Interview with Ihor Kopaniev, CTO - The APP Solutions

Ihor Kopaniev  

CTO, The APP Solutions

Give us a quick overview on The APP Solutions. When and how did you begin this journey and what were your motives to be successful in app development?

The APP Solutions is around since 2013. For this time, we build a team of AI and Machine Learning enthusiasts. We solve real business problems with intelligent technologies. We make our impact by solving real-life problems with modern technologies. Our team includes Web, Mobile, and AI developers who believe smart technologies are an integral part of our future. We help clients finding competitive advantages and building projects' ecosystems around them.

What is your role in the management and development of The APP Solutions?

As a CTO in the service company, I perform the role of one of the company's leaders responsible for the development of new services and products for our clients. I'm also responsible for optimizing internal processes like managing development processes in project teams, training and improving employees' skills, implementing and supporting various processes within the company. In other words, for our clients, I'm in charge of all R&D activities.

Tell us about your biggest achievement in the industry

The APP Solutions' most significant achievement is providing innovative start-ups, such as Meet The Table (online networking platform) and Calmerry (mental health web application), with relevant tech expertise and watching how those projects change the world around us. The APP Solutions team is also proud of working with Google Cloud Platform on Streaming Nanopore sequencer. The application analyses DNA nanopores in real-time, saving people's lives, especially patients with sepsis.

How do you schedule the development phases of the apps to promise the timeline to your clients?

To all our clients, we suggest starting with an Inception Phase. The Inception Phase(as known as Discovery Phase) is the first phase of the software development life cycle. It includes the project team and the client's stakeholders working together to gather all vital information, define the product architecture, functional and non-functional requirements, technology stack, time and cost estimates, and project development planning.

At this stage, we ensure that every team member is on the same page and that ideas will develop most efficiently and cost-effectively. Usually, this phase takes 3-4 weeks, but it helps us save time and money for our clients in the future.

How do you help your clients in choosing the right yet profitable platform for app development?

We begin with an essential process for us based on gathering the client's following information, like identifying the client's business requirements and gathering all functional and non-functional requirements for the future solution. It also includes collecting user's use cases, preparing user interface prototypes and designs, organizing and discussing raw estimations, etcetera. Based on all this information, our technical experts can decide which platform for app development will be the better choice in the particular case. Of course, we consider the current situation on the market and the existing in-house expertise of the clients.

Which would you suggest for a successful and profitable business progression, Native or hybrid apps? How do you define the factors that influenced you to make this choice?

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all" answer because each company has its requirements toward mobile application and business goals to achieve. Before answering "Native or Hybrid app?', my team identifies the main goals you want to achieve with such an app, runs a business analysis and market research to validate your business idea with a Proof of Concept (POC). While all business ideas and industries are different, my team tries to stand for Native mobile app development because such projects are easier to support and maintain in the future.

How do you scheme your pricing model? How do you fix your budget?

It depends on different factors. Usually, we work according to one of the following pricing models: fixed price, dedicated team, T&M. Each pricing model has its advantages and disadvantages for the clients. Each pricing model can be more suitable in some particular cases.

Usually, a dedicated team is suitable for almost all cases. According to this model, we provide software development engineers to the client on a long-term basis. These experts are chosen according to the demands of the client for their experience and skill-sets.

8. How helpful are the mobile apps developed by your team, for enhancing your clients’ business?

Our mobile projects have become an effective sales channel for customers across different industries - taxi-hailing, food delivery, and telemedicine. Before clients received mobile applications we developed, they had no online sales channels or had websites that I would hardly call effective.

What according to you are the best practices to attain client satisfaction?

In my opinion, the best practice is to listen to your clients before the project development phase is launched and tech specification is written. Besides this, providing niche-specific solutions and meeting the clients' expectations for the project also impact their satisfaction rate.

How do you update your business system to be in pace with the technological advancements?

We are using HubSpot for the sales department, Atlassian Jira for the development team, Figma for designs, and many other tools we find handy. We also find room for improvements after retrospective sessions with the team and feedback sessions with our clients.

What are your thoughts about AR, VR and Internet of Things (IoT)?

While VR and IoT require costly hardware, Augmented Reality is the technology available to all users who have a smart-phone or a laptop with a camera. Thus, AR applications will become even more popular than they are now. And, I'm talking about applications for virtual try-on that are gaining popularity in the cosmetics, jewelry, and eyewear industries.

What do you think will be the future of Mobile technology?

In 2021, you wouldn't surprise anyone with food delivery, taxi-hailing, or video streaming apps. Meanwhile, online banking, insurance, and government services niches are not so crowded, yet needed. I hope to witness those niches' digitalization, especially the governmental sector, notoriously known for its paperwork.