Global Talent, Local Impact: Amit Samsukha on Scaling Mobile App Development

In this video, you’ll learn: 

• Amit’s Career Path: From Backend Developer to Tech Founder
• Scaling Globally: A Framework for Quality and Control
• AI's Role in Accelerating Development Timelines in 2025
• Rapid Fire Round: Amit’s top apps, podcasts, and more!

Amit’s Career Path: From Backend Developer to Tech Founder

Could you take us through your story of how you began your career in IT and development, specifically the mobile app development and e-commerce spaces?

Amit Samsukha [00:28-01:29]: I began my career as a backend developer. During that period, I focused on developing solutions using Magento and Laravel, specializing in e-commerce platforms. I worked extensively on integrating these platforms with various APIs and payment gateways. Later, I transitioned into mobile application development, exploring growth platforms like Flutter. Currently, I'm also involved in DevOps, managing continuous integration and deployment pipelines for mobile apps from development through to release on the Play Store and App Store.

How to Scale a Mobile App: Framework for Quality and Control

When it comes to scaling mobile app development projects, what's your framework for recommending which development tasks to keep in-house versus outsource to global partners?

Amit Samsukha [01:30-02:28]: Our strategy is to keep core data and intelligence operations in-house. We only outsource specific tasks to global partners, primarily content management and complex projects that would overwhelm our internal teams. However, we maintain strict quality control through various tools and systems. Fortunately, with virtual assistance technology, there are many quality assurance tools available in the market to help manage this process.

Mobile apps require frequent updates to stay competitive and secure. What strategies do you recommend for managing version control and ensuring compatibility across devices and platforms when working with a global team?

Amit Samsukha [02:33-04:02]: In terms of version control, we use either Bitbucket or GitHub. For code management, we implement strict branch permissions where merge operations are restricted to senior team members only. All code must undergo review before merging back to main branches. For my applications, I've integrated several quality checks. Priority is given to code validation. For compatibility testing, I utilize automated tools like BrowserStack to verify functionality across all endpoints and browsers.

In your experience, how can tech leaders align their mobile app's user experience (UX) across different regions? Are there any localization or UX insights you've found particularly valuable when working with international markets?

Amit Samsukha [04:04-05:10]: It depends on the project requirements, but we use tools like Feature Flags that help us deploy different app versions across various locations. This gives us parameters to update the front end dynamically without requiring a full app redeployment. We can modify the appearance, layout, and other elements through parameter adjustments.

When outsourcing mobile app dev work to a global team, what metrics do you think accurately reflect the results of the partnership? Is there a common success metric you think is over or underrated for tech leaders to keep an eye on?

Amit Samsukha [05:12-06:10]: I focus on two key metrics: code quality and delivery timelines. High quality must be maintained for every deployment, even under tight deadlines. To ensure this, I hold regular meetings with all teams, including our global partners, on a biweekly basis to review updates and progress.

Do you have a success metric for the quality?

Amit Samsukha [06:11-06:34]: For quality assurance, we have multiple tools in place. First, we run automated code quality checks on every commit. Additionally, a senior developer reviews all code before it's merged into production.

Switching gears slightly— mobile apps serve as an extension of a person or business. When working with clients, do you typically build apps that mirror their existing websites, or are you creating new tools and functionalities?

Amit Samsukha [06:36-07:52]: Our approach is balanced. We use cross-platform development, which provides support for the majority of platforms. If a client needs any specific updates or has platform-specific requirements, we can handle those customizations through native development.

AI’s Role in Accelerating Development Timelines in 2025

As we look ahead to next year, what's the biggest misconception IT and dev leaders have about managing global mobile dev teams that they’ll need to move past to stand out in 2025?

Amit Samsukha [07:53-08:49]: A common misconception is about the role of AI tools in development. I advocate for integrating AI tools directly into the development process to accelerate our workflow. With today's tight timelines - clients often wanting applications delivered in six to eight weeks - using AI tools allows us to complete integrations much faster.

So you're saying market expectations for app development timelines have shortened because clients believe AI can speed up the process?

Amit Samsukha [08:50-09:14]: Yes. It's changing the entire mindset around development. Everyone wants to leverage AI and its features, so we need to adapt our development process to meet these accelerated timelines.

Where do you see AI providing the most value - in app development itself, or in quality assurance and security testing? And looking ahead to 2025, what will differentiate successful dev teams when everyone has access to these AI tools?

Amit Samsukha [09:15-11:29]: We need to stay ahead of the curve and continuously evaluate our approach. New AI-powered apps enter the market daily, so we must keep updating our skills and knowledge. However, business logic remains fundamental - it's what drives the app's core functionality and user experience. Also, the user flow must be seamless and intuitive. After launch, we integrate frontend metrics to track user experience and identify any quality issues users might encounter. This allows us to monitor and optimize the user experience in real-time.

Is there anything else you're looking forward to in 2025, especially with all the changes in technology?

Amit Samsukha [11:30-12:05]: Technologies are constantly evolving, and we need to stay current with these changes. We should utilize tools like feature flags to provide clients with data-driven insights about market trends and available tools. We need to guide our clients through these technological advancements effectively.

How do you evaluate AI tools before implementation? What specific criteria do you use to determine which ones will be effective for your needs?

Amit Samsukha [12:06-12:50]: Yes, I test multiple tools and after evaluating several options, I update my team about which specific tools work best for each particular task.

Rapid Fire Round: Amit’s top apps, podcasts, and more!

If you could only keep one app on your phone, which would it be?

Amit Samsukha [13:01-13:49]:  I definitely use WhatsApp to stay connected and manage my personal communications.

What’s your go-to podcast that you can’t get enough of?

Amit Samsukha [13:50-14:00]: The AI Alignment Podcast.

If you weren’t in mobile-app dev, what career would you be in?

Amit Samsukha [14:01-14:16]: Somewhere in data science or research, maybe AI research.

About Amit Samsukha, Co-Founder & CTO of EmizenTech

Amit Samsukha, Co-Founder and CTO of Emizentech, is an e-commerce and IT expert and consultant. With a decade of experience in eCommerce and mobile app technologies, Amit has been assisting businesses across the globe with how to leverage digital capabilities to build and improvise their IT infrastructure.

Interviewed by: Sergei Dubograev, VP of Development, Clutch

About the Author

Sergei Dubograev VP of Development at Clutch

Sergei Dubograev is the VP of Development at Clutch, the leading global marketplace of B2B service providers. With a proven track record of driving innovation and delivering exceptional results, Sergei has led cross-functional teams to create and launch products successfully in-market. His strategic mindset, coupled with his ability to identify industry trends and customer needs, has consistently propelled organizations to new heights of success. At Clutch, he oversees the strategic planning, execution, and optimization of the company's development portfolio, ensuring alignment with business objectives. 

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