Over the past decade, the global business landscape has continued on the path of tech-savviness, requiring organizations to constantly upgrade their online activities to stay ahead of the game. This is the reason web applications have become a vital aspect of day to day operations that help companies keep their organization updated and modernized.
Because the internet has become so commonplace in workplaces around the world, the need for web applications has grown as more and more organizations require these important tools in order to conduct daily operations and activities in an effective and efficient manner. The most common uses for web application development include customer communication, employee collaboration, secure data storage, and information management.
As a business owner, you are fully aware of what the internet is, and you may be familiar with what web applications are. If, however, you are still unclear as to what a web application is, you are not alone. There can be a lot of terminology involved, and even in today’s modern world, there is still a lot of confusion as to what online collaboration, web-based data processing, and virtual project management are.
What is a web application?
Put simply, a web application is a computer program that gives you the ability to log in to a web address to submit and retrieve data over the internet. These programs are developed using web technologies like CSS, HTML, JavaScript, etc and are accessible by the user’s preferred browser (Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.)
How can web applications help your business?
Improve Efficiency and Customer SatisfactionDigging through piles of paperwork, or having multiple versions of spreadsheets to sort through not only waste valuable time, it can also leave your business open to human errors that aren’t discovered until it’s too late to correct them. When there is no integration between multiple sources of data, laborious and time-consuming replication of data is often required to gain a holistic overview of actual business performance.
You can easily avoid this chaos with web applications that streamline your business processes. Your team can get more done in less amount of time and with greater accuracy. When your data is integrated in one place you gain much better visibility of your business as a whole, and your employees have more time to focus on daily activities that actually matter. You also gain the ability to run reports in real-time and address any issues as soon as they arise.
Customers appreciate working with vendors that have systems that function well without the confusion that comes with tools like Spreadsheets, Dropbox or manual paperwork. It is a proven fact that companies with better IT infrastructure get more business and engage with their customers better. Infact this is so prevalent that small businesses have started to build custom IT solutions to get an edge over their larger competitors.
Around the Clock AccessibilityWeb based business systems are web based, meaning they can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from virtually anywhere as long as there is an internet connection. What’s more, web based applications are completely flexible and can be accessed from almost any device or web browser.
Users have instant access to any updates to web applications, with security and functionality updates rolled out on every version of the web app with no downtime whatsoever.
Desktop based software, on the other hand, requires every single device using the application to be updated individually. This task often falls to staff who rush to install updates because they are already pushed for time, leaving your company open to dangerous security breaches.
Stronger SecurityDesktop based software can be a detriment to a business should the computer it is used on be damaged or stolen. Your sensitive data is now at risk, and you may have to spend hours on the phone with the software provider to have the software installed onto a new device.
Web based applications, on the other hand, store your data in the cloud where it can easily be retrieved should your device be damaged or stolen, allowing you to very quickly get back to business as usual. In the event of loss as the result of human error, data is quickly and easily retrieved from the cloud.
Easy to Customize and ScaleOne of the most common complaints we hear as a mobile app development company is that off the shelf software cannot integrate or grow with the client’s business, or those that can require expensive upgrades in order to meet the client’s needs.
Custom web applications are built to specifically meet your individual needs as a business, and are completely scalable and flexible to meet the growth and increasing demands of your organization.
Customization to the web application can include your branding, and allow you to grant different user permission access levels. When your web application only has the features and functions that your business needs, as opposed to a “one-size-fits-all” software package, the time required to train your employees on how to use it is greatly reduced. You also get the benefit of adding functionalities to the software as your business continues to grow.
Installation and Maintenance is SimplifiedThe installation of desktop software on every device within your organization is a time consuming hassle that requires a great deal of memory usage. You can avoid this with web applications. Web applications are much easier to operate even on older or low spec devices.
Every PC has a web browser. Installation is super fast and can easily run in the background as your staff continues their work. The need for maintenance is much lower, and any required updates or patches are remotely rolled out to every device without the need for human interaction.
Summary
- No management of desktop installed software is required, and web applications can be used over any web browser.
- Web applications can be extended and enhanced without having to install anything on your computer.
- Web applications can also be used on all smart devices like smartphones and tablets.
- Web applications can be used over the internet without any need for local IT infrastructure.
- Web applications are far more scalable than other types of apps, supporting millions of users.
Custom Software Lab has more than 20 years of experience building software and web site solutions. This is what sets us apart from the competition. We have seen every functionality and have worked in almost every industry. Our clients range from new businesses trying to get a foothold in their industry to large established corporations looking to upgrade their current business software environment. We take the time to understand our client’s needs to create a custom web, mobile or desktop software that improves their business operations. Contact us today to see what we can do to improve your business efficiency, lower your costs and improve your bottom line.
