by Sam D. Burndorfer and Ben Z.

It’s more than just coding

But it all has to start with an idea…

• An idea to make something better
• An idea to do something faster
• An idea to help others accomplish something great

Then in those quiet moments, ponder on them while, while wearing your favorite blue suede shoes…

Now analyze your ideas – What questions should you ask?

• What problem is your app going to solve?
• How will it simplify life for people?
• What exactly do you want your app to do?

• How are you going to make it appeal to others?
• How will you market your app?
• Could you pick up ideas from competitors or other apps you like?

Prototyping – Drawing it out

• Layout your App’s Functionality & Features, who the players are, what they need to do.
• Create your Use Cases
• Create maps of how customers will move through your app (some call these wireframes)

Low investments with quick drawings. Idea not working out? Scrap it and try something else.

Low investments with quick drawings. Idea not working out? Scrap it and try something else.

Wireframes help you work through the flow the user will experience.

There’s this Idea of a low Friction these days

• Minimize hops/clicks to complete a task
• Get consensus on what’s intuitive
• Plug for using a chat-bot

Test your Design

• Test your wireframes and include others outside your team
• Capture their experience
• Revise the design, and Repeat

Choosing & working with the Technology

• What skills do you currently have?
• Can your acquire the additional skills needed?
• Where will the app be deployed?
  • App Store Review Guidelines for Apple products

• Build Your Mobile App
  • Lots of development tools available for this
  • managing your source code
  • debugging your app
• Test Your Mobile App
  • Quality matters
  • There are manual and automated options
• Releasing Your Mobile App
  • Automating the process
  • Track your releases
  • Support material

Supporting your App

• What is application Support? or the Role of the Application Support Engineer?
• Application Support Engineer Duties and Responsibilities
• Application Support Engineer Skills

What is application Support? or Role of Application Support Engineer

An Application Support Engineer is an IT professional who provides technical support regarding a spectrum of software used within a specific business sector. Due to this broad definition, the core responsibilities of an Application Support Engineer vary depending on the industry. Some Application Support Engineers are responsible for database management, while others put more emphasis on the programming end of an application. The specific focus is dependent on the needs of the business.

Typically part of an IT support team, an Application Support Engineer needs both technical knowledge and “people” skills to do their job well. Given how interwoven technology and the business world have become, Application Support Engineers are employed internally by a number of companies across a wide spectrum of industries. Application Support Engineers can also work for an agency and have several different clients. When it comes to work environment, Application Support Engineers often collaborate with other team members, as well as customers.

Application Support Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

The role of Application Support Engineer is one of the more generalized positions in the IT world. A good Application Support Engineer needs to have at least a working knowledge of database management, different operating systems and different programming languages.

Identifying and Evaluate Technology Solutions

The Application Support Engineer is a key member of the team responsible for using technology to improve business performance and strategy. This duty involves using one’s complex problem-solving skills to brainstorm software solutions, and then work together in a small group to craft a pitch to present the idea to the company’s decision makers. Performing this duty well on a consistent basis can fast track an Application Support Engineer for promotion.

Problem Solve and Troubleshoot

Although the Application Support Engineer is the first line of defense in finding the root cause of an application malfunction, sometimes they find an issue too severe for them to address. Their duty in this scenario is to escalate the issue to their Senior Engineer. The Senior Engineer then formulates a plan to address the issue and dictates said plan to their team of Application Support Engineers.

Identify Potential Issues

Part of what makes a good Application Support Engineer is the foresight to anticipate and address potential issues before they become issues. This takes good organizational skills and a keen attention to detail.

Work with Cross-Functional Teams

Rarely is the role of Application Support Engineer a one-person show. They work with the support team on a daily basis to contribute to their employer’s overall IT needs and strategy.

Application Support Engineer Skills

A successful Application Support Engineer is not your stereotypical anti- social tech person. In addition to possessing a wealth of technical knowledge, they must also have the interpersonal skills to help users of said application.

We identified the following core skills an Application Support Engineer should have.

• Working knowledge of SQL Databases & basic network configuration
• Working Knowledge of IT Hardware and Software
• Ability to learn and master employer-specific software
• Complex problem solving
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to diagnose & address application issues

Conclusion

There’s lot of work, but don’t get discouraged, just take it one piece at a time and keep moving forward.

There’s plenty of folks to help you along the way. Just remember to ask and you shall receive.

Lot of reference material out there to help you as well. Here’s a few links to start with.

• Designing: https://www.thesprintbook.com
• Prototyping: https://keynotopia.com/guides/
• https://buildfire.com/how-to-create-a-mobile-app/
• https://www.biznessapps.com/blog/how-to-build-a-mobile-app-in-12- easy-steps/

Cruise around. There’s always new stuff to find.