Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/72524
Creating an E&S continued While plenty of people criticize Apple for such a challenging review process versus the very open Android Marketplace process, I actually applaud it. of the "Restaurant Equipment App," I'm confident in proclaiming that it was absolutely the right choice. After determining the platforms sup- ported and the infrastructure, the next step was to write the code.My Android development went smoothly, as I was able to use myWindows laptop with a free emulation and compiling tool called Eclipse,which allows the user to test out programming coding against an emulat- ed device shown on the computer screen. Apple, however, requires that coding and compiling take place using only anApple device. This led to the purchase of a small Mac mini computer for roughly $500, which I hooked to a spare monitor and keyboard.Then, I installed a free com- piling and emulation software package by Apple called Xcode and was off to the races—or so I thought.The coding process was cumbersome for both the Android and iOS development. Fortunately, Google became my best friend and virtually every time I hit a roadblock, a quick online search revealed an online forum or tutorial that helped guide me to victory. My apps were finally developed and running smoothly on the computer screen emu- lators. Thrilled with my accomplishment, I turned my attention to the next hur- dle—inclusion in the app stores. Submitting the "Restaurant Equipment App" to the Android Marketplace was quick and easy,and it was simply a mat- ter of paying a $25 fee, filling out the necessary forms and providing app screenshots. Within minutes, the app was online and available for anyone in the world to download. TheAppleApp Store processwas a bit more cumbersome, yet a positive expe- rience aswell. Apple requires a $99/year fee to join their iOS Developer Program. Its approval process includes vetting of your legal business name and verifying other details.Once your account is acti- vated, you can submit your app for review. This is a back-and-fourth process that takes (at least in my case) several weeks and multiple attempts. Each time the reviewer would send a fresh batch of comments, Iwould implement changes,resubmit and begin thewaiting process all over again.Finally,I appeased the reviewers and our app was pub- lished to the App Store. While plenty of people criticizeApple for such a challenging review process versus the very open Android Marketplace process, I actually applaud it.Their review process may seem slow at times but I think it leads to better apps that users can rest assured have been checked for malicious code and a quality user experience. As I reflect back on the process of making our app a reality, I'm thrilled with the results.We've seen larger num- bers of users than we ever envisioned and have had a great deal of positive feedback fromcustomers. It's been even more enjoyable to see online orders and customer inquiries flowing through our app as more users have become com- fortable using it. Best of all, our app has also inspired our staff to come up with ideas and features for the 2.0 version that is already in development and will be released soon.When it comes to the future of our app, the best is certainly yet to come. The making of an app isn't about fin- ishing the project and having it pub- lished in the app store. It's an evolu- tionary process, creating your first app, learning what works and what needs improvement, and then molding its functionality to better serve your user base. It's a long-term commitment to embracing change in your business and allowing your user base to access infor- mation from your company anywhere they desire. There's no time like the present to begin putting your company on the cutting edge and making an app that you'll be proud to call your own.u NOW WITH INSTANT REPLAY. Endurance™ Connect-a-Range System Most repeatable bake, most consistent results in the industry 143 different models from just 28 modules Flashtube Pilot saves up to $300/year in energy costs www.vulcanequipment.com DONE TO PERFECTION. ©2011 Vulcan July/August 201 2 29