Key Trends Reshaping the Software Development Industry

One of the most notable shifts in the past two years was an accelerated focus on digital transformation priorities. As web usage skyrocketed due to heavy reliance on digital infrastructure, the move towards tailored online experience has created the demand for new digital products. Organizations are embracing new business models and enhancing their offerings to compete in a truly dynamic marketplace.

While many businesses have already implemented the latest software development technologies, others still struggle to attune. As we look forward, the acceleration of software development is set to continue towards advancements and peaks of technology and thus will only intensify.

This blog outlines the key trends for custom software development services that will shape the market.

Today’s Top Trends in Software Development

With the continuous advancement in technology and ever-evolving competition in the market, the global software market size will surpass the $1493.07 billion mark by the year 2025, according to Statista’s report.

We expect these 7 trends to act as force multipliers for software development industry over the next few years. Here's a quick guide about the latest technologies and why they're significant -

Cloud and Edge Computing for a Faster Technical Processing 

Cloud services are, and will continue to be, an integral part of every company's tech portfolio. The challenge with cloud services for custom software development services lies in the confusing definitions, unending intricate scenarios, and epic migration needs – all of which create complexity. Determining the best strategy isn’t always black and white. Due to continuous technological evolution, companies are rethinking their cloud initiatives and increasingly vouching for moving to the cloud.

This drives the need for security tools to improve cloud security. 

However, edge computing architecture has recently gained more traction in web development due to its location sensitivity and distributive computing features. Edge computing is more of an architecture than technology. It is another way to maximize a seamless customer experience without worrying much about the cost and security of customer data. 

Developers have leveraged edge computing architectures in applications that demand zero connectivity interruptions, low latencies, and lesser connection costs. It works on a framework where the data is not stored in the cloud; instead, it is stored in an edge location nearer to the device from where the actual data is being generated. Not just the storage but the computing and analytics architectures are also brought closer. This location sensitivity feature enhances website and application performance, efficiency, and productivity. This trend has become more common in the web development realm. 

Containers and Microservices Are Powering Enterprise Transformation 

Another prominent custom software development services trend to look out for is the increased adoption of containers and microservices that Kubernetes power. Software containers and microservices continue to improve enterprise infrastructure efficacy, strategic functionality, software development, and cloud-native projects.  

Kubernetes is also a great tool to manage containers and develop microservices architecture. Its popularity is now more projects need 24/7 availability, scalability, and security.

Here are some of the most popular microservices and containerization trends that we see as reshapers of the development world -

Kubernetes - It is an open-source, portable system or Container-as-a-Service platform. Kubernetes manages the full containerized services to automate application scaling, management, and deployment. It enables developers to organize the storage system automatically and delivers interactive rollouts and rollbacks.

Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) - CI is the practice where developers in the team combine the changes they make into a shared repository. These modifications, verified by automated testing, prompt new builds to assure there is no issue in the functionality. CD is a term for an automation process of launching a fully functional build into production.

Serverless Architecture - A serverless architecture is a kind of a Functions-as-a-Service platform. It is a concept where developers no longer need to emphasize server management. Here the service provider fully handles the accountability of dynamic server provisioning and allocation management. A synergy of serverless architecture and microservices is the perfect cloud-native development and delivery environment.

Internet of Things (IoT) Delivers Operational Excellence 

Internet of Things (IoT) has come a long way; from a simple mobile device connected to a vehicle, all is attached with sensors that allow the device to gather data. IoT has been an integral part of our everyday life. Combining it with AI and Big Data can bring dynamic developments to an organization's software strategy.

Internet-of-things (IoT) solutions can improve enterprise operational efficiency across vertical markets by focusing on generic functions but are also highly specialized for verticals. IoT-enabled devices consume less power, processing, memory, and size when compared to desktops and mobile devices.

The main driver of the growing interest in IoT is the increased operations cost-efficiency. Currently, most enterprises engaged with IoT projects focus on decreasing operational costs. Thus, the variety of applications will only increase since the IoT application development provides complete control over the features of various devices. For example, a custom mobile app built with IoT has flexible accessibility that enables anyone to access interconnected physical objects from anywhere.

Augmented Reality: More Than Just a Buzzword

AR has evolved in the past decade from being an unsteady gimmick to an excellent way for consumers to experience products and services before they purchase them. For instance, Apple's ARKit 6, the latest augmented reality (AR) app development for iOS devices, comes with new-found capabilities, improved face tracking, and much more advanced features for more devices. It has introduced a Depth API embedded onto a LiDAR Scanner, to create a brand-new way to receive depth information and maximize the scene understanding capabilities.

Now that AR is on the rise, product-driven industries like ecommerce have adopted AR to change their online selling game. AR enables ecommerce consumers to preview the products or services at their convenience before buying them. Using AR, customers can now see the products that help them to choose the right one. Some of the ways that ecommerce brands are using AR –

Interactive User Manuals - Nowadays, use guides have become much more interactive and smarter. Ecommerce brands produce more interactive user guides that run on their website or app. These are helpful for customers to understand their products or services better. Any interactive user manual adheres to user actions, giving on-page contextual support while using a website, application, or software. Type your questions into the chat box, and you will receive the answer. For example, Ask Mercedes uses AR to let its customers discover the capabilities of numerous operating elements in a fun way.

Social Media Filters - Over the years, there has been a spike in the number of companies jumping on the AR bandwagon. If you've been on Snapchat or Instagram lately, you have probably used an AR filter. But why are brands using these? Well, there are some of the key advantages -

Using AR filters is a great way to spotlight your new offering by telling people to "Try it on."

Preview Placement - It is pretty common to buy the wrong item while shopping online. For instance, you might get a sofa set and realize it isn't going with the rest of your room décor. This is where preview placement can be helpful through giving a real-time glance at the product and how it will look when you place it in its environment. For example, consider the Sony TV's Envision TV AR app that helps to preview how the Sony TV would look on the wall. Users can also decide which TV size would be perfect for their space.

Virtual Try-On Solutions - Not every retailer can provide you with a try-on facility at home, but thanks to virtual try-on, that is trying to close the gap. AR is helpful for online shopping as it helps to understand more about the product, such as clothing, and how precisely that will look on the customer. Take an example of Augmented Reality in the fashion retail industry. Brands like Converse, Uniqlo, and Sephora are utilizing it by creating AR-infused apps that allow people for product try-on from their smartphones. The customers can also choose different colors of the products to see several variations so they can buy the best solution for their needs.

Low-Code No-Code Development Speeds Up the Race

As the world moves towards advancement, technology is striving hard to acquire simplification. That's where the low-code no-code development strategies come to play their role. Just as software development is essential, development without coding and programming has become more critical because of its less complexity and accessible features.Low-code No-code technology allows anyone who has or doesn't have the programming knowledge to develop complex software, application, or website without code. This technology uses a graphical interface and drag-and-drop tools with the potential for creative users to implement their ideas and thoughts into brilliant, complex, and advanced digital solutions without having specific typical software development skills.

Above mentioned statistics clearly show how this technique has become popular due to its low cost, manual work reduction, and cost and time-saving features. Moreover, low-code development allows automation of tasks and thus reduces the workload for developers so they can focus on more significant complex programming projects.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 2.0: Evolve with the Next-Gen AI Advances 

We live in an economy where data is changing how brands create value. A report by PwC states that artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to reshape the ways of doing business, and its potential contribution can be up to $15.7 trillion by 2030.

Here are a few ways AI will expand itself -

• Machine Learning development will be increasingly automated
• Workplaces will make even more use of AI
• AI tools will develop a friendlier face

Most companies have recognized that AI has the tremendous potential to transform how companies work. For example, they can imagine a future where retailers send over personalized products before the consumer even requests them! This may sound like science fiction, but AI can make it very much possible. Similarly, AI will influence the way software applications are being developed. 80% of the companies are investing in AI currently, and it is said that AI tools will generate a lot of revenue for businesses' ROI in the coming years.
AI has a vital role in the code generation and testing of software. It has many tools and techniques to automate particular processes with minimal human intervention. For instance, Natural Language Processing (NLP), a method of AI, can make machines understand the user requirements in natural language.

AI-enabled tools can automate the complex software design process. For instance, AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Design Assistant) can help designers to understand the client requirements easily and implement that to design the perfect product. It also examines several combinations of software design and showcases the proper customized design per the client's desire.

Omnichannel Experiences Light Up Same Customer Interactions Through All Platforms 

Last but not least, omnichannel design technology lights up the web development experiences by allowing development and attaining the same visual concepts through all platforms. Thus, whether a customer uses a website to search about your business or an app to buy your product, they will experience the same, and will know that both website and application relate to your business.

Omnichannel experiences allow one to maintain the brand style and visual and internal consistency. Thus, this technology enables a customer to have the same feelings, engagements, and interactions with various digital spaces of the same brand. 

Keeping up with Software Development Trends Can Improve ROI 

Forward-looking enterprises need to start preparing if they want to enjoy their competitive advantages. Tech leaders must understand this next generation of software tools and how to start on their journey. At Icreon, we know how to harness the top software development trends to deliver on your future fit technology strategy. Explore Icreon's Software Development Services.