Mobile App Development

How can you develop a Popular Healthcare on-demand app like Practo or Zocdoc

Flutter, the Google-developed open-source software development kit for UI creation has gained a lot of traction amongst the community of software developers. Flutter is a great option for cross-platform app development using a single codebase. Flutter app development caters to myriad platforms including iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, the web, macOS, & Google Fuchsia. And, the best part is that the same business logic and UI can be reused across various platforms.

The Flutter framework comes with numerous offerings including reduced development time, high customization, & a superior quality animation. However, to get the best results out of this framework, developers need to follow the right strategies and best practices.

This post discusses the key strategies and best practices for Flutter app development that will reduce coding efforts and development time. These practices will also enhance the code’s quality, maintainability, readability, and productivity.

Flutter App Development: Best Practices to Folloy-defined App Architecture

A clearly-dene rchitecture is a crucial prerequisite as it makes Flutter app development a breeze. Flutter app developers enjoy the advantages of an easy learning curve as compared to native app development frameworks. A developer needs to learn only one programming language, Dart, to code & design Flutter m

Benefits and Shortcomings of The React Native Framework!

Flutter App Development: Best Practices to Folloy-defined App Architecture

Benefits and Shortcomings of The React Native Framework!

Flutter App Development: Best Practices to Folloy-defined App Architecture

Where are we with React Native in Web, Windows, and macOS?

Flutter App Development: Best Practices to Folloy-defined App Architecture

What are the Key Strategies and Best Practices that simplify Flutter App Development?

Flutter App Development: Best Practices to Follow

Creating a clearly-defined App Architecture

A clearly-defined architecture is a crucial prerequisite as it makes Flutter app development a breeze. Flutter app developers enjoy the advantages of an easy learning curve as compared to native app development frameworks. A developer needs to learn only one programming language, Dart, to code & design Flutter mobile apps for the iOS and Android platforms. However, if you fail to create the proper architecture, things can get messed up. Take a look at the MVVM architecture of a Flutter app.

Best Naming Practices

Follow these practices when you name the convention. Keep the extension name, classes, etc. in UpperCamelCase; the names of directories, libraries, etc. in snake_case which means lowercase with underscores; and the name parameters & variables in lowerCamelCase.

Refactoring the Code into “Widgets” instead of “Methods”

There are two ways to refactor Text Widgets. The code can be either refactored into “Methods” or “Widgets.” For Flutter app development, refactoring the code into Widgets is a better option to go with. This approach will allow you to utilize the handy offerings of the entire widget lifecycle. If you refactor the code into “Methods,” there might be unnecessary rebuilds even when there are no modifications inside the ‘buildHello.’

Contrarily, if you refactor the code into widgets, rebuilds take place only when there are changes inside the widget. This way, one can avoid needless builds and improve the performance of a Flutter application. Besides, this methodology will help a Flutter app developer to reap the benefits of all the widget class optimizations offered by the Flutter framework. Also, this approach of code refactoring involves fewer lines of code and makes the main widget easier to understand.

UI Component Rebuilding with Flutter BloC Widgets

Flutter BloC Widgets help you in rebuilding UI components while responding to various state changes during Flutter app development. The key classes offered by the Flutter_bloc package are BlocBuilder, BlocWidgetListener, BlocProvider, & BlocConsumer.

BlocBuilder reduces the overall boilerplate code requirement and as such, simplifies the process of building/rebuilding the child subtree during a state change. BlocWidgetListener helps you in handling functionalities and situations that are needed once during every state change. BlocProvider allows you to build new blocs and close them simultaneously; one can access them from the subtree that remains. BlocConsumer needs to be used when it is essential to rebuild the UI. This widget can be also used for executing reactions to the modifications made in the state of the bloc syntax.

Creating a Build Function that is Pure

It’s important to create a build function that is pure – free of unnecessary stuff. Hence, you must remove all those operations from the build process that may negatively affect the rebuild performance. If the build function is pure, the UI rebuilding process will be highly productive and this process will not require too many resources as well.

Thorough Understanding of the Concept of Constraints

A Flutter app developer must have a thorough understanding of the thumb rule of the Flutter framework layout. This rule defines how the ‘constraints’ go down and the ‘sizes’ go up and how the ‘parent’ sets the position.

What are constraints? Well, a widget gets a set of constraints from its parent. A constraint is formed by a set of these four aspects – A minimum & maximum height and a minimum & maximum width. Thereafter, the widget examines its list containing the children and sends across a command. This command asks the children widgets about their constraints. Here, the constraints can be different for each child widget. The widget then asks every child widget about the size it wishes to be. Now, the children are positioned one after the other and the parent is notified about their size. The size remains within the range defined by the original constraints.

However, there exists a limitation. For instance, there’s a child widget placed inside a parent widget, and the size has to be decided. Here, it is not possible for the widget to decide a size on its own. The widget’s size has to be within the constraints that were set by its parent.

Avoiding the Usage of Streams Unless Necessary

Streams are quite powerful and most development teams tend to use them. Nevertheless, ‘streams’ usage comes with its own set of downsides. If you are using streams and your implementation process is below average, you are likely to consume more CPU space as well as memory. And, if by chance the developers forget to close the streams, memory leaks will take place. So, avoid using streams unless it is absolutely essential for your Flutter app development project. Instead of using streams, you may employ a ChangeNotifier for reactive UI; this will solve the problem of memory consumption. Also, you can use Bloc library for more advanced features. This library helps you to utilize your resources in a more efficient way and provides an easy-going interface for creating the reactive user interface.

Employing the “Dart Code Metrics”

Employing the “Dart Code Metrics” is a tried and tested practice for improving the quality of a Flutter mobile app. This is a static tool for analyzing the code; it helps developers to monitor as well as improvise the code quality. For executing this process, you need to carry out certain tasks. Use single widgets for each file and extract callbacks. Avoid using the Border.all constructor and try not to return the widgets.

Employing the const Constructor

Using the const constructor widgets is highly recommended for Flutter app development. This practice will help you considerably minimize the tasks that need to be carried out in the garbage collector. This practice may seem insignificant at the beginning. But as the app gets bigger in size or there’s a view that gets rebuilt quite often; it proves immensely beneficial. Moreover, const declarations turn out to support the hot-reloading feature. However, you must avoid using const keywords unless needed.

Adopting Apt Testing Approaches

It’s important to test every critical functionality. And, an automated testing approach is recommended. This is because cross-platform apps target several platforms. So, automated testing will save extensive time and effort needed for testing functionality across all those targeted platforms, after modifications have been made. Also, ensure that you follow the testing strategy of 100% code coverage. But, if in case you are not able to conduct 100% testing owing to time and budgetary constraints, make sure that you test the critical functionalities of the app. Unit tests & widget tests are some testing methodologies used for Flutter app development. Integration tests are also necessary; this way, you can run tests on emulators or physical devices.

Final Thoughts:

I hope you are now well versed in the best practices to follow and the key strategies to consider while developing an app with Flutter. The aforementioned practices and strategies are sure to simplify complex processes for developers and enhance the productivity of the software development process altogether. However, if you are a novice in software development, it’s advisable to seek technical assistance from an experienced and proficient Flutter app development company for your upcoming project.

Using SVGs in React Native Development with Expo: Step-by-step Guidance!

Why is the image format SVG so popular amongst app developers these days? Well, SVGs come with a wide range of capabilities and have a lot to offer to modern-day mobile & web development projects. Developers can create & edit SVG files effortlessly using any text editor and manipulate the properties using CSS. Besides, you can scale an SVG to any resolution based on your requirements. The resolutions do not affect the size of files owing to the nature of SVGs. As a result, the size of the files is quite small as compared to pixel- based ones. Moreover, an SVG is SEO friendly as its language format is based on XML markup. This enables one to embed descriptions or keywords directly into the image. Furthermore, developers can easily customize, edit, and animate SVG files as per the need.

This post guides you through the right methodology for using SVGs for React Native with Expo. Here, we have selected React Native as it is one of the most widely used technologies for developing mobile & web apps. This write-up will provide you with thorough insights on how to employ SVGs in React Native app development projects.

What are SVGs?

Scalable Vector Graphics, commonly known as SVGs is an image format that allows you to resize and stretch images as per the need without affecting the quality or performance of images. SVGs prove to be an effective way of presenting visual elements like icons.

Employing SVGs on the web is a simple process; developers simply need to copy an SVG and then embed it inline into an HTML file. This method is effective as browsers know how an SVG can be parsed and presented. However, employing SVGs becomes difficult when it comes to mobile apps. This is because Expo doesn’t understand how SVGs can be processed & parsed right away on iOS and Android development environments. Here, you need to use a React Native package and SVG converter to make things work.

Check out how to carry out the whole process starting from SVG creation to implementing it in an Expo project!

Employing SVGs in React Native with Expo: Key Steps to Follow

Step # 1: Create a React Native Project

For setting up a React Native project, we are going to employ the Expo framework for bootstrapping the React Native app. For this, you must install ‘Node.js/npm.’ For installing expo-cli globally, you need to open a terminal and then, run the code npm install –global expo-cli. Once installed, use the code “expo install react-native-svg-tutorial” for creating a new react-native project. While running this command, you’ll also get an option to choose a template. After this process is completed, you need to navigate to the root of your project directory. Now, start the Expo development server using the code expo start react-native-svg-tutorial and an interactive menu appears.

You can use the Expo dev server for testing your app locally during the development process. And, for running the application, you need either the ‘Expo Go App’ or an emulator.

Step # 2: Create an SVG in React Native

For creating an SVG in React Native, you will have to build a custom loader for the app. Here, you need the library called react-native-svg that supports React Native apps.

To begin with, you need to open a terminal, navigate to the root of the project, and then, install the library using the code expo install react-native-svg. Now, go to the root directory and create a file named Loader.js. At this point, React Native developers need to do some coding and paste the code below this file.

Your SVG image is done! Please note that the aforesaid SVG image creation methodology involves using the components offered by react-native-svg in place of employing HTML elements. While HTML elements use the lower case for ‘naming,’ the components of react-native-svg use the sentence case.

Now, you need render the SVG in the App.js file.

Step # 3: Add an SVG to a React Native App

First of all, you need to create a new Expo app using the command expo init new-expo-app. Then, use the command, cd new-expo-app for moving it into the new folder of the expo app and add the react-native-svg using yarn add react-native-svg. This package provides SVG support to the React Native application.

Now, import the SVG file to the assets folder. Then, create a folder in the root of your project and give it a name. Add a .js file to this folder. Thereafter, import the necessary components for creating a function. For this, you need to create a svgComponent.js file and paste it into svgComponent.js. Now, open the SVG file. Copy the file’s contents and use it for replacing <CONTENT OF SVG FILE>.

Now, it’s time to create a constant in the .js file & paste the SVG contents within a pair of batsticks. Then, generate a function within the .js file and employ the component SvgXml from react-native-svg. At this point, you’ll move the previous constant into xml prop and also can define their width and height. Then, return the function and your .js file is completed.

You can now import the new SVG component into your App.js and use it as required just like a regular React Expo component. Now, run the project and start the simulator by using the command expo start.

When can you consider adding an External SVG to a React Native App?

Now, the probable questions that will arise in your mind are: Is it at all necessary to create an SVG in React Native with Expo? Can’t an external SVG be used in React Native apps?

Well, this decision entirely depends on your project requirement. The key benefit of making an SVG in React Native with Expo is that this SVG component can be customized as per your need. You can also add animations and props to the SVG. However, all app development projects do not require image customization or animation. In such scenarios, you can simply add an external SVG image into your React Native app without customizing it.

How can you add an External SVG to a React Native Application?

There are two methods that are used for adding external SVG images to RN apps.

The first one is the SvgUri component offered by the react-native-svg library. With react-native-svg-uri, you will be able to render external SVG images from a static file or a URL. However, this library involves a limitation when used in Android devices – file loading in the release mode becomes a problem. The SVGs are visible during the app development, testing, and debugging mode. But, as soon as the Android app is uploaded to the play store, the SVGs stop being rendered on Android devices. To resolve this issue, you need to use the svgXmlData prop along with the SvgUri component.

You can also employ another library named react-native-svg-transformer for importing external SVG files into React Native development projects.

Step # 4: Animate an SVG created in React Native

Here’s how to animate an SVG created in React Native with Expo. To achieve this outcome you need to modify the SVG component’s stroke color every few milliseconds. Create a file named AnimatedLoader.js and do some coding. Here, we are using React Native’s animated API for creating animations.

With the help of the code const AnimatedPath=Animated.createAnimatedComponent(Path), make the component ‘Path’ animable. Then, create an Animated.Value that you can attach with an animated component. Now, store the Animated.Value using a useRef hook so that you don’t have to mutate it directly. The benefit of creating the animation in the useEffect hook is that this loop enables developers to produce the fade-in & fade-out effects.

Now, hook up the animation you created with the component AnimatedPath. Attach the color Animated.Value with the AnimatedPath prop called ‘stroke.’ This will interpolate the color Animated.Value to create a color mapping between the outputRange and the inputRange. Thereafter, you need to save & reload the emulator for viewing the modifications.

Ending Note:

I hope this post has helped you to gain a thorough understanding of how to employ SVGs in React Native with Expo. However, for successfully creating & using SVGs in React native apps, you must rope in experience developers who can code efficiently without any glitches. So, if you are a novice or lack the necessary technical resources, you may seek assistance from adept React Native app development services for the best results.

Top 5 Factors to Consider While developing a Healthcare App

Evolution in the healthcare sector has picked up the pace. Doctors and other medical experts are adopting new technological developments to attract more customers. Such advancement has given birth to healthcare apps which are quite trending in today's era. Such apps are expected to touch a figure of 50k by 2025, around 10 times more than expected in 2019. Through such apps, it becomes easy for health care experts to make healthy relations with their patients.

Let's look at some of the eye-opening facts about healthcare app development:

60% of mobile customers use healthcare mobile apps from their phones
As per Statista, the mhealth market is expected to touch $100 bn by 2022.
The online fitness app will reach $14.46 bn by 2022.
Currently, 350k healthcare apps are available worldwide from various app stores.

What is mhealth?

Through mhealth apps, patients can avail of medical services through mobile devices. It allows telecommunication applications and multimedia technologies to deliver health information, health care services, and research. Mhealth has become a buzzword in the current era. Through such apps, patients can identify the symptoms and can know whether medical treatment is required or not.

Through mhealth apps, doctors can track patients' conditions, let them know about health information, and even diagnose minor conditions. Because of such tremendous popularity of apps, many healthcare app development services are flourishing worldwide.

First, you need to know the important envoys to make your app successful. The healthcare app development typically inaugurates with an affluent understanding of what you want from your medical app, for whom you are making it, and where it will be going.

Some factors should be taken care of during the development of healthcare apps. So let's take a deep dive and learn about such aspects.

Top 5 Factors to Consider While developing a Healthcare App

Patient privacy

No one can compromise privacy regarding patients' information through healthcare apps. For instance, USA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) says that no health care app can disclose the protected health information of a patient to anyone. This implies that patient information like name, address, health records, financial records, and other records will be kept secret. Thus all health care apps should provide the facility like password protection, data encryption, digital signatures, limited access, and other security measures to the patients.

Know the audience

Never assume anything about what customers want from the app. Healthcare app developers need to research what people will look for in the app. While making an app, you need to consider the user experience and the technology. A healthcare app should be customer-driven, should think about customer engagement, and there should be an option of satisfaction surveys to let the company know from the customers what is working and what is not working.

Functional Communication Portal

In some healthcare apps, video calling features are available so that patients can speak directly with doctors or other medical professionals. This increases the app's complexity, which should be addressed properly to retain users' experience.

While creating such portals, developers must ensure that patients' information is secure and that UI is easy for the average person. If there are issues in the user interface, it will lead to client dissatisfaction, and he may not use the app in the future.

Simple, sustainable, and scalable designs

Website design is a thoughtful process, and it should be in modules. This will make it easy for developers to modify, upgrade, and put it back in the framework. In addition, Healthcare apps should be simple, and it is better to avoid multiple interfaces in them as this will increase the confusion for patients who may not be technically savvy.

Simplicity is especially important in scheduling platforms and integration with third-party apps, so it will never interfere with the patients' routine. Thus patients will not be compelled to get hands-on with new technology other than the one they are already using.

Functionality test of the app

After app development, healthcare app Development Company in USA should be open to make changes based on their testing team feedback or customer experience. It is important to fix the issues quickly to avoid their frustration to retain customers. Below are some of the aspects that one should check in the app.

Confidentiality: Ensure that all the information entered by the patient is confidential.
Usability: Ensure that the user is happy with the interface.
Compatibility: Ensure that the app works fine on all the platforms like iOS, android, etc.

Over to you!

Overall, there are various aspectthat needs to be taken into consideration while developing a healthcare app. As a developer, you may want to create an error-free app to give a smooth experience to the users. Keep yourself in the shoes of customers before developing the app. This will allow you to know their pain points.

The healthcare app market is growing rapidly. Thus, you must keep many aspects in mind when planning as a developer. First, think about what you want as a developer? For example, you may want to develop an app with minimum error and maximum efficiency. To achieve this, you need to think from the customers' prospects. If you need help in developing a robust and sustainable healthcare app, get in touch with Biz4Solutions, a prominent software development company in healthcare that is known across the globe.

Significant Frameworks and Tools for Android App Development!

Mobile devices are commonplace these days and mobile apps are preferred by users to obtain any product or service they need. The two most popular operating systems are Android and iOS, Android being the more popular one. “Android is the choice of more than 2.8 billion active smartphone users across the globe with a market share of 75%” as reported by the online marketplace BusinessofApps.

Needless to say, android app development is a lucrative investment option that multiple business owners are eying. This post explores the most popular Android development tools and frameworks. A quick read will prove beneficial for the app creators who are planning to build an Android app.

Top Android Development Frameworks

React Native

Facebook-developed React Native is one of the most popular open-source Android development frameworks available for mobile app development. Besides Android, this framework is also used for building apps for iOS, Web, and UWP. It uses JavaScript and leverages the goodies of the React SDK.

React Native: Unique Selling Points

Unlike other mobile app development frameworks that simulate native performance, React Native employs the native building blocks available in its ecosystem. As such, developers are able to create apps that render like native applications. The “hot reloading” feature allows React Native developers to update files or apply immediate changes without having to disrupt the app’s present state or recompile the app. On account of the “Code Send” function, app users need not authorize or restart their app, when app updates are rolled out. The availability of in-built components and access to native APIs enables developers to create visually appealing Android apps that perform very well.

Another USP is React Native’s ability to effortlessly integrate third-party libraries & plugins into an app’s codebase. This saves developers’ time and effort wasted in rework. RN’s high code reusability across various platforms and operating systems reduces the development time and costs. Its declarative programming technique allows one to easily detect any error. React Native also boasts of a strong and ever-growing community that addresses developers’ queries and concerns.

React Native App Use Cases: Facebook, Uber, Walmart, Instagram, Tesla, Bloomberg, etc.

Xamarin

The Microsoft-owned open-source Xamarin framework is used for crafting applications for Android, iOS, and Windows with.NET. Xamarin gained traction after becoming a part of Visual Studio IDE.

Xamarin: Unique Selling Points

With Xamarin.Forms, one can develop native applications with a shared user interface code that is written in XAML or C#. Hence, developers use a single language to write the entire business logic and at the same time build cross-platform apps that look, feel, & perform like native apps. Moreover, due to Visual Studio integration, 75% of its codebase can be shared when you create cross-platform apps with C#.

Xamarin offers platform-specific libraries that enable developers to access APIs from platforms like Google, Apple, and Facebook. This way, they’re able to enrich the abilities of the application. A huge template library is also available which facilitates code reusability and manual customization of certain app elements.

Xamarin comes with a developer-friendly environment. There’s an abstraction layer for managing the communication taking place between the shared code & the fundamental platform code. Thanks to the testing services of Microsoft Cloud, Xamarin apps can be tested on a wide range of devices.

Xamarin Use Cases: Pinterest, Storyo, MRW, Siemens,The World Bank, etc.

Apache Cordova

The Android development framework, Apache Cordova was earlier known as PhoneGap. It is open-source and free. Using this framework, you can build hybrid applications employing various web development technologies and programming languages including HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3. Apache Cordova supports several popular platforms like iOS, Android, Blackberry10, Ubuntu, OS X, Windows, etc.

Apache Cordova: Unique Selling Points

The user interface of an app built in Cordova technically works like a WebView and runs the JavaScript/HTML code in a native container. This way, the app can access the native device features. Cordova offers several plugins that connect the JavaScript code to the native code at the back-end. While cross-platform app development, the developer writes the code and then converts the SDK files to various platform formats.

Apache Cordova Use Cases: Wikipedia, Health Tap, Paylution, TripCase, The DHS program, etc.

Flutter

This Google-created SDK, written in the Dart programming language, eases cross-platform development and is one of the best options to consider for building hybrid apps.

Flutter: Unique Selling Points

Flutter offers pre-built themes for Android app development and uses a speedy 2D rendering engine known as Skia for creating visuals like Cupertino style & material design. Besides, there’s the “hot reload” feature that enables developers to test real-time modifications without the need for restarting the app. Furthermore, Flutter facilitates app testing; developers can conduct unit, functionality, & UI tests.

Flutter: Limitations

Flutter is a newbie and does not have a stable version yet.

Flutter: Use Cases

Hamilton, GoogleAds, Postmuse, KlasterMe, etc.

Ionic

Ionic is another sound Android development framework that is open-source and free. It is licensed under MIT and is compatible with most front-end frameworks like Vue, React, etc. Ionic employs JavaScript, CSS3, and HTML5 as the fundamental building blocks and allows you to develop amazing hybrid apps.

Ionic: Unique Selling Points

Ionic comes with cross-platform compatibility, Cordova Plugins, AngularJS base, and a plethora of software tools, animations, and gestures. Ionic app developers create apps that have a sophisticated & aesthetic design and are visually appealing. You can customize the look & feel of your Ionic app by employing the different kinds of in-built themes and components.

Ionic: Use Cases

Google Play, Instagram, etc.

Corona SDK

Corona SDK is one of the speediest Android development frameworks available. This SDK is free, cross-platform, and available for other platforms like desktop, TV, and mobile OSs.

Corona SDK: Unique Selling Points

Corona SDK comes with an in-built library containing over 1000 plugins and APIs. These API suites contain numerous features including widgets, graphics, particle effects, etc. The framework supports real-time testing that saves developers time & effort. There isn’t any IDE available for Corona SDK and so, developers access the platform-specific features using different plugins. It can call any library like Objective-C, C, C++, etc. Corona integrates a lightweight multi-programming language named Lua to achieve high development speed, flexibility, and usability.

Corona SDK: Use Cases

Angry Birds, Warcraft, The Lost City, etc.

jQuery Mobile Framework

This Android development framework is created on HTML5, one of the fundamental tools for deploying mobile apps. It supports multiple browsers including the latest Android browsers and Internet Explorer6.

jQuery Mobile Framework: Unique Selling Points

The framework is easy to comprehend and use. Therefore, very less coding is required for writing its setup interface. jQuery facilitates various event handling tasks and offers CSS animations & Ajax. Developers can change the app’s look and feel as per the project’s needs using its in-built theme system. jQuery developers can handle user input functions like mouse, touch, and pointer with the help of simple APIs.

jQuery also provides numerous form components that can be customized by developers to optimize them for touchscreens. This framework has the ability to make web pages more accessible to users with disabilities who employ assistive technology like screen readers. This function is achieved by using ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) that is built into the framework.

jQuery Mobile Framework: Use Cases

Cyta, Yext, Qlik, etc.

Appcelerator Titanium

With this open-source SDK, developers can build native Android apps using a single codebase written in JavaScript. Cross-platform apps can also be created by reusing approximately 60%-90% of the existing code. Appcelerator Titanium offers native API access for iOS, Android, Blackberry, HTML5, & Universal Windows.

Appcelerator Titanium: Unique Selling Points

This framework is open-source and offers an API builder with Hyperloop to all its free users. Appcelerator Titanium follows a mobile-first approach and leads to the creation of clean and visually attractive native-like applications that perform well. Android apps developed in Appcelerator Titanium can leverage the hardware-centric functionalities like menu buttons, platform-based notifications, OS-specific controls, etc.

Appcelerator Titanium Use Cases: Legoland, GameStop, Mitsubishi electric, etc.

Noteworthy Android Development Tools

Android Studio

This Android development tool is simple to use with a drag-and-drop interface. Android Studio offers components that assist developers in debugging apps, editing codes, and testing. This tool enjoys the support of Google and a huge Android developer community.

ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

With Android Debug Bridge, Android devices can communicate with other computers that are employed during QA testing. Android developers establish a connection between an Android device and a computer for making modifications to both devices.

AVD (Android Virtual Device) Manager

AVD Manager is an emulator that runs an Android app on the computer to provide a vision of how the code looks like actually. This helps developers to identify the glitches and find out whether the code requires any adjustments.

Vysor

This tool comes at an affordable price. It is basically an emulator solution using which one can “mirror” an Android device to a computer such that it can be controlled from the keyboard. You can also use Vysor to screencast from your device during demos & meetings.

Concluding Lines:

I hope you are now well versed in the unique offerings of the aforementioned Android development tools and frameworks. These frameworks and tools undoubtedly boost the effectiveness and productivity of Android app development.

However, to reap the full benefits of these tools & technologies, app development teams must follow the best practices and adopt the right strategies. So, if you are a beginner or a non-technical app creator, I would recommend you seek assistance from an experienced android app development company that offers end-to-end development services.

Free Web Hosting Services for React and Angular Apps: Noteworthy Offerings!

You’ve created an outstanding web app or website? Sounds great! However, your job is not over yet, unless you are able to pick a suitable web hosting service for deploying your app/website. Your targeted audience will be able to view your website or application only if it is hosted on the World Wide Web.

A web hosting service deploys a website or an app on a computer network so that an internet user or a web browser client can access it. A web host or a web server refers to a computer system that deploys a web app. Web hosts permit customers to embed multimedia files or documents like web pages or HTML pages into a specialized computer called the web server. The web server offers continuous support and a high-speed connection. Internet users can view your website by typing website or domain address.

Web hosting services are a necessity! However, it’s difficult to find a suitable web hosting platform that offers free services. This post explores the free web hosting services for deploying React apps and Angular apps. I have chosen React and Angular as these are the most preferred frameworks for developing responsive websites or apps speedily and cost-effectively.

Free Web Hosting Services for React and Angular Apps & their Offerings

Heroku

Heroku is one of the viable option for hosting Angular apps and React apps. This popular Cloud service platform supports a wide range of frameworks and its free plan is sufficient for most projects. The free plan provides 550 dyno hours. The limit gets expended to 1000 dyno hours if users verify themselves by furnishing their credit card particulars. This step is just for user verification, no amount is charged. Users can work on five projects for free.

Heroku: Key Features

Heroku is a container-based setup and is easy to use. It offers a simple solution for web application development & web page hosting. The platform even allows you to add customized domains and offers various tools that allow you to scale your app as per business requirements. You can deploy the custom domains with the help of Docker and Git. Another noteworthy feature of Heroku is its CLI which makes it possible to deploy projects straightaway from the code editor. Moreover, the services offered by Heroku are synchronized and secure, providing a rich user experience altogether.

Heroku: Limitations and Resolutions

One limitation of Heroku’s free plan is that the servers go into sleep mode if no activity is detected for 30 minutes. In other words, the app “sleeps” if there aren’t any visitors for 30 minutes at a stretch. But, what happens when the app gets visitors after going off to “sleep mode?” Well, then Heroku runs the application again employing commands such as ‘npm build.’ Yet, there’s another bottleneck you’ll face. Your app will take longer to load and you are likely to lose any app instance that you have stored. The app instance can be any kind of data that has been stored in the form of a variable. Nevertheless, there is a solution to this problem as well. You can prevent your Heroku app from going into “sleep mode” by using “cron-jobs.” This command will carry out the task of automatically pinging the app every thirty minutes.

Heroku: Usage Guidance

Check out how to go about the process of app deployment using Heroku. After developing the app, users have to create a new GitHub repository and or sync it to their existing repository. Then they need to add the code to it. After users create their account and connect it to Heroku, the platform pulls the code. Users then deploy the website/web app by clicking the option “Deploy Branch” available under the category of “Manual Deploy.” Heroku deploys the app after the build process finishes and delivers the completed project to the users immediately.

Google’s Firebase

Google-developed Firebase is a managed hosting service that caters to static content, dynamic content, and microservices. This hosting service includes Cloud Build and provides ready-made solutions designed for DevOps that automate your project’s workflow and facilitate continuous deployment.

The free hosting service of Firebase, known as the ‘Spark Billing Plan’, offers 10GB storage; but, users can transfer only 360MB of data in a day. Firebase offerings include SSL certification, the support for custom domains, and the allowance for hosting several sites for each project.

If your Firebase project avails of the ‘Spark Billing Plan,’ and you connect the project with a Cloud billing account, Firebase automatically upgrades your project to the billing model called “Blaze.” “Blaze” refers to the pay-as-you-go model.

Firebase: Key Features

The key features include hosting, analytics, Cloud Firestore, phone authentication, Cloud in-app messaging, dynamic links, global CDN, SSD storage, the availability of a real-time database, etc.

Firebase: Limitations and Resolutions

Firebase allows users unrestricted access to Google’s services and benefits React and Angular app developers to a great extent. But, if your project requires the involvement of any third-party service like MongoDB endpoints, you have to go for the paid services.

Firebase: Usage Guidance

First of all, you need to install the Firebase CLI globally and log in with either your Firebase or Google account. Then go to the root directory of the project and run the command firebase init. Reply yes when asked for confirmation to proceed. After setting up the project, you will have to host the project. Hosting involves steps like uploading hosting assets using Firebase deploy. Finally, you’ll have to run the command of firebase deploy.

GitHub Pages

This popular hosting service is an excellent option for newbies as it enables speedy website deployment. It’s a great option for hosting static websites. You can also deploy a multi file website using this platform.

GitHub Pages: Key Features

GitHub Pages comes with benefits like easy maintenance and features such as automated deployments, CI/CD configuration, etc.

GitHub Pages: Usage Guidance

This platform directly transfers JavaScript, CSS, and HTML files from a GitHub repository. The files are then optionally run using a build process and the website or web app gets published. Here’s how to go about the process.

Create a free GitHub account and upload the code into a public repository over there. Then, rename the README.md file for indexing the index.html file and inserting relevant HTML content. Now, scroll down and execute the new modifications. GitHub Pages host your website at once; it takes around one to ten minutes. Your website gets live under your specific username and domain name.

Vercel

Vercel is a transformative serverless web hosting service that caters to several JavaScript-based apps including React and Angular apps. This platform allows one to effortlessly import projects from Bitbucket and GitLab.

Vercel: Key Features

Vercel comes with the “fast refresh” feature that enables live editing for the UI components. Its “flexible data fetching” functionality works for every dev environment, once you connect your pages to an API, or a data source, or a headless CMS.

Vercel: Usage Guidance

For deploying Vercel, you need to create a new account and login using OAuth. Once the login process is a success, you can view a dashboard. This dashboard or the Vercel CLI can be used for project deployment.

Here’s an example of how to deploy a React app using the Vercel CLI and dashboard.

Vercel CLI: Install Vercel globally and run the command Vercellogin. Then you’ll get an option asking you to enter the email that is registered with Vercel. After successful submission, you’ll receive a login verification email from Vercel. Now, go to the root directory of your project and run the command vercel. Then you’ll be asked questions related to aspects like specifying the project path, project deployment scope, project’s name, the location of the directory that contains the code, etc. Once these questions are answered, the project will be ready to deploy.

Vercel Dashboard: The first step of app deployment using the dashboard involves integrating Bitbucket, GitLab, or GitHub to the place the React app is stored. Then click on the option Import Project available on your panel. Thereafter, you need to import your project. Vercel auto-detects and picks a well-suited configuration for your project. Then click on deploy and your job is done.

Netlify

This highly productive web development tool helps developers to architect, test, and deploy websites and web apps including Angular & React Apps. The free web hosting services offer multiple serverless solutions and instant rollback plans to users. It offers three plans that cater to individual hosting, team plans, and business hosting requirements.

Netlify: Key Features

Owing to the various plugins offered by Netlify like form plugins, authentication plugins, etc.; one doesn’t need to manage any database for maintaining the users’ data on the server. With “Netlify Functions”, one can write as well as run Lambda functions.

Netlify: Limitations and Resolutions

Netlify is designed for static sites and so, doesn’t cater to Node.js applications. So, if you have written the app code in Node.js, you’ll have to rewrite the code in React or Angular.

Netlify: Usage Guidance

Once users create an account with Netlify, the projects can be directly integrated with the users’ git account.

Amazon EC2

Amazon EC2 is another service that is suitable for deploying a React/Angular website or app. Amazon EC2 is not entirely free service. The web hosting services are offered for free for a twelve-month period. However, if utilized properly, one can make the most out of these 12 months.

Amazon EC2: Key Features

Amazon EC2 users can access several Amazon services like Amazon Dynamo DB, a real-time database (250 GB), etc.

Amazon EC2: Limitations and Resolutions

The usage of web hosting services is limited to 750 hours for each user.

Amazon EC2: Usage Guidance

You need to select AWS EC2; then you can choose the processor RAM. You have the flexibility to choose processors from options like T2 micro, T2 small, and T2 mini.
Microsoft’s Azure

Microsoft’s Azure web hosting services support multiple platforms including Linux and Windows.

Azure: Key Features

You get a high-end virtual private server for your React app or Angular app. The pay-as-you-go model is also available.

Azure: Limitations

Azure provides a free trial period that lasts for 12 months with limited amount of services each month. Besides the quantity of services available in a month expires at the end of the month.

End Note:

I hope the aforesaid details about the novel offerings and limitations of the free web hosting services available for deploying React apps and Angular apps have proved beneficial for you.

If you are a newcomer and require professional assistance with web app development, deployment, or maintenance, I would suggest you to partner with an experienced software development service provider. Experienced Angular App development companies and React Native development services can help you to create and deploy an app following the best practices and intelligent strategies. This will help your business create its digital footprints globally.

How can app development empower the healthcare industry in the coming future?

The WHO defines health as not just a condition with no diseases. It is about the overall well-being, including mental, physical and social aspects. Nowadays, people are becoming health-conscious, and technology is supporting these people in various ways. We all live in this era of smartphones and tablets, where apps are used for almost everything.

The majority of industries have launched their mobile apps for their customers. The Healthcare industry is no exception, and several health-related apps are present today. If you look at the Healthcare app development in the USA, they are making life easier for patients and doctors. Let's see how this mobile app development supports the healthcare industry.

Mobile Apps for Healthcare Industry

With the revolution in the mobile industry, the healthcare sector has received huge benefits. Hospitals and Clinics that are leveraging the digital technology in their operations are able to provide enhanced experience to their patients.

Role of Mobile Apps for Doctors

The medical staff and doctors consider these mobile apps a boon. Updating patients' health conditions is an essential task of doctors, which is made easy by these apps. The majority of doctors are using these healthcare apps for patient care. Most of these healthcare professionals believe that this technology can help improve patient health.

Some mobile apps for doctors are professional networking apps for medical consultation, fixing appointments, and tracking health. The prescriptions and test reports can be shared through these apps quickly. Doctors can treat their patients with a customized approach through these mobile apps.

Role of Mobile Apps for Patients

Healthcare mobile apps provide several benefits for patients. These apps play a vital role in empowering patients. They allow patients to find specialist doctors, fix an appointment with them, and purchase prescribed medicines. Patients can also view their lab test reports and share them with doctors through these apps. Many apps provide the facility of having a video chat with healthcare experts to discuss health problems.

Some mobile apps for patients are dieting apps, useful lifestyle apps, apps for monitoring health, and healthcare education apps. Patients can communicate the dosage and timings of medicines with doctors through these apps. Patients can also be in touch with dieticians and nutritionists through these apps to maintain a healthy diet.

Challenges in the Development of Healthcare Apps

There are a few challenges that the healthcare app developers face –

Keeping Data Confidential

Whenever you download and install any application on your mobile, it starts collecting some data from your phone. And when it comes to a healthcare application, the collected data is always more sensitive than other applications. These apps manage the information related to the diagnosis, your health readings, and further details monitored through the app. Such apps must keep your data confidential and safe.

Management of Big Data

Improving the quality of life and predicting epidemics are possible with big data. You can also introduce some medicines for treating diseases. Currently, there are some great applications for managing big data in the healthcare sector. These applications use artificial intelligence (AI) for sorting big data and providing specific treatments. Even though artificial intelligence successfully manages Big Data, there are some limitations. Artificial intelligence's reliability and accuracy cannot match that of human intelligence.

Fluctuating Market Trends

Every year, we can see emerging trends that are fluctuating in the healthcare industry. The reason behind this volatility is the variation in people's living habits. Another reason for these fluctuations can be technological interference in healthcare. Building an app to suit the current trend is quite challenging for investors because of the changes in the healthcare industry. Even though the investors try to adopt the trends, not many companies can accurately integrate these technologies.

Recent Trends in Healthcare App Development

Here are some trends that will completely transform the healthcare app development industry –

1. Telehealth & Telemedicine Apps

These apps are experiencing an increasing demand due to the COVID pandemic. Earlier, the industry was not focused on patients, but the pandemic has highlighted the necessity for patient-centred healthcare. The telemedicine segment is rapidly growing and is expected to grow further at a rate of 120%. The healthcare organizations serving patients who cannot visit the hospital regularly require Telehealth solutions.

2. Apps for Booking Ambulance

The patients that require emergency medical services fail to receive them because of the unavailability of ambulances. The well-equipped ambulances can save patients in need of emergency medical services. In many countries, booking an ambulance in an emergency is still difficult. At this point, the need arises for an app for booking an ambulance. This kind of app will be beneficial for both the patients and hospitals.

3. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)

Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) refers to the Medical Devices connected to support proactive healthcare for patients at home. The body vitals such as pulse, glucose, and temperature can be easily monitored with the IoMT wearables. A report says the IoT business will gross $6.2 trillion by 2025.

4. Smart Chatbot: AI-Enabled Solution

Most healthcare facilities are trying to integrate chatbot technology to make their work easier. This AI-enabled chatbot can check patients' symptoms and diagnose their health conditions. It also offers options for treatment and fixes an appointment with a doctor through video or voice calls.

5. Blockchain Technology for Healthcare

The healthcare industry is facing an issue of partial and improper medical records. Manually entering the data of each patient in the system is difficult for hospital staff. Blockchain technology can transform this industry with complete safety and privacy of medical data. Some recent statistics say that Blockchain technology for healthcare will reach $890.5 million by 2023.

If you want to opt for healthcare application development services, keep in mind the ongoing trends.

Conclusion

Being advantageous for doctors and patients, mobile apps are the future of the healthcare industry. You can develop these apps by considering the current trends in the industry.

Reasons to Choose React Native for building Social Media/Networking Apps!

The React Native architecture proves highly advantageous for mobile app development! Before the coinage of the React Native framework, mobile app development encountered certain bottlenecks. One such roadblock was creating a unified codebase for mobile and web apps. Business brands that lacked adequate resources and funds to engage native development teams for crafting applications for Android as well as iOS; were left with one single option – employing web viewers such as Cordova or Ionic. And so, app creators had to settle down for mobile web apps or HTML 5 apps. Unfortunately, these web view apps were ported over version of the app’s website and failed to deliver a good UX – the user experience seemed fake and clunky.

The launch of React Native in 2015, by Facebook as an open-source project, came as a breather for app owners - React Native development resolved multiple stumbling blocks that were posing challenges in mobile app development.

Have you ever wondered why a major chunk of the social media applications like Facebook, Skype, Pinterest, etc. are built in React Native? Let’s explore the reasons!

Advantages of using React Native for Social Media App Development

Cross-platform App Development

React Native allows businesses to build a software app solution that will function across the Android, iOS, and web; using the same programming language – JavaScript. For instance, before the advent of the React Native framework, developers had to use Java for Android-based apps and Objective-C or Swift for iOS-based apps.

Native Abilities

React Native simplifies the methodology of building social media/networking apps with newsfeeds and timelines. Using React Native, social media app creators need not create a hybrid app, mobile web app, or HTML5 app. React Native development leads to the creation of real mobile apps that are way different from applications developed in Java or Objective-C. This is because React Native employs the fundamental UI building blocks that are used in native Android and iOS apps; developers just need to combine these building blocks employing React and JavaScript. Hence, React Native apps look and feel like native apps and possess similar capabilities.

Furthermore, with React Native, one can leverage the mobile hardware components like cameras, accelerometer, Face ID, Touch ID, etc.

A Rich Customer Experience Guaranteed

Modern users are least likely to use an app if it takes a long time to load and so, a social media app must be performant to provide a great UX. React Native apps load faster as the framework employs UI elements that compile into one native application. These apps are competitive and guarantee a high UX to consumers.

Speedy Development

React helps you to develop scalable and reactive apps. And, React Native enables the front-end web developers to write the code for native cross-platform applications without the need to jump through hoops for learning a new language. Moreover, since React Native involves only JavaScript, one can use any of the JavaScript libraries starting from Loadash to the most obscure of packages for app development projects. These goodies further speed up the development process.

Moreover, the availability of several ready-to-use free tools and libraries allow React Native developers to speedily craft social media app features like social sharing. Furthermore, due to the presence of a huge, dynamic, and helpful dev community, changes can be executed quickly without any hassles.

Improved Search Indexing

A social media app must make its presence felt on popular search engines like Bing and Google. But search engine crawlers are unable to render JavaScript and return a blank page and as such, Google does not index the page altogether. The lack of search engine optimization adversely affects server-side rendering. However, React supports server-side rendering of JavaScript which results in a pre-rendered HTML page that is ready-for-display on the browser. And, the crawlers are able to crawl HTML without any glitches and the app appears on user searches.

Cost Savings

The framework empowers React Native developers to entirely optimize the user interface and make it uniform such that it functions perfectly with all devices. This results in the creation of an improved UI in a cost-effective way.
The code and components of the React Native environment are highly reusable and this helps in saving costs as well as development time. Approximately, 90-99% of the code can be shared between multiple operating systems without facing any technical issues or glitches.
The framework makes it possible to integrate loads of customer-centric features by means of native plugins or third-party modules. And, this integration is easy to implement and involves minimal costs.
While purely native apps need periodic updates separately for every device/OS; cross-platform apps are far more flexible as they avoid versioning. With React Native’s single coding approach, the overall maintenance including bug fixing becomes easy and hassle-free. Hence, React Native apps involve low maintenance costs.

How does React Native cater to Specific Requirements of Social Media App Development?

The components in the activity feed in React Native enable the creation of a dynamic news feed and also enhance the user engagement, retention, and conversion rate of social media apps.
React Native social media apps enable users to like a photo and react to it with an emoji. Also, single-page apps facilitate the actions of liking or reacting to a post/photo. And, all of us are aware of how beneficial React is for creating SPAs.
Photos can be easily and quickly uploaded.
With React Native, one can build real-time chat apps with two parts- server-side library and client-side library - that instantly connect users with friends and acquaintances.
A login functionality with several sign-in options can be created employing Firebase’s authentication
The usage of firestore database for integrating push notifications into the app. A social media app must necessarily have the feature of real-time notifications for receiving messages and collaborating with posts of friends.
Firebase’s real-time database helps users to change posts in real-time
D3.js can be used for creating the timeline that graphically represents posts in the map
The integration of the localization feature for providing multiple language support

Success Stories of some Popular Media Apps built in React Native

Facebook

The fundamental objective of this framework was to utilize the advantages of web development – quick iterations and engaging one single team for executing the entire project – while architecting mobile applications for the iOS and Android operating systems.

Facebook Ads Manager

This is the first full-fledged cross-platform app built in React Native by the Facebook team. The platform is leveraged by entrepreneurs as well as individuals for promoting their products and managing ads for the same.

How React Native development was helpful?

The app possesses a clean UI, effortless navigation, and an intuitive UX.
The framework appeared to be a perfect pick for handling several instances of complex business logic including the management of date/ad formats, time-zone differences, etc.
Both the Android as well as the iOS versions of the app was built deploying a single app development team.

Instagram

This popular social networking app switched to React Native in 2016. They implemented the Push Notifications view as the web view. A navigation infrastructure was not required because of the simple user interface. The React Native eco-system sped up the process of integrating features to Android and iOS apps and increased the developer velocity by approximately 85-99%.

Pinterest

Pinterest creators used React Native so that codebase can be shared across Android and iOS. It took only ten days to implement on the iOS platform. Thereafter, Android implementation was completed in just two days as developers were able to share 100% of the UI code for the Android platform as well. This way the firm saved over a week as compared to the usual implementation time.

Skype

In 2017, Skype’s owner Microsoft redesigned the platform using React Native for their mobile version as well as the desktop version.

Discord

This popular React Native app is used by millions of individuals for connecting with friends/family/communities via voice, text, and video communication. React Native development has made it possible to share 98% of the code across the Android and iOS platforms. The team was able to effortlessly able to make their comprehensive iOS app run on the Android platform in just two days.

Conclusion:

Above examples indicate that the React Native framework can create innovative, highly performant social/networking apps that are rich in trending features.

Would you too like to harness the potential of React Native for tailoring feature-rich social media/networking apps? Reach out to Biz4Solutions, a distinguished mobile app development agency offering high-end React Native development services to global clientele for 11+ years. Tell us your social media app requirements and objectives; our proficient team will help you to fulfill your goal.

8 Best Mental Health Apps For Daily Use

Technology has allowed us to explore mental health in new paradigms using science and data collection technologies. Remote devices such as mobile phones and tablets are now effectively used in attaining better mental health. Extremely sophisticated mental well-being apps have made their way into the market. These apps detect behavior changes, draw patterns and highlight any crisis in mental well-being. The self-management of mental health has increased the demand for these mental health apps. In these apps, many techniques based on CBT and mindfulness are applied to develop sessions, courses, and activities to promote positive thinking. Many apps have partnered with mental health professionals to make their services more authentic.

Today, there are thousands of apps for managing mental health. Healthcare app development services have made app development very easy. Companies are even hiring individual healthcare app developers to create healthcare apps. With growing awareness regarding mental health and easy healthcare application development, the market is only expected to flood with mental health apps. Choosing one app can be difficult since every app is going to offer a plethora of options. Decision-making is important in this case.

Criteria to Select Mental Health Apps

Mapping every mental health app on some selection criteria can be a productive way of evaluating all the apps in consideration. Here are some of the criteria that can be used for evaluation:

1. Effectiveness: The apps should have some scientific basis to prove their effectiveness.

2. Target audience: You should ensure that you are amongst the target audience. For instance, if you have no idea about mental well-being and meditation then you can choose an app that has some light sessions and activities for beginners.

3. Privacy: Mental health apps: get access to your sensitive personal information. The app should be legitimate with a strict policy for the privacy of information.

4. Personalized approach: The apps should have a personalized approach to fit into your lifestyle. You should be able to take up the sessions and activities even in your busy work schedule.

5. Good review: Always head out for the reviews before subscribing to any mental health app. Any good app will have several reviews online on different sites.

Top 8 Mental Health Apps available in iOS and Android

1. Calm

This app has been developed to promote mindfulness, calmness, and better sleep. The application comes with various options for sleep, work, and meditation. A series of audio recordings help the users relax and meditate. There are breathing programs, relaxing sounds, and music. The app is great for every age and comes with separate recordings for beginners. Sleep stories and lullabies act as an advantage for users as they can introduce their kids to mental health with relaxation.

Free Trial: 7 days

Subscription: Starts at $69.99 per year

2. Talkspace

Talkspace is a unique mental health app that can directly connect you with a mental health professional. You can have a mental health checkup and stress check report. The app allows you to undergo an assessment to assess your mental health, diagnose the issues, and connect with the right professional. There are different options for individuals, couples, and teens. Talkspace will not only help you let go of the stress but also help you clinically. You can find 24X7 support using chats and live videos. There is a con to this app which is its high cost but it is worth considering owing to its benefits.

Subscription: Starts at $69 per week

3. MindDoc

MindDoc helps diagnose mental health issues and provide treatment for it. It offers a personalized experience with daily questions and 70-plus courses and exercises for improving mental health. The application identifies your feelings, detects patterns to get an insight into your mental health, and then helps you set goals to take care of your mental health. The users get access to strategies to deal with phobias, depression, insomnia, burnout, and eating disorder.

Free trial: 7 days

Subscription: $7 per month

4. Headspace

Headspace app provides breathing exercises and meditation sessions to improve calmness, self-worth, and sleep. There are specific meditation techniques for beginners. Then there are sessions for deep meditation. The app has exercises and yoga that help in strengthening mental as well as physical health. It is one app that equally stresses on meditation and mindfulness to change stressful lifestyles and habits. This is a great option to relax and unwind with relaxing sound and music.

Free trial: 14 days

Subscription: $18 per year

5. Thrive

Thrive is a mental wellbeing app recommended by NHS. It helps you manage anxiety and stress with 24X7 mental health support. It provides you with screening tools to detect mental health conditions and work on them. The mindfulness techniques equip you with the tools to deal with anxiety and stress. The powerful reporting insights keep you updated on your progress. The great part is that the Thrive app can be integrated with your well-being services. You get in touch with verified therapists who create engagement strategies according to your work schedule. Thrive is a wonderful app for receiving mental health therapies.

Free trial: Book a free demo

6. Sanvello

Sanvello is going to help you in four different ways. You will get self-care, peer support, coaching, and therapy. All of these options have different costs. It has partnered with many professionals such as authors and gymnasts to offer the best support and guidance. The best part is that you can avail a lot of features free of cost. From finding tools to assessing issues, getting community support to explore solutions, to getting therapy from experts, Sanvello offers you everything for mental health support.

Subscription: $3.99 per month (charges based on options chosen)

7. Happify

Happify has been developed to help you counter negative thoughts, stress, and life’s challenges by breaking old patterns and forming new habits. You get access to tools and processes that help you overcome sadness, stress, or anxiousness. The app allows you to control your emotions using engaging games and activities. You keep a happiness score to self-assess your improvement with the activities. Happify is a fun app that empowers you to develop positive psychology using science-based activities that reduce stress and promote positivity. CBT, mindfulness, and positive psychology are going to be the tools that you are going to deal with.

Subscription: $14.99 per month

8. MoodKit

MoodKit comes with effective strategies to identify and change unhealthy thinking. The app provides you with a mood chart time-to-time to promote well-being. The app is principally built on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Science-based MoodKit activities guide you towards steps and activities which can improve your mood. You get a variety of things including a mood tracker, Thought checker, and mood journal to self-assess your improvement and work on it.

Subscription cost: $6.99

Conclusion

Self-management is the primary advantage offered by these mental health apps built for mental health. The busy lifestyle and taboo around visiting a psychologist have pushed us towards these apps. All of the listed apps are great for managing stress and developing positive psychology. However, these apps may not be capable of replacing a certified healthcare professional completely. If the mental health issues persist then visit a medical healthcare professional in person.

Disruptive Social Media Trends dominating the Mobile App Market!

Social media apps have always been the most loved and popular networking mediums to stay connected with family, friends, & like-minded people. With time, these apps have evolved beyond the confines of social networking. Today, social media apps have become a highly effective tool for businesses to make their digital presence felt and maximize customer outreach.

As per a research report published by the online platform “Datareportal” in July 2022;

“Social Media boasts of 4.7 Billion active users across the globe. This accounts for 59% of the world’s total population and 93.6% of the total number of internet users.”

The leading social media platforms are Facebook (2,936 users), YouTube (2,476 users), WhatsApp (2,000 users), Instagram (1,440 users), WeChat (1,288 users), TikTok (1,023 users), Facebook Messenger (1,000 users), Telegram (700 users), & Snapchat (617 users).

The aforesaid statistics indicate the sky-high demand for social media apps! Needless to say, social media mobile app development has become one of the most lucrative investment options for entrepreneurs. However, for crafting a bestselling social media app, one must integrate the most sought-after features and follow the prevalent trends. This post explores the key social media trends that are gaining traction amongst app users.

Social Media Trends to Consider for Mobile App Development

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies into social media apps has become one of the most popular social media trends. AI/ML algorithms enable social media platforms to comprehend the context of user-generated data and manage operational activities more effectively. AI also allows you to integrate revolutionary app features like facial recognition and chatbots.

Facebook employs the AI-empowered tool called the “Deep Text.” This tool understands the context of using certain words, abbreviations, slang, etc. This way, “Deep Text” monitors user-generated data fed on posts, comments, etc. Facebook’s AI-infused translation system automatically translates the posts into the users’ preferred language. Users can now view translated posts in their news feed. Also, the implementation of AI-powered algorithms enables facial recognition. This is how Facebook can recommend whom to tag in your photos.

Utilizing AI, LinkedIn can predict the best-suited candidates for a specific job role. Moreover, AI highlights the LinkedIn users who are on the lookout for a new job. It can also predict which users are most likely to give a response. The renowned platform Pinterest leverages the power of neural networking to obtain amazing results. Pinterest displays personalized content to every user based on their areas of interest. This enables users to make purchase decisions quite easily and quickly.

Twitter makes use of AI for face detection, the formation of complete images, and thumbnail creation. Employing neural networks, the platform can identify those specific sections of an image that users are more likely to adore. With the help of AI algorithms, Twitter suggests to users the aptest replies or comments for Tweets.

Take a look at how the popular AI-powered functionality of facial recognition functions!

Deep Learning, a subset of AI is used to make the facial recognition feature work. Here, Deep Learning algorithms are employed to generate filters that convert facial images into numerical expressions. This data gets processed using artificial neural networks to deliver the desired outcome.

Click here to get insights on some incredible mobile app development ideas using AI/ML!

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) have been one of the most revolutionary social media trends. The advent of AR and VR into the social media landscape has transformed the user experience altogether. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok are leveraging the goodies of AR and VR by offering amazing filters, effects, lenses, etc.

TikTok & Snapchat have used tools like ARCore & ML Kit to provide users with a wide range of face filters and unique effects; right from bunny’s ears to beauty masks. One can apply these AR-powered filters & effects to their videos and photos to achieve unimaginable outcomes. No wonder this trend has garnered immense popularity amongst users.

Snapchat too has leveraged the potential of the AR space by introducing quirky filters & multimedia messaging. Snapchat also offers the facility of scanning labels and barcodes for providing more information & context to users.

YouTube & Facebook has introduced the concept of 360-degree videos. Now, users can share their personal experiences with friends in the form of an interactive VR experience. This feature creates a virtual 3D environment where people interact with each other just like video chat experiences. Facebook’s novel VR-based app “Spaces” offers VR experiences to users with the help of the Oculus VR headsets.

Video Streaming

Modern-era users prefer watching videos to reading social media posts; they hardly have the time or patience to read. Besides, the visually transmitted information is easier to grasp. Hence, the social media trends of live video streaming & sharing streamed video content has gained traction amongst users at a fast pace. Several popular social media platforms including Facebook have leveraged this feature to gain unprecedented success.

Short-duration Story Content

Self-destructive story content is one of those social media trends that has garnered immense popularity amongst users. The trendsetters of this practice are Instagram and Snapchat. The users of the aforementioned apps can set the duration after which their story will disappear automatically. This duration can be an hour, a day, a week, and so on. The short-duration content strategy works wonders to highlight the urgency or importance of the posted story content. It also adds an extra layer of privacy to users’ data.

Promoting User-generated Content

Promoting user-created content is one of the unique trends that has surfaced on the social media landscape. Certain brands are motivating users to create content for them and are utilizing user-generated content for their social media profiles.

For instance, the Daniel Wellington brand encourages users to produce content and tag the brand. Users who do so will stand a chance to get featured on Daniel Wellington’s page. Brands like Dove and Olay motivate users to create content for being a part of their social media campaigns. And, there are brands like Airbnb that entirely depend on user-produced content for their social media posts.

Utilizing user-generated content for branding on social media offers a plethora of benefits. Such content is free and enhances user engagement. Moreover, people consider user-created content to be way more authentic and reliable. This strategy is an easy & cost-effective way to gain trust amongst your target audience and boost your brand image.

Peer-to-peer Payments

The practice of integrating P2P payments in a social media app might seem unnecessary and may surprise you! But actually, this feature adds to the convenience quotient of social media users and enhances the app’s usability. The P2P payment feature turned out to be a USP for popular social media platforms like Facebook Messenger and Snapchat.

Let’s take a sneak peek into how the peer-to-peer payment function works! App owners offer users a secure environment where users can connect their bank cards. This environment ensures safe transactions and adheres to the established regulations & mandates of the region where the app operates. Users can also choose any other preferred payment method supported by the app. The users’ payment method gets connected with the social media app. Now, users can effortlessly transfer money to the desired person/s. Users simply have to click on the button marked as “$” and then, enter the transaction amount for carrying out the P2P payment process. So, if you wish to make your social media app versatile, this feature will be a suitable option to pick.

Bottomline:

The prevalent social media trends, if implemented correctly, lead to the creation of disruptive social media apps. Emerging technologies like AI, ML, AR, & VR and innovative strategies like video streaming, P2Ppayments, self-destructive content, etc. are lucrative add-ons to consider for your social media app. Such advanced features will elevate the user experiences to the next level and help you to gain a competitive edge.

However, these functionalities are complex to integrate and require a good amount of technical expertise. Therefore, to architect an impeccable social media app with advanced functionalities, it’s important to partner with a proficient social app development company that has extensive domain-specific experience.

Disruptive Social Media Trends dominating the Mobile App Market!

As per the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2021, React Native bags the 6th rank for the most popular application development frameworks.

Biggies like Facebook, Skype, Instagram, Uber Eats, Bloomberg, Pinterest, Walmart, Wix, Discord, and Sound Cloud Pulse have leveraged the potential of the React Native framework to reap exceptional outcomes.

Wondering why React Native is so popular? This post answers it all! Check out the unique offerings, disruptive advantages of React Native App development, and its relevance till the date.

High level architecture of React Native

Take a look at React Native’s basic architecture.

Source:

Here, the React code is created by the developer, from the code JavaScript is interpreted eventually. The series of elements are together called the bridge. We will learn more about this bridge later in this post. Then there’s the Native Side as well.

Let’s look at how the React Native application functions:

When the user clicks on the app’s icon, the native thread loads all the native modules and dependencies. Thereafter, the native thread starts the JS thread that loads the JS bundle. A serialized message is then sent by the JS thread using the bridge. This message contains instructions on how to render UI on the native side. The messages are received by the shadow thread and the UI tree is formed. Now, based on this UI tree, native components are generated by the Yoga layout manager. These generated native components contain the dimensions meant for a particular device or platform. These are then passed on to the Native Thread for rendering. Components are drawn on the screen by the Native Thread.

Reasons to Pick React Native over other Frameworks & Technologies

Hot Reloading & Live Reloading

The features Hot Reloading & Live Reloading are indeed lucrative functions that transform React Native app development. Hot Reloading allows developers to work on the code modifications in real-time while the application is still running. With Hot Reloading, only the portion of the app where the change was made gets reloaded instead of the entire app, while with Live Reloading, the app gets automatically reloaded after the changes are executed. Also, the changes made to the code are reflected instantly on another live preview window. This way, developers can carry out code modifications and view the outcome simultaneously. This real-time feedback while coding proves beneficial in the development as well as testing processes.

Developers can leverage these functionalities for testing new features and maintaining the application’s state at the same time. As developers can view the changes made while coding, the likelihood of errors reduces to a great extent, making way for bug-free code.

Easy Learning Curve

React Native app development involves an easy learning curve. If a developer is well versed in JavaScript, there isn’t any need for learning other programming languages or coding syntaxes. The developers just need to understand which mobile app components match with which web app components. And, since JavaScript is a popular technology, it’s easy to find the required expertise.

Third-party Plugins and Tools

React Native supports numerous third-party plugins and APIs that make app development a breeze. Any necessary tool, plugin, or API that is not offered by the React Native framework can be integrated quite easily. With all essential components available, one can create an engaging & interactive user interface and compelling features. There are a wide range of React libraries that offer various app development elements such as animations, forms, etc. and features like Google Maps, Google Calendar, etc.

A Single Codebase for the iOS and Android Platforms

While architecting React Native mobile apps, developers create a single codebase that works for iOS as well as Android operating systems. Codebase gets compiled to the native codes in Swift and Java by creating a bridge between the UI components and their equivalent Swift/Java components.

As such, mobile app creators targeting both iOS and Android need not hire two separate teams with specific skillsets for developing separate applications. This strategy is not only budget-friendly but also reduces the time to market, thereby offering a competitive advantage to businesses investing in mobile app development.

Rich User Interface

React Native makes use of declarative syntax. So, while developers write the code, the execution process is taken care of by the RN framework itself. Besides, pre-built declarative components are used to design the frontend UI library that makes the UI simple as well as intuitive.

Stable, Performant, & Top Quality Apps

React Native is a stable framework and has turned out to be one of the best picks for crafting mobile apps. One can build mobile apps that have a slick, responsive, and smooth user interface and boast of faster load times.

React Native development produces apps that offer native-like experiences. React Native mobile apps are speedy since the programming language has been optimized for mobile devices; GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is employed, instead of the CPU (Central Processing Unit).

React Native apps involve two threads – the UI thread for interface creation tasks like drawing buttons on canvas and the JS thread for carrying out computations, handling events, etc. This leads to high performance if the development process is executed properly. Furthermore, unlike many other cross-platform frameworks, React Native uses native APIs in place of Webview for code rendering; resulting in improved performance.

Highly Flexible

React Native outshines most cross-platform frameworks in regard to flexibility. The reason is the React framework is based on a modular and component-based architecture. The code is broken down into smaller reusable fragments; these can be taken and embedded wherever needed.

Therefore, for app creators using React Native, you are not bound to this framework only. You have the flexibility to switch to other app development frameworks without much ado. For instance, your app is in React Native and you wish to switch to purely native operating systems. In such cases, you need not reinvent the wheel. Developers need to export the app from React Native and move it to the Android platform using Android Studio and iOS platform using Xcode.

Also, you can create platform-specific codes by coding natively in Xcode with Swift alongside React Native app development. So a native iOS app can be compiled with the React Native ecosystem. You can program native features in iOS directly with Objective-C or Swift, if some desired app features are not available in the React Native environment.

Cost-effective App Augmentation

React Native makes it possible to augment existing apps in a budget-friendly manner. This is because React Native UI components can be embedded into an application without the need for rewriting the app entirely. One can add a single view or user flow to already existing apps. Moreover, React Native-based functionalities, screens, views, etc. can be added quite easily.

Effortless App Updating

Earlier, updating an application with new add-ons was a complicated, cumbersome, and time-consuming process. Developers had to carry out a build process once again and this build process had to be conducted separately for each OS.

The advent of React Native has streamlined the procedure of app updating and made it much simpler & faster as well. Now, apps for both operating systems can be updated at the same time. The app updates and enhancements are implemented by developers using the OTA (over-the-air) update methodology. This method enables updating the app while it is being run by users. The next time users open the app, the app is ready to run with the new enhancements. Besides, React Native supports “Code Push”, a Cloud service by Microsoft. With Code Push, developers can update an app directly without the need for updating it from the app store. Moreover, React Native involves an easy-going binding strategy for the codebase. So to modify, an object developers simply have to change the object’s state before implementing updates.

Reduced Device Memory Usage

Reduced device memory usage is one of the most desired features amongst modern-day app users and React Native mobile apps perfectly suit this requirement. In React Native, the module can be effortlessly connected with the plugin using the native module; as WebView is not used. This phase is linked directly to the features related to app outcome and hence, the app responds quicker. Most codes are used during the run-time without the need for cross-bridge linking. So, React Native apps consume much lesser device space as compared to other applications.

Ability to build Advanced Apps with Complex Requirements

React Native enables one to handle complexity with ease. The framework functions with a component-based interface. Hence, one can plug-n-play the elements of the interface to create advanced apps. Things get further simplified as complex algorithms are broken down into easy-going formats. Besides, Facebook’s UI library simplifies the coding process and the Hot Reloading function eases implementing changes in the code.

A Highly Progressive Framework

Ever since its inception in 2015, the React Native framework is constantly being enhanced with novel add-ons by the massive React native community as well as by Facebook. Whenever the framework was unable to address the problem, the RN community and Facebook team were quick to offer an apt solution to the issue, sometimes in just a few months.

Even the tech giant Microsoft recognized the potential of React Native and has created their fork named “React Native for Windows.” This solution comes with distinct offerings that allow one to effortlessly develop applications for Windows 10 Mobile, Windows 10, and Xbox One.

Strong Community Support

React Native enjoys the support from a massive community. The community boasts of 8500+ stars on GitHub and 2000+ contributors from across the world. The developer community has created numerous libraries that extend help with React Native app development. Apart from the community, several leading companies including Microsoft, Facebook, Infinite Red, Callstack, and Software Mansion have come forward and taken initiatives to improve the framework as per the latest trends. Websites like Native Directory, JS.coach, etc. and platforms like Reddit, Codementor, Stack Overflow, etc., also offer assistance with React Native development. As such, React Native developers have loads of options to utilize if they are stuck with issues and need assistance.

Can React Native be used to develop 100% Native apps or just native-like apps?

React Native app development produces native-like apps, applications that look and feel like native apps. However, React Native apps are not 100% native and do not function exactly like true native apps. One of the key shortcomings of non-native apps is their inability to closely integrate with the system like purely native apps.

To cite an example, the native app Gmail offers exceptional functionalities. It involves a worker that check users’ inbox and the users’ Gmail accounts are synced with the app as well as the entire mobile system.

Here’s how you can achieve native app functionalities with React Native development. The major chunk of the app can be created using React Native. And, native technologies can be used for crafting the essential app components that are required for integrating the app into the native system completely. For this, your developers need to add Swift or Java code for the relevant features and specific cases.

Hence, with some additional efforts, you can leverage the lucrative offerings of React Native app development and at the same time, build an app that functions like a native app.

End Note:

The most impressive traits of React Native development are that it guarantees speedy project delivery and cost-effective investment. Moreover, this framework is suitable for developing any kind of app apart from gaming apps that require heavy graphics. However, it’s important to take care that the development process is carried out as per the standard best practices. So, partner with an experienced React Native app development company for obtaining the best results out of the React Native framework.

Blockchain has undeniable future in the grocery industry!

You might be wondering how blockchain in grocery is used. In a world that is becoming more and more automated, the use of blockchain is very rewarding for some industries. It is now very clear that there are some industries in which the use of blockchain technology can be applied seamlessly to improve how things work. One such industry is the grocery industry, which has seen a lot of changes recently.

You may be pondering, what is all the hype about when it comes to blockchain technology, especially if you shop at a grocery store that's still using paper receipts. Blockchain in grocery is revolutionary. Ever since the advent of blockchain, grocery is one of those industries that have shown a lot of interest in this new technology. In the past, food retailers were struggling with different sets of challenges. The industry has been hindered by a lack of transparency, inefficient supply chains and difficulties in access to financial services. This is where Blockchain comes in.

Grocery chains that has adopted Blockchain has been able to resolve these issues, resulting in increased transparency and improved customer satisfaction. In today's blog post we will be looking at how blockchain in grocery has been used by several retailers on a global scale, as well as talk about some of the companies experimenting with the technology in their stores.

What is Blockchain?

Everyone is talking about the term blockchain these days. The use of blockchain in grocery is an epic way to turn the traditional industry into a modern one. The term “blockchain” is often associated with cryptocurrency, but the technology actually has a much wider range of potential applications. In fact, blockchain could revolutionize the grocery industry by providing a more secure and efficient way to track food items from farm to table.

Blockchain is a decentralised platform. It is a variation of distributive ledger technology. It brings transparency and certainty to the table irrespective of the niche or industry it is been used in.

How does blockchain work?

At its most basic level, a blockchain is a digital ledger that can be used to record transactions. All such transactions carry a cryptographic signature. Hence it is digitally noted and no transactions are missed. These cryptographic signatures are called the hash. These transactions are then grouped into blocks. Each “block” in the chain has a timestamp and it carries a link to the previous block. This makes it difficult for anyone to tamper with the data in a blockchain, as any attempt to do so would be quickly detected.

Why is blockchain well-suited for tracking food?

One of the main benefits of using blockchain in grocery is for tracking food as it would allow all players in the food supply chain–farmers, distributors, retailers, etc.–to have visibility into every step of the process. This would not only help to reduce food waste, but also make it easier to trace contaminated products back to their source and take action to prevent future outbreaks. In addition, because blockchain is an immutable record, it could provide a more reliable way to track expiration dates and ensure that food items are safe to consume.

Why would the grocery industry use blockchain?

The grocery industry is a $5 trillion industry that is ripe for disruption. The grocery industry has been slow to adopt new technologies, but this is changing. The use of blockchain in the grocery industry is spreading with speed. Grocery stores are starting to adopt new technologies such as self-checkout, mobile apps, and now blockchain.

Why is it advised to use blockchain in the grocery industry?

Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize the grocery industry. Blockchain can provide a single source of truth for all stakeholders in the supply chain. This would allow for more transparency and traceability of food products. Blockchain can also help reduce food waste by improving the visibility of food expiration dates.

The future of blockchain in the grocery industry is bright. Blockchain has the potential to streamline the supply chain, reduce food waste, and provide a better experience for customers. Check how blockchain is impacting various vendors in the grocery chain:

How is blockchain used in a grocery store?

Grocery stores are using blockchain to track food items throughout the supply chain. By tracking food items with blockchain, grocery stores can ensure that the food is fresh and safe to eat. Blockchain can also be used to track other products in the store, such as clothing or electronics. This allows store employees to quickly locate items that have been sold out and restock them.

Blockchain-powered grocery app development is a very effective solution. It will create a great user experience. All the items in the stores will be ordered from your devices. So it reduces time or travel spending and creates a virtual store at users' fingertips.

How would blockchain affect the grocery industry?

There is no doubt that blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the grocery industry. By providing a secure and transparent way to track food items throughout the supply chain, blockchain could help to ensure food safety and authenticity, while also reducing costs. In addition, blockchain could also be used to create a digital marketplace for food producers and distributors, which would provide greater choice and flexibility for consumers.

Decentralized elements of blockchain are very rewarding to the grocery industry. It allows auditing of goods in a very effective manner. It is so advanced that grocers can track the shipment of specific items without scratching their heads or without any stress. This allows customers and producers to have good communication, create positive feedback and also helps to develop a positive relationship among themselves.

Many big companies in the world are partnering with Blockchain app development companies to leverage Blockchain-related services. So in the near future Blockchain will revolutionize the supply chain, market delivery and shipments. Blockchain is a very sustainable solution.

However, it remains to be seen how quickly and extensively blockchain will be adopted by the grocery industry. While there are many potential benefits, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed before blockchain can truly become mainstream. For example, blockchain technology is still in its early stages of development and it will take time for businesses to build the necessary infrastructure. In addition, there is a lack of standardization around blockchain technology, which makes it difficult for different companies to interoperate.

Nevertheless, the potential of blockchain in the grocery industry is undeniable. With further development and adoption, we could see a radical transformation in how food is produced, distributed, and consumed.

What are some of the problems with using blockchain within a grocery store?

There are a few potential problems with using blockchain within a grocery store. First, the technology is still fairly new and unproven. There could be issues with the scalability of blockchain, as grocery stores typically have large amounts of data to process. Additionally, blockchain could potentially disrupt the current business model of grocery stores, as it would allow for direct relationships between manufacturers and consumers.

Well, it seems like blockchain could change everything for people in the grocery industry - for better and for worse! Cryptocurrencies are at the heart of Blockchain technology, so it’s no surprise that this innovation is influencing an increasing range of industries.

We at Biz4Solutions, know how to push buttons and get your business going. As a mobile app development company can help you create AI or blockchain-powered amazing applications for mobile devices. From Big Data and IoT to healthcare, we have created good success stories with our services to start-ups. Our pioneering mobile app developers can bring not just the conventional solution but also offer smart ways to upgrade your business and increase the productivity of your business. It’s your time to say YES! Help us help you with Digital transformation, robotic process automation, IoT, cloud solution, mobile apps and many more state-of-the-art services. Drop your email in the comment box and relax, our experts will get in touch with you shortly.

Advantages, Downsides, & Mistakes To Avoid while developing React Native Apps!

React Native is undoubtedly one of the most widely used cross-platform frameworks for creating native-like apps. This framework can be easily used for developing brand-new apps from scratch and even in existing iOS or Android projects. So, it is immensely popular and loved by beginners as well as experienced developers. Consequently, the demand for the development of React Native mobile apps is on the rise. Here are the top benefits it offers to one and all.

Foremost Advantages Of Using React Native For App Creation

Use of JavaScript and easy learning curve, especially for new developers
Code re-usability for a speedy development process
Pre-built components and third-party plugins to create feature-packed good-quality apps from scratch
Creation of performance-based apps with higher reliability and stability
Technical goodies like modular architecture, declarative coding style, and ‘hot-reload’ feature to enhance the productivity of React Native app developers
Rich and friendly UI/UX design
Powerful and knowledgeable community to support
An easy and direct installation method
Faster time-to-market
Creates solutions that allow adaptation to Android and iOS along with smart TVs, VR devices, etc., since it is a cross-platform framework

With so many outstanding advantages to offer, this framework has a bright future. But like any other framework, there are several challenges or limitations that are inherently associated with developing apps using React Native. Here we have outlined a few of them.

Probable Challenges In The React Native App Creation Process

One of the challenges in this framework is the dependency on native app developers, especially while dealing with complex and heavy computational processes. Another challenge, rather limitation, is that this framework does not support parallel threading or multiprocessing. So, the performance of the apps slows down while executing multiple processes simultaneously.

Also, the abstraction layers in React Native have certain limitations. They have a dependency on third-party services and libraries. Finding bugs in abstraction layers is quite difficult; hence resolving them too is time-consuming. Another challenge while using this framework is faced during iOS deployment since testing the iPhone apps on any other testing service except Apple’s TestFlight is quite annoying.

Despite these challenges, React Native is a preferred choice of mobile application development agencies for writing robust and natively rendered applications. Moreover, these challenges can be handled well by experienced developers, whereas, a beginner or an unskilled developer tends to make more mistakes.

So, for the development of a flawless end-product, React Native app developers, particularly the newbies, must have prior knowledge about these probable errors. Let us have a glimpse of the commonest Development mistakes concerning React Native that could be avoided while app development.

React Native App Creation Mistakes To Avoid

Improper Image Optimization

Image optimization, despite being a crucial step in app development, is commonly ignored by developers. But optimizing the images is necessary for reducing the load time of images. It helps in resizing the images locally and then allows uploading them automatically on the cloud storage like Amazon S3 by the server. After this, the developers get a CDN link that can be returned through the API. This entire process makes the app lightweight and boosts app performance.

Presence Of Console Log Statements

Console log statements allow the developers to easily detect bugs while debugging. These make the apps glitch-free during app execution stages. These also help to detect the reasons behind the low performance of the apps. But, in case the developers fail to remove the log statements after completion of the debugging process, it can cause blunders. If the logic and the render methods are kept inside the apps, they can lead to congestion in the JavaScript thread and ultimately slow down the app performance.

Inappropriate Redux Store Planning

Redux is quite useful in React Native for managing the apps effectively, handling and storing the gathered data correctly, debugging app states, etc. But Redux must be planned well for utilizing it to the fullest, or it may lead to issues, especially in small projects. This is so because Redux demands writing long codes even for the smallest of modifications. So, it isn’t suited much for small-scale projects but is a good choice for larger apps and projects.

Inaccurate Or Wrong Project Estimation

The chances of committing mistakes while estimating for a project in React Native are higher for various reasons as given below:

The layouts and structures of app pages for iOS and Android are different. Also, several common components can be interchangeably used for development but the design of the app in most cases will not be alike. As a result, estimation for both platforms can be different.
The code to be written in React Native is usually larger as compared to the code required in the development of a Hybrid app on Cordova. In such cases, the assessment of the validation layout also must be considered.
All the endpoints offered by the backend must be checked. Other vitals like understanding the data structure, connecting the entities, handling the logic, etc. must be considered during estimating the project.

If the developers handling the React Native app development are not aware of these differences, they can estimate incorrect dates for project completion, leading to hassle in the later stages.

Utilization Of Stateless Components

A stateless component means that the components don’t extend any class. These always render the same thing and print out only what is provided to them through props. These are also known as dumb components. But, stateless components can be implemented faster, reduce the amount of boilerplate code to be written, and enable easy testing. In the app creation process, it is advisable to use pure components instead of stateless components. This is so because, for stateless components, rendering happens after the re-rendering of the parent component. But for pure components, re-rendering takes place when a change is detected in the states or props.

Not Verifying External Module Codes

The app developers working with React Native commonly use external modules as this makes the development faster and easier and thus, saves time. But these modules may not work as expected or even break at times. Hence, the developers must read and verify external module codes before using them.

Not Considering Unit Testing

One of the most common mistakes developers can commit while React Native development is not writing a unit test. The apps can still function irrespective of whether unit tests are conducted or not, but such apps may not provide a great experience to the users and could be less competent in the market. Unit testing enables assessing different parts and functionalities of the apps and ensures they work as expected. It also helps to detect bugs in advance and make sure that the app segments run independently.

Final Words:

React Native has the potential to become “The Best” framework and overshadow all the available frameworks in the market. It is already being leveraged by big players like Facebook, Delivery.com, UberEats, Bloomberg, Skype, Instagram, Tesla, and many more. It has some downsides as well, but those can be minimized to a great extent if every React Native app development firm trains its developers on diligently handling the common mistakes well in advance. Therefore, it is advisable to partner with an experienced React Native app development company for your app development project.

Gamification in Healthcare Apps: Use Cases & Amazing Benefits!

Gamification in Healthcare is an ongoing trend! Many of you might be of the opinion that it’s simply a marketing strategy of app creators to attract audiences or an attempt to appease the fun-loving new-era patients. But, in reality, gamification has much more to deliver than just amusement and has something in store for individuals of all age groups.

Well, gamification won’t cure patients completely but can motivate them to adhere to healthy lifestyle practices, and overcome challenging health tasks; resulting in improved patient outcomes. And, you’ll be surprised to learn about the potential & amazing benefits of Gamification to health app users; including patients, providers as well as practitioners.

As per market research conducted by the popular online portal Global Market Insights, the total market value of the Healthcare Gamification market was USD 25.3 Billion in the year 2020. They predicted this value to grow at a CAGR of over 14.6% from the period of 2021 to 2027. And today, the concept of gamification is gaining momentum in the healthcare application development industry at a fast pace.

This post throws light on the implementations of healthcare gamification, use cases, and its enormous power to improve patient outcomes.

What is meant by Gamification in Healthcare?

Gamification in healthcare refers to the strategy of integrating gaming elements, gaming principles, game mechanics, and game design methods into non-gaming apps like healthcare apps. The key objectives of gamification are to induce fun and engaging elements into tiresome activities, motivate users to follow wellness regimes, and improve patients’ emotional, cognitive, and behavioral health. For instance, chalking out a diet or healthcare regime, Gamified exercises for patients with mobility impairments, back pain, etc are some of the gamification concepts in healthcare apps.

Gamification in healthcare works best for medical apps that deal with fitness, wellness, nutrition, self-management, medication management, mental health, physical therapy, rehabilitation, etc.

How are Gamification Elements integrated into Healthcare Apps?

This post throws light on the implementations of healthcare gamification, use cases, and its enormous power to improve patient outcomes.

What is meant by Gamification in Healthcare?

Gamification in healthcare works best for medical apps that deal with fitness, wellness, nutrition, self-management, medication management, mental health, physical therapy, rehabilitation, etc.

How are Gamification Elements integrated into Healthcare Apps?

Simulation Gaming

Immersive simulation gaming aims at making the patients visualize the adverse effects and consequences of health-related issues, if not properly dealt with. Such kind of gaming elements is also useful for healthcare researchers and clinicians, helping them to upgrade their technical knowledge, medical processes, and patient monitoring practices.

Storytelling Approach

Storytelling has always been an effective strategy for convincing people and so, today’s health apps are introducing storytelling elements into healthcare gaming. These stories involve players achieving challenging health/fitness objectives through fun activities. Missions are designed for the users and they can listen to audio narratives uncovering an adventurous story. This inspires them to complete difficult wellness missions overcoming all adversities. This approach is usually employed in Fitness apps for missions concerning jogging, running, exercising, etc.

Levels and Challenges

Gamification in healthcare often involves competitive components like gaming levels for fulfilling wellness/fitness milestones. Here, the basic level consists of simple tasks to perform. As the game proceeds, the levels become more complex due to the addition of difficult tasks. The users have to nail the achievements like covering 5 kms in 2 days, etc. mentioned in a specific level, to qualify for the consecutive level.

The addition of challenges increases the competitiveness of the entire activity and motivates the users to achieve the impossible. Here, users can achieve a specific fitness goal and challenge other users or can accept challenges from others to perform a specific task.

Progress Bars

The app tracks users’ wellness/health activities continuously. The progress made by users is measured and the performance statistics get displayed, usually in graphical formats. This way, users stay informed on their daily progress. For example, heart rate monitoring apps display the treatment progress via graphs while fitness apps track training & exercise parameters as calories burnt, steps walked, miles covered, etc.

Leaderboards & Ratings

Individuals are often tempted to compare themselves with others. Leaderboards and performance ratings make use of this tendency to motivate users. Leaderboards are used in group training sessions to assess and identify the most successful member in the group. Also, users are rated on the basis of their performance. Ratings are displayed in a tabular format so that users are able to compare their performance with other members. This creates a competitive environment that pushes the users to improve their performance and achieve healthcare objectives no matter how difficult they are. And, being able to share their achievements on social media enhances the overall effectiveness of this entire strategy.

Virtual Representatives/Avatar

Some health apps, particularly fitness apps, have implemented this novel and interesting feature. Here, an avatar, a virtual representation of the user, is involved. When a user loses weight the same result is reflected in the avatar whereas if the user gains weight, the avatar gets punished.

Rewards & Badges

Health app users get badges or reward points for completing a mandated activity. The badges and reward points are visual identifiers of a patient’s success in fulfilling necessary health-related tasks. In some apps, users can even exchange reward points for receiving in-app service benefits, discount coupons, buying medicines, or earning a free monthly subscription.

This approach encourages users to set milestones for accomplishing personalized healthcare goals that had seemed boring, tiresome and challenging in the past. And, winning rewards or recognition for achievements instills a sense of pride amongst the users and motivates them to keep up their good work. Sharing their progress and achievements with other users or friends builds up competitiveness, pushing users to stick to the desired health or wellness regimes. What’s more? These additional perks boost users’ loyalty to a specific medical application.

Gamification in Healthcare: Use Cases

Children’s Health Apps

The doctors and patients of kids undergoing long-term treatment find it difficult to make them understand the significance of their ailments as well as the importance of adhering to medications & therapies. Moreover, young kids often refuse to swallow bitter pills and undergo therapies. Gaming elements play a crucial role here by teaching the kids to be more responsible concerning their health. Gaming also adds fun elements to make them forget the fact that they are undergoing treatment and increase their willingness to follow regimes.

The pharma company Pfizer created a video game that teaches children suffering from haemophilia the necessity of following treatment plans and medication. Hemocratf provides a simulated environment where kids learn how treatment methodologies work and how they can help themselves during accidents before help arrives. The app My PlayHome Hospital prepares kids for doctor visits and helps them to shed their phobia by turning the kids into virtual doctors. With MyTeeth, kids learn the correct way of brushing their teeth.

Mental Health Apps

Emotional health issues are rising and modern-day individuals need some help in managing such woes. What can be a better solution than gamified apps?

Moodfit uplifts the users’ mood when they are facing issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. Users can track their daily progress and mood swings, and also receive actionable exercise recommendations.

Loona alerts users about their mood and helps them to get some relaxing sleep after a hectic day. Tactful gaming elements like storytelling, relaxation activities, and pleasing sounds are used for inducing sleep.

Health Apps for managing Medication & Chronic Conditions

Several chronic diseases like diabetes require self-management, which is one of the most difficult regimes to stick to. Well, Gamification in healthcare has eased things.

Mango Health enables patients to adhere to medication regimes, offers information on medicines, and warns about the possible side effects of medications. Flaredown monitors patients’ health by updating patients on medical conditions, symptoms, treatments, and the way these factors can affect a patient’s physical/mental state. With the app Manage My Pain, users can identify the areas affected by pain, track the intensity of the pain, and receive suggestions on relieving the pain.

Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation Apps

Patients find it challenging as well as time-consuming to recover from issues like mobility, independence for carrying out daily activities, etc. after an accident or severe injury. Gamification increases the effectiveness of physical therapy.

The app Prehab educates users on ways of controlling their health via physical therapy. Users get a host of tips, workouts, and the facility to connect with trained therapists whenever needed. The solution named Eyesight Exercise offers audio tips and instructions for eyesight improvement and eye relaxation techniques. The rehabilitation app Physera offers exercise tips to build up flexibility and strength. VERA utilizes motion tracking technology, compares patients’ performances with desired standards, and provides corrective measures.

Nutrition & Fitness Apps

Nutrition and fitness apps are quite popular amongst new-age individuals for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Introducing gaming elements into such apps is an added perk for users.

Apple’s Health app allows users to track wellness parameters like heart rate, hydration, activity, sleep quality/patterns, calories gained/burnt, and many more. The fasting app Zero tracks down the mood changes of users during fasting periods. MyFitnessPal is a nutrition app that helps users to track their daily calorie intake, manage weight, set goals, and select food recommendations from a nutrition database as per their healthcare objectives.

Cancer Treatment

Gamification in Healthcare has proven beneficial for cancer treatment as well. The gaming app Re-Mission employs the nanobot named “Roxy.” Roxy is a player that fights and combats crude cancer treatment methodologies depicted in the form of weapons like radiation guns, chemoblaster, antibiotic rockets, etc. Roxy survives all adversities and this example has helped cancer patients to stick to medication and therapies.

Gamification in Healthcare: Advantages

Improves the Effectiveness of Treatment Plans & Medication Adherence

Gamification in healthcare helps patients with one of the most neglected tasks; that’s adherence to medication and treatment plans. Gamification imbibes resilience and motivates users to take medications on time. It even offers incentives to follow healthcare regimes, track medication schedules, refill prescriptions on time, stick to doctor appointments, etc. Gamification also enables doctors to monitor patients’ health activities and verify whether their patients are following medication/treatment regimes as required.

Optimizes Patient Engagement & Retention

Gamification motivates individuals to achieve their healthcare goals and makes them realize their accountability for their healthcare choices. Attractive and engaging games make monotonous health tasks all the more enjoyable. In the long run, gamification in healthcare educates patients about their illnesses, enables patients to battle depression effortlessly, and encourages them to stick to treatment plans. This way, health app owners can engage and retain customers in the best possible manner.

Valuable Consumer Insights and Feedback

The healthcare data entered by the users into the app and the patient improvement data generated within the app help providers to gain valuable insights and consumer feedback. This information is utilized for identifying current trends, customer needs, and areas of improvement. It enables healthcare providers to design user-centric apps with better clinical outcomes; provide more customized features, and implement improved security protocols.

An Effective Medical Learning Tool

Medical Students, as well as practitioners, need to learn and remember humongous facts, concepts, theories, emerging technologies, etc. and gamification makes this process way easier. Gamified medical apps help healthcare professional retain knowledge and information as they can cover complex topics speedily and with several repetitions.

Final Thoughts:

Gamification in Healthcare benefits both patients as well as providers. Users get an elevated experience, receive assistance with health/medication regimes, get the much-needed motivation to accomplish fitness goals, health objectives, etc. Providers can engage patients in a better way, and win customer loyalty, and brand recognition. However, to extract the full potential of gamification, healthcare app developers need to craft solutions based on well-established theories and game mechanics.

So, how about designing a gamified medical app or gamifying your existing healthcare app to make it more effective, appealing, and engaging to users? For achieving this objective, I would recommend you to partner with an experienced healthcare app development company that will help you leverage gamification elements to the fullest.

Reasons why React Native Apps fare better than Hybrid Apps!

While developing mobile apps, most businesses wish for high-performing apps that are built faster and at minimal costs. But, the availability of numerous outstanding technologies causes dilemmas when choosing the right app development framework. Also, it becomes difficult to maintain a balance between opting for top-quality app development and affordable costs. In this regard, the two most popular approaches are ‘Hybrid app development’ and ‘React Native app development’. And, the decision on whether to go for hybrid apps or React Native apps is the most popular topic of debate.

Several businesses go for hybrid mobile app creation thinking that it meets their requirement. No doubt it offers advantages like:

Faster development in a cost-efficient manner.
Wider reach at once.
Offline support.
Ease of integration with the cloud.

But, before investing in hybrid apps, businesses must also look at the drawbacks associated with them.

Drawbacks Of Hybrid Apps

Unsatisfactory Performance:

These apps crash several times. Also, these introduce an extra layer between the targeted mobile platform and the source code which ultimately deteriorates their performance.

Unappealing User Interface:

The first impression is the best impression. Hybrid apps visible on the app store do not entice the user because they have a very dull look and appear like web apps on the android and iOS platforms. Owing to lesser clarity, users tend to avoid downloading such apps.

Below-average User-experience:

The UX of the modern-day apps is impeccable and highly captivating. But a hybrid mobile app fails to match this raised bar of UX in the apps. They have sluggish graphics, limited animation, keyboard malfunction, and the absence of platform-specific features that contribute to poor user experience. This could be the probable reason why Facebook switched from HTML5 to React Native.

Debugging Issues:

As discussed previously, the additional layer between the platform and the code of hybrid apps makes the debugging process lengthy and complex. The developers have to rely on the framework to make modifications to the targeted OS. Also, since the developers may not have a thorough knowledge of the target platform, detecting issues in these apps becomes highly time-consuming.

Limitations while upgrading to Latest Features:

To stay competitive, it is essential for modern-day apps to embed new features and upcoming software capabilities. But in hybrid mobile apps, this process is extremely difficult and troublesome.

With such disadvantages, it can become highly impossible to develop attractive, engaging, and robust apps while maintaining cost-effectiveness. At this time, the usage of React Native for app development comes into the picture.

Let’s take a look at how React Native apps fare better than Hybrid apps!

Key Benefits offered by React Native App Development

Native-like Functionality and Appearance:

The platform components used in React Native applications are similar to those in native Android or iOS apps. So, the cross-platform apps created in React Native have a native-like look and feel and perform better as compared to Hybrid apps. Hybrid apps are like a web view with a native container wrapped around them. They are not smooth and fast. On any operative device, hybrid apps run and behave like web apps.

Code-reusability for Time and Cost-efficient Development:

The benefits of React Native as a cross-platform app development framework are known to all. This framework allows the sharing of a single code-base across multiple platforms, so it is possible to create top-grade apps in half the time when compared with native apps, thereby being more cost-effective. Hybrid apps, on the other hand, use age-old frameworks that require more time for development.

‘Ready-made’ Components and Third-party plugins:

React Native has a reusable component-specific structure. So, the developers do not need to write code for these components from scratch. Comparatively, hybrid apps have a WebView component that is getting outdated gradually. Also, React Native offers a host of amazing third-party libraries with pragmatic interfaces and flexible customization options.

ReactJS’s Programming Model:

React Native is nothing but a JavaScript framework at its core and makes use of the programming model of ReactJS. As a result, the React Native developers utilize the same conceptual framework used by React developers.

Attractive and Efficient User Interface:

React Native is much more exclusive and versatile as compared to other JavaScript frameworks like Angular and React. Due to the asynchronous JavaScript connections, the resulting user interface of React Native becomes highly responsive and native-like. It has a smooth feel with faster loading times and looks much better visually as compared to hybrid apps.

A rich Open-source Ecosystem and Vibrant Community Support:

This framework is open-source and has a rich open-source ecosystem for knowledge sharing and external integration. It is backed by a strong community and talented developers worldwide contributing to its progress. Big players like Facebook, GitHub, Callstack, Software Mansion, Microsoft, Infinite Red, etc. support this framework.

Used by several Industry Giants:

Above all, this cross-platform framework supports big leaders like Instagram, Facebook, Tesla, Walmart, Bloomberg, etc. It is being adopted for varied applications by diverse industries and this fact speaks for the popularity of React Native.

Other Technical Merits:

The below-mentioned features simplify the coding efforts and also make the testing of React Native apps easier.

It has a modular architecture that helps to divide the code functions into free and interchangeable modules; thereby speeding up the development process.
The ‘Hot-reload’ feature is another great feature of this framework. Any modification in the code immediately reflects in the apps, even while the apps are running. It reduces the wait times and allows the implementation of any feedback with ease.
The declarative coding style in React Native makes the processes of reading and understanding the code much easier. It enables even new developers with basic knowledge of JavaScript to grasp the coding of this framework.
It allows for easy migration

Concluding Note:

With this, we come to the end of this blog. We understood how apps developed in React Native have unparalleled quality and performance as compared to hybrid apps. React Native development has undoubtedly overshadowed hybrid app development. The apps built in React Native are stable and reliable. Also, it is a cost-effective technology for cross-platform mobile app creation. Needless to say, this technology is already popular, and React Native app development services have immense potential to develop profitable applications. So, if you were thinking of hiring a hybrid app development company, for your next project, it’s high time to reconsider your decision.

Why do Healthcare Mobile Apps need Governance and a Legal Framework?

Modern-day patients get so carried away by the benefits and convenience of smartphone health apps that they don’t think twice before trusting a provider with their sensitive and personally identifiable information. Providers too, do not bother to adopt all the stringent security measures that will protect patient data from unauthorized access, unless they are compelled to do so by regulatory authorities.

Healthcare mobile applications are double-edged swords. On one hand, mHealth apps have provided unthinkable outcomes for patients, doctors, and service providers. But, on the other hand, the usage of smartphone apps in healthcare has made patient data all the more vulnerable to security threats. Healthcare data is the most valuable data on the dark web these days. There have been incidents of health data breaches in recent years that have compromised the records of millions of patients.

This post discusses the reasons why there is an urgent need for regulatory governance and legal frameworks for healthcare app development.

The Current State of Healthcare App Security

Medical apps are supposed to follow certain practices, strategies, and regulatory compliances mandated by Government authorities; to minimize the chances of security breaches. But, do all health apps follow standard security practices? Let’s explore!

A distinguished cybersecurity researcher Alissa Knight conducted a thorough analysis of 30 popular smartphone healthcare apps, and the reports are alarming. All of these apps had security vulnerabilities. And, the loopholes identified in 30 apps together can expose the sensitive information of around 23 million users.

Here are some shocking stats of the research study:

The API keys of 77% of the medical mobile apps were hardcoded and some of these didn’t expire.
7% of the apps had hardcoded usernames and passwords in the form of plain text.
50% of the API vulnerabilities detected within healthcare would enable hackers to access private and sensitive patient information like personally identifiable data, EHRs (Electronic Health Records) health information, and medical billing details.
100% of the 30 healthcare apps tested were exposed to BOLA (Broken Object Level Authorization) attacks. Such an attack is executed by counterfeiting the user IDs.
100% of the apps didn’t implement the “certificate pinning” protocol that compels a health app to verify the certificate of the server against an authentic and known copy. This made the apps highly vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Potential Risks of Hardcoding APIs

APIs establish communication between mobile apps and a hospital’s infrastructure, a Cloud service, or a physical server and facilitate data exchange. API keys are used for authenticating the application to other services like payment processing. API keys contain important and confidential information that needs to be secured. And, hardcoding of API keys and other crucial user credentials in mobile/web apps exposes health data to security breaches. According to research conducted by Gartner, by the year 2022 API vulnerabilities will be the major cause of data breaches for enterprise apps.

It’s a common practice of healthcare app developers to hardcode confidential app data directly into the app’s source code and employ obfuscation methodologies for securing the app. However, such security practices are not sufficient to protect health data. Professional hackers can effortlessly break into this data by carrying out the process of reverse-engineering the application. Once the hacker can access API keys, they can use this data to create new software that exactly resembles the actual application; this enables hackers to make arbitrary API calls. Also, the attackers can get access to the app’s back-end infrastructure for interacting with the servers and thereby collect sensitive patient information.

Consequences of Healthcare Data Breaches

Healthcare data breaches can lead to hefty fines for the app provider owing to HIPAA/GDPR violations as well as reputational damage for medical organizations.

Patients whose data gets compromised lose their privacy/secrecy and may face discrimination at their workplaces and social circles owing to certain health conditions. Certain businesses might misuse patient data and misdirect them into making unreasonable purchases. Leaked payment information and credentials can result in direct financial losses and exposed personal information may be misused by hackers to cause harm.

What’s the Solution for Healthcare App Security Woes?

There are regulatory compliances mandated for health apps like HIPAA, GDPR, FDA, etc. Nevertheless, these mandates fail to cover all areas of health app vulnerability, specifically smartphone health apps. There is an ambiguity concerning the regulatory compliance of mobile health applications put forth by the aforesaid entities. Hence, there is an urgent need for additional rules and regulations and more importantly clarity on mobile health app regulatory protocols. Regulatory bodies of the government and healthcare industry should devise additional guidelines for healthcare app developers and medical app distributers that are not included in regulatory compliances. Such guidance will help maintain parameters like the quality, transparency, accountability, genuineness, and reliability of a healthcare application.

Security Protocols to be followed during Healthcare App Development

Healthcare app developers must ensure that data is encrypted during storage as well as transit. This ensures that the health app follows the desired authentication requirements and prevents the device’s chances of being jailbroken. The app must be designed in a way that the server has the information on whether an app running on a user’s smartphone device has been tampered with or not. Besides implementing security measures during healthcare app development, an app must also be monitored continuously after deployment.

Take a look at how the data encryption process works!

Here’s how data is encrypted while being transferred to cloud storage systems!

Source

Practices to Combat Healthcare App Security Threats

App Developers must furnish information on the app’s major stakeholders, monetization strategy, scientific sources, privacy policies/practices, consent methods, and so on to government authorities. This will enable the consumers to use healthcare apps securely and protect their privacy while app usage.

As per app store policies and the healthcare industry protocols concerning electronic transactions within an app, the consumers owe a refund from the app owners if the app fails to function as promised. But, not all apps adhere to this business protocol. Moreover, the app subscriptions can be unending unless consciously stopped by consumers. Furthermore, there isn’t any government regulation stating the reduction/regulation of in-app promotions and purchases in medical apps, other than the apps meant for kids.

For this reason, developers must strictly follow the legal protocols regarding consumer advertising and be transparent about the financial expenses that are involved in app downloads and usage. Also, app distributors must mandate time limits on the payment of subscriptions specifically if an app remains unused for a long duration, and activate refund practices in case of any unintended payments have been made by patients. Also, repeated requests for in-app purchases must be avoided particularly in apps that target vulnerable audience groups, like mental health apps.

Legal Framework for Multi-dimensional Assessment of Mobile Health Apps

Several health apps have been successful in escaping the attention of regulatory authorities as they are not even considered to fall under the category of healthcare devices. Moreover, even where regulatory frameworks exist, not all healthcare entities follow such regulations and there isn’t any protocol to make sure that all covered entities are complying with established standards. Furthermore, there’s hardly any regulatory guidance for apps implementing complex technologies like AI, ML, etc. as there’s no assessment model that will weigh the risk factors and implementation requirements of diverse digital technologies.

Therefore, international agencies and industry veterans urge the need for a legal framework that mandates a set of regulatory guidelines for classifying smartphone healthcare apps and defining the pre-market route of these apps. There has to be a common legal framework that assesses a health mobile app across multiple dimensions. This framework should be systematic and comprehensive enough to serve a wide range of functions including regulating market authorization/purchasing procedures, the secure usage of mHealth apps, etc.

Final Verdict:

The security vulnerabilities existing in modern-day medical apps and solutions and the severe repercussions of a data breach come with a heavy price for patients as well as providers. Hence, there is a dire need for legal frameworks and regulatory governance to protect healthcare data from security threats. Also, the government authorities must ensure that all healthcare apps are implementing the established standards.

If you are a healthcare provider and planning to create a highly functional future-friendly app that adheres to regulatory compliances it’s advisable to look for outsourced assistance. Partner with professional and experienced healthcare app development services in USA that will provide end-to-end encryption for the sensitive data flowing in the application.

Transportation & Logistics App Development: A Complete Guide!

Fleet managers had relied on traditional methodologies to handle fleet operations and track vehicles for long, despite encountering certain operational challenges. As per a 2021 survey conducted by Statista, “85% of transportation and logistics businesses cited driver-related woes as the key issues.”

Here are some bottlenecks faced by transportation industry businesses!

Rash driving & excessive truckload can lead to hefty fines.
Idling (running the engine very slowly) during long hauls damages the engine over time, and raises the vehicle maintenance costs.

With traditional strategies, fleet managers cannot effectively monitor vehicles and drivers on the go. However with the advent of smart transportation solutions, transportation operations has been transformed completely and is delivering unthinkable outcomes. This approach has undoubtedly improved the transparency and visibility of transportation and logistics business operations, resulting in lesser mistakes and higher productivity.

One such disruptive IoT-based Transportation solution can handle the weight management of truckloads very easily and securely. Sensors embedded in vehicles track parameters like vehicle speed, freight load, vehicle anomalies, etc. in real-time and send alerts whenever necessary. These sensors are connected to apps; so the real-time data and notifications can be instantly viewed on the apps by fleet management staff and other authorized users.

A transportation & logistics app is the need of the hour! But, many businesses are reluctant to automate their workflow owing to its technical complexities. This post discusses the requirements, techniques, and key considerations of transportation & logistics app development. A quick read will guide you through the right approach for crafting a suitable logistics app for your business.

Transportation App Development: Major Steps

Requirement Analysis

A transportation application may serve different purposes for various businesses. So, it’s important to define the purpose for transportation app development – tracking of the fleet, drivers, or freight of your business, providing your customers with the facility of shipment tracking, or monetizing by selling the app to logistics companies. Once your requirements are clear, research who your target audiences are and what are their needs. Thereafter, decide on the feature set based on the needs of your targeted audience.

Technology Stack and Integrations

You need to decide on the below-mentioned factors before starting the development process:

What kind of an app will you build?: Native, Hybrid, or Cross-platform
Which Operating Systems will you target? : Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, etc.
What tech stacks, software/data analytics tools, and integrations should you include as per the operational requirements? : IoT, AI, Hadoop, etc.
Which database will you opt for? : SQL or MongoDB
Will your app need Cloud storage? If yes, which type of storage will you go for: Google cloud or AWS?
What kinds of payment options are you going to offer? : COD, mobile wallet integration, payment via credit or debit cards, etc.

App Development Resources

You can either hire an in-house IT team for building or maintaining your logistics app or hire app development services from an outsourcing service provider for executing your project. Adopting the offshore outsourcing approach and partnering with an experienced logistics app development company has so far proved to be the most profitable strategy. The reason is freelancing services are unreliable and maintaining an in-house software team turns out to be way too expensive and hassle-prone for businesses in the transportation sector.

App Maintenance and Support

Your logistics app may come across bugs post-deployment. Also, it’s necessary to add new features as per the changing market trends and audience feedback. So, periodic updates have to be rolled out for staying relevant and competent. Therefore, it is advisable to go for end-to-end app development services including maintenance and support after launch.

Transportation App Development: Feature Set

Driver Panel

Registration & Profile Creation

Drivers should be able to register themselves effortlessly and speedily. They need to create their profiles by filling in details like name, age, and the license plate number along with its type and expiry date. The profile must also contain a photo of the driver. This data is stored in the app’s backend. The information is useful to admins for identifying drivers and linking a particular driver to a shipment. Also, this feature should offer authentication methods while the drivers log into their accounts.

Screen displaying Shipment Information

This screen is used by the drivers to view the necessary shipment details including the present as well as scheduled orders, pick-up & delivery locations, and the estimated date & time of order delivery. Usually, there’s a hidden screen here that displays extra information if the driver clicks on it. This screen contains data like the total distance to be covered, a map button, details about recipients & their payment mode, notes by consumers related to delivery, and information on the freight, additional stops, etc.

Navigation/Map Integration

Map integration into the app provides drivers with guided routes that help drivers to follow the right path to their destination. Some advanced navigation functionalities offered are real-time traffic information; route optimization suggestions based on the traffic condition, tolls, etc.; speed limit notification for certain roads; and info on charging stations, food courts, etc. available on that route.

The map feature should also be available during offline mode so that drivers can obtain navigation assistance even at locations with very low or no internet connectivity. This feature is handy for admins as they can track down the exact location of the vehicle on the go.

Log Records

The drivers need to log their daily activities like distance travelled, number of hours they have worked, shipments collected, orders delivered, etc. This way, admins can monitor whether the drivers are carrying out their duties as desired and the shipments are successfully picked up & delivered without being misplaced.

Push Notifications and In-app Chats

Push notifications are essential for informing the driver about newly allocated orders, modifications in pick-up/delivery locations, a fresh set of instructions from admins via in-app chat, and so on. In-app chatting also allows the drivers to communicate and stay in touch with consumers, managers or other staff.

ePOD (Electronic Proof of Delivery)

This feature includes barcode scanning, capturing pictures of shipment, and collecting consumers’ digital signatures during the time of shipment delivery. This is important to ensure that the order has been delivered successfully.

Admin Panel

Login

Admins need to create an account for maintaining the integrity of the entire transportation and logistics operations. The app must provide an option of logging in using an ID and password. Here, adding extra layers of security is recommended to prevent unauthorized access.

Admin Dashboard

A well-crafted dashboard is a crucial component of transportation app development as it offers all essential information to managers in a nutshell. The dashboard processes and displays information on the status of ongoing shipments, order history, summaries of drivers’ activities, average time taken for loading & deliveries, pending complaints, KPI sheets concerning data analytics & weekly/monthly/yearly revenues collected, etc.

Order Management

This feature updates the fleet managers on important data like the number of shipping orders, the current status of ongoing shipments, completed shipping orders, new or pending shipment orders, freight details, customer details, payment details, consumer notes, and the average revenue generated for each order.

Admins allocate new orders to drivers using this functionality. Here, you can smarten your allocation activity by employing AI. Artificial Intelligence systems automatically assign the duty to drivers based on certain pre-defined parameters. For instance, the driver who is off duty for a long period or the driver who is at the nearest location from the pick-up point is considered.

AI-powered logistics apps can also assist in truck loading. The AI algorithms automatically analyze the different transportation requests present within the logistics system and identify the various orders that will move in the same direction. Based on this information, the software then suggests which loading sheets will be connected in which order. An AI-powered automation system can effortlessly and accurately execute complex operational requirements like cross-docking, LTL, catering to multi-stop destinations, pool distribution, and trailer swapping.

Chat & Push Notifications

Admins receive information on drivers, invoices, and shipment delivery status and can keep consumers updated about the status of their orders that are being delivered. The in-app chat feature enables the admin to stay connected with drivers and interact with customers & solve their queries.

Monitoring of Drivers, Vehicles, and Routes

Admins can remotely monitor and track aspects like drivers involved in shipping, the number of orders executed, the fuel consumption by each of the vehicles that are in transit, the current vehicle condition, pollution data, servicing requirements, etc. Admins can also track the route taken and the real-time status of the shipment.

Management of Drivers, Fleet, Chats, & Expenses

Logistics and transportation app development must include features that allow the admins to collect & maintain driver records, route schedules, and communication with consumers as well as drivers via chats. The app must also provide features for carrying out sales management duties. This includes accepting or disapproving extra expenses while making deliveries. Admin can also review administration expenditure; and calculating the profit and loss ratio. Here too, the integration of AI will help in automating these tasks.

Consumer Panel

Registration & Login

Effortless and secure profile creation & sign up procedure, order management, and order history details for consumers.

Order Booking

This feature allows customers to schedule the order delivery as per their convenient date, time, and location; select the preferred type of vehicle for delivery; interact with drivers in transit for obtaining shipment status; and contact admins and receive timely responses. Consumers are informed about the estimated fare before booking transportation orders.

Delivery Status & GPS Tracking

Customers should be able to view details of the driver & vehicle delivering their order and track the present location of their parcel in transit, the estimated delivery time, date, etc.,

In-app Chat and Push Notifications

In-app chat allows consumers to interact with drivers or admin as and when required. Users must be able to share pictures and documents besides the regular text messaging functionality. Push notifications keep the consumers updated about the delivery status, unexpected shipment delays or failures due to unforeseen circumstances, etc.

In-app Payment Integration

Offer several in-app payment options to consumers like digital wallets, credit/debit card payments, etc. by integrating payment gateways such as Braintree, PayPal, Stripe, etc. Also, ensure that the payment systems are well secured and the privacy of your consumers’ payment details is maintained.

Ratings & Reviews

The option of rating the delivery service quality and writing reviews about it; will help you to build up trust amongst your consumers, identify the existing problems within your system, and work on the areas of improvement.

Transportation App Development: Key Considerations

Keep it simple

A complex app with too many unwanted features creates bottlenecks instead of streamlining transportation operations. Moreover, too many functions may confuse consumers and lead them to abandon your app. This can also make it difficult for drivers and admins to manage; resulting in costly errors and delays. Hence, keep your feature set intuitive and simple ; integrate only those features that are necessary for your operational workflow. Also, do not update your app very frequently; this will make it difficult for users to cope with the modifications.

Quick Load Times

Time is money! Hence, your logistics app shouldn’t take more than a couple of seconds to load; or else your investment in transportation app development is wasted as you are sure to lose consumers.

Intuitive UI/UX Design

An intuitive UI/UX design matters a lot when it comes to customer experience and satisfaction.

Social Media Integration

New-age users are addicted to social media. As such, integrating social media into your logistics and transportation app makes your app all the more popular and widely accepted. Users get the option to log in using their social media account; this enhances consumer engagement. Furthermore, you can create a social media community for providing important information and expanding your consumer base.

Final Thoughts:

I hope the aforesaid information and tips have provided you with a clear idea of the dos and don’ts of transportation and logistics app development. A transportation app will improve the visibility, transparency, efficiency, productivity, and the security quotient of business operations and takes your business to the next level.

Develop the right solution/app; and complex tasks like fleet management, tracking, etc. will be at your fingertips. That’s why most businesses these days are partnering with proficient transportation app development services for tailoring customized software solutions that will best suit their operational requirements.

React Native or Flutter? Which one is the Best Fit for your next Software Development Project?- Part-II

In Part I of this blog, we compared the frameworks- React Native and Flutter based on numerous vital parameters. You may have a glimpse at Part I here.

This blog is an extension of Part I and here too, we will be focusing on a few more significant parameters to carry out a more detailed comparative analysis of both of these technologies.

We presume that by the end of this read, you will have better clarity on which framework is the best pick for your project development requirements. You will easily be able to decide whether to go with React Native app development or Flutter app development. So let’s commence.

Comparative Analysis: React Native App Development Or Flutter App Development

Learning Curve

React Native:

The learning curve of React Native is quite easier, especially for those who are familiar with JavaScript. But working with React Native may get a bit difficult when it comes to mobile app development, though the framework has released several libraries, tutorials, documents, etc. to make the learning of this framework easier.

Flutter:

Flutter too is not much difficult to learn. To understand this framework, developers need to learn the Dart language, which is pretty simple along with some basic knowledge of native iOS and Android development. However, this language is rarely opted by developers due to its low popularity.

The Installation Process

React Native:

Node Package Manager (NPM) is required to install the RN framework. NPM can install the packages globally as well as locally. For this, it is essential for the React Native App developers to have knowledge of the location of the binary.

Also, the Homebrew package manager is required while installing React Native on macOS. The developers need to run the desired code for installing React Native on macOS and then access it from the command line.

Flutter:

For installing Flutter, one should download the binary for a particular platform from GitHub. For macOS, the developers should download the file- flutter.zip and add it as a PATH variable and then run the desired code.

The installation method of Flutter is a bit tedious and can be enhanced by supporting package managers like MacPorts, Homebrew, APT, YUM, etc. so that users can get rid of performing the extra steps while installing.

Architecture Supported by Each

React Native:

The latest architecture of React Native is based on 3 important threads namely: Native thread (where native code is placed and executed), JavaScript thread (where complete JavaScript code is kept and compiled), and Shadow thread (where the app’s layout is calculated).

React Native has a bridge between JavaScript and Native threads. According to this feature, the JavaScript code communicates with the Native API and the platform. Also, when it comes to iOS, React Native makes use of JavaScriptCore separately for running all codes, whereas in the case of Android, it bundles the JavaScriptCore within the app. This will increase native functionality, however, it also increases the size of the app and that results in device lag or performance issues.

Flutter:

Flutter has a layered architecture. Developing a basic app in Flutter starts with platform-specific widgets or top-level root functions. Next, it is followed by basic widgets that communicate with rendering layers and the platform. Animation gestures exist just beyond the rendering layer, and this animation gesture transfers API calls to the foundation of the mobile app; also called Scaffold. It is run by a platform-specific embedder and a C/C++ engine. For separating the presentation layer from business logic, the Flutter app developers can utilize Flutter BLoC. Such architecture eases the creation of complex apps with the use of simple and small components.

Development API and UI Components

React Native:

There are very few features and functionalities available in core React Native. This framework comes with just device access APIs and UI rendering. But using third-party libraries, this shortcoming can be overcome. For accessing native modules, RN makes use of several third-party libraries. You can find the list of the best-known UI component libraries here.

Flutter:

On the other hand, the Flutter framework comes with device API access, UI rendering components, testing, navigation, stateful management, and a plethora of libraries. In Flutter, you will have access to everything required for architecting mobile apps and so, there’s no need to use third-party libraries. It also comes with widgets for Cupertino and Material Design that enable the developers to render the UI on both Android and iOS platforms with ease.

The Convenience of Maintaining Code

React Native:

It is a bit difficult to upgrade and maintain code in React Native mobile apps. One of the key reasons behind this is the dependency on third-party libraries. Usually, the libraries are old and outdated and cannot be properly maintained, thus, affecting the code maintainability. Besides, there are chances that when the developers fork the code to suit the app requirement, it may interfere with the framework’s logic and slow down the overall development process.

Flutter:

On the contrary, code maintenance in Flutter is quite easier. It has simple code which allows the Flutter app developers to easily find issues, support third-party libraries, and even source external tools. Also, the hot-reloading property in Flutter is comparatively better than that in React Native and it helps to resolve several issues quickly.

Modularity

Note: Modularity refers to the ability of a framework to enable different professionals with diverse experiences and technical skillsets to work on a single project.

React Native:

React Native offers less modularity support. At times, React developers, iOS developers, Android developers, etc. working on a project, may find it tough to match up with each other.

Flutter:

Comparatively, Flutter provides better modularity for team diversity and also supports well while dividing the project codes into separate modules with its pub package system. The teams can easily add/change a code-base or construct various modules with the plug-in ability.

Testability of Code

React Native:

In React Native app development projects, there is no official support available for integration testing and UI-level testing. It offers just a few unit-level testing frameworks. Tools like Jest can be utilized for snapshot testing. Also, there are some third-party tools like Detox and Appium that can be used for testing the React Native apps even though these aren’t supported officially by the React Native team.

Flutter:

Since Flutter functions with Dart, it provides excellent support for automated testing. Also, it offers a rich set of features for testing the applications at the integration level, unit level, widget level, etc. Furthermore, it offers detailed documentation on testing the Flutter apps.

Concluding Views:

In this fast-paced digital era, having a high-quality, user-friendly, and responsive mobile app for your business is crucial. For developing such outstanding mobile apps, both frameworks - React Native and Flutter - have proved to be apt technologies. But, which of these is the best pick for your project?

Well, we have tried to explain this aspect in this post and in Part I. We hope this post has provided you with an in-depth understanding of the good and the bad of both technologies. Also, these detailed insights will help you make an informed decision on whether to partner with a Flutter App Development Company or go for React Native App Development Company

Healthcare App benefits and Downsides with Ethical Considerations

Healthcare apps and wellness trackers have gained traction during the last decade. And, the social distancing protocol enforced by the pandemic has accelerated the adoption rate of health apps like never before.

Check out these interesting stats on healthcare application development and usage as per a study conducted by the online research portal sourcetoad.com:

Healthcare app development has sky-rocketed with an average of 250 apps launched daily.
The market value of medical apps was $40.05 Billion in 2020. According to industry experts, this value will reach $100 billion by the year 2023.
Healthcare app categories like telehealth and virtual care have gained more popularity as compared to other categories: 74% of consumers preferred telehealth services and 57% vouched for virtual care apps.

Healthcare apps come with endless benefits to patients, practitioners as well as care providers. But, are all health apps secure and reliable? Health apps have their share of downsides as they handle personal patient information and sensitive medical data. Many are raising questions on the ethical implications of patient data handling processes as well.

Let’s discuss in detail the advantages and downsides of medical apps. Also, learn about the corrective measures and best practices to mitigate the existing bottlenecks in the healthcare app industry.

Healthcare App Advantages

Advanced Patient Services

Telehealth apps offer convenient patient services like online appointment scheduling/rescheduling/cancellation, remote doctor consultations for common ailments, and e-prescription uploading. Advanced communication capabilities like preliminary diagnoses via video conferencing and instant interaction with doctors and other medical professionals using text messages, emails, voice calls, etc. simplifies things for the patient community.

Reminder apps and e-prescription apps facilitate chronic disease management. These apps help patients to stick to stringent medication regimes, set reminders for pill intake, and refill medicines before it runs out of stock. Pharmacy applications enable online medication ordering and door-step delivery.

Clinical Assistance

Clinical assistance apps offer supportive software for medical practitioners. Such apps come with medical calculators, clinical decision-making functionalities, and disease diagnosis assistance functions. Medical professionals can benefit from the various references and databases providing information about drugs, healthcare terminologies, medical conditions, symptoms of diseases, and guides on medication compatibility.

Healthcare Data Storage/Management

Healthcare facilities need to handle humongous data and hence data management becomes challenging with traditional solutions. However, healthcare apps integrated with EHR (Electronic Health Records) simplify the processes of organizing and managing data effectively. These apps automatically gather and record patient data like personal information, demographics, previous treatment history, allergies, chronic conditions, immunizations, radiology reports, billing info, etc. from different sources. EHR systems enable providers to store medical data in a way that promotes clarity, transparency, and accuracy.

EMR (Electronic Medical Records) stores information about patients’ clinical data, ongoing treatment particulars, etc. Such records help clinicians monitor patients in a better way, assess how patients are responding to a specific course of treatment, and find out the patients who are due for follow-up visits or preventive screenings.

Medical database software converts patient data like healthcare/treatment history, medications, imaging/lab results, procedures, etc. into electronic data. This data is categorized by employing various filters and is stored for internal usage within the facility.

Wellness Tracking: Wearables & Fitness Apps

Fitness applications track the health vitals of users including steps walked, calories burnt, heart rate, water consumption, body weight, etc. using wearable devices. This provides users with quantifiable data on their health parameters and level of fitness. These apps also set fitness goals for users and offer dietary suggestions, encouraging them to practice a healthy lifestyle and adhere to wellness regimes. Users get reminders for activities like drinking water, exercising, and so on. Some fitness apps even make use of intelligent strategies like offering positive feedback and even gamification for motivating users toward a healthy lifestyle. Such apps monitor users’ health vitals and provide a report of their progress periodically. The users can share their fitness-related success stories on social media amongst like-minded people and also opt for joint wellness experiences on social media.

Today, fitness apps are leveraging Artificial Intelligence to obtain the best user outcomes. Machine learning/deep learning algorithms autonomously analyze the healthcare care data collected by the app and the users’ behavioral patterns gathered. This information is then compared with generic human health data contained within a database and matched with the most befitting predefined use case. The algorithms then, draw conclusions and provide users with customized suggestions and corrective measures regarding exercise regimes and diet.

Valuable Informational Resources

Healthcare apps are often a valuable and easily accessible storehouse of informational resources for medical students. Students utilize this information for gaining insights on health conditions, treatment, & medication, preparing notes, and drawing inferences. Moreover, apps offer online study material, lectures, healthcare podcasts, drug references, medical guidelines, healthcare calculators, and even quizzes/tests on medical topics.

Practicing HCPs also benefit from the resources and information provided in healthcare applications. Important case studies can be referred to while treating complicated cases and conducting surgeries.

Healthcare App Downsides & their Ethical Implications

Despite the endless advantages of healthcare applications, this approach involves downsides that raise ethical questions as below:

Is there any protocol to ensure whether clinical data is being entered for the right user at all times?
Is patient data completely protected from security threats and hackers?
Where does the healthcare data get stored and who can access this data?
Can the PHI of patients be used by the app owners or sold to unreliable third parties?
Can users completely trust the content published and the results generated by healthcare apps?

Let’s explore these aspects in detail!

Data Authentication Errors

Several apps fail to verify whether the clinical findings, e-prescriptions, and other medical diagnoses details are being entered into the profile of the right patients at all times. As a result, the chances of costly errors are quite likely. Such errors may lead to misdiagnosis, wrong treatment/medication, ending up causing harm to patients, and can even be fatal for patients. Furthermore, erratic data may adversely affect clinical research. If incorrect information is used for forming therapeutic deductions, the effectiveness of the research will be hampered and could put billions of investments at stake.

Security Threats

Cyber-security threats like ransomware, phishing attacks, data theft, and unauthorized access can cripple the effectiveness of the healthcare environment altogether. Moreover, data security breaches can lead to hefty fines and penalties for medical entities that have not followed standard security protocols.

Healthcare Data Ownership

Modern-day medical app technologies like AI, ML, etc. can predict user behavior to the minutest detail. And, for obtaining the desired outcome, the relevant contextual patient data including personally identifiable and biometric data has to be fed to the app or system software. Hence, users need to enter personally identifiable data in their profiles and other systems; for reaping the benefits of systems like electronic medical records, biometric scanners, health apps, activity trackers, video doctor consultations, and so on.

Moreover, healthcare data is a valuable source for research teams, analytics identification, and marketers who depend on personal patient data to send relevant promotional offers to their target audiences. As a result, app owners might be tempted to utilize patient data stored in the app as a profitable monetization strategy. Sometimes, data may be sold without the users’ consent in unethical ways to the marketers who offer lucrative deals to app owners.

Clinical Accuracy of Healthcare Apps & the Trustworthiness of App Content

The clinical accuracy and the reliability of quality and scientific correctness of the published content are below average in some healthcare apps and fitness trackers. The anomalies identified in healthcare applications include incomplete information, inaccurate content, variation in content information, improper responses to customer queries, delayed data processing, faulty alarm systems, security gaps in functionalities, and inability to promptly respond to emergency situations. Such inconsistencies may result in life-threatening situations.

Coming to fitness and activity trackers, parameters like step count, health vitals, etc. are not always 100% accurate. This may mislead users in the long run, thereby minimizing the app’s usability.

Corrective Measures for addressing Health App Pitfalls

Data Authentication Protocols

A healthcare app should correctly authenticate the users’ particulars to verify whether the right person is accessing or entering data into a specific user profile. The commonest authentication measures include SSO, two-factor authentication, and implementing technologies like facial recognition, fingerprint readers, etc. within medical apps.

Take a look at how biometric authentication works!

Biometric Authentication System:

Data Security Practices

Strong encryption methodologies, multifactor authentication, and restricting access to sensitive patient data are some of the data security measures that are adopted by app owners. Proper data usage controls should be followed in case of sensitive data. For example, while handling sensitive medical data, all actions like uploading data to the web or sharing data with external sources should be blocked. Managers are advised to log and monitor the usage and access of healthcare data and conduct vulnerability assessment checks periodically, to identify any weak points.

While exchanging data with connected devices powered by IoT, AI, etc., healthcare entities must adhere to these security practices. All the security patches must be installed and the connected devices must be updated regularly. During data exchange with connected devices, all the unnecessary features must be disabled so that only the required data is captured.

Coming to users’ mobile devices; data should be encrypted in transit as well as during storage, robust passwords must be used, and there should be a way to remotely lock stolen devices. Users should be encouraged to update their OS whenever required and install solutions for mobile security and device management.

Segregating the wireless network of your healthcare organization into sub-networks for different groups of users like staff, patients, visitors, third-party partners, etc. is an effective security practice. This allows you to protect your private network from external environments. It is also necessary to backup data regularly on cloud-based systems, for retrieving sensitive data if damaged or lost. The app owner must also check the security readiness of business associates like insurance agencies, pharmacies, etc. with whom the app exchanges medical data.

A Hack-Proof System & Continuous Monitoring

Healthcare providers must ensure that the patient data collected, stored, and used by them is protected from privacy issues, unauthorized access, and unscrupulous practices. So, developers of Healthcare app in USA must create hack-proof software to protect PHI (Protected Health Information).

Internal healthcare networks within an organization are easy to protect as these are mostly intranets that are isolated from other networks. The real challenge is protecting medical data collected by health apps that function across multiple open networks and are accessed from various locations. Also, the existence of several interconnected systems within a healthcare environment complicates developers’ tasks. And, even if the system is end-to-end encrypted, security threats cannot be ruled out. The physical device used to operate the software may lack privacy or safety measures that are usually adopted while developing the application. Also, security practices may become obsolete after a certain time owing to constant technology changes.

Therefore, building a hack-proof software system is not enough. You also need to continuously monitor the app for security loopholes post-deployment and upgrade the app’s infrastructure and security practices as per the changing market requirements. You must necessarily adhere to security compliances like HIPAA mandated by authorities.

Medical App Assessment Protocols

Certain mandated assessment protocols are being introduced to examine the quality and security of healthcare software. The rating scale evaluates healthcare apps based on parameters such as app aesthetics, user engagement, the app’s usability quotient, feature set, and the correctness of the information provided. For instance, MARS is a protocol for assessing mental health apps.

Closing Thoughts:

Healthcare mobile app development is a complex, time-consuming, and costly affair. It involves adherence to a host of regulations, specifications, third-party integrations, and compliances. Also, post-deployment maintenance and support is an essential prerequisite for the smooth functioning of the app, rolling out updates, resolving bugs, and eliminating security woes. Such requirements can be too much of a challenge for newbies and start-ups. Therefore, it’s advisable for healthcare providers to partner with an experienced healthcare application development company in USA that will provide end-to-end services including post-launch support.

How do Offshore Software development Services bridge the gaps existing in your Business Operations?

The software outsourcing industry is growing in leaps and bounds! The advantages of offshore software development are being leveraged by large-scale as well as small-scale enterprises and even start-ups! Check out some interesting 2022 statistics researched by Zippia.com, about the US outsourcing industry!

The value of the global software outsourcing market was $92.5 Billion in 2022. This accounted for $62 billion of the entire international market revenue.
The US outsources approximately thirty-thousand jobs every year.
59% of companies outsource to cut costs.
66% of the business enterprises in the US outsource services for at least one department.
78% of the global organizations that outsource services hold a positive attitude towards their respective technology partners.
The outsourcing market has been predicted to grow at a CAGR of 4% between the years 2021 and 2025.

Why is software outsourcing so popular? Well, this post discusses how offshore outsourcing models bridge the gap in existing IT operations and why every company, big or small, must consider offshore outsourcing.

Offshore Outsourcing Software Development Model

Offshore Software development Services: Long-term Advantages

Hassle-free Resource Hiring

For creating an in-house IT team from scratch, you need to invest an enormous amount of time, effort, and money. This is because, for carrying out the processes of recruitment, onboarding, and advanced training to the newly appointed resources; you need to assign resources, working hours as well as funding.

Contrarily, if you adopt the software outsourcing approach, you can save the cost and hassles of recruitment processes. You just need to define the project requirement and your outsourcing partner will take care of the rest. The offshore firm will provide you with resources that best suit your project specs. The resources can be either dedicated developers or an entire team of software professionals depending on your need.

Usually, outsourcing vendors maintain a curated pool of pre-screened candidates and so, do not need to invest additional time for conducting screening tests, interviews, and coding assessments. As such, your partner company can build a perfect team for you much faster than you can imagine.

Access to Flexible Team Structures

Your business enterprise may not need resources with the same kind of skillsets all the time. A majority of IT projects require a team of professionals with expertise in different areas of IT during various product developmental stages. Moreover, the project requirement may change at any time to keep up with changing times. And, the more the flexibility to change the technology stack, team structure, and business model; the faster will the project be able to adapt to ever-evolving specifications.

But, it’s difficult to achieve this flexibility with an in-house team, as it lacks a variety of skillsets. Mostly, you are left with very few options and have to settle down for the available resources even if they do not possess the required years of experience or specialized skills. Several companies invest in training their in-house resources for specific software development tasks.

In this regard, the offshore software development strategy proves beneficial as it offers a flexible team with a wide variety of skillsets for software engineers, programmers, developers, testers, etc. During the initial stages of the product development cycle, when more front-end engineers are needed, your software outsourcing vendor provides you with front-end development experts. And, when the server-side logic is being created, back-end development professionals will be allocated. This approach will be followed with each product development stage. As such, you’ll easily get specialized resources based on the requirement for each developmental phase.

Usage of the Latest Technologies

Most of the distinguished outsourcing partners have specialists and certified professionals skilled in the latest cutting-edge technologies. Such kind of expertise is rare to find within in-house teams. However, knowledge and expertise to work with emerging tech stacks are necessary for crafting a product that is competitive and relevant as per the modern market requirements.

Addresses Scalability Woes

It’s difficult to identify beforehand how many resources you will be requiring at each stage of your software product development cycle. So, with an in-house development team, scaling up and down as per the project needs become challenging. You either end up overpaying for resources or fall short of resources at certain product development phases.

The offshore software outsourcing model helps you to successfully address scaling issues. You can hire extra resources and expand your team when the demand surges or you need to speed up the development process. And, when the demand for resources is low, you may reduce the number of specialists. Offshore partners usually offer various outsourcing models like resource augmentation or dedicated teams, and you get to pick the model that suits you best.

Advantages of Time-zone Differences

Remote resources working from different time-zone may seem challenging to many, but is actually a boon for product development, as it leads to faster time-to-market. Remote teams working from different time zones with some overlapping hours make way for continuous services and round-the-clock development activity. And, as there’s always some resource working on the project, you can identify issues at the earliest and resolve them promptly.

This benefit is not available with in-house teams. So, during major service updates, your in-house resources need to work additional hours in late-night shifts. This again involves extra expenses in the form of additional wages to the staff. Contrarily, with the offshore software development approach, you always have IT professionals from different locations working on your project, a few hours ahead or behind your time zone. Hence, changes can be executed without disrupting the normal workflow or asking professionals to work for extra hours.

Time to Concentrate on Core Business Functions

Business enterprises that have outsourced development tasks to offshore technology partners do not have to worry about managing complex, time-consuming, and hassle-prone tasks related to project development. This leaves them enough time and energy to focus on core business activities and decision-making processes.

Lower Infrastructure & Operational Costs

The in-house software development approach requires you to invest heavily in infrastructural & operational expenses like maintaining office spaces, employee recruitment, obtaining software licenses, paying salaries to IT professionals, employee supervision, and many more. Also, you need to spend a humongous amount to keep your IT ecosystem relevant and updated with the latest market trends.

Hence, outsourcing software development to third-party companies saves you from all hassles as you only need to pay for the services delivered by a dedicated development team or developers for the project assignment within a said timeline. However, the labor costs in some countries like the US, Australia, Canada, etc. are very high regardless of the experience and expertise of the workforce. In such cases, picking an offshore outsourcing software development company from India will enable you to get a skilled workforce at minimal costs. The offshore business model promises to offer a partnership with experienced tech nerds, affordable product development rates, and flexible pricing models to choose from.

It has been observed so far that the services outsourced from South Asian countries like India offer the maximum value for your money.

Advanced Tools used by Offshore Companies to bridge the Communication Gap with Clients

It is essential for your in-house team to have continual and seamless communication with offshore teams. For this reason, most experienced outsourcing partners have a well-built communication infrastructure. It allows continuous, prompt, transparent, and secure communication with clients regardless of the time-zone differences. Advanced tools such as Zoom, Slack, Skype, Hangout, Asana, LastPass, HelloSign, Hackpad, etc. are used for convenient and safe communication between both parties. For instance, Slack, Google Hangout, and Skype are utilized for offering regular updates, Jira for project updates, Hubstaff for managing time, GitHub for managing the code, and so on.

Experienced outsourcing companies have been using these advanced communication tools for years and so, the team members are well trained on their usage. Such tools allow the client to effortlessly track the performance of their offshore team members, handle reporting functions, and understand the status of the project at any given time. Team calls via video conferencing are one of the most popular practices for synching the members of teams working from different locations.

Wrapping Up:

The offshore software development model brings a lot to the table for business enterprises. It offers benefits like access to a large pool of talent, innovation, and expertise, offshoring also promises a cost-efficient development cycle. Besides, you can also get the much-needed advice and new business insights from your experienced technology partner leading to productive outcomes and flawless decision-making.

You need to just select the right offshore team with the necessary experience and expertise needed for your project.

Digital Transformation of Healthcare amid Covid19 Pandaemic

COVID-19 pandemic has changed our life in several ways. We witnessed a surge in technology-led adoptions across several industries to prioritize convenience and accessibility over every other aspect. The overall impact has been positive as different industries and services have gone digital, benefitting the masses with fast and easy accessibility to products and services. These digital initiatives helped the healthcare sector attain a digital infrastructure at a very fast pace. Healthcare app development companies also contributed in attaining this feat. Esteemed app development companies like Biz4solutions have in-house healthcare app developers who are ready to help a healthcare provider of any capacity to uplift its brand recognition with robust and user-friendly applications. Basically, the pandemic exposed the bottlenecks of the operations and supply chain in the healthcare sector, helping the healthcare providers to fill the gaps and boost the infrastructure with digital offerings. We have seen a slew of changes and upgrades in the healthcare sector which are here to benefit us in the long term.

Different Ways of Digital Transformation in Healthcare Sector:

1. Enhanced patient safety with personalized care

Amid the pandemic situation, everyone went through a period of anxiety and doubts over visiting a healthcare facility and meeting a doctor in person. The healthcare centers and hospitals started remote patient engagement programs to mitigate this escalating anxiety in people. Digitalization of healthcare introduced telemedicine, one of the best technological advancements in the healthcare sector. It enables people to get timely medical assistance. In the bid to solve COVID-related medical issues, we have solved the issues faced by the general public in terms of convenience, long-distance, and long wait time. The telemedicine application saves time and reduces the footfall in any hospital, curbing any further COVID infection caused by close proximity.

The healthcare providers revived their medical infrastructure to integrate emails, texts and voice messages in their system to keep a tab on the surging telemedicine usage. These providers were also entrusted with the task of educating millions of people about the pandemic and recording all the related symptoms and updates. This humungous task wouldn’t have been possible without swiftly upgrading the digital infrastructure. There was a surge in messages and reminders regarding COVID-related precautions which was carefully handled with digital capabilities.

2. Advanced portable diagnostics

With the digitalization of healthcare, imaging modalities evolved. However, the adoption of portable imaging solutions escalated amid the pandemic situation when the hospitals started flooding with COVID patients. Portable ultrasound was used to facilitate competent healthcare in emergency departments and makeshift triage tents. These handheld ultrasound systems were used by medical professionals to assess different health conditions such as acute pneumonia to provide immediate medical assistance. Digital capabilities made diagnostics available to large masses in the troubled times.

3. Re-defined fundamentals

The fundaments of the healthcare sector had to be re-thought to support the digitalization of healthcare to provide faster service to patients. These fundamentals can be divided into different aspects.

New presets and protocols

The steep rise in the number of COVID patients led to an acute shortage of medical professionals and technicians. The protocols of using different medical equipment such as radiology equipment were changed to introduce easy-to-follow protocols to help the medical professionals scan the suspected COVID patients at a faster pace. Such initiatives were aimed to get a quality and consistent image for the first-time diagnosis to escalate the speed of treatment. Medical strategies were designed to adopt digital strategies for medical diagnostics to fasten every process.

Real-time virtual collaboration

Different medical professionals including radiologists, oncologists, and cardiologists started working from home. To facilitate a smooth functioning with remote working, many PACS workstations and tele-ultrasound platforms were introduced to empower the remote working professionals with the ability to access and read test reports, images, etc from home. We witnessed a major example of the digitalization of healthcare in pathology with new regulations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The digitized workflows in the pandemic gave way to new forms of collaboration that scaled the productivity of healthcare institutions.

Better integration with centralized data centers

To handle the increasing chaos in the healthcare centers, centralized command centers were installed to facilitate better governance. These centers are used to integrate data from all the departments to take fast decisions in real-time. Using these centralized systems, the operational and management team worked in coordination to effectively respond to emergencies and uncertain situations. Digitalization of health records and their remote accessibility has significantly improved the capabilities of analytics and real-time decision-making.

4. Digital technologies for maintaining supply chain

For many decades vaccines were administered on a need basis. The COVID-19 pandemic raised many challenges related to transportation, storage, and vaccine equity for the masses. To deal with these logistical challenges, the stakeholders started seeking solutions using digital technologies. Digitalization of healthcare led to the adoption of digital supply chain management systems that brought all the functionaries across different operations on one page, enabling a smooth procurement, storage, and administration of vaccines.

5. Using disruptive technologies to create meaningful insights

Advanced technologies such as Artificial intelligence were successfully used to identify the body parts infected with the virus using different data feeds such as CT scans and blood reports. Many hospitals employed AI to trace the progress of any disease and take effective measures to curb it.

The fast-paced adoption of digital technologies across the healthcare sector has led to a user-friendly digital transformation wherein the healthcare systems have become more resilient and modern. These digital transformations are set to empower the healthcare system with a fundamentally strong infrastructure.

Long-Term Impact of the Digital Transformation

Transformed customer relationship: The digitized and remotely accessible healthcare facilities are enabling healthcare institutions to provide customer-centered service, gaining more loyalty and trust.
Higher Return on Investments: The digital transformation is an ongoing process and many more milestones are yet to be achieved. All of these transformations will yield a higher Return on Investment (ROI) in the long term.
Resilience: The pandemic rattled the conventional supply chain, following which modifications and upgrades were introduced to create a robust healthcare system ready to serve the masses. These improvements will make the healthcare infrastructure ready to deal with pandemic-like situations in the future.
Digital leadership and governance: The centralized portals and data-sharing capabilities can be used to develop a governance structure aligned to the business strategy and long-term goals.
Improved workforce utilization: The digital capabilities will help the management to efficiently allocate resources across the supply chain and operations to derive maximum value from it.

The digital transformation of healthcare industry is mid-way and many more digital capabilities are to be integrated into the existing healthcare infrastructure. The players and stakeholders of the ecosystem need to come together and collaborate to understand how digital technologies can enhance user experience. It can be used to derive better pricing, a resilient supply chain, improved drug development processes, and enhanced user experience. The COVID-19 pandemic has helped the healthcare system enter a new era of digital and smart capabilities. The road ahead is long and progressive, leading towards excellence and affordability.

Comprehensive Insights on Grocery App Development: Business Models, Feature Set, Costs!

Grocery delivery apps have been one of the most popular on-demand app categories amongst customers ever since mobile apps started influencing our daily activities. The convenience of online ordering, avoiding long queues at physical stores, receiving home delivery of essentials, and that too with a few taps on the smartphones have made grocery apps a lucrative option amongst global consumers. And, the social distancing trend during the pandemic has fuelled grocery app adoption like never before.

Here are some interesting market stats regarding grocery app adoption. As per a study conducted by the online portal insiderintelligence.com,

“The market value of online grocery sales in the US is expected to hit 243 Billion USD by the year 2025!”
“Walmart Inc. has emerged as the most successful retailer in the US, in the online grocery sales category, followed by Amazon and Kroger!”

The demand for grocery apps is sky-high amongst consumers. No wonder, several entrepreneurs are investing in grocery app development to make the most of the customer demand. This post throws light on multiple aspects of grocery app development – Business Models, functioning, essential Features, and Cost! A quick read will help you gather handy information for your upcoming grocery app development project.

How does an On-demand Grocery Mobile App Function?

An on-demand grocery application offers a virtual grocery store from where the customers can purchase products online and get them delivered to their doorstep. Online grocery stores tie up with local retailers and delivery partners. This is how a grocery app functions:

Step # 1

A user registers with the app by entering the required details like name, delivery address, contact number, and so on; and sets a password. The user then logs into the app using a mobile number/email ID and password.

Step # 2

The user browses the offerings by the online store to search for the desired items. The user can apply certain filters to simplify the search process and readily find specific brands or products.

Step # 3

The consumer chooses the items, defines the number of items needed, and adds them to the virtual cart offered by the app.

Step # 4

The user confirms the order & delivery address of the consumer, and then makes the payment using any one of the online payment gateways offered by the app. Here, consumers get to choose whether they would like to pick up their order from the store or opt for home delivery. Some grocery apps even allow the customers to choose the date and time slots for order delivery.

Step # 5

The admin receives the request. The request is then forwarded to the manager of the grocery store.

Step # 6

The store manager responds to the request by either accepting or declining it. And, the admin reverts back to the customer by sending a notification that the order has been placed and is being processed.

Step # 7

The store manager then generates the order and notifies the admin that the delivery process had begun. The order tracking link is generated and updated in the customer’s profile. Consumers can now track their order in real-time and learn about the date and approximate time when their order is arriving.

Step # 8

The order gets delivered to the customer and the delivery service notifies the consumer as well as the admin that the products have been delivered to the end customer.

How online grocery business works?

On-demand Grocery App Development: Business Models Types

Inventory Model

Entrepreneurs following this model purchase grocery supplies or products from different sources and third-party providers. These products are then stored in their warehouses. The platform takes orders directly from online buyers and delivers their orders using either an internal or an external delivery network. The orders shipped to the consumers bear the logo of the online platform’s brand, irrespective of the vendor from whom the item was purchased.

Business brands like Big Basket follow this model; they obtain grocery item directly from farmers, retailers, or other providers; stores the products in their warehouses; and then sells those products under their own brand name.

The businesses that have adopted the inventory model take care of all aspects themselves; right from monitoring the products’ consistency, to managing product distribution, to handling customer services. Since they manage the supply chain directly without an intermediary involved, the profit margins are much higher as compared to other models.

However, this model involves greater amounts of infrastructural investments and operational expenses. This is because, the business needs to set up as well as administer warehouses, conduct quality control activities, and take care of consumer order transportation. Also, perishable products need to be washed off if they are not used within a certain time period.

Online Marketplace involving Multiple Vendors

As per this model, the online platform does not handle the stock directly; instead, it connects customers with nearby grocery stores. When the consumer searches for a specific item, multiple options from different stores are displayed. Once the order is placed, the business brand collects the products from that particular store and ships those items to the customer using their own fleet of the transportation network and delivery personnel. Consumers are delivered orders bearing the logo of the respective brands from where the products were purchased. The multi-vendor model has proved to be one of the most profitable grocery app models so far. The popular brand Amazon follows this business model in all the regions where it operates.

Aggregator Model

The business platforms following this model, simply link app users to grocery stores in their area. The delivery operations are managed by the respective store owners who receive consumer orders. Such aggregators collaborate with local store owners and enlist names of those grocery stores along with their offerings. Consumers are offered a host of grocery store options to choose from. Once the consumers select the products from the listed stores and make the purchase using the app, the order is processed and directed to the respective store owners. Now, it’s the store’s responsibility to ship the order to buyers. Here, the online platform is just the facilitator that acts as a mediator between the buyer and the store owner.

Grocery Store Self Model

This model involves the business brand hiring a grocery app development service for tailoring a customized app that will showcase the offerings of that particular store or brand. Here, the brand maintains an IT team who manages the entire set of activities starting from app maintenance, updating menu lists, collecting payments, and delivering customer orders.

This model has been adopted by several single stores or grocery store chains like Walmart.

On-demand Grocery App Development: Must-have Features

Take a look at the must-have features to include in your on-demand grocery app!

Consumer Panel Features

Registration: Consumers register themselves with the app using their contact number and e-mail ID. After successful registration, users create their profiles with a user name and password.

Social Media Login: The user should have the option of logging in using their social media credentials for a quick login process.

Advanced Search: Advanced search options enabled with filters allow users to effortlessly single out particular brands, product categories, etc., and also set a price range for their search. This way, navigation becomes smooth, easy, and speedy leading to a hassle-free shopping experience.

Add to cart and Checkout: These features allow adding items to a virtual shopping cart and confirming the order once consumers are done. Thereafter, buyers are directed to make the payment.

Secure Payment Gateways: The availability of multiple payment options like debit/credit cards, UPI, net banking, meal vouchers, etc. will streamline the payment process.

Selection of Delivery Date & Timing: Customers can decide the delivery time and date as per their convenience and availability to receive the order.

Real-time Order Tracking:

In-app Chatting or Calling: Buyers can contact and interact with delivery personnel in real-time.

Real-Time Tracking: Users can track the delivery on the map in real-time.

Referrals: Users can recommend the app to their friends and acquaintances and the users receive special discounts for successful referrals.

Return/Replacement/Refunds: Customers are provided the option to replace items purchased and also return damaged items and get a refund for them. Usually, a customer has to initiate the return process through the app within a certain time from the date of purchase.

Wish List: If a user wishes to save an item to be purchased at a later date, it can be added to the wish list. Also, when certain products desired by the customer are not available in the inventory at that moment, they can be added to the wish list. The consumers are notified whenever the item/s is back in stock.

Favorites: This section is used for storing the list of frequently bought products for the consumers’ future reference.

Order History: It records order summaries and proves handy when consumers wish to repeat their orders.

Push Notifications: Users can be notified about new arrivals, promotional offers, discounted prices, stock clearance discounts, etc.

Customer Reviews and Ratings: Consumers share their feedback and reviews/ratings about a particular product. This helps in attracting more buyers and broadening the customer base.

Customer Support: This feature allows consumers to put forth their queries or concerns regarding products purchased, refunds, or payment transactions. Customer concerns/queries are addressed by the customer support staff or the admins.

Admin Panel Features

Interactive Dashboard: It displays crucial informative data pertaining to business insights, sales, order tracking, real-time delivery status, etc.; only the admin can see such information. This feature allows admins to monitor as well as manage the entire ordering and delivery system taking place through the grocery app.

Admin Login: Admin login to enable access to the back-end of the app. Admins can carry out tasks like resetting password resets and managing campaigns, notifications, etc.

User Management: Admin can check on all the users registered with the app and manage them.

Return/Replacement/Refund Management: Once the consumer places a return/replacement request, the admin analyzes it and can approve or dismiss the request. If the request is approved, the admin processes the return or refund.

Product Management/Content Management: All content and product lists displayed on the app are managed by the admin. The admins are empowered to make any modifications, add/remove products to the app’s list, or enable/disable products that are already displayed on the app.

Order Management: Using this feature an admin can assign orders to delivery persons or grocery store partners; then monitor the order delivery in real-time and learn about the amount earned for each order.

Payment Management: Admin controls and manages all payment transactions, refunds, and matters concerning taxes and commissions, and also settles payment-related disputes.

Inventory Management: The admin checks the real-time availability of grocery products to avoid instances of product shortages. Based on this information, admins can make correct and informed decisions.

Business Reports: It provides insightful real-time business reports; the admin can apply filters and attributes for viewing some specific data. Using this data admins can keep a watch on the efficiency and performance of the delivery network.

Delivery Panel Features

Delivery Request Notification: When a consumer order is confirmed this notification is received by the delivery vendor along with the necessary details like delivery location, address, consumer’s name, contact number, etc.

Accepting/Rejecting Delivery Request: The delivery vendor can accept or reject the delivery request. Usually, a delivery request is declined if the customer’s location is too far or doesn’t fall under the specified distance applicable for getting free delivery. Admins are notified immediately in such cases.

In-app communication: The delivery persons and the customers can get in touch and interact with one another using in-app chatting or voice calling options.

Route Optimization: This feature leverages Google maps to display the shortest route to reach consumers.

Live Location Tracking via GPS: Well, this feature is very useful for the delivery person as well as the consumer. GPS integration helps the delivery person easily find out the delivery location and the buyer comes to know the exact time the order is being delivered.

Consumers’ Digital Signature: Certain grocery delivery apps have this feature. Here, consumers need to digitally sign on the app once they receive the order. This way, the receipt of products is confirmed by the buyer and there’s no room for any confusion later on.

Delivery Completion Notification: Once, the products are delivered to the buyer, the delivery person marks the task as completed. The app sends a notification to the admin stating the delivery status along with the order number.

Store Owner Panel Features

Store locator: Store owners are able to relocate their stores on the map. Users can also locate the store on the map.

Store pick-up: This option is provided to consumers who would like to waive off the delivery charges and yet enjoy a hassle-free shopping experience.

Store Profiles Management: The store owner can modify the store’s profile and update any changes remotely from any location.

Real-time tracking via GPS: This feature allows the store owner to track the shipment and verify the real-time status of the delivery.

On-demand Grocery App Development: Cost Considerations

Now comes the most vital, yet tricky part of grocery app development – the estimated project cost. Well, estimating the cost is not as easy as it sounds. The cost of development solely depends on factors like the level of complexity of the app’s features, the number of features, the platforms selected, the country where the grocery app is operating, the pricing model opted for, the app development resources hired, and many more.

The average cost of developing a grocery app ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 if the app caters to a single platform Android or iOS. For cross-platform app development, the expenses may rise up to $50,000.

It has been observed that outsourcing grocery app development services from experienced offshore teams has been the most profitable strategy for entrepreneurs.

Summing Up:

I hope this blog has provided all the necessary information you were looking for regarding grocery app creation! To sum up, grocery app development is quite complex and may be challenging for start-ups and novice entrepreneurs. In such cases, it is advisable to partner with a competent Grocery app development company that will assist you all throughout the product development lifecycle starting from app ideation to deployment and support post-deployment.

How is Technology transforming the Landscape of Long-term Care Facilities?

As per a report published by the forum ConsumerAffairs on long-term care status in the US; “Day-based care centers have approximately 286,000 individuals, assisted living facilities house around 811,500 residents, and nursing homes have 1,347,600 people staying on a long-term basis.”

“It has been predicted that the number of people receiving care in each of the aforementioned spaces will increase sharply in the coming years and this number may even become double by the end of the year 2030. Such a situation can pressurize the existing care network and accelerate care providing costs.”

To equip the long-term care network with added capabilities and reduced expenses, technology is the one-stop solution. Consequently, a technology-infused approach is gaining momentum in long-term care facilities. Modern technologies bring a lot to the table, not only for care facility owners but also for the patients and elderly individuals receiving care.

This post sheds light on the various technologies that are transforming the landscape of care facilities. A quick read will provide you with an idea of why investing in creating a technology-empowered infrastructure; will prove advantageous for your care facility in the long run.

What is a Long-term Care Facility?

Long-term care facilities offer medical as well as personal support to individuals who are no longer able to perform daily activities on their own, and hence are not in a position to live independently. Usually, long-term care is required by elderly individuals, patients suffering from chronic illnesses and related mobility problems, individuals battling mental instability issues, or persons who are unable to perform daily activities due to age-related or other impairments.

The entities offering such kind of care include nursing homes, CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities), SNFs (Skilled Nursing Facilities), and ALFs (Assisted Living Facilities). These facilities provide a safe and assisted environment to live in and offer the necessary care to residents.

Technology-powered Approach in Long-term Care Facilities: Benefits

Electronic Health Record Maintenance/Sharing Systems

Electronic record systems improve the quality of care and enable care-providing centers to comply with standard regulations regarding healthcare data collection & auditing. Moreover, if data is codified, IT systems can be used to provide alerts to caregivers and allow care teams to make better and informed decisions. Furthermore, superior quality data can deliver robust, meaningful, and transparent reporting. And, flawless collection of data and accurate reporting improve administrative workflows for care-providing entities.

Electronic healthcare systems enable providers to offer customer-centric care and improve the transparency of their services. Electronic Health Record Systems like EHR and EMR collect and securely store the entire medical history of care facility residents. This information includes data on healthcare conditions, chronic diseases (if any), allergies, ongoing medications, etc. Also, the preferences mentioned by the care facility residents as well as their family members are recorded in such systems. This arrangement ensures that there are no chances of any misses or errors by the care providers.

The technology of electronic health records sharing with doctors, medical facilities, and other care-providing facilities, makes sure that no minor detail is missed during healthcare data transfer or transition phases.

Electronic Medication Management

One of the most tedious and time-consuming tasks for nurses and professional caregivers is managing medication passes manually. Moreover, the chances of grave errors are very high in manual medication management. And, if the wrong medication is administered to a resident, it leads to disastrous outcomes for the patient as well as the caregiver involved.

As such, care facilities these days are adopting eMAR (Electronic Medication Administration Records) systems to track medication adherence. eMARs are software systems that can be operated by care facility staff using tablets, laptops, or hand-held devices, while they are on rounds. These systems document the medications prescribed to every care facility resident and also how these medicines are passed to them by the caregiving staff. This has resulted in speedier and error-free medication passes. And, if these systems are integrated with pharmacy chains and GPS, residents have an added advantage during care facility transitions as well as hospital admissions during emergencies.

Automatic medication dispensers are meant for residents who can take medication on their own with slight assistance. Such software is programmed by the caregiver in a manner that individuals get timely medication alerts. In case, a resident misses any dosage, the software automatically locks that dose to prevent double dosing.

Timely assistance using Sensors

The power of sensors is being utilized in the healthcare sector and with time, sensors are getting smarter. Sensors are providing more flexibility to individuals availing of assisted living by allowing them to move freely without worry. Sensors send instant alerts during emergencies so that individuals receive timely assistance. Biosensors and activity sensors can be encapsulated within lifeline devices like pacemakers or placed within the care facility resident’s environment. These sensors work wonders in monitoring the overall health of an individual and identifying the wellness risks.

Take a look at some exceptional sensors designed by healthcare app developers. GPS Smart Sole in unison with T-Mobile employs satellite monitoring technology. Here, sensors are embedded inside the sole of individuals’ shoes for tracking their movement and exact location within the care facility. BAM Labs has coined a bed sensor mat that will track moisture, respiration rate, sleep patterns, etc. P&C Pharma had developed INSTA Compounding System that will transform pills into a liquid with a pleasant smell and taste. This technology is meant for persons who find it challenging to swallow pills.

Healthcare Monitoring via Wearable Devices

Wearable devices are excellent tools for remotely monitoring and alerting the care-providing staff about patients’ health vitals as well as their changing states of consciousness like motor activity, sleep patterns, etc. This helps in detecting any abnormalities or changes in health parameters that may be early symptoms of any disease or medical condition. Timely detection of health issues enables care providers to adopt preventive measures well in advance.

A common example of wearables used for patient care is smart watches and wristbands designed by brands like Fitbit. SmartSox, a wearable device meant for diabetic patient care, employs fiber optics technology for detecting excessive heat, pressure, and misplaced joint angles that can lead to foot ulcers in patients. MIT is in the process of crafting a smart shirt that will identify the commencement of a heart attack in individuals and also, administer CPR.

The mobile personal emergency system, commonly called mPERS is empowered to locate individuals’ current location, detect falls or accidents, and most importantly provide an SOS button. When that SOS button is pressed the device auto-dials a response team or family members to notify about the fall and ask for help. mPERS devices have a way superior battery life as compared to smartphones; these devices can last up to thirty days if put on sleep mode.

Here’s how a wearable healthcare device functions:

Intuitive Computing Technologies

Intuitive computing technologies like touchscreen electronic devices and graphic UIs prove advantageous for the staff as well as the residents of a long-term care facility. Using such amazing technologies, front-line caregivers can enter data using the feature of voice activation. This saves time and effort wasted in data entry tasks. Care facility residents can stay connected with friends and family through internet browsing, social networking, and e-mail exchanging; they can avail of memory-boosting activities as well.

Digital Entertainment: Videoconferencing, Media Streaming, & Gaming

Digital entertainment technologies elevate patient experiences to the next level. The videoconferencing technology help residents of a long-term care facility stay connected with family members and friends when frequent in-person visits are not possible. As a result, residents are able to interact with loved ones who stay in other locations, more frequently than ever before. Two-way videoconferencing contributes greatly to improving the mental health of residents. Residents can also leverage video conferencing for telemedicine doctor consultations in case of minor ailments.

Media streaming makes way for watching videos listening to music, and many more entertainment options for care home residents. Media channels can also be utilized for accessing newspaper content and gathering information about the outside world and other topics of interest.

Gaming for care facility residents? Yes, you got it right! Tech-savvy individuals residing in a care home can leverage the full potential of the gaming technology. Games, crossword puzzles, etc. are brain-stimulating as well as pleasurable activities that keep residents engaged and happy. And, by the next decade, the demand for digital entertainment in care facilities is expected to skyrocket.

Infrared/Radio Frequency

Elopement alarm systems powered by technologies like infrared & radio frequency can be paired with tracking systems for monitoring exit doorways, elevators, outdoor spaces, etc. Such technology will alarm the caregiving staff and help them locate any resident who has left the facility.

VR Headsets

The usage of Virtual Reality headsets in the realm of long-term patient care is a recent innovation. Its implementation will lead to exceptional outcomes for the residents of a long-term care facility. VR headsets can help vision-impaired individuals (like persons suffering from macular degeneration) to magnify/zoom in for viewing the world around them in a better way. Furthermore, VR can effectively manage the levels of pain and anxiety in elderly persons.

Assistive Robots (AT/AR)

Assistive robots (AT/AR) are a new approach that is set to transform the operations of a care facility. AT/AR promises to create a stimulating environment for the residents of a care facility and at the same time, reduce the workload for the staff engaged in providing care. Several LTCFs are in the process of implementing this innovative approach. AT/AR technology comes with offerings like service robots, screen readers, communication boards, positioning devices, etc. that are helpful for people with functional disabilities. Robots are employed for performing a wide range of tasks like providing assistance for fundamental needs, resolving logistical challenges, monitoring activities, ensuring security, and cleaning activities.

AT/AR technology not only facilitates assisted living but also reduces operational expenses resulting in lower healthcare costs for patients. This approach also minimizes the workload for professional caregivers and addresses the challenge of nursing staff shortage in long-term care facilities.

Visitor Management Apps

One of the commonest threats faced by the residents of long-term care facilities is the chances of disease-causing viruses entering the premises through visitors. Ever since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, this aspect became a crucial challenge for any care facility.

Visitor management apps have been designed to address this issue. These apps follow a contactless visitor check-in process executed using smartphones and maintain the records of all visitors so that they can be easily contacted later if required. This approach can minimize the chances of disease transmission to a certain extent

In a Nutshell:

The implementation of emerging technologies in long-term care facilities has made care services more affordable for residents and has smartened the workflow of care centers. A technology-powered approach has improved the quality and convenience quotient of delivering care, healthcare monitoring, medication adherence, and interaction between residents and caregivers. The benefits for residents owing to the usage of software apps, tools, and devices include increased mobility, more security, and a better quality lifestyle. More advanced technological innovations in the coming years will equip care homes with unimaginable capabilities.

Therefore, long-term care facilities should embrace a technological approach for staying competitive and fulfilling new-age consumer expectations. It’s advisable for care providers to seek professional assistance from experienced healthcare application development services for tailoring customized software as per the requirements of their care facility.

10 Best React UI Frameworks & Component Libraries to consider for Faster Web App Development!

React.js, popularly known as React, is an open-source JavaScript library that facilitates the creation of user-centric web apps with an unmatched user interface. React is a preferred choice for web app development owing to advantages like code reusability, effortless scripting, SEO-friendliness, easy learning curve, cost-efficiency, and high speed due to the usage of a virtual DOM.

For developing React web apps faster and more conveniently, developers and designers leverage the components offered by React frameworks and component libraries. React components are independent bits of code that are reusable. These components play a crucial role in improving the speed, efficiency, and productivity of web app development projects.

This post enlists the best React libraries and React frameworks of 2022 that ensure faster web app development.

Significant React UI Frameworks & React Component Libraries

1. React Bootstrap

This React UI framework is one of the best options for a front-end web development. React-Bootstrap has replaced JavaScript-Bootstrap. Here, the native Bootstrap components are offered as pure React components. The creators of this library have not made use of JavaScript-based sources and plugins from the CDN. Instead, all the components have been re-built in React without using unnecessary dependencies like iQuery.

This library offers a wide variety of components that optimize accessibility. Using React Bootstrap, projects can be designed on the back end and prototyped on the front end. Hence, it is immensely useful in web development projects where teams are working on various aspects of an app. Moreover, it has well-created documentation along with code samples and enjoys 19.8k GitHub stars.

2. Semantic UI React

This is an open-source React CSS framework with 12.4 k GitHub stars comprising wholly featured React UI libraries. Semantic UI React is the official React integration into the originally existing Semantic UI framework. This version of the Semantic UI is jQuery-free; the jQuery features have been re-implemented using React.

Semantic UI React offers a plethora of pre-built components that help React developers create semantically friendly codes. Its declarative API facilitates building robust features and validating props. Thanks to its powerful augmentation, props and component features can be built without having to include additional nested components. This leads to the creation of unique component features. Besides, there are Shorthand props that help in generating markups. The sub-components available, help in accessing and editing markups; this provides flexibility while customizing components. The functionality, auto-controlled state, plays a crucial role in extending the concept of React’s controlled and uncontrolled components. Here, the components self-manage themselves without the need for wiring. This makes it easier for developers to manage props with the help of React UI libraries.
3. Ant Design

Ant Design is one of the most suitable React UI frameworks that facilitates the development of enterprise-grade web apps. It’s written in TypeScript and contains predictable static types. This library offers quality components and demos for designing high-end and interactive user interfaces. One of its unique features includes internationalization support for numerous languages. This popular library boasts 70k GitHub stars and has been utilized by renowned brands like Tencent, Baidu, and Alibaba.

Ant Design comes with several amazing components including dropdown menus, grids, icons, buttons, breadcrumb, and pagination. Moreover, you will be able to customize the components as per your design specification requirements.

4. MUI (Previously known as Material UI)

This is one of the most sought-after open-sourced React frameworks that contributes a great deal to enhance the speed of the web development process. MUI, architected in JavaScript (63.9%) and TypeScript (36.1%), is not merely a component library; it offers a whole design system. It comes with a host of foundational as well as advanced pre-built components and templates for navigation, forms, layouts, data display, and many more. Moreover, each component fulfills the present accessibility standards and can be customized as per the user’s requirement. Therefore, users need not waste time reinventing the wheel. Furthermore, it offers cross-browser compatibility; it can be used along with other frameworks like Angular & Vue.js for building that perfect web solution.

MUI provides multiple top-grade components for free usage. However, some components like the Date Range Picker and Data Grid, have been locked for free users. Those features can be accessed by MUI X Pro package users and offer advanced components and themes that allow you to create high-end digital experiences.

This powerful framework is maintained by a huge and vibrant community comprising indispensable contributors. There exists a comprehensive documentation and hence, developers enjoy an easy learning curve.

MUI boasts of 69.2k GitHub stars and 22.7k forks. It has been utilized for 745,000 + projects.

5. Chakra UI

This component library is simple and accessible; it offers the fundamental building blocks required for React app development. It comes with themes, 49 components like icons, inputs, tooltips, accordions, etc., and some handy custom hooks. It also offers various colors that can be used to change the brightness & darkness level as per the UI. These components adhere to the WAI-ARIA standards, are highly reusable, and can be easily customized. The modularity of the components enables developers to create efficient and clean codes. Chakra UI also has a dynamic community that extends a helping hand in case of any blocking issue.

6. Fluent UI

Fluent UI contains a collection of UX frameworks that helps in crafting alluring cross-platform web applications that share the design, code, and interaction behavior.

This open-source Microsoft-developed design system offers designers as well as developers outstanding web components utilities, and React components needed for creating an engaging UX. Fluent UI offers extensible JavaScript solutions for component state, accessibility, and styling. It has a simple API based on natural language and loads of robust features including internationalization and performance. The pre-built components offered by this library can be employed for designing major chunks of the web app.

It has 12K GitHub stars and comprehensive documentation. It has been employed for Microsoft sites like One Note, Office 365, DevOps, Azure, etc.

7. Grommet

This React framework, created by HPE, offers a neat package of over sixty components that provide modularity, accessibility, responsiveness, and theming capabilities. Additionally, you get Figma, AdobeXd files, Sketch, and over 600 SVG icons.

This lightweight tool offers color controls, layouts, templates, input visualization, etc. It enables one to create bold and captivating website designs that are unique. Grommet facilitates the development of mobile-friendly apps. Grommet enjoys 7.4K stars on GitHub and has been leveraged by several biggies including IBM, Uber, Netflix, Boeing, and Samsung.

8. Blueprint UI

This React component framework is a handy tool for developing complex and data-intensive UIs of web apps and desktops. It offers 40+ new-era components for building desktop apps. Blueprint UI is built using TypeScript, JavaScript, SCSS, and unspecified code. You can access the light and dark themes as per your need. The components include Table packages, Datetime icons, etc. With this library, you can customize color themes, classes, and typography, to tailor a personalized design. This library is the most suitable pick for architecting a data-dense desktop app employing pre-built components. The library has in-depth documentation as well.

9. Shards React

This open-source new-age React framework offers numerous options to web development teams for building web portals, precise dashboards, and mobile apps that cater to diverse industrial domains. Shards provide a wide range of components including custom React components like toggle inputs and sliders. Its basic library is free; the paid version (pro kit) offers extra components, blocks, and templates. Also, the pro version offers 15 pre-built pages that help one to get started.

This component library uses React Popper (positioning engine), React Datepicker, noUISlider; and supports Fontawesome and Material icons. The SCSS is employed for styling, elevating the developer experience.

Shards offers web development professionals the ideal blend of customization options. Moreover, it allows one to download source files so that modifications can be made at the code level as well. Shards functions speedily as well as efficiently on various platforms because of its optimized code.

10. React 360

Today, augmented reality and virtual reality are some of the most disruptive technologies that are leveraged by several industry verticals, particularly the eCommerce sector. Usually, a combination of AI and VR is employed to provide consumers with a virtual reality experience for trying out a product. This trend is gaining traction in other industries as well.

Have you ever imagined that such an AR/VR experience can be created with React? With the introduction of React 360, you can integrate AI and VR experiences in React apps as well. Using this library, React developers can create VR and 3D user interfaces that function across mobile/web apps, desktops, and VR devices. And, the best part is developers can create such immersive user experiences using standard React components and tools. React 360 allows you to build 2D interfaces embedded within 3D spaces and handle immersive experiences in a better way. The architecture of this library is meant to optimize the app’s performance as it reduces garbage collection and improves the frame rate.

Bottomline:

The aforementioned React frameworks and component libraries are the fastest-evolving libraries of modern times. These useful tools will enhance the productivity and convenience quotient of your React app development project. However, if you are a start-up developing an enterprise-level application, I would recommend you seek technical assistance from an experienced React Native app development company.

How to integrate Stripe Payment Into a React Native Application?

One of the vital segments of React Native development is the payment integration process and this blog is all about Stripe integration into a React Native app.

Making online payments through the web or mobile apps is a common practice today. As a result, millions of apps have the payment processing feature embedded in them. Various payment gateways like PayPal, Braintree, Stripe, Expo, RazorPay, AWS Amplify, etc. are used for this purpose. Out of these, Stripe is one of the most widely used and fastest-growing gateways. Stripe Payment Services is also being extensively used in a diverse range of React Native apps and is a preferred choice of several React Native Service providers around the world.

This post provides insights on what Stripe is, its working mechanism, and the step-by-step methodology to integrate it into the React Native applications.

What Is Stripe?

Stripe is a popular payment gateway or a payment processing platform founded in 2010. It is used by individuals or businesses whether small or large, for accepting payments via credit and debit cards, recurring payments used for subscriptions, sending payouts, and also processing automated clearing house (ACH) transactions. It also serves as a third-party payment processor and supports various payment methods such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, Masterpass by Mastercard, Wechat Pay, Microsoft Pay, etc.

Stripe can be effortlessly integrated due to the availability of easy-to-use APIs. Also, it provides the facility of banking, prevention from frauds, technical infrastructure, etc. that is needed for operating the on line payment systems. A large number of eCommerce solutions are using Stripe. Currently, Stripe powers the payment processing for some of the well-known global brands including Lyft, Pinterest, Blue Apron, Under Armour, etc.

Working Mechanism Of Stripe In React Native Apps

Below pictorial representation shows how Stripe works in React Native apps

A payment is initiated in the front end of a React Native app. Details like card number, expiry date, CVV, etc. are sent to Stripe.
In case of valid details, a token is sent by the Stripe server to the app.
After the app receives this token, the payment information along with token information has to be sent to the app’s backend server. The backend server will communicate with the server of Stripe along with the token and payment details.
After successful completion of payment, Stripe sends the transaction response to the backend server.
Thereafter, the backend server sends the payment success response to the app.

Stripe And React Native Development

React Native app developers can implement Stripe in a React Native app’s frontend in the following ways as mentioned below:

Integrating the Stripe SDK for Android or iOS
Using a 3rd party library like Tipsi-stripe

Both of these methods have their share of pros and cons. The Tipsi-stripe library can be easily implemented and works smoothly. But as of now, Stripe has not ‘publicly’ approved the React Native library from Tipsi. But Stripe’s SDK’s is considered a smarter choice when one is looking for maximum compliance in a production environment.

How To Implement Stripe?

Note: Here we have considered the Tipsi-stripe library for integration of Stripe. Also, version 0.60 of React Native was used. Also, we considered a Firebase server for the backend part.

Step 1: Creation Of Stripe Developer Account And Getting The API Keys

For creating the account, visit Stripe.com. Note that the services provided by Stripe are limited to certain countries. After account creation and registration, you will land in the Stripe Dashboard. Then go to Developer Tab > API keys for accessing the keys. Ensure that for viewing the ‘Test Data,’ you switch ON the toggle. All the development tasks must be carried out using ‘Test Data’.

The ‘Publishable key’ is used to connect the React Native app with the Stripe Native SDK or Tipsi-stripe library. This key is used for generating a token. The ‘Secret key’ is used in the backend for the actual payment processing, where your server makes a connection with the Stripe server using this secret key. After testing the process, you may toggle to ‘Live keys.’

Step 2: Development Of A React Native App For Integrating Stripe

For developing a basic app, ensure that you are equipped with all the pre-requisites pertaining to the React Native framework’s official documentation. Now create a blank app and run it in a simulator or device. The default start screen will appear on the simulator or device. Here, you may use the user interface of the Tipsi-stripe library because it supports all kinds of payment options viz. Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.

Step 3: Integration Of The Tipsi-Stripe Library For The Generation Of Token

Install Tipsi-stripe package for integrating Stripe functionality into your React Native app. Now, set up your “Podfile” for the integration of appropriate pods in iOS apps, and then run “pod install”. Then set up the “Xcode” project and link the Tipsi-stripe package against your Xcode project. This will install all dependencies related to CocoaPods. Import the library in your app for the generation of the token. Now initialize it with the Stripe credentials which you will get from Stripe Dashboard. The Publishable key is used for generating tokens only. Now replace the Publishable key with your own key.

To generate the token, the ‘paymentRequestWithCardForm’ method can be used from the library. This method will open the card details Stripe form. The user will receive a token from Stripe after entering the card details in the above form.

Step 4: Creation Of Firebase Function Or Any Other Backend Server

For completing the payment, React Native developers can create a Firebase cloud function (or any other backend server) and execute it using REST calls from your app. This function will interact with the Stripe server and successfully complete the payment. The sub-steps involved in this process are as follows:

Create a Firebase project and cloud functions.
In the appinstall Firebase tools.
Connect your React Native development environment to the Firebase console.
Developing a Firebase function for making payment requests. This function accepts the request object from the app, then sends the request of payment to the Stripe server and returns the response from Stripe to the application.
Testing the Firebase Function internally using firebase serve, as external API calls are allowed by Firebase only for paid accounts.
Deploying Firebase Function to live server.

Step 5: Connecting The App With The Deployed Live Firebase Server And Completing The Payment

The final step involves making an HTTP call to the Firebase function and completing the payment request using the generated token. This is how payment processing takes place in the React Native apps using the Stripe gateway.

Concluding Lines

In this blog, we gained insights on the two important sections in Stripe payment processing- the frontend for the tokenization process and the backend for the payment requesting and completion. The Tipsi-stripe package is used for the frontend part and any server can be used for the backend part. We have gone through the significant steps involved in this process which will be very helpful for React Native development teams that aim at designing top-notch apps with a sleek payment processing feature.

If you too would like to integrate a popular payment gateway into a React Native app and lack technical expertise, seek professional assistance from Biz4Solutions, a competent React Native app development company in USA.

The Roadmap to Healthcare App Development in 2022: A Step-by-step Guide!

The popularity of healthcare apps has sky-rocketed ever since the Covid19 pandemic has rocked the world. Even today, as the situation is improving, and people are getting back to their normal lives; the popularity of healthcare apps is on the rise. It seems that patients, doctors, and healthcare service providers around the globe have got accustomed to the convenience of healthcare digitalization. Undoubtedly, this trend is here to stay!

Consequently, the healthcare app development sector is booming and has become a lucrative arena for businesses to invest in. However, developing an impeccable healthcare app involves tons of complexities, unique requirements, and challenges. It also requires experience, innovation, and expertise. In this post, I have penned down a step-by-step guide that provides insights about the entire roadmap to follow while designing a healthcare application.

Healthcare App Development Checklist

Define Your App’s Value Proposition

Select a niche of the healthcare industry your app will cater to and thereafter, identify the target audience of that niche. Now, you must research extensively to comprehend the basic requirements of your targeted customers and learn about the unique pain areas that your app can resolve. You can also conduct interviews and surveys to get into the core of the problems that existing apps could not solve and learn what customers actually want from healthcare apps. If you gain a thorough understanding of the aforesaid aspects, you will be able to build an app that is really useful, valuable, and beneficial to your potential consumers.

You must also carry out competitor analysis research. This way, you can find out the grave mistakes made by your competitors and the reasons why healthcare apps fail. You’ll also come to know about the must-have features that all medical apps offer, additional app features that are popular with consumers, and also the functionalities that no one else has offered before. Make sure to include the basic features and extra features preferred by customers. Brainstorm to figure out some novel functionality that will make your app unique, noticeable, and help you to stand out amongst competitors.

Decide on the Business Model

Partnership

The resources and partners needed for healthcare application development depend on the business model adopted – D2C or B2B2C. If you opt for a D2C (Direct-to-Customer) model, your app will directly deliver services to consumers. This business model may or may not need to team up with a technology partner. But, if you are not partnering with healthcare development services, you need to outsource technology expertise via extended engineering teams. For a B2B2C (Business to Business-to-Customer) healthcare app, it is advisable to partner with an experienced healthcare app development company that will provide end-to-end services.

Engagement Channels

Digital healthcare services can be delivered to users via multiple engagement channels like mobile apps, custom healthcare software, web portals, etc. So, you need to decide on the engagement channel that will best suit your healthcare app development objectives.

Professional Services

You need to obtain professional services from third parties for your healthcare mobile app depending on the type of functionalities and services your app offers. Usually, healthcare apps need services from practitioners, caregivers, testing/imaging labs, emergency medical services, and so on. For example, a telemedicine app needs remote doctor consultation services while an app that measures health vitals like heart rate, blood glucose levels, blood pressure, etc. needs a secure cloud storage service from an external provider.

Healthcare App development Resources

Now, you need to decide on the resources – in-house team, freelance developers, or offshore teams. So far, outsourcing software development to offshore teams has been the most profitable and productive approach.

Crucial Healthcare App Development Considerations

Unmatched UI/UX Design:

A UI that is not user-friendly and a cumbersome UX frustrates users leading to the discontinuation of your app usage, no matter how outstanding it is. The reason is that users have the flexibility to choose from several other apps offering similar features. Contrarily, a simple design will enable users to effortlessly navigate through your app. It will help users find the desired functionality at once thereby enhancing user experience. New-age users look for an intuitive interface and seamless user experience in a healthcare app and employing gamification to sustain user interest is icing on the cake. To create such a UI/UX design, both front-end and back-end healthcare app developers must work collectively with proper co-ordination. Furthermore, make your app design responsive and conduct testing on how your app will look on different device screens. Lastly, your app should be visually attractive with pleasing aesthetics.

Platform Selection

Selecting the platform for your healthcare app development project is an important and tricky task to accomplish – native Android, iOS, or a cross-platform app? The choice of platform is dependent on factors like app functionalities, the timeline of the project, the preferences of targeted audiences, and the budget allocated for the project.

iOS devices are more popular amongst users located in North America and Western Europe whereas Android devices are popular in other regions of the globe. Building apps that cater to both Android and iOS is also a good option as it helps you to reach out to a wider range of audiences.

Emerging Technology Stacks and Ongoing Market trends

Innovations driven by emerging technologies are frequenting the healthcare industry landscape. This has resulted in high customer expectations from a medical app; they are not ready to settle down for anything less. Therefore, healthcare app developers must be aware of the most recent mHealth app development market trends, the cutting-edge technologies required to implement those trends, and the best practices for integrating them. The most trending technologies in healthcare include IoT, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, 5G, virtual reality, integrated payment gateways, big data & analytics, etc.

Regulatory Compliances

It is very important for a healthcare app to adhere to regulatory compliances as it handles sensitive patient information that is vulnerable to security threats. The US has mandated HIPAA compliance for all medical solutions while Europe enforces GDPR. Let’s take a look at crucial aspects concerning HIPAA compliance.

The main objective of HIPAA is to ensure the security of patients’ personal information, clinical research data, and other important information of a healthcare entity. Implementing HIPAA regulations revolve around limiting medical data access, encrypting data using standard methodologies, and creating a data backup mechanism.

For example, access to a patient’s personal information and medical/diagnostic data can be provided only to users in specific roles like the physicians, specialists, or medical staff handling that particular patient. Healthcare app developers need to employ reliable protocols for data encryption and multi-factor authentication to secure sensitive information. Also, the IT department of a healthcare organization must maintain multiple copies of collected healthcare data on different servers, so that data can be easily restored in events of data crashes, errors, or system failures. And, in case of any alert received, it must be addressed without delay.

Choose a Suitable App Monetization Strategy

If you are of the opinion that charging for healthcare app downloads is the easiest and best revenue model available, you’re mistaken. It has been observed that most of the successful applications in the app store are free for download. Moreover, customers are reluctant to download a paid app unless the app has proved its capabilities as a bestseller or promises game-changing offerings. Nevertheless, there are multiple effectual app monetization strategies that would fetch revenue without affecting the number of downloads. Check them out!

Fee for Registration or Subscription

An app that is free to download can generate a steady flow of revenue through subscription or registration. Take a look at this example of an appointment scheduling app. The app owner can provide free access to patients but charge a registration fee from the doctors, wellness trainers, etc. who wish to utilize their free slots using the platform. This registration fee can be either a one-time charge or a monthly fee. Another instance is providing app users free access to every feature for a fixed duration, say six months. Once the free trial ends, the users need to pick a subscription plan and pay for the services received. The subscription can involve monthly, quarterly, or yearly payment plans. This strategy works well if your app is able to provide value-added customer services and the fees charged are not too high.

Freemium Policy

Freemium is a popular app revenue model. Two versions of the same app are available for users – a free version offering the basic features and a premium version that offers additional functionalities besides the ones available in the free version. The main objective is to allow users to enjoy the free features and provide them with elevated experiences and lucrative offers; so that they are convinced to try the goodies of the paid version.

Content and Data Monetization

An app owner can sell anonymous healthcare data collected from users to insurance firms, pharma companies, and fitness experts. This data is leveraged to draw insights, predict ongoing trends, and many more such tasks. The only aspect to keep in mind is that no personally identifiable data can be disclosed.

If a healthcare app provides certified medical content to healthcare practitioners and staff, the owner can allow access to certain sections of the content for free and charge a subscription fee for accessing more content. This model succeeds if the content is highly informative & valuable, and helps medical professionals to stay updated on the most recent advancements in medicine, treatment, etc.

Localized in-app Advertisements

Having localized ads within the app is a tried and tested revenue model. App owners can partner with brands that provide ad localization by using beacons, GPS, or WiFi. A user’s current location is tracked and a user receives a push notification about any discount on frequently bought items or popular products, whenever they are within close vicinity of the store.

Sponsorship and promotions

If your healthcare app enjoys a huge customer base and promises high levels of customer engagement, other brands or third parties can leverage your platform to advertise their products and services by paying a sponsorship fee to you. Sponsors’ ads and promotional offers can be included on the flash screen. The sponsors’ logo can be displayed on the header or footer of your app. This strategy would be more effective if the sponsors belong to the medical sector and share similar groups of target audiences. This way, the promotional ads will appeal to your customers and not irritate them. For instance, a mHealth app can generate revenue by displaying the promotional offer by a healthcare service that is announcing discounted offers on lab tests.

In-app Purchases

In-app purchase is the most widely used monetization strategy in medical application development. Here, you can make use of your app as a marketplace to sell self-owned products or even products owned by a different brand. Selling extra services is also trending. Say, for example, fitness app users can buy additional workout sessions while mHealth app users can pay for prescription refilling or buying supplements. However, the products/services offered for sale must be relevant to the needs of the app’s users.

Gamification

The concept of gamification in healthcare app development might surprise you! Today, healthcare apps come with innovative offerings like integrating games to help users adhere to timely medication and exercise regimes. Gamification also benefits adults with children as games can engage kids in the best possible way while the treatment is going on. And, offering paid gamification elements can fetch revenue as well.

Build an MVP

It’s not a good idea to build a full-fledged application in one go. Why? This approach will consume a great deal of your time, & money, and worst, you might make a lot of mistakes that will be too costly to rectify later on. Hence, most businesses go for MVP development at first and then, iterate it gradually. The MVP approach allows you to validate your app idea, identify the errors and resolve them before it’s too late, and reap the benefits of faster deployment and cost-effective development. Moreover, you get enough time to figure out the missing elements of your app as well as the customer requirement; so that you can update your app accordingly. Furthermore, this strategy allows you to catch up with emerging trends by rolling out updates at the right time.

For MVP development, you need to prioritize the feature set that you will implement such that the selected features solve some problems encountered by the targeted audience. Do not forget to include the essential features like profiles of doctors & patients, health cards for patients, chats, calendars, notifications, alerts, surveys, reviews & rating section, etc. Also, ensure that your MVP is HIPAA compliant.

Healthcare App Development Cost

Well, this part is quite tricky! The cost of healthcare app development entirely depends on factors like the number of features, the complexity of functionalities, and the resources involved. The app development expenses may greatly vary depending on the project requirement. Here’s an approximate cost estimation: $25,000 for an MVP, $80,000 for an app with a basic feature set, and $120,000 for an app with complex/advanced features.

Over to You:

I hope this post was informative and has helped you to understand all the nitty-gritty of healthcare app development. However, healthcare app development is a complex task to accomplish and can be challenging for newbies. If you are a start-up, it is advisable to partner with an experienced app development service provider and build an MVP at first. You can add new features gradually through periodic updates.

Noteworthy Technology Trends that are Revolutionizing the Insurance Industry in 2022!

The past two years have been a testing time for insurance providers as they have encountered endless challenges in offering services to customers during the Covid19 pandemic. Moreover, insurance companies faced tough competition from peers to provide a digital-friendly customer experience that involves quicker services and lesser hassles and handles operational bottlenecks. To encounter the tough challenges, insurance sector has transformed a great deal; a sea of novel and innovative approaches has been adopted and a plethora of emerging technologies have been leveraged.

Let’s take a sneak peek into the most noteworthy technology trends that are disrupting the insurance industry landscape in 2022.

Embedded Insurance via open APIs

Embedded Insurance, enabled via open APIs, is a common insurance industry trend these days. Here, consumers are offered an event-triggered insurance coverage or protection when they purchase a third-party product or a service. In other words, insurance offers are weaved directly into the purchase deal at the right moment when the consumers are most likely to buy the coverage. For example, consumers get an option to opt for extended protection/warranty when buying a cell phone device, travel insurance while flight ticket booking, coverage for newly purchased appliances, and so on.

Insurance providers utilize open APIs to showcase their services to customers while external business partners make use of such insurance coverage offers for providing a value-added deal to their consumers. This way, business enterprises are connected using APIs to form an entire insurance ecosystem that ensures an elevated UX for customers.

The main objective of embedded insurance is to provide customers with customized and affordable insurance when there is an urgent need for it. Sometimes, customers are not even aware of the need for insurance cover until they are offered one.

Thus, the embedded insurance approach is beneficial for insurance companies, third-party service providers as well as consumers. For instance, an auto insurance provider can partner with a car dealer for selling insurance using the car dealer’s app. Customers also enjoy the convenience of purchasing a car and the much-needed insurance policy at the same time, without having to look for it separately.

Accelerated Underwriting and Automated Underwriting

Underwriting is a hassle-prone and time-consuming process that all individuals applying for insurance coverage policies need to undergo. Applicants need to provide a host of documents confirming their personal information, lifestyle, and medical records. This process is conducted for determining whether the applicant is insurable or not; and if so, what amount is that person entitled to as per his/her risk profile. Applicants with increased mortality risks need to pay higher insurance fees. Accelerated underwriting and automated underwriting are trending techniques that aim to make the underwriting process easier and speedier.

Accelerated underwriting, a trend that has gathered momentum during the pandemic outbreak, simplifies the underwriting process for consumers by employing ML algorithms and predictive analysis. Using this approach, qualified insurance applicants do not need to undergo medical tests or furnish a written statement from a doctor mentioning their medical history, or attach copies of their healthcare records. The removal of these steps has not only minimized waiting times for applicants but has also reduced policy costs and accelerated sales.

Coming to automated underwriting, advanced technologies like AI and RPA are being used for automating the repetitive tasks in the underwriting workflow of an insurance firm. Therefore, all relevant information needed by underwriters is available in a single place, resulting in a speedy and more informed decision-making process. This approach is immensely beneficial to underwriters in handling complicated quotes and binding processes.

Healthcare Wearable Devices

The usage of wearable devices in the healthcare industry is not new. Now, insurance companies have also started reaping the benefits of wearable technology. Insurance providers are linking their products with wearable devices for monitoring policyholders’ sleep patterns, daily steps, activity levels, oxygen levels, temperature, heart rate, etc. This information obtained from wearables is used for creating personalized health plans and rewarding policyholders for healthy lifestyles. The health and risk scores calculated using this data can be utilized for providing complimentary coverage, benefits, or better rates to an individual as well as corporate policyholders.

Improved Benchmarking and Modeling with Predictive Analysis

Predictive analysis is one of the most interesting insurance industry trends today. Historical data is collected and fed into AI-trained models for generating predictive data on the behavioral patterns and ongoing trends. Predictive analysis helps insurance agencies make more informed decisions on how to optimize workflows and execute tasks like quoting, recommending products to customers, etc. This particularly facilitates sales and underwriting.

Take a look at how these tasks are carried out. The usage of artificial intelligence for generating and recommending an alternative quote adds value to the process, reducing the chances of errors, and also minimizes guesswork. Machine learning algorithms process synthetic data and help insurers to identify the most popular plans amongst customers from specific demographic groups or industrial domains. As such, the decision-making process becomes easier and better.

Chatbots

The usage of AI/ML-driven chatbots for providing customer services is another noteworthy insurance industry trend. Chatbots are virtual assistant solutions that interact with consumers seamlessly through text messaging or voice messaging. Chatbots solve customer queries on insurance, provide them the relevant information on policies, and offer 24X7 services without the need for human interventions. Virtual assistants can even guide a customer all through the processes of insurance policy application and claims processing. Just like a human insurance agent, chatbot questions customers on their requirements and personal details needed for the policy. Based on this data, these chatbots recommend personalized policies, assist customers to compare different policies, and solve follow-up questions helping them to gain a better understanding of their policy.

Blockchain Smart Contracts

The usage of Blockchain Smart Contracts is a crucial insurance industry trend that comes with endless advantages. Today, several insurers are issuing policies to customers via Blockchain Smart Contracts and healthcare records encryptions. Such an approach not only establishes transparency between the insurance providers and policyholders but also enhances the efficiency and security quotient of insurance processes. Let’s take a closer look!

Smart contracts eliminate the need for mediators, speed up claims processing tasks, zero down the need for human interference, reduce the risk of manipulations as no mediators are involved, and securely stores data without the risk of being lost or stolen. Therefore, it becomes possible for insurance providers to lower the premium amount, thereby increasing their market share considerably.

Moreover, smart contracts enable insurers to review the data regarding the previous insurance policies and claims, allowing them to provide more precise cost pricing options for their products. This way, the quality and effectiveness of underwriting programs expedite.

Blockchain implementation also contributes greatly to lowering operational and infrastructural costs through automating servicing tasks and preventing fraudulent practices.

Drones for Risk Inspection

Drones are being leveraged by insurance providers to improve the efficiency of certain processes within the insurance lifecycle. Drones assist in preventive maintenance, collect data for calculating the risk factors before a policy is issued, and examine the amount of damage after a loss. Drones can perform tasks that their human counterparts can never think of achieving. Robots can effortlessly enter enclosed and perilous spaces for collecting data and their 360-degree cameras increase the efficiency of the process to a great extent. Moreover, one drone can gather data much faster and more effectively than a team of human surveyors. Examples of drone usage include gathering data on buildings, conducting roof inspections, etc.

Telematics

Telematics technology is another eye-catching insurance industry trend. It helps car insurance firms provide customers customized discounts and insurance policies based on actual usage, and identify falsified or fraudulent claims.

Here’s an example of Telematics implementation in automobile insurance. Cars can be embedded with monitoring devices that record information on the car’s current location speed, accident occurrences, etc. This data is processed using advanced analytics software for determining the premium amount and assessing the genuineness of claims. Whenever a policyholder files a claim for an accident or injuries, the auto insurers collect information from the black box telematics of the vehicle. This helps to figure out the actual incident that happened. This way, insurance companies can identify falsified claims and hence, save a great deal of money wasted on fraudulent claims.

Extended Reality

Extended Reality, also known as XR, is one of the newest and most disruptive insurance industry trends. Extended Reality employs a combination of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality for collecting more environmental information and enabling unthinkable experiences via AI.

XR is a great tool for insurers for promoting employee and customer engagement. This technology can create virtual customers for training customer service teams. It can train them on client interactions and the policy purchasing process. Moreover, augmented imagery allows insurance providers to remotely communicate with customers. Furthermore, underwriters can create XR simulations using illustrations and on-site images for assessing the risk factors in buildings accurately. Some insurers are also offering a 3D-simulated eco-system to consumers via VR headsets. Here, customers interact with the avatar of insurance experts for understanding insurance processes and resolving queries.

Over to You:

The aforementioned trends are game-changers that are set to redefine insurance sector operations. Smart digital tools and strategies are allowing insurance companies to provide elevated customer experiences and streamline service operations like never before. The most lucrative outcomes include offering convenience to customers in buying insurance, providing easy access to the desired information, and reaching out to customers when they need insurance services/products.

So, it’s high time for insurance companies to embrace a technological approach! However many insurers who are not tech-savvy are reluctant to smarten their operations due to the complexity of implementing and maintaining technological approaches. Well, in such cases, it’s advisable to seek technical assistance from experienced Software Development Company that will be your partner throughout the product development lifecycle.

Top Healthcare APIs to Watch out for in 2022!

The healthcare sector is gradually evolving to embrace a novel approach. Paper-based records are being digitalized utilizing advanced software data structures. Medical entities are using healthcare applications and systems to collect, process, and digitally store healthcare information. Healthcare API’s are being utilized in a big way in the healthcare industry to integrate information from different devices and systems. Let’s look at some contributions of healthcare APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) in the healthcare industry.

A healthcare API establishes a connection between various medical apps and systems for creating interoperability. These APIs are primarily proxy layers that are placed on healthcare apps, systems, and databases; they allow the stakeholders of the organization to access or repurpose these apps and databases. APIs enable greater interoperability between healthcare systems and drive the management of the entire healthcare digital environment. Some of the top contributions of Healthcare APIs are booking online appointments, integrating EHRs & wearables, monitoring patients remotely, and executing payments.

Let’s gain handy insights on healthcare APIs and explore the most noteworthy APIs that every healthcare service provider must be well versed in 2022!

What is a Healthcare API and how does it work?

A healthcare API refers to a digital structure that connects an app with the information stored on a server. Healthcare APIs allow an app to gather and access medical data from a digital database. APIs can also serve the purpose of storing healthcare records and sharing this information with other stakeholders whenever needed. When an app requires to access medical data, a GET request is sent to the connected API. The information is thereafter transmitted to the application in XML or JSON format. Medical apps consume this data in a specific format, as they are programmed to accept the data in the desired way.

Top Healthcare APIs to consider in 2022

ApiMedic Symptom Checker

This is a modular healthcare API that provides symptom checker features for the main program. Healthcare app developers use this API to integrate features that allow users to check disease symptoms. The symptom checker functionality helps users to identify diseases they are possibly suffering from. It also provides patients with additional healthcare information related to diseases and directs them to the most relevant doctor as per the disease identified. This API comes with a testing environment and different pricing options.

CONTUS MirrorFly API

This healthcare API brings about effectiveness, flexibility, and transparency in the processes of interacting with patients and sharing medical data. It offers outstanding doctor-patient communication in real-time at any hour. Practitioners using this API can share prescriptions and diagnostic images via digital channels for providing more personalized treatment to patients.

It offers loads of live streaming abilities, chat options, the group calling feature, and numerous end-to-end custom voice/video calling functionalities for customers. Utilizing the group calling feature, doctors can create online counseling sessions for a huge group of audiences. This API is flexible enough to integrate with any third-party device like Android, iOS, or web applications facilitating the creation of ideal telehealth platforms.

Particle Health API

This API enables over 250 million US consumers to access patient records from most EHR systems across the country via a single point of entry. The API is pre-integrated with a major chunk of the labs and pharmacies in the US. The API complies with HIPAA, C-CDA, and FHIR standards. One unique benefit of this API is its capability to screen patients for detecting co-morbidities related to the Covid19 virus.

ChironHealth API

This telemedicine API can effortlessly integrate into a third-party application for providing services like online appointment scheduling, management of healthcare devices, and insurance reimbursement. And, the best part is that these services can be executed via instant messaging. Also, reimbursement codes can be added to the videos, thereby simplifying the complexity of the billing process in telemedicine apps.

Allscripts API

With this API, healthcare app developers can integrate as well as create EHR (Electronic Health Record) software based on Allscripts. Such software enables seamless data exchange between EHR software systems and third-party apps. This allows a medical provider to share medical information with another provider or stakeholder accurately and speedily.

At present, this API functions with 14 USCDI classes and allows developers to test integrations, using the compatible sandbox environment. However, this API can only be used by developers who are registered with Allscripts. Healthcare providers that wish to use Allscripts products need to register for ADP (Allscripts Developer Program).

Eligible API

This is a real-time healthcare API that simplifies processes like healthcare payment and insurance billing for the consumers as well as providers unanimously. Eligible API provides an in-depth report on 1000+ insurance firms and also streamlines insurance verifications and claims processing tasks. Here, the standard eligibility transaction, X12 EDI 270 is used, it’s then formatted in JSON for initiating an HTTP request. This way, the EDI transaction set becomes all the more accessible to developers and the apps used by consumers. The X12 standards are well managed behind the scenes to provide users access to features like medical subscriptions, coinsurances, dependent plan memberships, etc. in a format that is human-readable.

Human API

This AWS-empowered healthcare API is a real-time digital healthcare data network that allows medical providers to deliver quality services to their patients. It assists in establishing a connection between patient portals, hospitals, EMRs, clinics, pharmacies, imaging laboratories, and insurance companies across the US. Using this API, millions of users can sync their healthcare data like medical history, lab test results, e-prescriptions, wearable devices, etc. into one single secure platform. Authorized users such as practitioners, healthcare professionals, etc. can access these records for treatment-related tasks. Every piece of healthcare information whether it is in transit or at rest is encrypted. Moreover, the data can be shared by customers irrespective of the data source and the data collection process. Furthermore, users can fully control access to their health data and decide which medical entities will be able to view their data.

The API gathers medical data from multiple sources and then, converts it into a format that is compatible with Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR). This process is executed using AI algorithms and medical API vendors. You can feed diverse types of medical data of a single patient into this API. It supports numerous data elements such as demographics, genetic characteristics, health conditions, allergies, medication, immunization records, medical insurance claims, meal plans, test outcomes, sleep patterns, social history, health vitals, activities, and medical provider information. Human API also offers free medical APIs for conducting testing activities.

Google Cloud Healthcare API

This API offers an enterprise-grade healthcare app development environment that is well-managed and scalable as it enjoys the support of popular medical data standards like DICOM, HL7, HL7V2, and FHIR. It’s ideal for securely developing clinical apps and analytics solutions on Google Cloud. For example, healthcare data is imported from different sources including wearable devices and EHRs, and transformed into the FHIR format. And, data files are stored, managed, and analyzed by converting the data into the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) format.

Google Cloud Healthcare API simplifies the data exchange process happening between Cloud-based medical apps & solutions. It offers a RESTful interface for delivering medical data and intelligent insights. It also provides a host of analytical tools like vCloud, BigQuery, DataLab, AutoML, Datalow, Vertex AI, Cloud ML Engine, and Tableau. These tools confer machine learning abilities to the API and allow far-sighted visualization of medical data. For instance, Vertex AI provides ML capabilities, Dataflow offers pre-built connectors for processing streaming data, and BigQuery promotes scalable analytics. Using the Google Cloud Healthcare API, one can integrate devices, locations, datasets, policies, etc. in real-time.

This API not only ensures the security of your medical data but also fulfills the specific requirements of the healthcare sector like adherence to regulatory compliances. Google Cloud Healthcare API is backed by the privacy and security standards of Google, is HITRUST CSF certified, and supports HIPAA compliance.

Amazon Comprehend Medical API

This is a HIPAA compliant healthcare API that extracts data from different sources like trial reports, EHRs, practitioners’ notes, lab test results, etc. ML algorithms and NLP (natural language processing) technology are employed to automatically draw terms describing patients’ medical condition, parts of the body, treatment methodologies, medication plans, etc. These drawings are linked to unique codes obtained from RxNorm and ICD-10-CM datasets. This API identifies phrases related to PHI like names, IDs, age, contact numbers, and addresses of patients.

Two distinct sets of APIs are used for connecting healthcare entities with standardized names – Ontology Linking APIs and Text Analysis APIs. Healthcare documents must be added to the Amazon S3 storage for availing of the services of this API. This service is a paid one and users are charged as per the amount of usage.

Microsoft Azure API for FHIR

Microsoft Azure API ensures the privacy of patients’ medical data. Healthcare systems use this API to consolidate their legacy documents stored in different repositories into Cloud storage. The API takes the help of medical API vendors to store PHI securely, adhering to FHIR standards. This API comes with a unique IoT connecter that ingests biometric data from different healthcare devices, EHR systems, and other data sources like research databases. The IoT connecter also processes biometric signals, converts the biometric data into FHIR, analyzes the data, and creates IoMT systems.

Healthcare organizations using Azure cloud services can create rich datasets and reap the benefits of implementing software tools related to business intelligence. The API comes with a power BI FHIR connecter that links the BI platform and the FHIR API for visualizing data and intelligent analytics. This healthcare API adheres to most standard compliances including HIPAA.

The top use cases of Microsoft Azure API include scalable EHR systems, dashboards for patient reporting, remote monitoring systems for patients, clinical decision-making processes, and healthcare analytics.

Closing Views:

Healthcare providers, particularly start-ups, are still reluctant to employ APIs owing to some limitations existing in this arena. Several APIs provide a uni-directional data flow resulting in read-only access for patients. The complexity of API implementation and vulnerability to cybersecurity threats are other bottlenecks that keep medical organizations from adopting APIs.

The aforesaid challenges can be resolved if you partner with an experienced healthcare application development company to build user-friendly and customized healthcare solutions for your company. A proficient app development service will know the correct use of APIs based on your specific project requirements and guide you through the right path.

Peep into the future: The changes in the Global Software Development by 2030

Do you work to live or live to work? Though the question seems simple, the answer to it is not that simple. The world is full of uncertainties. One such uncertainty was Covid19 which changed the global offshore software development industry. If we analyse the current global offshore software development market size, we can say that it is about to reach its zenith. It’s not too far that the pinnacle of success will be achieved by the companies, unicorns and start-ups working in the global offshore software development.

With the rise of industry4.0, artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality and virtual reality, software development will transform mobile and application development functioning completely. We are sailing through a pandemic age and experiencing drastic changes in the way we work and live in a competitive atmosphere. So caring for a futuristic vision and thinking innovatively to maintain productivity and efficiency is the main task that the entrepreneurs or the CEOs will have to look upon.

As the common saying goes, nothing is permanent but change. So along with the time the definitions and the common outlook regarding being an employee, a manager or a CEO or an entrepreneur are also changing. The pandemic forced the working conditions from office to remote and it is being seen as an evolution. But with this, there are many trends which are being seen as normal work patterns which are as follows.

1. Globalized world

Gone are the days when an MNC wouldn’t imagine a highly skilled and professional employee working from across seven oceans. Thanks to the globalized world, today a company can do its hiring, manufacturing or solve structural problems within a blink of an eye from any corner of the world. Globalization has connected every stratum and the level of businesses across the world. It has also brought the people from different cultures, social strat and languages closer than they expect. So companies can choose from a diverse pool of talented people from across the globe without any restrictions of borders, culture, or distance.

2. Connectivity

Thanks to the advances in the internet, technologies like mobile phones, and tablets, we can now connect easily. It also offers mobility to businesses. So the work to be done now cannot be stopped because of the distance or lack of connectivity and hence it will help the companies to produce more and contribute more to the market.

3. Altering work demographics

Currently, the global workforce constitutes more than 3.4 billion people worldwide. And among this workforce, more than 50% are those who are born between 1981 and 1996 which would be of the age 24 to 37. Many companies predict that in 2030 more than 75% of the workforce would be dominated by the millennials. Along with them, the changing mechanisms will also be altered in the companies. These Millennials will bring with them the modern ways and modern practices that might revolutionize the future workforce and working patterns across the world.

4. Changing Human Nature

Right from the renaissance period to the 21st century, the change in human nature has been constant. Even the CEOs and their mindsets are also changing. For example, both Steve Jobs and Elon musk are great entrepreneurs. But both of them have a different set of behaviors and human nature. Similarly, the global workforce might need to adjust itself to the future employees and their changing human nature. The traditional job is becoming more inclusive, and interesting and involves a lot of work along with the good working conditions. Employees nowadays are connected and engaged on social media and also help the company’s profiles to grow on the social websites and in the world so that the company can reach every stratum of the society. The changes in the human nature and behaviors of employees have changed the workforce and the working patterns of many companies upside down and it is also helping them in a good way.

5. Technology

Technologies have changed even the smallest thing in a big way in a day to day life. They have also revolutionized the globalized world and the business market. Many technologies like Metaverse, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data, 5G, cloud computing and machine learning have increased the productivity of businesses in multifold. If the employee is upskilled and up-to-date with the technologies, the companies can ace the market easily.

How the changed pattern of work will look like in the 2030s?

Increased Market Size: Global offshore software market is experiencing a boom worldwide. And, in the upcoming years, there would be enormous growth in this model. The outsourcing of Global Offshore software projects would amount to a size of USD 900 billion, and it might reach USD 1300 billion by the year 2026.
Upskilled Workforce: Now that the world is enjoying a more diverse pool of employees, it will also help the companies to get skilled workforce and bring a huge business on board.
Hiring will be easy: Due to globalization and the connectivity, the companies would have already aced the dilemma of hiring the right and quality person for the job. Now people are available from different time zones and cultures, there would be a great resource pool available for the companies.
Reduced costs of the business: Companies might grab a bigger pie of the profit in the near future. The money and time-consuming parts like hiring, training, and asset maintenance would be solved by the technologies and so companies can be availed more profit and time with less input.
But every coin has two sides. The offshore software business will also have an Achillis Heel. There are also some drawbacks and weaknesses in its working model and it might hamper its work in 2030.
Agile is the past, present and future of global offshore software development. Agile management requires an experienced group of people in the workforce. Many are known by names like Scrum Master or project manager.
There might be an issue of higher costs in the near future. But it is worth it. As a company, you have to have faster software development, superfast delivery, and a good and shiny ROI with top-notch quality services.

Why you should choose, Biz4Solutions Pvt Ltd for Offshore software development?

We Biz4Solutions, an offshore software development company, know how to push buttons and get your business going. As a mobile app development company, we can help you create amazing applications for mobile devices. From blockchain to IoT to healthcare, we have successfully brought a smile on many faces with our quality services. We are pioneering mobile app developers and bring not just the conventional solution but also offer smart ways to upgrade your business and increase the productivity of your business. It’s your time to say YES! Help us help you with Digital transformation, robotic process automation, IoT, cloud solution, mobile apps and many more state-of-the-art services. Drop your email in the comment box and relax, our experts will get in touch with you shortly.

What is the React Native Framework & how does it function?

React Native is one of the most preferred frameworks for cross-platform app development and has been adopted by several industry giants including Facebook, Instagram, Skype Microsoft, Tesla, Shopify, Walmart, and UberEats. This framework was created by the Facebook team to address the limitations of React.js.

The Facebook-developed SDK React was a viable option for building web apps. However, when Facebook adopted a mobile-first strategy, web apps needed to be rendered to the mobile platform. This task was indeed challenging! At first, the Facebook engineers employed HTML5 to render apps on the mobile web, but this strategy failed. Thereafter, they embedded the WebView within a mobile-native container. This approach too wasn’t workable due to the absence of necessary attributes like gestures & touch events, a keyboard API, and image management capacities.

Then, they realized the need to build native apps for delivering an impeccable UX. But, the idea to build Native apps for Android and iOS separately involved roadblocks – an imperative coding process, separate codebases for different platforms, and a slow iteration process as each app’s prototype needed Playstore’s prior approval.

Finally, Facebook conducted an internal hackathon, and React Native, an improved version of React, was coined. The React Native framework was launched in 2015 as the one-stop solution for mobile app development and made open-source in the same year. Let’s explore more about the framework and its functioning!

React Native: An Overview

React Native is a JavaScript-based mobile app development framework that is used for crafting natively-rendered mobile applications for the Android and iOS operating systems. The unique selling point of React Native lies in the fact that developers can build apps for both platforms simultaneously using a single codebase. The framework uses platform-specific modules and APIs by compiling the JS code to native components. So, the React Native developers can use native components like Text, View, and Images as building blocks for creating new components.

How does React Native differ from React?

React Native is based on React for the web, the Facebook-developed JS library used for developing UIs. But, while React targets the browser, React Native targets mobile app platforms. As such, mobile app developers enjoy the convenience of using a known JavaScript library for creating mobile apps with a native-like look and feel.

React Native uses Text primitive in place of span primitive used for the web. This Text results in a native TextView for Android apps and a native iOS UIView for iOS apps. For this reason, despite using JavaScript for app development, the end application is not a web app embedded within the shell of a mobile app, rather it is a mobile app which is real native.

React Native apps are created using JSX, a combination of JavaScript and XML-esque markup, just like React apps. The difference is that React Native uses a “bridge” under the hood for invoking native-rendering APIs. Here, Objective-C/Swift APIs are used for rendering UI components on iOS apps while Java/Kotlin APIs are used in the case of Android apps. Simply put, the bridge translates JS code into platform-specific components. As a result, the app renders real mobile UI components instead of web views; imparting the look and feel of a mobile app. Moreover, React Native exposes the JS interfaces for the platform APIs; this enables apps to access smartphone device features like a user’s current location, camera, etc.

How do React Native Apps function?

A React Native app is segregated into three different parts –native code, JavaScript code, and the bridge. The bridge interprets JS code for executing it in native platforms and enables asynchronous communication between Native elements and the JS code.

Significant threads involved in the functioning of a React Native application

Main (Native) thread: The main thread, also called the Native thread, is used for UI rendering in iOS and Android applications. It manages the task of displaying UI elements and processes users’ gestures.

JavaScript thread: The JS thread basically deals with the app’s business logic and defines the structure as well as the UI functions. The functions of the JS thread include executing the JS code within a separate JS engine, making API calls, processing touch events, etc.

Shadow thread (Shadow Tree): This thread generates shadow nodes and acts as a mathematical engine that uses algorithms to transform layout updates into accurate data and UI events into the correctly serialized payload.

Native module thread: Whenever an application requires access to the platform API, the process takes place in the native module thread.

Customs Native Module thread: Such threads are used for accelerating an app’s performance when custom modules are used. For instance, React Native handles animations using a separate native thread so that this task is offloaded from the JS thread.

Out of the aforesaid threads, the most important threads that help a React Native app to function are the Native thread and the JS thread. Interestingly, there is no direct communication between these two threads and so, they do not block each other.

Functioning of a React Native App: Crucial Steps

Check out how a React Native app works!

Step # 1

When an app launches, the Native thread loads the app and spawns the JavaScript thread for executing the JS code. The Native thread hears UI events such as touch, press, etc., and passes on these events to the JS thread through the React Native bridge.

Step # 2

JavaScript loads and the JS thread sends information to the shadow thread on what has to be rendered on the screen. The shadow thread then calculates layouts using algorithms and decides on how the view positions should be computed. The shadow thread then passes on the layout parameters to the main thread for rendering the view. )

Step # 3

The Main thread collects UI events and sends them to the shadow thread. Events are converted into serialized payloads and sent to the JS thread.

Step # 4

The JavaScript thread now processes the payloads and then updates the UI or calls native methods.

Step # 2, step # 3, and step # 4 get repeated continually every time JavaScript’s event loop is iterated.

After every event loop in the JS thread gets completed, the native side receives batched updates to native views; these are then executed in the Native thread. Remember, the batched updates should be sent by the JS thread to the Native thread before the deadline for the rendering of the next frame, to keep up the app performance. A slow JS thread due to complicated processing in the JS event loop hampers the UI. The only exception wherein a slow JS thread doesn’t affect performance is in scenarios when native views take place entirely in the Native thread.

How does the React Native Bridge ensure smooth interaction amongst the threads?

The React Native Bridge allows asynchronous communication between the threads so that one thread doesn’t block the other. Moreover, the messages are batched – messages are transferred between threads in an optimized way. Furthermore, the bridge serializes messages so that two threads cannot share the same data or operate using the same data.

How to set up the React Native App Development Environment?

Here’s how to set up the environment to create a React Native app with the help of Expo.

Install Node.js, get Expo’s command-line tool, and then put the command npm install Expo-cli –global. Once the Expo cli tool gets installed type expo init todo-app.
Now a screen will be displayed and you need to select the option “blank” for a blank app. Include the workflow features of Expo as well. Then, enter your app’s name, press enter, and continue the setting-up process.
Navigate to the new project created for starting the app with the command npm start and for stopping the app you need to press Cntrl + C. The developers’ server will run and a new tab having the Expo manager screen gets opened in the web browser.

The app can be previewed by either running it on an Android emulator or by installing the Expo app on your mobile phone and running the app on the device by scanning the QR code. Thereafter, you need to install a text editor like Atom, Sublime, Visual Studio Code, etc. Now you’ve got all the necessary tools to create a React Native app.

Final Verdict:

React Native is a profitable option to pick if you need to build a mobile app that targets Android as well as the iOS operating systems. Cross-platform development with React Native speeds up your development and reduces development costs. Hence, this framework is best for entrepreneurs who intend to build a quick app prototype for validating the app idea.

Need technical assistance and expert guidance on React Native app development? Contact Biz4Solutions, a highly experienced React Native development company in USA and India , offering world-class services to clients across the globe.

The role of Mobile Healthcare Apps in redefining the future of healthcare industry

The concept of healthcare digitalization is not new! The healthcare industry had started replacing traditional methodologies with advanced software and emerging digital trends for a long time. Lately, the adoption of the “mobile health” approach has accelerated this ongoing transformation phase and has paved way for myriad novel opportunities in healthcare. The term mHealth or mobile healthcare has gained traction over the past couple of years and is expected to disrupt the entire healthcare system in the near future. mHealth apps have proved their prowess during the Covid19 pandemic by offering exceptional remote healthcare services.

The adoption rate of mHealth applications is rising in leaps and bounds. Take a look at these interesting stats on the mHealth app industry. According to the renowned market research portal Fact.MR, “mHealth app sales generated revenue of 36.7 Billion USD in the year 2021. During the period of 2022-2032, the sales of medical apps are expected to rise at a CAGR of 14.3%. The report also stated that the healthcare apps segment is going to turn into the highest revenue generation category in the coming years. ”

Let’s explore the revolutionary power of mobile healthcare and its potential to define the future of the healthcare sector.

Mobile Healthcare Technology and its Importance

Mobile health or mHealth technology is the practice of delivering patient care and public health services using mobile communication devices and wireless technology. Generally, devices like smartphones, wearables, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), tablets, patient monitors, communications satellites, etc. are utilized to facilitate healthcare, medical information collection & storage, and medical research.

mHealth technology has emerged as a sub-category of eHealth, the yesteryear trend in healthcare, and has been successful in entirely digitalizing medical operations. mHealth apps collect the clinical health data of patients as well as community medical data in real-time. This data is then shared across authorized users - patients, doctors, and research scholars.

Mobile health applications help in carrying out activities like monitoring patients’ vital signs in real-time, remote diagnoses & treatment, telemedicine services, collecting remote data, tracking epidemic outbreaks, creating custom meal plans/ workout regimes, training/collaboration of medical workers, etc.

Key Factors driving the growth of mHealth Industry?

Extensive Smartphone & Internet Usage

The adoption rate of smartphones and the internet is skyrocketing and so, there’s been a rapid surge in the usage of mobile apps. Even consumers living in remote locations enjoy access to these facilities. As such, today, consumers expect a smartphone app for every product and service they need. mHealth apps have made it possible to access healthcare services with a few finger clicks on their smartphone regardless of the location.

Chronic Disease Management

Patients with chronic diseases require regular health check-ups and their health vitals need to be monitored frequently. mHealth apps ease out this task as patients’ vitals can be remotely monitored using wearables like smartwatches, smart bands, smart glasses, etc.

Emerging technologies

The utilization of emerging technologies like IoT, artificial intelligence, blockchain, machine learning, chatbots, and big data in healthcare have enabled mobile healthcare app developers to tailor apps with unimaginable capabilities. For instance, AI gathers meaningful insights from humongous data and facilitates medical analysis and clinical decision-making. ML algorithms yield precise and accurate outcomes when interacting with training data. This helps doctors gain handy insights into patient treatment methodologies. AI/ML technologies also prove highly beneficial in detecting cancer symptoms well in advance, assisting radiology functions, and even helping patients fight depression.

A new technology called DTx (Digital therapeutics) is being introduced into the healthcare industry landscape. DTx is clinically examined software that uses evidence-based technologies for enhancing patient outcomes. This technology delivers healthcare interventions to patients directly. So, if digital therapy tools are integrated into a mobile app, it will contribute immensely to treating patients, managing chronic medical conditions, and preventing the occurrence of diseases. DTx is expected to solve the problem of self-medication whenever individuals are unable to pay a visit to the doctor. This technology is expected to become the buzzword in healthcare in the near future.

Down the line, in the next few years, medical app development is expected to gift us with game-changing solutions for biopharmaceutical development, rare disease treatment/management, and cloud-powered solutions for digital drug discovery.

Advantages of mHealth Applications

Improved Medical Care

Healthcare mobile apps have empowered practitioners to provide better and more efficient care. Today, mobile apps have become an inseparable part of medical providers. These apps help practitioners to prescribe medication, view imaging & lab reports and also track patients’ recovery in real-time.

mHealth apps enable doctors to offer virtual diagnoses and treatment from any location, at any time. Moreover, healthcare diagnoses are much faster with minimal chances of errors. Furthermore, doctors and medical professionals receive timely notifications on their personal devices in case of emergencies along with all relevant information and hence it becomes possible to deliver prompt care during such situations.

Digital Interaction: A convenient Option for Patients

Using mobile apps, users can find and book an appointment with the desired practitioner with just a few clicks on their mobile devices, arrange for doctor consultations via video conferencing, and make payments using an integrated payment gateway.

The most popular feature of mHealth apps is digital doctor visits. Patients can reap the benefits of this function for receiving doctor consultations and also clarify queries related to generic healthcare and medication. Modern mHealth apps offer functionality that instantly translates queries into the language preferred by the patient, thereby resolving the possibility of language barriers.

Virtual healthcare interaction proves immensely advantageous to busy individuals, the elderly, and people residing in remote areas without any hospitals nearby as they can receive healthcare services with a few taps on their smartphones.

Assists in Clinical Reference

mHealth apps simplify the hassle-prone task of searching for clinical references as users can view the required information in the app itself. Such an app will allow users to digitally access the major reference documents concerning clinical references including ICD-9, ICD-10, and E&M Coding.

Additional Perks for Patients

Mobile healthcare app development comes with numerous additional perks for patients which were unthinkable in yesteryears. Today, patients using mHealth apps can maintain a digital wellness diary; receive the latest information on vaccines and drugs; view healthcare-related reviews and news digests; get reminders for medication, follow-ups, etc. Patients enjoy easier methods of appointment booking, maintain a diet & calorie control regime, and even can create a personal account linking it to their EMR (Electronic Medical Record).

Saves Time and Efforts for Medical Facility Staff

Owners of hospitals and private clinics can get a custom app developed that can be integrated with a centralized database. Such an app will allow each doctor to view the medical data and lab test results of patients and also make a new addition to the system whenever needed. A custom health app will improve collaboration between healthcare facility staff, automate workflows, minimize the need for manual documentation, and provide precise information. This way, mobile healthcare app development saves time and efforts of medical professionals, improves efficiency, and reduces the chances of costly mistakes.

Increased Profitability for Providers

Healthcare mobile app development has offered innovative apps that improve patient-doctor communication. Also, patients’ trust in the healthcare provider increases as patients can actively participate in their treatment, communicate with health professionals and medics via text messages, receive notifications on follow-ups and ePrescription refills, access digital treatment records, and view test outcomes without having to visit the medical facility.

Thus, mHealth apps allow providers to provide elevated patient experiences, establish a brand name, attract a regular patient inflow, and strengthen their customer base, without having to invest a fortune in infrastructure or hiring medical staff. This results in improved ROI and exponential growth.

In Conclusion:

Mobile healthcare apps are becoming an inseparable component of the healthcare industry as more healthcare and pharmacy service providers are moving toward a technology-infused approach to delivering patient-centric services. The future of mHealth apps looks promising as advancements in AR, AI, and Cloud are expected soon. App development in healthcare in USA is undoubtedly a lucrative investment option for entrepreneurs.

However, developing flawless medical apps is no cakewalk and requires loads of experience and expertise. Therefore, it’ll be a good idea to seek professional help from an experienced healthcare mobile app development firm to craft an amazing mHealth app that will successfully address users’ pain points.

Expert Tips on Picking the Most Suitable Healthcare App Development Company!

What are the key challenges encountered by the healthcare sector in 2022

The healthcare industry is ever-evolving to meet the dynamic and demanding requirements of changing times. Factors like emerging technologies, rising patient expectations, the latest healthcare trends, and the discovery of new avenues of clinical treatment are the major driving forces behind the need for transformation. However, this transformative journey brings in loads of bottlenecks that healthcare providers struggle to deal with.

I have penned down the major issues prevalent in the healthcare industry as well as effective measures to address those roadblocks. Here we go!

Key Healthcare Industry Challenges and Remedial Measures

Demanding Patient Expectations

The healthcare service expectations of modern-era patients are sky-high and demanding indeed. The most popular demand that was fuelled up by the Covid19 pandemic is a healthcare service that combines both models – virtual and in-person doctor consultations – depending on the requirement/urgency of patients’ medical conditions. Today, most medical facilities offer the option of virtual consultation in real-time via video calling; but effectively integrating in-person and virtual services is quite challenging. The reason is healthcare professionals find it difficult to decide as to which patients need an in-person visit and which patients can be managed by virtual consultations.

Patients, these days, have got accustomed to the convenience of an elevated experience offered by other industries, particularly the retail sector. Needless to say, they crave a similar customer experience from their healthcare provider as well. Telehealth and telemedicine experiences are the most sought-after healthcare models. Patients prefer a streamlined experience including services like ePrescriptions, online prescription refilling, downloading lab results/immunization records, online appointment booking/rescheduling/cancellation, timely reminders via push notifications, online bill payment with multiple available options, checking of insurance status or account status digitally, etc.

Lastly, patients expect fast and flawless services from the practitioners as well as front-desk staff.

Remedial measures

Healthcare organizations need to employ patient-friendly and effective telemedicine/telehealth mobile apps and also integrate secure and HIPAA compliant software solutions/systems to record patient data and provide access to authorized users as and when needed. For this reason, it is advisable to create a centralized portal that consolidates all patients’ information and clinical data. The patient history should be updated regularly, and the portal must be made accessible to all medical staff to avoid unnecessary delays, clinical setbacks, and fatal diagnoses/treatment errors.

Appropriate Handling of Big Data

The digital tools and software solutions that are adopted by medical practices to record and process patient information and clinical data; generate humungous volumes of handy data known as Big Data. This data can be leveraged by the medical facility in the form of data analytics to obtain amazing patient outcomes – like-saving processes, epidemic control, etc. – and reduce operational expenses. Some of the implementations of Big Data in healthcare include EHR integration, predictive analysis, strategic planning, receiving real-time alerts during emergencies, integrated and personalized communication, advanced patient care/treatment, reducing fraudulent practices, and tightening data security. Big Data can bring a lot to the table for medical companies and provide them with a competitive edge.

But, most healthcare service providers are not able to fully utilize this brilliant strategy. It becomes challenging to capture and use Big Data due to the absence of productive methods for data governance. The data needs to be precise, clean, and formatted properly for effective usage. The hospital body needs to create a conducive infrastructure that allows effective data integration and collaboration amongst data providers. And, all these processes are not easy to implement.

Remedial Measures

In order to reap the benefits of data-oriented decision making and analysis, healthcare Services need to implement an online reporting software. The usage of Artificial Intelligence algorithms and Machine Learning methodologies including neural networks is also a highly workable option for the healthcare industry to handle huge volumes of data and gain fruitful outcomes out of it. For this, you need appropriate hardware and software support and technical professionals to drive the processes. This support system can be either built in-house or outsourced from a reliable and experienced vendor offering healthcare app development services.

Cybersecurity Threats posed by Smart Healthcare Systems

Today, the healthcare ecosystem of hospital spaces has become all the more complex and prone to cybercrimes due to the adoption of a technology-infused digital approach powered by automation, data analytics, and interoperability. Dealing with cybersecurity woes has become one of the key challenges in healthcare.

Check out these alarming data breach statistics as reported by the online portal techjury.net:

Healthcare providers invest only 6% of their budget in implementing cybersecurity practices.
24% of the practitioners were not able to identify the commonest signs of malware attacks.
39% of healthcare firms came to know about the data breach several months after its occurrence.
60-80% of healthcare data breaches are not reported at all.
The penalty for data breaches in healthcare is approximately $ 408 for each record which is much higher compared to other industries.

Modern hospitals integrate various third-party systems and different types of connected devices into their environment like IoT-powered wristbands for remote tracking, software tools for crash cart tracking, vital-sign monitors, portable X-ray machines, ventilators, etc. These systems and devices interact with the entire network of the medical facility to generate valuable medical data and patient information to be stored in the EHRs. This data helps in patients’ life sustenance, clinical decision making, data analysis, research, and so on.

But every integrated device makes the hospital infrastructure vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data breaches. Such incidents pose a big threat to patients’ health/safety and the security of sensitive healthcare data and medical systems. Take a look at the type of cyberattacks existing in the healthcare sector and their grave consequences.

Different kinds of Cybers Attacks

Malware: Attackers block a network, service, or system.
DoS (Denial of Service) DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks: The healthcare devices or systems become unavailable for use.
Ransomware: Hackers encrypt data and demand a hefty amount as a ransom for reviving the data.
Phishing Attacks: Phishing links or websites are used for misleading the targeted user; if the user clicks on malicious attachments/links, confidential information can be accessed.
Cloud Storage Breach: Attackers can access insecure APIs and improperly encrypted PHI and PII data stored on the cloud; they can even misconfigure cloud storage altogether.

The Consequence of Cyber Attacks

Cyber-attacks can lock patient care as well as back-office systems and stop their functioning for a certain period. Whenever any life-sustaining equipment is tampered with, the lives of patients are endangered and can even lead to the death of critical patients. Moreover, hackers can invade information networks and access medical research & clinical trial data, patients’ health information, billing details, etc. This data is then sold on the darknet for carrying out fraudulent practices. Medical facilities can be heavily penalized or fined for security breaches and healthcare information leaks, specifically if they have violated the standard regulatory compliances mandated for the healthcare sector. Such incidents tarnish the reputation of healthcare brands, and they start losing customers.

Remedial Measures

Healthcare Providers must secure their infrastructure, databases, networks, and endpoints and protect the private and financial data of patients. So, make sure that every third-party technology integrated into your system is secured and is HITRUST certified, adhere to all regulatory compliances including HIPAA, encrypt data, restrict access to systems without proper authorization and authentication, follow a multi-factor authentication procedure, and implement a strong password policy. Also, regularly update systems to patch security threats, train hospital staff about cybersecurity risks, strictly monitor digitally connected devices to identify intrusions, and be equipped to promptly resolve security breaches. Practices like duplicate encryption, network fragmentation, firewall, risk scans login testing, etc. are also highly effective in maintaining data security.

Issues in Processing Invoices, Payments, and Insurance Claims

The healthcare industry is struggling to streamline payment processing; several medical providers still follow time-consuming and error-prone manual processing cycles. This leads to late payments, missed payments, added operational expenses, and claim denials by insurance firms due to minor errors. Patients also miss the chance to use digital payment alternatives such as virtual cards that enables them to avail of cashback discounts.

Remedial Measures

Healthcare providers need to automate and streamline the entire invoice and claims processing system. Automated capturing of data and coding will speed up the process, minimize errors, lessen claim rejections, and reduce the workload of medical staff.

A feature-rich billing system built in collaboration with the billing firms will ease things for patients. A patient-centric billing system usually comes with handy functions like an online patients’ portal, a flexible dashboard for managing invoices, separate queue screens for IP and OP billing, eStatements, multiple payment alternatives, latest payment processes like text-to-pay, etc. An efficient mobile solution will also send auto payment reminders to patients through push notifications.

EndNote:

Automation and technological innovations in healthcare are a double-edged sword. While technology and digitalization are a boon to the healthcare sector and can solve endless roadblocks, it is challenging to integrate such solutions, and myriad bottlenecks crop up if this software is not properly implemented.

Does that mean that healthcare providers should stay away from digital transformation and lag behind competitors? The answer is a big “no.” Medical service providers must embrace a technological approach, but follow the best practices, regulatory compliances, and security measures to eliminate challenges.

Does your Mobile App require HIPAA Compliance?

Healthcare data has always been vulnerable to threats like data leaks, security breaches, unauthorized access, etc. The emergence of healthcare mobile apps and the current trend of digital healthcare record maintenance and data transfer; have worsened this possibility. Despite offering advantages like convenience, speed, and accuracy; digital healthcare data is prone to cyber-attacks.

Hence, the governing authorities across the globe have established rigorous standards for all medical entities that collect, process, and store patient data. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA, is one such compliance regulation mandated for US-based healthcare bodies that utilize healthcare software solutions.

Developing a HIPAA compliant app involves additional costs as extra security layers need to be integrated within the app. And, data breaches due to HIPAA violations may result in hefty fines or even criminal charges depending upon the severity of the breach. Hence, medical bodies and app development services must be well versed with the specific guidelines that determine whether a particular healthcare mobile app or software needs to comply with HIPAA regulations. This post has consolidated all relevant HIPAA-related information to guide you through HIPAA standards and also mentions which entities are covered under the HIPAA rule. Read along to know whether your healthcare mobile app falls under the category of applications that require HIPAA compliance.

HIPAA: Inception and Governance

The HIPAA act was rolled out on 21st August 1996 and had been updated several times since then. The most noteworthy update was the one declared on 14th April 2003.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulates the HIPAA rule and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces this rule. OCRs provides routine guidance on new issues cropping up in the healthcare industry and investigates the common instances of HIPAA violations.

Why is HIPAA Compliance Important?

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a set of interlocking regulatory standards that establish how businesses should use, store, and disclose patients’ data while maintaining the privacy and security of that data.

The prime objective of HIPAA is to prevent the unauthorized and unlawful exposure of sensitive patient information. As such, HIPAA confers patients certain rights regarding their healthcare data. It also offers federal protection to this data by defining rules concerning administrative setups of medical facilities and the technical safeguards to be used by them. The reason is that if confidential patient data is leaked, there would be absolute chaos resulting in the failure of the entire healthcare system. Therefore, all medical organizations handling PHI (protected health information) must adhere to HIPAA guidelines for protecting the privacy & integrity of patient data and ensuring data security.

How does HIPAA Function and what are its Offerings?

HIPAA defines and controls how a patient’s PHI is collected, stored, and managed by doctors, healthcare facilities, and other stakeholders of the healthcare sector. This PHI can be physical records or electronic records maintained by a healthcare application. HIPAA regulates physical and electronic standards for protecting the privacy of an individual’s data.

Coming to offerings, HIPAA focuses on the confidentiality and privacy of healthcare data. The most notable offerings are providing insurance portability to citizens, setting standards for handling medical data, maintaining the efficiency of healthcare data-related operations, and ensuring data security.

HIPAA Regulations: Categories

HIPAA Privacy Rule

The HIPAA privacy rule determines which data is considered PHI and which entities will ensure whether the PHI is disclosed lawfully or not.

HIPAA Security Rule

The HIPAA security rule deals with electronic information and establishes guidelines to be followed for maintaining the privacy and security of the PHI. This rule categorizes the data protection methodologies into three different segments – physical, administrative, and technical. Physical security standards cater to actual devices, administrative standards deal with training & access control, while the technical category revolves around data.

HIPAA Omnibus Rule

The HIPAA Omnibus rule was added to apply HIPAA compliance for business associates of covered entities. The rule also mandates the rules pertaining to BAAs. BAAs or Business Associate Agreements are contractual agreements that must be signed and agreed upon before sharing or transferring any data containing PHI or ePHI. Such an agreement is executed either between any covered entity and a business associate or between two business associates.

HIPAA Breach Notification Rule

This rule defines standards to be followed by covered entities and business associates in an event of a data breach involving the ePHI or PHI. The rule states various requirements related to breach reporting. Data breach incidents must be promptly reported to HHS OCR. The breach reporting protocols are defined as per the magnitude and the type of the data breach.

Which Elements of the Healthcare Industry are covered under HIPAA Compliance?

PHI (Personal Health Information)

As defined by the US law authorities, all personal or health-related information of a patient that was created, disclosed, or used during the course of diagnoses or treatment; falls under PHI. PHI includes the data used/stored by a healthcare facility, covered entity, or a business associate of a covered entity for identifying a patient’s identity, and determining their present medical condition, payment transaction data, or provisions of medical care. PHI contains a patient’s demographic details like name, address, contact number, date of birth, geographical location, facial pictures, social security number, insurance information, financial details, and healthcare records like medical bills/e-mails, lab test/scan results, pharmaceutical prescriptions, etc.

In a nutshell, PHI is personally identifiable information that is present in a patient’s healthcare records and the treatment-related data interactions happening between doctors and healthcare professionals. The fact that a patient has received services from a covered entity and the date on which the medical service was availed is also considered PHI.

Covered Entities

According to the Department for Health & Human Services (HHS), covered entities include healthcare clearinghouses, health plans, and the healthcare service providers that electronically transmit any kind of transaction-related medical information.

Business Associates

Any establishment/individual that collects, maintains, stores, or transmits PHI on behalf of a covered entity falls under the category of business associates even if they do not directly deal with healthcare. A business associate that works along with a covered entity also needs HIPAA compliance. Determining whether your mobile app is a business associate or not; may become tricky at times. So, it is advisable for you to consult a legal expert if you have the slightest confusion.

Does your Healthcare Mobile App require HIPAA Compliance?

Now comes the million-dollar question; “Does my healthcare mobile app need to be HIPAA compliant?” Let’s explore!

Identifiable and non-identifiable data

The process of determining whether or not your mobile app needs to comply with HIPAA rules is quite tricky. This is because data like a person’s DOB or zip code may seem least likely to be misused, but such data can be utilized by resourceful hackers for causing harm to individuals because these are identifiable data. As such, app owners must be able to distinguish between identifiable data and non-identifiable data.

For instance, popular fitness applications like Fitbit, Wahoo Fitness, Runkeeper, MyFitnessPal, etc. do not need HIPAA compliance because they track & handle non-identifiable data like heart rate, calories burnt, diet consumed, blood glucose levels, distance covered, steps climbed, BMI, and weight changes. Such data, if stolen cannot be used for carrying out malicious practices. So, this type of data is categorized under consumer health information, and not PHI. Furthermore, the aforesaid apps do not share the stored data with any third-party provider like doctors, medical professionals, or insurance agencies. And, since this data is not being transmitted, app owners do not require encrypting data by adding layers like cipher suites or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

mHealth and telemedicine apps have to be HIPAA compliant as they collect and transmit identifiable patient data. These apps connect patients with doctors for consultation, diagnoses, and treatment. For instance, mHealth/telemedicine app users are asked a plethora of questions concerning their health for narrowing down the symptoms, and then this information is used for finding the most suitable doctor who can begin their treatment. Moreover, patients receive treatment through remote monitoring via video conference calls, text messages, virtual doctor visits, and discussion forums. Therefore, such apps need to store and transmit data like e-prescription, personal identification data, treatment history, appointment information, etc.

Healthcare e-mails and Push Notifications

Generally, e-mails are non-compliant as they are usually unable to encrypt the contents. However, e-mailing information that contains PHI is a HIPAA violation. Hence, if PHI-related information has to be sent through e-mails, you must choose a HIPAA-compliant e-mail service provider for such communications.

Push notifications sent to users via mobile apps may violate HIPAA regulations. This is because, the content sent may be visible publicly on the screen, even when the smartphone device is locked. So, it’s advisable to avoid including any PHI-related data in the push notification content.

API and Database Calls

If your app depends on the data from the covered entity like a practitioner’s office and isn’t HIPAA compliant, then these covered entities will not be allowed to grant access to your app to execute API or database calls. Also it will not be able to read any information contained in the database. This will limit the app’s functionality considerably.

Concluding Lines:

If your healthcare mobile app needs to be HIPAA compliant, every element of the app including external tools or sensors has to comply with HIPAA rules. HIPPA compliance adds multiple security layers to your mobile app like administrative safeguards, technical safeguards, physical safety measures, documentation safety measures, and breach notification regulations. This increases the complexity of mobile app development and chances of misses are likely.

So, it would be a great idea to seek technical assistance and partner with experienced healthcare app development services. These companies can help you build the most robust HIPAA-compliant apps that function without any operational glitches.

How Blockchain and IoT are Improving the Food Supply Chain?

Blockchain and IoT are the state of the art technologies that have set the wheel of INDUSTRY 4.0 on a roll. They involve multiple stakeholders and bring digital transactions, big data storage, and cryptographic security to the table. These smart practices and technologies have the capability to transform the food industry to make it more robust and sustainable. This article will give you an insight on how Blockchain and IoT are impacting Food Supply Chain.

What is blockchain?

Do you remember Skywalker from Star Wars keeping a record of things using ‘force’? Blockchain is the skywalker of the digital age which can help you to keep the track of things using digital systems. Blockchain is used to store data or keep records using technology.

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) means a digital decentralised database that helps to keep check against data theft. Blockchain is a type of DLT, which is a digital system for recording digital transactions. Its super strength lies in the fact that it can keep a tap on transactions and related data in multiple places at the same time. Can you imagine a huge chain of boxes linked together? Blockchain stores data in blocks that are digitally chained together and computers in this system are connected to a peer-to-peer network instead of a central computer like in traditional databases.

So, Blockchain technology is preferred over conventional databases in how it stores and manages information. These days, the whole world is getting digitized and so cyber security is the new basic need of industries and people. Blockchain is designed to make it impossible to hack the system making it secure and immutable. Hence, Blockchain technology is getting more traction and it is being wide used by many businesses.

How blockchain is used by food supply companies?

Three years ago the world experienced something unimaginable. Many businessmen skipped their heartbeat and many companies left to face the inevitable. The COVID-19 disaster cut opened the existing fault lines in the supply chain. The nature of the food industry is such that it is vulnerable to timing, delivery and safety. If the food supply chain perishes, the whole human race perishes. Hence, to conquer such uncertainty, blockchain offers an amazing solution. Let’s take a deeper dive into the Blockchain and understand the impact it’s having on the food industry.

1) Blockchain ensures food safety. It can trace the food supplies from suppliers to buyers.

2) While of course, among the other benefits, balancing market pricing is one of them. It establishes a ledger in the network and adds value to the current market.

3) Blockchain is thoroughgoing. It helps by giving information about the entire value chain.

4) It is effortlessly easy to use for the participants. Access the records in your comfort without any hustle. It may help to give you an idea about the universal and total outline of supply and demand.

5) The blockchain apps for trades might upscale traditional commodity trading and hedging as well.

6) If transparency is something you are looking for in a business, then Blockchain is a big YES for you. It enables verified transactions to be safely shared with all players in the supply chain, creating a marketplace with immense transparency.

Food supply chain companies use blockchain to track and trace items as they move through the supply chain. The government and various industries are using blockchain as the basis for smart contracts and other mechanisms for transferring and protecting intellectual property rights. Many industries that want to revolutionise their business strategies are now exploring blockchain-based applications as a secure and cost-effective way to create and manage a distributed database and maintain records for digital transactions of all types.

Hence, blockchain is being considered as a viable solution for securely tracking and sharing data between multiple business entities. Along with blockchain, a few other technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) is also contributing to the blossoming future of businesses.

What is the Internet of Things?

Do you want to turn on and turn off the car in your garage without moving a foot and enjoying soda sitting on your sofa or do you want to save energy and switch off lights in your house? You can do all this without moving a foot and with just your single command with IoT.

Internet of Things refers to the combined network of linked devices and the technology that facilitates communication between devices and the cloud, as well as between the devices themselves. With the 21st century, the internet went on to reach everywhere. But more soothing than this was the advent of super-cheap computer chips and high bandwidth telecommunication which enabled billions of devices to connect to the internet. So from smaller devices like the table lamp to the bigger devices and things like cars, houses can use sensors to collect and store data and respond intelligently to users.

The Internet of Things incorporates everyday “things” with the internet. This has offered tremendous space for food supply chains to explore the area. The major drawback of the food supply chain was the irregular interconnection. IoT, thus indulging the interconnection between the various stakeholders of the supply chain helps to create an effortless and effective system.

As computing devices also underwent a revolution, they were reduced in size, these chips also became smaller, faster, and smarter over time.

Multiple benefits that IoT offers to the Food supply chain industry

So, let’s look deeper into IoT and the impacts it is having on the food industry

It is cost-effective

The cost of syncing computer devices with other objects has now been reduced handsomely. It has opened a new avenue for the food supply chain industry as B2B businesses always look to reduce the investment and increase profits. Though costs of IoT are allied, they effectively increase the main course and profits.

It soothes the process

The food industry can’t endure staying behind. Globally, the population has been booming and so the onus lies on the supply chain to balance the needs of the human race. The food industry, hence, has revolutionised itself with a focus on pouring our storehouses, businesses, and offices with IoT devices. These smart devices can automatically transmit and record data to and from the Internet. Which eases the surveillance burden of the contractors.

It makes tracking easier

The Internet of Things is everywhere. From manufacturer to retailer's market to consumers while they shop, IoT devices can help to track the food supply movement. In the food supply chain, data is used by companies to track and trace products movements, analyze trends of their usage, easily communicate with people, automated machinery, and many more endless uses. So IoT makes the hustle free tracking of every stakeholder of the food supply chain.

Readjustment with the global trends

COVID 19 had skipped two good years from the lives of the people. Globalisation has reduced the boundaries and borders and brought the world closer to each other. But when disasters like COVID struck the world, it was nearly impossible for the world to avoid them. But with the IoT, these kinds of readjustments are now way much easier.

The IoT is made up of sensor-embedded devices that captures the data and then transmits volumes of data from all types of IoT devices to the Internet, machines, people, and beyond. So, by analysing the trends at any end of the supply chain, we can easily readjust the whole food supply chain cycle.

It can spread awareness and make monitoring serene.

While the IoT offers novel uses in the food industry, it can replace the long used tracking practice of logistics. Gone are the days when it was difficult to keep track of the ordered products. Now companies can use smart labels to give consumers full visibility into their supply chain. Customers can simply scan the package’s QR code, and learn if the package has left the factory or when, and how each ingredient made its way into that particular product. This way, IoT is helping the companies to be aware of the purity and elevating food safety practices.

It can upscale the management of warehouses.

It is not just the food production, but the storage in the warehouses is also a huge task for food manufacturers. Manufacturers install sensors for timely monitoring, quality control, leveraging real-time analytics to streamline production, measure worker productivity, and calculate labour costs. IoT with real-time maintenance capabilities could automatically fix its own malfunctions before they occur.

According to the Food Industry Executive Report, researchers predict that more than 34 billion Internet-connected devices will be in use by 2020, 40 per cent of which will be used for business-related purposes. In the supply chain, the IoT enables real-time monitoring, transparency, huge data collection, and more effective and automated problem solving than conventional methods. To prepare for the future of demands, stakeholders of the supply chain must indulge the practice of IoT and effectively start to include the smart practices in the business.

The pantheon of the INDUSTRY 4.0 is being led by smart practices like the blockchain and IoT and we at Biz4solutions are working hard to upcycle your business dreams. We bring not just the conventional solution but also offer smart ways to upgrade your business and increase the productivity of your business. It’s your time to say YES! Allow us to help you with Digital transformation, robotic process automation, IoT, blockchain app development, cloud solution, mobile apps and many more state-of-the-art services. Drop your email in the comment box and relax, our experts will get in touch with you shortly.

Essential Features to include in your Pharmacy Management System!

Digitalization has made its mark in every sub-domain of the healthcare sector, and the pharmacy industry is no exception. The advent of smart Pharmacy management systems has eased countless operational woes for pharmacy business owners. So, what is a pharmacy management system? Well, it’s a software system that has been programmed for carrying out various functions that are needed to operate a pharmacy business.

Versatile pharmacy software works wonders for pharmacy owners as well as consumers. A sound pharmacy solution automates and simplifies pharmaceutical functions like medication dispensing, identifying drug over-usage, etc. resulting in smart pharmacy management, reduced errors, and enhanced patient services.

Now the question that arises in your mind is; “What features to include in sound Pharmacy software?” This post provides you with detailed insights on the essential features to integrate within a modern-day pharmacy management software system. Let’s get started!

Pharmacy Management System: Essential Features

A Centralized Database for Data Storage

Data plays an important role in the pharmacy sector. Hence, a pharmacy business must ensure the safe and secure storage of data as well as a productive data processing mechanism. A pharmacy management system offers a centralized database for storing medicine-related data securely so that data is never lost and can be retrieved easily whenever needed. The system software also manages transaction records.

This feature adds to the patient’s convenience as it simplifies data search, ensures secure data access, and facilitates information collection about medicine availability. Providers reap the advantages of auto-generated drug reports, the need for a lesser workforce, improved communication between the pharmacy staff, real-time visibility into inventory and sales through advanced data analytics, and enhanced decision-making. The best part is that this centralized database is highly effective for businesses with small databases as well.

e-Prescription Generation

The usage of e-Prescriptions or electronic prescriptions is gaining momentum these days. Here’s how the process of e-prescribing functions?

A prescription is created electronically and then, transmitted from the prescriber to the pharmacy. Usually, a CPOE (computerized provider order entry) system like an EHR is employed for this purpose. The doctor creates a medication order using a CPOE system and sends it to the patient’s pharmacy through a secured connection. Once, the e-Prescription is generated, the pharmacy tracks the order and communicates whether that order was received and filled. Such communication between two systems is made possible with the usage of SCRIPT, a special XML-based standard. However, any type of prescription creation software needs to be Surescripts certified. So, healthcare entities generating ePrescriptions have to either get their system certified or pick pharmacy app development services that support Surescripts certification.

The e-Prescription feature saves paperwork, reduces the chances of human errors, and rules out the possibility of the prescription being lost or stolen. Moreover, as doctors can send medication refills directly to the pharmacy, medicines are speedily dispensed. Furthermore, patients availing of e-Prescription enjoy benefits like getting notified if they had missed picking up their order, creating order renewal requests with just a few clicks, and many more.

Synchronization with Real-time Information

An ideal pharmacy management system need to consider situations like technical glitches and system crashes where the data can get lost in a split of a second. For this reason, the system must synchronize with real-time data including price-related updates, inventory updates, and auto-program updates. This feature promotes real-time interaction and hence, allows pharmacists to help patients with insurance forms as well.

Analytics & Report Generation

Pharmacies interact with countless patients daily. This data concerning patient interaction is immensely beneficial as it helps pharmacy businesses in understanding the requirement, planning the future course of action, and improving business strategies. This data can also be useful while carrying out audits, inspections, or certification processes in the future.

A pharmacy app records data of each patient interaction, stores it in the pharmacy information system, and generates classified sales reports that are organized product-wise and category-wise. These reports calculate the factors that determine medication sales and provide crucial insights into the business activities of a pharmacy service. Service providers can effortlessly identify purchase patterns like which consumers frequently visit the pharmacy for medicine refills and what kind of medicines they order, which medicines are in demand at a particular season, etc. This way, pharmacy wholesalers/vendors can stock medicines as per the consumer requirement, be sufficiently equipped to handle the demand surge for specific drugs during a particular season like the flu season, and devise profitable marketing strategies.

Implementing an ERP system will help in handling monitoring & analysis activities and statutory audit checks.

Reports reveal a great deal about the current performance metrics of a pharmacy, the areas of improvement for boosting the ROI, and the budgeting roadmap that need to be followed. Data analytics reports also help pharmacy owners to detect suspicious patterns and check anomalies within their operations. Overall, reports lead to more informed decisions and increased revenues.

Necessary Integrations

An effective pharmacy management system must be able to integrate with other healthcare systems to facilitate the seamless flow and consistency of medical data. Let’s take a look at the commonest integrations needed. Interaction with a medical facility’s EHR enables the pharmacy solution to access the treatment records, as well as the medical history of patients, and integration with the logistics system helps in timely medicine distribution. Pharmacy software also needs to integrate with billing systems, hospital management systems (HMS), relevant external platforms, etc.

Dashboard

An in-built dashboard that provides actionable insights is of prime importance in a complex pharmacy management system. The presence of a dashboard helps pharmacy providers track the amount of medicines that are produced and the amount of wastage as well. Dashboards offer KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) through focused charts and reports. The KPI reports are based on the service provider’s key goals and display only those pieces of data that the pharmacy owner requires to fulfill a specific objective they have set. Therefore, this data not only boosts data analysis but also enhances business productivity and collaboration.

Support for SMS Alerts and Multi-store/Multi-location Management

The feature supporting SMS and notification allows pharmacists to get intimated whenever any patient’s medication is about to expire and they need a refill. Pharmacy staff then notifies patients via text messages before their prescriptions run out and patients can inform the pharmacist that they need a refill by just responding to the message received. Also, pharmacists can continuously stay in touch with consumers through status updates, thereby elevating the patient experience.

If pharmacy software offers multi-store and multi-location support, owners can manage the functioning of several stores at different locations. Pharmacy providers can view the exchange of electronic data concerning sales, returns, stock levels, etc., and also calculate the profits made by the entire pharmacy chain.

Medication Order Management

A pharmacy management system makes use of reordering points or the pharmacy-defined par levels for generating automatic orders. Thereafter, it calculates the number of items required for raising the stock level; it then adds the required quantity of items to the order. An EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) methodology is used for delivering the orders.

Managing Medication Expiries

Pharmacies suffer losses on account of expired drugs. Since pharmacies buy medication from whole sellers in bulk, every medicine has a different expiry date and MRP. Therefore, it becomes challenging for pharmacists to keep track of the expiry dates of each medicine. As a result, several drugs get expired while lying on the shelves of pharmacies without the knowledge of pharmacists and the pharmacy owners come to know about it only after the date of expiry, leading to medication wastage.

A pharmacy management system having the expiry management functionality notifies the owners about the expiry dates of medicines well in advance. This provides pharmacy owners the option to either sell those medicines to customers or return them back to the supplier. This way, wastage of medicines and financial losses can be avoided.

Management of Medication Re-ordering

The medication re-orders management feature provides critical insights that help pharmacists to stay informed and organized. Right from establishing re-order points, to finding out when to replenish the stock, and determining which product fares better in the inventory, this functionality does it all.

Pharmacists have to pre-define the maximum and minimum stock level margins, and then feed this data into the system. Now, the system alerts them whenever the stock level goes below the minimum point prompting them to reorder. It also suggests the best purchase option to the user, as per the programs offered by nearby suppliers, and recommends purchase schemes that offer super-saving options.

Module for User Management

A user management module helps pharmacy providers effortlessly set access-related preferences for different groups of users in order to reserve certain features for specific users. This includes restricting access to certain features for different audiences. The functions of this module can be segregated into two categories – Administrator User and Administrator Authentication User.

The Administrator User Module empowers the user to control the buying-selling process and carry out actions like viewing the medication stock available in the pharmacy; enlisting the medicines they need, tracking the pharmacy map, etc. This category of user management regulates the daily processing of stocks and sales.

The Administrator Authentication User Module allows the authenticated users to view every process including the transactions, sales reports, etc., manipulate the medication lists as well as stocks, track their everyday activities, and generate daily accounts using the multi-site software.

Inventory Management

The module for managing stocks in the inventory proves very handy to pharma owners. This feature integrates an EDI or APIs to order data. The offerings include classification of inventory products based on their categories, receiving as well as generating automatic orders, drug dispensing, managing out-of-stock products, and providing inventory counts and print labels. The software generates inventory reports that enable the suppliers and pharmacists to identify the best-selling products and figure out which drugs are affecting the distribution and ordering processes.

Sales Management Modules

Billing and accounting tasks in a pharmacy are often prone to errors. Nevertheless, an efficient pharmacy management system offering the sales management feature can optimize such tasks and eliminate the chances of errors. Here, the system automates the tasks of receiving orders, executing payments, and generating receipts; then add these tasks in reports.

The sales management module correctly matches the product codes to formulate their accurate prices, resulting in error-free billing. POS or point-of-sales module offers patients a wide range of options for making payments and completing returns.

Some billing modules offer electronic signatures and options for managing patient data and loyalties. And, if patient data is connected with billing histories, smart analytics utilizes this data for creating real-time financial reports and provides recommendations on improving patient experience.

Managing Prescriptions and Doctor Commissions

Difficulty in reading prescriptions by the patients and pharmacists has always been the source of confusion and errors in drug dispensing. The usage of a competent pharmacy management system resolves such woes as the data is directly entered by the doctor and electronically stored within the system.

The system also tracks pharmaceutical transactions to identify which practitioner has created a particular prescription or which medical representative is involved in a specific transaction with the pharmacy regarding medication sales. Such software instantly calculates the doctor/MR commission generated by the pharmacy for each medicine sold out and each prescription involved.

Compliance with Standard Regulations

Compliance with standard regulations mandated by authorities is essential for any pharmaceutical practice. So, a pharmacy management system must be compliant with the latest security practices and evaluation parameters mandated for activities like e-prescription generation, medication ordering, medicine refill, etc.

For instance, DSCSA (Drug Supply Chain Security Act) prohibits US pharmacies to dispense fake medicines and thus protects the citizens from counterfeit medication. Canadian pharmacies have to comply with the regulations defined by NAPRA and European pharma stores need to verify the authenticity of each medicine by employing a point-of-dispense validation system.

Bottomline:

I hope this post was informative and has given you a clear idea of which features to add while executing the pharmacy app development process. However, you need to pick the features as per your requirement and business objectives.

If you are a novice in the software development arena, it would be advisable to team up with skilled healthcare app developers or a reliable IT firm that has extensive experience in pharmacy app development. Your partner will take care of your pharmacy software development project right from app ideation to deployment.

Why Should Companies Adapt to AI?

AI, big data, and machine learning technologies are increasingly ingrained in our daily lives. It is no longer the future but rather a present reality. AI allows you to make decisions much quicker and more precisely than before. While it is still a novel idea, it already has many businesses uses.

It is altering the way things are done and making people more productive. In fact, 86% of CEOs say that AI is a mainstay in their workplaces as of 2021. It's becoming vital in unforeseen ways, from forecasting customer behavior to decreasing data entry.

Even if individuals have mixed opinions about AI, it is hard to deny that it provides us with enormous prospects. It is particularly true from a financial perspective since commercial enterprises and government agencies are interested in this field.

Before considering why companies should adapt to AI, let's look at what artificial intelligence is.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the foundation for simulating human thinking functions by developing and deploying algorithms in a dynamic computing environment. Computers are pretty good at evaluating these algorithms and coming up with the best decision. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are the core future of commercial decision-making.

Machine learning algorithms are used to build and deploy AI. ML refers to the tools and techniques used to create a model to identify patterns. Machine learning model operations are required in businesses where multiple models are deployed.

Developing, analyzing, changing, and implementing predictive models are part of machine learning model operations. It keeps track of inspections, pauses, routines, statistics, and versioning to ensure repeat testing. It makes the machine learning lifecycle so much simpler.

All modeling operations attempt to make ML models as efficient and productive as possible. It's worth noting that we're dealing with two different aspects of machine learning model maintenance. AI is used in various domains, enabling our lives to be more accessible than ever before. Artificial intelligence can aid any company in the following ways:

Process management optimization
Using market research to get insights
Including models in the manufacturing process
Involvement of stakeholders in the findings

Benefits AI Can Provide to Companies

1. Improves Customer Service

Chat will have surpassed all other customer support platforms by the next few years. By automating client contacts, AI-driven chatbots enable businesses to deliver 24/7 customer assistance. AI advancements have enabled bots to pick up on conversational nuances and precisely imitate human language.

AI-enabled chatbots can bridge customer service voids for small organizations that don't have the funds or human resources to hire a customer care staff.

AI can also help in customized alerts to specific users. Personalization allows it to be tailored to particular users, assuring that they obtain the most suitable response at the right time.

Machine learning techniques are now being used in SEO services too. It is used to analyze the purpose behind query phrase picks and the content of queries.

2. Save Time and Resources

Companies can benefit from AI's increased efficiency and production because manual processes take time and cost. Automation has substantially impacted all corporate sectors by reducing repetitive and tedious processes and conserving time and resources. Processes include:

Operate robotic lines in manufacturing
Monitor warehouse balances
Process payments
Respond to customer queries

AI can complete jobs at a rate and level that no person can achieve. When humans are not obliged to execute repetitive and tedious jobs, they may focus on higher-value activities that machines and computers can do.

Once the initial startup expenses are covered, automating activities results in fewer labor hours, less paperwork, and improved customer satisfaction. As a result, you'll be able to increase your profitability and reallocate cash to produce more revenue.

3. Helps in HR Processes

The selection process is another place where artificial intelligence may enhance productivity. AI can accelerate the applicant assessment process by automating filtering calls and examining applicant submissions. AI also aids in the elimination of human bias in pre-employment checks, which is a positive thing for employee engagement.

Human resources frequently manage interior employee assets. According to the Harvard Business Review, internal services for addressing problems in IT and personnel regulations can be made easier with artificial intelligence.

One of the causes is that artificial intelligence may be used to drive natural language search for discovering answers to specific questions. AI improves each time, allowing it to respond to requests more rapidly and correctly.

4. Improves Cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence is an attempt to mimic human understanding. In the sphere of cybersecurity, it has immense promise. AI platforms can be trained to provide threat warnings, discover potential malware, and protect critical data for companies.

It can be used to detect cyber dangers and potentially dangerous behaviors. Conventional software solutions cannot keep up with a large amount of new malware released each week. Therefore, this is an area where artificial intelligence can help.

Systems are trained to identify malware and execute predictive modeling using sophisticated algorithms. It can provide information on new anomalies, cyberattacks, and countermeasures. After all, hackers are subject to the same trends as the general public, so what's trendy with them shifts regularly.

5. Easy Insights

A startling amount of companies have yet to tap into their data riches. Companies usually have all the information about the consumers but don't know what to do with it or draw essential insights.

AI helps firms make intelligent, strategic business decisions by combining large volumes of complex data, analyzing it, recognizing patterns, and uncovering insight.

For example, AI is being used in the financial services industry to organize, categorize, and pattern massive volumes of economic data. Its goal is to deliver more personalized and customized advice to clients. In a few minutes, AI can process vast amounts of data.

Final Thoughts

You may have observed that all of the highlighted advantages are rather broad. Different companies in various industries may use AI to achieve multiple goals in practice. AI may increase efficiency, reliability, and customer support and assist a firm in developing by spotting patterns and maximizing sales prospects.

Another benefit of artificial intelligence in the company is marketing personalization. Algorithms can spot interconnections and repeating patterns in the behavior of prospective and actual users. Based on this information, making particular offers for certain persons makes it feasible.

The list could continue indefinitely. However, the real benefits of AI are not contained in what most people believe in. So, it's crucial to figure out how it might benefit your company specifically.

Would like to build an impeccable AI/ML solution for your business? Well then, the Machine learning Services offered by Biz4Solutions are worth a try! Our team of tech nerds has the proficiency, experience, and expertise required to tailor highly functional AI/ML apps/solutions for clients from diverse industry verticals.

Blockchain: Data security solutions for every industry

With technology creeping into our professional and personal lives, data security has become of paramount importance. Statistics suggest that about 6 billion confidential files have been stolen just between the years 2017 and 2018. We again seek technology to solve the issues related to data security, which have been aroused by technology itself. Blockchain cybersecurity is the perfect solution. Blockchain development has solved many other industry problems related to business transactions. It provides greater data security with strong encryptions, minimal vulnerabilities, and effective data ownership. It is now being used across every industry including food industry, financial services sector, healthcare, oil& gas industry, and shipping & logistics. Every industry that deals with data and transaction is looking forward to Blockchain as a solution for data security.

What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is shared ledger that records and tracks the transaction in any business network. It also tracks the tangible and intangible assets to ensure the authenticity of every transaction. It is a fast and transparent platform of information, stored on an immutable ledger that can only be accessed by authorized members of that business network. The entire platform is very transparent and members have the access to the information of end-to-end transactions. One single person cannot make changes to the Blockchain system, making it tamper-proof.

Characteristics of Blockchain

The use of Blockchain technology in multiple industries is primarily because of its security-based features. Key characteristics of Blockchain are:

Digital ledger: Copies of all the information are shared with all the members. Participants validate information independently without any central authority. Any error by one member at one node does affect the other nodes in the network.
Digital platform: Completely digitized framework eliminates the need for manual paperwork which is susceptible to errors and damages.
Chronology: Information about every transaction is stored in blocks and each block is connected in a chronological chain. Thus, the system of records is maintained with a time-stamp.
Cryptographic security: The blocks are cryptographically sealed, making them resistant to edit, delete, and copy actions, creating a high level of trusted business network.
Consensus–based: Any transaction requires unanimous approval of all the parties of the network. This makes Blockchain a very transparent framework.

How Blockchain Improves Data-Security

Data security is one of the leading Blockchain use cases in every sector. The distributed ledger is based on a dispersed public key infrastructure model that secures every stored data.

Data encryption

All the information of a transaction is stored in blocks using cryptography. Every participant of the network is given a private key to be used as a digital signature. Each block is time-stamped and contains the cryptographic hash of the previous block. These hash values are unique to maintain the integrity of the system. Any alternation in the record makes this personal signature invalid and the peer network gets the notification that there has been an undesired altercation, raising a red flag for the malpractice. Every data in a transaction is very secure. This security makes unauthorized data modification very difficult.

Decentralization data storage system

The decentralized system makes Blockchain independent of association with any centralized system or organization. It runs on a peer-to-peer network without involving any central server. This reduces the dependency and trust on the other members of the network. This also cuts down any chances of any one member getting authority over the system. The creation and storage of any data in Blockchain is only dependent on the tamper-proof technology and not individuals.

Enhanced trust with smart contracts

Smart contracts in Blockchain ensure that the programs only run after the predetermined conditions are met. The execution can be automated to ensure no third-party interference. This increases the trust in the system and the transaction. The contracts and assets are tested using access control, business logic, authentication to instill greater confidence in the participants.

Data portability

Blockchain offers decentralized identifiers that help the users in retaining control of their identity. They can move their digital identity from one blockchain system to other. The user can reuse the uploaded data at their discretion. The user can directly connect with the service provider and address the issues of ‘switching costs’ in data portability. Blockchain is a perfect solution for personal data management where the user can change the location of the data without losing its integrity.

Secure Communication with Blockchain

All other network communication frameworks have community interactions with the dependency on intermediary institutions which is susceptible to failure. A Blockchain based-framework offers communication security with data encryption, distributed ledger, smart contracts, and other security features. There are many other security features such as pattern-matching schemes to detect inappropriate files. Every transaction and asset including data is time-stamped to trace its chronology. Blockchain is about a higher level of authentication, non-repudiation and integrity.

Blockchain Security and Implementation Tips

Blockchain framework is of different types and their application depends on the infrastructure of the organization. Certain factors need to be chalked out before choosing a Blockchain framework.

The governance model of the organization
The data for each block
Relevant regulatory requirements and methods to meet them
Identity and keys management
Disaster recovery plan
Minimal security posture for the participants
Mechanism to resolve block collisions in Blockchain

The risks of the Blockchain security model need to be identified to reap maximum advantage. A risk model should be prepared to address all the challenges in governance, business, process, and technology. Next, a threat model should be prepared to evaluate the threats to the desired blockchain security framework. The security controls to manage these risks and threats should be established to start with the implementation of private Blockchain.

Conclusion

There are certain challenges that Blockchain faces with its implementation across the complicated internet-based infrastructure. However, it cannot be denied that it can serve as the standard solution for standing cyber security issues. Blockchain has immense capability to mitigate cyber security vulnerabilities. The IT decision-makers should keep inculcating the appropriate and latest developments in Blockchain to get the best results from its implementation. They also have to keep a tab on the industry and application framework for proper implementation of Blockchain. We are one of the established software development companies with long list of clientele for Blockchain application. We can help you in building the best Blockchain application for your enterprise. Contact us today to own a robust and sustainable blockchain application.

A guide to create best fitness app

The fitness industry is flourishing with the growing awareness regarding health and fitness. Consumers are driven towards fitness apps for their ease of use and personalized approach. Many apps have made their way into the market as the best fitness apps on the pretext of offering personalized diet and exercise regimes. The global fitness app market size which was estimated to value around $1.1 Billion in the year 2021 is expected to grow at a steady rate of 17.6% CAGR between the years 2022 and 2030.

Fitness providers are constantly looking for opportunities to monetize their offerings. Fitness apps are the perfect solution for fitness providers to reach a large consumer segment on a global level. With the help of healthcare app development companies, developing a fitness app has become very easy today.

Types of Fitness Apps

Anyone planning to launch a fitness app must first decide on the kind of app they want to associate with. Let us take a look at the different types of fitness apps.

Fitness tracking app

Such apps can be integrated with smartphones to track the calories with every fitness exercise. Many apps such as Fitbit and Nokia Health have already made their mark in this segment. These apps also track fitness goals and send reminders to the users to keep them on track.

Fitness workout apps

Workout apps are best for newbies unaware of the different methods and exercises to achieve their physical goals. Many apps offer 5-7 minutes quick workout routines which can be followed anytime even in a busy schedule.

Social fitness app

This app will empower you with connectivity. You can share your workout details and goals with your friends on social media and stay motivated. You can create and participate in challenges to keep up your interest in a workout.

Competitive fitness app

Many fitness apps are dedicated to competitions. It can be about cycling, running, or any other competitive workout. You can participate in the competitions and share your goals.

Altruistic fitness apps

Such apps are associated with charities and causes. It has tie-up with different corporate sponsors who donate a certain amount for a cause for every milestone achieved by a participant.

How to Create a Fitness App?

Finalize the application type

The very first step is to decide the kind of app you want to create. Who should it cater to and what are the issues that it can solve. Conduct market research to understand your target market and the scope of introducing an application into it. Brainstorm ideas about the app and its USP.

Choose a monetization model

Now that you have the basic idea of the app in mind, choose a monetization model. The monetization model is the business model using which you are going to earn revenue from the application. You have different types to choose from:

Paid apps: The user has to pay to use such apps and the price varies for different platforms, remote devices, and content.
Freemium: The basic features of such apps can be used for free. The user has to pay to use the premium features.
In-app purchases: The user can download and use the app for free. They are motivated to make some purchases on the app such as a diet plan or some health drink.
Ads and sponsored content: The app company sells the space on their apps to third parties for their advertisements and sponsored content, and earns on a pay-per-click model.

Decide the basic features

You have to decide which features you are going to offer on your fitness app. Some of the common features are:

User profile

This profile option captures the current physical characteristics and goals of the user. The users can check their profile to check their weight, body dimensions, and other details along with the transformation they have been through.

Goal tracking

This option allows the user to see the upcoming fitness milestones and the actions required from their end. Accordingly, they can plan their daily activity.

Social sharing

You can boost the morale of the users by allowing them to share their daily activities and goals on social media.

Reminders

Reminders can help the users in getting notified about the workouts required to reach the nearest fitness milestone. There are many other fitness features as well, that you can take up once your basic version is up.

Develop the prototype

The prototype allows you to materialize your visualizations of the app. Multiple wireframes can be created to arrive at the basic design that houses all the features of the application. Create the basic version of your app and keep it ready to test.

Design

Once a successful prototype is developed, it is ready to enter the final design. You can hire a UX design team to create the best fitness app designs. Pay heed to the user experience as it's primarily going to decide the success of your app.

Decide on Tech Stack

This is the time you need to choose the tech stack. The technology you choose should support all the features, scalability, multiple operating systems, and remote devices. Again, you can think about making a native app, cross-platform app, progressive web app, or any other type of fitness app. The technology will be responsible for the cross-platform compatibility and responsiveness of the fitness app. The focus should be on making higher penetration in the target market.

Develop and Test

The development and testing cycle starts from here. You can start adding changes in design, and code, and then test each addition. From User testing, unit testing, to functional testing, every type of testing is important.

1. Check the security and compliance

Run security tests to ensure that the fitness app is secure and there are no chances of data theft. Find out if you need a license or approval to run the app.

2. Release and support

This is the last step. You have to release the fitness app and make sure it performs. Check the app performance using the mobile analytics tools. Monitor the reviews and feedback. Keep making the changes and modifications in the app and release it as a different version.

How Much Will Fitness App Development Cost?

Developing a fitness app may cost you between $25000 and $60000. No fixed amount can be stated. It depends on the different factors including features to be developed, design, management, testing, and quality assurance. All of these elements are going to cost you. A customized app will cost more than an off-the-shelf app.

Conclusion

Fitness app development can be challenging if the development is not well planned. You have to first decide the type of fitness app you want to create. Then chalk out the entire development plan in steps. The cost of app development is also important. Keep it in consideration while finalizing the different app development steps. You can escape this step of estimating cost and finalizing development by hiring a healthcare app development company. You can contact us to create the fitness app from scratch. We have an in-house design team that can provide you with the best UX designs. As a leading software development company, we are dedicated to developing highly responsive and user-friendly apps. Contact us today to develop the best fitness app in your budget.

All-Inclusive guide on Hiring Health Care Developers

The ever-increasing patient expectations, the emergence of innovative technologies, and tough competition amongst healthcare service providers have fuelled up the need for healthcare digitalization. And, the rapid adoption of smart medical equipment and software solutions by medical facilities has given rise to the trend of hiring healthcare app developers.

However, hiring developers for tailoring a suitable app/solution for your medical practice is not as easy as it sounds. While the right solution created by skilled developers can bring a lot to the table and boost your ROI; the wrong development methodology or a single developmental error can lead to huge disappointments, costly rework, and heavy losses. Hence, you need to choose your healthcare app development team with care.

This post provides you with all-inclusive guidance on hiring the right set of developers for your upcoming healthcare app development project.

Healthcare App Development Strategy: In-house Team or Freelancers or Outsourcing Agency?

In-house Team

If you plan to engage an in-house team of developers to build your healthcare software system, coordination will be outstanding. But you will face issues like high infrastructure & administrative costs, a limited talent pool, and loads of time and effort on team management.

Freelancers

Hiring freelancers may be the cheapest and most convenient option as it rules out any hiring hassles. Nevertheless, freelance developers are not so reliable and are likely to back out of the project mid-way, leaving you in deep waters.

Outsourcing Agency

Outsourcing software developers or development companies is the most popular and profitable approach as it comes with countless benefits. This approach allows you to choose from a wide range of talented healthcare app developers from across the globe, flexible hiring models like the pay-as-you-go option, more experienced teams, end-to-end product development cycles, and many more. Moreover, the Healthcare provider can entrust the IT development responsibility to partner firms and focus on their core industrial operations. Here, you get an entire development team or independent developers depending on your requirement.

This approach too has minor downsides like communication woes, time differences, and language barriers. But these issues can be easily avoided if you pick an experienced healthcare app development company with a good track record, maintain transparent communication throughout the development process, and enter into contractual agreements beforehand.

Hiring Healthcare App developers: Generic Factors to Consider

Background Research

Check the credentials, previous work history, and client feedback of the outsourcing vendor agency or healthcare app developers you have shortlisted. This can be done by visiting the software company’s website and checking their offerings, case studies, client reviews, etc.

Renowned online business listing platforms like Clutch, GoodFirms, etc. can also provide you with important information about the expertise of a healthcare app development vendor agency. These platforms display the profiles of numerous software companies mentioning their niche, client testimonials, awards and recognitions, project references, etc. Online platforms like Upwork provide information on thousands of skilled freelance developers and agencies around the globe.

Technical Expertise Validation

Extensive experience, innovative ability, talent, expertise, and the right skills as per your requirements, are the necessary prerequisites to look for in healthcare developers. You can prepare a questionnaire for validating their technical skills.

Agreement on SDLC and Signing of NDA

If you are hiring outsourced assistance, clarification on the SDLC and signing an NDA is essential during the project discussion stage.

You need to clarify which SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) model will be used, the experience & expertise of developers who will be allocated to your project, and the tentative turnaround time for each stage of the SLDC. Usually, an agile development methodology is preferred over other models as it has turned out to be the most productive strategy around the world so far.

Signing service level agreements like an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), with the healthcare app development company or developers to whom you are outsourcing the project, is mandatory as per the HIPAA guidelines. An NDA is also crucial as this contract seals and legalizes the partnership agreement. You must also discuss and agree upon certain factors like payment timelines, the token amount, and payment terms and conditions prior to the commencement of the project.

Must-have Skillsets to promote Healthcare Interoperability

Semantic vocabularies

Semantic vocabularies are necessary to maintain the syntactic standards needed for seamlessly interpreting clinical data, and so, healthcare app developers must have some prior experience in working with the commonly used semantic vocabularies including LONIC, ICD9/10, SNOMED-CT, and RxNorm.

Healthcare Integrations

Interoperability between various apps, systems, and devices is a crucial prerequisite to regulating clinical workflow in the healthcare environment. And, interoperability can be successfully achieved by integrating frameworks in the right manner. Hence, healthcare app developers must be well versed in the frequently used medical frameworks such as Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) and HITSP (Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel).

Developers must also possess knowledge of the popular interoperability standards adopted in the realm of Healthcare technology. The most popular interoperability standard is the level- 7 2. X; other notable ones include HL7 v3CDA, ANSIX12n5010, DICOM, and NCPDP SCRIPT.

Necessary Technical Knowledge and Skills

Third-party Integrations

Large-scale healthcare services often need to partner with third-party providers and utilize their solution platform to efficiently manage their entire workflow. The most commonly used third-party integrations include in-app chat, payment APIs, in-app calling, etc. If these integrations are not executed properly during mobile app development, the app’s UX gets adversely affected. As such, the healthcare app developers whom you pick for tailoring an app or solution must be thorough with third-party integration standards like SOAP, HL7 FHIR, and REST framework.

API Development Capabilities

Most healthcare app projects involve API development. API components need to be added for authenticating a device to gain access to the central patients’ repository.

So, the healthcare app developers must possess sound knowledge of commonly used SQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc., and NoSQL databases such as Apache Cassandra, MongoDB, etc. Developers must have expertise in developing the RESTful API, REST (Representational State Transfer) being the standard development practice. The development team should be able to build effective API endpoints and create highly workable rules for API requests and API responses. Programmers also need to know the standard practices used for ensuring API security like encryption, the usage of safe API gateways, etc.

Cutting-edge Technologies

Healthcare app developers must have the necessary expertise in working with modern technologies. The most relevant technologies employed for building a healthcare app are IoT, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence.

IoT automates the workflow of a healthcare facility, enables remote health tracking, improves interoperability, and facilitates medical data exchange. It also drives the functioning of smart devices like wearables that are an integral part of telehealth apps and remote patient monitoring.

AI has entered the healthcare industry as machine learning algorithms are increasingly being used for ushering in advanced automation and improving the efficiency and accuracy of healthcare functioning. Blockchain technology ensures security while health record sharing helps research scholars in genetic coding, and improves the efficiency of medicine supply management.

Essential Soft Skills for Healthcare App developers

1. Revenue Cycle Workflow

Healthcare app developers have to provide a clear picture to their clients on the working of the revenue cycle workflow. So, developers must have extensive knowledge about how the elements in a healthcare organization’s revenue cycle workflow function. These elements include payment models, billing schedules, denials workflows, etc.

2. Capability to guide the Client in Planning Productive Strategies

The development team is expected to guide the client through the planning process. For this reason, the professionals should possess sound interpersonal skills like being able to comprehend dependencies, interoperability requirements, etc., and strong communication skills to convey those requirements effectively.

Recommendation on implementing effective app monetization strategies is of utmost importance as this will add value to your investment. Developers should be able to suggest the most reliable and productive monetizing strategies for optimum benefits.

3. Awareness of Healthcare App Security Standards and Regulatory Compliances

The privacy and security of data are of utmost importance as the healthcare industry processes sensitive patient data and medical information. Therefore, security measures need to be adopted during the software development process itself. So, the developers must be aware of secure coding practices and the latest data encryption tools like next-generation firewalls, antivirus, etc. The other standard practices that developers need to know are implementing multi-factor authentication along with password protection, adopting measures to eliminate security threats like broken authentication, injection, etc., and incorporating “Compliance-as-Code” for conducting security and compliance testing in the CD/CI pipeline.

Furthermore, healthcare apps and solutions need to comply with several standard regulations like HIPAA, etc. mandated by the US government and other regulatory authorities. Developers must be well versed in these standard regulations so that they are able to effectively implement these during app building.

Bottomline:

The aforesaid practices are winning strategies for hiring Healthcare app developers. You need to team up with the right software development firm that will deliver your project timely without compromising on the product quality, identify issues instantly, and resolve bugs at once. Also, look for developers who have the necessary knowledge, understanding, technical expertise, and experience as per your project needs.

So, it is advisable to pick an IT agency that will take care of the entire healthcare app product lifecycle starting from app ideation to maintenance post-deployment.

All-inclusive Insights on the Metaverse Technology and its Future Potential!

Virtual reality has been one of the most fascinating contributions of the technological boom in the past decade. Metaverse, the most significant emerging tech trend of modern times, is set to elevate this experience to the next level. How about an immersive 3D digital experience that combines multiple virtual and physical worlds? Well, this is exactly what Metaverse promises. The concept is being considered the future iteration of the internet and will enable users to meet, socialize, play games, and work with other users within 3D spaces.

The term Metaverse was conceptualized by Neal Stephenson through his science fiction novel “Snow Crash” written in 1992. The novel envisaged that individuals can escape from the real world into a virtual world called Metaverse with the help of digital avatars and explore this virtual world to the fullest. Decades later, with the advent of innovative technologies like AR, VR, AI, ML, Blockchain, etc. it became possible to convert this fascinating concept into reality. Several brands like Facebook, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Decentraland have started to explore this theory over the past couple of years.

The Metaverse technology grabbed the spotlight and became a topic of keen interest recently, ever since Facebook changed its brand name to Meta in October 2021 and planned to focus on exploring Metaverse in full swing. This post speaks about the Metaverse technology in detail and provides glimpses of its future prospects.

How does a Metaverse work?

Metaverse is a virtual digital 3D universe formed by merging various kinds of virtual spaces. Users can enter this digital universe using their virtual identity in the form of digital avatars and can move across various metaverse spaces for shopping, hanging out, or meeting friends, just as they do in the real world. The only difference is users can enjoy immersive experiences from the comfort of their homes. Simply put, activities that happen within isolated environments in the real world will now happen virtually within the metaverse.

Examples:

For example, if a user taking a virtual tour within a Metaverse spots a store and shops there via immersive commerce, the order that they had placed will be delivered to the address provided. Other instances of Metaverse experience include participation in virtual social events, purchasing digital land & building virtual houses, joining fellow viewers of a virtual rock band concert, paying visits to virtual museums to view latest works of art, immersive learning through virtual classrooms, etc. Businesses can leverage this technology by carrying out interactions with digital humans for business purposes like employee onboarding, sales, providing customer services, and many more. Users can also utilize a metaverse for creating, sharing, and trading assets or experiences.

Unique Traits of Metaverse

The Metaverse is unique in its own way. It is an interoperable network comprising 3D virtual worlds rendered in real-time. An unlimited number of users can experience these virtual eco-systems persistently and synchronously. During this experience, a user’s individuality is maintained. Moreover, a metaverse is massively scaled and ensures the continuity of data like objects, identities, entitlements, interactions, payments, history, etc.

Who owns the Metaverse?

The virtual space offered by Metaverse is device-independent and collective, no single vendor owns the space. The transactions within a Metaverse are made using NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and digital currencies

Technologies that empower Metaverse

The functioning of a Metaverse requires a combination of several cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Blockchain, an AR cloud, IoT (Internet of Things), spatial technologies, HMDs (Head Mounted Displays), 3D reconstruction. Apart from these avant-garde technologies, Metaverse will also need the support of software tools, apps, platforms, hardware, and content generated by users.

Blockchain will validate value transfer, credibility, and data storage within a Metaverse; AR will enable 3D visualization of objects, interaction in real-time, and merging of the virtual and real worlds; while VR will provide users with a sensory experience like the physical reality. However, while AR implementation needs only a camera-enabled device, VR requires more expensive equipment like multi-modal screens and HMDs. Metaverse technology is more likely to employ a combination of AR and VR popularly called extended reality.

Integration of AI, ML, and IoT will facilitate crucial functions like limitless interactions and seamless integrations of data.

3D reconstruction helps in creating virtual spaces that are realistic and looks natural leading to the formation of a digital eco-system that is almost like a real world. With the help of special 3D cameras, one can render accurate models of objects, buildings, and physical locations. These models are 3D photorealistic. Computers then process the 4K HD photos captured and the 3D spatial data for generating a virtual duplicate or digital twin of the real physical worlds that can be experienced by the users.

The Current State of Metaverse Implementation: Use Cases

Today, there exist several individual Metaverses that have limited features. Presently, the gaming sector provides the closest metaverse experiences as compared to other industrial domains.

Decentraland, a start-up created a unique virtual world for its website users in the year 2017. This virtual world has its own economy as well as currency. It integrates social elements with NFTs (NFTs represent cosmetic collectibles), cryptocurrencies, and virtual real estate. The players of this Blockchain game participate in active governance on the platform.

Microsoft launched mixed-reality smart glasses named HoloLens in 2016. The video game Roblox also provides non-gaming services like virtual meet-ups and concerts. Facebook, is in the process of creating a social platform powered by virtual reality. Furioos, created by Unity, streams entirely interactive 3D environments in real-time. Here, the environments are rendered by Unity’s GPU server infrastructure that automatically scales itself. SecondLive offers a virtual 3D eco-system that is being utilized for learning, socializing, and business. This metaverse also provides an NFT marketplace where collectibles can be swapped.

What does the Future of Metaverse look like?

In the near future, Metaverse is expected to consolidate all isolated immersive virtual eco-systems and merge them into a unified whole. The outcome will be a single huge-sized all-inclusive Metaverse just like the internet offering various websites that can be accessed using a single browser. For instance, a user working in a virtual office can conduct a mixed-reality meeting using an Oculus VR headset and can indulge in a Blockchain-powered game after finishing work. The user can then manage his/her finances and portfolio inside the same metaverse.

Metaverse will transcend beyond social media platforms and virtual gaming. The metaverses are expected to become more multi-dimensional in the near future owing to the usage of VR glasses and headsets. Using these VR gadgets users can, in reality, stroll around physical spaces for exploring 3D spaces. Metaverses have the potential to facilitate decentralized governance, establishing the digital identity of an individual, remote employee workstations, etc.

Challenges likely to arise while implementing a Metaverse

Tech experts have predicted certain challenges that are likely to be encountered by a Metaverse. The major challenges include controlling the privacy of users and businesses and authenticating the identity of individuals who are moving around the virtual world disguised as digital avatars. As a result, unscrupulous persons or even bots can explore the metaverse under the disguise of an individual; for scamming other users or damaging the reputation of business brands. Also usage of AR and VR with the camera can lead to data breach of personal information.

Concluding Thoughts:

Metaverse is a collective virtual open space developed by integrating virtually enhanced digital as well as physical reality, known for offering immersive experiences to users. Although this concept is in its infancy and has a long way to go for reaching stability, it possesses an immense potential to disrupt the AR/VR experience altogether. Several biggies including Facebook are heavily investing and working relentlessly to make this concept a big success in the coming years. Metaverse is expected to offer decentralized, persistent, interoperable, and collaborative business opportunities and models that will help companies to elevate digital business to unprecedented heights.

A GUIDE TO KNOW ALL ABOUT FULL STACK DEVELOPERS

Full-stack developer, frontend developer, and backend developer are some of the words common for any individual involved in software development. However, the case is not same for job seekers and employers. Job seekers end up being confused about the stream they should take up. They keep wondering if they can apply for full stack developer position. Similarly, the employers are in confusion about whom to hire for software and web application development. There is a lot of hue and cry around full stack developers. With this blog, we aim to provide more insight into full stack developers, and educate everyone about it.

What is Front-End and Back-End Development?

Every web application can be broadly differentiated into two parts: front-end and back-end. The front-end is the face of the software that interacts with the user. It includes UX and GUI. The front-end developers mostly work on HTML, Javascript, and CSS3. Front-end developers work on improving the user experience.

The back end includes the database and server. Back-end developers are responsible for the performance of the application. They create the backend using multiple languages like Python, PHP, .Net, Ruby, etc. The backend server act as the base for the front-end development. The addition of new features and new users is managed by the backend developers.

Who is a Full-Stack Developer?

While many developers specialize in front-end or backend, there are developers who have knowledge and experience in working on both front end & backend stack. They have extensive knowledge about creating a seamless overlap between the front-end and back-end development. A full-stack developer will have a higher skill set and proficiency in development stacks which is the reason behind their high demand in the market.

Responsibilities of a Full-Stack Developer

Front-end development using CSS, HTML, and Javascript frameworks. They must deliver a highly interactive application that offers a great user experience.
Backend development to create a robust architecture capable of interacting with the servers and fetching data.
Database and server development, resilient to function with more functionalities and users
Establishing cross-platform compatibility to ensure that the application runs smoothly on every compatible device and operating system
API development for seamless and robust client-server interaction
Implementing all the client requirements for front-end and backend

Why Become A Full-Stack Developer?

As a software developer, one gets multiple streams to grow into. We can choose to be front-end and backend developers. The industry has opportunities for both. However, having expertise in both domains can be more advantageous in terms of growth and remuneration. Being experienced in both the domains can fetch you fatter paychecks since you will be solely responsible for the performance and success of the web application. The second advantage is in terms of opportunities as you will have the chance to work as a front-end developer, back-end developer, and full stack developer. The third advantage is learning. With time, the full stack developers acquire expertise more than any front-end or backend developer of a similar experience. This raises the market value of full-stack developers.

How to Become a Full-Stack Developer?

Acquiring the right skill is the primary requirement for becoming any type of software developer. As a pre-requisite, you should outline the necessary technical skills for any full-stack developer. To start with, here are a few skills that must be on your resume ahead of a job search as a full-stack developer.

Front-end development : HTML, CSS, and Javascript
Backend development: Python, PHP, and Ruby
API development: REST and SOAP
Database creation: JSON, NoSQL, and SQL
Knowledge about version control systems such as SVN and Git, and different servers
Graphic design and other skills for visual communication

These are some of the basic skills that one can learn to get hired as a full-stack developer. You can pursue part-time and full-time courses to learn these skills. Moreover, there are many online courses designed for the user to learn the skills on their own. The interesting aspect of software development is that the organizations are keen to hire developers based on their skills rather than their certificates. Anyone can start learning and practicing these languages to become a full-stack developer.

Why Should an Organization Hire a Full-Stack Developer?

A full-stack developer is equipped with every skill set that one can find with a front-end developer or backend developer. Two different employees for web application development would consume twice for each resource like workstation, internet, air conditioners, conveyance, etc. The companies can save expenditure on all of these with a single employee for application development. Moreover, a full stack developer may develop a better backend architecture and front-end design since they will have visibility about both aspects. In addition to this, a full stack developer will have better expertise in handling front-end and backend overlap since everything would be developed by them. Hiring a full-stack developer is a better deal in every way.

How to Hire the Best Full-Stack Developer?

Every full-stack developer may have a similar skill set with a different level of experience. We generally give an upper hand to more experience. However, full-stack development is about expertise, and developers with lower experience can have higher expertise. Given below are the steps a company can follow to hire the best full-stack developers:

1. Connect with the developers using every channel

Today job portals are counted as just one way of hiring the right candidate. Besides the job portals, the organizations can reach out to the developers on different business-related social media platforms such as Linked in, and Freelancer.com. You can explore your social media groups on every platform to find the developers with the desired experience.

2. Conduct face-to-face technical interview

A technical interview can act as the passing stage for any developer. The organizations should let the architects and tech leads question the potential candidate about their knowledge and experience. They can be asked questions such as difficulties faced during development, the domain of expertise, and the development approach they would adopt for your project. The speed of development is the important query that can be made.

3. Hire software development companies

Many organizations choose to hire external companies for software development as they provide a complete package of application development that includes testing and support. The organizations can connect with different companies with their requirement and budget. The process gets easier in this case as a software development company brings in trust and expertise.

Conclusion

Being a full-stack developer is about being an expert in every aspect of application development. These developers are also good designers who help the companies in providing a higher user experience that directly influences the revenue. Hiring a software development company instead of a developer is also a great idea. You can connect with us for all your software development needs. We are one of the esteemed outsourcing software development companies with years of expertise in different domain. Our front-end and full-stack developers will ensure that you get the most robust and scalable application. Contact us today to build a mobile/web application that lets you stand distinguished in the industry.

The Significant Advantages of Cloud Computing in Healthcare!

Cloud computing in Healthcare is growing at a rapid rate. It refers to a third-party provider offering a ready-made cloud storage infrastructure consisting of remote servers, databases, and repositories to healthcare organizations or individual practitioners. Cloud services are used to store, manage, and process healthcare data. The healthcare entities availing of Cloud services usually pay as per the services consumed. With a growing trend for EMR integration to store patient data, Cloud computing services have become indispensable for customers.

Consequently, the demand curve for Cloud computing services is on the rise. Take a look at these amazing stats as reported by the online portal prnewswire.com:

The estimated market value for Cloud computing in healthcare for the year 2022 was 40.1 billion USD. The market value is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.7% and reach 76.8 billion USD by the year 2026.

This post outlines the key offerings of Cloud computing services and their noteworthy benefits to Healthcare Service Providers.

What are the different kinds of Cloud Computing Models in Healthcare?

The core models of Cloud computing in Healthcare revolve around distribution and deployment.

The Cloud distribution models available are:

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) – Customers are provided with an IT infrastructure as well as an OS that is used for deploying their apps.

SaaS (Software as a Service) – The customer deploys their app or software solution using the IT infrastructure offered by the provider.

PaaS (Platform as a Service) – The customer gets an entire ready-made platform that includes OS, IT infrastructure, software apps, and all other components needed.

The Cloud Deployment models available are:

Public Cloud (all stakeholders can access), Community Cloud (can be accessed by a group of medical entities), Private Cloud (can be accessed by a single healthcare organization and other facilities belonging to the same chain), and Hybrid Cloud (a combination of the existing deployment models).

Cloud Computing in Healthcare: Noteworthy Benefits

Effortless Collaboration & Seamless Interoperability

Earlier patients’ healthcare records were documented and maintained in files. There were separate files for every practitioner or specialist consulted, and each hospital or imaging lab visited. This complicated matters for patients as well as doctors. Patients had to carry every file for each doctor visit and physicians found it difficult to collaborate whenever they had to review a patient’s previous treatment history.

Cloud computing resolved this challenge by storing medical data on a secure platform with hosting solutions as well as virtual machines to enable quick access. Healthcare firms can either use Azure’s Blob storage or the AWS S3 service for storing and retrieving medical records. Patients’ medical records collated from different sources are consolidated in a centralized storage system powered by Cloud. These records can be collaboratively accessed and shared in real-time via web portals; by authorized stakeholders including doctors, nurses, and caregivers from any location. Cloud also offers additional perks like remote conferencing, providing prompt updates on patient conditions and healthcare developments.

Cloud computing saves time and efforts of both patients and doctors. Once patients’ medical records and lab reports are saved in EMR (Electronic Medical Records), they do not need to manage or carry files for doctor visits. Moreover, it becomes easier for specialists to review cases as the results of all previous doctor interactions are available in one single place. Improved visibility into patients’ medical history helps specialists to effectively co-operate with one another whenever there’s a need for consultation or recommendation. Furthermore, cloud storage allows physicians to analyze patient treatment data for future reference as well as research.

Storing patients’ medical data in the Cloud facilitates interoperability between various departments of a hospital and different sub-domains of the healthcare sector such as insurance firms, pharmaceutical companies, and imaging centers regardless of their geographical location. Cloud computing improves the overall efficiency of medical care and clinical decision-making and minimizes costly mistakes.

New and Effective Means of Big Data Implementation

These days most healthcare bodies employ healthcare app development services to digitalize their operations. This leads to the generation of loads of Big data that is accumulated via patient EMRs. This data holds a huge potential to elevate healthcare outcomes. Cloud-powered solutions for data storage have opened up new possibilities for effective implementation and utilization of Big data that was inaccessible during yesteryears. This is because the volume of data collected is humongous and could not be managed by one single server.

Cloud’s contribution to big data utilization is enormous. Big data, if effectively implemented, proves beneficial in detecting subtle correlations in patients’ ailments. This enables doctors to identify the correct cause of the disease and get insights into the most suitable treatment options for a specific set of symptoms. Big data also helps in predicting the occurrence of epidemics much before the epidemic manifests its obvious signs; this way the healthcare industry can detect public health threats well in advance and save lives.

Facilitates Medical Research and Data Analytics

Cloud computing allows researchers and medical professionals to reap the advantages of a high computing capability in storing and manipulating structured as well as unstructured data; and that too, at much lower expenses. With Cloud, huge volumes of relevant patient data collected from various sources can be securely stored and quickly processed using AI algorithms and Big data analytics tools for obtaining actionable insights. Therefore, it becomes easy for researchers to store data collected from various fields and condense this data to get a clearer and more advanced visibility of the research subjects. Advanced data analytics enables healthcare service providers to provide highly customized patient care, suggest personalized treatment plans, and make faster clinical decisions.

Minimizes the Cost of Data Storage, and Operational Overheads

Healthcare facilities that handle mobile apps, electronic medical records, patient portals, big data analytics, etc. can select from two options for the storage and management of data – an on-site data storage mechanism or services from a Cloud Provider. Medical companies opting for on-premise data storage need to spend heavily on setting up the required software infrastructure and investing in top-quality hardware drives for data storage so that data is securely stored and accessible whenever needed. And, since a huge amount of data is generated, all in-house software solutions are not capable of handling it. As such, medical bodies often have to invest in additional physical servers when the data load increases, ending up incurring extra expenses.

But, Healthcare firms availing of services from reliable Cloud providers get a good bargain - secure, efficient, and scalable services at much lower costs. Cloud providers manage all data storage prerequisites on behalf of the healthcare firm. Therefore, by hosting their ERP in the Cloud, healthcare providers can avoid infrastructure costs and the need for maintaining complex protocols, and they can pay for only those services that they avail of. Cloud computing also offers better support for operational functions like HR and administrative processes. Hence, cloud services are a cost-efficient option for medical providers who can outsource operational burdens and concentrate on their core service - patient care.

Elevates Patient Experience

Cloud computing improves patients’ engagement, communication, and awareness about their medical conditions. Patients can remotely access their healthcare data in real-time including treatment details, test outcomes, and doctors’ notes, they also receive instant notifications on updates. Cloud-based solutions ensure that no patient is overprescribed or advised unnecessary lab testing. Furthermore, Cloud computing supports telehealth solutions, the most popular and convenient healthcare service category amongst patients.

Cloud computing centralizes data storage so that patients can control and participate in decision-making processes. Moreover, Cloud simplifies data recovery; it offers automated data backups, and the data is maintained in a manner that there isn’t any single touchpoint of the stored data.

Enhances Scalability

Self-hosted storage solutions come with limited data capabilities and so, healthcare organizations using such solutions are unable to expand their bandwidth as per the scaling need and often need to employ extra servers during increased caseloads.

Contrarily, cloud models offer the flexibility to upscale or downscale the data storage capacity as per the demand based on the patient inflow. This way, medical providers can promptly respond to and handle surged loads arising due to unforeseen situations like increased patient activity during a pandemic. And, if medical services opt for the pay-as-you-go approach, this strategy proves cost-effective as well. Cloud providers also handle tasks like data security, patching, and upgrades on behalf of their clients.

Ensures Data Security

The more digital data, the more is it vulnerable to security breaches and cyber-attacks. And, it has been observed that healthcare data and sensitive patient information are soft targets for carrying out malicious practices. Here, Cloud computing plays a crucial role in securing data.

Cloud being a storehouse of sensitive data, providers adopt additional security measures and comply with mandated standards like HIPAA (Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), GDPR (Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation), and HITRUST to protect their servers from cyber security violations. Cloud services also provide facilities like automated data backup, risk management plans, disaster recovery options, and continuous security monitoring. Hence, even in cases of data breaches or unauthorized access healthcare firm can recover their data effortlessly.

Final Thoughts:

Cloud Computing is the most viable option for Healthcare Service Providers to securely collect, store, manage, and maintain the PHI (personal health information) of patients. Cloud solutions come with endless offerings for consumers including customized patient care, data analytics, Big data utilization, and most importantly reduces operational costs. Cloud solutions enhance the overall efficiency of healthcare services and provide them a competitive edge over peers. So, it’s high time healthcare entities should seek technical assistance from dependable Cloud computing services.

Significant Telemedicine App Monetizing Strategies you need to consider in 2022!

Telemedicine app development has gained momentum over the last decade owing to several reasons. Young entrepreneurs and even giant companies are looking at this as an opportunity and are developing high-end telemedicine applications for healthcare organizations.

However, developing an exceptional telehealth app is not enough; you also need to monetize your app. And, one of the trickiest jobs for entrepreneurs or a telemedicine app development company is selecting the right monetizing model or strategy that would boost their ROI. In this article, we are going to give you insights on trending app monetization models and strategies that will prove beneficial to telemedicine app owners.

Trending Monetizing Strategies for Telemedicine Apps

Freemium Applications

This category comprises a combination of free and premium apps – offering two versions of the same app. The free version usually provides access to the basic features, while the premium or paid version comes with additional offerings like advanced features.

The key objective behind this model is to encourage users to download the app for free initially and learn about its usability. Once the app succeeds in engaging the users and fulfilling their needs; the free users will most likely get converted into paid users for accessing enhanced features. This enables the users to get information on what kind of services they are paying for. Moreover, positive feedback by users adds value to your app.

Premium Applications

This model involves charging users for downloading apps and is an ideal option for niche apps with a narrow target audience. Just create a merchant account in the Google Play Store or the App Store and then set the price for downloads. However, this kind of model may limit the monetization potential of your app.

Promotion of Certified Content

This monetization strategy is applicable for apps that provide peer-to-peer services, and that sell certified content that is vital for the practice of care providers instead of selling features. Take a look at this example. In telehealth apps, a fixed amount of free content is displayed for doctors. But, for gaining access to comprehensive content that is periodically updated, practitioners need to sign up and pay a recurring amount as a subscription.

Gamification

Introducing gaming into a telemedicine app enhances the app’s user-friendliness. This is so because the games are designed playfully as per the app’s basic idea and the users participating in these games have to achieve some levels based on the story created by the telemedicine app developers. The offerings through gaming include reminders about daily exercises, medicines, and doctor visits, and even provide fitness status after weeks of medication intake or exercising. Besides these, several innovative strategies like discounts, free prizes, or advice by practitioners can be also included. Thus, integrating gamification in a telemedicine app development solution enables users to set goals concerning fitness or healthcare as well as track their progress, thereby enhancing user engagement.

In-app Purchase Options

This is one of the commonest monetizing strategies for free applications. In telehealth apps, in-app purchases include refilling prescriptions, buying supplements, arranging for pre-pay doctor visits, etc. As such, this approach not only proves profitable for app owners but also benefits users. But remember that your app should function even if the users do not opt for additional purchases.

Fees for Subscription and Registration

Free healthcare applications that serve as effective platforms connecting patients to physicians can charge a registration fee from practitioners who use the app for filling in their free time slots. Moreover, you can establish a subscription monetization model which enables users to select the subscription plan based on their requirements and pay a fixed monthly/yearly/quarterly charge for app usage.

Sponsorship

This strategy refers to integrating sponsorship in your application. It includes embedding the sponsors’ logo within the application in the form of a pop-up or an icon on the splash screen or the footer. It may even include providing special offers or promoting the sponsors’ posts. Telemedicine app owners can rope in influential sponsors from the healthcare domain itself and establish a kind of barter system where they offer products, services, discounts, etc. based on the business domain. This approach proves highly profitable in the medical sector as it not only arouses users’ interest in the healthcare app but also enables app owners to accumulate crucial and valuable data.

Data Accumulation

Big data and AI are trending these days. Big data in the healthcare domain refers to all data concerning the patients’ health and is a valuable asset for several pharmaceutical firms, medical enterprises, fitness training centers, insurance agencies, etc. for effectively running their businesses. And, the healthcare app owners profit by selling this data to the interested parties. For instance, an app tracking the lifestyle of patients who were obese earlier and had gastric bypass surgery can sell the accumulated data to pharmaceutical/insurance companies, or fitness experts. Furthermore, this data serves as important statistics for usage in medical journals, reports, and magazines, and for assessing the advancement of the medical industry.

Localized Advertisements

The advertisements in telemedicine apps must be relevant to user interests, or else the UX may get hampered badly. Certain mobile advertising partners employ beacons, GPS, and Wi-Fi to localize advertising to allow mobile ads that target customers in real-time. These ads allow the apps to connect to the users on the spot. For example, users within close vicinity of a pharmacy store with a beacon may get a notification on their smartphone device informing them about the availability of a medication coupon or any other such healthcare-related stuff. However, users should be provided the flexibility to choose the brands from which they wish to receive notifications. This will not only increase the users’ interaction with ads but also enhance the value of the ad spaces, thereby attracting more brand partners.

Free Gifts

The words “Free services/products” are never missed by any user whereas complex or costly stuff is likely to be overlooked by most. So, free services are a smart way to attract new customers and motivate existing customers to use the app more often. They include:

Providing free weight/calorie calculators to daily users
Free consultation, advice, and tips for minimizing the risk of getting infected by various diseases
Offering a free medicine kit comprising personalized medicines for a week to daily users who strictly adhere to their fitness/healthcare regime.

Conclusion:

It is important for healthcare app owners to pick a suitable monetizing strategy. It is advisable to choose a combination of monetization models for maximizing adoption and optimizing profitability. But, if you are not technical enough or require a customized telemedicine solution, seeking assistance from an experienced Telemedicine app development company will prove beneficial.

7 Profitable and Evergreen On-Demand App Ideas for 2022

On-demand apps have become a part of our daily lives. Our daily lives and economic activities are getting centered on online platforms where independent sellers are offering plentiful services using mobile applications. A recent report suggests that the on-demand economy is attracting 22.4 million consumers every year and this number will increase as we head towards a tech-savvy economy. Service providers are hiring on-demand app development companies to enhance their market reach and consumer penetration.

What Is an On-Demand App?

On-demand apps serve as the first layer of connection between the service provider and consumer. It offers two major benefits for the consumer. Firstly, the consumer gets to connect with the service providers directly. Secondly, they get time-efficient services. The service providers benefit in terms of marketing, branding, and profits. On-demand apps have shattered the conventional methods of online services where the platforms were crowded with multiple service providers, curtailing the chances of any one particular service provider garnering attention. These apps have proved their efficiency in meeting the rise in demand across multiple sectors including food, car rental, health services, etc

How Does It Work?

On-demand apps generally focus on one particular area. For instance, Airbnb helps people in finding housing. This defined domain area makes it easier for the consumers to use it. These apps provide different options to the users. Consumers can make service-based payments or get a subscription. Again, there are different types of subscriptions. The non-involvement of third parties or agents makes these apps very profitable where the service providers can directly pitch to the target audience. To cover the maximum audience, the service providers launch mobile apps as well as web applications.

Evergreen on-demand App ideas

1. Transportation apps

We have been using dial-a-ride services for many years. We have pre-booked taxis for airports and out-station movement. Transport is an evolving domain where the demand for services only increases. As technology penetrated the transportation sector, the transport companies started using applications. Today, we have on-demand applications for transportation of goods as well as people. These applications help the service providers to serve the customers in real-time and enhance the customer experience. Have a look at one of our transportation app that monitors the weight of the load that truck is carrying and alerts the user if it goes beyond the baselined truck load weight.

2. Healthcare apps

Healthcare is inclusive of different types of on-demand services including on-demand doctors, medicine delivery, and fitness trainer. COVID-19 pandemic has further escalated the demand for these solutions where the user can get most of the necessary healthcare services from home. On-demand doctors and medicine delivery save a lot of transport and waiting time. The millennial and Gen z is more inclined towards fitness which increases the demand for fitness trainers. The middle-aged office-going generation and housewives who do not have the time to visit gyms are looking for such solutions. Healthcare is a very beneficial domain for on-demand apps with the rise in e-pharmacies and e-consultation culture.

3. Food delivery apps

Food delivery got instant hype amid the COVID-19 pandemic where everyone was restricted to homes. Consumers are enjoying the privilege of eating their favorite food in the comfort of their homes, miles away from any kind of physical contact. Takeaway counters can be easily seen in restaurants. However, many people wish to save time invested in traveling to these takeaway counters. Food delivery apps have emerged as a necessity for the working population. The demand for food delivery will continue in years to come, making it a great investment for food companies and restaurants.

4. Instant errand running delivery apps

We have dozens of errands to complete in one single day. Errands running apps have emerged lately and seem to be a profitable solution. Millions of people wish to save their time on running errands, visiting shops for very small work. They can rely on these delivery apps. The errand running services are marketing their services as fast solutions. For instance, the consumers can get all their orders within 10-15 minutes. The fact that these on-demand apps can deliver anything from grocery to medicines makes them a very profitable proposition. In the future, they may replace food delivery apps and grocery delivery apps.

5. Liquor delivery apps

People who consume liquor prefer it for every party and gathering. Currently, the liquor delivery is a very restricted space owing to the strict laws and regulations. However, going ahead in 2022, this domain may populate. There is a great profit margin in selling alcohol. The alcohol sellers are pushing to go online and kick start their business after the pandemic. The liquor delivery app can be very profitable in the coming years as the demand for alcohol will keep rising at its pace. The sellers can offer premium products and delivery casings to earn more profit.

6. Home services apps

On-demand home service makes a very lucrative area. It includes a variety of services including cleaning, repair, babysitting, pet care and many more. People have started experiencing the benefits of home services in recent years. An on-demand home service app offers many options such as price comparison, ratings, and premium services which are expected to increase the demand for these apps in the coming years. Moreover, these apps are a source of livelihood for millions of people. The on-demand app providers can give livelihood to thousands of people and make money from their fees.

7. Beauty Services apps

Beauty is an evergreen segment where the demand for beauty products and services never dies. People want quality services. This domain has a huge potential for service providers as there are only a few solutions in the market. At-home salon services and make-up professionals save a lot of time on traveling to the salons. Also, anyone can get services at the desired time in contrast to the conventional way of waiting for an appointment.

These 7 on-demand apps are expected to stay evergreen in the coming years. While the technology trends might change, the demand for the services will continue at its pace. On-demand apps are a great way to connect to the target consumers. The service providers can market new services, promote new offers, offer loyalty points, collect feedback and do many more things to increase their profits. Anyone can get started with these apps with the help of any developer or an on demand app development company. We can help you develop a highly responsive and user-friendly on-demand apps. We are an established software development company with 12+ years of experience. Our experts will help you design the most exclusive and attractive applications. Contact us today to launch an on-demand app to enhance your market pres

How can a mobile app benefit your Pharmacy Business?

Thanks to the advancement in the Healthcare Sector, the pharmacy segment too, has undergone transformative changes. Today, pharmacy applications have gained immense popularity and have been widely accepted globally. A pharmacy app delivers a rich experience to online buyers – individuals can obtain home delivery of medicines effortlessly and within a short time; without having to visit the store.

As per a survey by Global Market Insights, a distinguished research portal, “the size of the ePharmacy market crossed 68 billion USD in 2021 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 16.8% from the year 2022 to 2028”.

So, it’s high time entrepreneurs should consider building a pharmacy app, isn’t it? This post outlines the benefits of investing in pharmacy app development, and also provides insights on the must-have features to include in a sound pharmacy app.

Essential Features that add Value to Pharmacy Apps

Besides the regular functionalities like customer login, push notifications, customer feedback, etc. your app needs to integrate some additional features that will add value to your pharmacy application. Check them out!

Medicine Description

A comprehensive description of medicines including dosage, usage methodology, possible side effects, storage directions, and reviews from other consumers; will provide assurance to individuals purchasing a specific medicine.

Easy Ordering

The process of placing an order must be plain sailing and easy to execute. For this, it’s recommended to have a virtual cart for consolidating patient orders, an order tracking feature, and several secure payment options for consumers.

Smart Search Feature

Running the smart search feature simplifies the medicine search process - a consumer can find medicines based on the kind of medicine, the type of equipment, the preferred location, and so on.

Uploading and Refilling of Prescriptions

It’s advisable to provide patients the facility of uploading their doctor’s prescription directly on the applications and have the search engine take care of the rest of the actions. This way, patients can save the hassles, time, and effort of looking for each medicine separately. Refilling of prescription is also a crucial feature to include; it will save patients the efforts of visiting a store.

Advice from a professional

This feature is highly desirable and helpful for customers using pharmacy apps. Here, consumers may seek advice from a professional pharmacist, in case they have any queries on certain medication, or come across some issues while finding a particular medicine. This facility can be offered through chat or calls.

Reasons to Build a Mobile App for your Pharmacy Business

Brand Awareness, Marketing, and Recognition

A well-designed pharmacy application with a visually attractive & SEO-friendly interface, your logo, pictures of your store, easy purchase options, and other details about your business; works wonders in branding, effective marketing, and gaining widespread recognition.

The traditional practice of showcasing your brand’s product/ service offerings through catalogs and brochures has been replaced by apps these days. And, an app serves this purpose more effectively. Customers who download your app can easily access your digital catalogs and get notified about the latest deals or new offerings through push notifications since your app is downloaded on their devices. Customers may miss commercials, emails, or social media posts; but not a push notification. Most importantly, you are always in your customer’s mind. And, this strategy works better than website marketing.

Furthermore, providing customers the incentive of sharing your app with their friends will further establish your digital presence.

More Transparency

Pharmacy apps providing comprehensive information about their offerings and functional standards, help to build trust amongst customers. This is because this approach makes your services all the more transparent and attractive. An app that is organized, effortlessly accessible, and contains minute descriptive details about medicines increases transparency.

Gaining Insights on Buying Trends and Improvement Areas

Several pharmacy applications integrate an analytical tool into their app for studying user behavior. This tool provides pharmacy businesses with useful information on the current buying trends and patterns of consumers. Pharmacy store owners can also identify the weak points in their business offerings and identify the areas of improvement in their business model. And, updating the app from time to time with relevant features, accelerate sales.

Pharmacy owners can also learn about their customers’ requirements and preferences through digital feedback forms.

This way, it becomes easy for businesses to improve their efficiency and service quality, broaden their service offerings, and implement relevant consumer engagement strategies for attracting more customers. So, isn’t it a smart approach for your business growth?

Gaining Customer loyalty and Promoting Sales

Pharmacy apps help business owners convey important information concerning sales, discounted offers, new stock arrival, and promotional offers to customers through push notifications. This strategy helps pharmacy owners to effectively reach out to customers as they carry their mobile handsets wherever they go. Moreover, if you customize customers’ shopping experience, the online traffic of your app will accelerate.

Pharmacy apps elevate consumers’ shopping experience beyond the confines of store premises as they are capable of delivering round-the-clock services. The online catalogs are updated constantly providing timely information to the customer. Also customers can avail of personalized discounts, thereby giving better value to the customer.

Providing a Rich Customer Experience

Advanced pharmacy apps offer a responsive solution that caters to every requirement of modern tech-savvy consumers in every possible way and increases the number of touchpoints as well.

With apps, getting medicines delivered at the doorstep or booking an online consultation with pharmacists; is a few finger clicks away. This allows patients to manage prescriptions in a better way and improves the PDC (proportion of days covered) scores of patients. The app notifies the customers on when to reorder medication via automated refill reminders and enables them to instantly refill prescriptions without having to visit the store physically. With a HIPAA-compliant app, consumers can choose amongst multiple secure payment gateways. Some apps store customers’ card information and enable access to payment apps like PayPal to simplify payment hassles for online buyers.

An app facilitates online consultations between a patient and the pharmacist. It reduces friction in the workflow of the pharmacy and, as a result, every patient who has booked a consultation receives quality care without having to spare any waiting time.

Online Pharmacy App: Lower Investment Costs and Minimum Risks

Businesses that operate on-demand medicine delivery apps need not invest heavily in renting physical spaces, equipping their stores with necessities, or hiring a workforce for running the pharmacy. They only need to invest in proficient mobile app developers to build a responsive, scalable, and feature-rich pharmacy app that will execute sales and fetch revenue; rope in deliver personnel, or team up with a delivery service aggregator.

Moreover, entrepreneurs planning to launch their digital pharmacy enjoy the benefits of a shorter launch time, immense flexibility, and lower risks as compared to physical stores.

Preventing Misuse of Sensitive/High Dosage Drugs

Pharmacy store owners must implement measures to ensure security concerning purchases and prevent misuse of medicines. But, this activity becomes quite challenging for pharmacy owners who run physical stores. It takes a great deal of time and effort to track the purchases of customers visiting the store in person. However, today’s pharmacy apps simplify this task. Advanced app features allow linking identity cards of customers before delivering sensitive drugs or high-dosage medicines so that prescriptions and previous purchases can be auto-monitored. A pharmacy mobile app records every consumer’s purchase history including the current/previous orders and amount of medicines purchased. This way, pharmacists can effortlessly regulate or limit the purchase of sensitive drugs and prevent their misuse.

Constant Supply

The constant supply of medicines is a necessity, as patients need medicines instantly or within a short time. So, pharmacy providers must ensure that there’s a constant supply of medicines. This prerequisite is easy to maintain with an app, as here, the orders are directly placed to pharmaceutical companies or bulk medicine suppliers. This helps to eliminate the issue of shortage when individuals or retailers place orders through an app.

Saves time of Consumers as well as Providers

Customers using pharmacy apps can check the availability of medicines by browsing through online catalogs that provide comprehensive information on products; and then can directly place the order for home delivery of medicines. This saves a great deal of their time and effort.

The digital channels opened up by apps, distribute the workload of pharmacy businesses. The self-service approach for consumers and the automation of certain manual store-related tasks save time and allow businesses to focus on core activities.

End Note:

Thus, developing a pharmacy app is a great tool for marketing, branding, attracting customers, providing better services, and the quickest and most cost-efficient way of generating revenue for businesses.

All you need to do is team up with an adept and experienced pharmacy app development company like Biz4Solutions. We have helped several businesses throughout the globe to build profitable apps.

Automation Testing and Its Benefits for software Development

As we progress towards 2023, we witness a surge in the number of startups. The technology-driven era is giving way to more software development and an agile environment. The software development companies are flourishing with new technologies and products in the market. The market has grown competitive and any development idea may not survive for long, especially in product-based startups. This is the reason that the development codes keep changing every sprint. While the developers get started with development in sprint, it is the testing that bears the brunt. In projects with frequent code changes, the testers do not get time to test every change. This is the reason that many companies are even outsourcing software development where the third party takes care of testing. Can automation testing be applied to such scenarios? Yes. Let us understand the details about applying automation testing in software development projects where codes change very frequently.

Challenges in Testing

Manual testing is preferred only for some use cases. Every company is adopting automation testing to save time and enhance efficiency. However, projects with frequent code changes pose a challenge to the testers to automate test cases.

The continuous changes in application code and GUI results in addition and modification of test cases, making test automation difficult.
The code may change every sprint, putting pressure on the QA team to get a fully functional new build, create new test cases for changes, and test them. Every new feature requires thorough testing which requires time. The frequent code changes give minimal time for testing.
With time, the product becomes more complex, creating bottlenecks in testing and analyzing software performance in a limited time.

Automations That Support Such Development (frequent changes in code)

Selective automation testing is advised for projects that change codes very frequently.

Unit testing

Developers generally write and run the unit test cases. It is imperative to test the smallest function in an application to ensure that the application does not fail. As the codes and functionalities increase, unit testing becomes even more important. Unit testing can be automated for all the successfully implemented functionalities.

Smoke Testing

It is high priority activity for every new build. Smoke testing can be automated without hassle for any kind of project. The critical functionalities are defined at the initiation of the project. It is best to automate the testing of these critical functionalities as they are the most permanent aspect of any project. Even if new features are added, new critical functionalities can be added to the test suite.

Functional Testing

This is another important test to ensure that the implemented features work according to the requirements of the software. Functional testing is a recurring process and automation can be the best solution. After new codes and features are added to the solution, these tests are re-run to ensure that the new codes do not change anything in the existing functionalities. Functional testing of the implemented and stable features can be automated to run after every fresh build in a sprint. New cross-functional testing can be initially tested manually. But as the product/solution becomes stable, these test cases can be added to the automated test case suite.

Load Testing

Load testing becomes a priority for products such as mobile applications and connectivity-based solutions. The performance requirement is identified as one of the requirements of the project. So, it is something that is not expected to change with time. It can be automated and performed after a new functionality is added or there is a significant change in the code.

API Testing

The client/server interaction is defined and it does not change with any changes in the frontend or backend. The automated API tests can be run when required to ensure that the product runs correctly. The aim is to save the developer’s and QA team’s productive time in identifying the impact of new codes on the implemented features and then correcting them.

Advantages of Automation Testing in Such Projects

Time- and effort-efficient regression testing

Regression testing consumes a lot of productive time. Moreover, the steps are repetitive and do not add anything to the skill set of the performer. These steps when automated save a lot of time and efforts

2. Extensive test coverage

Many products/solutions have the requirement to be tested across multiple browsers and devices. The extensive test scenario and devices take time for testing. Dedicating a lot of time for covering every device and browser for every test case may not be possible in manual testing. Automation/ automated testing covers every testing aspect without dependency on any individual.

3. Seamless communication

Automation/automated testing yields results at a faster pace. The QA team is capable of providing the development team with results after every change. This helps in assessing the performance of the product at every stage. Fast results lead to faster and more meaningful communication between the QA team and the development team. This helps in doing faster development and delivery to the client.

Scenarios for Automation Testing

Not every product whose code changes regularly requires automation testing. And not every test case can be automated. Automating the test cases can be time-consuming. Also, the company has to spend money on the automation testing suit. Put together, automation/automated testing can be time- and money- intensive. So, the software development companies should consider automating only the required test cases.

The projects can consider the following scenarios for automating the test cases:

When the regressive test cases are already identified. Test cases for the functionalities which are going to remain unchanged till the project ends can be automated.
Automation/automated testing can be performed generally for the smoke testing for every project as the basic critical test cases remain unchanged.
Cross-functional testing can be added to the automated testing framework. After the addition of every new feature, a cross-functional test can be performed manually. Then it can be added to the automation framework to repeat the test after every build.

Automation/automated testing is a great feature for the QA team of every software development project irrespective of the model of development. The only difference can be in the degree of automation. Automation has a lot of benefits that result in better time efficiency, higher productivity, and greater customer satisfaction. Biz4Solutions is one of the leading software development services company. Our QA experts ensure thorough automated testing using popular automation tools like Selenium, Apiium, SoapUI, etc and manual testing of the product to deliver a robust product. Contact us today to get the best software development services led by expertise and experience.

Guidance on NFT Creation and Monetization Strategies!

NFTs are cryptographic tokens existing on a Blockchain that can be traded or sold. NFTs involve objects or assets such as music, artwork, trading cards, pictures, tweets, memes, online gaming, virtual real estate, etc.

This concept came to light in 2014 with the first known NFT transaction: A video clip named Quantum, registered by McCoy on Namecoin Blockchain was sold at $ 4 during a live presentation at New York’s New Museum. However, this concept didn’t attract much public attention until 2017 when the digital gaming brand CryptoKitties successfully sold tradable cat NFTs as a monetization strategy. Gradually, with the rising popularity of cryptocurrency usage, the NFT market picked momentum and by the end of 2020, the NFT market value reached 100 million $.

NFT became a buzzword around the globe ever since the most expensive NFT sale took place in March 2021: “First 5000 Days,” a crypto art by Beeple, was auctioned for 69.3 million USD. Here’s the example of another multimillion-dollar NFT transaction in 2021: “Bored Ape Yacht Club” raised 26.2 million USD by selling a collection of ten thousand NFTs in the form of cartoon primates that can be used by their owners as profile pictures on social media accounts. The year 2021 witnessed a booming NFT market with countless profitable transactions and the market value shot to 22 billion $.

Several brands, individuals, and enterprises including Yahoo, Star Trek, NYSE, Walmart, Ticketmaster, Elvis Presley, and Panera have been trademarked for NFT. This post guides you on how to create an NFT and monetize it. So, if you too wish to trade your asset/s via NFT, this write-up is a must-read.

But, before we dig deeper, let’s get a clear idea about NFTs & the concept of minting NFTs!

What are NFTs and how do they function?

NFTs or non-fungible tokens are data units stored on Blockchain, a digital decentralized ledger. An NFT refers to a specific digital or physical asset that is virtually traded or sold.NFTs grant ownership of the physical/digital objects by recording it on Blockchain. Here, granting ownership means providing a license to use, copy, or display the asset for a particular purpose.

NFTs work like cryptographic tokens but one cannot mutually interchange them like cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum or Bitcoin. This is because, unlike cryptocurrencies, all NFTs are not the same; each NFT holds a different value if they represent varied assets.

To create an NFT and earn money from it, one needs to mint an NFT.

What do you mean by minting NFTs?

Minting NFTs is the process of creating NFTs on a Blockchain. Here, the digital file gets converted into a crypto collectible. During minting the data is recorded within a public ledger which is tamper-proof & unchangeable. As such, all NFT transactions in the future can be followed and tracked. For minting NFTs, owners have to pay the “gas fees.” However, some platforms do not charge any gas fees from NFT creators; the fee is compensated in the form of additional costs to be paid by the buyer just like VAT or airlines’ fuel charges.

How to Create NFT and Monetize it: Key Steps

Here are the key steps that should be followed to create an NFT and earn money out of it.

1. Decide on the type of NFT based on your Objective

Selecting the type of NFT is a very crucial move as it should seem valuable to your target audience and also be profitable for you. Take a look at some of the most popular NFT ideas. Digital works of art have been so far the most profitable NFTs ever created, and this strategy works best for individuals planning to create NFTs.

If you are a business brand selling physical collectibles, it would be a great idea to tokenize those collectibles and sell them in digital format. Digital trading cards and sports cards are good examples of this type of NFT. While physical cards are susceptible to damage, NFT cards will retain their quality forever as they are securely stored on a Blockchain.

NFT-based video games have also proved to be immensely profitable as gamers usually heavily invest in virtual gaming items.

2. Pick a Suitable Blockchain & NFT Marketplace to create NFT

Blockchain:

You also need to select an apt Blockchain technology to mint your digital asset into an NFT. Select the Blockchain depending on the type of cryptocurrencies owned by your target audience and the transaction charges involved in that Blockchain. The commonest Blockchain used for NFTs is Ethereum; other Blockchains include Smart Chain, Binance, Cosmos, EOS, Polkadot, Tron, Litecoin, and Tezos. For example, Ethereum powers NFT platforms like OpenSea, Rarible, & Mintable; Polkadot empowers Xeno NFT hub; Wax Blockchain empowers AtomicHub; and Tezos powers marketplaces like Bazaar market, Rarible, & one of.

NFT marketplace:

The crypto space offers several NFT marketplaces, and you need to pick the one that suits you best. It has been observed that non-curated platforms are preferred over curated platforms. The reason is that NFT creators using non-curated platforms provide low-cost options – you just have to register yourself and pay the transaction fee needed for minting a token.

Here are the offerings of some of the most popular NFT marketplaces:

OpenSea:

This popular marketplace is used by a huge chunk of NFT traders as it hosts almost every kind of NFT and supports 150+ cryptocurrency payment tokens. Furthermore, OpenSea offers advanced features and user-friendly experiences to NFT holders enabling them to create effective NFTs speedily. Here, the NFT owners can even group up with other sellers for selling off their NFTs. The platform doesn’t charge any fee for creating an NFT and enlisting it for sale. Creators need to only pay fees for one-time registration and contact approval. Authors are charged a fee when their NFTs are sold.

Rarible

This is another popular marketplace, a self-service platform that is interconnected with OpenSea. The offerings of Rarible are quite similar to those of OpenSea. However, Rarible offers limited formats and smaller-sized artworks. Moreover, Rarible users can mint tokens prior to selling them, while in OpenSea token minting is managed at the time of selling the NFT.

Mintable

This platform is ideal for novice traders as it is one of the most cost-efficient options for creating and selling NFTs. This platform doesn’t charge any fee for registration, NFT creation, or NFT sales. Free NFT minting services make this marketplace the most viable option for artists who seek zero investment and huge returns. But this platform is not so user-friendly and requires a lengthy registration procedure.

Is it necessary to use a marketplace for NFT Creation?

You need not use an NFT platform if you are technical enough to build a smart contract, choose a Blockchain to deploy it, and use it for minting tokens. You can also hire Blockchain app development services for customized requirements.

3. Create a Digital Wallet & Fund it with Cryptocurrencies

A digital wallet is an app that is used for storing cryptocurrencies as well as buying, selling, or minting NFTs. So, pick a wallet that is compatible with the Blockchain you use for minting your NFT if you are a creator/owner. MetaMask and Coinbase are the most commonly used ones.

Once the digital wallet is created, you need to add some cryptocurrencies for paying the NFT minting fees to the marketplace you’ve chosen. Ether or ETH, Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, is the most commonly accepted currency in NFT transactions.

4. Connect your Wallet to an NFT Marketplace

Now, you need to connect your wallet to the NFT marketplace you have chosen. For OpenSea and Rarible, this process is quite easy: you need to click the top left button for connecting the wallet. Then, you can view a list of compatible wallets; you need to select one out of these for continuing the connection process.

If you already have installed the extension of either Coinbase or Metamask, a pop-up will appear asking you to connect to your wallet, and you can connect with a few clicks. For the Coinbase wallet app, you also get the option of connecting with the marketplace using a QR code scanner that is present on the main wallet screen on the right side of your balance amount.

Remember to go for a trusted site instead of an unknown site, to prevent scammers from accessing your NFTs or funds.

5. Add Description to your NFT

Now, you need to upload the file that needs to be converted into an NFT to the marketplace you have picked. Then add a catchy title and description to your NFT for listing purposes. Once uploaded you need to select whether you wish to mint a single token or an entire collection of NFTs.

Thereafter, you will be asked to decide on the percentage of royalty you would like to claim whenever your asset/artwork is resold in the future. But, this part is a bit tricky. If you set a high percentage of royalty for resale, it may seem profitable but individuals who have purchased your asset might be reluctant to resell it.

The last step involves adding the properties of your file; this step is optional.

6. Enlist the NFT for Sale

After you are done with filling out the information and you have uploaded your file and minted it, you need to enlist it for sale. Click on “create item” and then you will get the option to connect your wallet for paying the listing fee.

Once your file gets listed for sale on a particular marketplace, the platform will calculate the “gas fees”. This type of fee refers to the costs incurred by the Ethereum Blockchain network for recording transactions and the amount depends on how busy the platform’s network is. However, if you enlist your NFT during the non-peak hours, the fee will be lesser.

7. Promote your NFT

After creating an NFT and minting it, owners need to promote it through proper channels for maximizing the chances of success. The promotional platforms & approaches include public relations, online advertisements, crypto podcasts, and social media.

8. Select the NFT- Sale Strategy: Auction or Fixed Price

It is important to choose an NFT-Sale strategy: Auction or Fixed Price. The fixed price strategy is simple, straightforward, and transparent – NFT owners mention a specific selling price for their assets.

Setting up an auction is a way more interesting and exciting approach for earning money from an NFT sale! Here, three options are available:

Increasing price auction: The price increases and the highest bidder gets to buy the NFT.
Timed auction: The bid for each lot is set for a definite time, the interested collectors have to submit the bid within the specified time, and finally, the person who submits the highest bid wins.
Decreasing price auction: The NFT price drops till a person buys the NFT.
Online auction without a deadline: Interested parties will submit the bid and the owner can close the auction at any time.

NFT Monetizing strategies

The various approaches to earning money from an NFT are:

Royalty:

This is a crucial strategy toearn money from NFTs: the NFT creator can earn passive lifetime royalties after selling their NFT to another individual. For this, the creator must impose terms and conditions stating that royalties need to be paid to them every time the ownership of the NFT changes.

NFT Staking & Renting:

Staking is to lock or deposit an NFT for generating passive income in the form of tokens.

If your NFT is gaining popularity, renting will be a good option to earn money out of your NFTs. Here, a smart contract-empowered deal is sealed between two parties stating certain terms and conditions. The lease amount and the duration of the rental agreement are also fixed by the owner.

Liquidity Pool

This refers to a collection of digital assets locked within a smart contract. This collection can be used as loans, collateral, etc. Moreover, the users of several platforms are rewarded with NFTs that are exchanged with a liquidity pool and the owners can sell their NFT rewards for liquidating their positions within liquidity pools.

Summing Up:

The NFT platform can be leveraged by artists to get digitally recognized and can be used by business brands as a highly effective monetization strategy. As the trend to collect NFTs is rapidly growing, the number of brands/firms applying for NFT trademarks is also on the rise. The number of NFT-related trademark applications received by the Patent and Trademark Office in the US was just three in 2020; the number rose to 1200 in 2021; 450 applications were received in January 2022.

If you too wish to make money by creating an exceptional NFT for your business brand, reach out to Biz4Solutions, a prominent software firm offering high-end mobile app development services as well as Blockchain-related services to global clientele for the last 12+ years.

Top 10 Traending Camera App in 2022

Are you fully satisfied with the performance of your Android device’s in-built camera? Well, for most of us the answer is negative. These days, most of us capture photographs using our smartphones and we require that perfect picture/video that can be posted on social media. And, most built-in cameras of android devices fail to satisfy this user expectation.

Good news! There are a host of incredible camera apps available for Android users that allow you to click captivating pictures like a professional. This post explores the distinct offerings of the most notable photo apps that are trending in 2022!

Pixtica

This is a free multimedia camera app with an intuitive design developed by Perraco Labs. It is ideal for expert photography, video creation, and adding innovation to photos/videos. The app is meant for filmmakers and photographers but can be used by novice photographers as well. Pixtica’s easy-to-use layout enables you to click like a pro even if you are a layman in photography.

The app offers amazing features like hyper-lapse, time-lapse, panoramic capture, slow-motion video recording, designing GIF animations with various capture modes, a huge variety of filters and effects including the bokeh effect, replacing a photo’s background, and scanning documents to PDF/JPEG mode. It also offers excellent manual controls just like the ones found in DSLR cameras – exposure, ISO, focus, balance, and shutter speed.

Cymera

This is one of the most amazing camera apps that comes with seven different varieties of camera lenses, a timer, a stabilizer, and a silent mode that allows users to shoot photographs quietly.

The app can be used for photo editing, beautification, and the addition of fun effects. Users can choose from a plethora of stickers, filters, and special effects, and its photo editor can reshape body structures and even add or remove facial/body features from photos. It also provides a smart gallery, loads of selfie functionalities, MEME editor, fireworks/lights effects, poster tool, collage creator, and a crop tool that helps users create Facebook & Instagram cover and YouTube thumbnails effortlessly.

ProCam X Lite

This app is a lightweight and free version of the popular Android app ProCam X. This happens to be one of the most viable options for mobile users; it offers exciting features like entire manual control on shutter speed, white balance, ISO, various focus modes, etc., various kinds of focus modes like Macro, Manual, Infinity, Locked Focus, etc., and face detection capability. Also, there are twenty options for burst shots and elite features like exposure bracketing & interval shots; these prove handy during stop motion captures and timelapses.

Camera Zoom FX

This camera app is loaded with DSLR functions and allows users to click stable & action shots, apply fascinating filters, and compose photos.

Camera Zoom FX enables users to take RAW captures, integrate various shooting modes, adjust the shutter speed & the focus distance, set ISO, etc. Some of its USPs include HDR mode pro, burst mode, live effects, voice activation capabilities, and Spy camera. However, to avail of all its high-end features, one must download the premium version which costs 3.99 $.

Google Cardboard Camera

This is one of the unique camera apps that provides you the convenience and ease of clicking 3D photos at minimal costs and thereafter, enjoying those clicks in VR. Users can capture 3D photos and then view them on their Android screen or on a virtual reality device for achieving the best results. Mobile app developers have put in a lot of innovation to make this app unique.

Mobile app developers have The VR photo clicking technique is quite similar to clicking panoramic shots using smartphones. One has to hold the mobile device vertically, click the camera button, and then move in a circle. Here, the Google Cardboard Camera allows you to make a 360 degree turn unlike general panoramic pictures, and also records a snippet of sound while clicking photos. The outcome is captivating as you get immersive pictures that possess depth when you view them on Google Cardboard. The objects at a distance appear far while the nearby objects appear near and users can view the captured scene from different directions - front, sides, and even behind their heads.

Open Camera

This is one of the best free and open-source camera apps available for Android devoid of ads and in-app purchases. Moreover, the app is lightweight and consumes less device storage space. What more could the users ask for? The Open camera app caters to Android smartphones and tablets.

The notable features of this app include HD video recording, the ability to geotag photos/videos, HDR, external microphone support, focus & scenes modes, automatic stabilizer, useful remote controls, configurable volume keys, and a dynamic optimization range. Furthermore, its GUI is optimized for right-handed as well as left-handed users with equal levels of perfection.

Candy Camera

This is a free camera app with ads that offer a host of enthralling beauty functions and filters for selfie clicks – various stickers, face slimming modes, makeup tools, light effects, and many more. Users can view effects live before they click a photo and also enhance the picture after capture. App users can click silent snaps/selfies and utilize the collage feature for creating beautiful collages by combining different photographs.

Vector Camera

This is a free and open-source new-age app that offers real-time alienation. This camera app is meant for adding enchanting effects while recording videos and shooting images. The app’s distinct offerings include live vectorization and after-processing vector effects, focussing on flashy coloring effects.

Users can choose from a plethora of real-time effects that can be applied to the primary interface for improving image/video quality. These effects can be further customized by the user; the background color and solid colors. Top-quality pictures can be clicked using the HQ mode.

Vector Camera doesn’t affect your device’s battery life. However, unlike other camera apps, this app cannot be used for shooting regular photos without special effects.

Bacon Camera

This application is immensely helpful when the support for Camera2 API is absent on your Android device. This app is completely free and doesn’t offer any in-app product.

The app comes with an easy-to-use and intuitive user interface. Also, it provides full-scale manual DSLR-like controls such as focus, white balance, exposure compensation, live histogram (Luminance & RGB), semi-manual ISO speed, GIF designing, exposure bracket, etc. without requiring Camera2 API support. Bacon Camera provides support for all types of files including DNG, JPEG, and Bayer RAW.

Camera 360

This is a professional and easy-to-use camera application and one of the best photo editing apps. It is used for selfie retouching and photo editing using stickers, filters, and make-up modes. App users can select from numerous filters, choose how their skin & face looks in photos, and click candy selfies that appear more natural. The app also includes fun-filled elements like animated theme filters and Funny Augmented Reality Strikers.

A unique feature offered by Camera 360 is an Audio camera that allows users to capture standard still photographs with the sound made by the subject.

In Conclusion:

So, aren’t these photo apps remarkable? The craze for downloading high-end camera apps for captures and edits is a trend that’s here to stay. So, it’s a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs to exploit this growing demand by architecting a user-friendly camera app that offers exciting features.

If you would like to hire professional services for camera app development reach out to Biz4Solutions, a prominent mobile app development company that has been delivering world-class apps and software products to global clients for the past 12+ years.

Top 7 Retail Technology Trends For 2022

The retail industry has transformed over the decade with the growing penetration of the internet across the globe. The retailers have been progressively involved in capturing the large population that stays online with remote devices. Online presence has become important for the business over the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic further propelled the demand for online shopping and e-retail. The pandemic also compelled retailers to automate their inventory management and supply chain. Going ahead in 2022, several other factors are meant to influence the retail trends:

Generation Z: People born after 1995 have become a part of the workforce. They are going to strongly influence the retail trends
Digital world: Retailers are going online to capture the maximum customers
Convenience: Contactless and hassle-free shopping is going to be a driving point

These trends in turn are going to influence the retail technology trends. Mobile application plays an important part in developing an e-retail ecosystem. Many companies provide mobile app development services to provide a competitive UI for e-retail. So, hiring mobile app developers is the need of the hour as one has to keep a watch on other retail technologies going to trend in the coming years.

Major Retail Technology Trends

Cashierless shopping

This retail technology is already implemented in many Amazon stores. The concept is meant to put an end to the waiting lines. Consumers can walk into the stores after signing in on the mobile application. All the items picked up in the shop are automatically billed and the money is deducted through the application while exiting the shop. Today, this implementation is only in small stores. In the future, it can be into larger stores and supermarkets. This technology is being associated with a positive change wherein the former cashiers at retail stores can take up meaningful and rewarding jobs that do not involve sitting and swiping vegetables.

2. Autonomous delivery

The most talked-about retail technology, autonomous delivery, may become a reality in the coming years. Many companies have started trials for drone deliveries with successful results. Machine learning and Artificial intelligence play a huge part in redefining the delivery infrastructure in the retail sector. The management of the air traffic caused by delivery drones and bots needs to be managed. With many retail players awaiting the successful rollout of autonomous delivery solutions, many technology startups are expected to come into the picture, inviting more retail companies to opt for autonomous delivery.

3. Virtual try-on

Augmented reality as one of the retail technology is going to take customer experience to a new height. Virtual try-on has become a reality. Social distancing and restricted movement are expected to boost its adoption in retail sector. The virtual try-on option allows the customers to make informed decisions. It can end in higher sales and lower return rates, a great benefit for the retailers. Virtual try-on also provides a means of market assessment for the garment retailers to maintain a balance between supply and demand by optimized manufacturing of products in demand.

Virtual try-on can be creatively used to suggest the best size and suitable color for the customers, cutting down their time spent in cloth trials. The ultimate result is expected to be better revenue and customer satisfaction.

4. Omnichannel shopping

Omnichannel shopping is an interface between a brick-and-mortar store and an online store. Customers create omnichannel customer profiles which are universal to both brick and mortar stores and online stores. The selected items are placed in cloud-based smart shopping baskets that are valid for the physical and digital brand stores. The customers get the choice to select products from any medium and add them to the basket. Similarly, the items can be purchased from any medium. The flexibility of purchasing products makes the buying journey hassle-free. Omnichannel shopping gives retailers a better understanding of the customers, helping in marketing their products.

5. Zero interface retail

It is way more personalized human-machine interaction, adopted to enhance the user experience. With technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP), the conversational interface can be the new UI for retail brands. Voice searches are already being used in different applications. Using voice as the operative base for retail brands is a good strategy. Moving ahead in 2022, voice can be used to create entirely new and unique user journeys.

6. Automatic inventory management

Inventory management composes to be a huge part of every retail outlet. Retailers are able to reduce their manual efforts and costs in managing inventory. Data-driven analysis of the inventory helps in its management. There are several benefits that data-driven and automated inventory management can bring.

Reduced warehouse cost with minimal inventory stored in the warehouse, incurring less maintenance cost
Stock availability whenever required by a customer, enhancing customer satisfaction and fetching customer loyalty
Less dependency on discounts to clear the old stock
Greater revenue with higher sales, and reduced old/dead stock

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies can be used to tag the inventory in categories and subcategories and track the performance of each category against different KPIs. Predictive analytics can be used to ensure products availability on different channels based on the demand to optimize sales.

7. Blockchain-based supply chain

Blockchain enhances transparency and security across all operations and transactions. It can be used to record the entire journey of the product till it reaches the end customer. Once created, this record cannot be edited. This error-less tracking allows Blockchain to address the challenges of supply chain traceability. In the coming years, Blockchain can become an integral part of supply chain management systems owing to its positive impact on transparency, auditing, and traceability.

The retail industry is evolving with an increase in the use of technology. The retailers must pay heed to these retail technologies to stay ahead in the game. Every retail technology may not be applicable to every retail business and the business owners need to chalk out the requirements before acquiring these tools. Mobile application is going to stay as an important tool for e-retail. An application with good UI and responsiveness has higher chances of retaining consumers than a normal mobile application and website. Biz4solution can help retailers in developing robust mobile applications. Our experts will devise the best UI as per your niche. We will help your business go global with world-class applications. Contact us today to own a mobile application to offer a personalized experience to your customers.

NoteWorthy Feature of Therapy Mobile App!

Do you consider mind over matter important? As the saying goes, you should control your mind before it controls you. Most of us have finally grokked that talking to a friend can be an enormous help. Post pandemic era, the general rise in the wide awareness about mental health has led people to take therapy. Though a little unconventional, people prefer secretly talking and consulting with a therapist privately. That is the reason why there are so many therapist apps popping up on the market.

Therapist apps provide you with the privacy you seek. Not everybody can find a suitable person to vent out their feelings. When you are in emotional chaos or crumble under problems that are too complex, it is equally difficult sometimes to find a trained mental health professional. So therapy apps help a lot to take you out of an emotional pothole. Therapy apps let you find someone having the expertise to speak to via mobile phones, formal text, or video. These kinds of effortless connectivities are like godsend for some. For some people, it can be additional support to in-person therapy and for others, it can stand alone. And the best part is these platforms are curated to have security and privacy in the conversations.

From a teenager to an adult, everybody can indulge smartly and securely to practice mental well-being. For teenagers, it may feel weird to spill your guts into a face on your mobile phone, or for people with disorders such as depression and anxiety, or women having issues with the quality of life secondary treatment, neglect at home, domestic violence, etc; therapy mobile apps add a whole new avenue to speak up about these issues. It’s not that everyone with a smartphone cares for their mental well-being. Often, people pay attention to their physical health and they do regular exercise, eat nutritional food, take a good sleep, and stay hydrated. Just like your physical health, support for your mental health helps you feel your best and up in arms.

So, these therapy apps have a universal demand. According to the report published in reachandmarkets, The Global Mental Health Apps Market size is expected to reach $10. 2 billion by 2027, rising at a market growth of 16. 3% CAGR during the forecast period.

Many mental therapy apps are effortless to use and help you secure the well-being you deserve via their features. Many mental health apps can give you suggestions, tools and advice, mindful activities, and support to help you manage your stress. Some apps effectively manage general mental health issues and complex conditions. Many of the apps are free to download but these free apps provide access to only limited features. To access all of the features of an app, user needs to go for paid subscription.

Best Features to Have in Therapy Apps

Seeking help from therapy mobile apps can be intimidating but the real challenge is the real-time problem-solving capacity via its features. So, here is the list of some real-time practical features that can help to boost the productivity of the therapy apps.

Profiles Creation

First things first. Profile creation is an absolute initial step of building a therapy mobile application to sign-up and the profile creation feature. The sign-up step should be hassle-free and should not create anxiety for the users. Guaranties of the data and content that the users are putting in may give them an extra sigh of relief. Profile content should be separate for counsellors and patients. If the counsellors are ranked according to experience and feedback then it would minimise the struggle to find the right counsellor for patients. Most important thing is that profile settings should incorporate all the necessary data for utilizing the application like full name, region, age, location, gender, disorder, chronic illnesses, allergies, intolerances and so on. The patient should be given the option to upload all their prescriptions and documents, and reports on their profile.

Calendars and Reminders

One of the great advantages of mobile devices and the digital age is that it has simplified orderly living and eased the burden on people. With this feature, patients can easily book appointments with counsellors, set targets on the app and accomplish tasks on the dashboard. Calendar features can also be helpful beyond measures for female health tracking. This coupled with reminder features may boost your productivity and timely execution of the tasks you have subscribed to. So day by day, in every way, users would be growing. With reminder features, from teenagers to elderly patients, users can set reminders for their medicines. It is helpful for people suffering from Alzheimer’s, anxiety or depression.

Variety of sessions

Apps are imperfect if they are not easy to use. Many mental therapists suggest that having a suitable session is a must as people have different and complex sets of mental issues. So to do justice to everyone’s problems, therapy apps should come with a wide variety of sessions like mindfulness, music therapy, talking sessions, etc. The add on features like meet and greet with the favourite therapist will add a game-changing solution.

Tracking self-growth

Tracking and self-monitoring the progress is one of the essential components of mental therapy. For this, therapy mobile applications can be useful to monitor complete well-being from day to day or month to month basis. Features like this are very handy to keep updated records of the sleep cycle, mood alterations, mental disorders, food intake, tracking metabolism and physical exercise, thoughts, sentiments, and so on. With an active dashboard that keeps on updating these indicators automatically, users can analyse information hustle-free or even refer them to their therapy counsellors. Other features like calendar, events tracking, and manual goal setting can help the app grow more.

Counselling via chatbox and video sessions

While the whole world was in quarantine, video calling and group chatting were the main channels by which the people managed to keep a visual and live check on their loved ones. But these features are proving to be a blessing post-covid era. Telehealth services have sprung up from the covid-19 stage. Its usage was much higher during covid-19 and even now it is 38x higher than in the pre-covid stage. From gym instructors to therapy counselling, the live video sessions are the new normal. That is the reason it is important to add chat and video meeting features when you want to build the therapy mobile application. It can increase the app engagement along with the user and counsellor connection. Other features like screen sharing, documents transfer and media sharing might double the user interaction and usage across this platform. Along with that, you can even add other features such as video recording, screen sharing, document transferring and so on to make the therapy sessions more interactive.

Video & Audio Content

If somebody asks you whether you like to watch a session or read about a session, then most of the time you would choose the first option. This feature can do wonders when it is unable for users to reach out to a counsellor. Video content is engaging, explanatory, creative and very satisfying when it comes to engagement with the audience. People are more used to listening to podcasts, video meditation and other blissful features. It is very beneficial for return on investment as it enhances your mobile app engagement. The use of video monitoring can go beyond the expectations as it can alter the mood and instructive session also helps to get rid of anxiety and loneliness, unwanted stress, and so on. Likewise, patients and counsellors can upload video and audio files from their therapy sessions on the off chance that they need to watch them once more. Users can easily scroll through the playlist and watch the content as per their needs.

Urgent Care

For a person suffering from mental health issues, anxiety and depression-like attacks are common. If a person is having an anxiety attack or suffering from any mental disorder, then urgent care can be a godsend for them. So, now and then people having mental health disorders require urgent care. You can list the symptoms of any such panic attack and in this way, you can build an app that creates awareness. It’s a great way to build a self-care routine for users. With an urgent care feature users can get admittance to a quick emergency assistance call or somebody from an experienced counsellor.

Furthermore, you can add step-by-step directions on how to respond if there should arise an occurrence of urgent care and a tab with quick access to required contacts with a simple video tutorial or audio clip.

Sharing Data

We have learned the hard truth that sharing is caring in the pandemic. Beyond sharing the useful things, sharing thoughts, and results can push other patients to do more better. Therapy mobile apps can also let apps sync with social media accounts and share their progress, ideas, and thoughts across various social media platforms. Peer to peer connectivity can let them send data directly to their counsellor or required trained professionals and their loved ones. Add some ‘how you feel’ and ‘mood’ feature on social media platforms and it can let the users share their progress that can motivate other users as well.

Active Push Notification

Remind users and patients how well they are doing and how much more they can accomplish with push notifications. These kinds of notifications increase app interaction and also alter the patient’s mood. Such alerts reminds the users to keep their mental health in check. For the day, patients can be reminded and motivated to do work out, practice meditation, read blissful information, practice relaxation, inform about therapy sessions, energize and brighten up their mood, and so on. A good engagement with content can help patients to indulge more and more in the application. So this is a must have feature for mobile app development.

Protection from data theft

Though the digital age is a blessing, it also is a bane. Many spyware attacks, bugs and hacking tools have changed the virtues of safety and security while using digital devices. A person suffering from a mental disease should be more careful as any such security breach might create extra anxiety and stress on the patient. So, being careful about data security is a must when you build a mobile app. The therapy mobile app will have all the sensitive details about the patients and counsellor which a mobile app developer should protect at any cost. Some high-level security features like multi-factor authentication, dynamic password, biometric authentication, voice recognition, OTP verification, etc. can assure the needed security.

But remember, apps are not a substitute for professional mental health care. They can ease your way to achieve your desired targets and goals efficiently.

We at Biz4Solutions, know how to push buttons and get your business going. As a leading Healthcare app development company, we can help you create such amazing applications for mobile devices. From blockchain and IoT to healthcare, we have successfully brought a smile on many faces with our quality services. We are pioneering mobile app developers and bring not just the conventional solution but also offer smart ways to upgrade your business and increase the productivity of your business. It’s your time to say YES! Allow us to help you with Digital transformation, robotic process automation, IoT, cloud solution, mobile apps and many more state-of-the-art services. Drop your email in the comment box and relax, our experts will get in touch with you shortly.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop a HIPAA Compliant Application in 2022?

Introduction: HIPAA Compliant Application

If you are a healthcare provider and have a mobile application that deals with protected health information (PHI), then your app would have to be HIPAA compliant.

Healthcare entities like hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, etc., or even business firms who have developed mHealths or EHealth applications revolving around PHI fall under the ambit of HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act.

Well, collecting information does not require you to be compliant, but sharing the information requires you to be.

Importance: HIPAA Compliant App Development in 2022

So, if you are planning to craft a healthcare mobile application that involves PHI, make sure that it is a HIPAA app.

A HIPPA-compliant application refers to a software solution that meets the standards set by the US Health & Human Services, A HIPAA compliant mobile app ensures that the user data you hold is secured.

Most entities in Healthcare IT Services that collect and share patient information are concerned about HIPAA since non-compliance can turn out to be a costly affair.

Hospitals & companies violating HIPAA compliance attract a heavy fine that could even run into millions of dollars – there have been several instances of hospitals being levied a heavy penalty for data breaches.

The HIPAA Compliance & Its Costs

If you are planning to develop a HIPPA-compliant healthcare app, you should first evaluate what levels of HIPAA compliance you need. This will depend on the PHI (data) you hold and the amount of the data you are sharing. The lesser the sharing, the lesser the compliance.

If you are getting the app developed through a healthcare application development company, then the app development company should be informed about HIPAA right in the development stage because they have to work on privacy & security rules.

The cost of developing a HIPAA compliant app generally depends on factors like

The type of the healthcare Organization
The size of the organization
The Organization Culture
Geographic Location of the healthcare body
The number of Business Associates involved

For a small-sized covered entity (covered entity: doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, clinics, etc.), the HIPAA compliant app development cost would be somewhere around: $4,000 to $12,000. This cost includes Risk Management & Management Plan, Remediation, and Training & Development Policy.

For a medium or large-scale covered entity, the cost of building a HIPAA compliant app would be approximately $50,000 or more. This cost includes Remediation, Risk Analysis & Management Plan, Penetration Testing, Training, and Policy Development & Vulnerability Scans.

Alternative Option:

If the app development cost seems way too higher, the other option available is resorting to a cloud service provider, which is already HIPAA-compliant.

When choosing a cloud-based service provider, you need to check if that service provider will minimize the risk of data breaches, and whether the service provider is ready to serve you.

Although the costs of developing a mobile application that is HIPAA-compliant seem higher, it is always better to be on the safer side and avoid paying large penalties. These compliance errors are apparently too costly to be made.

Conclusion:

The penalties for security breaches are heavy due to the nature of the data that is being dealt with. Patient information is very sensitive in nature as it contains their medical history. In 2017, IBM & Ponemon conducted research that gave away some interesting facts.

They found out that on average, a single data breach costs $380 per record, which is 250% more than the data breach across other industries around the globe.

A HIPAA compliant app is trusted by patients as such an app keeps their information private & secure. If you would like to develop a new-era HIPAA compliant app for your medical facility, reach out to Biz4Solutions, a prominent mobile app development company that specializes in healthcare app development. We are having a rich experience of 12+ years in tailoring highly customized HIPAA compliant healthcare apps/solutions for our global clientele.

How to create a Video Consultation Healthcare App in React Native Using Twilio!

Since the introduction of mHealth apps, healthcare organizations have witnessed a sea-change in the way patients relate to doctors. Now the patients have more control over their medical decisions and the overall system has become more patient-centric. Owing to this, a variety of mHealth apps have emerged in the market and a video consultation healthcare app is one such innovation. This app enables the patients and doctors to communicate instantly in case of an emergency or when it is not possible to visit the hospital. The doctors can send ePrescriptions online and provide medical assistance. So, having an Online Medical Consultation App with a video calling facility can always be a lucrative decision for any medical body or even an individual practitioner.

So, today’s topic is about creating a video consultation healthcare app. We will consider the React Native framework for this purpose since React Native development services are a perfect pick for developing native-like cross-platform apps. Also, we will talk about Twilio as a cloud communications platform that is being widely used in video calling apps. Let’s get started with what Twilio is and then the process to create the app.

What is Twilio?

Twilio is an American cloud-based service or cloud communications platform as a service (CPaaS). It acts as a powerful communication tool and bridges the gap between various mobile devices, other systems, services, etc., and telephony. In React Native development, APIs offered by Twilio enable the developers to implement several communication services like making and receiving audio/video phone calls, sending and receiving text messages, etc. These services also include AI bots, emails, etc. In this process, in addition to audio/video calling, other features like account recovery, phone verification, in-app calls or in-app chats, etc. can also be worked upon.

To integrate Twilio into the app, React Native developers will need existing knowledge on Cocoapods, React Native Navigation, React, etc. Twilio

Here are a few top benefits of using Twilio

Twilio is quite easy to learn and so, there are a plethora of developers available.
It follows a standard method of communication: HTTP.
Switching between technologies is also much easier.
Owing to Platforms as a Service (PaaS), capital costs are somewhat lower. Even the deployment costs are lower and they increase gradually as the company grows.

Key Steps for Creating a React Native Healthcare App with Video Consultation using Twilio WebRTC

While using Twilio WebRTC for the healthcare video calling app, a React Native app development company should follow the step-by-step procedure as given below. This procedure is divided into two major parts where the first part is about generating a token using Twilio and the second part talks about installing dependencies using a React Native starter kit. Also, we will consider a React Native Android app for now. So let’s get started with the first part.

Part 1: Token Generation with Twilio

Twilio provides both IOS/Android SDKs and JavaScript. But for React Native, Twilio does not provide any direct support. So, the React Native developers can use the JavaScript SDK for a few services but this isn’t possible for other services, because to a great extent it depends on browser APIs. There is one more alternative and that would be by porting the native Android/IOS SDK to React Native. So here, we have used this combination: Twilio Video (WebRTC) for React Native.

Firstly, create an account on https://www.twilio.com/. Sign-up for a trial and verify your credentials such as phone number, email, etc. You will now be directed to the Dashboard.

You will need an ACCOUNT SID along with an API key and a Secret key for generating a token. For generating an API key, navigate to API keys through the settings. The creation of the API key here will give both the Secret key and the API key. It is now possible to generate a token by using npm install which uses npm package. The tokens can also be generated in multiple languages as well. The identity value should be changed for every token as the same token cannot be used at different places.

There is one more way to create a token by the use of Twilio tools. Click on Twilio tools and write an identity and a room name. This will generate the access token. Securely save these keys for the later part.

The Twilio part of the video consultation healthcare app ends here. Now let us start with the React Native development part.

Part 2: Installing Dependencies using a React Native Starter Kit

Here we will be using React Native starter kit that can be copied from the GitHub link- https://github.com/flatlogic/react-native-starter. You need to run the command- “npm install https://github.com/blackuy/react-native-twilio-video-webrtc –save” in the terminal project directory and then write the required code in App.js file.

Make sure that all the required dependencies are installed by the execution of the command- “npm install” in the project directory. Also, you need to make some configurations for utilizing Twilio and also use audio, camera, etc.

For making the goto Android folder, you should add the following code lines in settings.gradle file-

include ‘:react-native-twilio-video-webrtc’

project (‘:react-native-twilio-video-webrtc’).projectDir = new File (rootProject.projectDir, ‘../node_modules/react-native-twilio-video-webrtc/android’)

Now, go to Android > app > build.gradle file and search for dependencies. After that, add the below-mentioned code in the block.

compile project (‘:react-native-twilio-video-webrtc’)

Also, add the below-mentioned code in Android > app >SRC> main >JAVA> com > reactnativestarter > MainApplication.java

import com.twiliorn.library.TwilioPackage;

After this, replace the getPackages() method with the required code.

Now for requesting the permissions from the user, it is essential to modify AndroidManifest.xml by adding the required code in this file. Also ensure that in your Twilio account, the client-side room creation is enabled.

Running the Application

Finally, when all the steps are implemented and code is executed, run your React Native healthcare app by the execution of the command- “react-native run-android” from the terminal window.

Final Verdict:

Here we have developed a simple React Native app to demonstrate the video-calling capability of Twilio. But we just need to remember that a few things like user connections, user access token generation, room creation, etc. must be very diligently handled on the backend.

Would you like to develop a Video Consultation healthcare app with Twilio implementation in React Native as outlined above? We hope the aforesaid steps will be helpful to React Native developers. For any technical assistance in creating a customized doctor-on-demand video consultation healthcare app, Contact Biz4Solutions, a highly proficient Healthcare app development company with 11+years of experience in this domain.

Why it is advisable for Startups to pick ionic for app development

Success is not very easy for the start-ups who are planning to go for mobile app development as these entrepreneurs need to look into multiple aspects like envisaging an app with unique selling points, targeting the right set of audiences at the correct time, developing the app quickly while keeping the expenses low, and the list goes on. Therefore, it’s important to pick frameworks and technologies that will ease out app development and allow the app owners to focus on core business operations.

The Ionic SDK is an ideal option that helps start-ups to save time, effort, and costs, and sail through developmental challenges with ease. Besides, this framework is suitable for architecting apps for diverse industrial domains. This post explores the distinct offerings of Ionic that make it a popular pick amongst newbie entrepreneurs developing an app.

Reasons why Ionic App Development benefits Start-ups

Open-sourced Nature & Enterprise-friendliness

Open-source frameworks are an ideal pick for start-ups owing to budgetary constraints and the core of the Ionic SDK is open-sourced, free, and possesses MIT authorization. As such, Ionic provides several cost-effective app development options. This framework is robust steady, reliable, and supports agile software developmental methodologies. While most of the open-source frameworks are likely to face developmental issues like sudden architectural breakdowns, Ionic is well equipped to tackle such challenges.

The framework is well-maintained and periodically updated by the Ionic team. The Ionic team also promises enterprise-friendly offerings.

A Captivating UI/UX

The UI/UX is a driving factor for an app’s success regardless of whether the app is used for marketing products/services or improving in-house employee productivity. Ionic perfectly meets this requirement as it offers loads of high-end UI elements along with multi-lingual capabilities that lead to the creation of an app with a pleasant and easy-to-use interface. Ionic app developers enjoy access to a wide range of components like themes, paradigms, etc. that help them to create visually attractive apps with a rich UX. Also, the JavaScript and CSS feature offered by Ionic allow developers to customize the app with different kinds of color schemes, menus, cards, and buttons of the app imparting a native-like look to the app.

Handy Native Plugins including Cordova

Plugins are small pieces of code written in JS format that is appended to an application and enable one to carry out tasks like in a native app. This way, plugins enhance the performance of a mobile app. Ionic app developers can access a host of native plugins and APIs to create a native-like UX. Developers can utilize as many as 120 native device features including AUTH, HealthKit, Bluetooth, and Fingerprint.

One of the most crucial plugins available in the Ionic eco-system is the Cordova plugin that allows access to OS features like camera, logs, pro-location, etc.

No need for Specialized Developers

Ionic app development uses popular technologies and programming languages such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. Moreover, the base of the Ionic framework is built with the outstanding technology AngularJS and Apache Cordova. So, Ionic app developers can leverage web technologies for building an app and then convert the app into an advanced and fully-functional mobile application. Owing to the use of well-known technologies there isn’t any need for developers to be trained in specific skills or SDKs. Thus, the app owner can save on hiring specialized developers and the app can be developed by regular developers with generic skillsets. That’s why most start-ups hire Ionic app developers for executing their project.

Presence of a strong CLI & Widgets

Ionic offers a built-in CLI (Command-Line-Interface). The CLI is a text-based interface that allows users to activate the “prompt” command to interact with an Ionic app through various commands.

The Ionic framework supports widget creation. Widgets help users to embed the frequently used apps to the home screens of their mobile handsets and the app can be directly triggered from the home screens.

Dynamic Community Support

Start-ups using Ionic enjoy the support of a huge dynamic community. The community lends a helping hand whenever Ionic app developers are struck or have any queries. And, as Angular and Cordova form Ionic’s base, the communities of these two technologies are also quite helpful to Ionic development teams.

A Future-proof App Development Process

Several business enterprises need to act promptly to fulfil their customers’ demands and requirements. But, making any modification, even a minor change, involves extra efforts and added expenses. Hence, companies must choose technologies and frameworks that future-proof the development process. In such scenarios, enterprises that have opted for Ionic app development are able to quickly respond to the modifications demanded by the market, users, or regulatory bodies.

For instance, an enterprise is required to update its branding style or logo. If the enterprise maintains different codebases for three different platforms – an iOS app coded in Swift, an Android app coded in Kotlin, and a web app coded using JS framework – all three codebases need to be updated separately in their respective languages. This is going to be not only time-consuming but also costly. Contrarily, if the company uses Ionic, there’s only one codebase for all three platforms; changes need to be executed on this codebase for updating all the three apps in one go.

Effortless Testing

Ionic offers effortless testing options. Ionic app developers utilize Cordova commands to perform Android app testing on the PC and simulators at the same time. For iOS apps, testing is conducted either on the Safari web browser or a mobile browser. The app can also be directly tested as a native or hybrid app, to gather clearer insights on the app’s functioning. These testing capabilities ensure the creation of a high performant and bug-free app.

Faster Deployment & Reduced Development Costs

Unlike most other frameworks, Ionic doesn’t require specialized developers to create separate codebases for native apps that target the Android and iOS operating systems. Ionic developers need to build a cross-platform app with a single codebase and then customize that codebase to function on Android and iOS. Furthermore, as Ionic involves web technologies and requires widely-practiced skills; it’s quite easy to find the necessary expertise.

On account of fewer codebases, smaller development teams, the availability of robust components & powerful plugins, lesser bugs, and effortless development; Ionic app development is speedy as well as cost-efficient.

Final Words:

Ionic app development is the one-stop solution for modern-day start-ups planning to develop a highly performant app in the least possible time and at a minimal cost. Outsourcing your development project to an experienced Ionic app development company would be a super-convenient option for entrepreneurs as it will reduce their burden to a considerable extent and allow them enough time to oversee core business functions.

Biz4Solutions, a prominent Offshore app development company in India having an industry experience of more than eleven years in Ionic app development would be a wise pick in such cases. We will remain your technology partner right from app ideation to deployment and even offer maintenance & support services post-launch.

Microservices vs Monolithic Architecture: Which Approach is Suitable for a Start Up?

Monolithic Architecture is a traditional approach in which the entire app is integrated into a single unified model. The prime objective is to interconnect all features making them co-dependent on each other. This model may sound simple, but creates roadblocks in handling bigger and more complex projects.

Microservices architecture, on the other hand, splits an app into smaller services that are interconnected and interact with each other with the help of APIs. Every microservice is independent, loosely coupled, and possesses a distinct hexagonal architecture comprising of business logic and different adapters. Here, each service is a separate codebase, has its own database, and can be deployed independently. This approach has gained momentum these days as modern-day businesses expect more agility in their operations. Some renowned brands using the microservices approach are Uber, Twitter, AWS, Netflix, and Spotify.

This post explores Monolithic and Microservices architecture in detail, outlines their differences and provides suggestions based on specific project requirements. A quick read will help you to pick the best-suited approach for your upcoming software development project.

Monolithic Architecture: Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

Monolithic apps perform speedily at the initial stages as they use local calls in place of API calls throughout the entire network. But, this speed reduces with the expansion of the app. A monolithic app, being a single solution, rather than a set of separate apps, is easily manageable, involve much lower development cost, and encounter very few cross-cutting issues initially.

Weaknesses

When the codebase of a monolithic app becomes huge, the IDE slows down, adversely affecting the developers’ productivity. Moreover, it’s challenging to scale the app, and modifying the programming language or framework that hampers the app’s functioning. Also, it’s pretty expensive to migrate to different technology in situations where monolithic architecture is used.

Microservices Architecture: Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

Microservice architectures are well organized - each microservice is responsible for carrying out a particular task, without being concerned about the tasks carried out by the other components. And, since such services are decoupled, they can be effortlessly reconfigured and recomposed to fulfill the needs of various microservice applications. For instance, microservices can serve public API as well as web clients.

Each microservice can be written employing a different technology; for instance, one microservice can be handled by Java developers while the other can involve DotNet developers. Thus, you have the flexibility to choose a particular technology for catering to specific business requirements without having to lock other services with that technology. This helps in optimizing the performance of crucial functions.

Microservices allows you to auto-scale an application as per the load on the app, promises speedier deployment, and eases out rolling updates as there aren’t any dependencies between the services. With this type of architecture, you can execute parallel development by setting up boundaries between various parts of the system; these boundaries are difficult to violate resulting in fewer errors.

Weaknesses

Microservices apps consume more memory; involve higher development costs initially; come with complex requirements regarding the operation, testing, deployment, and management; and need a greater level of developmental proficiency and expertise.

Microservices vs Monolithic Architecture: Comparison

Here are some major differences between Microservices and Monolithic architecture based on these crucial parameters.

Architecture

In Monolithic architecture, the app’s UI, database, business logic, front-end, and back-end are integrated into a single codebase; whereas in microservices architecture, all the aforesaid app elements are subdivided and operated independently of each other. Likewise, the processes of testing and deployment are executed under one line in monolithic apps, while in microservices apps, these processes are scattered across different adapters and databases.

Monolithic architecture is deployed in a traditional format and caters to standard web servers. For deploying microservices, on the other hand, a plethora of approaches are supported - One service-One host approach (each service is deployed to one virtual host machine); One Service-One Container approach (microservices are isolated by docker containers, but resources like frameworks, libraries, and operating servers are shared); and Serverless deployment (third-party cloud services host and manage the servers on which the program runs).

Development

Developing a monolithic application is easy if the app is new, but as the app gets bigger developmental challenges crop up. This is because the huge indivisible database needs the joint effort of the development team.

Microservices, on the other hand, offer loose coupling and several options to choose from while picking the tech stack; but the app developers must possess a more profiled knowledge. However, this structure allows developers to work independently on each component.

Testing

Testing is pretty simple in a monolithic app as a single script is used for testing the whole system while testing a microservices application becomes complex as every part of the app needs to be tested separately.

Deployment

Microservices architecture enables continual development and deployment as every service gets individually implemented. With monolithic architecture, deployment becomes slower.

App Updation

The process of updating a microservices application happens uninterruptedly and doesn’t slow down the entire system. Contrarily, updating a monolithic app is voluminous and burdensome and for every update, the entire app has to be redeployed.

Scalability

The bigger the monolithic app the more challenging it becomes to scale the app - for handling new changes the entire system has to be redeployed. In microservices apps, each part is scaled independently without downtime and so, involves fewer hassles while carrying out modifications.

Security and Reliability

Monolithic architecture involves a single source code; communication happens within a single unit, resulting in secure data processing and a simple monitoring procedure. Microservices architecture, contrarily, involves inter processing between multiple API connections increasing security threats, and hence, greater security monitoring is needed. However, in monolithic apps, one bug can hamper the whole system, while in microservices apps, one bug affects only that specific service and the bug can be topically fixed. Therefore, even when one service fails other services are not affected.

When should you pick Monolithic Approach?

You intend to develop a Simple App with faster Time-to-market

Monolithic architecture is an ideal choice for building a simple app that doesn’t require reinventing the wheel and the app is unlikely to scale rapidly. Moreover, developing the prototype of a simple app will take place at a fast pace leading to quicker time-to-market.

Smaller-sized Team and No prior Experience with Microservices

Start-ups with smaller-sized teams will benefit from the monolithic approach as experience and expertise in one tech stack will suffice and your team will not have to handle any developmental complexities. Furthermore, if your team doesn’t have any prior experience of working with microservices, picking this approach will be a risky business. In such a scenario, it’s better to start with a monolithic approach and migrate to microservices later on as and when needed.

Your app idea is Novel, Unproven, or the Proof of a Concept

If you have a novel app idea or planning to create a product that is unproven, your application is likely to evolve with time. Here, a monolithic approach will help in iterating the product speedily. Similarly, if your intended app is all set to prove a particular concept, you need to learn more within a short time and monolithic architecture will prove beneficial.

When should you pick Microservices Approach?

Your app is Complex and needs unprecedented Scaling

If you wish to develop a complicated software solution that involves a rich feature set, a substantial amount of personalization, extensive use of interactivity, a huge amount of business logic, or needs to be run by various modules; microservices architecture is your ideal pick. Start-ups who plan to build a highly innovative and revolutionary app that targets a humongous audience base and comes with heavy scaling requirements are recommended to adopt the microservices approach.

Need for Isolated Service Delivery

Microservices work better if you need to deliver independent services speedily. However, for this, you need a sufficient amount of resources as well.

A part of your Platform needs High Efficiency

For instance, your business is intensively processing petabytes of log volume. In such a scenario, you’ll have to create a service with a super-efficient programming language like C++ whereas the users’ dashboard can be created in Ruby on Rails.

Effortless Team Extension

If you commence your start-up with microservices architecture, your team will get accustomed to the idea of developing small services right from the very beginning and the teams will be segregated by service boundaries. So, later on, you can effortlessly scale up your team as per the need.

When is it advisable to migrate to Microservices Architecture?

It’s time to migrate to microservices architecture when your monolithic app grows big enough to create maintainability issues, when your business functions and their boundaries are crystal clear enough to be converted into individual services, and when your app needs scaling to deal with a humongous user load.

Example: The popular app Netflix started as a monolithic application. With time, the app experienced a surge in the demand leading to issues concerning performance and reliability. As such, the owners migrated their app to the cloud-based microservices architecture. Consequently, the app got segregated into hundreds of microservices and this approach enabled boundless expansion and scaling.

Summing Up:

Monolithic architecture as well as microservices architecture comes with its own set of strengths and challenges. So, when deciding on the most suitable pick for your start-up, you need to first define the requirements of your software development project. If you plan to develop a lightweight app and have budgetary constraints, it’s advisable to go with the monolithic approach. But, if your project is huge with complex requirements or you need to work with futuristic models like Big data, and you can spend on hiring several cross-functional teams, microservices is the most viable option.

If you want to adopt microservices or monolithic architecture, but lack the necessary in-house infrastructure, partner with the distinguished mobile app development company, Biz4Solutions. We would remain your trusted partner throughout the product lifecycle - from app ideation to development to maintenance post-deployment. We have helped several clients from diverse domains across the globe since the last 10+ years to achieve their business objectives.

Reasons to Pick Ruby on Rails for Web Development Projects!

What factors do you consider while choosing a programming language for your web app development project? Scalability? Level of support? Ease of development? Cost? Availability of libraries? Or all of these? Well, amongst hundreds of programming languages available currently, Ruby on Rails (RoR) is one such language that offers all of these benefits. RoR is quite popular and highly preferred by several companies, right from start-ups to giants as a primary framework for web development. This technology is ideal for creating e-commerce sites as well as healthcare, retail, social media platforms, and content management systems.

Let’s explore the top reasons why Ruby on Rails (RoR) Development is widely chosen for developing web apps.

Why choose Ruby on Rails for Web Development?

RoR is an open-source server-side framework used for cross-platform web development. It ensures fast and easy development of apps. It is written in Ruby, a dynamic and object-oriented programming language. It is distributed under the MIT license.

Take a look at the reasons why RoR is one of the best technologies to invest in!

Own Plug and Play Apps

In RoR, the programmers can develop building blocks for plug-and-play functionality. This allows adopting elements from the current apps built with RoR and using them in future projects. So, the developers don’t need to develop the same elements from scratch. One can develop multi-purpose, expandable apps in RoR.

Also, it is not easy to write user-friendly and structured code. However, RoR has plenty of ready-to-use tools, plugins, modules, and easily configurable components to help the developers write less code with more clarity and high quality.

In some programming languages, analyzing the starting and endpoint of the code is quite difficult. For fixing any issues, one has to start from scratch which can be time-consuming as well as costly. However, this is not the case with RoR. The technology is quite easy to comprehend and involves effortless methodologies for moving the code conventions from one developer to the other.

Moreover, when an application is developed, there could be the need to enhance the app later. And, entrepreneurs who invest in Ruby on Rails, reap the benefits of clean codes that prove to be a savior in this case.

Model-View-Controller (MVC) Architecture

RoR is based on the MVC (Model View Controller) architecture which supports parallel development i.e. many developers can simultaneously work on the app, that too on different pieces of functionalities. RoR has a simple and readable syntax and this enables RoR Developers to execute more tasks with minimal coding. For this reason, developers can implement the tests and evaluate the code, without the need for any third-party testing tools. It has many inbuilt solutions to support a variety of problems and also the support of the Ruby community.

Conventions over Configurations Model

RoR uses the “Convention over Configuration” model which is the key principle and a golden path for the RoR Developers. In this model, the environment (libraries, systems, language, etc.) assumes many logical situations instead of programmer-defined configurations. The developers don’t need to create their own rule every time. As a result, the decisions that the developers have to make while coding is reduced without losing flexibility. They don’t need to spend more time configuring the files. It saves the programming efforts, speeds up the development process, and improves productivity.

Rich Support of Libraries and Components

Ruby on Rails (RoR) Development is blessed with rich libraries, called gems. These libraries can be used to implement features like payment integration, authentication, etc. Also, there are generators in RoR, which enable the automation of basic CRUD functions. Modules are other powerful tools for Ruby developers, which help in the organization of Ruby classes, constants, methods, etc., and unify them into categories. The support of such features and libraries enables faster web app development. This framework also enjoys the support of a massive community that assist RoR developers to address the challenges faced during web development.

High Scalability

Scalability is what every business looks for while selecting a programming language for web development. RoR has high scalability which makes it quite popular. It supports caching out-of-the-box activity and allows viewing of fragment caching within the app’s code. It uses Redis for storing cache. A remote multi-server automation tool can also be implemented to automate the pushing of new app variants to the deployment location. Rails allow you to use Chef, the cloud infrastructure framework written in Ruby. The function of Chef is to manage the infrastructure dependencies, create the folder structures, bootstrap the complete system and update the system configurations with lesser commands. Also, the high scalability of the RoR improves the background activities and ensures a smooth user experience. This can be done using Sidekiq or Resque.

Easy Maintenance and Huge Support

RoR is quite easy to maintain and provides exemplary services due to the advantages of both Ruby and Rails. It is known for its stability and predictability. Adding new functionalities and making changes in the existing code can be done with ease. Especially in the case of bigger projects, upgrading the apps is possible without much complexity. And, if there is a need to substitute the development team, it isn’t a big issue for RoR applications.

RoR has ample support for a large community named RubyGems. They help in solving any issues and hosting solutions.

Key Takeaways:

Some of the most reputed giants like Airbnb, Bloomberg, GitHub, Fiverr, Shopify, Basecamp, etc. have used Ruby on Rails Development Services for their projects. It is suitable for every industry- small or large. Overall, RoR is an excellent option to pick considering the factors like performance, coding, quality, community support, scalability, modifications, etc.

RoR is easy to learn, read and comprehend. It is written in simple English and uses a domain-specific language of its own. It is a well-established language having similarities in integration with languages like Python, Perl, etc. It is based on Agile software development principles which improve productivity and management of the project. Due to all such benefits, its demand has increased among the developers and business owners who want to develop mobile apps. Hope this blog was helpful. If you are looking for a technology partner for RoR development, contact Biz4Solutions, a prominent Ruby on Rails Development Company to know more or any related services.

Is Event App Live Mobile Experience Worth the Hype?

As we enter the era of hyper-connectivity, we are bound to witness new developments and innovations with disruptive technologies. Social media has emerged as a necessary element for every conclave and gathering, giving rise to a new culture of live streaming. Moving ahead, every company is busy generating a live experience for the viewers to garner the attention of the thousands of consumers who choose to stay online to gain an enthralling experience, then staying dormant and waiting to download the recorded sessions. We have moved ahead from augmented reality and ‘live’ in the real today.

What is an Event Mobile App?

Event mobile apps have become a trend with social media and internet users staying live most of the day through their phones. Many software development companies are offering to develop apps for these live events. Let’s first understand what is event app? It is a unique event-based social application equipped with context-awareness ability that allows the user to plan and organize social events such as tradeshows and events. It’s basically a combination of wireless communication and social science to exploit mobile users. Biz4solutions can provide event app development services to create a unique identity in the market.

Why Are We Transiting to Such Event Apps?

Live experience in the event apps is proving to be a boon for both – the event organizers and the consumers owing to the restricted social gatherings in this pandemic. However, social distancing does not constitute to be the primary reason behind event apps. Over the years, the content industry has acknowledged user experience to be of utmost importance in the case of websites and applications. For years, we dealt with featureless and conventional styles of meetings and presentations that have cost us in terms of customer penetration. Event apps are collaborative efforts of the industry towards a paperless, cost-effective, and transparent mode of collaboration.

How Does It Work?

This is the exact question that most of us might be wondering. Basically, every event is provided with a time-stamp to distinguish events on the same application. It has an event application server that allows the event organizer to initiate an event in an application, collect all the input in terms of data, and stop the application as the event ends. There are many elements such as registration handler and membership management that allow the owner to create the event community and propagate the news about the event. The event participants receive alerts and messages at the time stamp of the event to alert them about the start of the event.

Benefits of Live Event App

A live event application offers multiple benefits to the organizers on several fronts. Let’s take a closer look:

Branding and Marketing

Live event apps are preferred by many companies to run marketing campaigns and establish their brand.

Multiple events: One single enterprise app is used by an organization to run different events. The organizers can create different event groups of participants and interact with them using the same application. One application is perceived as the medium of communication by the user, establishing the brand value of the organization.

Networking: Live event app allows a large number of consumers to be part of the event at the same time. All of the invitees can communicate and give their feedback to the organizers. Organizations are using this feature as an advantage in developing strong bonding with the customers.

Feedback mechanism: Feedbacks from the live events help the organizations in looking into the loopholes in their content and improving it. There are feedback polls that help the organizers to assess the success of their event. The option to give feedback at the viewer’s comfort ensures maximum feedback which is great for content improvement.

Controlled content: The event app gives the control to the organizers where they can stream content, block it or update it. The option to fix the content and send invites in real-time can be an asset for any marketing team. There is an option to block the risky and doubtful content and stay on the safer side.

User Experience

User experience is the new milestone for every organization. The rise in the population of tech-savvy individuals is compelling every organization to be wary of their customer experience. Event live app mobile experience helps in enhancing the user experience in a number of ways. Mobile app development companies are offering great UX designs to attract customers, making the UX segment more competitive.

Event selection: Users are free to choose the event and participate at will. There are tabs to search the events based on timing, and agendas which makes event selection very easy. The offline download of the event map provides the participants plenty of time to make a decision.

Content sharing: The files, presentations, and other forms of the content can be uploaded on the application to share with the event attendees. The users can go through the content and get an idea about the upcoming event. The shared bio data of the speaker or the event host also makes decision-making very easy.

Connection: Attendees can connect with other participants creating their own networking. They can view the profiles of other participants and save their contacts. The live event app gives an experience of being live in spite of being at a remote location.

Revenue

Return-On-Interest (ROI) is the goal that every company aims to achieve with the event. Live events on mobile applications guarantee higher ROI and revenue.

Sponsorship and advertisements: Companies allot time to the sponsors to market their brand between the events. Running advertisements in between the event is a great way to promote content and generate revenue.

Effortless supervision: Multiple events can be supervised using one application and the same resources. This cuts down a huge cost on event management that the conventional physical event had to bear.

Higher traffic: As the number of attendees increases, the traffic on the landing page will also increase. The conversion rate becomes high which ultimately results in increased sales of the services and products of the company.

Event app's live mobile experience is set to drive every industry in the future. Personalized virtual events are the new marketing trend with every company pacing up to offer something unique. The competition is set to give a unique course to the trend which will decide the shape of future event apps

Complete Guide on Outsourcing Software Development to India!

Outsourcing, the practice of hiring a third-party vendor for executing service operations entirely or partially, is the most preferred practice of businesses operating in countries like the US, UK, AND Australia. And it has been observed that India is the most preferred outsourcing destination. Check out these interesting stats researched by the online portal, capitalcounselor.com:

Approximately three lakhs of jobs are outsourced by the US every year.
India is the leading location for outsourcing IT jobs
Outsourcing in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.25 and the market value is predicted to reach $ 121,335,149.20.

The advantages of outsourcing to offshore locations include the flexibility to choose from a global talent pool of experts, faster time-to-market lower investment costs, reduced workload on in-house employees, better growth opportunities, and improved customer services. Nevertheless, outsourcing does come with its share of challenges as well. Client companies often have to spare loads of time and effort in picking the most suitable vendor, there are chances of communication barriers due to time zone differences, and the client may face security threats or threats to their IP if an NDA is not signed.

This post throws light on how the Indian outsourcing vendors successfully sail through all the aforesaid challenges and deliver profitable services to their happy clients. Let’s explore the kind of services that are outsourced to India and the top reasons why most Fortune 500 companies, as well as small-sized-businesses outsource services to India.

What kind of Services are usually Outsourced to India and why?

IT (Information Technology)

These days, businesses are becoming more dependent on internal IT services like the development of software, website, mobile app, or web app and technical support irrespective of their industry vertical. Nevertheless, engaging in-house teams for IT support is always not feasible, particularly for non-IT firms. Such services need specialized equipment, a specific skillset, and a conducive infrastructure. And, for establishing an IT infrastructure and training the in-house employees with specialized skills; involve time, efforts, and humongous costs.

In such bottleneck situations, the ever-expanding IT industry in India is a viable solution – you get a complete package of specialized skills, enormous experience, proficient software developers, and an already existing IT infrastructure. So, outsourcing app development services to India proves advantageous.

KPO (Knowledge Processing Outsourcing)

Some tasks like analyzing Big Data and research work related to domains like finance, accounting, investment, healthcare, insurance, engineering design, creation of animation or content, market stats, etc. require information processing. Such high-level tasks are no cakewalk as humongous information needs to be processed. Moreover, for carrying out these tasks, one needs to thoroughly understand the business structure and possess the relevant technology to make sure that the processed data is error-free and secure. So, several firms prefer to hire KPO services rather than wasting time, effort, and resources in creating the necessary environment for executing such complex tasks. And, India is the preferred outsourcing location for hiring such services as clients get quality services from talented professionals like engineers and MBAs. Also, Indian outsourcing companies have the technologies and infrastructure needed for all types of knowledge processing tasks.

Customer Support

Entrepreneurs need to provide support to their customers by addressing their concerns and taking care of their requirements. However, answering emails and calls of customers turn out to be a time-consuming task, and hence, several businesses outsource customer support services from India. India offers a plethora of call centers that are well equipped to handle customer queries/needs efficiently. These call centers have dedicated employees for attending calls and provide 24X7 support and are immensely helpful in tasks like responding to the huge amounts of tickets lodged by eCommerce website customers.

Top Reasons to Outsource Software Development to India!

Talented Professionals, High-end Services, and English-Speaking Workforce

India offers a huge pool of talented IT developers who possess the expertise and experience to deal with complex developmental challenges and are trained to handle demanding software projects like developing smart IoT-powered solutions, intelligent solutions with AI/ML, Blockchain, etc.

Indian outsourcing services promise high-end services that conform to international standards. Furthermore, the Indian professionals are continually updating their skillsets as per the changing market trends and emerging technologies. Outsourcing vendors in India adhere to international service models including COPC (Customer Operations Performance Centre), CNM (Capability Nurturing Model), TQM (Total Quality Management), ISO 9000 (International Standard Organization), and Six Sigma Quality Certification.

India houses the second-largest English-speaking population in the world (as declared by bbc.com) and therefore, hiring outsourcing staff from India eliminates any chances of communication woes owing to language barriers. For this reason, clients can effortlessly communicate with the outsourcing team members effectively, improving the level of understanding as well as the work culture. English speaking skills coupled up with technical expertise spike the demand for Indian professionals.

Trustworthy Outsourcing Services

India’s outsourcing vendors are trustworthy as they offer service transparency at every developmental stage, ensure continual communication with the help of advanced collaborative tools, and sign NDA and other service agreements at the very beginning of the software development project. Besides, Indian developers can be trusted for their skills, competence, experience, and reliability of services.

Adaptive Industry backed by the IT-friendly Policies by the Indian Government

In India, the outsourcing industry is prioritized - it is counted amongst the top five priority industries. The Indian Government invests in technology to maintain global standards. All the Government policies related to GDP growth, economy, taxation, telecommunication, power resources, creation of industrial parks and special zones support the outsourcing industry and promote the improvement of IT infrastructure as well as communication systems. Take a look at these examples! All major Indian cities have access to innovative technologies and advanced cellular networks like 5G. The Information Technology Act, is a law legislated by the Indian Government, supports the e-filing of documents and deals with eCommerce, cybercrime, etc.

Moreover, the Indian outsourcing companies adapt well to the ever-changing requirements of the global IT industry, including the creation/revamping of the necessary infrastructure for supporting software development and adjustments to their work schedule as per the time-zone differences of clients.

Leveraging Time-zone Differences to the Clients’ Advantage

Owing to time-zone differences, Indian firms offer round-the-clock services and are able to complete projects much ahead of scheduled deadlines, resulting in speedy time-to-market. So, if you need to market your end-product at the earliest, outsourcing to India is the most workable option.

Time-zone differences also prove beneficial for clients in the US, UK, or Australia who provide round-the-clock Helpdesk services or customer support services.

Lower Costs and Flexible Pricing Options

The rate of highly skilled hiring developers in India is 30-35% lower as compared to the developer rates in the US and European nations. So, outsourcing in India fetches you cost-effective services without compromising on the quality. For example, a competent developer in the US will charge somewhere around 50$- 80$ per hour, whereas the hourly rate of an adept Indian developer can be brought down to 20-25$ after negotiations. Besides, Indian outsourcing firms provide the flexibility to choose from several pricing models – hourly, weekly, monthly, and project-based payment options.

Final Words:

The growing dependence of modern business enterprises on internal software functions has paved the way for outsourcing software development services. And, it is evident how outsourcing in India, is a super-beneficial strategy; you get more with lesser effort, time, and costs. Needless to say, why software tycoons like Wipro, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and TCS have decided to build their offices in India.

If you are looking for experienced outsourcing IT firm in India, the services provided by the distinguished software firm, Biz4Solutions, are worth a try! We offer competent offshore software development services and have been partnering with global clients for the last 10+ years.

To know more about our core technologies, refer to links below:

Swift App development

.Net App Development

Java App Development

Essential Factors to watch out for during eCommerce App Development!

Call them Fashionista or Shopaholic or whatever! People love to shop onthego! Irrespective of the time and place! At the very comfort of their homes or during the office breaks or while traveling back to their home from office! And that’s why eCommerce apps have been one of their favorites. Amazon, Flipkart, Shopify, eBay, Walmart, Groupon, Aliexpress, just name them! They have already created their success stories.

ECommerce solutions have literally been the game-changer for both, customers as well as business owners. It’s no surprise that businesses are increasingly investing ineCommerce app development. But the question is how to go about it?

In this blog, we have outlined essential steps needed to architect an alluring eCommerce app. Read along fordetailed information.

Essential Steps to Create an Amazing eCommerce App

Before understanding the steps to build eCommerce apps, business owners must conduct extensive market research on multiple factors that are mentioned below. Market research will help you to set better business goals, lower business risks, boost customer satisfaction, improve decision-making, outsell competitors, and ultimately make more sales.

Now, let us have a look at the crucial steps that must be followed to create an impeccable app.

Come up with an idea

The first step in this process is to decide the idea and the goals for the app. What do you want your eCommerce app to look like, what should be the overall concept of the app? How will you measure the progress of the app? What are your KPIs? Do you first want to develop a Minimum Viable Product? Using a Business Model Canvas (BMC) can help you understand some important aspects like value prepositions, revenue, customer segments, etc. So having a well-thought-out idea in place is very important to avoid unnecessary expenses later.

Decide your target audience

For whom are you creating this app?
What is their average age?
What are their interests and preferences?
Which products do they like and have already bought?
How will they find us?
Is your service B2B or B2C? Accordingly, the choices of the target audience will change.
Look at which mobile and web eCommerce platforms are being used by your target audience.

Answers to such questions will help you to streamline your development process, shape your eCommerce app correctly and even improve the app marketing.

Also, studying the buyer persona is essential to knowing your ideal customers. It includes the needs and preferences of the potential customers, their motivations, and similar data which will influence every factor in the eCommerce mobile app development journey.

Know your Competitors

List out your competitors and do a thorough analysis. Look at their products and services and see what attracts the buyers. Study their business model. However, don’t duplicate their features, business models, etc. Competitor analysis will help you to enhance your research, navigate different challenges in the market, improve your products and services and stand out amongst them, giving a competitive advantage.

Must-have app features

The next step for aneCommerce app development company is to determine the feature requirement of your app. A few of the must-have features that you should include in your app are:

Product List and categorization
Search Bar and Filters
Push Notifications
Multiple Payment Options
Wishlist
Look-books
Easy Checkout
Social Media Integration
Review and Ratings
Business Intelligence Tool
Synchronization across apps and websites

Decide technology based on budget

To determine the process and the budget, ask yourself the following questions:

How much time and resources are you willing to invest in?
Do you want to create an MVP model with the least features or want a feature-packed full-fledged eCommerce mobile app?
Do you want to develop native apps for both Android and iOS platforms? Or want cross-platform development? Do you also want a PWA?
Do you want an expensive backend development with low maintenance or high maintenance third-party APIs having a comparatively low budget?
Do you want an expensive backend development with low maintenance or high maintenance third-party APIs having a comparatively low budget?
Do you want an expensive backend development with low maintenance or high maintenance third-party APIs having a comparatively low budget?

Once you decide on the above questions, there are different pricing models available to choose from. They are scope-based, time-based, fixed-price models, or you can opt for dedicated resource hiring.

App development

After conducting thorough research on the aforementioned points, you can now start the design and development of your dream eCommerce app.

Follow these tips for a good end result and unparalleled experiences for the users:

Ensure that the eCommerce app has user-friendly navigation
Remove the excess clutter from the app
Incorporate app templates to speed up and streamline processes
Incorporate app templates to speed up and streamline processes
Give a personal touch to the app with Live Chat support.
Use alluring images and animations for better impact
Avoid using contrast color combinations, fonts, layouts, etc.

Market your app

Marketing the eCommerce app is equally important as it is to develop it. After all, getting more downloads, views, purchases is the final aim of the app development process. One can create buzz about the app even before its release. Some of the strategies used for successful app marketing are content marketing, SEO optimization, social media marketing, email marketing, paid advertisement, app marketing, etc.

Publish the app

Finally, you are all set to publish your eCommerce app on different mobile app stores like AppStore and Play Store. You can visit the app stores and sign up on their accounts, pay their registration fees, write the description and privacy policy for the app, upload the screenshots of the app interface, upload the app, specify the pricing of the app and your app will be published after it meets the set standards.

Final Words

Architecting a fully functional eCommerce app out of an idea is quite challenging. It requires considerable planning, time, efforts, finances, and most important of all, commitment. In the complete development journey, greater focus must be given to the target audience. Along with the incorporation of interesting features, optimal design, exhaustive testing, powerful marketing, etc. are the factors that can lead to a roaring success. So, for creating profitable eCommerce solutions, it’s advisable to partner with an experienced and competent eCommerce app development company like Biz4Solutions. Our proficient eCommerce app developers have created success stories for global clients.

To know more about our core technologies, refer to links below:
React Native App development
Ionic App Development
AngularJS App Development

Want To Optimize React Native Performance? The Dos And Don'ts

Native apps are the way to build mobile applications; however, back in 2015, Facebook (now Meta) saw the opportunity for a React-based framework moving towards mobile development and created React Native to help businesses build hybrid apps.

Created by Facebook in 2015, React Native helps develop iOS, Android, and Microsoft UWP applications. Many businesses are confused or struggling to decide whether to build native or cross-platform apps.

Based on a 2019 Stack Overflow survey, it was found that React Native was the sixth most popular developer framework and many well-known companies use React Native for their mobile apps.

Now, the question is why many companies use React Native for their mobile app?

Let's see why React Native app development services providers or companies use React Native:

It is Fast: It is less time-consuming as the same codebase can be used for both Android and iOS apps except for few changes that needs to be done independently for individual platforms.
Apps have Native-like look: React Native developers can get native like look and feel for Android and iOS apps even though single codebase is used.
React Native Performance: The apps built with React Native have good performance as this language is optimized well for different mobile devices; also these apps take support of GPU instead of CPU, which enhances their speed and performance.
Reliability is not a concern: With big companies such as Airbnb, Instagram and Uber Eats using React Native, you can mark it as tried and tested.
It is developer-friendly: React Native is community-driven, and you can go to Github React Native Community for some solid discussion. There's also a huge chat server named Reactiflux, where developers can solve their problems.

What matters? The User Experience and React Native Performance

The user experience is the only thing that makes or breaks the app. However, React Native gives almost everything a developer would need to develop an app with great performance.

Most mobile devices come with a 60hz display; a developer gets 16.67 milliseconds to display a frame for the app to deliver great performance. If the app falls short of this, it will result in poor performance, and the UI may even become unresponsive.

Do you want to improve React Native performance? If yes, you should know the dos and don'ts of React Native?

Yes, then let's help you with that;

The Dos

1. Use appropriate navigation strategies:

It's been a long since React Native teams have been working to address problems related to navigation and have fixed a ton of them, but there is a ton left to be fixed to provide a seamless experience.

Difficult navigation between screens may refrain users from using your app.

iOS Navigator: Only for iOS and will not help in Android.
Navigator: Works only for small application and prototype development. (doesn't work for complex or high-performance applications)
Navigation Experiment: Works well for complex applications, but it's quite complex while implementing; not everyone prefers it.
React Navigation: Used by many apps and often and widely recommended; it is lightweight and works well for both small and large scale applications.

2. Make sure to Cache Images:

Images are a core component being offered by React Native and used to display an image, but there's no out of box solution for issues such as:

Low performance in general and cache loading
Image flickering
Rendering too many images on a single screen

However, you can easily resolve these issues using third-party libraries, like react-native-fast-image. This library is available for both iOS and Android and works really well.

3. Make use of Animated Library with nativeDriver:

In React Native, the Animated library is one of the most popular ways to render animations in React Native apps.

With the help of nativeDriver, the Animated library sends animations over the native bridge before the animation starts on the screen. It helps execute the animation independent of blocked JavaScript threads which return a smoother and flicker-free experience with no frame dropping.

You need to set the value to true if you want to use nativeDriver with Animated library.

4. Using Appropriate Image size is the key:

Considering React Native performance when the app relies heavily on images, optimizing images is crucial. Rendering this much image will result in high memory usage on a device if the images are not optimized in size; this can even lead to a big blunder like the app may crash.

Here's how you can optimize the images in the React Native App:

Avoid JPG and Use PNG format or use WEBP format as it can cut down the binary size on both Android and iOS by 29%
Use images that are smaller in size

5. Use the open-source JavaScript engine: 'Hermes':

Hermes is an open-source JavaScript engine specifically optimized for mobile applications. Hermes is available for the Android platform since React Native version 0.60.4. The benefit of using it is that it reduces the download size of an App, memory consumption and the TTI (Time to interact) time.

After the React native version 0.64-rc.0 Hermes is also available on the iOS platform.

The Don'ts

1. If you want to Render Huge Lists: Avoid Use of ScrollView:

If you want to display items with scrollable lists in React Native, then there are two ways to implement lists:

ScrollView
FlatList

Scrollview is easy to implement and is often used to iterate over a list of a finite number of items. This approach is good, but only when the number of items on the list is quite low. Comparatively, using Scrollview with a large amount of data can directly affect the overall React Native performance.

For handling a large set of data in the list format, React Native provides FlatList. In FlatList, the items are lazy-loaded. However, the app does use an inconsistent or excessive amount of memory.

2. Don't forget to remove all console statements:

Console statements are necessary for debugging JavaScript codes, but they are only for development purposes. If you forget to remove these statements before bundling, these statements could cause serious React Native performance issues.

You could also use plugins such as babel-plugin-transform-remove-console to remove these statements from production. However, you can remove it manually if you don't want to add additional dependencies to your React Native application.

3. Refrain from Updating state or dispatch Actions in componentWillUpdate:

You can go for the componentWillUpdate lifecycle method to prepare for an update. If you aim to set a state, you can easily do that with the help of componentWillReceiveProps instead, or if you want to play safe, then use componentDidUpdate instead of componentWillReceiveProps to dispatch any Redux actions

4. Unnecessary libraries and features; Remove it all:

Each library comes with a footprint left on your React or React Native application. Therefore, you should only add libraries and features that you need and remove all other irrelevant dependencies. Navigations, Animations, tabs and other features influence the screen load time, so the lesser, the better.

5. Anonymous Functions While Rendering; Avoid it:

What developers call a bad practice is 'creating functions in render()' because it leads to serious React Native performance issues. A different callback is created each time a component re-renders, which is not a problem for smaller components.

However, when it comes to PureComponents and React.memo() or when the function is passed as a prop to a child component, it becomes a serious problem.

Instagram: Making the right use of React Native

The creator of React Native, Meta's owned photo-sharing social platform Instagram, is one great example.

Instagram's primary operation mode is digital photography and short videos now. Back in 2016, Instagram seriously thought of switching to Reactive Native, post-integration with existing technology was a challenge, but now they can push features faster, smoothly and maintain both iOS and Android App versions.

Conclusion

The open-source React Native framework creates cross-platform mobile applications. JavaScript being the core, it also has components for building interfaces and functionalities. It's a popular framework that delivers a seamless experience at scale.

React Native offers businesses the ease and opportunity to create mobile apps differently than what seemed possible a decade ago, when you could build native-like apps, but you could just use one programming language like Java.

These days, things are different, companies have made grand improvements on both iOS and Android platforms, but such improvements require the help of qualified React Native developers.

To know more about our other core technologies, refer to links below:

Node.JS App development
WordPress Development
Sencha Ext JS App Development

How will an On-demand Mobile App boost the profitability of your Car Repair Business?

The vehicle repair sector has undergone a rapid transformation in the last few years. With the advent of technologically advanced luxury cars decked up with avant-garde software systems, the task of repairing has become no less than a high-tech occupation.

Moreover, in today’s fast-moving era, tech-savvy car owners are reluctant to pay visits to the repair facility and prefer obtaining hassle-free repair services at their desired location instead. So, an on-demand app offering car mechanic services is trending these days.

A well-crafted app proves highly profitable and advantageous for a car repair store. Therefore, several automobile businesses are roping in an experienced on-demand app development company for designing customized auto care and repair software solutions.

This post enlightens you about the reasons why developing a customized car repair app proves to be an intelligent business strategy. Before we proceed further, take a sneak peek into how an on-demand automobile repair app works and the must-have features of a car repair app.

How Does an On-demand Automobile Repair App Work?

The vehicle owner i.e. the customer logs into the app and chooses the model of their car.
The customer chooses the service required and instantly receives a fair quote for the opted service.
The customer books an appointment.
The technician provides the desired services for the car and drops the car back.
The user makes an online payment using the app

Car Repair Application: The Essential Features to Include

Inclusion of apps for admin panel, car owners as well as mechanics
Advanced search filters and an in-app messaging facility
Real-time GPS tracking for tracking mechanics and easily reaching the customers’ location
Transparency in pricing so that customers get to know about the actual value of parts changed and the service charges separately
In-app wallet facility and secure payment options
Facilities of fare estimation and invoice generation
Support for multiple languages and even currencies if required
Online support and push notifications
Customer reviews and ratings
Discounts and offers

Business Benefits of an On-demand App offering Customized Car Repair Services

Establishes Digital Presence

Modern vehicle owners rely on the web or smartphone apps for obtaining every product or service they require. Hence, possessing a mobile app or even a web version showcasing your car repair services; enables your business to appear in the market search. This increases your visibility in the local area resulting in more customers; this can be achieved using the QR codes in smartphone apps. Thus, this approach not only establishes your online presence but also allows you to effortlessly expand your customer base.

Delivers User-friendly Services

An on-demand app for car repair proves super convenient to users. Users can instantly book skilled mechanics with the help of a few clicks on their smartphones. Once the consumers submit their vehicle details and choose the required service, garage owners send repair personnel for service assistance to the customers’ home, office, or any other desired location. Besides, there are times when vehicle owners encounter sudden hassles like a car breakdown or a flat tire in the middle of a highway; and it becomes a daunting task to find a nearby garage or repair services. During such situations, an on-demand car repair app turns out to be the savior; as vehicle owners can book repair services via online channels at any time, from anywhere. Additionally, the car owners enjoy the facility of scheduling future appointments digitally, for follow-up service and maintenance.

Enhances the Productivity of your Services

Thanks to the vehicle repair software embedded within apps, one gets portable access to all data and technical information concerning auto repair. As such, technicians don’t need to leave their current location while repairing; for accessing desktops/laptops. This eases out complex tasks, thereby saving technicians’ time and enhancing the overall productivity of your car repair facility.

Take a detailed look at how this process is executed!

Smartphones utilize their in-built Bluetooth connection adapter to establish connectivity via a particular port which is used by the mechanics for searching methodologies, wiring diagrams, illustrations, videos, technical service bulletins, diagnostic data, etc. within a couple of minutes.
A wide variety of auto mechanics models, ranging from basic guides to advanced mobile apps, are available. These assist the engineers in creating new ideas and products concerning vehicle repair.
You can convert all the models and data into electronic files using WiFi, and this data can be easily managed by various systems of car repair facilities.
Secure Paperless Store Management

CRM software (customer relationship management software) is immensely beneficial for your auto repair business. It helps in providing you clear visibility of every customer interaction, enables you to track sales, eases out collaborations with different teams, organizes/prioritizes opportunities, etc. Furthermore, the adoption of CRM software enables vehicle repair stores to execute paperless operations while maintaining safety protocols. Also, it provides backup which is a sigh of relief for the owners.

The technical offerings of this software include the following:

OBDII scanner through Bluetooth
Quick estimator
VIN scanner tool and License plate
Custom service palette and custom packages
Ordering of accurate parts
The facility of exporting data, wiring diagrams, and videos
Order usage history, sales tax reports, and service bulletins

The aforesaid goodies have modernized the car industry operations to a great extent. And surprisingly, such a modernized car repair solution proves to be far more cost-efficient as compared to the erstwhile manual approach of executing the required tasks.

Ensures Accuracy while Scanning of Data

Vehicle repair and maintenance, call for loads of hassles. This is because, for addressing issues like bug fixes, providing smart vehicle specs, and service bulletins; there arises a need to collect and store a host of data, export wiring diagrams, and videos for implementing ingenious solutions. All these action items become quite challenging if the human workforce is involved and things are executed manually.

However, the vehicle repair software offered by an on-demand app has simplified these tasks. It provides the onboard diagnostic scanner (OBDII scanner/OBD2) via Bluetooth. As such, technicians can easily scan a collection of information for creating specs that include VIN Barcodes, speech to text conversion, and diagnostic trouble code (if any). The software can also display live data streaming from the camera as well as impart a bi-direction control – capacity of the controllers to execute actions other than normal operations with fingertips.

Maintains Records for Custom Vehicle Reports

An intelligent on-demand app for vehicle repair offers the facility of auto repair care services to dealers, fleet managers, and vehicle owners unanimously. Its real-time car maintenance authorization tool works wonders in fulfilling customer demand and expectations. Coming to the task of vehicle repair, the software version digitalizes all the functions of the entire process.

For instance, key functionalities available to customers are customer authorization, balance reminders, service bulletins, reminders concerning legal documents, preferred service providers with ratings, etc. While providers enjoy features such as a searchable database with specs of vehicles, digital inspection including wiring diagrams, a database including parts and items, workflow status, and many more.

Concluding Views:

The evolution and expansion of mobile app technologies have opened up new horizons for delivering exceptional user experiences and expanding the customer base. So, it’s a golden opportunity for automobile businesses too, to leverage the potential of phenomenal app solutions for generating revenue and promoting business growth. The ones reluctant to adapt themselves to changing times are bound to fall behind in today’s dynamic and competitive market. So, it’ll be a smart move to seek the assistance of on-demand app development services for fulfilling your objective.

Have you already smartened your car repair business with futuristic app solutions? If so, do share enlightening occurrences you’ve experienced. And, if not, seek professional help from an experienced software development company like Biz4Solutions. We offer dedicated developers who will help you build the app you have envisioned.

To know more about our core technologies, refer to links below:

Ruby on Rails App development

PhP Development

Flutter App Development

How To Debug React Native Apps Like A Pro

Debugging is one of the crucial activity during the software development. It refers to the process of identifying an error in a software application that causes performance issues, then analyzing the issue, and finally resolving it. Debugging allows you to validate your code and fix issues before pushing a software application into the production stage. However, debugging issues are likely to arise during various phases - development, testing, and even production/post-deployment. And, implementing the right debugging tools and methodologies will speed up development and enhance the efficiency of the end-product.

Coming to React Native debugging; the framework is made up of different environments, the most prominent being Android and iOS. As a result, it becomes challenging to debug apps due to multiple platforms involved. Moreover, React Native offers a huge variety of tools for debugging which seems confusing for many, particularly newbies. This post guides you through some effective practices and useful React Native and React debugger tools that will help you to identify issues and fix them like an expert.

React Native Debugging Methodologies and Best Practices

Identifying and Addressing Console Errors, Warnings, and Logs

Console errors and warnings are visible in the form of on-screen notifications with a red or yellow badge.

Errors

Errors will be displayed inside a RedBox with the command console.error(). This RedBox contains a description of the error and also a suggestion on how to resolve the error. Take a look at this example. If you write a style property that the React Native framework doesn’t support, or if you write a property meant to be used for a particular element (like a backroundImage needs to be set for the element View), then the RedBox shows an error along with the list of supported style properties that can be applied to the View.

Warnings

Warnings will be displayed inside a YellowBox with the command console.warn()Such warnings include information on performance-related issues and deprecated code. Most of these warnings indicate some bad practice within your code. Examples of warnings include a notification about the presence of an eventListener that isn’t being removed, the presence of deprecated features and dependencies, etc.

Logs

For issuing logs, either use the command react-native log-android or use the Chrome console with the command console.log (string str)

React Native developers can hide the notifications concerning errors and warnings with the command LogBox.ignoreAllLogs() whenever needed, like during product demos. You can also hide the notifications on the basis of per-log with the command LogBox.ignoreLogs(). This method works in scenarios when a noisy warning cannot be resolved like the ones in a third-party dependency. But, whenever you ignore logs, make sure to create a task for fixing those ignored logs later.

Debugging using React Native’s built-in Debug Mode

Check out how to utilize the built-in debug mode offered by the React Native eco-system employing browsers like Safari or Chrome.

Debugging with Chrome

Install these react-devtools for supporting React Native: Yarn and NPM. Then use the development mode to open the in-app developer menu; here you start the debugging process by activating the debug option.

From the Developer Menu, select the option Debug JS Remotely. This action opens up a channel to a JS debugger. A new tab opens; here, from the Chrome menu, choose Tools – Developer Tools; for opening the devtools.

The other most prominent options to utilize in the in-app developer menu to debug apps are:

Enable Live Reload: for automatically reloading the app, Enable Hot Reloading: for identifying the modifications that result in a changed file, and Start Systrace starts the Android marker-based profiling tool. The option Toggle Inspector helps in toggling an inspector interface. This way, developers can inspect UI elements present on the screen and examine their properties. Then an interface is presented; this interface contains other tabs such as networking for displaying the HTTP calls as well as a performance-related tab. The option Show Perf Monitor tracks your app’s performance.

Debugging with Safari

Your app’s iOS version can be debugged using Safari, and here, you do not have to enable “Debug JS Remotely”. Simply open Preferences and then select the following options:

Preferences
Advanced
Show Develop menu in the menu bar

Next, choose the JSContext of your application:

Develop – Simulator - JSContext

Now, the Web Inspector of Safari is going to open and you would be able to view a Debugger and a Console. And, each time you reload the app, either manually or by using the fast refresh (live reload), a new JSContext will get created. Remember to select the option Automatically Show Web Inspectors for JSContexts; otherwise, the latest JSContext will be selected manually.

Prominent React/React Native Debugger Tools

React DevTools

This set of React tools is employed for debugging the component hierarchy of React and works well for front-end operations. Using this toolset, you can view what’s there deep within your component tree – select the options state of the component and edit the current props.

React Developer Tools are the extension to the browsers Firefox and Chrome. However, to debug apps built in React Native, you need to use an autonomous version of React DevTools and run this command on your terminal - npm install –g react-devtools. Then launch the app by running the command react-devtools; select the option Show Inspector from the in-app developer menu for examining the app’s UI elements.

If Redux is used, then you need to use React DevTools along with ReduxDev Tools to fully understand your component’s state. For this, Redux DevTools need to be separately installed and here, the tool React Native Debugger proves quite useful as well.

React Native Debugger

The React Native Debugger is immensely beneficial if Redux is used during React Native app development. This is a standalone tool that functions on Linux, Windows, and macOS. This tool is used for logging or deleting Async Storage content, detecting as well as diagnosing performance issues, and examining network requests.

The best part is that it integrates React DevTools as well as Redux DevTools within a single app and so, there’s no need for using two separate applications to debug apps for the React and Redux environments. The tool offers interfaces where you can examine and debug React elements and also view Redux logs and the related actions.

React Native debugger outshines Chrome DevTools in employing the toggle inspector for inspecting React Native elements. Besides, React Native debugger provides the functionality for editing styles; this feature is not present in Chrome DevTools.

Flipper

Flipper is a cross-platform tool used to debug JavaScript apps as well as the device and JS logs. It launches simulators for managing devices, can connect with several devices simultaneously to debug apps across multiple platforms, and involves a single-step debugging process including watchpoints and breakpoints.

Flipper edits the components on the fly, then reflects those edits in real-time within the application, and integrates with the app’s Layout Inspector. Its capability of integrated launch management enables developers to define configurations and employ them for unit testing, without having to replicate configurations in several places. Moreover, comes with a plugin-based architecture and myriad handy features; more features are expected in the coming years.

With Flipper, you can view, inspect, and control your apps using a simple desktop interface. Flipper can be used as it is or extended employing the plugin API.

Check this blog to gain more insights on other important tools for debugging React Native apps!

Bottomline:

The aforesaid tools and methodologies enable you to debug apps more efficiently and flawlessly, just like a pro. These tools and best practices work wonders to speed up development, enhance developer productivity, and improve the performance of the end product.

Would you like to team up with skilled app developers who comprehend the functioning of your React Native apps, identify issues at once, and fix bugs instantly? If yes, then Biz4Solutions, a distinguished outsourcing software development company is worth a try! We specialize in offering competent React Native development services and take care of the entire product lifecycle from app ideation to maintenance post-deployment.

To know more about our other core technologies, refer to links below:

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How To Debug React Native Apps Like A Pro

This blog provides useful insights on the effective tools, prevalent methodologies, and best practices to debug apps built in React Native.

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