Alpha Anywhere vs. Hololink

The speed of development from concept, through development and delivery of the end product is so impressive [with Alpha Anywhere]. There is an impressive array of genies and helper functions meaning that you can focus on what matters, the end user experience. It is not a "No code" solution but it is a very impressive "low code" solution which allows detailed access under the hood to tweak the applications to your own needs and the needs of your clients.

I only know Hololink from an educational point of view, but as a teacher, I find it easy to use and a fun way to incorporate tech in reports and presentations. My knowledge of the demands in other traits is too little for me to decide whether Hololink is up for the task. For the tasks I've had at hand, Hololink has been a good choice.

• Our company had been creating small business applications since the 1980's, when we used DBase IV (don't laugh... that's what was available). Then, we got more "sophisticated" with Microsoft Access. Clearly, we would always be limited with what we can do with those two programs. By accident, during an Internet search, we saw and ad for Alpha Anywhere (back then, it was called Alpha V). After working with the 30 free trial for just two weeks, we retired Access, for good. The best part was Alpha's flexibility in its use of "back end" data tables. That allowed us to use existing Access tables as we redesigned the front-end program (Alpha ships with its own DBF system, but we prefer SQL-Based tables). You can choose, SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, Access, Paradox (actually, too many to name) for your tables. You can even create links to Excel spreadsheets or QuickBooks Tables. It's outstanding!
• Alpha allows developers to create very large and very complex programs. However, it's also a great choice for RAD (Rapid Application Development) for those who need to be up and running quickly or for less experienced programmers. Actually, the interface truly allows for "codeless" development of your application (more on that later). That means you can design a fully functional application, without typing a single line of code. They have some examples on their website.
• My favorite part of Alpha is that it is constantly adding features and functions that allow us to do more with our applications. In fact, one of my biggest problems is that I need more time to learn and practice the added features as fast as they are introduced
• Prior to Alpha Anywhere, we never considered creating/developing "mobile" applications (for tablets, smartphones, etc.). Alpha created a unique "panel" system that makes those application work great... and allows for the design of very sophisticated Apps.

Incentivized

• As opposed to all other AR creation tools that I know, Hololink does not require consumers to download an app, thereby bypassing the primary problem of creating AR experiences, which is getting people to download an app. Let it be known that native apps are going away, the future is web-based because it is easier.
• The Hololink image-tracking, which enables AR elements to be projected upon real-world objects and images is exceptionally good compared to other AR projects that also use image-tracking. In Hololink your buttons, 3D models, and videos do not sail away from the objects that they're supposed to be attached to.
• The people working on Hololink are very focused on UX, and the few times that I have had suggestions, they have been very attentive.

• I really enjoyed product when the database was a part of it, less maintenance
• Converting to the cloud has been challenging
• Security setup should be simpler, like Softr or Stacker

• Hololink comes pre-packed with a lot of 3D models there are cases where I would like to write text on models directly, instead of using the annotation function which Hololink provides. It would be easier than having to upload my own 3D models, which is also possible.

Alpha Anywhere is a full-stack IDE. It’s no code and low code, but you can also custom code if you need to. About 10% of our application is no code. 80% is low code and 10% is custom code.

A long time ago I use Aurasma. As I recall it was quite heavy because you had to transfer the Aura from your computer to the student's smartphones through signup on the internet and making them connect to your user with an invitational code, and if it didn´t work it was hard to figure out why. Hololink is just a scan away and you don´t have to connect to any user accounts to see other student products.

• Allows for a great return on investment since you can quickly become very productive and complete more projects and applications in a shorter period of time with hand coding and the normal programming headaches of PHP, C#, Angular, etc.
• You can afford to take on more and smaller projects since they will require far less time to complete than more traditional development environments.
• Alpha Anywhere is continuously updated coming out with new features and capabilities on essentially a daily basis. Continuous improvement and frequent updates allows you to always stay ahead of the curve and competitors.
• Alpha Anywhere allows you to offer lower cost solutions that will be completed in less time and that will be much easier to support and maintain.

Incentivized

• AR is hot right now and thus helps attract people. In the future, the AR-excitement might lessen, but it has clear affordances in terms of communication that will continue to be relevant as long as people have smartphones or google-glasses or the likes.