkit provides its users the ability to build their own interactions easily by using drag-and-drop elements such as data, forms, controls, triggers, user interfaces, user actions, data manipulations, conversational channels, and more using Airkit’s templates. Besides a personalized experience, Security and Data Encryption are also services offered by Airkit. Data, including data transferred between Airkit and third-party applications via API calls, is encrypted both at rest and in flight. With SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) 2.0 single sign-on, customer apps, and data are stored in distinct secure logical domains per enterprise. Snapshots of application and client data are saved in authentication-protected, encrypted storage on a daily and ongoing basis.

Digital Self-Service

Airkit also provides solutions to Fortune 500 companies and leading Enterprise brands to quickly construct digital customer experiences across the web, text, chat, and voice. This is provided through Airkit’s cloud-based Customer Experience Automation platform which connects potential leads to a company’s sales team, automates self-service appointment settings (and reminders), and enables smart data collecting. Here is a quick breakdown of the various solutions Airkit delivers for Digital Self-Service

1. Call diversion to digitized self-service

This can help your business manage excessive call volumes. Customers have the option of remaining on hold or receiving an SMS with a link to schedule a callback.

2. Schedule

Allowing customers to select a time and date for their appointments automatically.

3. Business Hours

Option to customize your business’s working hours, holidays, and any other special dates that may arise.

4. Omnichannel nudging

You can reduce no-shows using omnichannel nudging (email or SMS) for meeting reminders or retries.

5. Self-service

No matter where your consumers are (online, email, voice, or chat), they will have access to digital self-service tools like scheduling work orders (installation, maintenance, and repair).

6. Client Data

Capturing client data digitally using smart, reflexive digital forms (e.g., service issue or in-person service request) and delivering personalized views based on the customer’s profile.

7. Integrations

Integrate with your existing systems to automate customer experiences, monitor requests, and connect with third-party partners based on system data.

8. Customer Service?

To monitor and enhance client satisfaction, you have the ability to send follow-up customer surveys after each in-person service.

These are just a few examples of how Airkit provides its customers with a cutting-edge digital customer experience. The company has made inroads into various industries including finance, healthcare, eCommerce and retail, insurance, and even energy utilities. This is just the beginning for Airkit as the start-up has enamored many businesses, is growing rapidly and is set to be the vice of the new future for customer experience enhancement.

You are on the lookout for a new couch to replace the one your dog tore apart. So, what exactly do you do? Open up your laptop, type ‘couches near me’ into the search bar, or you visit a website you might be familiar with, such as Ikea or HomeGoods. When you are browsing the website, pesky little chat pop-ups appear, asking if you need assistance, and when you close them, you run into other problems such as coupon pop-ups that stay on your monitor screen incessantly, or your shopping cart taking longer than expected…

Read More→

Appdome: a solution to avoid mishaps

Ananya SUncategorizedLeave a Comment on Appdome: a solution to avoid mishaps

Early Saturday morning, Robert downloaded a new gaming App on his Android phone and started playing. Soon he levelled up, and now it had asked for a credit or debit card to be able to get to the next tier. He made a small debit transaction, and now he was a Premium player.

Later that night, he noticed that his card had been charged multiple times, and to his horror, he realized his bank balance was almost drained. After exchanging multiple frantic emails with the App’s publisher, he was told that a third-party malware on his phone had siphoned off his financial information, and the publisher was helpless to recover the money. Out of sheer frustration, Robert wrote a scathing review in the App store and rated it with one star.

This is not an isolated incident. Malicious codes and bots attack and hijack personal and financial information of millions of App users without the users ever being aware of such thefts.

It is critical that App developers and coders incorporate strong preventive measures to counter the mounting online threats. Banking, e-commerce and other financial-based Apps are particularly susceptible to malware attacks, consequently compromising their data and security.

Being able to create a fast and seamless protective shield around their App can enhance the publishers’ reputation and keep their user base and monetary stream intact.

Appdome provides quick and effortless multi-level solutions to address and alleviate these mobile security concerns.

No-Code Security Platform

For the uninitiated, Appdome is a mobile App development platform that adds security to Android and IOS apps without the need for additional coding. Both IOS Apps and Android are ably supported.

Though many current startups and companies are creating a framework to support App security, Appdome has over a decade of development and security expertise and serviced hundreds of small to enterprise-level clients. They have developed a quick one-button solution to convert a vulnerable and hackable App into a hardened and malware proof one without the need for any coding or including an SDK (Software Development Kit).

Multi-Layered Services and Protection

Customers can choose and implement each discreet security feature, or bundle of features.

Appdome’s mobile application shielding or hardening solution ONEShield is a runtime application self-protection feature that prevents hackers from reverse engineering or tampering with the App. It blocks static and dynamic attacks and thwarts malicious code from debugging tools.

TOTALData encrypts the App, code and data using advanced App specific AES-256 encryption or FIPS 140-2 cryptography. This ensures that malware and breaches cannot access data, files or App resources.

Appdome prevents hacking and reverse engineering by using TOTALCode Obfuscation. This feature creates a protective layer of App code, binaries, classes, libraries, SDKs (Software Development Kits) and debugs information.

There’s another useful tool that protects mobile Apps from piracy and Trojans by preventing cloning and modifications. Apps that can be compromised are often released with malicious code and Trojans that not only change user experience but can also steal user data.

The Fraud Prevention Solution detects and blocks ransomwares, game cheat engines, speed attacks, hacking frameworks and malware bridges. Methods like code and script injections, function and method hooking, memory editing all contribute to the mobile Apps being compromised and taken over. This solution from Appdome preserves and maintains the integrity of the Apps.

Appdome’s Certified Secure offers verification to mobile App developers and publishers. All the builds and releases are protected by the security and mobile fraud prevention features. This certification at each stage of the build and release reduces code scans and ensures that the development process is always secured and protected.

How Does Appdome Work?

Over the years, Appdome has built a massive body of knowledge based on thousands of implementations across multitudes of Apps. This knowledge base is leveraged when a customer’s App is submitted to Appdome’s Build My App service. The AI-based engine scans and checks the development framework and maps the App’s structural and logical elements, its features and functions.

After performing a gap analysis between the App’s capabilities and the requested security services, it uses a pre-built and reusable micro-services architecture of thousands of security plugins to dynamically assemble and generate a new App binary using the adaptive code generation engine.

So, without any code or SDK changes, the new App now includes all the new security layers and functionalities. The Appdome technology automatically adds the relevant framework and logic to the App. As more Apps are processed and implemented, their knowledge base and functionalities are continuously enhanced, resulting in streamlining of processes and inclusion of new security vulnerabilities and threats.

The Future of Apps

As Apps continue to grow in size and complexities with enhanced functionalities and user experiences, keeping track of emerging and ever-changing threats becomes a resource-consuming and a costly chore for the App developing teams. Hackers, bots and malware are continuously enhancing and changing their modes of attack.

Leveraging third-party security services like those provided by Appdome can help the App coders, developers and publishers focused on their development and builds while keeping their Apps safe, secured and protected.

Early Saturday morning, Robert downloaded a new gaming App on his Android phone and started playing. Soon he levelled up, and now it had asked for a credit or debit card to be able to get to the next tier. He made a small debit transaction, and now he was a Premium player. Later that night, he noticed that his card had been charged multiple times, and to his horror, he realized his bank balance was almost drained. After exchanging multiple frantic emails with the App’s publisher, he was told that a third-party malware on…

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TikTok Advertising is the New Go-To Marketing Tool

Ananya SMarketingLeave a Comment on TikTok Advertising is the New Go-To Marketing Tool

TikTok is now the seventh-most used social media platform, and it has taken the world by storm. The viral-video building platform is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese multinational internet technology company. The app has completely changed the social media game and given everyone a safe space to become an internet phenomenon overnight, as well as allowed companies and businesses to market their ideas in a unique and curated manner.

Secondly, the app prevails dominance against other look-alikes on the market due to its ongoing trends, dance challenges, and use of popular filters. The culture that envelops TikTok is the level of Youtube and Instagram edited videos combined in a bite-sized quality that keeps users transfixed to their phones over the content created in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

TikTok’s customer base spans several ages from young to old, from various professionals to even celebrities. The app is loved by many including businesses such as Amazon, Chipotle, The Washington Post, and even the NBA. Most companies that use TikTok explore the advertising option as one of the best ways to leverage their advertisements to reach a larger audience.

Advertising on TikTok helps companies reach a young, energetic audience that loves to share great content but there’s more to than meets the eye. TikTok presents an enormous opportunity for its users to advertise on its platform.

Let us break down the rules of advertising on TikTok to leverage it to your business’s best abilities.

1. Budget your Advertisement

TikTok is a good advertising solution for big brands like Nike, Disney, or Grubhub, but it can be challenging for small businesses. The app doesn’t publish ad prices but large campaigns range anywhere from $25,000 to $150,000 depending on the type of campaign your business chooses. For self-service ads, TikTok requires a minimum budget of $500 for overall campaigns, with a $20 minimum for ad groups. This minimum amount allows you to see results and ensure that your ads can reach your objectives.

So ask yourself if your business can suffice the budget TikTok requires to advertise your content. Don’t feel discouraged from the get-go if budgeting is tough as the platform has allowed small to midsize businesses to thrive immensely.

One such example is the company mangopeople, a beauty brand that sells cosmetics made from fruit and vegetable pigments. The company has garnered a lot of recent fame due to its TikTok advertisements and the official TikTok page being updated every week. TikTok ads have allowed companies like mangopeople to become more well-known among the thousands of already-established and/or upcoming small businesses.

2. Create a TikTok Ads Account

Now that you’ve decided to go ahead and advertise your business, the first step is to create a TikTok Ads Account. To see if your business qualifies, you can contact TikTok Ads directly. After you submit your information and submit the form, a representative from TikTok will get in touch with you to set up your TikTok Ads account. It can take up to 48 hours to receive your account. Once you do, the process for creating ads is relatively straightforward.

3. Select your Ad Choice

TikTok offers several options for advertisers to reach their target demographic and customer base. Browse through the ones mentioned below to select the best type of advertisement for your business.

• In-Feed Video: Ads appear in the news feed of TikTok on the For You page. These range from $25,000 minimum per campaign to $30,000 daily maximum.

• Brand Takeover: Ads appear when TikTok users open the app and completely take over the screen for a few seconds before turning into an In-Feed Video ad. Users have the option of skipping these ads as well. These cost $50,000 per day.

• Hashtag Challenge: Ads appear on the Discovery page which encourages users to participate in user content creation challenges. These cost $150,000 for six days.

• Branded AR Content: Ads appear as branded lenses, stickers, and other 2D/3D/AR content for TikTok users to use in their videos. These range from $80,000 – $120,000 based on the complexity of the lens design.

• Custom Influencer Package: Ads appear as part of sponsored content created by a TikTok user with influence in your market. An example is a popular influencer marketing a brand-name beauty product for his/her audience. The price for these depends on the influencer’s popularity as well as the campaign chosen to run, but most range between $600 – $1,000 per post.

4. Create a TikTok Ad Campaign

Once you’ve finished setting up your TikTok Ads account, on the dashboard click the Campaign tab at the top of the page and then click the Create button. This will allow you to begin creating your desired advertisement. Next, choose a campaign objective and you will be given three options: Campaigns, Ad Groups, and ads.

• The top tier is the campaign. You will define your campaigns with one main objective and budget.

• Under a campaign, you will find one or more ad groups. You will define ad groups with ad placements, target audiences, budget, and schedule.

• Under an ad group, you will find one or more ads. You will create video content ads to reach your target audience for your ad group.

5. Select your TikTok Ad Placement, details, and Target

The next step is to create an ad group for your campaign and choose your placements and targeting. This refers to the placement of your ad and TikTok makes it very user-friendly by giving an option for automatic placements, where TikTok determines where your ad would perform best thus choosing the perfect placement. Another useful feature of the TikTok Ads dashboard is the selection of the platforms your business would like to run its ads on. These include not only TikTok but also other apps such BuzzVideo, News Republic, and others.

Once you’ve selected your preferred placements, follow the prompts to enter all of the details necessary to start running your ad, including any relevant URLs, display names, images, and categories. You can also select up to 20 keywords to describe your website or app in its best proximity, which will then help determine how to place your products with the right audience.

The Targeting section lets you define the target audience for your ads. You can set parameters for location, age, gender, language selection, interests, devices, and more to attract the right audience for your ads.

6. Set Your Schedule and Budget

Now that you’ve created a campaign, you are ready to select your budget and scheduling options for your ad. We touched on this briefly before but remember that you can choose either a daily budget, the amount you’re willing to spend each day, or a total budget, the total amount you’re willing to spend for the duration of the schedule of your ad. You can also pace your budget to better fit the results you want to achieve by determining the speed at which your budget will be spent.

You also get to schedule the duration for your ads, how long do you want them to run. There is an option called Dayparting which allows you to select specific times of the day or week on which to run your ad. It’s similar in the way Twitter and Tumblr work with their queue of tweets and posts to be posted.

7. Select your Metrics

This is the golden key, it’s time now for you to choose the right optimization goal to reap the results of your TikTok ads. You can choose to optimize your ad group for Conversion, Click, or Impression and your bidding will be optimized based on the goal you select. One of the more popular options is Conversion and if chosen, your ad will be displayed to people who are most likely to convert to your product or service, leading to revenue gain for your business. TikTok Ads automatically adjusts bids based on your bid settings, helping the cost of your campaign equalize closely to your target price.

8. Optimizing Your TikTok Ad

There are several ways to optimize your TikTok Ads and TikTok does a great job in providing a guide here. In summary, TikTok provides levers such as paying key attention to Target Audience, Account Structure, Optimization events, Bid & Budget, and a few more, but here are some other ideas to help you optimize your TikTok Ad.

• Focus on one main call to action so customers are aware of the action you want them to take. For example, if you ask users to download your app as well as unlock a subscription feature by punching in their email, you might confuse some viewers by redirecting them to your app’s download screen and the slot to enter their email might not pop up.

• When you want to use in-app display ads, ensure you are using high-resolution images so the visuals can fit the user’s entire screen and be highly visible at the same time.

• TikTok ads are not big on lengthy descriptions and they are limited to 80 English characters, so if you’re selling a more complex product or service, incorporate the right keywords using the Video Creation Kit.

• Take big advantage of the built-in ad tools at your disposal. Alongside the Video Creation Kit, there are several others such as the Automated Creative Optimization tool which allows the user to upload up to 10 images or 5 videos, 5 ad texts, and 1 CTA. It then produces your creativity into multiple ads. It tests a variety of sample ads throughout your campaign and ultimately presents the best possible combination to your target audience.

The conclusion is that TikTok is on the rise, has become a great tool for go-to marketing for most businesses and companies, and gives a comprehensive offering of design and automation tools to create wonderfully creative ads. There doesn’t seem to be a decline in the usage of TikTok amongst audiences of all ages, and it provides a great advertising tool to help leverage businesses to their best abilities.

To gain a larger understanding of how TikTok has become the leading social platform for advertisement as well as entertainment, our team at SDI specializes in website and mobile app development. With our help, you too can create the next powerful social media platform such as Tiktok, just give us a call at 408.621.8481 or email us at team@sdi.la

TikTok is now the seventh-most used social media platform, and it has taken the world by storm. The viral-video building platform is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese multinational internet technology company. The app has completely changed the social media game and given everyone a safe space to become an internet phenomenon overnight, as well as allowed companies and businesses to market their ideas in a unique and curated manner. Secondly, the app prevails dominance against other look-alikes on the market due to its ongoing trends, dance challenges, and use of popular filters. The culture that…

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