<p>Until very recently, the <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-build-a-successful-saas-platform-from-scratch">Software-as-a-Service model</a> was something large corporations offered their clients. It meant years of development, thousands of people writing the code 24/7, and fabulous amounts of money. Well, things have dramatically changed.</p>



<p>Today, even small startups can deliver their product ideas to their customers through SaaS solutions and build the latter even with limited budgets. You just need to figure out <strong>how to outsource SaaS product development and what to consider when looking for a tech vendor</strong>. Here’s what you need to know.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/saas-outsourcing.png" alt="Decision-makers discuss a new SaaS development project." class="wp-image-6338"></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Few More Words on the Concept of Software as a Service</h2>



<p><strong>Software as a Service (SaaS) is a web application delivered to end users over the Internet</strong>. Rather than installing and managing software on their own devices, SaaS provides a subscription-based model that helps users conveniently access the complete application, along with its IT infrastructure.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Do Businesses Transition to SaaS?</h3>



<p>There’s a multitude of reasons behind many SaaS development outsource options. The key drivers behind this strategic transition range from scalability and accelerated development to quick deployment and enhanced security.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/why-businesses-transition-to-saas.png" alt="An infographic explaining 5 reasons why businesses transition to SaaS" class="wp-image-6358"></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Scalability</h4>



<p>There’s no need to worry about servers crashing if the number of users suddenly increases. Transitioning to the SaaS model implies that companies can expand their infrastructure capabilities as needed without purchasing new hardware and other necessary components. Costs in such an approach will be much lower than upgrading one’s own equipment.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Accelerated Development</h4>



<p>Local applications need to be developed and tested for various platform combinations like device hardware, operating systems, security settings, etc. In contrast, SaaS applications are created in a unified controlled environment. It significantly simplifies and speeds up development, debugging, and support.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Quick Deployment</h4>



<p>Deploying local applications within a company can take months. With SaaS, it’s enough to set up the application once to meet the company’s requirements and then distribute logins and passwords to its employees. This leads to another advantage — a short sales cycle. With SaaS, there’s no need to spend weeks or months building customer relationships and planning deployment. The time saved can be used to improve the product and enhance customer service.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Multi-User Architecture</h4>



<p>All application’s users share a centralized infrastructure and code. It allows for a quick update release and saves time on code enhancements.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Database Security</h4>



<p>Standard security protocols provided by SaaS database providers include SSL and TLS encryption. They secure user messages and data. On top of that, the SaaS model allows for easy and fast integration of additional protocols to enhance security.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SaaS Development: What You Need to Know Before Hiring a Tech Vendor</h2>



<p>The point of delegating a complex tech project to a third party is to find a professional team that would bring the necessary expertise to the table. While you don’t have to be really dev-savvy to outsource SaaS development, you’ll have better chances to choose the right vendor if you at least understand the development process basics. Here are the most essential aspects of a SaaS development project.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">SaaS Architecture</h3>



<p>SaaS applications’ architecture is designed to meet business needs like requirements for <strong>reliability</strong>,<strong> fault tolerance</strong>, and <strong>financial</strong> <strong>capabilities</strong>.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>
<cite>Today, multi-tenancy architecture serves as the foundation for nearly every SaaS product operating in the cloud. It helps reduce costs, improve the efficiency of resource utilization, ensure scalability, and enable rapid deployment of updates.</cite></blockquote>



<p>In <strong>cloud computing</strong>, there is a concept called “<strong>multi-tenancy</strong>,” where multiple customers (tenants) of a cloud service provider use the same computing resources and operate within a shared environment. Even though tenants share the infrastructure and resources, they are isolated from each other.</p>



<p>In other words, each company is physically integrated but logically separated. You can think of it like real estate.</p>



<p>Imagine the cloud as a building. Living in a private house far from neighbors isn’t land efficient and requires property maintenance.</p>



<p>Multi-tenancy is like living in an apartment building. Everyone has the same security system, but each tenant has their own key to their apartment, ensuring their privacy. Tenants can make modifications or furnish their apartments according to their requirements and preferences, just as a company configures its portion of the cloud infrastructure.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Let’s discuss your project in detail.<br>Launch with Rocketech.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a free call</button></div>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Components</h3>



<p>An application’s main features set one app type apart from another. However, there are key components every SaaS solution must have.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Customizable Infrastructure</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>One of the advantages of using SaaS architecture is the customizable infrastructure that can be <strong>expanded or scaled down based on business requirements</strong>. For example, customers can decide which components benefit their business and pay only when necessary. At the end of a paid period, customers can return to their previous infrastructure model.</p>



<p>SaaS users purchase their software in a billing system on a monthly or yearly basis. Their requirements may increase or decrease depending on their business needs and consumer demand, so having a customizable infrastructure is essential.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Subscription-Based Pricing Model</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>The SaaS application’s essence lies in its high availability. This service is extended through a <strong>flexible billing cycle</strong> that allows customers and business users to use what they want, as much as they want.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>CRM System</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is what sets a SaaS application apart from other applications. Since SaaS offers a shared platform for multiple tenants, it requires a <strong>unified repository for multiple customer accounts</strong> and their account information for management purposes.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Automated Provisioning</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Automated provisioning in SaaS means delivering the application to customers automatically, <strong>without manual steps</strong>, for smoother operation. This automation streamlines the setup and delivery of the software, making it more efficient and user-friendly.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Support and Analytics</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>The support and analytics module of a SaaS application provides <strong>a set of tools for platform management and performance tracking</strong>. As a result, SaaS providers satisfy customer expectations, and business providers can improve customer service quality and meet market requirements.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cloud</h3>



<p>There are three ways to deploy a SaaS application.</p>



<ol style="list-style-type:1">
<li><strong>Public Cloud</strong>: The service is hosted in <strong>a general-use</strong> <strong>infrastructure</strong>. For example, multiple companies can use the same server, and the device’s capacity is shared proportionally based on the business needs of each.</li>



<li><strong>Private Cloud</strong>: The software is hosted in <strong>an infrastructure exclusively used by one company</strong>. Typically, the equipment is within the company’s own network. Private clouds have limitations in scalability compared to public or hybrid clouds, which may require significant infrastructure investments when launching the application in the market.</li>



<li><strong>Hybrid Cloud</strong>: This is a <strong>combination of public and private clouds</strong>. For instance, a bank might store customer data in a private cloud and expand its computing power using a cloud provider.</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tech Stack</h3>



<p>The choice of a technology stack is a critical decision that can significantly impact the success, cost, and performance of your software development project. <strong>Choosing the wrong tools can lead to project failure</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="300" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/what-is-tech-stack.png" alt="A visual explaining what a technological stack is." class="wp-image-6330"></figure>



<p><strong>A wise choice of the technical stack is one of the key criteria for the successful launch of any product</strong>, especially when it comes to SaaS services. Opting for exotic development tools can make the software complex to update and support in the long run.</p>



<p>A prime example is the Ruby on Rails framework. When it first came out, clients worldwide urged providers to use this new and trendy platform for their projects, even migrating their existing applications to RoR. However, it soon became apparent that working with it wasn’t as straightforward as everyone thought.</p>



<p>Once more user-friendly frameworks started to emerge, the popularity of RoR significantly declined. Today, most Ruby projects are maintained at a high cost, as demand for support remains, while the number of developers in this stack has dwindled.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-primary-color has-gray-100-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>The most reliable way to avoid making a wrong choice is to start with a <strong><a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" data-type="link" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discovery phase</a></strong>. If done correctly, the developers experienced in the same niche or product type create the project’s detailed roadmap that also includes technical requirements and the instruments necessary to meet them — the <strong>tech stack</strong>.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Bonus: Code Blueprints to Cut the Time</h2>



<p>The more competitive your business environment is, the more critical <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/from-idea-to-launch-the-startups-guide-to-reducing-time-to-market">the time it takes you to deliver your product to your end user</a> becomes. One of the most efficient ways to cut time to market is to use already existing instruments and their proven mixes to avoid reinventing the wheel while implementing standard, most-required functionality.</p>



<p><strong>Our Technical Lead, Olexandr, explains this process with specific examples</strong>.</p>



<p>“Consider this scenario. You have a mobile application. And the task is to integrate a payment system for both Apple and Android platforms. If, let’s say, you’re venturing into this for the first time, the <strong>traditional approach</strong> would be to delve into the intricacies of the Apple Store and Google Play specifications. You’d need to develop and test the integration for each platform separately, which can be quite time-consuming.</p>



<p>However, there is an <strong>alternative approach</strong>. You could opt for a ready-made service like <a href="https://www.revenuecat.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer">RevenueCat</a>, which offers a more streamlined solution. RevenueCat can seamlessly work with both Apple and Android platforms right out of the box, and it even supports various payment services as a bonus. This approach saves you a considerable amount of time and minimizes the testing effort. Additionally, it provides valuable statistics on all purchases and transactions.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-quote wp-block-quote"><div class="wp-block-quote__text"><p>So many instruments were written before us. We just need to learn how to use them efficiently in our favor.</p></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__aside"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__image" style='background-image:url("https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/sasha-kulik-2.jpg")'></div></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__content"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__name">Olexandr Kulyk</div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__info">Solutions Architect, Technical Lead, Rocketech</div></div></div></div>



<p>Let’s explore another example. A client comes to you with the idea of creating a cryptocurrency exchange platform. The platform needs to handle the conversion of dollars into cryptocurrencies and vice versa. But this venture also requires some form of basic accounting software to manage transactions, account balances, tax calculations, and profit margins.</p>



<p>You have two options here. The first option is to build this accounting software from scratch, which would consume a significant amount of time and risk introducing errors, particularly in the financial calculations. Alternatively, you can integrate an existing service that simplifies the process. With such a service, you can execute commands like:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="816" height="250" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image.png" alt="An extract of programming code to explain an example" class="wp-image-6334"></figure>



<p>Here, you specify the currency, amount, source, destination, and percentage, and the service will handle all the calculations for you. Moreover, it typically provides a ready-made dashboard with built-in statistics.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="3840" height="1320" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-1.png" alt="A screenshot to illustrate an example." class="wp-image-6336"></figure>



<p>In both of these examples, the key takeaway is the advantage of leveraging existing services to expedite the development process, reduce the potential for errors, and gain access to valuable data insights.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Outsourcing SaaS Development: Why Rocketech?</h2>



<p>Once SaaS product development outsourcing becomes one of the near-future plans, you need to find a reliable tech vendor to execute the project. As a full-cycle custom software development services provider, Rocketech takes projects at any stage and walks the extra mile to ensure the client’s success.</p>



<p>We don’t just promise; we deliver results. Considering SaaS website design and development outsourced? We are here. Have only a business idea and need to test its feasibility? We’ll guide you all the way through the process.</p>



<p><strong>With our proven strategies of reducing time to market, we guarantee our clients early market entry and fast delivery of even the most daring ideas</strong>.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Curious how we deliver faster than the competitors keeping the highest quality?<br>We are happy to share.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a call</button></div>


SaaS Development Outsourcing: What Vendors Don’t Tell You

<p>Typically, just one in ten <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/5-reasons-why-your-business-needs-a-mobile-app">mobile app development</a> projects turns out profitable. While the usage of smartphones is on the rise, the number of mobile products is also increasing. At the same time, the average session time is decreasing, and user attention is becoming progressively more valuable with each passing year. <strong>In these highly competitive environments, custom mobile app development for startups turns from a luxury option into a business requirement</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/app-dev-for-startups.png" alt="Developers discussing wireframes and designs for a new mobile app for a startup." class="wp-image-6250"></figure>



<p>Do you have a startup product idea but don’t know what to begin with? Our <strong>guide on app development for startups</strong> will help you get your ducks in a row.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Does a Startup Need a Mobile App?</h2>



<p>Essentially, startups are projects with low budgets and high risks. That’s why mobile app development for startups is an instrument they use to test business hypotheses and, ideally, find investors for further rapid expansion. Here are <strong>seven reasons why your startup does need a mobile solution</strong>.</p>



<ul type="1">
<li><strong>Quick Market Presentation</strong><strong></strong></li>
</ul>



<p>With a well-designed app, they can showcase their products or services, highlight their unique selling points, and create a lasting impression on potential customers.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Convenient Sales Channel</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Mobile apps provide a convenient method for startups to sell their products or services directly to their target audience. By offering a seamless and user-friendly purchasing experience, startups can maximize their reach and increase their sales potential.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Constant Customer Engagement</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Mobile apps enable startups to establish and maintain constant communication with their customers. Through push notifications, personalized offers, and in-app messaging, startups can keep their customers engaged, informed, and loyal to their brand.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Direct Feedback</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Mobile apps allow startups to gather direct feedback from their customers. This valuable feedback helps them understand customer preferences, identify areas for improvement, and make informed business decisions.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Simplicity and Accessibility</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Compared to a website, mobile apps offer a simpler and more accessible user experience. With a few taps on their smartphones, users can access the app and find what they need quickly.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Streamlined Business Processes</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Developing a mobile app enables startups to automate internal business processes like inventory management, order processing, or customer support. This automation saves time and resources.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Data Collection and Analysis</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>By collecting user behavior, preferences, and demographics, startups can gain insights into customer trends and make data-driven decisions to enhance their products or services.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Your App Won’t Pay Off</h2>



<p>While app development for a startup no longer seems extraordinary, there are many ways to do it wrong and fail. We summed up the <strong>five most common reasons</strong> why it happens.</p>



<p><strong>#1 The problem you’re solving doesn’t exist or has already been solved.</strong></p>



<p>Co-founder of Y Combinator, Paul Graham, once said that the most common mistake startups make is solving problems that don’t exist. While we have seemingly the best ideas in our imagination, in reality, potential customers mostly simply don’t need them.</p>



<p><strong>#2 The hypothesis hasn’t been tested.</strong></p>



<p>It’s difficult to speculate about risks without initial customers and figures to base developmental models on. Testing the hypothesis allows for ample maneuvering room for ideas in the early stages when their cost is close to zero.</p>



<p><strong>#3 <strong>You’ve planned too many features</strong>.</strong></p>



<p>Building a full-fledged starship ready for a Mars mission right from the start is not the best strategy. However, some entrepreneurs think adding more features to a product will make it more appealing to customers. It’s not true.</p>



<p><strong>#4 You didn’t define your goals.</strong></p>



<p>It’s crucial to forecast the outcomes the development and growth of an IT product will bring. What indicators need to be achieved within six months to justify the investment risk? What about a year?</p>



<p><strong>#5 <strong>Your monetization method is overly aggressive.</strong></strong></p>



<p>Attention from users is the primary asset in the digital world. Even in a financially unprofitable project, having a large community is a success. Attracting attention is harder than converting it into profitability. Aggressive monetization at the early stages of a service’s life cycle often leads to an inability to gather a sufficient user base.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">App Development for Startups: The 2-Phase Approach</h2>



<p>In general, the development process can be broken down into understandable phases that make up a plan. Approaches to process-building may differ from vendor to vendor. At Rocketech, we believe that startups require a slightly different and almost always tailored approach. For simplicity, let’s <strong>divide the entire development process into</strong> <strong>three large steps</strong>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Start with a Discovery</h3>



<p>Effective planning is half the battle. If you only have what you believe to be a genius idea and a half-written business plan, you are likely to fail. To prevent this scenario, meticulous planning is necessary. We have found that conducting a <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success"><strong>project discovery</strong></a> is the best way to set sail.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="300" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/what-is-a-discovery-phase-2.png" alt="An infographic briefly explaining what a discovery phase is in custom software development." class="wp-image-6242"></figure>



<p>In simple words, it’s an essential phase for startups as it helps them <strong>understand what their customers want</strong>, which is the key to achieving success in the market. In short, a <strong>discovery phase has three main advantages</strong>.</p>



<ul type="1">
<li><strong>It saves time and money.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>The main goal is to create the most in-depth and budgeted startup development plan possible. The more detailed your plan is, the fewer problems you’ll have on the way. Scrupulous planning also helps you avoid redundant functionality and see where you can save time and, as a result, money.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>It d</strong><strong>efines the product.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>It’s impossible to make a good plan if you don’t understand what exactly needs to be done. Another big objective of this stage is to define the product’s features and functionality. And it requires proper market research — it also prepares you for the real-market environment.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>It reduces risks.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>The discovery phase helps identify potential risks and challenges early in the project, allowing startups to mitigate them before they become bigger problems. In other words, developers with experience in similar projects will consider the risks and issues (and the ways to solve them) even before they happen.</p>



<p>Like any other project, the discovery phase includes several steps. If done right (and systematically), this stage’s outcome will be a solid roadmap and a clear picture of the near future, minimizing the uncertainty.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Do Your Market Research</h4>



<p>First things first: before you make any plans and, even more so, start developing your app, it’s vital to explore the environment and define the real market situation. Here are the questions covered by proper market research:</p>



<ul>
<li>What products exist in the chosen niche and make up your competition?</li>



<li>Why do some products succeed while others fail?</li>



<li>What strong sides and weaknesses do your competitors have?</li>



<li>Which unique features can your product offer that your competitors don’t have (yet)?</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Make Accurate Estimations</h4>



<p>A precise budget prediction is the unicorn of the custom software development world. In very few cases, everything goes as planned. However, the best app developers for startups are distinguished by experience — they’ve already solved whatever problem may await your project on the way.</p>



<p>In short, here are the seven most common agile <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/agile-project-estimation-challenges">project estimation challenges</a>:</p>



<ol type="1">
<li>Uncertainty</li>



<li>Incomplete requirements</li>



<li>Complexity</li>



<li>Limited resources</li>



<li>Time constraints</li>



<li>Scope creep</li>



<li>External factors</li>
</ol>



<p>While these problems are familiar even to non-dev people, there are also specific <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-avoid-common-project-estimation-mistakes">estimation mistakes</a> only experienced developers can help you avoid. Here’s where expert risk assessment comes into play.</p>



<p>Such probability analysis is essential for making accurate estimates and building a repository of potential future risks. By analyzing past project issues, software development providers create a list of possible problems that can occur. When starting new projects, they refer to this list to identify relevant risks.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Looking for a transparent and accurate project estimation? We can help.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Talk to us</button></div>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Make a Hypothesis</h4>



<p>Startups make business hypotheses by formulating educated guesses about market dynamics and their business model’s various aspects. These hypotheses serve as the foundation for their strategy and decision-making process. Here’s a general <strong>framework for how startups develop business hypotheses</strong>.</p>



<ul type="1">
<li><strong>Identify the problem.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Start with identifying a problem or pain point in the market. Conduct research, gather data, and analyze trends to understand the needs and challenges of potential customers. The results will form the basis of your problem hypothesis.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Propose a solution.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Once the problem is identified, propose a solution or product that addresses the issue. Outline key features, benefits, and value propositions of your crafted solution. The results will form the basis of your solution hypothesis.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Target the market and segment customers.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Define your target market and segment it into specific customer groups based on demographics, psychographics, or other relevant characteristics. Develop hypotheses about the customer segments most likely to adopt your solution and provide the highest growth potential.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Make your value proposition.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Articulate the unique value you offer to customers compared to existing alternatives. Formulate hypotheses about your solution’s specific aspects that will resonate with customers and differentiate your offer from competitors.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Define the revenue model.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Explore existing ways to generate profit — subscriptions, advertising, licensing, or transaction fees. Test assumptions about pricing, customer willingness to pay, and overall revenue potential.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Specify customer acquisition and distribution channels.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Consider different marketing channels — digital advertising, social media, content marketing, partnerships, or direct sales. Analyze the cost of customer acquisition and experiment with different channels to validate your hypotheses.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Test and validate.</strong></li>
</ul>



<p>Naturally, hypotheses are created to be validated. Once you have them ready, start designing experiments and conducting tests. At the very beginning, startups use <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/the-guide-for-perfect-customer-development-problem-interview-checklist">problem</a> and <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/what-is-a-solution-interview-in-customer-development">solution interviews</a> and surveys to gather the data necessary to come up with development requirements. Eventually, the best and fastest way to confirm or refine your idea is <strong>to launch an MVP</strong>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Build an MVP to Validate Your Idea</h3>



<p>Essentially, there are two main ways to make and launch a mobile app. You can spend a long time and all your resources working on a single business idea and polishing numerous features to perfection. While it sounds good to some business owners, the outcome of such projects is unknown at best. In many cases, that perfection turns out not needed by real users.</p>



<p>The alternative way app developers for startups mostly take — you can launch the first, limited yet fully functional product version and refine and improve it according to your customer feedback and real-market environment.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="300" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/what-is-an-mvp-term.png" alt="An infographic briefly explaining what an MVP in custom software development." class="wp-image-6246"></figure>



<p>Imagine a unique-to-market product idea for an <a href="https://rocketech.it/case/lev">app that will revolutionize pet ownership</a>. Complex ambitious solutions like this combine features and functionality of various types — a marketplace, social network, and interactive map, in this case.</p>



<p>Instead of gambling on hypothetical ideas, decision-makers launched an MVP with simple functionality four months after the project had started. This approach helped them build a highly interactive, full-fledged mobile application with great market potential within just eight months, well ahead of the competition.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/mvp-for-startups.png" alt="An infographics naming 4 manin benefits of building an MVP for startups." class="wp-image-6248"></figure>



<p><a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/the-strategic-advantage-of-mvp-development-for-startups">Startup MVP development</a> is a strategic instrument (and a particular mindset, for that matter) to stay afloat in highly competitive markets where every day can be game-changing. After launching the first stable and functional version, you can then focus on your customers and their needs. And develop and improve your offer accordingly.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>
<cite>In other words, let your MVP “run free” and bring the data that will tell you where to head next.</cite></blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Launch with Rocketech: Development Starts with the Release</h2>



<p>When you decide to find an app developer for your startup, most tech vendors will tell you that you need to start with multiple customer interviews, extensive target audience analysis, and competitor investigation. While they are not wrong, and all these steps are vital for a proper project discovery phase, there’s more to it.</p>



<p>Contrary to popular opinion, we’ve learned that <strong>development starts upon the release</strong>. You can test your hypothesis with a lot of theoretical moves. But <strong>you’ll only really validate your business idea once your product is delivered to its intended users</strong>.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">We know how to bring your idea<br>to market in the shortest possible time.<br>Talk to our specialist.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a free call</button></div>


Developing a Startup App in 2023: How to Win the Competition Race

<p>In an ever-evolving software development landscape, innovation and excellence have become essential pillars of success. At Rocketech, we understand the significance of cutting-edge technology in enhancing your business processes, <a href="https://rocketech.it/software-development">services</a>, and products. Today, we are thrilled to share news of our latest achievement that reaffirms our commitment to delivering exceptional software solutions.</p>



<p>We are proud to announce that <strong>The Manifest</strong>, a reputable <a href="https://themanifest.com/ua/software-development/companies/kiev?utm_source=directory&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=TM+Awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agency shortlist</a> and business blog website, has recently honored Rocketech by recognizing us as one of <strong>the most-reviewed software developers in Kyiv</strong>. This recognition holds immense value for us and underscores our dedication to delivering top-tier development services to our clients.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="740" height="1080" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/top_the_manifest_software_developers_kyiv_2023_award.png" alt='The badge saying "Most Reviewed Software Developers in Kyiv by Manifest".' class="wp-image-6156"></figure>



<p>Our journey to this remarkable recognition is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence. At Rocketech, we offer not just software development services but a dedicated Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and a powerhouse of resources. It allows you to focus solely on your core business while we handle the entire software development lifecycle, encompassing project discovery, design, programming, testing, and deployment. Whether you are a fresh startup or an established enterprise, we have your technical needs comprehensively covered.</p>



<p><strong><em>We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients who have stood by us throughout this journey. This award is a testament to your trust and partnership with us. Without your unwavering support, this achievement would not have been possible.</em></strong></p>



<p>This recognition serves as a catalyst for us to continue pushing boundaries and setting new standards in software development. We remain committed to empowering businesses with innovative solutions that drive growth and success. <strong>Your success is our success</strong>.</p>



<p>Our vision extends beyond the present recognition of being one of Kyiv’s most-reviewed software developers. Our future is intricately tied to our mission—<strong>empowering startups to not only get started but to thrive in competitive markets</strong>.</p>



<p>Our role as <strong>experienced tech partners</strong> goes beyond merely delivering software solutions. We act as a catalyst for emerging startups, helping them grow and scale efficiently in fiercely competitive landscapes. Our commitment to transparent pricing, rapid project kick-offs, and on-the-fly result forecasting is tailored to meet the unique needs of startups, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and adapt to evolving market conditions swiftly.</p>



<p>Trustworthy, long-term tech partnerships are the lifeblood of startups. We understand the challenges of navigating uncharted waters, and we’re here to provide continuous support, mentorship, and expert guidance. These partnerships are not just about initial success; they’re about ensuring sustainable growth and longevity in the ever-changing tech ecosystem.</p>



<p>Our recent recognition by The Manifest affirms our dedication to excellence, and it’s a testament to our ability to support startups in achieving their goals. We believe that our success is intrinsically linked to the success of the startups we empower.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Ready to level up your business?<br>Talk to our experts.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a free call</button></div>


Rocketech Receives the Manifest’s Recognition as One of Kyiv's Most Reviewed Software Developers

<p>Many startup founders dream of achieving unicorn status or, at the very least, making a big splash with their product in the market. No matter what you offer to the world, it’s crucial to understand how your target audience will react, preferably before full-scale sales begin. It’s where a <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">minimum viable product</a> comes to the rescue. <strong>Startup MVP development is a complex game with multiple variables</strong> that can help businesses set sail on the right course from the beginning.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/benefits-of-mvp-dev-for-startups-1-1.png" alt="Two professionals in an office environment in front of a computer screen discuss the project of MVP development for a startup" class="wp-image-6121" width="680" height="482"></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What Is an MVP?</strong></h2>



<p>Back in 2005, YouTube started as a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/16/youtube-past-video-dating-website" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/16/youtube-past-video-dating-website" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">video dating site</a>. Instagram, on the other hand, was originally named <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/07/instagram-used-to-be-called-brbn/373815/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/07/instagram-used-to-be-called-brbn/373815/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burbn</a> (yes, after an alcoholic drink) and served as a planner where people could tag locations, share photos, and earn points. But both ideas didn’t catch on as expected. So, the companies analyzed their numbers, listened to users’ feedback, and made a pivot.</p>



<p>The term MVP, which stands for Minimum Viable Product, is not about lines of code or a website; <strong>it’s about testing hypotheses and quickly getting a startup to a functional state</strong>. The concept was <a href="http://www.startuplessonslearned.com/2009/03/minimum-viable-product.html" data-type="URL" data-id="http://www.startuplessonslearned.com/2009/03/minimum-viable-product.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">popularized </a>by Eric Ries through his Lean Startup methodology. <strong>It is essentially the earliest version of a product that’s available for testing</strong>.</p>



<p>The core principle of the Minimum Viable Product can be summed up as “Dream big, start small.” It’s based on a step-by-step development approach where each iteration is tested with real consumers. This process allows companies to gather feedback, identify risks, fix mistakes, and even gauge if there’s demand for their offering — all at the early stages.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>
<cite><br>An MVP is like a trial run that helps a startup refine its product and strategy before going all in.</cite></blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-primary-color has-gray-100-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>Here are <strong>three key principles of a quality MVP</strong>:</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<ol>
<li><strong>Value to </strong><strong>s</strong><strong>tart:</strong> The product should offer enough value that consumers are eager to start using it.</li>



<li><strong>Future </strong><strong>p</strong><strong>otential:</strong> It should contain the core aspects of the product a company plans to develop in the future, making users anticipate the final launch.</li>



<li><strong>Feedback </strong><strong>l</strong><strong>oop:</strong> The MVP gathers feedback on product quality, helping the company address any shortcomings and enhance the final version.</li>
</ol>



<p>Each development stage brings the product to a higher level. Then, it gets directly to customers who test it and provide input for potential improvements. This way, <strong>MVPs help test hypotheses and avoid bad decisions before they harm the entire business</strong>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>It Always Starts With an Idea</strong></h3>



<p>The search for great ideas isn’t a straight line. It’s more like loops that sometimes circle back on themselves and occasionally take you to the next step. There are six steps in this process:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Problem-finding:</strong> Identifying the problem.</li>



<li><strong>Solution hunt:</strong> Looking for solutions to the problems found.</li>



<li><strong>Prototyping:</strong> Building a prototype.</li>



<li><strong>Testing:</strong> Testing the prototype.</li>



<li><strong>Feedback:</strong> Gathering feedback.</li>



<li><strong>Adjustments:</strong> Making necessary adjustments.</li>
</ol>



<p>Each step could be a loop. You need to revisit these steps over and over, sometimes going back a few steps if your hypothesis doesn’t work out. And if the original idea proves unfeasible during testing or feedback, that’s when the product needs to <strong>pivot</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Benefits of </strong><strong>MVP Development for Startups</strong></h2>



<p>Building and <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/prototype-poc-or-mvp-what-will-work-for-your-product" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">launching a strong MVP</a> is a strategic move that, if done right, benefits startups on multiple levels, from cutting costs and saving resourcing to optimizing the business model and attracting potential investors’ attention. Here’s about the main <strong>advantages of MPV development for startups</strong> in more detail.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/benefits-of-mvp-dev-for-startups.png" alt="An infographic listing five main benefits of MVP development for startups" class="wp-image-6117"></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Resource Efficiency</strong></h3>



<p>Through early real-world customer testing of the MVP, the company can identify errors during the initial phases. This enables improved financial planning and adaptations to the business model, leading to time savings. Every successive iteration surpasses the prior one in effectiveness. Consequently, customers receive a high-caliber product tailored to their requirements.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fast Time to Market</strong></h3>



<p>Speed really matters in the world of startups. From this perspective, <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/from-idea-to-launch-the-startups-guide-to-reducing-time-to-market" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/from-idea-to-launch-the-startups-guide-to-reducing-time-to-market" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">time to market</a> is not simply about being fast but about gaining competitive advantage. The formula is fairly straightforward — the faster you are in the market, the sooner you generate revenue. The MVP approach facilitates the iterative process of learning and improving the offering based on real-world feedback. Put simply, reducing time to market enables startups to capitalize on market opportunities and increase their chances of success.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-regular"><table class="has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>The Minimum Viable Product enables startups to confront reality swiftly and allocate their budget more effectively before and during the project launch.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Early Customer Acquisition</strong></h3>



<p>The examination of each iteration with actual customers aids startups in discovering potential purchasers even prior to the official sales debut. As people test the fundamental MVP features, they can assess the future product’s potential.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Matching Supply and Demand</strong></h3>



<p>According to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/startup-failure-reasons-top/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/startup-failure-reasons-top/" target="_blank">CB Insights</a>, 35% of startups face failure because of no market need. This signifies that the solution the product intended to provide didn’t meet customer pain properly. Grasping and heeding the customer’s wishes and desires is vital. The MVP helps the business align the product with market requirements.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Elevating Investment Prospects</strong></h3>



<p>Investors are more likely to think about giving money if they can see a real version as opposed to unrealistic concepts on paper. Being able to use a model of the product and understand its main features makes the project more attractive for getting funded. Generally, investors feel more sure about companies that can show they can do things well and deliver the product on time. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Why Speed Matters</strong></h2>



<p>Imagine a startup, let’s call it MedSolution, that has a grand vision to revolutionize patient-doctor communication. The three founders invest their private savings to build a cutting-edge platform with extensive features like AI-driven symptom analysis, in-depth medical record management, and virtual medical tests. Striving for perfection, <strong>the founders spend over a year creating their product and perfecting each intricate detail</strong>.</p>



<p><strong>Meanwhile, the market’s needs shift</strong>. Users now favor simplified telemedicine platforms that offer quick video consultations and easy appointment scheduling. By the time MedSolution launched, they found themselves with a feature-rich product that was out of touch with what users wanted — timely and accessible healthcare.</p>



<p>The delay cost them not only their chance to capture a loyal user base but also the trust of investors who sought adaptable and agile ventures.</p>



<p>In turn, a parallel startup, let’s call it VitaCare, monitors the shifting landscape and takes an alternative approach. They <strong>quickly launch a stripped-down MVP</strong> — a straightforward video consultation platform connecting patients with doctors instantly.</p>



<p>By focusing on speed and user feedback, VitaCare <strong>addresses the immediate market needs</strong>. With each release, they iteratively add features based on user input, gradually expanding their offering. They grow and develop with a limited budget till they build the product that can attract investors’ attention and expand dramatically.</p>



<p><em>In this hypothetical story, MedSolution’s meticulous development approach led to a well-crafted product that didn’t match what users actually wanted. On the other hand, VitaCare quickly made a simple product that people needed and improved it based on their feedback. The alternative way took VitaCare to user engagement, investor confidence, and sustainable growth.</em></p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Need to launch your product ahead of the competition?<br>We know how to cut the time. </div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Talk to us</button></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Main MVP Types</strong></h2>



<p><strong>The MVP’s main goal is to test the upcoming product with a real audience</strong>. It means that the quality and accuracy of the test results can notably influence how quickly and effectively the development process goes. That’s why there are two main types of minimum viable products — <strong>high-fidelity</strong> and <strong>low-fidelity</strong>. These can be combined or used concurrently.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Low-Fidelity MVPs</strong></h3>



<p>These MVPs have lower reliability and imply simplified data collection methods. They don’t require extensive programming or significant financial investment but provide less precise outcomes. Their main objectives are:</p>



<ul>
<li>To assess the practical value of the product.</li>



<li>To identify the most effective and sought-after solutions to the problem.</li>



<li>To aid in defining and understanding customer needs.</li>



<li>To conduct a niche analysis and determine if the game is worth the candle.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Here are some low-fidelity MVP types</strong>:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Blogs:</strong> Creating simple blog posts to gauge interest and gather feedback on a product idea or concept.</li>



<li><strong>Forums and communities:</strong> Engaging in discussions within forums or online communities to validate demand and gather insights.</li>



<li><strong>Surveys and questionnaires:</strong> Conducting surveys to gather user opinions and preferences related to the product idea.</li>



<li><strong>Landing page:</strong> Designing a basic landing page highlighting the product concept and capturing user interest.</li>



<li><strong>Explainer video MVP:</strong> Developing explanatory videos to showcase the product idea and its potential benefits.</li>



<li><strong>Advertising campaign:</strong> Running targeted ads or promotions to assess user response and measure interest.</li>



<li><strong>Crowdfunding campaign:</strong> Launching a campaign on crowdfunding platforms to validate demand and attract backers.</li>



<li><strong>Idea review services:</strong> Utilizing platforms that review and assess new ideas, validating interest and potential for development.</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>High-Fidelity MVPs</strong></h3>



<p>These MVPs require more preparation, resources, and analytical work. They are used for:</p>



<ul>
<li>Formulating and enhancing marketing approach.</li>



<li>Experimenting with value offerings, modes of communication, and calls to action.</li>



<li>Investigating feasible expansion tactics.</li>



<li>Gaining initial patrons and footholds in the market.</li>



<li>Evaluating data regarding the appetite for the newly crafted product.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Here are some high-fidelity MVP types</strong>:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Feature MVP</strong> focuses on building and releasing a product with a single core feature. It’s often used to test the viability and demand for a specific feature before investing in full product development.</li>



<li><strong>Single-Use MVP</strong> is designed to solve a particular problem for a specific audience. It targets a niche need and aims to demonstrate the product’s value in a highly focused manner.</li>



<li>“<strong>Concierge” MVPs </strong>is an approach when the product is manually operated by the development team, simulating its functionality for users. This helps validate the concept and gather user feedback before building a fully automated version.</li>



<li>“<strong>Wizard of Oz” MVPs</strong> are similar to the “concierge” MVPs. They involve manually providing certain features the user believes are automated. Behind the scenes, the functionality might be manual or simulated. This is useful for testing user reactions and gauging demand.</li>



<li>“<strong>Piecemeal” MVPs </strong>involve building a minimal version by integrating third-party tools, services, or platforms. This helps test the integration and user experience while minimizing development effort.</li>



<li><strong>A non-functional prototype MVP </strong>(or a mockup) is developed to visually represent the product’s user interface and interactions. This can be useful for early-stage testing and feedback on the design.</li>



<li><strong>Pre-order MVPs</strong> involve offering the product for pre-order, where customers can place orders for a product that’s not yet fully developed. This provides insights into demand and allows for early revenue generation.</li>



<li>In<strong> smoke test MVPs</strong>, ads or promotions for the product are run to gauge interest. When users click on these ads, they might be led to a page indicating that the product is “coming soon” or “under development.” This helps validate demand before investing further.</li>



<li>“<strong>Concierge” onboarding MVPs</strong> involve manually guiding users through the onboarding process and helping them achieve their goals using the product. It provides insights into user behavior and pain points.</li>
</ol>



<p>The choice of an MVP type depends on the product’s nature, goals, target audience, and available resources. The key is to create the simplest version of the product that can effectively validate assumptions, gather feedback, and demonstrate value to potential users.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building the Foundation: Final Thoughts on MVP Development for Startups</h2>



<p>Building an MVP is about <strong>the process</strong>, in contrast to, for example, drawing a visual prototype. It’s about the process of <strong>hypothesis testing</strong>, <strong>collecting feedback</strong>, <strong>improvements</strong>, and <strong>entering new niches</strong>. Mastering this process helps prevent wasting money and energy on creating useless and needless products — which, in turn, means better market environment and conditions.</p>



<p>This process, however, can be overwhelming and confusing. That’s where it makes sense to look for trustworthy <strong>MPV development services for startups</strong>. Finding an experienced tech partner focusing on guiding new ventures through the complexities of the process may become the first step in the journey to becoming a unicorn</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Do you have a business idea that needs validation but don’t know where to start? We are here to help.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Ask us</button></div>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p></p>


The Strategic Advantage of MVP Development for Startups

<p>At the outset, when the team is still small, all interaction is based on personal contacts. But as the team grows, these contacts are interrupted. Over time, the question arises, ‘How to maintain synchrony in architecture, technology, standards, and process tasks?’ The answer is to implement the <strong>Community of Practice</strong> approach.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-primary-color has-gray-50-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>💡 <strong>Communities of Practice (CoPs) are professional groups regularly collaborating to exchange information, develop competencies, increase productivity, and strengthen general knowledge in their domains.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p><strong>Specialized CoP teams act as processes and standards synchronization centers, accumulate knowledge, and develop competencies within Rocketech.</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/48.png" alt="The Community of Practice team members are holding puzzle pieces as a symbol of teamwork and efficiency." class="wp-image-5431"></figure>



<p>We prepared our guide on developing a <strong>Community of Practice in a remote team</strong> and the main mistakes in implementing this project. Our approach can help business owners avoid these mistakes and discover unique opportunities for their employees to influence company development.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Creating a Community of Practice: Basic Mistakes</strong></strong></h2>



<p>Like many teams, we started creating the Community of Practice on a <strong>volunteer basis</strong>. Recognizing the need for specialists to share their experiences, we suggested that <strong>team leads undertake the project themselves</strong>. However, this turned out a common mistake, as assigning responsibility for community management and development to just one leader is not ideal.</p>



<p>Moreover, it is not enough to merely offer your employees a chance to share experiences. It is crucial to <strong>endorse this concept and establish an environment fostering its growth</strong>. At the start of the project, you need the resources for launching and organizing systematic community work, implementing community-generated ideas, and ensuring meetings’ regularity and format.</p>



<p><strong>This is how our Scrum masters’ time became such a valuable resource. They were involved in the project and took over the management and support functions.</strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Scrum Team Contributions</strong></h3>



<p>To improve efficiency and productivity, our Scrum team worked on various initiatives. Here are some of the results:</p>



<ul>
<li>The Community of Practice concept;</li>



<li>Development of the structure and number of communities within Rocketech;</li>



<li>Methodology for work planning within the community;</li>



<li>A list of the company’s priority tasks (at the launch period), which each community could take on.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>
</ul>



<p>The start of the project showed that the decision to increase the resources and invite the Scrum team to manage the project was the right one. It made it possible to ensure systematic and regular community work. Sometimes, you should invest extra time and effort to get a functional product.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Communities of Practice 3.0: Rocketech’s Blueprint for Building Stronger Teams</h2>



<p>Communities of Practice are based on the initiative of people willing and able to share and transfer knowledge. We keep this principle despite our communities shifting from self-management to Scrum-team management.<strong> The mission of the CoP project is to create a space that encourages people to develop professionally and help others to do so.</strong></p>



<p>As for now, we have launched four specific communities:</p>



<ol>
<li>Scrum;</li>



<li>Backend;</li>



<li>Business Analytics;</li>



<li>Quality Assurance.</li>
</ol>



<p>Our short-term plans include launching the OS community.<br><strong>All communities follow the global goal — to ensure the highest quality level when executing projects.</strong> “Quality” in the project context means:</p>



<ul>
<li>The development and implementation of standards and ensuring compliance with them for each competency.</li>



<li>Devising the competence working principles.</li>



<li>Organizing your work by creating libraries and directories, setting up a repository, and adding specific problem cases to the database to standardize your workflow and accumulate practical experience for future projects.</li>



<li>Introduction of mentoring and support practices.</li>



<li>Developing the culture of learning and mentoring within the company (including workshops, case studies, and joint work on complex tasks as part of the Communities of Practice).</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-gray-100-background-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>The whole community idea is based on two main functions:<br>📌 <strong>The project function </strong>is knowledge systematization and workflow standardization.<br>📌 <strong>The current function</strong> is to become a shared knowledge center where team members can receive mentorship from experienced developers and managers, seek advice, and share their own experiences.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<div class="wp-block-blog-quote wp-block-quote"><div class="wp-block-quote__text"><p>“The emotional component of Communities of Practice is the opportunity for developers to feel that they are not alone in the challenges and difficulties of their project. The community will ensure the chosen solution is correct and help people avoid feeling lonely and isolated. It is crucial for remote work and projects without large teams and many specialists of the same profile.”</p></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__aside"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__image" style='background-image:url("https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/natasha-chistyakova.jpg")'></div></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__content"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__name"><strong>Natalia Chistyakova</strong></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__info">Lead Scrum Master</div></div></div></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Positive Impact of Communities of Practice on Working Conditions</h2>



<p>The initiative added several regular meetings to the project participants’ calendars and made their lives more colorful. The reason is simple: they personally create a new reality and influence changes in the company.</p>



<p>All the community work implies a <strong>specific algorithm</strong>. First, each group sets goals for the month. They present these goals to the CoP team lead (as mentioned above, this person is not a community member but a Scrum team representative).</p>



<p>The criterion for choosing a goal is the impact on improving the quality of our work. It refers to the quality of code, processes, and team interaction — <strong>the overall quality at every project development stage</strong>.</p>



<p>According to the task volume, the participants agree on the working meetings’ frequency and format. During these meetings, the teams discuss interim results and form the backlog for the next one.</p>



<p>Working meetings take place once a week. Moreover, the community gathers at a set time to present the monthly results.</p>



<p>Let’s take our CoP tasks for July 2022 as an example.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>The CoP Scrum Master</strong>: Developing a shared understanding of customer-oriented service for the whole team.</li>



<li><strong>The CoP Business Analytics</strong>: Standardizing the processes to improve interaction with the customer and increase service quality.</li>



<li><strong>The CoP Back</strong>end: Updating the standards for the initial development project stages.</li>



<li><strong>The CoP Quality Assurance</strong>: Updating the standards for working with bug maintaining documentation to improve testing quality.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>
</ul>



<p>Based on the goals, we determined the tasks for each specific area and could quickly see the first results. For example, CoP Scrum Master implemented a new approach to working with customer expectations.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/49.png" alt="The Community of Practice team members are putting their hands together as a symbol of efficient teamwork." class="wp-image-5433"></figure>



<div class="wp-block-blog-quote wp-block-quote"><div class="wp-block-quote__text"><p>“It is vital to organize effective interaction between the customer and the team at the initial stage. We plan to conduct continuous reviews between the product owner and the team to move in sync. We are proud of this block as it will positively impact the entire project.”</p></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__aside"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__image" style='background-image:url("https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ajzhan-bermanova.png")'></div></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__content"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__name"><strong>Aizhan Bermanova</strong></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__info">CoP Scrum Master</div></div></div></div>



<p></p>



<p>The CoP Business Analytics also quickly proved effective. The team created Development Standards for projects and interviews with candidates for a BA position in the company. The next improvement point is the <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/discovery-phase-why-is-it-crucial-for-your-project-success" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Discovery process</a>.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-quote wp-block-quote"><div class="wp-block-quote__text"><p></p><p>“The Community of Practice is the Dedicated Team’s key component. The more well-developed internal competence we have (for example, BA or QA), the more competitive we are and the better service we offer to customers. Thus, the successful CoP launch and the development of quality improvement approaches in all areas are crucial for us.”</p></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__aside"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__image" style='background-image:url("https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sasha-roket2.png")'></div></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__content"><div class="wp-block-quote__author__name"><strong>Alexander Rocket</strong></div><div class="wp-block-quote__author__info">Co-Founder of Rocketech</div></div></div></div>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-gray-100-background-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Main Community Principles</strong><br>✔ The CoP is voluntary — we don’t require participation. However, it is mandatory to follow the standards and processes developed by the community and attend the meetings at the end of the month to learn more about the implemented changes.<br>✔ The company pays for all tasks and project meetings.<br>✔ There is no command or task distribution. The communities themselves decide what needs to be done to improve the processes within their competence.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<ul>
<li>
</ul>



<p>Specialized communities act as a classic hub where <strong>participants exchange experience, mentor newcomers, and discuss solutions and questions on current and new projects</strong>. It is where you can always find support and ask a friend for help</p>



<p>Our decision to create internal communities of practice has revolutionized the way we work, resulting in improved efficiency and quality across the board. By promoting a culture of collaboration and shared learning, we have seen a significant increase in the engagement, motivation, and satisfaction of our employees. We are proud to say that this innovative approach has enabled us to deliver outstanding results for our clients, and we will continue to embrace this philosophy to achieve even greater success in the future.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Any questions about our approaches to process management? We are happy to answer them.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a call</button></div>


How to Create a Community of Practice for Your Team

<p>Software development solutions are meant to be configured or custom-built to solve specific customer problems along with perfectly assembling the customized software products. Rocketech does it in an innovative way. It actually helps its clients to bring innovations to life by producing progressive software products using popular technologies.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img decoding="async" src="" alt=""></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.goodfirms.co/company/rocketech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Rocketech</strong></a> was established in 2015 in Kyiv and has now become one of the most powerful software development companies in entire Ukraine. The company specializes in analytics-driven web and mobile app development solutions and has developed 150+ products for more than 100 startups, enterprises, and tech businesses. Rocketech provides popular tech solutions that are highly acclaimed by customers in a variety of niches. </p>



<p>The apps developed by the company get recognized on app stores as ‘The Apps of the Day’, in popular award functions, and in many other app festivals by delivering a good web app experience and more. </p>



<p>Rocketech builds a reliable partnership with its client businesses of different sizes and industries. The company helps its partners by developing new products from scratch and stabilizing their existing products in the market. It develops MVPs for budding entrepreneurs and complex platforms for big-level organizations using Java, JavaScript, Go, PHP, Swift, and other languages and hundreds of other frameworks. The company uses cloud platforms for continuous product development, testing, and deployment. The team also smartly integrates cloud storage into already developed and ready-to-use solutions. </p>



<p>The team readily creates custom UX/UI solutions, brand identity, and illustrations along with all the visual components of the product. The company’s professionals provide the best consultation solution to their partner companies. It focuses on delivering value to the end customers with assuring sure returns to the business owners. The overall key knowledge areas of the tech experts in the company include Front-end Web Technologies, App Programming Interface, Backend Stack, Mobile Apps, Digital Product Design, DevOps, Cloud Providers, and Development Management. </p>



<p>The industries it serves for a variety of IT and tech-related solutions are Social Networks, Online &amp; Streaming Media Platforms, FinTech &amp; Investment Platforms, Review Aggregators, FoodTech &amp; Delivery, Travel &amp; Hospitality, Utilities &amp; Productivity Tools, Property Listings &amp; PropTech, Blockchain Solutions &amp; Crypto, CRM/ERP, Internet of Things, SaaS Platforms, LMS &amp; EdTech, HR Solutions, and E-Commerce &amp; Classified Marketplace.</p>



<p>From concepting, prototyping, to MVPs &amp; Full Product Development, and Scaling, Rocketech develops the full version of the software products a business needs. An entire project in the company starts with business analytics, lean startup coaching, and design thinking that further goes towards the full version of the minimal viable product. The company exceptionally serves its customers worldwide and is recognized as well as appreciated by all the third-party companies and review &amp; rating agencies for their brilliant performance. Rocketech ranks as the <strong><a href="https://www.goodfirms.co/directory/city/top-software-development-companies/kiev" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top software development company in Kyiv</a></strong> in the GoodFirms ranking list, where GoodFirms is a leading review and rating firm that acknowledges the performance of connected businesses.</p>



<p></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img decoding="async" src="" alt=""></figure>


Rocketech’s Innovative Tech-Solutions are Admired Worldwide: GoodFirms

<p>Rocketech Software Development is thrilled to officially announce that we have been recognized as one of the <a href="http://upcity.com/mobile-app-development/san-francisco?spotlight=profiles%2Frocketech-software-developement%2Fsan-fransisco" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top mobile app development companies in San Francisco</a> and nationally by UpCity!</p>



<p>At Rocketech, we pride ourselves on becoming a true partner with your business. We want to help your app-based product succeed from development to launch and beyond and our team has the knowledge and experience to make it happen. This is only one reason our San Francisco-based company has been recognized by UpCity as not only one of the best mobile app development companies in our area but also <a href="http://upcity.com/mobile-app-development?spotlight=profiles%2Frocketech-software-developement%2Fsan-fransisco" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nationally in the United States</a>.</p>



<p>UpCity is a resource that helps connect businesses to service providers they can trust. With more than 70,000 listed providers—from marketing agencies to accounting firms to HR consultants to IT specialists, and many more—2 million businesses (and counting) have visited UpCity to research and identify the best partner for their needs. </p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/pasted-image-0-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1634" width="299" height="299" srcset="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/pasted-image-0-1.png 1200w, https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/pasted-image-0-1-150x150.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px" /></figure></div>


<p>UpCity’s proprietary algorithm utilizes a variety of digital signals to measure the credibility, trustworthiness, and recommendability of B2B service providers across the U.S. and Canada. These digital data points like reviews (both on UpCity and other third-party review sites), presence in relevant search results, domain authority, website speed and experience help UpCity connect businesses with outstanding service providers like Rocketech Software Development. </p>



<p>Dan Olson, CEO of UpCity, had this to say about the Rocketech Software Development team:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-right">
<p></p>
<cite>“The Rocketech team develops user-friendly apps that are as usable as they are beautiful. We’re proud to call them an UpCity partner.”<br>⁠–⁠ Dan Olson, CEO, UpCity</cite></blockquote>



<p>We want to thank Dan and the entire UpCity team for their support and this tremendous recognition.</p>


Rocketech Software Development Announced as a Top San Francisco Mobile App Development Company by UpCity!

<p>Launching a product-based startup is overwhelming, and many aspiring entrepreneurs end up losing focus and burying seemingly brilliant ideas. The discovery phase (especially in the agile approach to software development) can help you stay on track, define your business goals, and find ways to achieve them.</p>



<p>Clients often approach custom software development companies with minimum information about what they want and why. <strong>The discovery phase helps both sides understand what the business actually needs and how different the real goals are from the client’s desires</strong>. Here’s what you need to know about the project kick-off and how to get maximum value from it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="874" height="620" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/discovery-phase.png" alt="A man holding a magnifying glass looking at a symbolic representation of Earth." class="wp-image-5055"></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is a Discovery Phase, and Why Do You Need It?</h2>



<p>Most Internet sources will explain the discovery phase definition as a “process of information gathering.” Although technically, it’s not wrong, an effective project initiation implies much more than just listening to the client’s wishes and desires and looking up what potential competitors are doing.</p>



<p><strong>The discovery phase in software development is a preliminary stage helping a project team understand the software project’s scope, requirements, goals, and objectives. </strong>The discovery phase’s purpose is to establish a shared understanding between the <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/dedicated-team-the-future-of-software-development" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/dedicated-team-the-future-of-software-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">development team</a> and the stakeholders (e.g., the business, end-users, or customers). Ideally, everyone involved should know what the project will entail and deliver and how to meet the needs of all parties.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>The discovery phase is the first crucial development stage designed to set business goals and draw a roadmap toward achieving them. It’s aimed at defining the product, analyzing the market, and learning what the target audience needs. As a result, it helps all stakeholders understand each other’s expectations and establish efficient cooperation.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<p>So, what is a project discovery? In real-life projects, this stage goes beyond simply discussing ideas and writing a technical specification. It helps the client and the service provider to:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Clarify project objectives</strong>: It helps identify and formulate project objectives to ensure that the software project will bring the desired results.</li>



<li><strong>Reduce project risks</strong>: By thoroughly defining the project requirements and scope during the discovery, businesses can reduce the risk of misunderstandings during the development phase. Miscommunication always leads to financial losses.</li>



<li><strong>Improve project efficiency</strong>: It helps predict potential technical challenges and obstacles early on, allowing the project team to plan and prepare accordingly, improving project efficiency.</li>
</ol>



<p>In other words, every piece of information collected during the discovery stage helps the tech vendor determine the scope of work and time frames and plan the project tasks. It has one big ultimate goal — <strong>to create a quality software product designed for the client’s needs</strong>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Project Discovery: What Is Included?</h3>



<p>While the initial activities are about planning, the first stage itself must be well-planned. The discovery phase steps typically cover the main aspects of project management, <strong>from ideation to the implementation roadmap</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="2000" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dph-goals-infogrcs.png" alt="The infographics listing the main discovery phase goals." class="wp-image-5319"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Discovery Phase Objectives</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Discovery Phase of a Software Development Project: Who Is Involved?</h3>



<p>Naturally, discovery teams may vary depending on the project’s size and complexity and the client’s specific needs. However, based on our experience, the following specialists make up the best combination.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Business Analyst</h4>



<p>A business analyst gathers and analyzes market- and product-related data and makes recommendations to decision-makers. Use cases, user stories, reports, and business processes are right up their alley. BAs bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders and ensure that the project’s tech sides align with the client’s business goals.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>For example, the client needs an online booking system integrated into the product. If the vendor starts with technical questions about the functionality, they may miss some crucial requirements. Why does the client need it? What does it solve? Here, the BA’s task is to listen carefully, build logical connections, and clarify controversies.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Solution Architect</h4>



<p>A solution architect is an experienced specialist who sets goals and objectives for the project execution, finds the best technical solutions, describes the software’s structure and behavior, and distributes functions between developers. They also consider cost, scalability, and compatibility with existing systems while making decisions.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Developers</h4>



<p>Software developers with diverse expertise help the discovery team make more precise <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-estimate-the-cost-of-sofware-development" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-estimate-the-cost-of-sofware-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimations</a>. Professionals who have participated in several similar projects (comparable functionality, the same frameworks, domains, product types, etc.) evaluate the project’s potential based on their hands-on experience.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">UX/UI Designers</h4>



<p>User experience and user interface specialists can create wireframes and clickable prototypes if those are part of the discovery. Their main task is to show what the future application will look like. However, they also help the team assess the project’s complexity.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>For a B2C product targeting mainstream users, UX designers would be an essential part of the discovery team — user experience is crucial for such solutions. Now let’s take entirely technical projects focusing on professionals in a particular niche. Here, UX plays a secondary role, while purely technical requirements become the first priority. The discovery phases for these examples will be different.</em></p>
</blockquote>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Scrum Master</h4>



<p>The formula <strong>Business Analyst+Scrum Master</strong> proves to be more efficient than a single Project Manager who, in the end, takes on too many tasks and often loses focus. While the BA connects business and development, the Scrum Master is responsible for efficiency, transparency, timing, and evaluation.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="823" height="690" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/dph-team.png" alt="The discovery phase in agile software development relies on a well-organized and professional team.
" class="wp-image-5071"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Discovery Phase Team</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Main Benefits of a Discovery Phase</h3>



<p>Successful project management and discovery must bring tangible advantages to all stakeholders. For example, businesses can predict risks and minimize financial losses in the long run. Here’s the list of the <strong>key benefits of a discovery phase</strong>:</p>



<ul>
<li>A better understanding of project requirements;</li>



<li>Defined project scope and evaluated project complexity;</li>



<li>Detailed and simplified budgeting and planning;</li>



<li>Project estimations based on the team’s hands-on experience;</li>



<li>Improved team efficiency;</li>



<li>Enhanced project alignment and agreement;</li>



<li>Improved communication and collaboration between all stakeholders;</li>



<li>Reduced and mitigated risks (first of all, financial);</li>



<li>The balance between business objectives and the market need;</li>



<li>A clear technical description;</li>



<li>Visualized product vision.</li>
</ul>



<p>The main advantage of any discovery phase is <strong>a detailed action plan</strong> created by people who will follow it. By taking the time to plan and communicate effectively, you and your tech contractor turn an abstract idea into a real roadmap based on your business needs, market conditions, and budget.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Can’t estimate your idea’s feasibility?<br>We can provide support and expertise.</div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a call</button></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Will Happen if You Skip the Discovery Phase Activities?</h2>



<p>In a nutshell, make a list of the things that can go wrong and imagine that most of them did go wrong. <strong>Lack of planning</strong> — and efficient planning is the purpose of any discovery phase — <strong>always has significant consequences</strong>. We’ve summed up the most common of them.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Misaligned Expectations</h3>



<p>Without a discovery phase, you may end up having a conflict of “three products”: what you expected, what the development team created, and what your target audience is ready to pay for. Most often, they are completely different.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Scope Creep</h3>



<p>Without a clearly defined plan, projects easily grow beyond the original objectives and goals. It leads to missed deadlines, increased costs, and often even wasted budgets.</p>



<p><em>Related article:</em> <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-avoid-common-project-estimation-mistakes" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-avoid-common-project-estimation-mistakes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How to Avoid Common Project Estimation Mistakes</a></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Technical Issues</h3>



<p>The discovery phase helps you identify and address technical challenges and limitations before development starts. For example, different programming languages, libraries, or APIs are not fully compatible with each other. It requires finding alternative solutions or making changes to the code. Experienced developers will consider such issues and the time to solve them before encountering them.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Increased Project Risks</h3>



<p>Unexpected technical difficulties, lack of resources, changes in requirements, or miscommunication between team members lead to delays in delivery. In turn, every delay leads to increased costs and frustration among the stakeholders. Risk mitigation is one of the discovery phase’s main purposes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Unclear Budget and Time Frames</h3>



<p>Imagine your development team increasing the bill after every iteration, while you are still not seeing the results. It’s a likely scenario in terms of budget and deadlines if you skip the discovery phase. The developers don’t have a well-articulated goal and can’t keep track of smaller objectives while the time is running out.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Product Nobody Needs</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.failory.com/blog/startup-failure-rate" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.failory.com/blog/startup-failure-rate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">9 out of 10 startups fail</a>. Most of them fail because the founders think they know what their target audience needs and wants. In reality, they don’t. The discovery phase is an instrument devised to find product-market fit through customer development activities like <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/the-guide-for-perfect-customer-development-problem-interview-checklist" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/the-guide-for-perfect-customer-development-problem-interview-checklist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">problem </a>and <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/what-is-a-solution-interview-in-customer-development" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/what-is-a-solution-interview-in-customer-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solution </a>interviews and working directly with real customers’ feedback.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Discovery Phase Deliverables</h2>



<p>Many startup founders are skeptical about the discovery phase as it may seem like an abstract discussion of possible ways of doing things. However, by the end of this stage, <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-choose-your-tech-vendor-the-insider-guide" data-type="URL" data-id="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-choose-your-tech-vendor-the-insider-guide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">your tech vendor</a> must provide you with actual and well-documented results. <strong>It’s a ready action plan</strong>.</p>



<p><strong>The discovery phase’s main outputs </strong>typically include:</p>



<ol>
<li>A clear and agreed-upon <strong>project scope</strong> that outlines the project goals and objectives, requirements, and constraints.</li>



<li>A detailed <strong>project plan</strong> that outlines the timeline, budget, and resources required to complete the project.</li>



<li>A high-level <strong>solution design</strong> that defines the architecture and technical approach to the project.</li>



<li><strong>Alignment</strong> <strong>and approval</strong> between the stakeholders, business, and development team on the project goals, requirements, and solution design.</li>



<li><strong>Identification and mitigation of potential project risks</strong> and challenges and the ways of solving them.</li>



<li><strong>Improved communication and collaboration</strong> between the stakeholders, business, and development team ensuring the project is executed smoothly and efficiently.</li>
</ol>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>Our most experienced specialists designed the three Discovery Phase Packages covering all project initiation aspects and devised for different budgets and levels of involvement.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="2500" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/dph-packages-infographics-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5081"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocketech Discovery Phase Packages</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Discovery Phase with Rocketech</h2>



<p>At Rocketech, we start every project with a <strong>discovery sprint</strong> — a workshop with a seasoned business analyst experienced in the customer’s industry or niche. The BA gathers business requirements and helps the client prioritize tasks based on business goals and vision, build a development team, and make initial development investments as clear and relevant as possible. <strong>A discovery phase project plan with Rocketech is a thought-through roadmap to launching a successful marketable digital product</strong>.</p>



<div class="wp-block-blog-action wp-block-action has-light-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-action__text">Got a product idea but don’t know where to start? We can help. </div><button class="wp-block-action__button has-light-background-color has-primary-color" data-type="callback">Book a call</button></div>


The Discovery Phase: Why Is It Crucial for Your Project Success?

<p>During the current worldwide situation with COVID 19, everyone understands that IT is going to be everywhere, and businesses can’t move forward without digital presentation and software that will help them in the business process. So many new companies and people are coming to the tech business to make the first project. There are different ways to make the project first — own in-house team which is usually very long to build up and very expensive in the end. Another way of making an IT product with some contractor is by specializing in building up to something all the time. Let’s assume that you chose the second option.</p>



<p>IT market of software development is very young, and different companies work in several ways. We will focus on specific model, Fixed price, and problems that it brings to the project and Founders that possibly just have worked with this model before in other industries all the time. Also, most of the time, that is the reason for big problems, in the end, risks occur, and sometimes products are not released.</p>



<p>One more thing that we will talk about specifically is making software or digital custom-made products. So, it’s all about mobile apps, web platforms, games, CRM, LMS, FinTech, Foodtech, social networks, etc. In this field, ROCKETECH specializes, for more than 5 years, and for every single issue, we have the solution. In 90% of cases, when experienced founder come to us nowadays, they don’t choose the Fixed price model and here are the reasons why:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. <strong>The gap in tech requirements in beginning and at the end of development</strong></h2>



<p>Custom software has a lot of uncertainty with what has to be done – market, end-user, and customers, investors, product owner, tech possibility, etc. Once you fix all requirements, after a few months or weeks of active development, there will be a lot of questions that are simply not covered in the tech requirements that you fix on the paper with a vendor. And after that, what happens is that the vendor building the project sees it in a particular way, and according to the tech paper document that has been agreed.</p>



<p>Professional studios make a step of collecting requirements, which is very long and quite expensive, and it takes a few weeks and sometimes even one month to prepare paper the “bible” that the vendor will put in the contract and then have to work on it. So, tech documents, with every gap or no clarity, make it the responsibility of the Product Owner of the project to decide the development of every feature.</p>



<p>ROCKETECH is not specializing in this kind of useless work. We prefer to build something that will continue being used and will bring value to the founders, and that is why we are making a system for tech requirements that assumes flexibility and changes that will be possible all the time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. <strong>Budgeting – Fix price model will overcharge you for every single feature</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="509" height="339" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/istockphoto-1127771485-170667a.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-192" style="width:640px;height:427px" srcset="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/istockphoto-1127771485-170667a.jpg 509w, https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/istockphoto-1127771485-170667a-158x106.jpg 158w" sizes="(max-width: 509px) 100vw, 509px" /></figure>



<p>So, when the agency is fixing requirements, of course, they have to present to you an estimate at the money frame. Many founders that are making the first project in IT think that everything is simple, and that developers all the time implement what they estimate before, but because we are a custom-made industry and every project is unique, estimation is a complex task. This is why the agency is always overcharging for every single feature, because they take a lot of risks, which makes the price more, and it will guarantee more that result will be excellent and it will be quality enough.</p>



<p>We at ROCKETECH have a unique way of working that is based on the best practice of work from SCRUM and our own experience. So, we have our know-how to estimate every task, since we stay on one of our principles that we don’t need more than what is needed to implement what you want.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. <strong>Every feature takes longer.</strong></h2>



<p>Because you fix all the requirements in the beginning, the vendor will plan the work accordingly, and usually, it takes months because features have to work properly, and you can’t get access to the system before everything is ready. That is the reason why Fixed price projects can take 3-4 months for the first MVP or even more.</p>



<p>Time &amp; Material is a good option to cover this problem, but in that case, the agency becomes simply a staffing company that possesses no value.</p>



<p>We at <a href="https://rocketech.it" data-type="URL" data-id="www.rocketech.it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ROCKETECH</a> have designed our model of work that split on sprints and gives very fast changes implementation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. <strong>Tech stack is chosen not by the company according to your needs</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1280" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/workplace-1245776_1920-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-188" style="width:640px;height:427px" srcset="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/workplace-1245776_1920-1.jpg 1920w, https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/workplace-1245776_1920-1-158x106.jpg 158w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<p>Because you agree on everything at business logic of the software, don’t forget to fix the tech stack. Remember that if the agency estimates without detailed work, it means some kind of refinement of your requirements that can have a long list and not be free, then the selection of this tech stack can not be professional. What is not professional?</p>



<ul>
<li>Vendor choosing the tech stack based on his availability</li>



<li>The stack can be very unique and, for you after, will be a very big problem with support</li>



<li>Limited technology that can’t work properly at scale</li>



<li>Choosing tech stack according to available people</li>
</ul>



<p>We at ROCKETECH work in a more complex way. We spend time understanding the requirements and business logic, and after that, we talk with our different devs and leaders of competencies. Together with design, the best way for project success.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. <strong>Fixed price will give you team that oriented on contract and tech papers</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/john-schnobrich-2FPjlAyMQTA-unsplash-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-190" style="width:640px;height:427px" srcset="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/john-schnobrich-2FPjlAyMQTA-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/john-schnobrich-2FPjlAyMQTA-unsplash-158x106.jpg 158w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>So, you agree on the Tech Requirement Specification document that will go to the contract. After the Development vendor fixes it, congratulations! Now, the Product Owner of the project has been changed and it is now a TRC document. From one point of view, it is good because you just wait for the result, but let’s take a look at this from the other side. The agency will make everything that has been agreed there, but because you will not be diving into the whole process, many decisions can cause you big problems after making changes, or gap in functionality, or what often happens in case of problems is that a company will make everything according to the contract and TRC there, so if the agency makes wrong or poor quality code, you will never know that. Moreover, you can’t predict the future and whole works and requirements for every feature. That is why it is only when you get the product after the Fixed price that you will see it, or maybe you will see problems only after the release, which will bring you way more problems…</p>



<p>ROCKETECH has another philosophy of work: We prefer to focus on process and give maximum quality with features that we deliver. We take into account that requirements can be changed and we make them together with very transparent work and its results. We are working all the time with Product owners that are becoming our long-term partners. It allows us to provide the maximum efficient team that delivers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. <strong>Change of functionality takes a very long time and is very expensive</strong></h2>



<p>When you fix all requirements, in the beginning, developers are often planning one stable architecture that will build up the whole project. It means that it will be very complicated and very costly to make changes to it. Once you start putting in extra features, it could take much more resources to add something than it was before. Possibly after, you think about why you had to overpay so much. Because the agency just keeps overcharging you for every step.</p>



<p>ROCKETECH is focusing on the very flexible architecture of the project, and we prefer to make bills only for what has been spent at work. Product owners together with us make decisions on functionality, and if before sprint we see that we don’t need it, then we simply throw away some features. But if you come to the fixed price, you can’t make so fast and easy changes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. Fixing the cost and time at the beginning of the project may affect the quality</h2>



<p>We are in custom software development. It means there will be some problems with the realization of functionality, that one way or the other. Usually, because we are in the project management industry as well, we have three bases of resources triangle – quality, time, and budget. Because sometimes Founders think that it is a smart idea to fix everything on the shoulders of the vendor, but fixing immediately from begging costs and time, you let the vendor work only with quality. What will happen once there is a problem, and what will be damaged a lot? You are right, quality!</p>



<p>ROCKETECH often talks with customers to better understand their needs, and usually, we work with one or a maximum of two parameters costs or time, and quality is our top priority anyway.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. <strong>Payment afterward creates so many big problems because all deliverables are after 100% are done – You get source code only after payment</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/clint-adair-BW0vK-FA3eg-unsplash-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-189" style="width:680px;height:454px" srcset="https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/clint-adair-BW0vK-FA3eg-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wp.rocketech.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/clint-adair-BW0vK-FA3eg-unsplash-158x106.jpg 158w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>With fixed-price, usually, everyone is working with different steps in payment procedure, but every agency is the same in one thing; you get the code of the product once full payment has been done. So, after the Founder has made the whole payment, he gets his product that could have many problems inside.</p>



<p>ROCKETECH gives full access to the code without any problems. We believe that web or mobile apps have been implemented only because of your idea and energy that you spent and gave to us in the budget frame, and it is your intellectual property, not ours.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. <strong>Fixed price is all about the conflict of interests between the founder and vendor</strong></h2>



<p>Contacts that have been designed for work with Fixed-price are focusing all the time on stability and clearing features that have to be implemented. They will never take into account that there is a very big uncertainty in requirements, market needs, the business model itself, end-users, etc. Founders are focusing all the time on the market and its subjects, but the vendor is focusing on the contract. Conflict will come anyway because you communicate only with a Project manager who is not familiar with the code.</p>



<p>ROCKETECH makes very transparent works between Product owners and our developers. We always say that our developers are your developers, and in that case, we are in “one boat” and going together to the product-market fit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. <strong>Fixed price never last long because the markup of the agency is very high but the value is really low</strong></h2>



<p>The cost of every feature with an estimation of Fixed price always includes many costs and risks. The agency is always making this because they need to balance with uncertainty, tech limitations, people problems, etc. that nobody sees at the beginning of the project. So, Founders overpay for every feature that the agency is delivering.</p>



<p>ROCKETECH prefers to focus on fact only. We work with deposit prepayment, and we make bills only on what has been spent and what exactly has been delivered to the Founder and market itself. We don’t make any extra cost, we make a very transparent estimation of a task, and we prefer to build up relationships on trust.</p>



<p>Overall, there are several risks and problems at Fixed price, so please place your attention before choosing it. Take a look around and try to take on the risks that I have listed here, or you can contact us. We will be happy to help you and bring your ideas into reality!</p>



<p>Our experience is your success!</p>



<p></p>


When a fixed-price model is not the best option for custom software development

<p>The IT industry is skyrocketing now, and even the coronavirus has not affected it. All current trends are tied to compliance enhancements, process automation, security issues, etc. But the biggest issue for tech companies is the increase in constant development. </p>



<p>Thus, most businesses look for straightforward software development process optimisation. They hope to reduce the budget and not hit profit levels, so offering top-notch and reasonably priced customer service is paramount. Let’s find out how tech companies can cut software development costs while maintaining quality. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Effective Planning</h2>



<p>Many entrepreneurs do not pay due attention to the planning stage. A huge number of successful applications have appeared in response to the people’s needs, so spontaneous evolution can harm the profits and efficiency of the business.</p>



<p>If you hope to avoid significant mistakes, spend some time in advance to analyse your target audience, nearest competitors, development forecasts, financial constraints and personnel requirements. And it is a great idea to set ambitious goals, even if you do not have enough time or money initially. </p>



<p>But in any case, you should think about realistic goals and deadlines, and you will get the first significant outcome in the shortest possible time. If you find it tough to answer the question “Where should I start?” consider another issue: who will build up your digital solution? After that, it will be much faster to outline your requirements and draw up a detailed roadmap.</p>



<p>The more effort you put into the planning phase, the lower the final custom software development cost. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pay Attention to the Location</h2>



<p>If you decide to hire a dedicated team, you should look at the country of residence because this tiny fact can cut or inflate your costs. </p>



<p>For instance, the average hourly pay of software developers in East and Southeast Asia (ESEA) is $15–20, while the top American specialists have a rate of $150–200 per hour. Of course, it is ten times more than Malaysian or Vietnamese programmers will charge, so you should look for a middle way. </p>



<p>One of the most affordable options is a <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/dedicated-team-the-future-of-software-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dedicated team</a> from Eastern Europe. It is one of the best destinations with top expertise at a reasonable price. Further, a comfortable time zone and unique mentality allow you to organise quality project management. Another benefit is a cost of a software project. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Select the Right Tech Stack</h2>



<p>Every tool has its advantages that affect the application development cost, and using inappropriate instruments can kill your project. Therefore, we recommend reviewing different tech stack options and selecting the best-matching option. </p>



<p>Both open-source and proprietary software is widely available, but we strongly recommend choosing third-party tools (if possible). Using them, you can benefit from improved reliability and round-a-clock support. </p>



<p>Plus, you should only compare competing products. Only then you will learn more about them and pick a solution with more benefits that suit your application.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Adopt Agile Best Practices</h2>



<p>Do not take <a href="https://agilemanifesto.org/iso/en/manifesto.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agile</a> as a magic wand for your project; it is just insurance in case of market changes. When you implement this set of methodologies, you can easily update your software.</p>



<p>This approach allows you to monitor changes in the market and client expectations. Thus, you can adapt your strategy and develop a digital solution to meet the user requirements. Even if these preferences change drastically, you are always ready to revise your roadmap to fulfil their needs. In any case, this set of methodologies helps to reduce software development costs. </p>



<p><em>It is also vital to keep stress under control. If you organise your internal communication properly, you create a positive and thriving atmosphere inside your dedicated team and increase its efficiency. Learn more about keeping your Agile team stress-free </em><a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-keep-your-agile-team-stress-free" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>here</em></a><em>. </em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Implement a Test-Driven Development</h2>



<p>Testing is essential for creating digital solutions because it helps to detect bugs before they cause trouble. Understanding how to reduce app development costs comes with experience.</p>



<p>The more we complete successful applications, the more we learn how to do all tasks properly. If you can create digital products early and regularly (with precise results after each phase), you can learn to work flawlessly and save more time.</p>



<p>Moreover, this approach helps to guarantee that detected bugs will not affect the course of app development and turn into overspending. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Employ Advanced QA Procedures</h2>



<p>Many companies face numerous limitations related to building web and mobile applications. Thus, you can deal with sudden interruptions, expensive errors and the time frame extension. And this is where <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/how-to-set-up-qa-process-on-short-term-projects-that-rocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality assurance</a> comes into play. It shows you why development costs are so high.</p>



<p>The main thing here is to address as much reliance as possible. For instance, you can offer fewer features to make them done faster and less costly. </p>



<p>Here is another example: if you decide to develop a web application and the Android/iOS version at the same time, you should hire more specialists with different areas of expertise, skills and experience. Therefore, QA is vital for guaranteeing compliance with user requirements and expectations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Automate Your Development Process</h2>



<p>When you apply the relaxed approach to the choice of specialists, developers can do a lot of manual work to create a digital solution. But if you want to progress, you should look for instruments and methods to enhance your efficiency and limit the number of errors in the code. And this is one of the excellent ways how to reduce software development costs. </p>



<p>Every developer knows that hardworking alone is not enough to achieve success. The primary measure of success for them is automation which means more than just a 60-hour workweek. <strong>And true experts will always think about how to complete more tasks in less time</strong>.</p>



<p>The steady development is a mix of long working hours and looking for approaches to boost productivity (e.g., taking courses or testing unique tools). If you decide to leverage automation techniques, you will increase the quantity and quality of developers’ work. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Look at Backend-as-a-Service Platforms</h2>



<p>Here is another effective solution to reduce the software development budget. Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) is a highly beneficial tool (especially when you spend most of your budget on design and front-end tasks). </p>



<p>Backend-as-a-Service is a platform that allows you to outsource your back-end development. Also, it offers a set of instruments and ready-made blocks of a back-end code.</p>



<p>Therefore, BaaS enables software specialists to focus on the front-end code. This solution provides three benefits for software specialists. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Development Speed </h3>



<p>When starting developing an application, you need to determine the list of core functions and the tech stack to create a digital product. With BaaS, you will know how to move to the next iteration faster, with fewer web app development costs and minimal risk. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Uniformity</h3>



<p>When developers create different versions of your software, they should remember all specifications. Backend-as-a-Service platforms offer a unique ecosystem to develop applications for various operating systems and devices with the same under-the-hood functionality. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Reach</h3>



<p>If your company implements highly viral ideas, BaaS provides additional features (such as cloud storage and social network integration) to reach the broadest possible audience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pick a Trustworthy Partner</h2>



<p>If you want to reduce the cost of making an app, delegate your development process to a dedicated team with extensive experience. </p>



<p>A specific expert team can build up a whole new desktop or mobile application, change a set of functions or introduce new features to your product. In any case, assigning a reliable partner to the development process is also highly profitable in comparison to hiring full-time employees.</p>



<p>Therefore, you need to select a software development company with an exceptional reputation and vast experience. It will help to ensure a perfect result that will draw the attention of your target audience. <em>At Rocketech, we know how to provide quality and cost-effective services. We assign a dedicated team that implements advanced development practices to save you time and money. And if you are ready to get top-notch software that meets user expectations, </em><a href="https://rocketech.it/contacts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>contact us</em></a><em> now!</em></p>


Proven Ways to Reduce Software Development Costs Without Losing Quality

<p>One of the few industries that won’t remember 2020 with tears in their eyes is the web and mobile development. The crisis only teased the IT community and left us with many interesting solutions.</p>



<p>As with all previous years, the main web app development trend in 2021 is a simplification. This year, your web app must be these three things:</p>



<ul>
<li>Easy</li>



<li>Speedy</li>



<li>Eye candy.</li>
</ul>



<p>If this is not the case, you risk giving way to more technologically advanced competitors and losing the battle for user loyalty.</p>



<p>Let’s see what gear you should give a serious look at if you plan to build a web app this year. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. <strong>Single page app (SPA): a tiny one that can carry it all</strong></h3>



<p>SPA is exactly what it says on the tin: an app that is technically just one page. SPA is like a normal web app that works inside a browser, but with one serious perk: it loads all javascript files (modules, widgets, controls, etc.), as well as CSS files along with loading the page itself.</p>



<p><strong><em>SPA does not require page reloading: the content may change, but the page doesn’t since it only loads upon the very first request.</em></strong></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pros</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>SPAs work equally well on mobile devices and on desktops, which can help a developer cover a wider audience;</li>



<li>Since there’s only one page, it’s much easier to build a complex user interface. It’s also easier to store session information, manage views and animation;</li>



<li>Instead, the user enjoys a smooth, uninterrupted scrolling and natural environment.  </li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cons</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>If you don’t code in JavaScript, you’ll have to learn how. </li>
</ul>



<p><strong>SPA examples: </strong>Google Maps, Twitter, and Google Drive.</p>



<p><strong>Tech stack: </strong>React.js, Angular.js, Vue.js, Meteor.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. <strong>PWA (Progressive web app): just like a native app, but simpler</strong></h3>



<p>PWA is a web tool that pretends to be a normal app. This technology installs your website onto a user’s smartphone as if it was a native app. In this case, the browser becomes a virtual machine that stores and runs the PWA—just what Android does for Android apps.</p>



<p><strong><em>PWAs drive a completely mobile-ish user experience while being lighter, faster to download, and easier to develop.</em></strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SJBd4A3bT5Er1wIlqtMvUIGuVh3rSPWJwnw8xDFzvYappeyWjGVGm48FJ6vF2_XvGDFzkVm4PhV1Q2GS8BLGsfGk7Yvytun17sfPOgL_UqqLvoBHAToBeQwjGPDT0TA5LPbROmO3" alt=""></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pros</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>PWAs can work with poor or no Internet connection; </li>



<li>Cost reduction by up to 70% as compared to native apps;</li>



<li>No need to go for app store licensing and, consequently, the ability to avoid some of the App Store and Google Play limitations;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Fast data exchange over the network, smooth and responsive UI;</li>



<li>You can learn PWA technologies and apply them in your current projects gradually, without global remodeling and refactoring.</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cons</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>It might be problematic to send push notifications to iPhones since the Safari browser is set by default;</li>



<li>PWAs don’t support Touch ID and have Bluetooth limitations.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>PWA Examples: </strong>Pinterest, Forbes, The Washington Post, Starbucks.</p>



<p><strong>Tech stack</strong></p>



<p>Service Worker, Push Notifications, HTTPS, App Shell, Web App manifest.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. <strong>AMP (Accelerated Mobile Page): Google’s favorite frisky apps </strong></h3>



<p>As the name suggests, AMP is a technology that aims to create apps with speedy performance. AMP is an open-source library that was developed by Google to speed up page loading and display websites on mobile devices. </p>



<p>The secret to speed is that AMP uses a limited set of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. Such pages only store the main content while sacrificing many elements (mainly visual images and dynamic content) for high download speeds.</p>



<p><strong><em>The user of 2021 is not the user of 2011 — they won’t tolerate long page loading. With AMP, you can create fast and furious e-commerce, news, and other types of light web pages that load in a split second.  </em></strong></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pros</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>AMP apps work great even for users with a slow internet connection.</li>



<li>AMP pages have a much higher chance of getting to the top search engine positions because they take loading speed into account when ranking.</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cons</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>The gets a little visually uglier;</li>



<li>Videos and images load slowly;</li>



<li>Limited widgets and features due to a limited set of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript;</li>



<li>A regular text editor is no longer enough to place the text on the page;</li>



<li>You need to have development skills to build an AMP version of a page</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>AMP examples:</strong> the technology is massively adopted by online publishers, such as The New York Times, The Verge, CNBC, etc. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. <strong>Animation: extra glam that entertains, guides, and converts</strong></h3>



<p>Statics give way to dynamics in the race for user attention in 2021. Many businesses animate their apps and choose to work with Motion UI to save resources. Motion UI is a library that isn’t hard to wrap one’s head around, and that helps spice up apps with vivid animations, transitions, and graphics.</p>



<p><strong><em>Animation is a great way to highlight important blocks and boost overall usability.</em></strong></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pros</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>No need to hire a motion designer. The Motion UI library includes a CSS file with ready-made effects, as well as files that allow creating custom animations; </li>



<li>This technology is easy to grasp in case you have basic knowledge of CSS and JavaScript;</li>



<li>Flexibility: Motion UI allows setting various parameters to make animations do exactly what you want them to;</li>



<li>Animations dramatically increase user engagement. Aside from looking pretty, they help with navigation and hold the user’s quickly elusive interest.</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cons</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>If not appropriately implemented, animations might clutter the interface, cause rendering issues, and affect loading speed. </li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Look how simple animations can make a routine in-app action unboring and fun:</strong></p>


<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default">
<figure class="alignright"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/EfXR8QKMK0yvxougszcXjTJ_kly1F0Al3xAj1aO_vwleLOKVERs3glY0U4wF1guKmnM5iQolKqrHLCoDWzGosnXiVcHlcTl_zTuQ_goGAp-9Go_9O_cOdIgnmW25oq2cFdydW7dh" alt=""></figure></div>


<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/th0-OKH_OA4FJquYh1oIFt_MS50_nkEWcrH8nWZjACXVdIsqzANTw2tA8Z8avHpTe4iBEiUI-AmjS8Hh0atCvkIKs6lkCpfyodT9BymF-ZGVKnfnwOjWZisttMMupLtjZIoHTf-i" alt=""></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">5. <strong>MEAN stack: a powerful combo to handle any kind of complexity</strong></h3>



<p>MEAN stands for MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js, and Node.js. It’s an end-to-end JavaScript stack mainly used to create cloud-hosted applications. Basically, it’s a document database, a Node.js web framework, a client-side JavaScript framework, and a web server packed in the same box.</p>



<p><strong><em>MEAN is perfect for real-time apps: workflow managers, news aggregators, to-do list apps, etc.</em></strong></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pros</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>MEAN allows building scalable apps with a massive data flow. No matter how many users and content is being added up — a MEAN-based app can handle it all; </li>



<li>Each of the four pieces of the stack uses a single language. Thanks to that, you can allocate a pool of JavaScript devs for your project and make them work adaptively instead of hiring four different specialists. </li>



<li>The stack includes its own web server, which makes deployment a piece of cake.</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cons</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>Requires experienced JavaScript experts. </li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Examples of apps built with the means of the MEAN stack:</strong> Dropbox, Netflix, Instagram, and Facebook. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">6. <strong>Chatbots</strong></h3>



<p>Among all the web app development trends of 2021, chatbots are probably the least new. These days, even your local pet store website may have a chatbot. This solution is gaining momentum for a reason: most clients ask the same questions, and it’s weird to make a human sit there and answer them when a robot can do it. </p>



<p><strong><em>It’s much easier to invest in getting a chatbot once to save thousands of man-hours for years to come. Combined with AI solutions, chatbots can fully automatize communication on a human-like level.</em></strong></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pros</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>Instant customer service: people don’t need to wait in line to get a simple question answered;</li>



<li>Chatbots can be used for a whole bunch of purposes, not only for chatting with clients. For example, a bot can notify pizza delivery service workers of new orders, advertise your products, etc.</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cons</strong></h4>



<ul>
<li>Basic bots can process only a limited amount of queries. Those that can process the complex ones and imitate human speech are hard to set up and might be expensive;</li>



<li>Chatbots don’t work for everyone. Businesses that focus on a personal approach would rather lose from having a chatbot than win. On top of that, many people find them irritating. </li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Some nice chatbot usage examples</strong></p>


<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default">
<figure class="alignright is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Uj7Su-y8x7Xg7Se_OpoEaE1SHCTLjpN4oRaodEkBnpJQdeAKiwYhKzAYOv7xD895B08QVBreKh1j9qVDYsi2TC-32g9zN4aSZRoGszTIiALU59couUJTyFYjiJRFNzFCsLDY867_" alt="" width="325" height="600"></figure></div>


<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Yl7QQkj8jPfeurpF4pjVcZevAa4lNL0ZZ_RFn0-XlERwvocNh1vljkNTB9lyhpdXe59pUgO_xTeHCIAz1qVe2cM6jnQTQ2rD8ViMYrreK0Ot9QzlEOlGe6BtPaQvutvHugYD-O5N" alt="" width="348" height="620"></figure>



<p><strong>Tech stack</strong></p>



<p>The technology behind your future chatbot will depend on its complexity. Traditionally, there are three possible solutions:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Messenger bots.</strong> Many mainstream messengers like Facebook and Telegram have chatbot functionality, and you don’t need a lot of money and a degree in web development to configure them. Choose a messenger bot depending on the platform that your clients tend to use more.</li>



<li><strong>Chatbot development platforms</strong> like Chatfuel, Botsify, and Motion.ai. Basically, these are constructors: you can pick the necessary elements and combine them to meet your needs. However, platforms don’t allow you to create your own components in case you need something special.</li>



<li><strong>Frameworks</strong> like Wit.AI, Microsoft Bot Framework, BotKit, and IBM Watson. If you fancy voice search, machine learning, and other things beyond mediocre, frameworks are your choice. The major drawback is their complexity — you’ll have to hire skilled developers for this job.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bottom Line</strong></h2>



<p>Trends come and go, but one thing never goes out of style: user-friendliness. All the trends that we have collected here are old technologies that are revealed in a new way for new challenges.</p>



<p>Remember that the same problem can be solved in different ways. A professional team will help you choose the most suitable one based on your tasks. </p>



<p>If your business needs an app, the Rocketech team is here to help. We do analytics, design, branding, and, of course, development. We also have an impressive <a href="https://www.rocketech.it/cases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">portfolio </a>for all types of projects: from basic delivery apps to complex work managers. </p>


5 Web Apps Development Trends in 2021 That are Here to Stay

<p>The global COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every aspect of people’s lives. While adjusting to ever-changing circumstances, society has accepted the “new normal.” Most experts agree that this new normal will soon become permanent. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.ipsos.com/en/2021-hisf-covid-response" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Ipsos’s poll for Halifax International Security Forum</em></a><em> found that 45% of the surveyed believe that the coronavirus outbreak has been contained and that the epidemic will end soon, with 10% agreeing strongly and 35% agreeing somewhat. Over the year, the number of respondents saying the pandemic would end soon increased by 12%. All countries except Russia and Malaysia are seeing rising optimism. </em></p>



<p>The travel industry has been heavily damaged by constant lockdowns and strict regulations. Online retail, on the contrary, has seen an unprecedented rise in revenues. Personal QR-codes, travel passes, instant e-commerce, remote work, home-office equipment, and total digitization – what awaits us after the pandemic? The Rocketech analysts share their ideas and the most recent trends in this article.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lockdown Fatigue as a New Travel Motive</strong></h2>



<p>Wishing someone a safe journey has taken a new meaning in our new reality. In fact, safety regulations are the first and foremost traveling trend for many people. According to the latest <a href="https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/consumer-markets/library/five-travel-trends.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PWC report</a>, 28% of responders associate higher-end properties with better public health protocols. 36% are ready to spend more to have a safe distance from other travelers on a flight. Moreover, 85% of travelers have concerns about current vaccines and their effectiveness against new variants of the virus.</p>



<p>However, <em>Tripadvisor</em> keeps its community more positive. The <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenterV6?ctr=year_in_travel_2021&amp;m=&amp;nid=VR.b1a5b5e6-fb60-33b4-932e-19e1131a1fe1.TA_EMAIL_TRV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">company’s 2021 statistics</a> say the platform’s users created 7.5 million Trips this year. 66,700 Trips already have “2022” in titles. Searches related to travel regulations remain trending on Google, which indicates that, although heavily affected, the travel industry is alive. Now businesses need to adjust to the new normal to stay afloat. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Post-Pandemic Travel Trends</strong></h3>



<p><em>Lockdown</em> or <em>quarantine</em> <em>fatigue</em> is a new term that already defines the upcoming tendencies across industries. It describes overall exhaustion caused by a restrictive lifestyle and the long-term effects of the pandemic. A combination of lockdown fatigue, the rise of remote working, and more thoughtful attitudes to travel allows analysts to make some predictions.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Domestic Travel</strong></li></ul>



<p>Fast-changing travel restrictions make holiday planning a risky adventure. The CEO of <em>Lastminute.com</em> <a href="https://travolution.com/articles/117183/lastminute-com-hails-resilience-of-overseas-holiday-demand-and-shift-to-last-chance-deals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shared</a> that the platform saw a 200% rise in bookings with a within-a-week departure. Since it’s much more complicated to plan a last-minute long trip abroad, businesses can expect an increase in short-stay domestic tourism. </p>



<ul><li><strong>Workcations</strong></li></ul>



<p> A record-breaking number of remote working opportunities created a new trend for becoming digital nomads. Since people are no longer bound to physical offices, it’s relatively easy to combine travel experience with continuous professional activity. <a href="https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/intl/en-apac/consumer-insights/consumer-trends/travel-trends-after-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">According to <em>Airbnb</em>’s managing director</a> for the APAC region, 24% of all Airbnb bookings were for over 28 days in Q1 2021, compared to 14% in Q1 2019.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Vaccine Passports</strong></li></ul>



<p>Most EU countries already require vaccine passports to grant entry. <a href="https://ir.tripadvisor.com/news-releases/news-release-details/5-travel-trends-watch-2021-according-tripadvisor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Another <em>Tripadvisor</em> survey</a> found that 77% of respondents are comfortable with the idea of international travel once they receive the vaccine. </p>



<ul><li><strong>Low Travel</strong></li></ul>



<p>Low travel includes traveling on the ground – cars, trains, or bikes. Citing <em>Black Tomato</em>, <em>Euronews</em> <a href="https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/05/26/travel-industry-experts-on-the-post-covid-travel-trends-emerging-from-bookings" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer">con</a><a href="https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/05/26/travel-industry-experts-on-the-post-covid-travel-trends-emerging-from-bookings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">n</a><a href="https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/05/26/travel-industry-experts-on-the-post-covid-travel-trends-emerging-from-bookings" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ected</a> the need for longer stays in rural areas with lockdown fatigue. Such travels help people fight exhaustion, learn new skills, and have an overall mental reset.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Flexibility</strong></li></ul>



<p>Being flexible is much more crucial for travel businesses than ever. Airlines and accommodation providers have to revise their cancellation, rescheduling, and refund policies to retain loyal customers in complex circumstances. For the large part, it concerns business travelers. <a href="https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/consumer-markets/library/five-travel-trends.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">46%</a> of them may not have a choice but to make business trips because of concerns that their employment or income could be negatively affected.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Related Technology Trends</strong></h3>



<ul><li>Telecommuting tech</li><li>Enterprise VR</li><li>Remote communication platforms</li><li>Contactless airport services </li><li>Biometric check-ins</li><li>Social distancing sensors</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Flexible, Hyper-Local, and Omnichannel – the Future of Marketplaces</strong></h2>



<p>Although e-commerce has been around for a long time, the new normal has revealed consumers’ changed demands and preferences. It led to the dramatic rise of marketplaces as the reflection of the on-demand economy. <em>Mirakl</em> reported 81%<a href="https://www.mirakl.com/enterprise-marketplace-index/#ecommerce-growth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> growth in marketplace gross merchandise value</a>. According to the <em>Wunderman Thompson Commerce</em>’s <a href="https://insights.wundermanthompsoncommerce.com/the-future-shopper-2021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future Shopper Report 2021</a>, 41% of global shoppers admit they are still frightened about in-store shopping. 66% of the surveyed find online marketplaces the best option for fast delivery.</p>



<p>Manufacturers and offline retailers who had not previously been interested in online sales were suddenly forced to develop their own digital projects to survive the growing competition. That’s when the partnership with existing marketplaces comes into play. Such platforms provide retailers with digital solutions and already developed infrastructure that includes delivery and often warehouses.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Post-Pandemic Marketplaces Trends</strong></h3>



<p>Facilitating changing consumer demand, marketplaces and <a href="https://rocketech.it/blog/post/instant-e-commerce-a-new-way-of-selling-online" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">instant e-commerce</a> have reshaped the retail industry and brought new features that are set to evolve in the post-pandemic world.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Omnichannel Retail</strong></li></ul>



<p><em>Insider Intelligence</em> <a href="https://www.emarketer.com/content/frictionless-commerce-2020" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defines</a> omnichannel retail as “seamless integration between online and offline worlds,” enabling frictionless shopping experiences. Most analysts see a combination of brick-and-mortar facilities and full-on online presence as the inevitable way of brand building. Online presence in this model includes social media, email newsletters, websites, landing pages, marketplaces, and any other digital channel used by the brand to communicate with consumers.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Flexibility</strong></li></ul>



<p>Similarly to the travel industry, flexibility is the key for marketplaces and retailers. In 2020 alone, US consumers <a href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/428-billion-merchandise-returned-2020" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">returned merchandise worth nearly $428 billion</a> to retailers. Growing competition makes customer retention a challenging task. As returns are impossible to avoid, far-sighted business owners introduce better customer support and more flexible order fulfillment and return policies.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Hyper-Local Commerce</strong></li></ul>



<p>Self-isolation and pandemic-related restrictions on import processes leave many communities dependent on local manufacturers and vendors. However, people seem happy to support local and independently owned businesses. According to Shopify, <a href="https://www.shopify.com/blog/consumer-trends" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">61% of consumers</a> will keep buying from local retailers.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Conversational marketing</strong></li></ul>



<p>Conversational marketing is the next-level marketing strategy that involves AI implementation and includes any kind of one-to-one communication with the customer – chatbots, live chats, voice assistants, or other forms of conversational AI. The global tech company <em>LivePerson</em> <a href="https://martechseries.com/predictive-ai/ai-platforms-machine-learning/liveperson-launches-conversational-marketplaces-connecting-merchants-and-shoppers-directly-for-personalized-interactions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">launched Conversational Marketplaces</a>, a solution that integrates AI-powered conversational options into marketplaces and creates a new, personalized customer journey.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Related Technology Trends</strong></h3>



<ul><li>Enhanced cybersecurity</li><li>Conversational AI</li><li>Cloud-based call centers</li><li>Click &amp; collect models</li><li>Contactless delivery </li><li>Touch-free payments</li><li>Big data and automation</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Do I Have to Adjust Your Business?</strong></h2>



<p>The short answer is yes. Although <em>Industry 4.0</em> started long before the COVID-19 outbreak, the global pandemic has accelerated this process and become a catalyst for total digitization. The reality is that businesses inevitably have to adjust to the changing consumer demand and the new ways of providing services. However, such adjustments are not limited to merely implementing some new software. This transformation requires reimagining overall business processes, working patterns, and ways of communication between the organization and employees.</p>



<p><em>According to </em><a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/cn/en/pages/human-capital/articles/global-human-capital-trends-2020.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Deloitte’s 2020 Human Capital Trends report</em></a><em>, 96% of respondents thought well-being was the company’s responsibility.</em></p>



<p>Ironically, in the era of <em>digital</em> transformation, the visionaries see the “<em>human-centric</em>” approach as the next step of business development. While the on-demand economy was essentially based on a customer-centric approach, <em>Deloitte</em> <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/nl/nl/pages/human-capital/articles/the-future-of-work-in-a-post-pandemic-world.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suggests</a> taking a similar approach to building the relationship with the employees. Their experts set the notion of “<em>humanizing the future of work</em>” in three steps:</p>



<ol><li>Setting the enterprise mindset;</li><li>Recognizing that the biggest motivator for humans is work itself;</li><li>Reorienting from past performance to future potential.</li></ol>



<p>Keeping the human factor as the main priority seems like an uphill battle in the new-normal circumstances. Bill Gates <a href="https://www.gatesnotes.com/Podcast/What-will-the-world-look-like-after-COVID-19?from=article_link" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predicts</a> companies abandoning big offices and people moving to the outskirts and cutting down their contacts. In these environments, rather new to us, it’s essential to incorporate technology into everyday communication and working processes – whether a customer relationship management platform or internal enterprise resource planning tools.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></h2>



<p>We are witnessing global changes. And these changes may seem frightening, especially for business owners. As digital transformation progresses and consumer demand becomes more sophisticated, companies must be more inventive, determined, and courageous. On the bright side, tough times provide fertile ground for bringing innovative ideas to life. At Rocketech, we <a href="https://rocketech.it/cases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">know</a> how to be responsive to changing environments and create flexible, in-demand products that sell. Do you have product ideas? <a href="https://rocketech.it/contacts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Share them with us!</a></p>


Travel, Marketplaces, and Technology: What Will Happen to Business After the Pandemic?

<p>For decades, <em>123456</em>, <em>123456789</em>, <em>qwerty</em>, and <em>password</em> remain the <a href="https://cybernews.com/best-password-managers/most-common-passwords/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most common passwords</a>. While people are aware of the risks associated with security breaches and data leaks, creating strong passwords seems challenging for many.</p>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/gweb-uniblog-publish-prod/documents/PasswordCheckup-HarrisPoll-InfographicFINAL.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">75% of Americans feel frustrated</a> when it comes to creating and storing passwords.</li>



<li>In the US, an average employee has to deal with <a href="https://lp-cdn.lastpass.com/lporcamedia/document-library/lastpass/pdf/en/LMI0828a-IAM-LastPass-State-of-the-Password-Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">75 passwords</a>.</li>



<li>Only <a href="https://www.security.org/digital-safety/password-manager-annual-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one in five Americans</a> use a password manager, while credentials remain the <a href="https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primary target</a> of hacker attacks.</li>
</ul>



<p>A good password manager benefits both regular users and companies in keeping sensitive login data secure. Such software manages saved passwords, generates strong combinations, and synchronizes this data across devices. The Rocketech experts summed up all you need to know when choosing the best password manager app.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What Is a Password Manager and How Does It Work?</strong></h2>



<p>A password manager allows you to store all your passwords in a secure format, generates cryptographically complex passwords, and automatically fills them when you log in to a resource. For the user, the only remaining task is to memorize one combination to log in to the password management software. It makes it an effective tool for non-tech users and a necessary attribute of work routine for DevOps developers, cybersecurity professionals, administrators, and other IT specialists. </p>



<p>A password manager is a software product for storing account passwords and logins and secure authorization on the Internet.</p>



<p>Imagine that a password manager is a <em>regular notebook</em> where you write down all your “secret data” and codes you use to access various resources. But the notebook has a miniature lock and a key. And you cannot open the notebook without the key.</p>



<p>A password management tool is like a notebook where you would manually write down all your passcodes. And the key is one “password of all passwords” that grants you access to all stored data. </p>



<p>Moreover, a password manager <em>generates strong passwords and stores them in a single </em>app. When you need a password for your email, social media profile, or even online banking, you copy-paste the required password from the software interface. Many solutions offer the autofill function to save your time and automate the login process.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>5 Reasons to Use a Password Manager</strong></h2>



<p>Some experts jokingly compare password managers to green vegetables of the Internet. Everybody knows it’s good for your health (security here), but very few use it. Here are the <strong>five main reasons</strong> <strong>to start using a password manager application</strong>. </p>



<ol>
<li>You don’t know how to create complex passwords, and (or) you can’t remember them. </li>



<li>You have been hacked several times, and you don’t know how to react to such incidents.</li>



<li>You keep losing notes, contacts, and other data you need to keep in a safe and hidden place.</li>



<li>You often shop online and are tired of manually entering information from bank cards every time.</li>



<li>You have a large login database, and you want to transfer it to a single repository.</li>
</ol>



<p>And first of all, <strong>passwords constantly get stolen</strong>. Hackers attack websites and services all the time. You can become a victim of phishing. Moreover, companies are expected to hash passwords every time users type them in. However, not everyone uses reliable and up-to-date algorithms. All these factors are a great loophole for hackers. </p>



<p>At the same time, the longer and more complex the password — a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — the longer it takes to crack it. And a password manager app helps you keep all of them stored securely in one place.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Types of Password Managers</strong></h2>



<p>In the past years, cloud-based solutions have become extremely popular. An additional benefit of using a <strong>cloud password manager</strong> is accessing your data from anywhere. Most popular services offer smartphone apps — if you’re using multiple devices, cloud services will sync all passwords across all gadgets. Some have desktop options and browser plugins to cover all user’s needs.</p>



<p>When using cloud-based software, you risk losing all your sensitive data if the server is hacked. When choosing these options, you depend on whether the service provider uses strong, state-of-the-art encryption.</p>



<p>The other type is <strong>locally-installed, open-source password manager software</strong>. Storing your data locally means you can’t synchronize it on all your devices. On the other hand, though, cybercriminals would have to target you specifically to access the locally-stored data. It makes such attacks more difficult and less frequent.</p>



<p>Most experts recommend installing additional antivirus software if you opt for a local password manager.</p>



<p>The additional antivirus software helps you detect installations of malicious keyloggers that compromise a specific, targeted device.</p>



<p>However, remember that if you lose the device with a locally-installed app, you risk losing access to all your passwords. It’s recommended to always back up your data.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Essential Features</strong></h2>



<p>The set of features varies from solution to solution. Some users need synchronization between devices, while cloud backup is vital for others. There is, however, a list of essential features every password manager should have. </p>



<p><strong>Keeping Passwords in One Place</strong></p>



<p>The primary function of a password manager is to save user account information. You can use your unique password for each account — the program will <em>save and remember any number of combinations</em>.</p>



<p><strong>Data Protection</strong></p>



<p>Most popular web browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox offer built-in password managers that save your login data and synchronize it between different devices. And the majority of users stay with these basic browser features. But it opens an extra opportunity for breaches and data theft.</p>



<p>Third-party applications that manage account passwords <em>store all data is encrypted and tamper-proof repositories</em>. Only the data owner has access to it.</p>



<p><strong>Autofill Function</strong></p>



<p>The application specifies the authorization information according to the saved URL. It prevents input errors and protects against hacker attacks.</p>



<p><strong>Generating Complex Passwords</strong></p>



<p>It is strongly advised <em>not to reuse your passwords</em>. Best password managers create unique, “chaotic” character-number combinations, difficult to crack. Such generated passwords can consist of tens and hundreds of characters.</p>



<p><strong>Identifying Suspicious Sites</strong></p>



<p>The password manager <em>determines the correct URL for a specific login ID and password pair</em>. If the addresses don’t match or the URL is false, registration information is canceled.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Password Manager Vs Paper?</strong></h2>



<p>While you can keep all your logins and passwords written down in a notebook, most cyber security specialists advise choosing specialized software for that purpose. A secure password manager can help you keep your sensitive data safe and organized. On top of that, the best solutions store your data categorized (login credentials, personal documents, credit card details, and secure notes) and offer extra functionality like sharing with multiple users, offline mode, or creating multiple accounts. Such software is a must-have cyber security tool, especially, in business and corporate environments where a hacker attack may have irreversible consequences.</p>


Rocketech Software Development Announced as a Top San Francisco Mobile App Development Company by UpCity!

Rocketech

More from Rocketech