How often have you heard about custom software development? Well, it is quite a diverse term that refers to developing software products tailored according to the specific needs of any business, organization, corporation, or enterprise. In the software world, custom software is often compared with COTS (Commercial Off-Shelf Software). This COTS has a broad range of requirements, while a custom software product targets a defined set of requirements.
Consider Microsoft and Sitebuilder, for example. The tech giants develop software applications and provide services that are used to fulfill the general needs of any enterprise or website development. Even if we talk about Microsoft specifically, we see that its applications are needed everywhere, from a doctor’s office to a police precinct or a transportation department to a corporate office; Microsoft Offices programs and applications are widely used everywhere.
Another example you can consider in this scenario is a software house. https://bekey.io/custom-software-development-for-startups provides its clients with nearly every software development for startups solution they need. Thus, we can say that this software house works in a general manner and does not limit its roles to the production of one specific program or application only. Speaking about custom software development for startups, many are built to provide their services in a hybrid manner. Such developers provide software development services to new startups preparing to capture the market.
In contrast to such software programs and applications, custom software fulfills the specific needs of any individual or organization. In this regard, we can consider the following examples:
- A management software application designed specifically for an HRM department of a company
- An application designed to deliver food and groceries to the customers,
- A debt and cost management program developed for the revenue department of a city
- An application for a commercial bank that can prepare and send account statements to its customers
Here, the most crucial point you must note is that none of these programs or applications being used by one establishment can be used by the other. Again, this is because they are developed to fulfill the specific needs of these establishments. In turn, significantly differ from each other in their roles.
Who Develops Custom Software Applications?
According to https://www.ibm.com/topics/custom-software-development, an individual or organization usually contacts in-house development teams or a third-party tech firm to buildcustom software applications for them. And although a custom software application differs from COTS in terms of its functional diversity, the development process resembles the development of any other software application. These processes usually involve software development methods, such as Agile, SCRUM, and DevOps. For example, a team working on custom software development may take help from Jira, a proprietary issue-tracking product. With jira’s help, software teams can manage their work in the light of the Agile method.
Apart from project management in the development of a custom software product, other processes that may be involved in their development can include:
- Code construction and code writing
- Testing, and
- Deployment
Moreover, there are three other essential processes worth mentioning that are required to build these custom software products. They include:
- Application customization: It refers to the modification of a former COTS application such that it can cater to the individual requirements of an organization, a business, or an individual.
- Application modernization: It is the process of making continuous changes in the application’s structure so that it can evolve according to the needs of time and keep the business viable and running.
- Application management: This process refers to making the software more effective by performing supportive tasks, such as installation, information updating, service desk functions, performance optimization, etc.
Essential Points to Consider Before Choosing a Custom Software Developer
Now, before you proceed forward to choose a custom software developer, we are listing some important points here that you must keep in mind:
- A custom software application might be slightly more expensive than your regular COTS application. This is because developers of custom software products have to go the extra mile to make that software product suitable for your business’s specific needs.
- Cooperation, trust, communication, and transparency are the mandatory elements of a custom software development process.
- Before you hire someone to develop a custom software product for your business, ensure to analyze the market needs, it is essential as there is a potential of significant changes occurring in the market dynamics rendering your software product useless for your customers. If any such mishap occurs, both your time and resources will be wasted.
How can you Enhance Your Business With a Custom Software Product?
There are numerous benefits of incorporating a custom software application. Whether you own an organization, work as an individual, or are a part of a corporation, custom software products will help you everywhere. This is why; we are listing some of these products’ main advantages so you can learn more about their efficacy.
A Custom Software Product Streamlines Businesses’ Models:
In our opinion, the most significant advantage for businesses having custom software within their structure is gaining an extra hand over their competitors. This is because employees of such businesses do not have to perform many of their duties manually, thus reducing the overall operational time and cost. By having a custom software application, businesses redirect the energies of their employees to the tasks with the most priority.
A Custom Software Can be Modified According to the Business’s Demands
All the custom software products incorporate the latest technology to help a business solve its problem. If the business or the software developer comes across any problem during the development process, they can easily modify it during the production phase.
Speedy Reporting
Finding relevant data through a myriad of Excel files and worksheets can be a significant nuisance. And this holds especially true for businesses spending a significant portion of their working hours searching the relevant data for their clients. If only such businesses could make smart use of custom software products that make data hunting to the point and easy, a lot of time and resources could be saved.
For example, you can consider businesses selling packaged flowers and bouquets. Suppose such businesses can use a custom software product that can remember the specific details of orders from each customer. In that case, they can present such clients with a customized bouquet of their own choice the next time they visit the website.
Custom Software Integrates Various Business Processes
Many businesses and enterprises require different software solutions for their different departments. For such businesses, a custom software product can be used to integrate all of their departments under the roof of one software product. This makes the overall monitoring and management efficient and easier.
Cost-Cutting on Hardware
A lot of COTS products require specific hardware to run. Without the availability of such hardware, these COS programs won’t be able to run at all, and this is why businesses have to establish a separate setup where the hardware for such COTS products can be housed. However, with custom software, this need for a separate hardware system gets eliminated, thus cutting the costs down for the business.
Opportunities of Scalability
If businesses have typical off-the-shelf software, they cannot grow and expand it according to their changing enterprise needs or changes in their clients’ needs. And after some time, they have to look for another software solution that can fulfill those needs. With a custom software product, however, such a business can progressively grow and expand without needing to change its software again and again.
Relentless Support
With a custom software product on your end, you can always count on the support of the technical team that developed the software for you. That development team is aware of all the aspects and specifications of their product. Thus, by contacting them, you can resolve all your complaints efficiently and in a timely manner.
Conclusion
Before you start your journey of looking for a custom software developer, go through your business goals and vision first. Determine which type of product best suits your business interests and gives you an edge over your competitors. Although going for a custom software application for your business might cost you money initially, it will help you a lot in the long run. And this is something business tycoons, and leading companies always look forward to. They invest heavily in valuable resources early in their journey, knowing that their investment will help them minimize their costs in the future.
