IoT, what do you understand by this word? Devices or systems that are connected to the internet and respond quickly to the human commands. Today, almost everything is connected to the internet and getting advanced to ease a variety of tasks. Let’s take an example of work, life, industry, transport and energy management, all these got highly influenced with the introduction of IoT app development.

Earlier, a global analysis stated that the amount predicted to be spent on IoT is estimated at around $235 billion for the year 2017. The prediction ratio was 22% more than the estimation of 2016. And since, the ratio has been drastically increased by each passing year. No matter what technology trend or report you adapt to make things clear among people, in upcoming time, IoT will be present everywhere and in the list of most promising technology list. This technology rendering the best applications and ensure that after some time people will experience a better and more connected world.

As the demand is picking momentum, businesses and most of the industries started developing IoT-powered apps to scale and groom their business operations. The aim of introducing IoT connected systems is to make them accessible and understandable for human beings. With such devices or systems, it has become fast easier for everyone to take complete control of process and operations running across.

There is a myth that IoT apps are expensive to develop! Basically, it costs similar, the only difference it bears is the features integration and the project length. Let’s move ahead with the same concept to wash off the misconception from individuals’ mind.

Cost to develop an IoT-powered app –

Before delving deep into the concept, let us tell you that to develop an IoT application, you need to outsource quality IoT application development services from a reliable technical partner. Unquestionably, they will ask for a hefty amount to develop the concerned app. But, that might ultimately depend on the type and features integration of system to be developed.

Ways that help you attain desired IoT application development:

• App Concept

Do you have an idea of your app which is to be developed? Have you studied all the factors of it? To get this professionally, you also need to have knowledge of current market parameters. Conduct review & analysis the type of product you’re going to have after development. This makes you aware of the product requirement and lets you help prepare detailed documentation.

• Proof Of Concept (PoC)

Basically, PoC is a report which is based on the app concept and deals strongly with the functionality of the final product. You can create it as you already got an idea of current market trends. It will give you an approximate idea of the app development cost.

What can be the factors affecting the cost of an IoT app development?

The basic factors include –

• The type of app you want to develop
• IoT app complications & functional intricacies
• Features integration strategy for the app
• Types of technology employed
• Location covered by the app
• A number of device connections

Besides, there are other factors that majorly affect the cost of IoT app development.

These are –

Hardware Integration

Hardware can be considered as the backbone of a system and that’s why known as the most important factor while estimating the cost of an app. The concept is here to predict the cost of an IoT app, thus hardware devices that involved with such app will be considered as the cost estimating factors. Hardware configuration is not that easy for an app. It’s the part where most of the production operations depend. Hence, it solely takes around 70–80% of development cost. Further, the cost may vary on the type of hardware your app is associated with.

App Infrastructure

It’s directly connected with the concept of networking frames an app is connected with. Here, to reduce your app development cost, you need to make your networking easy and less complicated. The support system can be categorized as –

• Network

All the IoT applications work by using a robust wireless network and also interconnected with high-speed internet connections like the cellular network, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.

• Middleware

Middleware is the next powerful technology to setup app infrastructure which deals with the third-party gadgets installation to a network.

• Cloud-based Infrastructure

Data center or storage is essential for every app to run faster and safer. It matters a lot while considering an IoT app development cost.

Size of the application

It’s the biggest challenge to determine the size of an IoT app. The features and functions might get extended in the future or during the app development. Evaluating the app size or scope of the work is the biggest factor which lets you know about the exact cost to develop an app.

Bottom Line:

Well! It’s tough to determine the accurate cost to develop an IoT app. But still, you may have a rough idea of startup investment. You can now gather the funds to start the app development. Always remember that the factors are the only way out to get you the knowledge about the cost aspects. The cost still might vary according to the type of project and requirements placed.

This article is contributed by Tom Hardy, IoT app developer at Sparx IT Solutions .

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