Software development can be anything. It has many forms like web development, app development, back-end development, API development, embedded systems development, developing software tools, cloud computing, and many more. The process of custom software development depends on the factors like scope of the project, features, infrastructure, and so on.
The custom software development process is undertaken between many stages varying in time, size, and complexities. Nowadays, businesses are faced with diverse challenges and requirements and the common off-the-shelf solutions won’t just cut in. Therefore, businesses would need to craft their software solutions right from the scratch.
The primary objective behind writing this article is to shed some light on the benefits of custom software development and why it is the right choice for your business. While the off-the-shelf software is developed to fulfill the need of a large audience, customized software can meet your specific business needs.
The off-the-shelf software apps are downloaded and used as it is whereas the custom software apps are designed, developed, and deployed with customer-specific functionalities. And to build such custom software, you need to hire a custom software development company. As the road has its pitfalls, the software development partners like TatvaSoft offer guidance to avoid them with extra perks.
Advantages of custom software development
Custom software development offers tons of benefits for its would-be users. The advantages of partnering with an outsourcing company are as discussed below:
Provides the exact set of custom features for your business needs
The readymade or off-the-shelf software app is unable to meet all your requirements for sets of features and functionalities. Hence, it would be better to take a customized approach for software development.
Every business is different and so are their needs. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that software developed for general and average people would not meet the needs of your customer segment. But when you work with a custom software development company, you can fit all the features and functionalities that you want in your final software product for your customers or users.
Such an approach is also adopted to develop the software solutions suitable to your business model or business process instead of adjusting your business model or process according to the available solutions. It also guarantees that after the software development process is over, you will be the sole owner of the software app built to adapt to your specific needs.
Flexible and scalable Software
The most important factor of outsourcing your software development is that you gain flexibility. Not only you can decide which features you want to keep in your software and which ones you don’t, but it also enables you to focus on your core strengths. With custom development, you can easily integrate your software with new updates as the needs of your customers or business change over time.
This type of software development is not only flexible but more efficient than off-the-shelf software products. You can automate the mundane and repetitive tasks in a custom app which could effectively boost your collaboration within an organization. The outcomes of increased efficiency and productivity are the primary reasons why large enterprises and relatively big companies go for this option.
And when the business will grow with time, the companies will have to fulfill more and more complicated needs, for which they would need advanced tools. Custom software development allows you to make necessary changes whenever and wherever possible. This will ensure that your software can scale to support your business growth with time. Thus, your business won’t be restrained by an inadequate software app and it will get room to grow faster.
Cost-effective customized software
Developing custom software may not present a cost-effective scenario at a first glance but if you go for it, it helps you achieve a substantial amount of long-term savings. As we recently discussed the benefits of scalability and efficiency, the gains from these factors only can make up for your initial costs.
Though off-the-shelf software application seems cheaper than custom software initially, the costs related to the licensing, training, scalability, and finding other alternatives are high, not to mention how the missing part of customer-specific features can affect your business growth negatively.
However, if you choose custom software, you can work on only the important features and functions required for your business keeping the budget in mind. And if needed you can add the advanced features over time.
Security benefits
You can go for off-the-shelf software products. But first, let me warn you that this type of software can easily get hacked. And once it is done, the attackers will get instant access to your business data and other sensitive information. In short, the vulnerabilities of off-the-shelf software products can put your entire business in jeopardy.
The chances of security vulnerabilities in custom software are very less in comparison to off-the-shelf products as the company to whom you will pay for the software development has a responsibility to pay attention to the security measure of the customer software. It won’t be an exaggeration if I say that it will be their priority, because if they don’t pay enough attention to the security of the software then their business could be put in jeopardy. But to maintain a good image and long-term relationship with the clients, custom software development companies put the security of the application as their main priority.
Moreover, custom software also has complete control over its security measures which makes you free to take enough precautionary steps and install technologies that can save your business interests and costs at the same time. And as the software is developed with a customized approach, the hackers will not be familiar with the system of the application which will make it hard for them to hack into your system.
Support and maintenance for Custom software development
Whenever you buy off-the-shelf software, you become dependent on your buyer for regular updates, maintenance, and other technological support. If they decide to no longer provide the support and maintenance services or worse: they get shut down. Then what? You have to look for alternatives and repeat the process from the start. The expense in all this might damage your business. Meanwhile, in custom software development you are covered for the support and maintenance as long as you require it.
Custom software packages come with reliable and efficient technical support plans. You also get access to the talented technical support team that is familiar with software development. This will enable them to provide effective solutions to the problems or challenges you face. Such a team can also resolve any security loopholes found in your custom software.
Features can be added one by one in custom development
The best thing about opting for custom software development is that even if you are not aware or confused about what kind of features and functionalities you want in your software, the developers can offer you an option of the most viable product that will contain only the core functionalities.
Trying and testing this fundamental version of your software app, you can get clarity about your business requirements and can easily prepare a plan with your software development partner to put them together. The custom software company will add the features and functions one by one in the software until you get the desired outcomes.
So, while choosing custom software development, if you opt for the time and material contract then you only have to pay for the functionalities that you have implied in your custom software application.
Final thoughts
Custom software development is indeed beneficial for companies that have unique business requirements. But is it the right option for your business? To make that decision, there are some things you need to consider first.
If you have some needs that you know will not be fulfilled by off-the-shelf products then custom software development is the way to go. If you are unable to find a product in the market that can help you overcome your challenges then now is the time to build a new product for yourself. However, if your business requirements are not that unique or complex, you can easily get along with the ready-to-use software product trends in the market.
However, if you have some long-term goals for your business or are looking to scale up your business then custom software is the right choice for you. The benefits of custom software development will help you gain a competitive edge in the market. And if you take the journey, know that you won’t be alone, the custom software development company will be there to assist you on every step of the project, even after it is completed.
I hope this article might have been helpful to you. If you want to know more or have any queries regarding the custom software, let us address them in the comments section below.