Highline Changes in Enterprise Software: All You Need to Know

In this article, we will discuss one of the most complicated types of software that requires a comprehensive skill set from a software outsourcing company or even an offshore software application development – enterprise software.

Common Types of Enterprise Software Development

Before jumping right into the topic, you should get an overview of the products that the IT industry offers to the customers. Although the possibilities of the technology are being added every day, we gathered information to classify software types as follows.

Systems

Systems require developers to execute a software solution that can connect the organization’s operations such as processing systems, human resource systems, inventory systems, etc. A dedicated team sometimes can choose a suitable pre-built platform and write code to upgrade its functions.

Networks

Networks require a design and deployment of information networks within a chosen scale from the local area, wide area to intranets that facilitate communication among departments of an enterprise or organization. This type may also need security mechanisms to protect the classified data.

Desktop Applications

Desktop applications run on operating systems including Windows, Mac, or Linux. This area is the most eminent form of software development before the arrival of web applications.

Web Development

Along with the rise of the Internet, web application development flourished as the most common type of software. It involves building software for websites to run and visual designs for users to interact with. Web development can usually be completed by the same team/staff but based on the project scale, specialization would be much needed.

Mobile Development

Mobile applications run on iOS or Android of mobile devices. Developers are in charge of delivering mobile app development services, providing software that runs not only on the selected device but also cross-platform for browser apps to adapt to modern standards.

Fundamental Components of Enterprise Software Solutions

Definition of Enterprise software

Enterprise software is a custom software development designed to serve the needs of enterprises (organizations, businesses, government agencies, schools, etc.). It is an integral part of the enterprise’s system that operates activities.

This is the ‘playground’ for enterprise software development companies and custom application development companies to create software specifically for enterprises to enhance their performance with automated processes such as automated billing & payment, marketing & sales funnels, inventory & transportation, etc. Practitioners are familiar with software like Database Administration, Business Intelligence, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

Basic Steps to Develop Enterprise Application Software

The process of developing an enterprise application software follows the SDLC (software development life cycle). It can be broken down to 4 basic steps:

1. Project Scope Definition

The project team collects and analyses requirements to validate and examine the possibilities to execute the project. The requirements include functional and design, plans and standards for product delivery, production estimates. etc. Documents on such requests should be documented for further references of both the client and service firm.

2. Software Development

At this stage, the dedicated development team should decide on which project management they want to integrate into the project. Two of the most common choices are Waterfall and Agile development. While Waterfall is the oldest in the book and very straightforward with a step-by-step approach, Agile splits the project into ‘iterations’ and continuously improves to ensure the speed of product delivery. The implementation happens in 3 main phases: Define the software overall structure, features execution, and integration.

3. Software Stabilization

After fully established, the software will be tested to make sure the product quality meets the requirements from the beginning. Functional and non-functional tests can all be applied.

4. Product Delivery

This is the stage when the service firm delivers the final product to the client. The software is now fully proved to use within the client’s organization. The team should provide maintenance services to enhance the users’ experiences of the software.

Enterprise Software: What to Expect

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The technology continues to stay on top of many developers’ list in enterprise software development. Many companies are using AI to gain more flexibility and productivity in their operations. AI applications are expanding aggressively. From managing customer relationships with valuable insights and real-time interactions among multiple channels.

For example, AI utilizes predictive analysis to provide predictions on future customer’s behaviors that help businesses proactively prepare personalized offers. This tactic can contribute greatly to your revenue growth. As AI self-learning algorithms are exposed to an increasing number of new business tasks, the possibilities are unlimited.

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT is expected to transform how customers experience business services. It enables companies to access the vast amount of data inputs. Retailers are now able to customize shopping experiences for their customers that were not an available option before. Producers are now able to control the whole production system to ensure seamless coordination between stations.

One of the innovations of IoT that is used by famous retailers for their smart supermarkets is the real-time shelf inventory tracking, particularly IoT in Food and beverage industry. At the time customers remove an item from the shelf, signals are immediately transmitted to multiple destinations such as the inventory management and the payment processing software. This application can help businesses to reduce the number of staff and augment the customers’ shopping experiences.

5G 

5G technology has been a heating topic all over the world since the beginning of 2020. Enterprises should watch this trend as it evolves. Now it is only available in several countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, China, etc. 5G promises to increase the speed of your network by 5 times more than 4G, which equals 5 seconds loading time for an average song. This technology advance opens up many unimaginable applications in the future with loading time is not a constraint anymore