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Alpha Anywhere

Score9.9 out of 10

13 Reviews and Ratings

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What is Alpha Anywhere?

The Alpha platform is a unified mobile and web app development and deployment environment with distinct "no-code" and "low-code" components.

The vendor says that using the Alpha TransForm no-code environment, business users and developers can take full advantage of all the capabilities of the smartphone to turn any form into a mobile app in minutes, and power users can add advanced app functionality with Alpha TransForm's built-in programming language.

IT developers can use the Alpha Anywhere low-code environment to build complex, offline-capable web and mobile business apps with deep functionality. Alpha Anywhere can access and integrate with existing databases and web services, and can exploit built-in role-based security. Additionally, the vendor says Alpha Anywhere is designed to build applications in significantly less time than traditional coding. While most other mobile app development software addresses either the front-end OR the back-end, Alpha Anywhere combines all required client AND server development features. Enterprise level reporting, geo-location/mapping tools, charting, scheduling, media handling (including offloading options to the cloud) and responsive design are all built-in. This solution includes native-like quick start mobile templates right out of the box.

Categories & Use Cases

Media

Inspection Solutions is a mobile business app designed for inspectors who need to inspect construction vehicles in the field, but showcases functionality relevant to many other field apps. The app includes the critical features now required in modern field services apps, such as offline capability, bar code scanning, voice annotation and digital ink. It is a native-quality hybrid app created using the Alpha Anywhere V4 rapid mobile application development and deployment platform.
Pumpjack Pro is a sample application for Alpha Anywhere designed for inspecting pumpjacks - those machines that look like bobbing horse heads above oil wells. Features include: - Pass/fail buttons - Photo capture - GPS location capture - Indicator meters - A popup cheat sheet - A popup video - A signature capture control - Offline operation
DevCon 2016 is an offline-capable mobile/web application for navigating the Alpha Software Developers Conference. Although this is a real, working application it also makes a great sample application for anyone who wishes to build a Conference Schedule Application in Alpha Anywhere.This application was created using out-of-the-box Alpha Anywhere functionality with a minimum of custom JavaScript so it is easy to modify. Developers can make modifications to this sample inspection app directly from within the Alpha Anywhere IDE. - Updates Against Live SQL Data - Works offline - Can be Used as a Web or Mobile Application - Can be Modified for Your Own Use
Alpha TransForm Data Colleciton App
Alpha Anywhere Punch List app
Alpha TransForm inspection app

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Key Features

Learn about the best (and worst!) features Alpha Anywhere has to offer, as determined by TrustRadius' reviewers.
Based on 13 ratings of Alpha Anywhere's features
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Top Performing Features

  • Reusability

    An internal repository where assets, modules, and even entire applications can be reused

    Category average: 8.6

  • Platform User Management

    Tools enabling admins to control user access and on-board and off-board users

    Category average: 8.4

  • Platform Security

    Security guardrails in place to help prevent malware, data breaches etc.

    Category average: 8.6

Areas for Improvement

  • Visual Modeling

    Visual modeling tooling allows business users to design processes visually.

    Category average: 7.7

  • Platform Scalability

    Apps developed by low-code platform must be scalable and capable of supporting large numbers of users

    Category average: 8.7

  • Drag-and-drop Interfaces

    Drag-and-drop interface for building applications

    Category average: 8.4

Reviews

What users are saying about Alpha Anywhere.
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Alpha Anywhere has helped me grow my business in a vibrant and sustainable way.

Glen SchildView profile
Proprietor in Information Technology at GJ Stats (1-10 employees employees)

Pros

  • It allows the developer to focus on the end user needs while doing the "heavy lifting" of application development.
  • It seamlessly is able to connect to just about any back end database taking care of the nuances of the database programmed language.
  • It has a full production environment which includes a powerful cloud hosting offering that simplifies the delivery of the end product
  • It has a feature rich digital form filling application called Alpha Transform which integrates very well with the IDE

Cons

  • Constant and dynamic updates to the system are one of the biggest strengths but can also be one of its weaknesses as it can be difficult to keep up with the pace of change.

Most Important Features

  • Speed of development
  • The Alpha Cloud offering
  • The flexibility to tailor the end product
  • The Alpha Transform offering

Return on Investment

  • As a small business the ability to template and re-use components and code snippets throughout the product makes my business model viable.

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Access

Other Software Used

Navicat Premium, ClickUp, Timeular

For what it can do AA is the Alpha & Omega of Low Code/No Code development

Marc Hotchkiss
CEO (Chief Executive Officer) in Research & Development at The Livestock Link (1-10 employees employees)

Pros

  • Reporting
  • Validating Input
  • Ability to produce whatever we can dream up

Cons

  • 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

Most Important Features

  • Build, change in-house
  • Our staff likes how we have ability to lay out the program
  • Dependable product

Return on Investment

  • We see it is becoming more & more valuable in our business
  • Our competition has everything we do, except a Clerking program which we developed in Alpha
  • Converting to the Cloud hasn't been cheap for us but we feel it will be well worth it

Alternatives Considered

Caspio, Google Sheets and Microsoft Access

Other Software Used

Microsoft Excel, Airtable, Google Sheets

AlphaAnywhere Speeds Development

Incentivized
Ken GreenbergView profile
Co-Founder and President in Corporate at Patient Innovations (1-10 employees employees)

Pros

  • Build and deploy apps quickly
  • Easily create advanced charting to make data digestible
  • Easy integration with AWS through AlphaCloud option - which we use
  • Design amazing looking user screens and apps
  • Easily create device responsive designs

Cons

  • Can't think of anything!

Most Important Features

  • Ease of use
  • Excellent support
  • Responsive and easy to work with - if you need a feature - they'll add it
  • You can reach the CTO or CEO any time

Return on Investment

  • Very positive since it's a reasonably priced platform

Alpha Anywhere - the first and last app builder that you’ll need.

Lee VasicView profile
CTO in Corporate at Agency Data, LLC (1-10 employees employees)

Pros

  • We import our medication files.
  • We save the patient’s History & Physical documents to S3 buckets. The documents range from 30-300 pages.
  • We export billing files to the Medicare mainframe.
  • We run over 80 audits on each chart per day.

Cons

  • WYSIWYG would be a nice feature.
  • Widgets. It can be done in Alpha, but it can be improved on.

Most Important Features

  • Security
  • Full-stack IDE
  • API integration.

Return on Investment

  • Alpha increases our productivity.
  • Alpha reduces or liability.
  • Alpha increases our profits.
  • Alpha keeps us compliant.
  • Alpha keeps us secure.

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Silverlight, Clarion and RAD Studio

Other Software Used

Azure SQL Database, AWS Systems Manager, Zebra Desktop Printers

Alpha Anywhere: An Application Development Program for Experts or Beginners

Incentivized
Phil SamuelsView profile
President in Information Technology at Performance Mastery Institute (PMI) (1-10 employees employees)

Pros

  • 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.

Cons

  • Whenever I'm asked to criticize Alpha Anywhere, my first comment refers to the documentation. For sure, they've made some improvements, this year, but I still wish it were better. Because I moved from another development package, I really had to start learning from scratch... I've been at it, for years, and I still feel like I have a way to go. The good news is that Alpha has a very active Message Board and there are lots of people who generously give their time to answer questions and help solve problems. There's no "tech support" line to call for help. Alpha DOES offer a paid "mentoring" service, which I used, several times. Unfortunately, my experience with the mentors wasn't as positive as I hoped it would be.
  • Alpha needs to improve its "templates" to make them more modern for users. I've never had a complaint from users, but I'd like my applications to have a newer, flashier look.
  • Alpha advertises itself as "codeless" programming. It is! You can certainly develop an entire application without writing a single line of "code." Unfortunately, that application will be pretty basic. If you're a serious developer, you'll want to learn "javascript" and "XBasic"... it'll come in very handy, as will an understanding about how to create SQL views and queries (and, Stored Procedures), etc.

Return on Investment

  • Alpha is our sole Development Platform. It has enabled us to contract for some pretty large jobs. AND, we are regularly told, by our customers, that our programs have helped them improve their organizations, workflows and profits.

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