Technology

Advantages and disadvantages of custom software

Custom software development is an approach in which applications or other solutions are developed specifically for the needs of the client. Unlike the products available on the market, these applications are not for a wide audience. Regarding subcontracting, custom production can be developed both by the internal team and by third parties.

Out-of-the-box solutions provide the market with the most widely used range of functions. Custom software development companies target the individual needs of the client. For example, Skype meets the needs of many users, but even so, it may not meet one’s specific requirements.

NEED FOR CUSTOM SOFTWARE

The first question that arises here is why not use the standard solutions? There are many reasons for this. First of all, custom tools are eagerly developed to meet your requirements and needs. Custom built, it has no useless features that you can deal with as it has commonly used applications. In terms of the evolution and expansion of your business, custom software is the part that evolves as well. This type of program is flexible to the characteristics and details of the product. And that is the reason why companies from different branches, from private to government, are using custom programs.

Unlike common tools developed for the masses, custom development is accompanied by specialized support. This makes it possible to provide stable work of the application, and in the event of problems – an instant reaction. So that you do not have any more doubts, below are brilliant examples of the use of custom software.

Amazon, eBay, etc.

The two largest e-commerce platforms in the world, such as eBay and Amazon, are excellent examples of bespoke software. Instead of simply selling a range of items using any of the out-of-the-box eCommerce solutions, these companies have developed their own bespoke eCommerce platform there for connecting sellers and buyers. Its beauty is in its simple user experience.

Banking mobile app and online web apps

Most of us have used banking apps or are at least familiar with how they work in general. This is the shining example of a custom built app on your device. No bank is allowed to use lateral programming or share it with its competitors. Instead, they will try to tailor the functionality of their program for the best customer experience.

In short, any application designed for a particular client/business can be seen as an example of custom software.

However, each solution has advantages and also drawbacks. You should not be afraid of this fact. But being aware means being prepared.

ADVANTAGES OF CUSTOM SOFTWARE

Wherever you look, any solution will have its good and not so good sides. The same is here – having a great benefit as a result, during the development process it will accompany with some problems. However, the advantages and disadvantages of custom software are easily recognizable, and the most important ones are detailed below.

1. Your personal solution

That is a common situation when the company receives the license from its provider, but then it becomes clear that this solution is not suitable for the company. Every business has different business requirements. The result of cooperation with the custom development provider: the product that meets all your needs. Companies often try to adapt to the programs they are using. Here you are doing the exact opposite: you create the tool that will stay on the rails of your workflow. Developing custom programs will keep you competitive. In addition, it has a significant influence on your work pace, as its functionality adapts to your needs. Having a solution like this will free you from “sharing” the tools with your opponents. With tailored business solutions, you’ll be guaranteed that the software is meaningfully tailored to all your business needs.

2. Updates and support

Custom applications are welcome for their scalability and adaptation to general business changes. Obtaining a custom application does not depend on the vendor’s development roadmap. You are in charge of all required updates and upcoming enhancements. Working with an in-house developer team is efficient in the case of close personalized support, as the team knows your individual requirements. Regarding the adaptation to the existing server environment, the custom program does not need a specific hosting. You no longer need to pay up to two times to rent it because you will have one created specifically for you. With out-of-the-box solutions, you never know if the company is facing bankruptcy. If that happens, your entire wired structure in the third-party software gets messed up as well. So that this does not happen, custom software coexists with your business.

3. Security insurance

Using a common product is quite risky. If someone tries to hack the program, everyone who uses it may be in danger and their personal data is vulnerable. Custom software can only be hacked with the targeted attack. Your application may have additional security measures to ensure its safety. A custom service application development company can also improve the integration of your solution with other tools. It makes the work of your team much more intuitive and easier. Custom applications are often protected from external threats. The first reason why hacking attempts on commonly used programs are successful is that the perpetrators are familiar with the code of that program. Custom tools are less affected by hacking as it will take much more time and effort to break them. Custom software is specially made to work with your business and hardware. It is almost never the case that several commonly used programs interact with each other perfectly and without problems; Licensing commercial programs that are not tailored for the software environment your business runs in can cause your employees’ productivity to drop as they experience continual errors and are unable to complete their work effectively.

4.Gradual production

Custom production can be produced step by step. This will also allow you to gradually move into production and fine-tune your custom software during the development process based on user experience and feedback received in earlier development stages.

You should remember that in custom development the 80/20 rule can also be applied. This rule states that 80% of the users use 20% of the functionality. Your goal is to define this 20%, even if you create the schedule for internal needs and are short on time. Custom applications are more scalable and have the ability to grow with your business. With an out-of-the-box product, you usually run into the problem that the software is cheap to buy but not suitable for large enterprises or the software can support large-scale enterprises but is very expensive to license.

DISADVANTAGES OF CUSTOM SOFTWARE

1. Time and energy

People are rarely aware of your business needs. Sometimes it will take some time to do some internal research on it, to see its features. Custom tools are pointless if they don’t match those characteristics. Ready-made solutions, in this case, are good due to their versatility. All you have to do is buy it, adapt and keep working.

2. High initial cost

It may seem that buying 100 licenses for a year is cheaper than developing your own solution. And it really is. The initial cost is relatively high, but what if you have to scale up the number of users, plus the price of support, plus the price for, say, three years and you find that the custom program is much more attractive? in the long-term perspective.

3. Less possibilities

It has already been said that ready-to-use programs are designed to meet the needs of the masses. In terms of business development, it’s a great opportunity. As for small teams, it is very convenient to have a solution like this because sometimes out-of-the-box products have features that can even surprise their user.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Almost every successful business on its path of evolution finds itself on the stage when specific software is required for its profitable existence. Most companies don’t bother too much and provide their staff with, for example, ready-to-use tools. But as stated, it can’t be 100% match. Sometimes it has a bunch of functionality that is never used. Sometimes it lacks. You will never guess. But still, it is mainly chosen as the solution for one reason – affordable price. The second – is time. You just buy it. At the same time, custom development will require time and effort. The advantages and disadvantages of custom software are not limited to the list above, of course.

But despite the cons, the benefits are still supreme. The first and foremost fact of having the bespoke software is that it will be tailored to your needs and requirements to work exactly the way you need it to. The result of its operation will not only deliver 100%, but can also be extra useful. However, in that case, the experienced development team is required to realize your ideas. Of course, it is possible to leave this task, such as developing your own applications, to your internal IT department. But as it happens, the available teams are specialists in one sphere, but they are not ready for a step like application development. That is a common situation, so for custom software development, outsourcing is often used.

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