Developing Mobile Apps Using App Building Platforms: the Click-and-Configure Way!

The global scenario has undergone several drastic changes in the last couple of years, significantly changing the way enterprises and small industries conduct their business. One of the major contributors to this trend is the emergence of smartphones and mobile technology.

Configure and build mobile app

Today business executives and other employees prefer having all the crucial data on their fingertips. Mobile applications have come a long way in providing users everything from an interactive tool, marketing medium, communication channels, source of income and several other innovative purposes.

Considering that around 60% of all internet access was done through handhelds and that there are more than 1.2 billion people accessing the web through mobile devices; it would be a huge loss if you or your company were not equipped to consume that information. The world statistics on mobility and mobile solutions tip the scales in favor of mobile applications.

The next thing that one would think about is the cost factor. Does it cost a lot to build a mobile application? If you approach a developer, they might charge you around $150 to $150,000. But the pricing would depend entirely on the complexities of your project.

Does this mean that you would always have to hire a team and pay them a hefty price to build your mobile app or can you build one on your own?  Enter app-building platforms! These were pretty neat tools that let competent people build their own app without having to dole out hefty wads of money. Previously these online app building tools could only help you design simple web apps that were nothing close to the native ones.

Today app building platforms cover every aspect of creating an app. They begin by helping you build a database. Choose a couple of options and key-in details like serial no, Field Name, etc. and the platform would build an entire database, complete with properly defined relationships and primary/foreign keys.

The platform then configures a data management console to handle and manage the data. It automatically creates lists and forms, and performs data validations. These platforms also offer a huge degree of flexibility by enabling you to write your own custom-validations to manage the data.

After the management console has been completed the platform enables you to develop the necessary APIs. Some of these platforms have highly resourceful and intuitive interfaces that it makes building APIs a simple task. All you need to do is build a flowchart based on your business logic, and the platform would automatically generate the codes for the same. Such a decentralized approach to development enables you to build an API of any complexity. It also lets you iterate or reuse blocks of codes, APIs, databases, web modules, app modules or entire applications.

When it comes to building the mobile app, the platform offers a whole set of configurable app settings and a vast library of functions to facilitate speedy app development. Automatic binding with APIs enables reusability of controls, app screens and much more.

These platforms also account for testing of apps. Ideally such a platform would enable real time testing on devices, wherein changes made would be automatically reflected on the device instantly. This helps overcome the hassles of repetitive building and speeds up the development process.

Also, when it comes to publishing apps, they should be completely standardized and conform to all the development norms.  App building platforms that can accomplish all of these feats would definitely aid in speedy turnouts and efficient app building.