Software Development Updates

The IT technology space is already leveraging the benefits of custom-built software solutions in their organization. The proof of these ever-increasing custom software solution requirements is observed in many industries and domains.

Through the years, most businesses have understood how off-the-shelf software falls short to meet customized and diversified business needs. This has inclined businesses towards building custom-tailored solutions and apps. This would help businesses to meet the specific business solutions of every organization. Customized software development, bespoke app development, or customization of apps, are some of the common ways you address the development of bespoke apps within an organization. 

Gartner’s research states that the Custom software development service market is huge with a market size of $70 billion. Also, it is growing at a rate of 5% per annum. 

To clear this ambiguity of what customized software is and its advantages, let’s understand it from the grassroots level.

1. What is Custom Software Development?

Custom software development refers to the process of designing, programming, and deploying software that caters to the unique business needs of the client.  

The development process of building custom software is very similar to that of off-the-shelf solutions but instead of serving a large audience, the functionalities of custom software solutions are focused on serving the needs of a specific set of end users, a client, or an organization. 

Custom software development is an efficient alternative to off-the-shelf software that can fulfill complex requirements of businesses across many industries including healthcare, finances, transportation, education, travel, insurance, law, and so on.

2. Why Do Businesses Need Customized Software Solutions?

One of the prominent reasons why custom software applications are needed is because businesses are driven by customers’ needs. The first and foremost reason that businesses utilize custom software products is clearly to meet their unique business demands as opposed to what off-the-shelf software offers. Businesses fail to achieve their objectives and one of the key reasons is off-the-shelf software solutions. Thus the application differs in terms of functions with other changing market needs. Here are some of the reasons why businesses use custom software solutions for long-run business operations.

• To easily meet unique business requirements and streamline processes.
• Stand still with changing market dynamism.
• Provide easy app integration with existing software infrastructure.
• Gauge market trends to replace consolidated solutions and make them unique.
• Have a competitive advantage in comparison to peers.
• Make the app faster and more responsive.
• Meet the privacy and security standards of developed custom software.

Now that you know why businesses are turning more towards custom software apps and what they expect from this approach. There is a constant hustle observed in businesses while deciding to “Build or buy”. So to give a clearer picture, our team decided to invest time and filter out the top 5 benefits of going for custom software development.

3. What are the Advantages of Custom Software Development Projects?

Let’s take a look at why businesses all over the world prefer to develop unique & personalized software.

3.1 Personalized Software Solution

Personalization seems to be an obvious benefit of custom software but why does it matter? Although off-the-shelf software may offer you the same features and functionalities, crafting a software solution designed to fulfill your unique business requirements means crafting a unique identity for your business. It helps you gain a competitive advantage. 

Tailor-made solutions help you overcome challenges and achieve a leadership position in the market. 

3.2 Seamless Integration

Most organizations have to rely on multiple software solutions. So, to get effective results, it becomes necessary for them to communicate well with each other. Custom software offers seamless integration because it is built to fulfill your requirements. This helps improve internal visibility and data accuracy.

With ready-made software, there is a good chance that it might not integrate with other software. And even if it does, it wouldn’t have automated workflows and real-time visibility. 

3.3 Focused Business Agenda

Custom applications strongly promote the enhancement of business apps using in-house team expertise or third-party business. COTS(Commercial off-the-shelf Software) shows faster results and specific benefits but software apps’ benefits are huge. It comes with a focused approach and commitment to meet deadlines, project schedules, quality benchmarks, and updated technology scopes.

A focused bespoke software development company would offer successful results. A good software developer will bring out the following traits in your bespoke software application.

• Consistent- This means the app will remain updated throughout the market & changing technologies.
• Complete- You can convey the complete picture of ideating the software.
• Crystal Clear- All functions and designs of the developed apps are unambiguous to use.
• Modular- You can change and modify the processes as per the changing business requirements.
• Traceable- This will allow you to easily patent, track, and uniquely identify the app.
• Competitive edge- This enables organizations to have an upper hand compared to competitors.
• Cost-effectiveness- Organizations benefit in terms of custom software development costs when they choose this.

3.4 Scalability & Reliability

In a competitive market where customer requirements are changing continuously, it becomes important for businesses to stay agile and adaptive. Off-the-shelf software solutions are quick fixes for your business needs, they can’t possibly cope with the shifting market trends.

That is why you need a custom software solution. It allows you to be flexible to adapt according to changing requirements. Different scenarios are considered right from the beginning of a bespoke development project. It helps you scale your technologies and operations to match your evolving business requirements.

It doesn’t matter if you want to add a new feature or extend your product capabilities, custom software is very well-prepared to face any challenges. It’s what makes them more dependable.

3.5 Improved Security

Security is one of the key aspects for businesses to opt for customized software development services. The off-the-shelf application might offer multiple features but may not offer enhanced security as compared to custom apps. When you build custom software, you make sure that the developed app is highly secure and that no attempt of any kind of breach will affect the business data.

Specifically, for industries like finance, medical, or legal, data protection is of utmost importance. Due to the sensitive nature of these records, data security in custom app development services is extremely essential. Thus, you cannot oversee the benefits of custom software applications. Custom app development solution facilitates businesses with higher potency of utilizing security standards, safeguarding app development, and preventing any unforeseen vulnerabilities.

3.6 Cost-Effectiveness

Initially, custom software development might look like a costly endeavor. But in comparison to the COTS software, it is a cost-effective option. You neither have to purchase any licenses to use the custom nor you have to invest your money to buy unnecessary features. In custom software, you pay only for the functionalities you need to use. 

Moreover, purchasing COTS software doesn’t cover maintenance and support services. So, you will have additional expenses on your hands for that. Meanwhile, your custom software development package includes post-deployment services and maintenance which means less cost and more efficiency. 

3.7 Room for Improvement

If off-the-shelf- apps are compared with custom software applications then in any case you cannot add functionalities in ready-made apps. However, custom software applications have a high scope for improvement in their apps and can be changed and modified as per the changing development needs. 

Companies can upscale their business and tap on all the potential opportunities using software apps. This is an efficient way to grow and expand your business with higher productivity obtained from software apps. The flexibility and scalability of apps allow a business to adhere to all standards and trends of the market. So your onus on all source codes like enhance functionality, make improvements on the codes, customize, upgrade, and maintain apps as per the changing business processes. 

4. What are the Disadvantages of Custom Software?

The coin has two sides, similar to bespoke software apps. Let’s see what are some of the disadvantages it offers.

4.1 Time-Consuming

Developing a bespoke software app comes with time constraints. It takes more than the time expected and most businesses look for long-term business benefits within a short time. Hence they can’t wait for such lengthy business processes. So they expect cheaper software solutions that decrease the possibility of complicated issues that consume time.

4.2 Demands Proper Planning

The custom software comes with unique features, setup, and implementation tactics. Thus your business infrastructure needs to make a complete plan to execute the whole plan of developing software solutions.

4.3 Dependency on Technical Proficients

If you decide to go for custom software development, then your company would need a development team of highly skilled professionals for these bespoke requirements. Off-the-shelf applications are convenient and easily provide faster benefits to businesses. But for software apps, you would need specialized skills within your company to configure, build, and achieve efficiency more than the existing ready-made apps. 

4.4 Inactive Business Visibility

For custom software, you need to contract with third-party companies that are highly skilled, manage the development process well, and reduce risks. So Taking a deeper look into the implementation process, scope, functions, and updates is a must for business. Outsourcing restricts businesses from having clear visibility in the internal process. This lacks their vision of app development, its advancement, functionality changes, and future scope in the market.

5. Conclusion

Custom Software is a key differentiator for most of the businesses that take advantage of them. Yes, it is a business strategy that has benefited most of the business in aspects relating to technology, cost, and time. If you are investing your time and effort, it should be worth it, and hence choose the right outsourcing partner. Collaborate with a software development outsourcing vendor that is efficient and supportive at all phases of the business lifecycle. A custom software development company can help you accomplish faster business results with a higher rate of successful customers.