An IoT app development company is not limited to app development. IoT application development companies can provide a range of services that provide an IoT ecosystem end-to-end. To explain to you the different services offered by an IoT app development company, we have mentioned the list below:
1. Consulting
IoT app development companies can offer a range of services when it comes to consultation. An IoT app development company can assess business needs, identify IoT opportunities, develop strategies, and roadmap, evaluate vendors, etc. An IoT mobile app development company can help you understand the overall feasibility of your app idea and help you turn it into reality.
2. Prototyping
A prototype is a minimal version of an application. It represents the design, USP, and the core idea behind an app. However, it does not have all the features of the application. Prototypes are important for envisioning the app and even getting seed funding for the application. In this case, if you are willing to create an IoT infra, a prototype can help you get the budget for full-scale development. Almost every IoT mobile app development company will help you create a prototype.
3. Design
The design of an app, be it IoT or non-IoT is an essential aspect. Because IoT apps are primarily about functionality and ease of operation, there are IoT application development companies that provide exceptional designs for overall functionality. You can hire a third-party IoT app designer to get the work done and hire an IoT app development company for the backend development and overall deployment & support.
4. Development
This is the phase where an IoT app development company develops the backend. This is the phase where the Internet of Things development companies provide functionalities to the application to connect with the hardware. The hardware will be controlled using an application.
5. Testing
In this phase, Internet of Things development companies check the developed IoT apps for bugs. It is important to remove all the redundancies of an application before it goes to production. This ensures that the IoT app development is efficient and provides the ROIs for which it was created.
6. Deployment
It is the final phase of the development cycle. In this phase, the IoT mobile app development company deploys the system onto the enterprise or app store for which the application was being developed.
7. Support
Once an app is developed, it is essential to update it time after time. IoT application development companies provide support for certain tenure. Beyond this, there are IoT app development companies that provide extended support as well upon paying the support fees.
What are the different tools and technologies used by IoT application development companies?
There are a series of tools that are utilized by IoT app development companies to provide a complete end-to-end robust IoT solution. Here are some of the most common tools and technologies used by IoT mobile app development companies:
1. IoT Platforms
IoT platforms allow Internet of Things development companies to connect, monitor, automate, and create models for managing an IoT device. This is the reason IoT application development companies manage these services using AWS IoT, Microsoft Azure IoT, Google Cloud IoT, etc. These systems provide features such as device management, data ingest, data processing, security, etc.
2. Hardware and Embedded Systems
IoT is a combination of both hardware and software. This is the reason we require compatible hardware and embedded systems that are programmable to control IoT devices and services effectively. Some of the devices and programs used by IoT application development companies are Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Raspberry Pi OS, Arduino IDE, etc. These devices and programs are used for creating the IoT device. For software development, the requirements are similar to developing software applications with the capability to control IoT sensors and networking systems.
3. Communication Protocols
IoT applications and devices are operated using both local networks and the internet. For this, it is important to establish communication protocols by the IoT mobile app development company. Some of the commonly used protocols used by IoT application development companies are MQTT, CoAP, HTTP, WebSocket, etc. for device-to-cloud communication. For device-to-device communication, Internet of Things development companies use Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, etc.
4. Cloud Computing
Cloud services are used by Internet of Things development companies to make the IoT solution scalable in terms of resources, storage, and analytical capabilities. These services provide extensive capabilities that let organizations not deploy additional resources such as hardware for storage, network management hardware & services, and offer dynamic management for increasing requirements. Some of the services used by IoT application development companies are Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, IBM Cloud, etc.
5. Data Analytics
IoT applications generate a vast amount of data as they are used for controlling different devices. There can be multiple users for a single device. Aggregating all that data and processing it for crucial information can produce ROIs. Therefore to get that data to use it for further upgrades and customer preferences, Internet of Things development companies use tools like Apache Kafka, Apache Spark, Hadoop, etc.
Aside from this, some frameworks allow machine learning and AI technologies to process this data. To make use of that IoT mobile app development companies utilize frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, etc. This enables the Internet of Things development companies with predictive analytics, detection of anomalies, customer preferences, etc.
6. Security and Identity Management Tools
The data produced by IoT devices are sensitive. With several interconnected devices churning out personal data, it is important for its safety. IoT mobile app development companies use tools like OpenSSL, HashiCorp Vault, etc. Adding to it, Internet of Things development companies also use techniques like secure communication, data encryption, authentication, etc to save the data from external intrusion.
7. Development Frameworks and Language
There are several development languages, frameworks, and mobile development kits used by Internet of Things development companies. Here is the list of the ones commonly used:
- Languages: C, C++, Python, Java, JavaScript, and Go.
- Frameworks: Node.js, Django, Flask, Spring Boot, and Express.js.
- Mobile App Development: Android (Java/Kotlin), iOS (Swift/Objective-C), React Native, and Flutter.
What are the prominent benefits of IoT in business?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming more important in our everyday lives as well as industrial operations. The benefits of implementing IoT in healthcare, manufacturing, retail, etc. are impressive. According to a survey by CSGI, 94% of businesses have already confirmed returns on their IoT investment, regardless of the industry.
On that note, let’s take a look at a few advantages of IoT in business and how IoT app development companies are transforming various industries.
Increased productivity and workplace safety
With the help of IoT devices, you can easily manage, monitor, and alert employees about changes in processes or productivity, helping them make smarter decisions at the workplace.
For instance, Ford has been utilizing specialized IoT technology along with body sensor technology to protect workers from excessive stress and optimize their work. Engineers and ergonomists use the data to optimize each workstation to help workers avoid injuries and enable more efficient movement.
Through this novel implementation of IoT in Ford's employee safety program, it's been able to reduce assembly line injury rates by 70%.
Reduced costs
IoT devices help businesses streamline their workflows and reduce operating costs by providing real-time information. These devices can predict and alert about the downtime of equipment, which helps staff to schedule maintenance before it can affect production. Moreover, the IoT solutions offer quick backups, ensuring the system restarts without losing crucial work time. Businesses can additionally save on energy costs by employing the Internet of Things companies to control unnecessary electrical usage.
Better customer experiences
IoT devices can help businesses track, monitor, and analyze customer data faster than before. Businesses can predict shifts in customer demand and market trends much before they happen. Using advanced IoT technologies can enhance customer experiences by personalizing them based on past experiences.
IoT devices can help businesses gather, monitor, and analyze the personal data they have on customers, helping create a superior customer experience that engages them at a deeper level and increases customer loyalty.
Increased business and revenue opportunities
IoT opens the way to new business and revenue opportunities. It assists companies to benefit from modernized business models and solutions. IoT-driven modernization helps diminish time to market, create powerful use cases, and earn more return on investments. The use of smart solutions also makes an enterprise more competitive and attractive as a potential business partner.
Enhanced communication
An IoT solution offers better communication over a network of interconnected IoT devices. This ensures transparent and error-free communication between multiple members and departments. Be it humans or machines, the interaction processes are administered more efficiently to produce better, faster results. For example, an order sent to the machinery at a manufacturing or production unit is executed without external interference.
What are the factors to consider before hiring an IoT app development company?
In today’s era of digitization, there is no shortage of IoT app development companies. These companies are helping businesses integrate top-notch technologies and build platforms that provide a flawless user experience.
However, with so many IoT solution providers out there, choosing the right one for your business requirements is a bit difficult. One needs to consider many factors while choosing the best IoT development firm, such as customer feedback, prior experience, cost of development, and more.
Below, we have mentioned a few factors that can help you choose the best IoT app development company for your business:
- Check experience - When hiring an IoT app development company, look for the years of experience the agency holds. A top company with years of experience will be able to understand your needs in a better way. Also, IoT app development companies are aware of the possible challenges that appear during the development of projects and have the expertise to tackle them with ease. You can also check out the IoT app development company's portfolio to get an idea about the work they have done in the IoT field. This will help you understand if they are the right fit for your project.
- Check customer reviews and feedback - One of the best ways to find the best IoT solution providers for your business requirements is by going through their past and present clients’ feedback and reviews. To get all the information regarding IoT app development services, you can even contact the clients for the same.
- Examine their communication skills - Communication is key. Many projects fail because of improper communication between external and internal teams. Good communication is the key to successful process changes and is essential to an enterprise's transformation.
- Ask about their app maintenance policy - Make sure to ask your IoT app development partner about the app maintenance policy. Discuss the fees for future support, ongoing assistance, the cost of new updates, and their policy on fixing bugs. The maintenance policy of companies should be transparent from the beginning.
- Enquire about design principles - The user experience should be the top priority of every business planning to start their IoT app development journey. The design takes the central spot to offer an intuitive and engaging experience to users. For this, you can go through the past work of prospective IoT development companies to understand their design principles and see how user-friendly their creations are.
What are the mistakes to avoid when choosing an IoT mobile app development company?
Choosing an IoT app development agency is challenging if you don’t know what red flags to look for. Below are a few common mistakes you would want to avoid when hiring an IoT app development company:
Prioritizing skills over price
Cost is an important factor to consider, especially when you are on a limited budget. However, it shouldn’t be the primary basis of your decision. If you need more expertise and experience, you need to pay more. Spending less on an IoT mobile app development company could result in total failure or loss if your app doesn’t meet your business and user requirements. You may also incur additional costs in the long run.
Don’t ignore confidentiality requirements
Do not overlook or ignore the significance of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and confidentiality for your IoT app development project. Don’t choose app development partners that are hesitant to sign an NDA.
Failing to confirm expertise
Before hiring an IoT app development agency, ensure they have the required expertise to develop an app with the functionality and features you want. Review the company’s portfolio and take some of the apps they created for a test drive. Doing your homework upfront will save you headaches down the road if you discover the IoT app development company you chose wasn’t up to the task.
Failing to see if they can communicate the same ideas
Developers need to understand complex ideas and be able to communicate them effectively to non-technical people. Ask the developers you are meeting to explain the mechanics of developing the app for you. You don’t need to understand all the technical details, but your developer should be able to communicate why they are choosing the particular tools and resources for developing the IoT app.
What are the questions to ask before hiring an IoT development company?
Before making the final decision, there are specific essential questions businesses must ask the shortlisted IoT companies to secure a successful deal.
What is their experience with the development of IoT projects?
The right partner will be able to showcase some of their past work in the form of case studies and portfolios. An IoT app development company that has deployed IoT projects smoothly in your industry will be the right fit for your business. Also, when hiring the right IoT development partner, you need to check their ability to work with third-party systems through APIs that must be integrated with an IoT solution.
How can they ensure the security of the implemented IoT platform?
Ask your prospective IoT app development companies about the security measures in place to ensure data safety. To ensure the security of the IoT platform, top IoT development companies offer tools like verification techniques, end-to-end encryption, login access control, etc. Make sure that the service provider offers SSL or DTLS encryption for the cloud gateway for added defense. Ensure all these requirements are on point and the IoT development company can handle security breaches in worst-case situations.
How competent is the team in terms of UI/UX?
Current IoT platforms can hardly be imagined without a modern and user-friendly interface designed with best practices in mind.
Make sure that the IoT app development company you hire possesses certain expertise in developing web and mobile apps with trendy and intuitive UI. There are plenty of system integrators who focus only on architecture, server infrastructure, and firmware development.
So before you hire the company, make sure you clarify their design principles. You can also go through their work portfolio to see how user-friendly their apps are.
What will be their quality assurance process?
Quality assurance focuses on the procedures of the development process of specific solutions. This stage ensures that the entire development process is free of errors. Knowing about the quality assurance process of the IoT development firm will help you ensure that the Internet of Things development company is capable of delivering the right product and meeting your expectations.
So it’s significant to ask this question to your development partner. You can ask them to show some relevant examples of their QA process. This will help you in better decision-making.
What is the cost of developing an IoT app?
The average IoT app development costs between $10,000 and $50,000. For example, an IoT application for manufacturing, home automation, or smart cities is projected to cost $50,000. Monitoring systems and IoT for media is the cheapest (up to $10,000). However, this is just a rough estimate as the final cost depends on several factors, such as the location of developers, features and functionalities of the app, and more.
Wrapping up!
So, these are some of the top IoT app development companies that, according to our research, have been providing top IoT services for small businesses, mid-size, and enterprises. We have curated the above-mentioned list only after contacting several clients and analyzing their reviews and solutions within the different IoT technology verticals.
We hope that this list of 'Top IoT App Development Companies' will turn out to be of great help to you in your search for a top-notch IoT Company that you can rely on for IoT development services.
In case your company also offers IoT development services, and you want to list your company in such reports as this, you can write to us to get your company reviewed. Our experts will go through your company and decide on enlisting the organization if it qualifies. These listings are helpful for you in being visible to potential clients.
