In the State of the Custom Apps Report, it was also found that with applications like FileMaker, which is known for being low-code/no-code software, citizen developers (proactive problem solvers within an organization that don’t classify themselves as custom app developers or IT professionals) are creating solutions to inefficient problems within their workflow. 48% of these citizen developers reported increased job satisfaction and were able to quickly build the solution, with 46% up and running in less than 4 weeks.

Building Internally

With these great statistics, why wouldn’t you dedicate a person in the organization to build custom solutions for you?

Time is one of the top concerns when going the DIY route. While citizen developers are creating these efficient solutions for their organization, they also have to perform their everyday job, which doesn't allow them to devote their entire day to creating new apps. The additional time to learn and create new solutions usually occurs outside of work, in the evenings, and on weekends.

Typically, going the DIY route for building a custom app starts with a small task that can be turned into a simple app. Ann Monroe, VP of Marketing at FileMaker, says, "Start with the basics: businesses will have paper forms, spreadsheets, or some other document process that has gotten the team through the day so far. Look for simple processes that could turn into a simple app." While the form is seen as beneficial and creates a desire to become more efficient, it typically isn't considered urgent, as the business can still get by for now.

Luckily for businesses and citizen developers, there are ample training and learning opportunities with industry experts. We provide a variety of FileMaker training courses for developers of different skill levels. Additionally, we provide one-on-one FileMaker coaching geared to your needs. Coaching is paired programming with our experts to assist you with the problems or roadblocks that derail your development.

Work with the Experts

So, when should you have experts build a custom solution for you rather than build it internally, and what are the benefits?

FileMaker is great for converting short forms or documents into apps for your organization, but even better is that it is fully customizable and fits across all industries, integrates with other technology, and is scalable. To quote Reuben Helmuth, user of FileMaker in the State of the App Report, “(FileMaker is) a one-stop business solution for CRM, inventory project, and employee management.”

If you don't have the time or have a more complex app than a single form, perhaps having experts build the custom app for you is the optimal solution. Where do you begin with this daunting task? The first step is to dream up and plan the perfect app for your type of business. Thereafter, you can contact us to take the next step in building a solution tailored to your business needs, in line with our FileMaker development process.

Conclusion

There are many reasons your business should use a custom app. The question becomes: should you build it internally or pay someone to build it for you? If you’re ready to build a custom application yourself, start with FileMaker Training, where we offer many classes for Citizen Developers and Professional Developers. If you want us to help with FileMaker development, contact us to begin the conversation. Either way, we are ready to help you make your organization more efficient and effective.