Cross-platform App Development for Enterprises: Pros and Cons

Over the past decade, the massive explosion of the Internet and mobile technology has seen a dramatic jump in the field of application development in the technology world. In the beginning, developers seemed to easily choose a platform to develop their programs as all the users used the same platform. However, nowadays they’re serving various users from iOS, Android to Windows Phone, which means they have to create applications compatible with multiple operating systems, as known as cross-platform applications. This is particularly important for enterprises when they want to improve their business because cross-platform app development is cost-effective and time-efficient. Now, let’s take a look at what benefits and drawbacks those apps could bring to enterprises.

Cross-Platform Mobile App Development in a Nutshell

Cross-platform app development is the process of developing applications that can be used without causing problems on multiple operating systems. This term refers to both computer and mobile operating systems (OS), however, in this article, we only mention the latter.

Cross-platform mobile apps are the term referring to mobile apps that developers build to run on multiple mobile platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, WebOS etc. without having to write code for every single platform.

Forty years ago, there were various programming languages used to develop apps, but nowadays, there are a few most-used programming languages in cross-platform mobile app development such as C, C#, C++, Javascript, Python, and Ruby.

Benefits of Cross-Platform App Development for Enterprises

Increased Market Reach

One of the most significant advantages of cross-platform app development is the broader market reach. By supporting multiple platforms, enterprises can engage a larger user base. The global smartphone market has seen tremendous growth due to the competition between Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. According to Statista, the number of smartphone users worldwide increased from 2.1 billion in 2016 to approximately 3.5 billion in 2020. By launching cross-platform apps on both the Apple Store and Google Play, businesses can enhance their visibility and revenue potential. This vast market penetration enables enterprises to reach diverse customer segments, ultimately boosting their sales and brand presence.

Effective Marketing Strategy

A unified marketing strategy across different platforms is another benefit. Enterprises can promote their apps on various communication media without crafting separate messages for each platform. This consistency simplifies marketing efforts and strengthens brand recognition. For instance, when a software development company launches a cross-platform app, it can streamline its marketing campaigns, ensuring a consistent message across all channels. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that users receive a cohesive brand experience, enhancing trust and loyalty.

Reusable Code

Cross-platform development tools allow developers to write code once and deploy it across multiple platforms. This “build once, run everywhere” approach reduces development time and ensures consistency across platforms. For example, tools like Xamarin and React Native enable developers to use a single codebase to create apps for iOS, Android, and other platforms, streamlining the development process. This efficiency translates to quicker updates and feature rollouts, keeping the app competitive and responsive to user needs.

Cost-Effectiveness

Hiring a single team of experts to develop a cross-platform app is more cost-effective than maintaining separate teams for each platform. This consolidated approach reduces development costs and simplifies project management. A study by Business of Apps in 2020 found that cross-platform development could save businesses up to 30% on development costs compared to native app development. This cost efficiency is crucial for enterprises looking to maximize their return on investment while delivering high-quality mobile experiences.

Utilization of Familiar Technologies

Many cross-platform development tools, such as Appcelerator, allow developers to use familiar technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript. This familiarity reduces the learning curve and speeds up development, enabling businesses to leverage existing resources effectively. For instance, a software development company can repurpose its web development team’s expertise in these technologies to build robust mobile applications, ensuring a smooth and efficient development process.

Drawbacks of Cross-Platform App Development for Enterprises

Tool and Language Differences

While tools like Unity, PhoneGap, and React Native facilitate cross-platform development, each platform’s API has unique characteristics. This diversity can complicate the development process, especially for customized apps that require specific features and performance optimizations. For example, an app might need to access hardware-specific features differently on iOS and Android, posing challenges in maintaining a uniform user experience.

Reduced Flexibility

Developing cross-platform apps requires focusing on common denominators among platforms, which can limit flexibility. Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, and cross-platform tools may not fully exploit these unique features, potentially leading to a less optimized user experience. For instance, iOS and Android have distinct design languages and user interaction patterns, which might be compromised when creating a uniform cross-platform app.

Performance Limitations

Despite advances in cross-platform tools, achieving native-like performance remains challenging. Cross-platform apps may not deliver the same level of performance, especially for resource-intensive applications like 3D games or complex graphics. A report by Performance Lab in 2021 highlighted that cross-platform apps could experience up to a 20% performance drop compared to native apps. This performance gap can be critical for apps where speed and responsiveness are paramount.

Limited Platform-Specific Features

Cross-platform development tools often provide only basic features, which may not include platform-specific functionalities. For instance, unique features of iOS or Android might not be fully supported, limiting the app’s capabilities. Enterprises must weigh these limitations against the benefits of a broader reach and cost savings. For example, if a business requires advanced augmented reality features that are better supported on a specific platform, cross-platform development tools might not meet their needs.

CRAVE – A case study on cross-platform application development from Savvycom

CRAVE – a restaurant management system comprising three cross-platform applications.

CRAVE, one of Savvycom’s the most successful projects, is a cross-platform application to manage a restaurant. In order to ensure the sales process of the restaurant can smoothly take place, Savvycom experts run a large project including Crave Pass, Crave Vend and Crave Web application:

• Crave Pass: A mobile app and a website portal developed to provide their customers with a convenient and time-saving food ordering process. It is built to be able to run on iOS/Android/Web
• Crave Vend: While Crave Pass is built for customers, Crave Vend is developed for merchants to improve operational efficiency. It is a platform that makes sales information available in real time for any mobile devices. The merchants can also create e-Menu, manage online orders and deliver e-Coupons to their customers.
• Crave Web-app: Is a combination of mobile apps which seamlessly connects consumers and merchants with unique features.

Being launched a few years ago, this project is being successfully practised in over 50 restaurants across the USA for the huge benefits it brings. And, it may also be regarded as “Uber” in the F&B industry.
At Savvycom, we have a senior developer team who fully understands the demand of our clients and passionately carry out IT projects to help them achieve their business growth goals as soon as possible.

FAQs

1. Can cross-platform apps achieve native-like performance?

While cross-platform development tools have improved significantly, achieving native-like performance can still be challenging. Cross-platform apps might experience a performance drop compared to native apps, especially for resource-intensive applications like 3D games or apps requiring complex graphics.

2. What tools are commonly used for cross-platform app development?

Popular tools for cross-platform app development include React Native, Xamarin, Flutter, and PhoneGap. These tools enable developers to write code that can be deployed across multiple platforms, simplifying the development process and reducing time-to-market.

3. Is cross-platform app development suitable for all types of applications?

Cross-platform app development is suitable for many types of applications, particularly those that require a broad reach and have similar functionality across platforms. However, for apps requiring high performance, complex graphics, or extensive use of platform-specific features, native app development might be more appropriate.

4. How do cross-platform apps handle platform-specific features?

Cross-platform development tools often provide access to common features across platforms. However, for platform-specific features, developers may need to write additional code or use plugins and extensions to ensure these features work correctly on each platform.

5. Can cross-platform development tools be used for enterprise-level applications?

Yes, cross-platform development tools can be used for enterprise-level applications. Many enterprises have successfully utilized these tools to develop robust, scalable, and secure apps that meet their business needs. However, it’s essential to evaluate the specific requirements of the application to determine if cross-platform development is the best approach.

6. How does Savvycom support cross-platform app development for enterprises?

Savvycom specializes in cross-platform app development, offering expertise and experience in using the latest tools and technologies to create high-quality, customized mobile applications. We help enterprises maximize their market reach, enhance user engagement, and achieve cost efficiencies by delivering robust cross-platform solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Conclusion

Cross-platform app development offers numerous benefits for enterprises, including increased market reach, cost savings, and efficient marketing strategies. However, it also comes with challenges such as tool and language differences, reduced flexibility, performance limitations, and limited platform-specific features. By carefully considering these factors, enterprises can make informed decisions about adopting cross-platform development.

Savvycom, as a trusted software development company, has extensive experience in delivering successful cross-platform solutions. Our expertise ensures that enterprises can navigate the complexities of cross-platform development and achieve their business goals. If you’re considering cross-platform app development, Savvycom is here to provide the insights and expertise you need to succeed.