We Build Mobile Apps, Web Apps & Custom Software
We are a Vancouver software development company located in the heart of downtown. Our team of 14 experienced developers, alongside our technical director, project managers, and sales staff are here to help you build custom software to manage your business. From rebuilding legacy software, creating customized business platforms from the ground up, to unique Web Apps and Mobile Applications, we can work with you to deliver a product that will help your business manage, measure and improve.
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Mobile App Development
- Our team of 14 senior developers has been delivering Android and iOS apps to clients since 2008.
- We have developed apps that allow people to act as food couriers, track retail rewards, select post-secondary institutions, and connect socially.
- We work with businesses to create apps enabling their employees to collect information from remote sites and sync it with a central main database.
- Numerous businesses and non-profits have trusted Essential Designs to deliver the mobile apps their business depends upon.
- 3 offices in Canada located in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto.
iOS & Apple Developers 
Developing applications from the ground up and from scratch is how we prefer working with our clients. Because much of the app-building software on the market today include bugs and potential hang-ups, we turn our focus to native coding to ensure the best possible output once the application is launched online. By using native coding with iOS apps, users on both iPhones and iPads are easily able to utilize the content you produce and share. We work in both Swift and Objective-C to keep the development and deployment process as smooth and simple as possible.
Our team of programmers and developers focus on native code when developing iOS applications. With native code, your iPhone or iPad is able to better leverage all of the devices features (ranging from Bluetooth and the accelerometer to GPS and your device’s camera). Using Swift or Objective-C for most applications, we are able to make the most out of your app’s functionality without compromising the app or software with bugs and user problems.
For more simplistic applications, we also code in a cross-platform manner utilizing Titanium, PhoneGap, and Xamarin. While these are not ideal for large applications (using excessive multimedia and other intense functions), this option is often suitable for smaller and less intricate apps on the market.
iPhone App Developers
With the experience of senior iPhone app developers who have worked on hundreds of applications in the past, feel at ease throughout the entire process of creating to executing your app on the market (regardless of whether you are providing services, products, or information to your users). If you are unsure of the type of language that is ideal for the app or software you have in mind, we are happy to discuss your options and the possibilities that will work best for the software or application you are seeking to develop.
Advanced User Interface
When compared to web-based applications, iOS native mobile application development enables attractive native phone features and abilities, allowing us to create a more rich user experience for your application. We are very adept at creating a vivid visual experience for your users and helping to create the full user experience in detail.
We are able to take full control of the project as a whole and provide the full application layout and wireframe along with full graphic design. If you already have a graphic design staff, we can work with your team to create the overall application look, which we then turn in to a functional application.
Android Developers 
Android-based apps allow clients to share their creations in a vast marketplace while allowing users to easily access and use the applications themselves with little to no issues. Because Android offers native programming options such as swiping, tapping, and a virtual keyboard ability, ease of use and access is much more prevalent for individuals with a wide variety of devices at their disposal. The home screen of Android devices also mimics that of the Windows operating system, allowing for widgets and more customization for the average user during the development process. Having total control over everything from the functionality to the overall appearance and aesthetic is key to success within the Android app market and industry.
At Essential Designs, our team of experienced programmers and developers have a keen understanding of a variety of coding languages, working hard to guarantee the satisfaction of each and every one of our individual clients. For clients who are not sure which direction to take during the brainstorming and development of their application, our team is available to assist with ideas, input, and solutions. Keeping the lines of communication open with our clients is a top priority, allowing our programmers and developers better opportunity to stay on track with deadlines while ensuring the client’s application is crafted thoughtfully and thoroughly every time. Reach out to us at one of our offices located in Vancouver, Calgary or Toronto to learn more.
Native Device Features
Android offers a plethora of beautiful, functional native device features that you can take advantage of with your app. You can download an Android app to your phone and tablet sure, but device types are increasing to include your watch or tv, and even a car. Some native device features available to Android app developers to work with include: interactivity via swiping, tapping, pinching, reverse pinching, and a virtual keyboard home screen is similar to Windows Desktop, which allows for app icons, widgets, screen themes & customization. Other features include the display of auto-updating content like email, news, or weather. Filing systems are one of the larger Android advantages over iOS, and allow a user to work with files, opening them in the app of their choice.
Responsive Design In Android
Implementing responsive design in your Android app or software as part of app development is imperative in order to properly appeal to a larger audience or demographic, regardless of the device they choose to view your product or application in. Whether your users are often utilizing tablets or traditional smartphones, responsive design is a way to truly reach all potential users and customers you are targeting.
Internal Apps or Revenue Generating Apps
We build applications for many different uses, and often our clients use the applications for internal purposes only. That is to say, their staff has access to the mobile app but the app is not widely available on the public app store. This is used when the data in the application is private and not for public display, or the goal of the application is for staff communication and not to involve the public. We are happy to build the applications in either direction and can help explain which is ideal for your project.
We also build applications for customers who are looking to profit directly from the application, both in the Apple App Store and Google Play. In these situations, the client needs to set up their own account with these two services in order to collect the revenue and manage taxes. We can discuss with you how to go about this process and get your app setup live on the app stores.
Web App Development
Our team of programmers and developers are well-versed in a variety of languages, giving our clients more options when building an application from scratch with specific functions and requirements. We are not fans of traditional app developing packages, as these often lead to bugs and limits the ability to implement truly unique features into our clients’ projects.
Instead, we enjoy working one on one with each of our individual clients to determine their needs while also developing a solution and project scope that works best without eliminating the overall ability of the final web app itself. At Essential Designs, we work only with the best senior programmers and developers around, allowing our clients to get the most out of any app they envision from scratch.
Business Web Applications
We also specialize in building business-specific web applications, making it much easier to communicate with team members while managing your day-to-day tasks with less hassle. Developing a business application for your company is a way to potentially automate billing, send tickets to working employees (even if they are working remotely), or simply manage time and schedules within any department or your company as a whole. Ultimately, building a custom business web application is a way to reduce overall costs by increasing productivity, efficiency, and overall communication with all of your employees and customers simultaneously.
Responsive Design
Responsive design is an exciting breakthrough in web design technology. Finally, your online presence can automatically adapt to any screen size, on any device. With responsive design, you only need one version of your app or website to serve the different preferences of the entire market. Often, with a responsive web application, you don’t even need to build a native mobile version of your app.
Responsive design works for a wide range of web-based software applications; from admin panels to portals, to SaaS projects. Buy stocks, review sales reports, order more pallets of wood – whatever you need, view and easily accomplish your tasks on any device. Remember, no matter how large or complicated your project may be, we have the skills to create an intuitive experience for your users and a headache-free experience for you. Contact us today to learn how smooth the process can be.
Custom Software Development
Our teams enjoy working individually with clients and building web applications from the ground up. Using ASP.net, Java, C#, Python, and PHP allows our developers to make the most out of any web application you desire, whether the application is to be used by team members and employees only or if you are looking to expand your reach with potential customers.
At Essential Designs, we provide custom business software that has been thoroughly tested and implements a myriad of features and functions based on each clients’ needs. Our experienced programming team love tackling new challenges and concocting new methods of developing and launching successful web applications on all platforms (including Android and iOS).
Popular types of web applications for businesses include data tracking, tracking sales, and easier communication within team members or those utilizing your application individually. Streamlining and automating sales and billing cycles is also possible with a uniquely-developed web application to fit your current business model (based on your consumer base and needs). While developing a unique web application requires an investment, it is ultimately extremely valuable when attempting to scale your business or hire new remote and on-site workers.
Our Experience
Essential Designs has worked with hundreds of organizations to create custom business software, ranging from Schneider Electric, Honeywell and TECK to the creation of the Lifeguard First Responder App. We understand what it takes to create successful business web applications and work individually with each of our clients, striving for perfection. We have worked with hundreds of marketplace applications and types of business software for a variety of companies, giving us a leading edge over the competition while guaranteeing satisfaction and high-quality results.
Customized Systems
Our experience covers all kinds of customized systems from office management and order tracking to stock trading applications. We’ve even architected systems to manage Canadian resource companies and mines. We do not focus on only one industry or sector, we build systems for any industry that requires our expertise.
We build a fully customized system for each of our clients. What this means is that we are not taking a pre-made software package and refitting it to your business, but building a system from the ground up tailored to your needs. You will never be stuck at some point in the future with a packaged limit to changes that you can make or features that cannot be adjusted – the system is 100% yours and allows for customization at any time. This also means that you will not have hundreds of features and fields in your application that are not of benefit or use to you, every item will be added specifically based on your need for it, making the system very streamlined. We do not get to use your code and product to sell to the next customer as well, you own all rights and licenses to the end code.
Is your software outdated?
So many of our customers are struggling with an old legacy software system that doesn’t fit their modern needs. It’s a glaringly obvious issue that can feel overwhelming to tackle. It may be time to update your business systems if:
- Your old software needs to be run on a physical computer / remote desktop and your business is heavily reliant on this one machine staying up at all times
- Your software won’t run on the current Windows/platform version or can no longer be updated
- Data cannot be accessed remotely
- Concurrent users connecting remotely causes issues
- Finding a legacy programmer to make changes and updates is next to impossible
- The system is slow or takes a long time to load
- Databases are designed in MS Access
Starting your project is easy:
- Give us a call to discuss your project needs and determine if custom software is right for your business, or if we can recommend an off-the-shelf solution
. - Once we’ve determined if custom software is the right fit for your business, we’ll start on our 5 stage project process. Learn more about our process here: https://www.essentialdesigns.net/our-process/
. - With each project we take on, we assign a dedicated team for your development needs. This team includes: your ED Sales Rep, Project Manager, Developer(s), Technical Lead, Designer(s) and a wireframe specialist.
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Our Latest Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
We have custom software, can you take over the development?
Project takeovers are very common for us, we are very experienced with legacy systems and older coding languages. We can typically either take over the ongoing development of your platform or rebuild your old system from scratch. In the latter case, we use the system as an initial model from which we build out a plan for a new modern application.
How does payment work during a project?
Our development model is based on a fixed price quote, and payments are made on scheduled Milestones during the project. For each project that we begin we create a Milestone list, along with the dates for deployment of that Milestone and the payment schedule. There is also an initial payment and a portion of the payment that is withheld until final sign off and approval.
Can you build a prototype of my software idea?
Typically we start each software development project with the MVP – the Minimum Viable Product. Initially, we recommend that we create the fewest number of features to start. This means you can test and implement your new system keeping cost low and add-on features from there.
I have an idea for a new software project, what are the next steps?
Every piece of software starts as a concept. The next phase is to get more tangible and build out a features list or what we call a “Scope Document”. This doc is a written version of your concept, along with anything and everything you can think of on how you envision the software working. Listing features and as much detail that you can think of at this stage is very valuable.
How much does it cost to build?
The cost associated with building custom software can range greatly. There is not generally a quick answer to this, but we are happy to try and ballpark your project once you have a solid features list. There are also a number of options which impact the price to select from, for example, a responsive web application is much less expensive than building two separate native applications for both iOS & Android.
Can your software development team handle our workload, and when would you be able to begin?
We have a team of 14 full-time senior developers and are most often able to get started on your project right away. We may require adjusting the schedule to assign the appropriate team member, but typically always have a period of wireframe and design at the start of the project, which we are able to get started on immediately.
Contact Us
Whether you want to build a new mobile app, web application or custom software, we are here to help you through each step of the process! Contact us today for a free consultation.