Complete Guide on Building an Enterprise App

The rapid growth of enterprise application development has become a defining trend across various industries. This surge is primarily driven by the necessity for businesses to improve efficiency across all its aspects.

The Gartner statistics paint a vivid picture of an industry in quickening growth, indicating that the global enterprise application software market has reached $387 billion in 2024, spurred by an impressive 13.7% annual growth rate in constant currency. 

In this blog post, we want to explore the trends shaping enterprise app development, the industries demanding these innovations, and the underlying factors steering this remarkable growth.

Industries Leading the Charge in Enterprise Mobile App Development

Massive emphasis on enterprise application development is observed in finance departments, healthcare providers, retailers and logistic service providers.

In the finance industry, organisations are adopting enterprise mobile applications as an effective tool to increase customers’ loyalty and enable smooth transactions.

For instance, mobile banking has been depicted as a revolution, where banking applications immediately avail account information and allow for fund transfers. Therefore, they point to the changing trend of digital solutions. 

Mobile app development services for healthcare, on the other hand, has witnessed a burgeoning market, which are projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.49% through 2029, likely to reach a volume of $258.30 billion.

Retail businesses have also recognised the potential of enterprise mobile app development, as evidenced by a significant rise in e-commerce platforms and customer engagement apps.

In 2024, the worldwide enterprise applications software market is expected to be valued at $387 billion.

The logistics sector, too, is investing heavily in enterprise mobile applications to streamline operations. By integrating real-time tracking and automation, companies aim to enhance supply chain management and optimise delivery processes, showcasing the broad necessity for effective enterprise app solutions. 

Current Growth Statistics and Market Trends

The enterprise application development market is experiencing a spectacular expansion, with global forecasts indicating a towering rise. Researchers from Gartner suggest that by 2028, around 75% of enterprise software engineers will be utilising AI code assistants, a reliable indicator of the increasing reliance on sophisticated technologies to facilitate enterprise application development. 

Moreover, the enterprise performance management software market is projected to grow by around 4.46% between 2024 and 2029, reaching a total volume of approximately $6.58 billion.

This graph shows the dynamics of the revenue performance of different types of software and how they have changed over the last 10 years.

New mobile solutions have become inevitable as the increased use of remote work during and after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional business operations.

The transition to a more flexible work environment has forced those businesses seeking to remain competitive to focus on enterprise mobile app development to guarantee effective intergroup cooperation.

The shift to the use of cloud-based solutions is apparent as organisations are slowly moving away from office-based operations.

Goals and Pain Points of Enterprise App Development 

So the first thing that should guide any strategy of mobile app development for enterprise concerns the basic features that define the app’s functions.

Another reason businesses should create an app is the ability to launch a minimally viable product, which is then iterated upon after gathering user feedback and filled with more functions.

Below, the best components of enterprise mobile app development are given to give you the idea of the process.

1. Securing Access with Authentication and User Roles

A robust authentication system is essential for safeguarding mobile enterprise applications. To protect sensitive data, integrate advanced security measures like multi-factor authentication (using tokens, messages, or one-time passwords).

Additionally, user roles and permission management should be implemented to control access, ensuring users only interact with data relevant to their roles.

2. Efficient Data Management

Handling large volumes of data is a cornerstone of building enterprise applications. Your app should connect to secure databases to effectively manage customer and company information.

Incorporate data-sharing features to enable seamless and secure employee collaboration, fostering productivity without compromising data integrity.

3. Leveraging the Power of Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is indispensable in modern enterprise mobile app development, offering optimised data management and global accessibility.

Employees with an internet connection can log in to retrieve essential information anytime, anywhere. The scalability of cloud services also supports business growth while reducing costs through pay-as-you-go pricing models.

4. Strengthening Communication with Instant Messaging

An effective enterprise mobile application development strategy includes creating robust messaging systems. These platforms allow employees to connect instantly, facilitating open communication and efficient issue resolution.

Enhanced collaboration through instant messaging ensures business success in dynamic environments.

5. Seamless Third-party Integrations

Integrate your app with third-party services. APIs enable companies to enhance mobile enterprise applications without incurring excessive development costs.

For instance, integrating with tools like Google Docs allows employees to create and edit documents directly within the app collaboratively.

6. Staying Informed with Push Notifications

Push notifications keep employees updated about critical events or emergencies. In today’s remote work, timely alerts ensure issues are addressed promptly, regardless of time zones.

This feature enhances responsiveness and helps prevent potential escalations.

7. Maintaining Productivity with Offline Mode

Unexpected power outages or connectivity issues can disrupt workflows. Including an offline mode in your enterprise app design provides employees access to critical information necessary for their tasks. While limited in scope, this feature ensures continuity even during interruptions.

8. Driving Success with Real-time Analytics

Real-time analytics empower businesses to monitor app performance and address bottlenecks proactively. With these insights, IT teams can optimise existing features, add new ones, or phase out redundant functionalities.

Moreover, real-time monitoring allows rapid troubleshooting, ensuring your app delivers consistent user value.

Businesses can create scalable, secure, and efficient solutions using these foundational elements. Mobile app development for enterprise requires thoughtful planning and execution.

Types of Enterprise Mobile Applications

Enterprise mobile applications are categorised into distinct types designed to meet specific business needs and functions:

1. Employee Productivity Apps

Mobile applications for employees help manage and increase productivity at the workplace and improve communication between workers. These applications are planned to facilitate procedural activities, enhance the flow of communication, and generally enhance organisational performance.

McKinsey estimates that the application of connected digital tools can improve the productivity of teams by 25%. 

Tools such as tasks, project progress, file sharing, and group chat help employees be efficient no matter their location. Some of the most popular programs for joined employee productivity are Asana, Trello, and Slack, which offer an integrated platform for task organising and communication. 

In addition, most of these apps contain analysis or reporting features that can help organisational management evaluate employees’ productivity and the effectiveness of processes.

The increase in the number of organisations adopting new flexible working environments has created pressure for solutions that can help enhance productivity among workers as they adapt to these changing conditions.

2. Customer-Facing Apps

Customer apps are designed to enhance the delivery of services and information in an organisation interacting directly with the customer. They may include customised suggestions and proposals, instant customer care attending machines, and self-service helping desks. They facilitate engagement because clients can access their accounts, orders and support from mobile devices.

An excellent example is the Starbucks coffee shop application that lets customers order their coffee before they even get to the store and gives them rewards for doing so — this is how apps for customers can be beneficial.

Studies show that companies that strive to enhance customer satisfaction are poised to reap handsome revenues, which justifies the development of customer-oriented applications.

These apps improve service delivery and obtain user information that can benefit marketing and subsequent client interactions.

3. Field Service Apps

These applications are meant to assist employees whose work is performed away from the main office or on the field or to enhance the tasks of onsite workers. The following applications are prevalent or are greatly beneficial in workplace segments, including construction, maintenance, and repair, in which technicians essentially work outdoors.

These applications include features like scheduling, work orders, billing, and touch with the office. They improve service delivery by facilitating technicians’ work by allowing them to view the details of jobs assigned to them, make updates on their status, and even communicate with managers.

ServiceTitan and FieldAware are perfect examples of how mobile enterprise applications can transform the field service personnel journey by providing real-time data and facilitating data capture.

Besides increasing productivity, the use of field service apps also leads to a higher level of customer satisfaction because the service providers are in a position to provide the specified service at the right time and have detailed knowledge about the service that has been offered to the client.

4. ERP and CRM Apps

ERP and CRM are typical for integrating most of the company’s processes and efficiently managing customer relations. These applications are designed to concentrate data and tasks.

ERP apps help combine different business venture operations, such as finance, supply chain, and human resources, into a single utility. They make data tracking and reporting possible in real-time.

On the other hand, CRM apps are focused solely on customer relations and offer tools to record interactions, analyse customer data, and manage correspondence. Some obvious examples of these types of applications are Salesforce and SAP Business One.

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From Good to Great: A Blueprint for Enterprise App Development

This approach can transform apps from simply “good” tools into “great” catalysts for growth and efficiency.

What’s Next?

To build enterprise apps that truly transform your business:

1. Focus on creating seamless connections between strategy, technology, and customer needs.

2. Implement iterative, data-driven processes that prioritise rapid learning and adaptation.

3. Embrace a culture of innovation, collaboration, and empowerment across all teams.

By striving for greatness in each area, your enterprise apps can become powerful enablers of your company’s success.

When to Build an Enterprise App

For many business industries, investing in mobile app development services becomes essential when specific signs emerge, indicating that building an enterprise application is the right course of action.

Here’s a checklist to help you decide when it’s time to invest:

1. Rapid growth has made existing tools inefficient.

If a company has been growing fast, it is likely that some of the existing tools and systems are no longer sufficient. A few of the problems that fast-growing companies face stem from their infrastructure.

These tools could, at one point, actually hinder the functionality of the business as it grows since they worked well in the initial stages.

In such scenarios, the creation of an enterprise-specific application can help automate certain organisational tasks and be of great benefit.

2. A need to scale operations or integrate systems.

As companies expand, the necessity to integrate various systems and scale operations effectively cannot be overlooked.

Companies investing in integrated technology solutions are more likely to increase efficiency and data accessibility across their teams.

If a business finds itself managing disparate systems that don’t communicate efficiently, it’s a clear sign that developing an enterprise app could facilitate better integration and scalability.

3. Security and compliance demands are increasing.

In today’s world, where data breaches, sanctions, and inspections have become the norm, companies value security and compliance in every field. Corporations continue to have poor security and regulatory demands placed upon them.

In a situation where a company has to manage increasing security needs that cannot be tackled efficiently by existing tools and solutions, it can serve as a basis for the development of an enterprise created with these challenges in mind. 

A Step-by-Step Enterprise Mobile Application Development Process

Developing a classic enterprise mobile application involves a systematic approach that ensures efficiency and effectiveness. Each stage is designed to align with business goals and deliver high-quality outcomes.

The process typically includes the following key phases:

1. Discovery Phase

This first phase involves defining goals, objectives, and business needs requirements. It is an essential stage for engaging stakeholders to understand the challenges that the app must meet to be valuable.

2. Design and Prototyping

After specifying requirements, the design phase consists of creating wireframes and prototypes. This step also helps stakeholders understand the app’s look and functionality expectations and identify possible changes before development is on its way.

3. Development

In this phase, developers for enterprise app creation bring the project to life by coding according to specifications. Adherence to coding guidelines and best practices ensures the delivery of a robust, high-performing application.

4. Testing

The testing stage follows the developmental stage to look for and rectify any bugs or usability problems in an application.

Quality assurance checks in an app guarantee that it works smoothly on multiple devices and operating systems and will be used in any case.

5. Deployment

Once all the testing phases are over, the application is sent to the application store or can be placed on an internal server according to its usage. Deployment also shows how to get the best outcomes out of the application.

6. Maintenance and Support

The application requires consistent maintenance and updates to remain functional and relevant post-launch. Regular improvements, addressing user feedback, and ensuring compatibility with system updates are vital components of this phase.

How Much Does Enterprise Mobile App Development Cost?

Understanding enterprise app development cost is crucial for businesses planning to invest in such solutions.

However, costs vary significantly due to multiple influencing factors:

• Discovery Phase: Conducting a thorough discovery phase ensures the app aligns with business objectives but can add to upfront expenses.

• App Complexity: Applications with advanced features like AI integration, offline functionality, or multi-layered systems require more resources, increasing development costs.

• Integration with Other Software: Seamlessly integrating the app with existing enterprise tools, such as ERP or CRM systems, demands specialised development expertise in enterprise applications, contributing to the overall cost.

• Ongoing Maintenance and Support: Long-term app performance depends on regular updates, scalability enhancements, and bug fixes. These continuous improvements are a critical part of the cost structure.

• Location of the Development Team: Rates vary significantly depending on where you hire enterprise app development company. Teams from different regions may charge differently for the same project scope.

Selecting a partner with extensive expertise in enterprise applications ensures your investment yields long-term value.

A well-rounded team of developers for enterprise app creation will not only manage costs efficiently but also deliver a solution tailored to your needs.

The Importance of Choosing an Expert Partner

Choosing the right development partner is crucial in securing a successful mobile app for any enterprise. Engaging a partner with expertise in building enterprise software ensures that the development team possesses the necessary skills and experience to navigate the complexities of enterprise applications successfully.

At Computools, we emphasise our development expertise in enterprise applications, delivering tailored solutions that meet specific business needs.

Our portfolio showcases a range of successful projects, reflecting our commitment to quality and innovation, as supported by our clients’ testimonials.

By partnering with our enterprise app development company, businesses can leverage extensive experience and knowledge contributing to the successful implementation of mobile solutions in today’s competitive landscape.

With a focus on collaborative development and continuous improvement, Computools is well-equipped to navigate the evolving demands of enterprise mobile application development.

Ready to elevate your practices from good to great? Let’s create innovation together. Email us at info@computools.com to start the conversation today.