Automating Workflows with Advanced Charts and Dashboards

Telehealth, simply put, is some type of delivery. It helps to provide health care services when patients and health professionals are separated by distance via remote technologies. Telehealth uses technologies for the exchange of information for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries for the patients. Live video conferencing, mobile health apps and remote patient monitoring (RPM) are examples of technologies used in telehealth.

It’s Healthtech time

Telehealth is improving the healthcare industry in many ways, the first of which is increasing its accessibility. Telehealth allows specialists to visit patients virtually from any place in the world by improving access as well as making a wider range of healthcare services available via telemedicine.

Today’s Telehealth environment consists of a global ecosystem of myriad digital solutions.  There are two alarming end-users trends that you should pay attention to when considering Telehealth design and solutions.

1. What doctors struggle the most with
2. What people looking for when they choose the healthcare providers

Providing virtualized healthcare to any place in the world is one of the best-known applications of telehealth. But the medical industry is using it in several other ways, including:

• Urgent help in distance. It can be a headache or sore throat. There are many medical complaints that aren’t life-threatening, but they need some professional attention. Virtual care services allow skilled health personnel to treat minor complaints, including providing appropriate prescriptions.
• Stay in contact. Qualified medical personnel can use messages, phone and video calls to follow up the patients after they are discharged from the hospital. This way, improves worker productivity from not having to take time off and travel to appointments and ensures each patient understands the importance and carries out recovery and treatment plans. Also, telehealth platforms can automate much of the communication process, including sending reminders to the patients.
• Updating online prescription. Telehealth provides the possibility to update online prescriptions even If you’ve been unable to get to your own doctor to refill a current prescription.
• Monitoring of patients with chronic conditions. For these patients, it is one of the best benefits of telehealth. Virtual care helps those who have mobility issues, mental illness, and other conditions that may prevent them from going to in person medical appointments.
• Facilitating care to rural areas. Telehealth is a great way to provide patients in places that are outside the current health delivery system with access to quality care. In the event of a medical emergency, telemedicine makes it possible to coordinate with specialists in other regions without wasting time to provide patients with effective treatment.
• Increased patient satisfaction. In addition to referrals, many patients assess and choose healthcare providers through online reviews. As such, you must have positive reviews that will attract new patients. Telemedicine helps improve patient satisfaction scores by providing convenience of care and reducing wait time. The providers have the opportunity to offer remote services to the patients and make it convenient for them to receive medical attention. Also, this process reduces in-hospital visits.
  

All right, let’s move on to the design

Telehealth platforms require a unique approach to service design. As you can imagine, it isn’t the same way, say, for a food delivery service.

Telehealth is not about technology, it’s about people

That’s a good reminder that you need to create space for telehealth that provides human connections and assistance. The healthcare industry is unique and complex, and it can be challenging to set up. Establishing fundamental principles to guide telehealth design will help us keep sight of the user experience and user journey throughout different healthcare systems.

In this article, we’ll highlight the important and unique challenges in the design faced by digital health companies and startups.

1. Research. To begin, you need a shared understanding of how you usually provide face to face care. You will need a solid understanding of the patient’s journey through your service.
2. Construction. Based on our research findings, you need to discuss them with your client. There is the moment when you draft innovative solutions and delve into user journeys. We identify the most promising ideas based on jointly developed options. Service design can be quite abstract. The main idea is to find key service touchpoints.
3. Strategize and develop Next, it is necessary to work with your clients to co-create a product roadmap and business strategy. Together with medical professionals, you develop an extensive plan of the envisioned telehealth design, listing interactions between users, new processes, and workflows. Also, don’t forget to define the physical and digital things that will be used. By the end of this step, you’ve created visual content and material to start the development process.
4. Taking it live. From our experience, we recommend turning digital and physical artifacts into minimum viable products (MVP).  MVP is essential to clinical trials. There is a product that has basic features and can be used to get feedback from the users.

After the main last modifications, it’s time for launch! At this stage, it’s important to provide testing to ensure that the envisioned workflow and interactions are happening as intended.

That’s it

To sum up, telemedicine is full of benefits for patients and healthcare providers. When people have had a taste of telehealth, they’re willing to continue using this convenient care option.

Telehealth’s future looks very bright, doesn’t it?

Also, it’s obvious to see continued strong growth and upgrade around devices, communication channels, telemedicine services, and telehealth platforms. Look for them to become increasingly user-friendly and convenient. As this happens, we can expect to see a resulting increase in users. After all, good design is the right way to improve engagement.

Designers will need to imagine themselves in both the patients’ and providers’ roles during the preparation for the start to create the design for telehealth. Every detail of a visit, from the method of scheduling appointments to the distribution of follow-up procedures, should be carefully planned to ensure the best outcomes and clear understanding.

We can expect to see digital pharmacies, virtual appointments, online triage tools, and remote monitoring gain in popularity. It may well become the new normal in healthcare.

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With more than 2.7 billion smartphone users across the world in 2020, it’s no surprise that the mobile app industry is expended with no signs of stopping. Nowadays, smartphones have become a useful and convenient instrument that offers multiple benefits such as communication through emails and social networking, web surfing, entertainment, GPS and various other productivity apps.

In fact, studies show that the average American checks their phone every 12 minutes. 10% of people check their phones every four minutes.

We use our phones every day at work, at home, on the street, in bed, while we are eating, in our cars. You might be reading this article from a mobile device right now.

What are people doing on their phones? Well, 90% of mobile time is spent on apps.

According to these facts, many companies considering mobile apps are facing a common challenge — which app development approach to choose? Should we build a native, mobile web, or hybrid app? More importantly, which is the most appropriate app type for you and your business?

Let’s find out what are native, mobile web, and hybrid apps, analyze the differences between them, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. After reading, you will be able to understand which approach will be the right one for your business idea.

Web Apps

A web app is a software program that uses web technologies like HTML5, CSS, JavaScript. It exists entirely within browsers such as Safari and Chrome and is essentially a mobile website. It is therefore not possible to download them from an app store.

Also, the web app is not connected with the device’s operating system and does not use its storage. Unlike an iOS or Android app, there is no software development kit (SDK) for a developer to work with. There are templates and frameworks for developing web apps like Angular, React, and Vue.js that you can use to get a quick start.

So, here are some pros of web application

• Developing a web app can be simple and quick. So, web apps are a cost-effective way to put your product in the hands of a lot of users.
• Web apps can be built for all platforms as long as they can run in an appropriate web browser.
• The user doesn’t have to manage updates manually. The newest version always loads when a user opens a web app.

And some cons:

• Searching for an app might be difficult because the user doesn’t find it in any app store.
• A browser is required to run a web app. It means that users have to take more steps to use a web app, whether that’s searching for the page or typing in a URL.
• Web apps can be slower and lack a lot of benefits. They only work online and they don’t have access to as many phone features like push notifications, contacts, etc.

However, as browsers and web apps become more advanced, PWAs (progressive web apps) offer a wider functionality like:

• Sending push messages
• Using some touch screen elements
• Using some of the device’s hardware

So, If your startup is on a budget and doesn’t require complex functionalities or access to operating system features, then building a web app can be the most suitable solution.

Native Apps

A native app is a software application that is built for specific platforms and is written in languages that the platform accepts. For example, Swift and Objective-C for native iOS apps, Java or Kotlin for native Android apps and C# for the most part for Windows Phone apps. Native apps are also built using the specific Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for the selected operating systems.

Advantages of the native application:

• Native apps offer the fastest, most reliable and most responsive experience to users.
• Good integration with the hardware of the device (e.g. camera, GPS, phone, touch screen)
• It comes with the push notification functionality.
• Great design and user experience possibilities. For example, the implementation of sophisticated UI/UX design and animation.
• These apps can be downloaded from app stores and installed on mobile devices, where they can be placed as a designated icon on the home screen.
• Native apps are also more suitable for working offline.

Disadvantages:

• Need more than one codebase. iOS apps will not run on Android and the opposite, so you will have to work with different codebases for every platform you choose to build in.
• Native apps are usually more expensive in developing, especially for companies that need apps on multiple OS platforms. For both platforms, it will require two separate developers or teams.
• A lot of time is spent on development. Also, it takes time to update the app for different platforms.
• Require constant updates to keep with the current OS versions.
• Expensive to keep your native app updated
• Both Apple App Store and Google Play get a 30% commission from every in-app payment.

To sum up, a bigger budget is required if you want to build your app for multiple platforms (i.e. iPhones and Android) and to keep your native app updated. Native apps are not the best option for simple applications.

By offering a great user experience, better performance and accessibility, native apps are able to offer users a more personalized product.

Hybrid apps

Hybrid apps combine the power of native and web apps to reap the benefits of both. Actually they are made, so they look and feel like native applications, but like web apps, are built with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Also, there is a shell that is downloadable and loads the code using a WebView.

Advantages of the hybrid apps:

• Hybrid apps don’t need a web browser like web apps.
• With a hybrid app, you only have one codebase to manage. So, instead of building two apps like with native apps, you’re building one app, and it works on both platforms.
• Hybrid app developers are often less expensive than native application developers. You will probably require half the number of developers two native apps would have required. Or, with the same number of developers, a hybrid app could be published in half the time.
• Hybrid is a great option for developers that create visually intense applications, for instance, games
• Hybrid apps let you retain the same ability to access device features as with native apps.
• Easy to work with, maintain and upgrade
• Because of their native infrastructure, hybrid apps can work offline.
• Hybrid apps are easier to scale to another platform. Once you’ve built for one platform, you can launch on another, like Windows Mobile.

The downside:

• Getting your hybrid app to run appropriately on each platform generally takes substantial work. Sometimes, the total cost might become comparable to that of fully native apps. It all depends on how close you want to get to the “native user experience” or how simple your app is.
• Hybrid apps can be slower than native apps.
• Need to customize to a large number of exciting browsers
• Inability to implement complex features (e.g. in-app analytics, charts, diagrams)
• These hybrid systems make bug fixing more difficult.
• Hybrid apps load in a WebView, so performance can be worse than native applications.

Say you have an idea for an app, and you don’t know if people will like it or not. If you understand that a web app doesn’t really allow you to test this app, the simple version of the hybrid app will be a good solution for you.

You give to people to download and use the app on their device, although you are short on resources. Usually, a startup project is decided to create a hybrid app that in the startup world, this is called an MVP, or minimum viable product.

Conclusion

There are many different directions in which you can take your app, all of which have their pros and cons. The choice between web, native, and hybrid development is dependent on a number of factors, including business needs, app requirements, developer skill, budget and timelines. What’s important is to spend enough time thinking and analyzing before you start building because the apps are expensive enough. So, you may only have one go at getting it right. Find out the information as much as you can about the different kinds of apps and the development stages.

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What is a SaaS product?

SaaS (Software as a service) is a software distribution model in which a cloud provider hosts applications and makes them available to end users over the Internet. Therefore, SaaS applications are not set up and maintained by companies. A monthly subscription fee gives users access to the ready-to-use software. To make an analogy, the SaaS using process is like renting a vehicle, for which the lessor pays the price and uses it on demand. Nowadays, SaaS presents not as a service but as a necessary element at the center of the functioning of every second business.

Here are some statistics referring to SaaS software:

• The global SaaS market was valued at $237.48 billion in 2022, with projections to reach $908 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 18.7%.
• Over the last seven years, the SaaS industry's size has increased by approximately 500%.
• The U.S. SaaS market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.64% from 2023 to 2028, reaching over $186 billion by 2028.
• By 2026, it's anticipated that public cloud spending will constitute over 45% of total enterprise IT expenditure.
• Large companies (with over 1000 employees) use about 150 different SaaS products, comprising 70% of their total software usage.

Top Industries

Leading industries in SaaS adoption include healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and retail.  This trend highlights the importance of cloud-based solutions in driving business efficiency and innovation.

• Manufacturing: Projected to surpass $19 billion in SaaS market value by 2026, with increased adoption of cloud solutions for supply chain, inventory, and production planning driving growth.
• Web and Video Conferencing: Expected to reach $7 billion by 2026, driven by remote work practices and advancements in IoT, AI, and video compression.
• The healthcare SaaS market: Is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.5% by 2028, driven by ongoing digitalization efforts, including the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and telehealth solutions.
• CRM (Customer Relationship Management): Expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.43%, reaching $59.4 billion by 2027, driven by higher adoption among SMEs, cloud-based solutions, and a focus on customer engagement.
• EdTech (Educational Technology): Projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.1% through 2028, spurred by increased demand for virtual learning platforms and educational content.
• HR (Human Resources): Anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 15.8% up to 2028, with growth fueled by the need for efficient management systems, talent acquisition tools, and advanced analytics.
• Property Management: Expected to see a CAGR of 15.5% until 2028, driven by demands for automated rental management and enhanced tenant experiences.

Top Players

To get a clearer idea of what a SaaS product is, here is a list of the biggest SaaS companies known around the world:

• Microsoft Corporation;
• Adobe Inc.;
• Figma;
• HubSpot;
• Trello;
• Zoom;
• Slack.

Suppose you have experience using one of the above products. In that case, you can imagine how it works, why it is convenient, and how important it is to implement such SaaS platforms in your business.

Our company also deals with similar SaaS development services. We implemented the latest technology to build an innovative financial CRM system and booking beauty appointment platform, according to SaaS approach.

Benefits of using SaaS products

So, what are the benefits of this system for you? If you clearly understand what function SaaS products perform and your business purpose, you can formulate precise requirements for the end result of using this service. This section will list the main things that SaaS providers can offer for B2B and B2C businesses.

• You pay only for the resources and functionality that the company actually uses. There is no need to pay for the full range of services that a SaaS provider offers you. You're free to choose the necessary and critical features for your business and pay only for them.

• Economic benefit. This point can be viewed from two angles. First, you know exactly how much you'll have to pay for the subscription period, and you won't have surprises with the increased cost of the resources you've already paid. Second, you won't risk your investment in such a subscription. If your business needs a more powerful or extensive platform to deploy your capacity. You'll end your subscription to one product and switch to another without losing money.

• Accessibility to your team from anywhere. Any device your employees use - PC, laptop, mobile phone, tablet - can use the SaaS product.

• Shared use of the software by the entire team. There is no need to buy a subscription for each user within the same company; the only exception may be the limit of connected users.

• Centralized software updates. There is also no need to worry about updating the paid platform manually; the providers will do everything for the customer.

Business prospects with SaaS products

Enterprises incorporating SaaS products into their business concept are uniquely positioned to benefit from this growing trend. Here are some key business prospects with SaaS products, supported by statistics and numbers:

• Cost savings: SaaS service reduces businesses' need to invest in expensive hardware and software, which leads to cost savings. As a result, companies can save up to 20-30% of their IT costs.

• Scalability: According to 68% of companies, scalability is one of the main benefits of using SaaS. Therefore, a company can quickly increase or decrease its use of software as needed. 

• Security: SaaS products offer enterprises advanced security features to reduce the risk of data breaches, including encryption and multifactor authentication. 94% of enterprises report a noticeable increase in security after implementing SaaS.

• Competitive Advantage: 74% of companies claim SaaS gives them an advantage through the quick and cost-effective deployment of innovative software.

Summary

As you have already understood, SaaS products are not only an opportunity to effectively manage business processes and business as a whole but also a practical necessity, without which it will be easy to optimize work processes and implement large-scale projects without a platform for necessary control. 

By understanding what working principles SaaS is based on, you can maximize the potential of SaaS in your business and achieve greater success by 2030 and beyond.