Interview with Lokesh Gupta, Executive Director - Nethues Technologies

Lokesh Gupta  

Executive Director, Nethues Technologies

Give us a quick overview on Nethues Technologies. When and how did you begin this journey and what were your motives to be successful in app development?
Nethues Technologies is a reliable tech partner offering world-class web and mobile solutions to businesses, enterprises and brands worldwide. Instituted in 2007, we stand as a technologically advanced partner with 1100+ clients. With innovation as the foundation, we have been employing the latest software and advanced tool-sets to deliver the best across the globe. 
We began with the aim to cater to development challenges and needs of entities looking for an authentic partner. Ever since, we have been working as a team, aspiring to grow and learn each day by serving the best-in-class.

What is your role in the management and development of Nethues Technologies?
I hold the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Nethues Technologies. Serving as a mentor and motivator for the employees, I take due care of the latest trends and align those trends with the employees and the company capabilities.
In addition to it, from the very first day - my role has been to define the future policies of Nethues by finding ways and means to expand. 

Tell us about your biggest achievement in the industry
Since day one, I truly believe in the fundamental of ‘utmost customer satisfaction with top-notch quality’. Attaining this is the biggest achievement for me - and I guess, Nethues Family has done it the right way with a customer retention rate of 79%. Keeping quantity aside, we have always worked for quality and customer satisfaction - after all this is what matters the most.
Silicon India is the proof - we were amongst the top 20 promising companies to embellish web development abode with cost-effective, yet quality-rich services.

How do you schedule the development phases of the apps to promise the timeline to your clients?
We, at Nethues, stick to the two most productive approaches: Agile and Waterfall. Both of these are masters individually and picking one over the other won’t be a fair job. We follow the approaches depending on client’s requirements, complexities and the challenges. 
Apart from this, we adhere to a certain set of standards and guidelines including SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle) and ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) for utmost value and feature-packed solutions.

How do you help your clients in choosing the right yet profitable platform for app development?
Taking the evolving time into consideration, no one is ignorant of the latest trends and technologies. Same goes for the clients. They are smart enough and are well-acquainted with the technologies, and thus they settle for no less. This serves as a plus point for us.
We adopt a ‘analyze and speak’ approach wherein we consider objectives, requirements, budget and time frame. After digging deep into these attributes, we suggest the best possible option to our clients - that serves their purpose the best, gives them maximum output, brings them loyal customers and establishes their brand.

Which would you suggest for a successful and profitable business progression, Native or hybrid apps? How do you define the factors that influenced you to make this choice?
Well, opting one over the other wouldn’t be the right thing to do. It completely depends on project type, requirements, budget, target audience, time frame and a lot more.
Both the app development platforms are doing wonders in their respective areas, however, I have always adored native. Irrespective of higher costs, native delivers a phenomenal experience so far. Though the past years had innumerable hybrid technologies, none could compete with the native.
So, according to me, a business looking for growth and stability should give preference to native over hybrid.

How do you scheme your pricing model? How do you fix your budget?
Nethues strictly follows three major pricing models including - Fixed cost model, Dedicated resource model and Time and material model. Each model works and differs in its own way.
The choice depends upon the milestone to be delivered, costs to be involved, technologies to be used and time to be allotted.
Our first model involves project requirements, budget and time limitations which are clear to both the parties and we determine a ballpark figure for the task accomplished. Whereas, the dedicated resource model doesn’t allow a pre-determination of the exact requirements and features to be included; therefore, we give our clients the freedom to utilize the dedicated resource as per their needs and fix a monthly price for them.
On the other hand, the last model is where the resources and time can’t be estimated upfront - the scope and requirements keep changing. Following a sorted project management process, we gather inputs from our clients after each phase and embed functionalities accordingly.
But, one driving force that keeps them bonded is our progress reports, invoices and regular communication/updates. This helps us in fixing a budget while satisfying the client.

How helpful are the mobile apps developed by your team, for enhancing your clients’ business?
Well, Nethues has successfully delivered almost 100+ apps that have not only yielded good results but given us happy clients as well.
A number of our apps including the PrestaShop Admin App has approximately 5000+ downloads, which, according to me, is a head turner.  

What according to you are the best practices to attain client satisfaction?
According to me, among the best practices for client satisfaction, communication tops the list. We, at Nethues, make sure that our clients are well aware of the project progress on a regular basis. Our team maintains a transparent communication channel wherein they regularly send reports, updates and ask for feedback for any kind of improvements or changes.
Moreover, we invest maximum time, skills and expertise in order to deliver the best and help the client in achieving his goals as a brand or business entity.
By adopting these approaches, I have always had my head high whenever it comes to client satisfaction and loyalty.

How do you update your business system to be in pace with the technological advancements?
I have always been a keen learner when it comes to technological upgrades and advancements. Luckily, I am able to the same implement at Nethues.
By adopting, learning and aligning with the latest and upcoming trends, we believe in matching the technological pace. Before picking up any project, our thumb rule is to research and analyze the trends, employ, deploy and deliver.

What are your thoughts about AR, VR and Internet of Things (IoT)?
Indubitably, all three technologies are the future. Changing the way we live, play, shop, eat or travel, these technologies have pockets full of innovation and transformation.
After an assessment of the rising numbers, I have been employing these technologies in the form of apps that deliver seamless user experience and an altogether different phase of technology.

What do you think will be the future of Mobile technology?
To put it in one word -phenomenal.
The past years have witnessed a drastic change - and I promise the future is going to be extremely exciting with some unbelievable mobile experiences and advancements.
Development companies will definitely face some of the unexpected challenges but at the same time a leap in knowledge, revenues, customers and experiences.