No matter the scale of the business, most companies these days require some form of professional software to manage internal data, improve client service, and optimize internal processes for maximum efficiency across the board. Bespoke software development just happens to be the definitive option for any business looking to make it big in this world.
In this article, we will take a close look at custom application development, and share our knowledge and experience in the field with you by comparing the benefits and disadvantages of both off-the-shelf software and bespoke software development. To avoid potential future mistakes, and to save invaluable time and money, check out this in-depth overview in order to decide on why you should choose one over the other.
At its most fundamental level, bespoke software development is custom software engineering for the unique and specialized needs of a particular business. Since the software is built from the ground up, there are generally no limitations on what it can do, (within the realm of logic, of course).
The user interface is designed specifically for the employees and clients of your particular company. Nothing is redundant, and all software functions and tools are utilized in one way or another. Every line of code is written with a specific goal in mind, and all the features serve a purpose.
Having this type of custom-designed software allows anyone to instantly improve the efficiency with which they work. Moreover, since the software is owned exclusively by the company that uses it, they can add or remove features at any given time, whenever the need for it arises. Should the business require it, individual bespoke solutions can also be developed for very specific tasks.
Bespoke software development provides full control over any outside influence and code changes, granting absolute independence from third parties and other companies in the market sector. This is exactly why the most successful companies in the world, both large and small, operate their businesses on custom-developed software. But before we draw our conclusions and make the final choice in favor of bespoke software development, let us consider the alternative – off-the-shelf software.
Also known as ready-made software, these are the types of applications that are available to the masses and are in many ways – general purpose. Their main advantages – availability and affordability. Many small businesses and startups in particular don’t have the resources to handle bespoke software development costs. Available for the mass market at any given time and meeting the needs of the majority of its users, off-the-shelf software is the one-size-fits-all approach that has been the only option for businesses for a very long time, but not any longer.
Some examples of ready-made software applications you may have heard of:
Flexibility
Flexible throughout, with the option of adding and removing features as the business scales in size
Low flexibility, as you get a fixed list of features that are hard to customize and scale in most cases
Available Functionality
Programmed according to the requirements of the project or business
Limited by the platform and what the developers intended it’s capabilities to be
Speed of Implementation
Depends on the task, but generally quick to implement in the business operations as it is custom-tailored
In most cases - fast. Businesses tend to use the same existing options depending on their needs, so the software is there
Costs
Lower in the long term. The initial expenses may be high for the custom software development process, but the added efficiency will increase the value of the business and its profitability
Lower in the short term, but future improvements are both limited and potentially very costly, as you will be working with certain restrictions imposed by the software
Security
Since bespoke development uses proprietary code, high-end security protocols, and encryption, it is significantly harder to bypass and hack
Significantly more vulnerable as the software is available to be studied by outsiders, and weak spots can be easily identified
Maintenance and Upgradability
Provided and handled by the bespoke software development company
Challenging, as you may need to engage third-party companies to implement new functionality and fix existing issues
If your goal is to build a business with a unique product, high-security standards and you are not limited by time, bespoke software is the only way to go. Otherwise, you can consider off-the-shelf software if you need to launch fast, but be ready for scalability and sustainability problems. Once possible – make the shift from general to custom, and hire a bespoke software company to elevate your business to the next level.
Custom application development will benefit small and medium businesses just as much as large enterprises. Scale is the obvious difference here, but the core principles for switching to customized business apps in order to grow your business stay the same.
The number of cyberattacks is on the rise. Finance, healthcare, and manufacturing are the most targeted industries. Hackers aim at obtaining intellectual property, personal data, credit card info, passwords, and more. It is imperative that the security of your company’s data is prioritized and the risks are minimized across the board. Most of this defensive front lies in not only the custom designed software being unavailable to the public for study, but also in the specialized security code and encryption it utilizes.
One of the more compelling arguments against using custom software development is the cost and the time that’s needed. Once upon a time that really was the case, but the wide array of tools available these days have changed the game forever. Most people mistake high early costs as something out of their league, but if you compare that to the expenses you will have to sustain over a long period of time from subscriptions or licensing fees, and that is from software that may not entirely fit your requirements, it becomes evident that bespoke software development may be the more rational option.
Do you have a dependency on software to deliver a product or service to your customer? Your competitors have likely already acquired the same or similar off-the-shelf software solutions. Ready-made software simply cannot provide you with the same competitive advantage that custom software can, due to the simple fact that it is available to everyone. If you are thinking long-term, the only logical choice to maintain an edge over the competition is bespoke software development.
If your business depends on the use of third-party platforms and programs, then sooner or later an unexpected change can completely sabotage your entire business due to some form of unexpected malfunction in the code. Everything can work great for a year and then one day the business will be overwhelmed by problems that came seemingly out of nowhere, and the fix may take some considerable time. The only way to ensure that there are no complications between existing software and future updates is to make your own software that is initially configured to adapt to new conditions and is flexible in its structure.
Assuming you are in business in order to continually develop it, custom-developed software will help drive the growth at any scale. For those who work with franchise operations, creating a single platform for all franchises to operate on will allow for more reliable communication and work between individual managers and the company as a whole. Moreover, if at the end of the day you plan to sell the business, then its value will be considered higher if you have a proprietary software platform.
1,000 - 9,999 Employees
$25 - $49 / hr
Gurugram, India
Daffodil is a software engineering partner globally known for its technological agility and customer satisfaction. Its team... Learn more about Daffodil Software
Daffodil is a software engineering partner globally known for its technological agility and customer satisfaction. Its team of over 1200 professionals has served over 150 global clientele. The company specializes in creating industry-specific solutions, focusing on healthcare, fintech, real estate, travel & logistics, and media & entertainment. Their expertise includes leveraging user data in every stage of development, which is offered through their affiliate, Unthinkable Solutions. Their focus on innovation and result-orientation is reflected in their people-centric culture and recognition as a Great Place to Work.
Gurugram, India
50 - 249 Employees
$100 - $149 / hr
Newport Beach, CA, United States
Saritasa is a custom technology solutions company specializing in developing complex software systems. Their services encompass mobile,... Learn more about Saritasa
Saritasa is a custom technology solutions company specializing in developing complex software systems. Their services encompass mobile, web, database, AR/VR, IoT solutions, and custom software development. Saritasa operates out of five locations, including their headquarters in Newport Beach, and additional offices in Austin, Chicago, Manhattan Beach, and New York. The company has completed 1769 projects for various businesses in the medical, financial, education, retail, real estate, logistics, manufacturing, and more industries.
Newport Beach, CA, United States
10 - 49 Employees
$100 - $149 / hr
Jacksonville Beach, FL, United States
Oyova is a software development and marketing agency founded in 2006. The company specializes in delivering digital... Learn more about Oyova
Oyova is a software development and marketing agency founded in 2006. The company specializes in delivering digital solutions, like social media marketing, SEO, Shopify e-commerce, web development and design, content, compliance, branding, user experience, etc. Oyova was recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies in 2022.
Jacksonville Beach, FL, United States
1,000 - 9,999 Employees
$50 - $99 / hr
Dallas, TX, United States
Andersen is a top-ranked software development company with 16 offices worldwide. They have successfully implemented over 1,000... Learn more about Andersen
Andersen is a top-ranked software development company with 16 offices worldwide. They have successfully implemented over 1,000 projects. Their team consists of 3500 experts who have previously worked with large enterprises like Siemens and Johnson & Johnson. Andersen is known for its expertise in financial services, healthcare, logistics, automotive, and media & entertainment industries.
Dallas, TX, United States
250 - 999 Employees
< $25 / hr
Ahmedabad, India
Sapphire Software Solutions is an ISO 27001:2013 certified company specializing in web and mobile app development. With... Learn more about Sapphire Software Solutions
Sapphire Software Solutions is an ISO 27001:2013 certified company specializing in web and mobile app development. With a focus on custom software development, they offer IT services catering to enterprises, digital agencies, and startups. Sapphire has a strong team with over 20 years of technology experience, providing full life-cycle software development, engineering services, product development, and more. They serve a diverse client base, including education, healthcare, and information technology industries, from their state-of-the-art delivery centers in India.
Ahmedabad, India
Before deciding on the type of software you wish to employ, it is important to consider the nature of your business and its scalability. Your vision, and your long and short-term goals play an important role in the final decision. The fact of the matter is that anyone, be it a small business, or a mega corporation, will benefit more from bespoke software development in the long run.
The benefits of having tailor made software running the business far outweigh any potential costs their development may incur. If you have plans to build a long-term business that will remain competitive throughout its life, and happen to be looking for bespoke software development services, contact us.
Transform your idea into a successful product with the DOIT Software team.
Contact usBespoke software development is the process of developing custom-tailored software solutions according to the requirements of the business. With custom software you improve the efficiency of your business and make it more secure, allowing you to earn more profits, improve customer experience, scale, and reliably optimize operations within the company.
The biggest difference is that custom software application development allows for a considerably more optimized integration of the tech into the company that employs it, while off-the-shelf solutions are made to appeal to the masses. Tailor made software will almost always be better and more efficient for businesses that can afford it. It is generally considered to be one of the best long-term investments a company can make.
There are many advantages of custom software. A custom software application tends to be more flexible and reliable when it comes to integrating it into the business and existing operations. It offers precisely what the company requires, without any unnecessary filler features to complicate the workflow and lower efficiency.
If you operate in a sector that has a high level of competition, custom software development is the difference between staying in business and losing your clients to the competitors. If you plan to grow your business and expand by scaling your operations, while maintaining high levels of security and flexibility within the software, then bespoke software development is the only way to go.
