In almost any industry, individuals enjoy when there is an element of personalization for a product or service. Within information technology, that sentiment is no different. And to meet that desire, there is custom software development.
Customized solutions can be more efficient and flexible for your needs.
This will affect your business positively in the long run. In spite of the high initial costs, custom software development is a long-term investment that almost always pays off in the end.
You’ll learn more about custom software development and how it can help your business in this piece.
What Is Custom Software Development?
Custom software development is the process of designing software applications that meet the specific needs of an individual or a company. Unlike commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software, custom options are usually targeting specific problems. They are also meant for in-house use, not resale.
An example of a COTS software would be software like Microsoft Office. In contrast, an app that records a patient’s documents and visits for a local clinic would be an example of custom software.
Bespoke software is another name for custom software. It is derived from old English with roots in the tailoring trade. Bespoke or custom software is built in very much the same way as any traditional software would be made.
But although the methodologies may be similar, in custom software development, there are often focused and unique efforts when it comes to application customization, modernization, or management.
To better understand this terminology, note the following definitions:
application modernization – the practice of taking existing technology and upgrading or updating it to modern standards
application customization – in reference to custom software development, the notion of modifying COTS applications towards individual needs
application management – optimizing software to support tasks such as installing, updating, and other service desk functions related to maintenance
When Should Companies Build Custom Software?
Every company needs software. High-performing technology is the driver of businecess success.
But custom software goes a tad further than your traditional out-of-the-box software solution.
Because of this, there are additional benefits, such as:
Efficiency
Scalability
Reduced costs
Return on investment (ROI)
Independence
Naturally, custom software is efficient because it is specifically designed to support your business. You also get the independence that comes with self-managing your own product, so you don’t have to deal with outside vendors.
Financially speaking, the initial investment might look big. However, businesses tend to save money in the long run, particularly since there are lower integration costs.
With custom software, you can be sure everything is compatible with your existing software infrastructure.
Businesses can also utilize custom software to scale their companies and get a greater ROI than otherwise.
Since building custom software means addressing your unique needs, whether that be special features or added functionality, there is no question your company will grow as a result.
5 Advantages of Custom Software Development
Deciding whether or not you need custom software developed for your business can be rather difficult. Below are five ways that your business can benefit from investing in a customized solution.
1. Targeted Solutions
Probably the most important reason to invest in custom software development is to develop a product that addresses your exact needs. It is not unusual for businesses to choose an off-the-shelf software option just to realize that it is unsuitable for them.
Every business is unique and it is hard to find a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to software. Choosing to work with tailored products not only gives space to grow, but it also means you are serious about your company’s success.
2. Greater Scalability
As your business grows, so do your needs. Purchasing an off-the-shelf software solution will become a problem once it is not able to support your business or becomes too expensive to license.
Off-the-shelf solutions may be a better fit for small companies in their startup phase of the business cycle. When operations are not yet stable, the focus is on making the company viable.
Developing a solution that is able to grow and scale your business processes is a savvy choice. You don’t want your capacity for growth to be limited by mere software. If you can afford the investment, it will be worth it.
3. Software Integration
Using custom software development, you can integrate your new software with already existing software to refine business processes. COTS software may lead to errors and as a result, a loss in productivity.
Custom software mitigates the chance of integration issues and can easily fit within any business’s software ecosystem.
4. Hardware Costs
Licensing off-the-shelf software often means having to purchase additional hardware for it to run efficiently. This can sometimes lead to a pretty big bill at the end of the day.
With tailor-made software, current hardware capabilities are taken into consideration, helping you save money and avoid extra costs. Custom software is developed in a way that supports your business so you’re not forced to adapt to what’s available.
The development and integration of custom software should consider every aspect of your business in order to make implementing the software as seamless as possible.
5. Increased Reliability
When you are purchasing off-the-shelf software, you are dependent on the company that has developed it. The pricing, terms and conditions, and future of the business, are all out of your hands.
If that company suddenly goes bankrupt or stops updating the product, you will have a nerve-racking and limited time to find a new software provider.
With custom software, you can use it as long as you like and the way you like. Of course, there are maintenance costs to consider. But overall, you’ll have far less to worry about.
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