Summary: 

According to studies, it is estimated that there will be approximately. 25 billion IoT devices by 2030. IoT or the Internet of Things is a network of physical devices that is rapidly evolving. If numbers are any indication, there will be a scenario in the future where the number of connected IoT devices will equal the number of mobile phones. The time is ripe to build an IoT app and take advantage of this fast growing industry. Before you begin, work out details, especially the cost factor, and connect with the best IoT development company.

IoT applications can help businesses simplify, improve, automate and control processes while providing relevant information and performance. An app development idea is the beginning. You need to answer critical questions such as the factors that influence the cost to build an app before you choose IoT app development.

• Type of application

It is important to consider the type of app and the functions to be included. Complex apps require more time to be built and also involve higher development costs. It is a recommendation to check the purpose of the app and the elements to be included in it as this amounts to three-fourths of the costs and involves:

• Analysis: includes budgeting, concept development, technical requirement specification and cost optimization.

• Modeling: – Industrial designers and engineers develop printed circuit boards (PCBs) or layout plans and interior elements.

• Prototyping: Hardware device developers create multiple PCBs, debug them, and modify them according to stated specifications.

• Testing: Successful prototypes are turned into a pre-production model using different materials for the device case. Climate, pre-certification, electrical safety and user testing, etc. are carried out in this phase.

• The team required to build your IoT application

IoT app development requires a team of expert and experienced developers who have extensive knowledge of the latest technology and development trends. The team you will need for IoT development depends on the requirement of your project. A development team for a basic project typically consists of:

• 2 developers
• 1 designer
• 1 QA Engineer
• 1 Project Manager

However, you may need to add or remove members depending on your requirements.

For a complex project, you may need to include additional members such as:

• A business analyst
• A backend developer
• A panel designer

• App implementation team

After designing and developing IoT applications, you need a team to implement your project. IT professionals that help you to implement your IoT application can be divided into two roles:

• Those that test IoT applications and
• Those that deploy

This phase includes internal testing of the app, checking the response of the app, user testing, licensing, packaging and launching. The cost (and timing) of your project is affected by many factors. The complexities of your project and other external factors have an impact on the overall expenses.

The number of screens, the security of the app, and the amount of support you want to give your app running on different devices can impact the cost. Other factors include the geographic location, payment integration and third-party APIs.

• IoT app development time

The time it takes to develop an IoT application depends on the complexity of your project, the features you use, and the development team you hire.

It may take around 500-600 hours to develop a basic functionality app, standard UI and infrastructure in IoT application development, while apps that require UI customization among other features may take up to 700-800 hours.

Complex IoT apps that include large databases, third-party integrations and real-time sync with different devices can take around up to 1000 hours or more. Other factors that affect the time required to develop IoT application development are geographic location, third-party APIs, payment integration, sync, etc.

• The post-production and maintenance part 

You must keep your app updated with new and relevant features. Make sure the code is efficient to make things easier for other developers who may work on the app at a later stage. This will also make upgrades and future iterations easier to build as the longer a  developer spends understanding the code, the more expensive it becomes.

You can hire the best IoT software development company to get estimates on every aspect of your IoT app development.

Who is the best IoT development company in the US?

Without proper planning and research, building an IoT app can hurt your business in the long run. Although most mobile app development companies are trustworthy, some tips help when considering the best IoT partner.

• Understands your goals

The first step is to decide what you want to achieve with the IoT mobile app. This is important because the IoT app development company you hire will expect you to provide a list of goals and objectives. A framework will help them to design the app and define its functionalities.

IoT apps should also aim to support business objectives and increase productivity. Start by making a list of all the things that you want to accomplish through this application.

• Has relevant expertise

In addition to home-automation systems, IoT is expanding to new avenues such as health monitoring devices, connected cars, smart data-gathering devices, and more. Due to such diverse applications, businesses must consider the expertise and track record of service providers in a specific industry.

Experience in a specific field is a good way to gauge whether the service provider has the necessary resources to successfully deliver your project.

• Has an IoT App development strategy

Are you looking for a customized IoT application? It involves several challenges including its connectivity, data security, privacy, cross-platform compatibility, data collection and processing.

Once they have gathered all the information, the expert app development team you choose will work on a well-crafted strategy that will include cost, duration, project scope for hardware and software and maintenance.

• Follows strict testing processes

For IoT apps, testing is an important aspect of development. IoT devices are designed to communicate with many devices and servers, so an application development company must have stringent protocols and certifications to ensure that the product undergoes rigorous testing before it’s delivered.

• Good interaction and communication

Working with a company that prioritizes transparent communications makes it easier for everyone involved. Service providers must keep you abreast of each stage of development and are open to feedback at all stages of development.

• Project cost

Cost is an essential factor when choosing an IoT development company. The budget for a project should include app maintenance, support and timely updates. After getting the cost from the service providers, shortlist the companies which are within your budget.

If you have constraints, you may pass some features that are not urgently needed. However, the ideal developer will work to ensure scalability and additional features to be provisioned as the business progresses.

• Research

Research is important. You will find many IoT-based app development companies that provide their best services. However, you must choose a vendor that you are comfortable working with. Research the services they provide. Choose one ready to discuss and work with your assigned team to make the application a success.

Also, a thorough background check regarding the company’s reputation with its past and many customers will give you a good idea of what you can expect from them. Check online reviews on the company’s professional network.

All things considered

A top IoT app development company helps you build a digital environment around connected devices that one can control and manage using top-grade mobile and web IoT software.

Choosing one of the best IoT development services for your application development completely depends on your budget, costs and specific business requirements.