Custom software is often referred to as bespoke solutions regarding company software. It is an application that is created with the company and its business processes in mind. After all, every business is unique, and so custom software seeks to mold itself to these unique business processes.
Custom software development is therefore usually designed for a single client and is intended to meet the requirements of that client. Why should a retail outlet use the same software as a finance company? Instead of relying on mass-produced software that has unreliable maintenance, custom software seeks to empower the company through having its own software solutions, creating more self-sufficiency.
Here are five of the biggest benefits of custom software development.
Personalized solution
This is the number one reason for getting on board with custom software development. The software can be developed with your exact needs in mind. This is even more important when trying to use generic, off-the-shelf software, as you can slowly begin to realize it’s not flexible enough and isn’t a right fit for your business processes.
Tailored products adapt to the uniqueness of each business, giving the company a better chance at growth. It can also mean more personalized solutions for the customer, too. Some studies show that customers expect personalized solutions and that they can greatly enhance the consumer’s experience.
Salability
On the point of growth, custom software is all about being flexible. Generic software may fit your business today, but it may not next year when your needs change. Growth can be a big headache in this regard, but it’s possible to develop software that can scale with the business processes and factor in future capacity.
Many may consider the short-term costs of custom development to be more expensive. But, it could prove to stamp out long-term costly software mistakes, as well as help increase the efficiency, and thus profitability, of business processes.
Reliability
Off-the-shelf software means that you’re totally reliant on the company that made the software. You can’t guarantee they will keep it up to date and secure, raise prices, or stop selling the product altogether. With so much of your company’s business processes in the hands of a separate, likely faceless, company, you’re putting your own company at risk. Custom software means that you can use it regardless of third parties, meaning you’re more self-sufficient.
Security
Generic, mass-produced software can be easier to hack, seeing as many will use open-source code. So, hackers can gain greater insight into the software and its vulnerabilities – in some circles it may be common knowledge at the time of using it. Software that is bespoke and custom is far more closed source, meaning it’s just between you and your team. The chances of being hacked or a data breach, therefore, fall significantly, if it’s well-maintained software, of course.
Integration
Custom software development can give greater scope for integrating your new software with other software. This can help you refine business processes, and also minimize new staff retraining efforts. Plus, when it’s custom-fit, there’s less chance that there will be integration issues because your software can be tailored with integration in mind.