Our experience with building apps for businesses

Let’s start with a not-so-secret truth: many still rely on gut instincts, ignoring the changes around them. It’s natural—change brings fear—but real progress comes from adapting, and that’s never easy, as even biology shows us. Now, here’s a lesser-known truth: while you might think you’re saving money by relying on separate systems and managing everything yourself, it’s those who embrace technology and know how to integrate it effectively who are truly making progress.

Staying in your comfort zone may seem safe, but it can lead to missed opportunities and gaps in your operations that cost your business money—sometimes even resulting in legal complications. As a business owner, being reactive rather than proactive can be detrimental. Tell me a process, and as Steve Jobs said, “There’s an app for that.” These apps now power everything from personalized customer experiences to behind-the-scenes efficiency. To understand how apps have become such powerful tools, we sat down with two of our integrated solutions engineers: Constantin | iOS Tech Lead & Vasile | Flutter Tech Lead.

So how did we get here?

Mobile Apps: Back Then and Now

Ten years ago, developing a mobile app was significantly more challenging. Businesses had to choose between native iOS or Android development, or use early hybrid frameworks like Cordova or Xamarin. Each option came with its own limitations—whether in terms of performance, cost, or maintenance.

Vasile, Flutter Tech Lead | EBS Integrator—in his daily office setting

Mobile apps in 2013/14 were relatively fragmented. And... building for multiple platforms meant higher development costs and slower delivery. Today, that’s changed.

Cross-platform mobile app development allows businesses to reduce costs by 30-40%. This can cut development time by up to 50%, and enable developers to reuse 50-80% of the code across multiple platforms. This speeds up the process and reduces the complexity of maintaining separate codebases for different platforms.

Why Businesses Need Mobile Applications?

No one wants to wait for a browser to load when they can open an app. Apps streamline experiences with offline access and push notifications, keeping customers engaged.

Constantin, iOS Tech Lead | EBS Integrator—ensuring the iOS department stays strong.

Mobile apps are there 24/7 for customers. You’re on the move, open the app, and bam—you have access to everything

* Market Insight (Romania): Since 2021, 44% of the Romanian consumers have made online purchases via mobile platforms. While the exact growth isn't officially documented, the number is likely increasing as more people shop online, with the percentage fluctuating slightly between 43% and 44%.

As more people come online, engagement continues to grow. Mobile apps enhance this engagement by personalizing user experiences with offline reminders and updates, boosting interaction by up to 35%. This reflects the increasing reliance on mobile platforms for shopping decisions.

Vasile adds: And push notifications are like a tap on the shoulder. They are making sure you don’t miss the boat on anything important

This level of direct connection gives businesses the opportunity to keep their customers engaged without interruptions, leading to higher retention and conversions. Additionally, mobile apps provide offline-first experiences. Even without an internet connection, users can access core features, as apps cache data, ensuring smooth interactions.

Constantin concludes: Through apps, businesses can track user behavior, understand preferences, and improve services. It’s a game-changer for any business looking to scale.

App Development... Ouch. Can It Be Easier?!

Building a mobile app isn’t as simple as writing code and hitting publish. It comes with challenges—costs, timelines, and ongoing updates can stretch a business’s resources. But with the right tools, businesses can simplify these processes.

Frameworks like [Flutter, React Native, MAUI] are changing the game by allowing businesses to build apps that work across platforms like iOS and Android with a single codebase.

Vasile says: Cross-platform development cuts development time by up to 50% and lowers costs by up to 40%, making it a perfect solution for most retail apps.

However, sometimes more complex apps, like those involving video or photo editing, require native development for better performance.

Constantin reminds us: Native development should not be underestimated. We saw this with Airbnb—they had to switch to native to improve performance.

Still, cross-platform is often the best solution for most businesses. However, it always comes down to the specific goals of the business.

Vasile notes: We always assess the business needs firstand then recommend the best approach that aligns with those objectives.

Another challenge is the approval process for App Store and Play Market. Plugin support and community-driven updates in cross-platform development ensure flexibility, but staying on top of these updates is crucial.

Constantin says: Regulations keep shifting, but we've done this enough to spot them early and adapt fast to stay compliant

When it comes to testing: it remains non-negotiable. We run extensive testing across devices to ensure smooth functionality and prevent post-launch bugs.

How Well-Designed Mobile Apps Help in Growth?

Why does good UX matter? Simple—fewer clicks mean faster buys, and the easier an app is, the more users return.

Constantin advises: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—opt for solutions that are already tested

Using reliable frameworks helps businesses minimize risks and deliver high-quality products faster. However, ensuring great UX goes beyond the framework—real-world testing is key.

The mobile app of the Parents platform, featuring notification system and modules such as AI-powered Sophie, events, stories, and programs.

Take the Parents app we developed. It supports Romanian parents by offering a platform with features like webinar CRM functionality, progress tracking, and payment systems. Initially tested internally, this helped catch issues early, leading to a smooth launch. However, internal testing alone isn’t enough when scaling. Advanced analytics were integrated to track user behavior and continually optimize the experience. Such apps may increase retention rates around 60-70%, in line with other high-engagement sectors.

The EVO app integrates digital ID, notifications, and payment management tools, offering seamless access to public services

For complex apps like EVO, which integrates e-payments and document signing, public beta testing is critical. When we tested the app, some issues, like MPass authentication problems for iOS users with iCloud Private Relay, didn’t appear until post-launch. However, thanks to real-user feedback during beta testing, we were able to identify and resolve these issues quickly.

Constantin explains: Some issues popped up after launch, but thanks to the insights we gained from beta testing, we were able to resolve them much faster.

And of course, mobile apps like Parents and EVO provide critical first-party data. This is enabling businesses to monitor user engagement and preferences.

Vasile concludes: Having direct communication channels through apps is key to making informed decisions and driving growth and profit.

Popular Industries Transformed with Mobile Apps

* Market Insight (Romania): 76.7% of e-commerce transactions are now done via mobile apps up from 69.8% since 2021. The mobile technology is mostly reshaping industries like retail, banking, and food delivery.

Mobile apps have flipped entire industries on their heads, with retail taking the lead. From scanning barcodes in-store to instant online orders, today’s shoppers demand smooth, seamless experiences—and businesses are rushing to deliver.

Lensa app simplifies stock management and improves sales with virtual try-ons, filter searches, and check real-time stock availability

For example, we helped transform Lensa, a Romanian optical retail company, by creating a mobile app that allows people to check prices, scan products, and order for delivery or pickup—all in one go.

The app became central to digitalizing 70% of their operations, streamlining processes and improving efficiency, which ultimately boosted in-app sales by 40% - explains Vasile

But it’s not just retail. Finance and micro-crediting are making loans and payments easier through apps, while government services are using platforms like EVO to simplify e-payments and document signing.

Can Businesses Ensure Apps Are Future-proof?

To future-proof a mobile app, businesses need to focus on scalability, security, and maintenance. A well-built app is one that can grow with the business, accommodating new users and features without the need for costly redesigns.

Constantin explains: We use best practices and pre-built solutions that have already been tested. This means businesses don’t need to start from scratch, and the app is ready to scale from day one.

Scalability is essential for mobile apps, particularly in industries with fluctuating demand, such as retail. By building apps on a flexible, scalable architecture, companies can easily add new features as their business grows without needing to overhaul the entire system.

For instance, apps like Lensa started with core functionalities but were designed to accommodate new features over time, allowing the app to grow alongside the company’s evolving needs.

Another critical element in future-proofing apps is continuous maintenance and updates. Apps require regular updates to stay secure, fix bugs, and adapt to new operating system requirements. Companies that neglect these updates risk higher downtime and a poor user experience.

* Market Insight (International): By investing in regular app updates and using smart tools like AI to predict issues, companies can cut down app problems (like crashes) by 60% and keep the app running smoothly almost all the time (99.9% availability). This helps apps stay reliable and up to date with the latest system changes.

Finally, a strong mobile app integrates feedback loops with users. Apps provide businesses with direct insights into customer behavior, preferences, and engagement through first-party data. This data allows businesses to monitor performance and quickly adapt to new trends.

Vasile concludes: Building an app is the first step. To make it work—it has to grow with your business and constantly evolve.

Final Words

Apps are everywhere. They make things faster, easier, and smarter. Businesses need them, customers expect them. We know this inside out. With our cross-platform solutions, we help businesses launch apps that are secure, scalable, and ready for growth.

“Get more done. Get more results. Get an app” as Constantin puts it. Vasile adds: “Apps are your business’s best friend—give them a chance, and you'll wonder how you ever managed without!”

So, if you’re looking to stay ahead, it’s time to go mobile—with us.