Developing software or an application that meets specific business requirements is necessary for survival in today’s competitive era. Custom Software Development is the process of conceptualizing, designing, building and deploying software for a specific individual or a group of individuals within an organization or as a third-party arrangement.
Custom software is built to address specific users’ needs and is considered more efficient than commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS). Since COTS targets a broader set of requirements, it is ideal for a wider audience. Off-the-shelf software is promoted and marketed so that different businesses can embed them in their day-to-day business applications. One of the best examples of Off-the-Shelf solutions is Microsoft Office, as it can meet a wider audience’s generalized needs at the global level.
“Custom software is built to address specific users’ needs and is considered more efficient than commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS). Since COTS targets a broader set of requirements, it is ideal for a wider audience.”
But every business need cannot be generalized. Business processes and particular teams do have a specific set of needs that demand specialized solutions. This is where custom software development finds its application. For example, course-module portals for students or industry-specific e-commerce software for the streamlined shopping experience are custom software suites.
What is the difference between Custom Software and Off The Shelf Software?
The build versus buy question continues to affect enterprises looking for software solutions. Off-the-shelf software is ready-to-use as soon as it is installed on a device or computer. On the other hand, custom software is designed and developed to meet specific requirements.Both of these technologies have a considerable gap in terms of functionalities, usability and performance. Each technology has its pros and cons and here is an outline of the same.
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What are the pros and cons of Custom Software Development?
Pros
Specific solutions to needs
Since every business has some specific business operations, custom software is the best solution for their needs. It is designed to meet the particular requirements of individuals or groups of individuals. Also, it improves productivity since you get what you want, giving you a competitive advantage.
Security
Security is at the core of every software and business because nobody wants an app that can be easily compromised. Custom software can reduce security risks by allowing you to add as many security measures as you want. You don’t have to depend on the restricted security features of any off-the-shelf product.
Cons
High Cost of Development
The cost of developing custom software is relatively high for businesses, while market forces lower the cost of off-the-shelf software solutions. The cost of maintenance and support also adds up to the expenses of custom software. However, the cost of custom software development seems worth its functionality once it is implemented.
Requires a lot of time to build
A full-fledged custom software application for business takes a lot of time in its development since business needs may not always seem clear as many would think. A lot of time is invested in research and analyzing to be clear on all requirements and figure out those that are not clear or direct.
Conclusion
Custom Software Development has numerous benefits. With increasingly specialized companies and complicated internal systems, custom software has become a necessity for most businesses. Custom does not mean “expensive.” Leveraging the existing solution and customizing it with new features can help you gain multiple customization benefits without enormous cost.If you are looking for a team of experts to develop custom software for your business, consult our custom software development experts who have the potential to build custom software using emerging technologies, including IoT, AI, Blockchain, Web and Mobile.
