Eliminate the Wait: RAD Solutions with the Salesforce Platform

E-commerce businesses are constantly pushing to reduce delivery times. Two-day delivery, next-day delivery, and same-day delivery options were once the exception, but now they are becoming the standard. Organisations looking to set themselves above the competition are testing the waters with new technologies. Flying courier drones capable of delivering packages directly to buyers’ doorsteps may have once seemed like the imaginings of science fiction writers, but not anymore. 40% of consumers expect to receive their first drone-delivered package within two years.

This shift towards providing services as quickly as possible isn’t limited to package delivery. We live in an age of instant gratification, where universal, uninterrupted digital connectivity is making it possible for consumers across all industries to enjoy products and services without delay, and this is becoming especially evident with regard to customer applications. 58% of consumers agree that technology has significantly changed their expectations of how companies should interact with them.

Customers expect the organisations they do business with to be available exactly when they need them; when apps aren’t available immediately, those customers may decide to take their business elsewhere. This is a major problem for many organisations. In fact, despite 76% of IT leaders identifying speed of application/project delivery as a critically or very important KPI, only 45% of IT leaders can design/prototype an app per business requirements in under a month, and only 47% can deploy an app in under a month.

 

The truth is that in this new age, businesses are discovering that traditional app development cycles are simply too lengthy to meet client demand. As such, many developers are turning toward a new methodology — rapid application development (RAD).

What is RAD?

RAD is an application development model that places heavy focus on speed, user strategy, and prototyping. With RAD, developers work directly with focus groups to understand user needs, repurpose existing software components to reduce build times, and delivers working prototypes early in the cycle, so that improvements can be made iteratively with each successive release. Essentially, RAD is designed to produce working applications much more quickly than would otherwise be possible, constantly improving those applications through direct user feedback.   

This methodology sits in direct opposition to traditional ‘waterfall’ development strategies, where specific goals are established for each phase of development sequentially. And while waterfall approaches allow for greater managerial control, complete with firm deadlines and clear responsibilities, the end result is often a lengthy development period that sees certain applications becoming obsolete before they are ever even released. The average app development cycle lasts 18 weeks, more than enough time for formerly interested users to take their business elsewhere.

As an incremental model of application development, RAD is capable of significantly reducing cycle times, but the advantages of RAD extend even further. RAD promotes coordination between departments as every aspect of the app is developed concurrently rather than sequentially. Additionally, as apps are built and deployed, user feedback is collected for incorporation into future iterations. This allows for unprecedented adaptability, ensuring that applications remain current for far longer.

However, for many organisations, adopting a RAD model is easier said than done.

Traditional development tools often require in-depth coding knowledge, meaning that any and all development tasks become the sole responsibility of beleaguered IT departments. At the same time, applications built on waterfall development models often consist of components that are too specialised to the specific app to be repurposed elsewhere, making code reuse nearly impossible, and further slowing development cycles.

In order for developers to be able to release applications quickly, they need rapid application development tools that are just as adaptable as the RAD applications themselves.

They need the Salesforce Platform.

Salesforce Improves Development Speed and Adaptability.

Salesforce, already the world-leader in enterprise CRM, has developed a PaaS solution for organisations interested in embracing a faster, more adaptable development framework. With the Salesforce Platform, developers can build and release apps faster than ever before, and ensure that those apps remain relevant and up-to-date for far longer.

This is made possible thanks to rapid application development tools designed for users of all skill and education levels. By taking advantage of no- and low-code solutions — options that allow users to develop applications without an in-depth knowledge of coding languages — businesses can extend app development beyond their IT departments. Now, every department can collaborate together as they develop apps to meet business and client needs. This leads to significantly reduced development times. In fact, 63% of IT leaders believe that low-code options will positively impact the development cycle, enabling developers to deploy applications more quickly.

Additionally, 88% of IT leaders have evaluated low-code options, and 76% are interested in developing applications using minimal coding.

When it comes to embracing RAD methodology, low-code solutions may be an organisation’s most valuable resource, but they’re not the only valuable resource. The Salesforce Platform takes things even further, by providing users with collaboration and productivity tools, direct client feedback channels, advanced analytics options, and even integrated AI solutions through Salesforce Einstein. All together, the Salesforce Platform supplies businesses with rapid application development tools to modernise their development processes and meet the expectations of today’s clients.

Eliminate the Wait.

No matter the industry, no matter the market, the push towards instant gratification is a reality that every business is having to accept. And while some companies are considering drone couriers to help shave off a few crucial hours from delivery times, businesses that rely on custom-built applications are likewise looking for ways to give their customers a positive experience more quickly than ever before. RAD methodologies, built on low-code solutions and other rapid application development tools, give these organisations the speed and flexibility to meet client expectations, fast.

The Salesforce Platform users experience development cycles that are 50% faster, and enjoy an average ROI of 478%. Users create better in-house applications quickly, directly incorporate client feedback, and can update, iterate, and improve easily. With rapid application development tools from the Salesforce Platform, businesses and the apps they develop are finally getting up to speed. Sign up today for your free 30-day trial of the Salesforce Platform, and get ready to eliminate the wait.

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