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The success of a brand always boils down to its user engagement. High engagement is crucial in understanding the product’s profitability, and on the other hand, it exudes the loyalty of the customers and their expectations from the brand as well. As per a report published by PWC, user experience is everything. They say, 73 percent of all people point to customer experience as an important factor in their purchasing decisions. Time and again, we humans have devised plans to captivate users’ attention. And in the recent past, mobile gamification has played a significant role in doing so. The science of applying the game dynamics or the important elements of the game into various mobile apps and software has simply revolutionized the relationship between brands and users. A recent study done by Mordor Intelligence suggests that in 2019, the global gamification market had reached over $7.17 Bn in value. And by 2025, the CAGR is expected to witness a growth of over 30.1 per cent. This further denotes the vital co-relation between mobile gamification and user engagement.  

Engaging users via the art of gamification 

A well-known retail company incorporated the virtues of gamification in such a simple yet impactful way, that it left the users wanting for more. Instead of directly handing over the discounts, the company made the users earn it, by simply playing spin the wheel, know the answers, and a few other games. The outcome made the users feel instant gratification, special, and this piqued their interest. Growth Engineering – Online Learning Engagement Experts, defines gamification as taking something that is not a game and applying game mechanics to increase user engagement, happiness, and loyalty! Here are a few ways to use gamification to boost user engagement. 

1. Game mechanics 
In simple words, game mechanics is a sort of governing body that manages the users’ actions and feedback. Designing the elements plays an important role here. Here are some of the game mechanics that will intrigue the users.

• Challenge

Everyone loves a challenge. Why? Because of the gratification that the user is given at the end of the play. Even if the play results in a loss, it inspires the users to take up a new challenge until they win. Motivate the users to finish the task by providing eye-catching rewards.

• Points

This system is an extension of the badges’ element. As the user processes in the game, their inquisitiveness builds up. Gratifying their hard work, in the form of points will add value to your product and aid in keeping the user’s attention in check.

• Scoreboards 

The intent of doing better than the others drives a person to achieve the impossible. Scoreboards come with a detailed performance chart of all the available players. This encourages the users to keep giving their best.

• Levels

Increase the level of complexity when the user completes a hurdle. The complexity is what makes the game fun.

• In-app currency

Rewards based on the user’s performance can be in the form of currency as well. Allow the user to buy something valuable in the app. Providing extra lives pushes them to keep going on in the game. For instance, Starbucks’ in-app payment approach is a sure shot hit amongst its users. It allows the user to earn stars for their spending. Starbucks rewards this gesture by giving them free drinks or meals.

• Badges or Stickers

Rating the user’s performance positively and exclusively, certainly makes them feel special. Badges are a visual representation of how the user has excelled so far. Reward the accomplishment with a badge or sticker. For instance, Duolingo, a language learning app, enables its user to track their performance. It even allows social interaction and encourages them to collaborate with friends. To reward the user’s performance, Duolingo gives them badges after completing a certain task. It even has a point-based reward system and scoreboard.

2. Get creative 
There is no limit to your imagination when it comes to incorporating gamification. Advertising in a creative way will spike the user’s interest. Understand your target audience, and market accordingly. For instance, the user engagement approach handled by Google Pay is quite intriguing. Globally, it has over 150 million users. They usually come up with a reward system depending on the occasion. To add to that, the user can earn up to 100 points for inviting new users. And after every transaction, the user wins a reward without fail. All this adds in captivation the user’s attention.

3. Quirky collaborations 
To make the reward system more appealing, collaborating with other well-known brands will definitely boost your game. For instance, if the user is regularly using your product, to appreciate their loyal, you can reward them with in-house currency, points, or a discount on another brand by collaborating with them. Giving outside incentives is an excellent approach to engage the users. 

4. The escapist approach
Most users are fed up with their mundane life. What they look for is escapism. Transform your services, products, and communication by entering the uncharted territory of ‘escaping the reality’. To do so, work on providing the following…

• A dreamy user interface.
• Allow the user to customize their profile.
• Get creative by offering them a plethora of avatars to use as their profile pictures. 

5. Promote healthy competition
To broaden your brand’s establishment, motivate the user to challenge their real friends as well as strangers. This will help to rope in new customers. And winning the game in the presence of their friends gives them a sense of satisfaction. 

Final thoughts
For App-Scoop, customer satisfaction and user engagement are of the utmost priority. App-Scoop is fully aware of what gamification brings to the table. And we have been incorporating game mechanics for user engagement for a long time. Our recent project Deleezy, a delivery-based application and a few others, have become an instant hit, courtesy of the way it was built and our idea of integrating the method of gamification to deliver results. It goes without saying that gamification is the present and the further. This segment comes with a surety of high growth and utmost user engagement. App-Scoop is up to date when it comes to integrating the latest technologies in our services. Gamification has the ability to make turn your application into an overnight hit. And for that, one must understand its elements and application thoroughly, which we do! App-Scoop abides by its vision of delivering excellence. If you wish to collaborate with us, kindly contact: https://app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

References

• https://strivecloud.io/blog/app-gamification/10-ways-to-drive-engagement/
• https://storyly.io/best-gamification-practices-to-boost-user-engagement/

There is always more to QR Codes than what we see through our eyes. Gone are the days, when QR Codes were scanned for payments only. Owing to its flexible nature, this technology has made its way in almost all the industries – banking, retail, finance, HR and payrolls, education, and marketing, just to name a few. However, the way it has navigated its path in the healthcare sector is highly commendable. A recent study by Juniper Research states that by 2022 the number of QR code coupons redeemed via mobile will reach 5.3 billion. This means various industries, especially wellness and healthcare will surely benefit from this.

​QR codes played a great role during the outbreak of COVID-19. Right from easy access to patients to aiding the hospitals to provide contactless services, QR codes ensured social distancing and adhered to all the protocols of COVID-19. In this blog, we will throw some light on the basics of QR codes, their importance in the healthcare sector, and how App-Scoop embraced this technology to grow leaps and bounds. 

QR Code in healthcare:

The way the QR code technology penetrated the healthcare sector is simply commendable. That is precisely because of what it brings to the table. Be it the patients or the hospital staff, both can easily scan the code through their smartphones for various purposes. This touch-free technology saves time further benefiting both the patients and the hospital. QR codes ensure a swift patient management system as it helps in streamlining the core processes. It further provides a breather to the hospital staff as it guarantees time efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Let’s take a look at some of the other uses of this technology in the healthcare sector. 

Benefits of using QR code in healthcare and well-being
​

(Source: Google Trends)
 
The above graph clearly shows a steady rise in the significance of QR codes in the past few years. Utilizing QR codes enhances the care delivery process, patient and hospital staff management, marketing, and other processes.

• Contactless access

Abiding by the COVID-19 norms has become the need of the hour. Incorporating QR codes in the business process enhances the business’ efficiency, and it moreover ensures zero-contact check-ins, social distancing, and other COVID norms. QR code is a one-step process to allows the patients to register themselves, schedule appointments, and follow up procedures. This process at larger minimizes the spread of the virus and provides a safe environment for all.

• Healthcare marketing

Doctors, clinics, and hospital staff can make use of QR codes to reach a larger audience. They can include QR codes on pamphlets or brochures. Providing QR codes gives easy access to the patients to understand the hospital’s services.

• Equipment management

Hospitals and clinics are full of medical equipment. When you store such myriad equipment, management becomes a task. QR codes linked with these medical instruments allows the hospital staff a better way to manage it. Scanning the codes will give the staff easy access to information that the equipment withholds. The manual that comes with the medical equipment are lengthy and reading it becomes a task. A simple scan will provide the helpers with what they are looking for. This overall increases the hospital efficiency.
 
(Information source: https://mobisoftinfotech.com/resources/blog/qr-codes-to-enhance-patient-outcome/)

• Helping senior citizens

Age is just another number. It is not an indicator of one’s skill or how one should enjoy their life. A person of any age has the freedom to be carefree. Elderly people are restricted to their homes owing to many reasons. To overcome these issues, QR code comes as a boon. Senior patients, or people suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia, can now go for walks nearby their house and still, their family members can be at ease. All the patient needs to do is wear the QR bracelets which contains all their personal information. In case of any mishap, they can easily be traced.

• Drugs authenticity

As per a report, more than 132 million people in the United States take prescriptions drugs. Providing QR codes on the prescription and pharmaceutical packing can bridge the communication gap between buyer and seller. This further helps in minimizing fake or counterfeit drugs.

• Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

This digital technology has made providing medical services to all a piece of cake. QR codes can be used to monitor the patients’ health even after they get discharged. For instance, the patient can update their history or even their medicine routine, by scanning the QR code and informing the hospital. It is a win-win situation for all.
 
(Information source: https://drkumo.com/rpm-remote-patient-monitoring/remote-patient-monitoring-qr-codes-in-healthcare/)
 
How App-Scoop embraced this technology?
By making utmost use of this technology, we provided Cambian, a Vancouver-based organization, a business solution that expedited various of their processes. Handling such a project post-pandemic, showcased the importance of this technology. We offered solutions that helped in booking appointments, allocating resources, managing waitlists and patients’ records, and streamlining workflows. Automating their existing process where they had to enter the records manually, gave their workflow a new dimension. And on the other hand, it came as a relief for the patients as well. This is how the system worked:

1. Instead of calling the hospitals for an appointment, the patients need to fill an online form with all their details. This is a one-time task.
2. Once they fill in all the information, a QR code is created against their name. This now becomes their unique identification code.
3. The application scans for the doctor’s details and provides the patients with an appointment as per availability.
4. Upon arrival at the hospital or clinic, all the patient needs to do is show the QR code at the reception.
5. As the users fill in all their information at their convenience, the hospital team can keep a close watch on the updates, further providing them better care.

 
And the outcome, you ask? This solution provides the users or patients, better care at the comfort of their home. They can easily schedule an appointment, making this process hassle-free as opposed to what it was before. It lent a helping hand to the hospitals to abide by the COVID-19 rules and regulations.
 
Conclusion

Statista’s recent survey exudes that over 11 million households in the United States have scanned QR codes last year alone. This number rose from 9.76 million scans in 2018. These statistics showcase that QR codes have become a household name. The reasons are many. However, what takes the driver’s seat is what this technology brings to the table. Be it any industry, QR codes has shown its worth which has only lead to the improvement of the business. And when the future of this technology is so bright, why should you stay aloof? App-Scoop crafts business solutions and products with utmost care and passion.
 
To know more about our services, please contact: 
https://app-scoop.com/contact-us.html  

​​Imagine this! Your shipment is out for delivery but because of some reasons, it gets stuck at an international border. The border officials won’t allow the cargo to pass unless all the documents are sorted. The driver is in a fix, further putting tons of pressure on the company to sort out the issues. Unless the bill of lading, commercial invoice, quality certificate, and a few other documents aren’t presented to the border official, the entire process comes to a standstill. During such times, if the company has a centralized application that caters to dire needs like these, tense situations like such can surely be avoided. This is when the enterprise applications come into the picture.

These are applications that bind the organization’s ecosystem together. As per Statista, enterprise software is becoming more important than ever. They predict, by the end of this year, IT is expected to spend around $599 billion on enterprise applications. This shows a clear growth of 13.2 percent from the previous year. In this article, we will understand the premise of enterprise applications and how can App Scoop help you with your business needs!

What are enterprise applications?

To elevate the organization’s efficiency, channelize the operations, and provide a better service to the customers, the company needs to intensify their business strategies. This can be done by developing customized applications that streamline all the processes. Enterprise applications are built considering all the requirements.
 
A staggering 67 per cent of CIOs believe that implementing enterprise mobility will take their business to next level. And in today’s age, when everything is going digital, enterprise applications have become a priority more so than ever. Companies use enterprise applications for various reasons. A large number of companies use it just because it offers 35 per cent ROI, while others believe that 47 per cent of their internal communication is enhanced courtesy of such applications.

Top 7 reasons why companies should invest in enterprise application

1. In any organization, information comes from myriad divisions. Enterprise application channelizes this data and conveys the right information to the concerned person. It ensures a smooth transfer of the data.
2. Such applications increase employees’ sense of belonging towards the organization. As per a study, corporations that have implemented enterprise applications have seen a 21 percent increase in employee’s loyalty. This further benefits the company.
3. Implementation of enterprise applications unifies all its branches and divisions at the various location into one single entity. This increases the productivity of the organization whilst giving easy access of essential data to its employees.
4. One of the fastest-growing sectors, this segment has witnessed a growth of 10 per cent each year. This is possible owing to its virtue of simplifying the IT processes.
5. Employees seem to enjoy these applications because it smoothens the business processes. A study reveals that organizations have seen a 23 percent increase in employee satisfaction and the credit goes to the enterprise applications. It even adds to the overall efficiency of the employees, in turn, benefiting the organization at large.
6. Integrating enterprise applications provides better control to the companies, fastens their performance, improves functionality, and promotes transparency.
7. One of the crucial benefits of implementing these applications is that it increases and fastens the ROI.

 
Categories of enterprise application development
Here are some of the sub-types of enterprise applications:
 

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

CRM involves support, sales, marketing, and procurement. This strategy gives the company a complete view of the customer’s perspective, evaluates all the scenarios, and add to the efficiency. CRM software allows communication through email, social media, mobile app, and chats. By the end of 2025, the CRM sector is expected to be worth $80 billion.
 

• Supply Chain Management (SCM)

SCM connects the different branches of the organization, streamlines the flow of data, and helps in getting to the root of any given problem. In 2020, the sector valued at almost $16 billion. And owing to its importance, it is subjected to reach more than $ 30 billion by 2026.
 

• Business Intelligence (BI)

BI gives an advantage to a company during decision making. It offers a vantage view of all the available data which helps in the growth of the business. During COVID, more than 53 percent of the companies were of the view that cloud-based BI gave their business a much-needed relief.
 

• Human Resource Management (HRM)

Managing the lifecycle of employees is one of the crucial processes for any organization. HRM software handles this process right from scouting the perfect candidate to the hiring process till the exit interview stage. By 2025, the HRM sector is predicted to cross $ 30 billion. No wonder, over the years, HRM software has become an integral tool of any organization. 
 

• Salesforce

Within no time, Salesforce has become one of the leading cloud-based software providers. Since 2000, its revenue has grown at the CAGR of 51.22 percent. It guides the organization in the direction of the right opportunity, helps in analyzing the customer data, and acts as a catalyst for smooth communication. Today more than 150,000 businesses use Salesforce software
 
Modern practices of enterprise development
Digitization has been taking the world by storm for ages. To stay ahead of the times, companies ought to assimilate the latest trends to boost their business. Here are some of the latest practices:
 

1. Companies’ AI-first approach is helping them bring in unimaginable reforms. It is formulated that by 2025, almost 90 percent of the organizations will have integrated AI in their enterprise applications.
2. Cloud technology comes as a relief for companies who are looking to build cost-effective and flexible enterprise applications. This technology has seen a surge since the outbreak of COVID-19. It is used for storing, backing up the data, and a lot of other things.
3. Integrating distributed ledger technology while creating enterprise applications can save a great deal of money for organizations. Blockchain technology brings in transparency, trust, reduces cost, and speeds up communication.
4. The enterprise application segment is expected to reach $ 22.69 billion by end of 2026. And other latest technologies such as Big Data and IoT, help in making business processes a piece of cake.

 
In conclusion
Implementation of enterprise application simples business processes, connects the organization in one entity, smoothens communication, reduces overall cost, is time effective, opens doors to new opportunities, in short, the perks of such applications are endless. App Scoop understands the importance of this technology. Look no further if you wish to integrate enterprise applications in your organization. Being one of the finest solution-provides, App Scoop will be more than happy to be a part of your business development strategy.
 
To talk to our experts, kindly contact:
https://app-scoop.com/contact-us.html
 
References

• https://www.tristatetechnology.com/blog/20-essential-enterprise-mobile-apps-statistics-infographic/
• https://www.statista.com/topics/1823/business-software/
• https://www.dotcominfoway.com/blog/the-power-of-enterprise-app-development-that-adopts-a-mobile-first-strategy/#gref
• https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/307748
• https://www.webopedia.com/reference/enterprise-application-explained
• https://codete.com/blog/8-enterprise-software-development-trends-you-must-know-in-2021​

Times change, and as a matter of fact, change is the only constant thing be it in business development or our life. The world of technology changes each day, too. And to stay abreast with it is not impossible but surely is a task. The skills that your business needs today may become obsolete in a matter of days or maybe months. Adapting to this change is difficult for various reasons. You can certainly train your team to stay up to date with the latest trends or the skills required for your business. But this takes time and is a costly affair too. As for every problem, there is a solution. And there is an answer to this issue too.

To stay ahead in this game and to make the most of the changing trends, companies can undertake outsourcing strategies outside their business. This can leverage their development without hampering their existing process. As per Statista, there has been a considerable increase in the global outsourcing market. From 2000 to 2019, this market has amounted to $ 92.5 billion. About 300,000 developers are outsourced each year out of the US – further creating employment and giving a platform to developers to showcase their talent.

Outsourcing in literal terms means scouting and hiring the right third-party team or an individual that can add value to your ongoing project. Outsourcing strategies such as staff augmentation, multi-sourcing, IT outsourcing, project outsourcing, process-specific outsourcing, and others, come as a relief to tackle the tasks that are sometimes hard for the internal team to deal with.

In this article, we will talk about the pros and cons of staff augmentation and project outsourcing.
This will give you a clear idea of which process to choose in any given situation. 

What is staff augmentation? 

Staff augmentation is an outsourcing process that involves a temporary addition of talent from an outsourcing company provider to your existing team. To augment the capacity of an organization, first, analyze your existing team and determine the skills and talent required to elevate the current business objectives. According to a study conducted by Statista, post the outbreak of COVID, the staff augmentation market size grew from $92.5 billion to $132.9 billion. Outsourcing companies train their developers, and the addition of these consultants will boost the morale of the team and help you reach your business goals. 

7 reasons to choose staff augmentation 

1. It is cost-effective. As this is a temporary hiring process, the client team does not have to worry about covering the consultant’s insurance, tax, sicks leaves – basically all the responsibilities related to the employees on the payroll.
2. This process is time-efficient as it saves the client’s side from the challenges of permanent recruiting and long-term commitment. 
3. Staff augmentation allows companies to maintain their lean in-house staff whilst adding specialists to their team. It allows the company to be flexible and gives a chance to upscale their team within a matter of days. To add to it, it reduces the pressure that the existing team is going through. 
4. This process significantly reduces the business challenges and caters to meet sharp deadlines without any hassle. 
5. The third-party hire enhances the productivity of the team, quality of the outcome, and boosts data privacy efforts.
6. Although the consultant adds value to the team and project, the control still lies with the client. This helps in efficient staff management. 
7. The staff augmentation process allows you to focus on your core business goals whilst enhancing the service quality.

Cons of the staff augmentation process 

1. The client’s side can enjoy the perks of this process, provided they find the right talent at the right time. This search might take a long time.
2. Adding a new member to an existing team can lead to clashes if their vision doesn’t match. All must be on the same line for the benefit of the organization. 
3. The third-party hire will take time to understand the company’s institutional knowledge which the in-house staff are already aware of. The client must enlighten them about the company’s history as well.

What is Project outsourcing? 

Project outsourcing is a process when a company hands over the complete project to the IT outsourcing organization. Right from planning in the initial stage to the outcome of the project, the work is taken care of by the third-party company. They take complete responsibility for the business development. This model can be used when the assignment isn’t a high profile one or something that has a definite outcome.
As opposed to staff augmentation, project outsourcing does not allow direct control over the team. As per Statista, in 2021 the IT outsourcing market is expected to reach $ 359462.8 million. This exponential increase is the courtesy of the digital transformation and services provided by IT.

5 reasons to opt for project outsourcing

1. One of the crucial benefits of project outsourcing is the solution and result of the projects lies on the shoulders of the third-party team.
2. This model saves overall cost – be the office space chargers or any associated costs. The clients need not worry about any other process once they hand over the project to a third-party team.
3. When you outsource your IT development project, the in-house team can focus on other business values and important projects. This makes the process value-effective.
4. As the model hires specialists, the outcome of the project guarantees success. Overall, it reduces the business risks as the hired talents oversee the project to fruition with the best possible result.
5. Project outsourcing ensures that things get moving quickly further reducing the time required for the development of the project.

Cons of project outsourcing 

1. Once the client outsources the project, they have little or no control over the project. The project now depends on the outsourcing vendors, moreover, the communication gap between both the parties can lead to frustration for the client-side. If the project is handed over to a which team that lies in a different time zone, the lack of communication can lead to the mismanagement of the project. 
2. In today’s age, data privacy is of the utmost importance. As the complete project is handed over to the vendor, customer data could be at the risk. And at times, there could be some hidden cost, which might appear at the end of the project.

How to set foot in the world of outsourcing? 

• Ensure that you do thorough research of all the available outsourcing models. 
• Discuss with your in-house team so that everyone is on the same line. 
• Decide on a budget and stick to it. 
• Scout the market at length to hire the best team or individual for your project. 
• Ensure that they abide by your company’s vision. 
• Give them a strict project deadline and ensure that they adhere to it. Read the papers properly before signing the contract.

Looking to outsource? 
​
If you wish to enter the water of outsourcing, you can completely rely on us. Our experienced and diligent array of developers will make certain that your business needs are met. Need a specialist to handle your project or want a temporary addition to your team to enhance the business needs? Worry no more, App Scoop will provide all the resources and will guarantee that the project sees its desired outcome. 
To talk to our experts, kindly contact: https://app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

References

• https://scand.com/company/blog/staff-augmentation-vs-outsourcing-which-one-is-right-for-you/
• https://bxgi.com/insights/staff-augmentation-vs-project-outsourcing-which-engagement-model-should-you-choose
• https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/02/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-outsourcing.html

Hospitals having a healthcare app might seem like an untapped arena or a niche market, but mind you, this is something that will take the world by storm. In fact, this sector is growing tremendously. And reports suggest that the healthcare application market is expected to reach $ 236 billion by 2026. Sure, you can have a website for your hospital but when 75 percent of the mobiles are smart and 6.5 billion people use smartphones, creating a mobile application seems a viable option. These days, everyone uses a smartphone. And such apps act as a mediator and connects the patients to the doctors. A recent survey says that 95 percent of the doctors think that such apps are a boon. Things are changing, and to adapt to it almost 74 percent of hospitals have joined the bandwagon and secured an application for themselves. Still wondering why your hospital should own a mobile application. Let us tell you in detail.

   1. Contactless communication

A relationship between a patient and doctor is set at the first meeting. But there onwards, unless the situation is critical, a mobile application can handle all the communication. The COVID outbreak has left everyone’s normal life in the doldrums. Even though there are vaccines now, visiting crowded places still is a question. In such cases, if a patient is connected with the hospital via a mobile app, communication will be hassle-free and to add to that it will help them contact the doctor at the comfort of their home.

   2. Daily monitoring

Tracking the patient’s health regularly is one of the most crucial ways to get them back on a healthy track. If the patient adds their daily symptoms or updates on the app, it will be helpful for the doctors to keep a close eye on their happenings. This reduces the chances of fatality. Doctors and the hospital staff can keenly observe the changes in the patient’s health, further improving the efficiency for both of the parties. 

   3. For a better future 

Change is the only constant thing and adapting to it is inevitable. The world is inching closer to living a paperless life. It’s needless to say that hospitals should avoid using paper to save patients data and digitizing their information will only make sense. A mobile application will cater to all the below needs.
 

• Going paperless 

Reducing the use of paper or rather going paperless heals the environment in many ways. Its ecological and economical benefits are immense. Going paperless will help reduce the carbon dioxide content, cut down on deforestation and pollution as well. And to counter that, a mobile application will be inexpensive and harmless to the environment.  

• Smooth workflow

Digitization has revolutionized our lives. Saving the hospital’s and patient’s records in a safe environment on an application will not only enhance the security but will also create a smooth workflow for the staff.

   4. Scheduling follow-ups

Regular follow-ups become a hassle when the patient needs to schedule an appointment over the telephone or wait in the queue. If the patient’s issue can be solved over a chat on the app, then scheduling an appointment is out of the scene. However, if the patient must visit the hospital a lot of things have to be taken into consideration–the doctor availability, the rush at the hospital, the size of the hospital and a lot more things. With the advent of technology, all these details can be fed to the app and considering these factors, the patient can schedule an appointment at their convenience. This is a win-win situation for both parties.

   5. Quick response during an emergency

Emergency does not come announced. Times when a patient’s health goes South, their family can easily check the hospital’s application for the next step. The application can guide the family and provide the information on how to revive the patient until the ambulance reaches their place, calm both the patient and their family–and once they reach the hospital, the emergency team is ready to attend to the patient. Simply put, feeding the application with the essential input can be helpful during a dire situation.

   6. Easy access for patients and doctors 

An application has almost all the information the patient is looking for. Right from scheduling an appointment, having a word with the doctor, referring to the prescriptions and reports, service chatbots, and much more – an application is a one-stop hub. All this not only puts the patients at ease but also gives them easy access to utilize everything that the hospital wishes to offer. These amenities will surely fetch the hospital some loyal clients. Not just the patients, this mobile application will come in handy for the doctors as well. The doctors can closely monitor the patient’s health, track their growth, counsel them, etc.

   7. Self-promotion tool

Now, mobile applications are one of the best promotion tools for any product. These days there is a cut-throat competition and to survive that, one must put their best foot forward. With the mobile application, they can easily brand themselves can convert the one-time patients into loyal ones. Besides all this, a mobile application can help the hospital have an edge over the others. 

   8. Encashing on the feedback 

The best part about providing the feedback online is the fact that it saves paper and to add to that it is easy to document. The valuable response that the patients provide will help the hospital live up to their customer’s expectations. This is work both ways. The hospital staff can also raise their concerns, if any.  

   9. In-house communication

For any organization, their clients are no doubt their biggest assets, but at the same time, they should realize that their staff is of the utmost importance too. The hospital must attend to the staff’s issues and needs for an effective management system. The staff can make use of the app for various purposes – to stay updated, to check their shifts, attend to the patient’s needs, to stay connected, etc. With this, they can also offer their advice to improve the hospital’s competence.

   10. Fruitful investment 

Think of the application as a priceless investment. Within a few months of it going live, you will start seeing the growth in your organization. Providing an application that satisfies all the needs of the patients and will take the hospital to new heights of success. Remember, customer satisfaction will lead to an increase in sales.

In conclusion 

The above points are enough to prove that having a healthcare application will not only improve the lives of the doctors, staff, patients but also unquestionably will benefit the hospital. Accepting the fact that your hospital needs a mobile application is half the work done. Now, let us do the rest. Right from analyzing your target audience to catering to all your application needs, App Scoop’s diligent team will surely make your application journey from idea to fruition a smooth ride. 
​
To talk to our experts, kindly contact: https://app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

References:

• https://theappsolutions.com/blog/development/benefits-of-developing-hospital-app/
• https://www.appventurez.com/blog/why-hospital-needs-app-reason/
• https://agilie.com/en/blog/10-reasons-why-your-hospital-needs-an-app-hospital-mobile-app-development-tips

Just imagine this scenario. It is nearing the deadline and the project is almost ready. Only a few touch-ups here and there and the project can be handed over to the external or internal client. Your team has put in their sweat and tears to complete this assignment, only to know that the project was not as it was intended to be. Now, you have no other option than to start the process again, from the scratch or try to join the missing links. Drawbacks like these are inevitable at times. However, there are options like wireframes and mockups that can provide a skeleton to the clients before handing out the finished product. This gives the team a chance to assess the layout with the client giving them enough leverage to rectify the lapses. ​

In this article, we will understand what a wireframe and mockup is, why has this process become mandatory, the best free wireframe and mockups tools, and a lot more. 
The theory behind wire-framing and mockups

If you are making a dish, you don’t get into cooking it right away. You take time to analyze the recipe in your mind, you get in all the ingredients, wash and chop the vegetables, start the process of the cooking, make amends in the taste and then you land on the final dish. Likewise, a project undergoes a series of modifications until it goes live, and some tools make this process smooth and breezy. Wireframes are sort of like a blueprint of a building. It is a rough layout containing certain essential aspects of the project. To design an app or website, one needs to undergo some essential steps or else the project might crumble. Wire-framing, in short, gives the developer a clear idea of how the final product looks. And most importantly, wire-framing offers them a breathing space to have a dialogue with the client and be assured that the project is on course. 

Mockups on the other hand are kind of a final design, but not exactly the finished product. It is more like a realistic version of the actual app or website which joins all the missing links that the wireframe does not have. Mockups are not clickable. It helps you experiment with the design, visual style, colour schemes, typography, actual content, branding elements, etc. Having a mockup ready allows you to have a conversation with the client and take their valuable feedback. Following these small steps makes the project successful. 

Why wireframe or mockup?

When it comes to developing apps or websites, generating a wireframe and mockup, fortifies the groundwork of the project. Here’s why you should start wire-framing and mockups. 

• Improves project’s efficiency. 
• Provides a visual and clear representation of the layout.
• Provides transparency to the team.  
• Opens communication with the client.
• Renders an opportunity to rectify the projects’ structure. 
• Connects the missing gaps.
• It makes the project cost and time effective. 

What forms a basis of a good tool?

In today’s age, wireframe and mockup have become more essential than ever. Before starting the process of picking the right tool, one needs to understand what an impeccable wireframe and mockup are made of. Survey the available tools and choose the one that works best for your organization. This research should include reading out the reviews, compare the tool with the best in the business, on the number of their clients and projects. Identify which tool adds a high level of security.

• Should be a time saver
  

Time has always been of the essence. And when we are dealing with a deadline and cut-throat competition, we ought to find a tool that saves our time. The right wireframe and mockup tool will not only save your time but will also guide you to make the project cost-effective.

• Gives the best outcome
  

We envision making our project successful. And tools that we use, should aid us in our goal. In this process, choosing the wireframe that is simple yet impactful is the right decision. The tool should make use of uncomplicated, basic, and extensive features, shapes, text, images, and button to give the best possible result. With this, the features should be interactive and powerful. In shorts, a good tool should meet all your needs. 

• Compatible with the team
  

A tool should always be a good lister. And, in turn, its actions should inspire the people who use it. It should save user’s ideas and assist the designers while using them again. 

• Holds the fort
  

These days all that matters is life-long support. A tool that allows the users free updates, assistance, and after-sales services, goes a long way.

Ten best free wireframe and mockup tools are:

   1. Mockplus

• Basic: Free – Ultimate: $12.95/month 
• Type: Web-based, Freemium

It provides rapid and interactive wire-framing and mockup tool for apps and websites. Mockplus is an all-in-one product design platform. Its UI library is a host to 3000 built-in icons, components, features and functionalities which makes wire-framing and mockup fast, easy and cooler. Mockplus’ simple drag and drop functions are impressive and bring the static layout to life.

   2. Wireframe.cc

• Basic: Free – Premium: $16 per user/month
• Type: Web-based, Freemium

It is a powerful, collaborative and yet minimalistic software to create and share wireframes. Wireframe.cc allows you to generate low-fidelity wireframe with its interactive nature. Most of its users are super happy with its built which is easy to produce and quick to share. Its UI library has most of the basic functions, features and shapes which makes it one of the finest wireframe tools. The UI of Wireframe.cc gives you a feeling that you are actually sketching the layout on paper with a pen. 
​
   3. Figma

• Basic: Free (two editors and three projects) – Premium: Free for students and $12 per editor/month 
• Type: Web-based

As per their website, Figma is a collaborative, borderless, transect and an open-sourced tool. They envision making design accessible to everyone, and courtesy of the features and functionalities they offer, Figma is increasingly becoming developer’s go to tool. It has about 2,300 components and 170 layouts, which gives a chance to explore endless opportunities. With an advanced component library, developers feel that it’s effortless and fast to use. Figma offers real-time collaboration which speeds up the workflow process and welcomes different people into the design development.

4. Pencil Project

• Completely free 
• Type: On-premise, Open source 

This tool is completely free and is open-sourced GUI. One of the highlights of the Pencil Project is the number of templates and other features that it offers. It allows the user to build UIs, flowcharts, etc., with comfort. Users adore this tool’s interactive elements and flexibility to develop and cross-platform app.

5. Balsamiq Wireframes
​

• Basic: Free for 30 days – Pro: $199 per month, with 200 projects. 
• Type: Web-based

Their front page is quite hard-hitting and speaks volumes of what they wish to offer. ‘Life’s too short for bad software’, they say. And they are giving their best to provide a tool that lets you sketch interfaces for websites and web, desktop, and mobile applications. They provide extensive UI elements and templates, that lets you design with no annoyance. Their frequent update service provides new functionalities, which is another plus point. And not to forget that their balance between low fidelity wireframe and sketch is quite intriguing.

6. InVision

• Basic: Free – Premium: $100 per month (unlimited projects for up to five team members) 
• Type: Web-based, Freemium

InVision claims that companies that partner with them see an estimated 475 per cent in ROI over three years. And today over seven million people use InVision to generate a clear design path and to achieve their goals. InVision is an all-in-one designer tool that is excellent software and has all the required functionalities. One of their plugins called Craft helps in brainstorming and strengthening the developer’s concept to develop their interface.

7. Fluid UI

• Basic: Free (1 project, 10 pages) – Pro: $25 per month (10 project, 1 user license) 
• Type: Browser-based
  

Fluid UI is the perfect way to transform great ideas into reality. It is an intuitive tool for mobile and web platform, with over 750k plus users. Fluid UI users find their interface symbols and icons quite collaborative and attractive. The wireframes are easily modifiable and can be shared with ease. Their UI is fast and provides excellent drag and drop options with built-in elements.

8. Wirefy

• Completely free 
• Type: Desktop, Open source

It helps designers create quick and functional wireframes. Their amenable and thorough typography, lists, UI Elements, Tables, etc, makes it a sturdy tool. Wirefy helps the designer make smart UX designs, as it focuses on content more than subjective design decisions.

   9. Jump-chart

• Basic: Free (1 project, 10 pages, two users per project) – Pro: $25 per month, (10 projects, 100 pages per project, unlimited users)
• Type: Web-based, Freemium

Jump-chart allows you to write content, organize the structure and track the feedback. Their custom fields feature lets the user complete their project as they need it to be in a .CSV export. Jumpstart has a powerful API that makes exporting the designs to the preferred CMS easy.

In essence 

So, there you go! We have listed the top ten best and free wireframe and mockup tools available in the industry. A comprehensive research will guide you towards a tool that works best for your organization. These tools enhance the project’s outcome and comes in handy for the developers to communicate with the team and clients.  

At App Scoop, we leave no stone unturned to give our customers the best possible result. We believe that it our humble duty to empower your business through digital transformation. Tools like wireframe and mockup provide us with a clean slate to experiment with the layout and functionalities. This, in turn, helps us deliver our clients what they envision, thus enhancing the customer experience. 

To talk to our experts, kindly contact: 
https://app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

References: 

• https://247labs.com/blog/free-tools-available-for-wireframes-and-mockups/
• https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ux-design/free-wireframing-tools/
• https://cliquestudios.com/free-wireframing-tools/
• https://www.mockplus.com/blog/post/free-quick-wireframe-tools
• https://codecondo.com/free-wireframe-tools/