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Capability |
Alpha Anywhere |
GoCanvas |
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Cross-platform App Development |
GoCanvas apps can only be distributed using GoCanvas' mobile application in the iOS/Android stores |
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Builds Mobile and Web Apps |
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Limited GoCanvas forms can be filled out in the mobile or desktop GoCanvas application or through the GoCanvas website. |
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Low Code Architecture [+] Show / Hide Details |
Most of the development of an Alpha Anywhere app can be built with no code. |
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Fast Onboarding to the Platform [+] Show / Hide Details |
It takes a beginner about 90 minutes to build a sophisticated mobile CRUD app in Alpha Anywhere by following a tutorial. Developers in Alpha Anywhere typically become competent (and confident) in about 2 months, and faster with more focused training or mentoring. |
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Support for Citizen Development [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Anywhere fully supports no-code citizen development by allowing users to create screens, buttons, fields and objects and perform CRUD operations, as well as login/logout with built-in genies; as well as offering hundreds of predefined actions that developers use use via a list metaphor. Low code blocks can be interspersed with traditional coding. Alpha Anywhere also offers mentoring, which allows citizen developers to work directly 1:1 with a "personal trainer" as they build their apps or get up to speed with the product. |
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Ability to Add Code as Needed [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Anywhere allows a broad range of control in application design by exposing hundreds of event hooks. [Client-Side: Built in JavaScript Editor features Autosuggest, makes it easy to reference objects used in the applications. Low JavaScript skills required. Server-Side: Built in Server-Side Editor specifically tailored for building Alpha Anywhere Applications, features Autosuggest and other helper tools to make server-side scripting easier. Low programming skills required.] |
GoCanvas does not offer the ability to add custom code. |
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Speed of Developing/Updating Apps [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Anywhere includes a local version of its server that runs on the developer’s machine and can instantly show changes, just by clicking the refresh button. |
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Ease of Data Integration [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Anywhere provides many tools for working with REST services, JSON Data, XML, SOAP and oData. Plus it lets you quickly change data sources when you switch from development to deployment. [Working with External Data: Alpha Anywhere includes native SQL drivers for all popular SQL backends (SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, and many others). Alpha Anywhere uses connection strings that allow access to thousands of tables at once. For Web services, Alpha Anywhere supports the oData standard to allow developers to inspect and connect to external data structures. Working with Internal Data: Alpha supports ONLY external databases – so there are no restrictions in the use of 3rd party BI and reporting tools.] |
Limited GoCanvas does not integrate directly with any system of record. Integrations can be added through third-party web services such as Zapier or by writing custom applications against the GoCanvas API using a third-party platform. |
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Built-in, Robust Offline Capability [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Anywhere has robust offline capability built-in, with data synchronization and intelligent conflict resolution included. Citizen developers can implement this functionality without code. |
GoCanvas apps work offline, but do not have intelligent conflict resolution because GoCanvas apps do not work directly with systems of record. |
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Built-in Analytics and Reporting [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Anywhere includes a built-in banded report writer for server-side reporting. Client-side templating reports can also be generated and viewed offline on a mobile device. |
Limited GoCanvas offers the ability to view analytics for data submissions through their Business Insights tool. GoCanvas does not offer the ability to integrate dashboards and analytics into applications. |
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Handling and Storage of Large Image, Audio and Video Files [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Anywhere allows images to be stored in either local storage or in the devices file system. Media files can be transferred directly between the device and Amazon S3 without going through an application server. |
GoCanvas does not handle download and storage of large media files (documents, audio, and video). Kony does not have Amazon S3 integration and does not have special functionality for dealing with large media files. |
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Client- and Server-side Report Writer [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Anywhere includes a built-in banded report writer for server-side reporting. Client-side templating reports can also be generated and viewed offline on a mobile device. |
GoCanvas only offers the ability to create a PDF of the data collected in an app on the Server. GoCanvas does not include client-side reporting. |
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Built-in Mobile Optimized Forms Builder to Build Data-Capture Apps in Minutes [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Anywhere includes mobile optimized form technology. Mobile forms offer speed data capture for forms workers with features like: larger buttons or swipe capabilities for one-handed input; customized keyboards for numbers-only data fields, digital ink, and image capture and annotation that can be done without a stylus. Alpha TransForm enables non-programmers and professional developers to build and deploy enterprise-grade offline mobile data capture apps -- with image, audio and signature capture, offline capability, GPS location capture and more -- in minutes. |
Limited GoCanvas does not offer custom keyboards, audio capture, or video capture controls. |
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One Button Deploy to the Cloud [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Cloud takes care of installing and maintaining server software needed to run your Alpha Anywhere applications, with one-button deployment to the cloud. |
GoCanvas applications can only be deployed to the GoCanvas cloud servers. |
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Enterprise-Grade On-Site Hosting |
Alpha Anywhere can be hosted on your own servers on-site using the Alpha Anywhere Application Server for IIS, giving you control over every aspect of your production environments. |
GoCanvas does not offer on-site hosting. |
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Predictable Pricing [+] Show / Hide Details |
Alpha Anywhere offers transparent pricing based on the number of application servers needed for deployment. As a result, development costs and ongoing costs (TCO) are easy to predict. |
While GoCanvas costs may be predictable, costs associated with building custom integrations to handle your business needs are difficult to estimate due both the required time and resources. . |
Alpha Anywhere speeds development for all users. It does the routine coding for experienced developers, and builds the apps for citizen developers. The software also has built-in genies that speed data integration, offline capability and security. But, Alpha Anywhere rapid mobile app development always gives developers the ability to add code, if needed. We call this "coding-optional."

Alpha Anywhere is the emerging standard for enterprises looking to help IT developers increase their pipeline while empowering business users to build sophisticated, web and mobile business apps fast.
Why does Alpha Anywhere consistently get perfect scores from customers?
When you're evaluating these systems you'll hear a lot of good things, but you're not always getting the full story. Here are some questions you should ask to be sure you're geting all the facts.
When you hear: "We do offline."
Understand that all "offline" capabilities are not equal. Be sure to ask:
If the answer is "No," then it means your apps will likely have severe limitations that could hurt your ability to intelligently capture store and sync data.
When you hear: "We serve citizen developers."
You can't expect business users to code to build or deploy their apps, or productivity will suffer. Be sure to ask:
If the answer is "No," you'll likely burn a lot of time and money on data integration and security issues.
When you hear: "Our apps are cross-platform."
Understand that responsive isn't necessarily cross-platform. Be sure to ask:
If the answer is "No," then users experience will most likely not have a native-like experience on the apps.

"The platform has shown me how easy it can be to build enterprise-grade, mission-critical apps. My colleagues are telling me I deserve a 'Best Programmer Award,' but the real honor goes to Alpha Software."

"Alpha Anywhere ticked all the boxes. It offered numerous out-of-the-box advantages, of which offline-capability on mobile devices was the most significant --- most other platforms didn't have that capability built-in."

"If I had used a tool rather than Alpha Anywhere, it would have taken me twice as long to launch Fast Mirror, and possibly miss a market opportunity."

“Alpha Software has robust enterprise integration capabilities & rich client-side workflow & custom logic creation in its coding-optional development tool...”
– Gartner Magic Quadrant, Mobile Application Development Platforms, June 2016
Alpha Software helps organizations build operational applications for data collection, workflow automation, reporting, inspections, compliance, and AI-assisted operations.
Mobile ready. Always.
Available on iOS and Android for connected and offline operation.
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