Applico is a New York City Mobile App Developer. Applico specializes in iOS and Android mobile app development with an unmatched expertise in the platform business model.
If you’re looking to build a platform that connects two sets of users through a mobile app and you want a Silicon Alley-based mobile app development firm, you’ve come to the right place. At Applico, we’ve worked with Columbia and NYU business school grads to bring their ideas to life. We specialize in building platform businesses for industries such as media, entertainment, finance, consumer and real estate.
Applico is actively involved in the Silicon Alley community. It hosts an NYC Platform Innovation Meetup group that brings together operators at platform companies along with keynote speakers. The purpose of the Meetup is share perspectives on what it takes to build and operate a successful platform business. Keynote speakers inspire platform entrepreneurs to seek out and capture platform opportunities. Past events have been held at the General Assembly and Grand Central Tech. Applico is constantly looking to connect with entrepreneurs and chat about platforms, tech, and startups.
Our development capabilities include:
- Native iOS & Android app development
- Backend Development & architecture
- Responsive web design & development
- Cross-platform development using frameworks like Phonegap and Xamarin
NYC Case Study for Glamsquad:
Platform Design:Â
GLAMSQUAD needed a partner to help develop its business model and to design and build the technology that would seamlessly connect stylists with customers, even when on the go. Because of the stiff competition in on-demand services, it also needed a partner that could help them get to market quickly.
In Platform Design, Applico’s business model designers mapped out the core transaction and validated GLAMSQUAD’s on-demand business model. We also delivered a platform roadmap that identified key differentiators for GLAMSQUAD’s platform and outlined an MVP for development.
Engineering
We built the GLAMSQUAD iOS application for consumers. We also built a producer mobile application for stylists along with a Kinvey backend and integrations into popular booking and payment tools.
Using these technologies, we created a frictionless experience that enabled GLAMSQUAD’s customers to be automatically matched with stylists based on availability and location.
As a result, GLAMSQUAD was able to launch on time and ahead of the competition. Thanks in part to the platform-caliber experience Applico developed, the company has enjoyed substantial growth and very positive coverage in the media, including being named one of New York’s top ten “startups to watch” by TIME. In October 2015, GLAMSQUAD closed its $15 million Series B round.
 Why Applico:Â
Process in product engineering is critical to the success of our clients’ products. Our 7+ years of experience as an engineering organization has resulted in a wealth of best practice accumulation and process optimization. To put it bluntly, we know how to deliver quality platform products in-time and on-budget.
During product engineering, Applico Product Managers are the conductors of the orchestra. They’re the main client liaison and coordinate Applico UI/ UX design, backend and frontend engineering resources to build and launch platform business.
The app development process begins with product definition and product design.
Product definition takes the vision for the business established in Platform Design and maps out the required technology components i.e. Trelio for the app’s chat function or Heroku for app’s hosting environment or backend.
Product design involves a UI/ UX designer laying out all the screens required for the platform with wireframes. Once those wireframes’ flows are approved, the app’s screens are designed, in part by taking the visual identity established in Platform Branding and using it as a jumping off point to establish the app’s look and feel.
High-fidelity mocks are passed from our designers to engineers who code these frontend screens into existence. At the same time, backend engineers are building the behind-the-scenes pipes and engines that make your platform tick and operate effectively.
Testing is heavily integrated into our Product Development process. We test the stability of the code as well as its ability to scale with platform growth. Testing is also incorporated to account for various phone devices and environments.
Support and maintenance help is also available for clients once products are released. Clients owned 100% of the code once the product is completed. Read more about our engineering process here.
Our Platform DifferentiationÂ
A platform is a business model that creates value by facilitating exchanges between two or more interdependent groups, usually consumers and producers.
