Custom Software Development: Why should you build One? - Part 1

Introduction

Are you a business owner, who is dealing with the challenge of organizing important tasks?

Are you looking to develop an enterprise software solution to manage various aspects of your business?

It is important to learn that, in 2023 the revenue in the Enterprise segment was projected to hit $263.80 billion by the end of 2024.

We can infer from the aforementioned data that custom software development unquestionably promotes business success in all industries.

When the complexity of building a YouTube or Netflix cannot be satisfied by an off-the-shelf product. Companies spend money on bespoke software programs to make sure all the important tasks are taken care of. They do this by assisting with the identification of certain demands, developing the logic or algorithm, and opening doors to optimize profits.

So, is your mind still thinking about buying or building? Then this blog is for you, in this article we’ll cover why building a custom software is important, what are the advantages of a custom software, etc.

So, let’s get started! Firstly, let us begin by understanding what is Custom Software development?

What is Custom Software Development?

Custom software development is an end-to-end process which includes identifying specific business needs, designing and constructing tailored technology solutions to address the development needs, and integrating them with an existing operational framework.

This is not only about implementing the software once; it also involves continuously growing and improving it to match the changing goals and objectives of the company, with the main purpose being to generate and grow income over time.

The customisation principle is the foundation of custom software development. This indicates that the software has been painstakingly designed to fit the particular audience, dynamics, and goals of a given company. The technology is specifically made to meet the needs of the business and its target market, whether it is designing a mobile application for direct user engagement or establishing a backend system for the marketing or sales staff.?

This customized strategy guarantees that the software not only blends in seamlessly with the company's current procedures but also increases its overall efficacy and efficiency in accomplishing its strategic objectives.

Now, secondly let us understand the difference between Custom Software development and Off-the-shelf software.

Custom Software Development vs Off-the-shelf Software

The build versus the buying option in software? is impacting the businesses that are looking for software solutions. Off-the-shelf softwares is ready to use software available to be used as soon as it is installed.?

Whereas, a custom software is built on the custom and tailored requirements of the enterprises that are looking to embrace the capability of the software. Below are a few key differences between the two.

Now, let us understand why building a custom software development is important?

Importance of building a Custom Software Development

1. Software that is created especially for a user base or an organization with particular requirements is known as custom software. It is not the same as commercial off-the-shelf software or software packages that are widely accessible in the market.
2. Custom software has a small user base and is personalized. The goal of custom software creation is to satisfy all of your unique needs and preferences.
3. Big MNCs utilize custom software for a variety of critical tasks, including customer, inventory, human resource, and content management. They also use it to fill in the gaps left by incomplete software packages.
4. To produce the finished result, the custom software development process also goes through a number of steps. This gives the software developers the ability to handle any intricacies and hidden risks in the custom software that is made just for you. These are the problems that were not addressed in the received specification requirements.
5. The initial stage of software development may involve multiple departments. Research and development, general management, engineering, and marketing are a few of them.

Now, let us understand what are different types of custom software solutions

Different types of Custom Software Solutions

Custom software solutions play an important role to help businesses navigate the complexities present in their industries to stay ahead in the competitive market. These solutions are bifurcated into enterprise applications, mobile apps and an industry-specific solution where each serves different purposes.

Let us understand all of them here,

Industry-specific software solution

This type of software is built to fulfill the unique requirements of a specific industry like healthcare, education, finance or retail. These solutions often incorporate industry-driven features and compliance standards.

Enterprise software solution

An end-to-end software solution designed to support the core functional requirements of any large organization including Enterprise Resource planning, Customer relationship management, Supply chain management and Business Intelligence system.

Business Process Automation (BPA)

Tailored software designed to eliminate human labor, increase productivity, and improve efficiency by automating particular business processes. Project management software, document management systems, and process automation are a few examples.

Applications that interact with customers

Software programs created to improve user experience and involvement; examples include personalized mobile applications, online portals, self-service platforms, and online reservation systems.

Internal software systems

Tailored software programs designed to optimize internal processes and workflows inside a company. Examples include collaboration tools, employee scheduling software, inventory management software, and human resources management systems.

Tools for managing and analyzing data

Software programs designed to gather, examine, and present data in order to provide insights and aid in decision-making. Data warehousing solutions, custom reporting systems, and business intelligence (BI) and analytics tools are all included in this category.

E-commerce and online platforms

A custom software which is designed to manage e-commerce operations like online storefronts, payment processing systems, inventory management, order fulfillment and customer relationship management.

Content Management System

Websites, blogs, and online stores can be created, managed, and published by enterprises using software platforms. Features for content production, publishing, and dissemination can be customized using CMS solutions.

Now, let us understand how Custom Software Development can help you with meeting your Enterprise Software needs.

What are the benefits of Custom Software Development with Enterprise Software needs

Custom software solutions offer an edge to your business as custom software will only fulfill your specific business needs. Check out the benefits of custom software to know more.

Adaptability to Business Needs

Global IT spending on business software increases to $783 billion in 2022, a 7.1% increase from the year before. You ought to be aware of how important it is to create custom software for your company. To connect with your team members and be clear about your expectations, it is even more important to comprehend the software development plan.?

The ability of custom software development to meet your business needs is its main advantage. The features, functions, and even the components themselves are designed to meet your specific requirements. Your business goals are achieved with the aid of the custom software.

Boasts of High-Level Security for Data Protection

A great degree of security is guaranteed by specialized software created with safe programming languages like PHP, JavaScript, and Python. As a provider of custom software development services, we advise using technologies that offer a high degree of security.?

In addition, take into account the security specifications for the features and functionalities you have included in order to prevent security issues. Make your software impenetrable to hackers by adding the appropriate security layers.

Lowered Operational and Overhead costs

Can you picture everything that needs to be automated having an off-the-shelf solution? That may become complicated. To handle it, you'll need to add personnel with training to your payroll. Additionally, hiring someone to oversee the development or integration will be necessary.

Hire remote developers, on the other hand, to manage the entire development process. since it turns out to be economical. Finally, you get to solve all of your individual difficulties with a single solution.

Mobile-first Solution

You might be surprised to learn that there are now $6 billion smartphone users worldwide. Right now, the nations with the most smartphone users are the USA, China, and India.

Think about the consumption patterns of your target market before choosing custom software development. Not all off-the-shelf software programs are optimized for mobile devices. As a result, it can cause you to lose your market advantage.?

However, custom application development boosts utilization and enables you to create a mobile-first solution. Choose the mobile app development service to create an app from the ground up and combine your mobile solution with your custom software. since it will enable you to attract a larger clientele.

Get a better control of processes

Determine the software development process using bespoke software, integrate it, and create a dashboard that fosters greater collaboration. Consequently, you have better control over these processes and the data is shared. Gaining an advantage over your rival can be achieved by providing improved control over processes.

Software that is available off the shelf isn't necessarily prepared to function in line with your company's needs. Many of your operations must thus be controlled independently of the software programs. This generally reduces the visibility of important software operations.

Compatible with your Outdated Systems

The ability to interface with your old software without having to pay license costs is the primary factor in favoring custom software creation over ready-made software. Maintaining an antiquated system guarantees a flawless software development process.?

You can interface with any application, outdated solution, current systems, and third-party API with the aid of the customized program. Additionally, use custom software development to provide seamless operation movement and manage data with ease.

Easy to Maintain Daily Tasks

Maintenance can be cost and resource driven. But, having a tailored software solution can help you hire remote developers to meet your custom software development requirements, as you will only have to pay for the services, thus helping you save millions of dollars spent behind hiring an in-house team or developer for getting the same tasks managed.

Now, let us understand how to know if your business requires Custom Software Development?

How to know if your business needs Custom Software Development?

To assist you in deciding whether or not to pursue custom software development, review the two key factors.

A component of the software is missing

It's possible that you have the tailored software set up that makes you more effective and productive. But when you expand, this program could not offer all the functionality you'll need. Discover what you enjoy, what's lacking, and what may be a useful addition. Consider the benefits of custom software if the functionality available in the ready-to-use programs aren't sufficient.

Defined Budget

The budget is the next important factor to take into account when designing a software solution for your company. How much money have you allocated for technology? It won't assist if your budget is too tight.

After learning about the two vital factors for starting your software search, check whether you should buy or build the software.

Buy vs Build: How to make the choice?

Fast-evolving Business Needs

If your business is developing at a faster pace and showing an expensive business needs, then you must choose a custom solution. Let us understand why. By buying ready-made software, you are partially ready to compete with your target market. But, when your business needs grow you would require efficient software.

Not Compatible with Business needs

When your business isn’t completely compatible with the current software, it can become quite challenging. You would either require to change the current solution or build a new one completely, either way whatever you choose you need to invest in new technology.

Complex workflows to manage

Custom software development solutions are appropriate when dealing with sophisticated algorithms or an excessive amount of paperwork. The intricate requirements and intricacies of your business cannot be met by an off-the-shelf solution.

Now, let us understand the process of developing a custom software

What is the process of a Custom Software development?

There are several models for software development available, such as the Agile, Waterfall, and Spiral models. The agile model is the most widely used of all of these. Every software development model has a unique strategy to guarantee the product is delivered successfully. While the approaches may vary, all models incorporate these steps.?

Let's examine them in more detail:

Requirement Analysis and Planning

At this stage, the development team and the client join hands together to understand the client’s needs, objectives and expectations for the software. Some key activities to focus at this stage are:

• Understanding the requirement of the client
• Defining the scope of word
• Selecting the appropriate method and technology
• Creating a project plan

After collecting all the information, the development team analyzes the information to build a foundation for the software development. This analysis is important to ensure that the development team is able to meet all the needs of the client effectively.

The development team and the client work together to translate the client's objectives into a tangible plan.

The client's needs are recorded in a Software needs Specification (SRS) document to guarantee understanding and clarity. This document helps avoid misunderstandings later in the process by acting as a blueprint for the product's design and development. Before moving on to the next round of development, both parties examine and confirm the SRS document.

Visual and Technical Design

After determining what has to be built, the development organization must decide how to accomplish it. Because every software solution needs a different strategy, system architecture design is essential for every project. The SRS document includes information on the internal architecture of every software module. At this stage, risk assessment and design modularity are parameters that are taken into account.

At this stage, the external design might also be designed. Deliverables at this stage include user stories, amazing prototypes, high-fidelity screens, technical architecture, database design, and wireframes.

Development and Implementation

This stage is very important in the custom software development process, in this step the conceptual design gets transformed into a functional product. But this stage demands the majority of the time and resources, as it includes the actual coding and construction of the software. Key activities of this stage comprises of:

1. Coding: Based on the defined visual and technical design as well as the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) document, developers write the software's code. The coding procedure can move along without any problems if the earlier steps have been carefully carried out.
2. Following development models: Depending on the software development model used, different approaches to development are used. The agile process, which is popular in contemporary software development, is defined by daily Scrum meetings and iterative sprints where team members report on their progress and talk about obstacles.
3. Testing: Thorough testing is carried out in tandem with development to guarantee the software satisfies quality requirements and operates as intended. For a flawless user experience, this entails locating and fixing bugs, security flaws, and other possible problems.
4. Project management approaches: The development process can be handled by using different project management methods, each of them has its own strengths:

• Waterfall project management: This method follows a sequential approach wherein each phase needs to be completed before the beginning of the next phase, thus it emphasizes more on a thorough planning and documentation.
• Agile project management: ?A flexible and an iterative approach which would allow a rapid development and an adaptability to change the requirements.
• Scrum project management: A variation of agile development methodology in which small, cross-functional teams produce incremental updates over the course of brief sprints.
• Kanban project management: An agile methodology that prioritized flow optimization, work in progress limitation, and work visualization in order to increase productivity.
• Lean project management: This method, like Kanban, has a strong emphasis on providing value to the customer, cutting waste, and optimizing operations.
• Six sigma project management: A data-driven strategy aimed at producing a final product with the fewest possible flaws and the greatest possible quality.

In order to bring the program to life and make sure it fulfills the needs and expectations of the client, the development and implementation stage is essential. Developers may provide custom software that adds value to the business by combining suitable project management approaches, thorough testing, and efficient coding practices.

Testing

This step is implemented immediately after the product is developed and is ready to be released. At this stage, developers will use software testing tools to identify the defects and deficiencies.?

During the testing phase, software testers would implement different kinds of non-functional and functional testing. Some of the features of the critical features are:

• Important application functions
• Installation on any localized machine
• Compatibility on different devices

But, in case any bug is detected during the testing process, it would be fixed immediately and tested again. The process of testing continues until the software meets the desired requirements. The software testing process needs to be implemented by both the development team as well the client team.

Below are the different types of testing included during the software development process:

Functional Testing

A sort of testing called functional testing examines a software application's capabilities. You must test every feature of the program when carrying out functional tests. You must determine whether or not you are achieving the necessary outcomes.

Functional tests can be carried out automatically or by hand. Functional testing can be conducted using Selenium automation testing, soapUI testing, Watir, and JUnit.

Various forms of functional testing consist of:

• Unit testing
• Smoke testing
• End-to-end testing
• Integration testing
• Acceptance testing
• Regression testing
• White Box testing
• Interface testing
• Black box testing

Non - Functional Testing

Testing an application's non-functional features, such as performance, security, usability, and dependability, is known as non-functional testing. They follow functional tests in execution.

You can significantly improve the quality of your program by using non-functional testing. Non-functional testing examines a variety of other aspects in addition to the software's functionality.

Various forms of functional testing consist of:

• Performance testing
• Load testing
• Failover testing
• Usability testing
• Efficiency testing
• Localization testing
• Security testing
• Reliability testing
• Endurance testing

Deployment and Maintenance

A software application must undergo extensive testing before it is released in order to guarantee its dependability and functionality. Nonetheless, some people frequently view the project as "complete" once it is released. However, the real test of a software's preparedness is found in real-world applications.?

Unexpected problems could come up at this point and, depending on their importance, need to be addressed right away. While some problems must be fixed right once in order to preserve operational integrity, other problems might be marked for improvement in later iterations, demonstrating a dedication to continuous improvement and improvement.

You must choose between on-premises and cloud-based software deployment when it comes to software deployment.

When software is deployed on-premise, it is housed on the servers of the business and is firewalled inside. It used to be the sole method of fusing external programs or software with the company's source. It is advantageous if total control over integrations with external services is necessary for your organization.

On the other hand, creating a virtual computer environment is necessary for software deployment in the cloud. Organizations can access scalable and adaptable virtual computing resources through cloud-based deployment. Cloud-based software deployment can be done via cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and so on.

One benefit of custom software applications is maintenance; a development business will continue to work on your product even after it has been released. The software development business handles all updates and new features as part of the maintenance service.

FInding it hard to follow and keep up with the process of Custom Software Development? Worry not, I can help you hire remote developers using IT staff augmentation services to help you meet your development requirements.

Next, we’ll talk about how I can help you with Custom Software development.

How can I help you with Custom Software Development?

I'm Mukesh Ram, the founder of an IT staff augmentation and software development outsourcing services. We provide businesses with the opportunity to address talent gaps by allowing them to engage our remote developers for as little as $15 per hour. Furthermore, we assist companies to hire MERN stack developers and hire MEAN stack developers for their development requirements. In addition, we are an official Laravel Partner and Bagisto development company.

If you're facing problems with software development projects or web app development, our skilled development team can assist.

Wrapping Up!

This was the first part of the discussion on custom software development, we learnt about the unique benefits and vital processes used to build a custom software development. These tailor made systems are important for businesses that aim to optimize operations and give a competitive edge in their respective industry.

Stay tuned as I’ll bring you more about custom software development in the second and final part of the discussion. But, before bidding you a goodbye, I have provided my take on a few of the most frequently asked questions on the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is custom software development?

Custom software development involves creating software tailored to the specific needs of a business, unlike off-the-shelf software which is mass-produced for a general audience.

Why choose custom software over off-the-shelf solutions?

Custom software offers specific functionality and scalability that off-the-shelf software cannot, aligning closely with the unique processes and growth plans of a business.

What are the key benefits of custom software development?

Key benefits include high-level security, adaptability to specific business needs, scalability, and potential integration with legacy systems.

How long does it take to develop custom software?

The timeline varies based on the complexity and specific requirements of the project but typically involves detailed planning, development, and multiple testing phases.

What should businesses consider before opting for custom software development? Businesses should evaluate their specific needs, budget, scalability requirements, and the potential return on investment from a custom solution.