Next month is expected to bring the long-awaited official announcement by Apple of a release date for the iPhone 6, which will come equipped with the company’s latest mobile operating system, iOS 8. While consumers are eager to know when they will be able to line up for the new iPhone, behind the scenes developers are working hard to create apps that will attract user interest, all with the added challenge of not yet knowing the new phone’s specifications.

An all-new smartphone and OS bring fresh opportunities for software development companies to stand out with new products across all categories, from games and other entertainment to apps geared toward more practical areas such as finance and health care. Business software solutions are now easily accessible on mobile devices and can become a key part of operations for corporations of any size.

The iOS version of custom database software FileMaker, known as FileMaker Go, has been available since last year, helping businesses manage their day-to-day operations with such features as signing contracts or recording research. Certified FileMaker developers can provide business software solutions as well as hands-on training to ensure that clients take full advantage of the software’s possibilities and keep up with updates. A new OS can be a hassle for some users, but with proper guidance any consumer can learn to maximize the potential of newly implemented features, turning a potentially difficult situation into an edge over the competition.

iOS 8 is also going to allow developers to work with app extensions on platforms other than the iPhone which, while challenging, is yet another opportunity to stand out. The goal is to bring Apple closer to the “Internet of Things”, a path which FileMaker, with its versions for iOS, OS X and Windows, is already on.