Services11 Apps & portals
Your workflow. The right app.
Give customers a place to book, order or manage their account. Give staff the tools to get work done. I design and build web apps, portals and mobile apps around the people using them.
$8,000 to $25,000+
Choose the fit before the technology
We start with the workflow, users and systems you already have. A mobile-friendly website or an existing product may be enough. I consider open-source options and compare the full cost of building with the tools you could use instead.
When a custom solution makes sense, we agree the platforms, integrations and first useful version. Offline work, device features and app-store distribution are scoped and tested explicitly.
Three formats. One business workflow.
Compare the delivery formats. Below, two things Headway has built: the console an owner signs into, and a web app anyone can use.
The owner's console behind a short-term rental site. Bookings, payments, guest records, rates, and the public site's own words and photos, in one place.
A web app built by Headway, open to the public.
Web app
Browser access for quoting, scheduling, reporting or a custom workflow.
Client or staff portal
A signed-in workspace with role-based documents, requests and approvals.
Mobile app
A focused iPhone, iPad or Android experience. Device features and offline access are scoped explicitly.
A prototype or paid pilot can test the fit. App-store review and distribution requirements are planned before release.
From the first screen to the handover
- 01
Define the first useful version
Agree the core workflow, users, platforms and acceptance criteria. A clickable prototype or paid pilot can resolve important questions before a larger build.
- 02
Build and test with users
Review working features with your team. Test the agreed devices, integrations, permissions and failure cases, including what happens when connectivity is poor.
- 03
Release with a plan
Prepare the agreed store submission or internal distribution, documentation and handover. Store review and approval remain with Apple or Google; dates depend on their process as well as the build.
Your accounts. Clear responsibilities.
You retain ownership of your business accounts, data and commissioned code, with third-party licences identified. We agree access permissions, data handling and any analytics before implementation.
The delivery plan defines who operates the backend, handles user support and maintains compatibility as devices and operating systems change. Monitoring, security updates and maintenance are included only where specified.
What it costs
$8,000 to $25,000+
An indicative custom-software budget. Scope and price are agreed after discovery; mobile platforms, complex portals and integrations may require a different budget.
The proposal separates design and development from hosting, developer accounts, third-party subscriptions and ongoing maintenance. We compare the full running cost before deciding to build.
A smaller paid prototype or pilot can test the approach before a full commitment. Start with a free discovery hour to discuss fit.
You work directly with me.
I'm Chris Patten: eighteen years leading technology as VP, IT and CIO, a finance and accounting background, and experience building and selling my own business. You work with me directly, and I have no software to sell you.
Connected to the rest of your business
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