Mobile Application Engineering

Mobile applications (Mobile Apps) are software tools that operate on mobile devices such as Android and Apple smart phones, iPad, Windows phones, etc. Sometimes they mimic the same functions and capabilities as a familiar website application, some offer a limited amount of options as compared to the associated website while others have completely unique functions and no website equivalent. So, what makes a truly great mobile application? It’s a combination of factors really, as shared here.

Understand your customer / target user

“Understand” means truly having the ability to see the application through their eyes… what do they like, what don’t they like, what sorts of things do they do on the app and why? I cannot overstress the importance of this… there have been thousands of beautiful and creative apps built that have simply failed because the designers did not really understand the target user.

Pay attention to the details of design

The most successful mobile applications inevitably have a beautiful design. They are simple yet elegant and provide the end users with a robust set of options and capabilities that are intuitive and easy to use and at the same time look amazing.

It has to work

Nothing is more frustrating than applications that are slow, they crash, they have links that go nowhere, or they have bugs that make certain functions fail, etc. No matter how perfect you have the design and understand your customer, if the app doesn’t work flawlessly you will not be as successful as you could be.

C2RTech’s process ensures success in each area noted above. If you are thinking about developing a mobile application, consider one or more of our Mobile Application services:

Mobile Apps for both Enterprise and Startup companies:

Not all companies are alike. The needs of a startup are significantly different than that of an established company. With that in mind, C2RTech works with you to design applications to uniquely suit your company’s current situation.

Mobile Sales Force Automation:

Sales group should never be limited by technology, location, or information. Sales force automation gives your team what they need, when they need it, regardless of where they are. The end result is increased sales, a boost in sales productivity, and overall growth.

Mobile Device Management and Bring your own device (BYOD):

With more companies shifting away from “company provided” devices for both the company’s cost savings and convenience for employees, Mobile Device Management (MDM) is even more important. BYOD allows employees to conserve time and prevent confusion by accessing the corporate domain with one device instead of having to use multiple devices. As you transition to BYOD, it is absolutely critical that a robust MDM solution is in place to ensure the security of your network environment. C2RTech can help with both the strategy of a BYOD policy and the implementation or upgrade to your existing MDM solution.

Mobile Apps for industrial safety and security:

Applications designed to ensure safety at work such as employee feedback, daily safety checks, first aid, etc. Mobile apps for health and safety can aid in providing an immediate response in case of an emergency or provide data and insight to avoid the emergency altogether.

Cross-Platform Development:

Our normal process is to ensure the applications we develop are compatible with multiple operating systems as opposed to a single operating system. Cross-platform development is especially relevant today given the number of available operating systems.

Mobile Test Automation – How C2RTech Can Save You Money, Time, and Lost Customers

In today’s world, in fact, there may be no more effective way to drive consumers away from your brand than with defective apps. A Compuware study found that consumers have little tolerance for defective apps and the brands that produce them. Nearly 90% of apps are downloaded, used just once, and then deleted. The message is clear: if your app doesn’t provide instant gratification, your app will be discarded. And the consumer will look elsewhere (most likely to your competitor) for satisfaction.

Traditional App Testing vs Automated App Testing

The bottom-line reason why automated testing is better than traditional testing is that humans are not perfect. The old ways of testing are inadequate for today’s mobile development. In the traditional method, QA analysts and testers do their best to catch all defects before releasing apps to the public. But defects still persist, even after the finest manual test techniques and processes have been exercised. The answer to this problem is test automation. The addition of test automation to the app development process increases the effectiveness and efficiency of mobile testing.

Consider the manual testing process

Manual testing is performed by first downloading the app and then installing it on mobile devices. It is followed by step-by-step functional validation for every scenario. Results are compared to the expected behaviour, but regression may lag if an area of functionality was deemed not to touch that functional area. Finally, the test results and summary are recorded. Also, manual tests are typically repeated often during the development phase as source code changes are implemented, and to assure performance on a range of different devices.

Consider the automated testing process

Test automation can perform all of those tasks. Human QA analysts and testers are still needed, but machines can and should take over all of the repetitive tasks. Machines, after all, do not lose concentration or limit themselves to a particular area of functionality unless directed to do so. They don’t overlook potential problems because of fatigue or disinterest. For repetitive testing, machines are indisputably more reliable and faster.

C2RTech’s Mobile Automation Roadmap and Approach

Phase 1: Discovery-Refinement-Setup. Consists of learning the application. Build, Refine, and Prioritize the mobile regression suite. Identify, Evaluate, and Finalize Automation Framework. Identify key team metrics and timelines for phase 2-4 and creating maintenance checkpoints.

Phase 2: Script Development – Automate Sanity suite and Priority level 1 test cases.

Phase 3:  Script Development – Automate Priority level 2 test cases

Phase 4:  Script Development – Automate Priority level 3 test cases.  Align the framework for continuous integration, deployment, delivery, and improvement.

As the graphic illustrates, this process involves four phases:

Benefits of C2RTech’s Mobile Automation Approach

Return on Investment:

Mobile test automation saves time and money. Tests are typically repeated often during development cycles to ensure quality. Each time source code or the operating system is upgraded, the modified software tests should be repeated. Doing so manually is time-consuming and costly. But with test automation, we can run tests over and over again, as needed, at no additional cost — and much faster. To illustrate the speed that can be realized, consider the following example: Typically, 1 manual tester can test 50 scenarios in an 8-hour day. Using a 1000-test-regression-set, the tests can be completed in less than a day. Without automation, it would take days.

Continuous Execution:

Machines never get tired. Automated testing can run all day and all night, 24/7. And you don’t have to be on hand to supervise; no matter where you are or what you’re doing, your automated testing will be hard at work. You can schedule the time to start the tests, and have the results sent to you after execution.

Increased Test Coverage:

Test automation increases the rigor, depth, and scope of testing, which in turn improves software quality. Automated testing can easily accomplish tasks that are difficult for manual testers, such as validating memory, database, and file contents. Test automation can easily execute thousands of different complex test cases during every test run, providing coverage that is simply impossible with manual testing.

Accuracy and Reliability:

Test automation is far more reliable and accurate when running the boring, repetitive tests which are essential, and which cannot be skipped without putting product quality at risk. Automation also provides consistency by performing the same steps precisely each time they are executed, and by never failing to record detailed results.

Reduced Costs and Improved Quality:

Test automation moves the regression cycle into the development phase, allowing the delivery team to identify bugs/defects far earlier in the development process. And that will translate directly into reduced development costs, reduced manhours, and enhanced product quality.

Deployment and Maintenance:

Once the app is tested and approved, C2RTech can handle the full scope of deployment and maintenance to include:
  • Publishing your app on the appropriate app store
  • Hand-over of the source code
  • Fixing any discrepancies if deployment is unsuccessful
  • Monitoring the app for proper performance
  • Revising the application for scale if demand exceeds the original plan
If you are interested in building a mobile app for your business, connect with us.