Is Xamarin Development Right For Your Business?
On the surface, Xamarin, the cross-platform development framework launched in 2011 – and then acquired by Microsoft in 2016, to be part of the Microsoft Visual Studio product family – appears no different to other tools on the market.
Much like its competitors, React Native, Ionic and Flutter, the Xamarin toolset allows software developers to build and deliver native Android, iOS, and Windows apps with a single codebase. This greatly reduces the development time and cost required to launch a cross-platform app. Better still, Xamarin is able to access the native UI toolkit from each platform; which means, apps built in Xamarin look, feel, and run just as well as an app compiled in that platform’s native language.
But this is just scratching the surface. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details, so you can see how Xamarin development can help your business grow.
What is Xamarin?
Xamarin is an open-source platform for building native Android, iOS, and Windows apps.
The framework is based on .NET, a free open-source developer platform created by Microsoft. With .NET, developers have access to a wide range of tools, programming languages and libraries, which gives them the freedom to build cross-platform web, mobile, and desktop applications.
Whether a developer works in C#, F#, or Visual Basic, their code will run natively on any compatible operating system.
In essence, Xamarin takes the capabilities of .NET to new heights, by implementing tools and libraries specifically for running apps on all major mobile operating systems.
What’s Under the Hood?
Xamarin app development can occur on PC or Mac in Microsoft Visual Studio. The framework operates like an ‘abstraction layer,’ a layer that hides the working details of a subsystem. Within the development environment of Microsoft Visual Studio, Xamarin works behind the scenes, managing communication between its own shareable code (C# and XAML) and the underlying platform code.
In order to access the native APIs of each respective platform, there are actually two Xamarin commercial products: Xamarin.Android (which leverages Android’s Just in Time compilation to create optimised executables) and Xamarin.iOS (which uses Ahead of Time compilation to convert the C# code into ARM assembly language).
In the hands of a capable Xamarin development company, one with extensive knowledge of each mobile platform, they can deliver a true native experience that meets your unique requirements.
Great for Businesses of All Industries
What do Vanderlande, IPS, The American Cancer Society, and OLO have in common? They all use Xamarin outsourcing to bring their app ideas to life in big ways. Here are just a few ways the platform can help your business grow too:
Shareable code, slashes development time and cost
In the right hands, between 80 and 90 percent of C# code can be shared on each launch platform. Thus, freeing up development time and cost, while enabling companies to get to market sooner and make post-launch support easier and more cost-effective.
Native look, feel, and performance
Since Xamarin can access each platform’s native UI elements and hardware APIs, these applications don’t just look and feel like their native counterparts – there is, literally, no discernible difference at all.
Quick to market for a competitive edge, and reach more customers
Building mobile apps with shareable code greatly speeds up the development cycle, while giving businesses a competitive edge over those who choose to develop on one single platform. As a result, they have a great chance of reaching a wider pool of potential and existing customers, at the same time too.
Easy and cost-effective to maintain and repair
Keeping your Xamarin app up-to-date with the latest graphics, performance, and security enhancements – through a single, shareable code – is a huge plus to businesses wanting to support their apps for the long-term.
Strong community support
With an estimated 1.6 million Xamarin developers across 120 countries, the community-driven knowledge base continues to grow. So, as more developers freely contribute their expertise online, the easier it will be for developers to overcome hurdles and deliver ground-breaking, native app experiences.
Choosing the Right Xamarin Development Company
You have a great idea for a cross-platform app. One that’s bound to resonate with your target audience, help your business generate more leads and sales, and leap ahead of the competition. The problem? You’re not sure which Xamarin development company to place your trust in.
There are many factors to consider when making this important choice. Based on Orient Software’s many years of Xamarin development experience with clients across a range of industries, here are some key points to help you make an informed choice:
Familiar with Android, iOS, and Windows platforms
While most development time is spent on shareable code, the more familiar a developer is with the native platform, the more easily they can implement the right native UI elements. They should know how the platform works, how to take advantage of its unique features, and how to seamlessly integrate them into your app; in a way that enhances the user experience.
Hands-on project management skills
When outsourcing Xamarin development, you want to feel confident the team understands your needs. That’s just the approach that Orient Software takes. We take the time to understand your current business situation, the challenges you face, and the short to long-term goals you’d like to achieve. This way, you can rest easy knowing we can build and deliver great software that meets your unique requirements.
Deep understanding of project limitations
Sometimes an idea or concept isn’t suitable for a particular project. And for this reason, it’s vital that the developer you choose will identify those shortcomings early on – before entering full production. At Orient Software, our developers perform a thorough risk-assessment of each project, identifying potential shortcomings early on, communicating those challenges to clients in plain language. This way, we can deliver a product that realistically meets your needs, without compromising on your overall vision
Ready to Bring Your Xamarin App to Life?
Xamarin development offers a near-limitless world of design possibilities. At Orient Software, we combine deep technical knowledge, project management, great communication skills to deliver high-performing, beautiful, versatile, and scalable mobile apps that deliver unique digital experiences.
To see what our developers can dream up for you, contact us today. Chatting to us is free, and there’s zero commitment.
