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Custom software development might seem like a big deal, and it might have been a few years ago. But not anymore. Today businesses are understanding the importance of custom software.
A few years ago, I too was skeptical of custom software and so had an off-the-shelf software solution for my laundry service. But after a few days of using the software, I realized issues with my network speed. Among other things, I even performed my Spectrum internet speed test. It turned out the software was data-heavy. It had other issues as well, so eventually, I shifted to custom software.
Today more businesses are opting for custom software.
How Difficult is Custom Software Development?
It isn’t as time-consuming as it used to be just a few years ago. The latest development tools make it much easier and faster for developers to create a new framework. Good software houses can turn out completely custom frameworks in a matter of days. Keep aside a few days for testing. So you can get your hands on your custom software in a couple of weeks. That said, of course not all software can be developed this quickly. It all depends on your specifications really.
The more advanced features you need, the more development time you should allow. It’s as simple as that. The software house can give you a better estimate of the timeline based on your needs.
5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs Custom Software
- Easier Integration
- Increased Security
- Facilitates Growth
- Competitive Value
- Efficiency
Easier Integration with Other Platforms
It is difficult to find all the features your business needs in one software solution. And it isn’t possible to change or add any features to a mass-market software. So most companies end up using more than one. Sometimes even five or six, just to manage their daily activities.
But when you design a custom framework you have the freedom to include as many features as you need. And you don’t need to create all these features from scratch either. You can design your software to work with other software. Developing software that can work with others can save you time in implementation. So you won’t risk the loss of any data or waste any time training employees on the new software.
With its features and integrations, you may only need a software solution to manage your workshop smoothly. The tool can streamline and simplify the many moving parts of the business, be it inventory tracking or invoicing. It’s how this solution is made to fit your type of business that makes it work.
Increased Security
In the cyber age that we live in, there is a constant and growing threat of cybercrime. Cybercriminals regularly target companies, big and small. So you can be at risk without even knowing it. But the risk can be severely reduced if you implement your own framework.
That is one of the major advantages of custom software development. Especially if you use an open-source platform. That would allow multiple professionals to view and analyze your software code. And detect any security flaws early. So you can rest assured that your custom software is likely to be safer than an off-the-shelf one.
Facilitates Growth
The core aim of any business is to grow. But how can you grow when the tools you use aren’t supportive of the growth? Off-the-shelf software solutions are a quick fix to an immediate problem. And sure, they might work well. But if they can’t support growth, then how valuable are they to your business? Hence the need for custom software development!
With custom software you can always change, add, remove features as and when you need them. Also, custom software can immediately add value to your business. So if you intend on selling your company, then custom software can only increase its value.
Competitive Edge
You might not have thought about this but custom software gives you an edge over your competition. If you are using off-the-shelf software then chances are that you aren’t the only one. Your competition might be using the same software as well. So how does it make you better than your competition? It doesn’t.
But a custom software might. It will be designed to improve your business, specifically. So you know that your operation is as efficient as it can be. This efficiency can translate to improved business performance. The right kind of software can greatly increase your chances of blowing your competition out of the water.
Efficiency
Did you know custom software doesn’t cost as much to develop as they used to? They don’t even take as much time. The new open-source platforms significantly cut down on development time and cost. And they can increase the integrity of your software. This addresses the most common argument against custom software development.
Conclusion
Open source platforms have proven successful time and again. Did you know that Netflix is also based on an open-source platform? In my opinion, it is one of the best real-world examples of an open-source platform. If Netflix can get me to give up my Spectrum Digital Receiver, it is a testament to the software. Same as with custom software. In addition to all these advantages, it is also a smart long-term investment!
