That means that e-books, videos, podcasts, websites and online courses, for example, are digital products; as well as appls, platforms and enterprise software, despite the difference in structure and complexity between them. At SoftDesign, we work with Software Development, which is the basis of the last three items mentioned here and, therefore, we will explain all the concepts in this article.

But first, it is worth remembering that digital business is not synonymous with digital product. A digital business is one that works primarily in the online environment, often being exclusive to that space. Thus, a digital business needs digital products to exist, as the latter will replace physical experiences. Nubank, for example, is a digital business, as it was created entirely for the online environment – it does not have physical branches like other banks.

Mobile App

An app is a computer program designed to process data electronically, aiming at solving problems and facilitating the execution of tasks by users. It is built with programming languages and specific for cell phones, and can be used on Android (Google) and/or iOS (Apple) operating systems. 

The programming language that will be used to develop the app will define which devices it will be compatible with. Java and Kotlin are technologies for Android, for example; Objective C and Swift are iOS-specific; and React Native, Flutter and Ionic are hybrid technologies that make it possible to use the app on both operating systems. 

The choice of the ideal language considers the problem the app solves, who will be its users, what is its expected growth (scalability), if it needs to be compatible with other languages, etc. It is also interesting to understand that most apps do not work alone: they need to be accompanied by a Server System (also called back-end), which is responsible for business rules and data storage. 

An example of an application is WhatsApp. In it, messages sent between one user and another do not navigate directly from the sender’s cell phone to the recipient’s, they are sent to a server that then delivers the message to the users. That is, the data you have in your cell phone applications is probably also stored in the cloud, where the back-end of the applications you use is located. 

Enterprise Software

Enterprise Software is a set of elements that interact with one other. It is a network of interdependent components that work together to achieve a common goal. 

In the context of digital products, enterprise software is a program that performs communication between computers and users. It is normal to call enterprise software CRM, ERP and other types of software that support the execution of management activities or organizational process flows.

To build enterprise software, many technologies can be used, in addition to different types of architectures. For example, today there is a great distinction between monolithic architectures (faster to build, but less scalable) and microservices architectures, where software parts are decoupled for better management, scalability and independence. In a microservices architecture, it is even possible for several technologies to coexist, each one acting where it is most needed. 

Software Platform

A software platform is an online environment with various functionalities that connects different users, promoting valuable interactions. Usually, it is the realization of a business model that exists exclusively in that space. 

The platform can be considered a special type of app / enterprise software, which gets its name because the greatest value is not in the platform, but in the interactions it enables. Uber is an example of a digital platform, as it serves to connect people with available cars (drivers) to people who need to go from one place to another (passengers).  

Within this idea of enabling interactions, platforms can connect people, but they can also connect software and hardware, which leads us to the growth of APIs (direct connection interfaces between software). Thus, a platform is generally an environment that facilitates access to things (people, software and hardware) that would be difficult to access without it, also enabling the easy connection of new elements. 

In the universe of platforms, we use the same technologies as for apps / enterprise software, but, as the business model here generally provides for scale, there is a preference for microservices architectures. Also, remember that a platform is often made up of many parts: applications for users; web systems for other users and for the back office; back-end system to concentrate business rules and storage; and also APIs to facilitate the connection of new partners or elements to the platform.

Everything is Software

As mentioned, apps, platforms and enterprise software are digital products based on software. Software is a sequence of codes that are written to be received and deciphered by computers and their components, in order to perform numerous tasks. At SoftDesign, they are created by Product Teams. 

These digital products have been gaining more and more attention from corporates, as they are essential in digital transformation strategies. After all, in an increasingly connected world, they are responsible for creating connections between people, software and hardware, automating processes, facilitating activities and solving problems. 

Let’s develop your digital product? Fill out the form below and our specialists will contact you.

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Lite Apps are lighter versions of apps and are common in well-known apps like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, TikTok and Uber. They have similar functions and deliver an application with changes in design and features to the end user; however, the more simplified version does not impact the essential functionalities of the apps. The official version of the Facebook app, for example, is 290 MB, while Facebook Lite is 1.6 MB. 

With that in mind, when programming and coding new Android and iOS applications, the mobile developer must seek a balance between memory, processor performance, and battery life; without forgetting to consider the user journey. Creating a version with as few resources as possible, without compromising the experience, can be the secret of success in meeting diverse needs, arising from smartphones ranging from the most basic models to the most powerful. 

The good side 

According to Maurício Freitas, Mobile Developer at SoftDesign, the main goal of this version is to facilitate the use of hardware. Therefore, among the benefits of Lite Apps, are the reduction in the number of resources required and the creation of applications compatible with previous versions of the operating systems of current phones. “In relation to the official app, the Lite version becomes a lighter option, which can also be used on older devices. The Lite version has all the basic functions of a given application, with some features being more limited precisely so as not to require too much hardware”, he explains. 

Freitas points out that at SoftDesign, the application development process always takes hardware performance into account. When it is necessary to insert photos, for example, the preference is for vector formats and not for JPG versions, since the objective is to reduce the space occupied by the application on the end user’s device. “Over the years and with the expansion of hardware in cell phones, this kind of concern is often left aside by some developers. However, we need to be careful when developing applications that require more hardware and software resources, since even in a powerful and current device it is possible to see negative impacts on smartphone performance, in addition to excessive consumption of mobile data”. 

Care should be taken when developing apps for Android and iOS. However, each platform has its guidelines. For the mobile developer, both should consume as little hardware and software resources as possible. “When the user has a smartphone with low memory, this routine of removing and changing applications is constant, whether on an Android or iOS operating system, as there is no space for downloads. Then the questions begin: which app should I delete? What do I use less or what will free up more space? In these cases, downloading the Lite versions can be a satisfactory solution”, he says. 

The downside 

One of the main limitations of Lite Apps is that most of them are only available for the Android operating system. That is, in this context and for these specific users, it will be easier to find lighter versions of official applications. According to Freitas, part of this is due to the lack of acceptance by users of Lite apps in the Apple Store. This was one of the reasons for discontinuing Facebook Lite for iOS, for example. 

Another negative point of Lite Apps is that some features found in official apps may not be available in lighter and simplified versions. This may be the case with some applications that include mobility activities, as to make the app lighter, maps and routes can be removed, preventing the tracking of information in real time. Uber Lite, for example, which has only 5 MB, can be downloaded and used without Wi-Fi and works on most devices with the Android operating system. However, its functionality is reduced. 

If the complete user experience and interface design are crucial to you, using Lite Apps may not be the best option overall, especially when having all the features and functions available are non-negotiable factors. Keep in mind that these lighter and simplified versions are more utilitarian and serve to solve specific problems for users who have older devices, with lower performance and memory. 

Need help developing a lighter and more democratic app? 

At SoftDesign, we build optimized applications and systems that consider the experience and needs of users. We work in the development of apps for startups to test ideas and in the construction of robust apps for well-established companies. 

In addition, we work with multidisciplinary teams, guided by Agile Methods, which can help you plan a more sustainable and collaborative business model, through our Product Conception service. Fill out the form below, so we can talk about creating your app. 

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