There's (not) an app for that: use a pro to build your company's app.

• Author: Ritter, Patrick
• Position: Techknowledge

To outsource or not to outsource IT--that is the question. In the ever-changing world of websites, applications, smartphones and tablets, should your company hire in-house staff to develop apps or turn to outsource companies?

Websites have become so cheap and easy to create that hardly any self-respecting company goes without a web presence. But apps, aka applications, are less common and are usually only one part of a business' overall media strategy. Because of that, it rarely makes sense to hire staff solely dedicated to developing apps.

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It pays to know about apps--and what outsource providers have to offer.

Beyond the Web

"Websites were the common denominator of all companies during the '90s and 2000s, but not anymore," says Andrew Howlett, CEO of Rain, an American Fork-based media company. "Now it's all about apps."

Applications drive most internet interaction between iPhone, Blackberry and other smartphone users, directly linking them with providers of goods and services. "There's probably 400,000 apps out there now," Howlett points out. "Most of them aren't really of much value. It's the apps getting people to take action and returning important data to the sponsoring company that are worth spending money for."

Consumers are deeply engaged with their mobile devices and gravitate to apps that bring information and entertainment to their fingertips. The future lies with tablets and other mobile devices, says Wes Chapman, CEO of Lime, a Provo media relations and software development company. "My kids use these things all day long, and it won't be long before everything you need to do is done on a tablet or some other mobile device."

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Apps are increasingly important for companies looking for new ways to build relationships with customers, but that does not necessarily mean it makes financial sense to hire developers in house.

Howlett estimates the salary and benefits for a developer would be about $80,000. Add to that the cost of computer equipment and software. "Educational costs on learning new development techniques should also be considered in the overall budget," he says. In the end, the total tab for just one developer on staff would be at least $100,000 each year.

Go with the Pro

You may, of course, already have on staff a very talented computer geek who can bang out an app for you. But Howlett says it is still better to seek the help of professional developers...