Developing One-of-a-Kind Software Applications
Custom software—what is it, and what does it do?
The concept is relatively simple, but when the sky’s the limit, what does custom software look like for the average organization? Is it a giant, enterprise-sized application that changes how a business works, or is it a single line of code that links two applications together?
Here’s a hint: it can be both.
In this article, we’ll show you:
- The definition of software development
- The types of organizations that typically benefit from custom software applications
- A handful of examples of custom software applications
- A few things to consider when calculating the cost of custom software development
- How to choose a custom software development partner
What’s the Definition of Custom Software Development?
Like many things in the tech industry, the product name is pretty straightforward.
Custom software development is the process of creating a unique software application that solves a specific set of challenges. Typically, the custom software development process involves multiple steps to deliver the finished software application, including research, design, development, testing, maintenance, and support.
But, how do you build it?
Organizations may choose to develop a custom software application in-house by hiring developers to build and support the application, or they may partner with an outside organization that specializes in software development. Each has pros and cons, and the cost of application development can vary widely.
Many people often assume that software development has to be something extravagant or newsworthy, like building the next Google in your garage, but that’s not typically the case. Custom software development ranges from full-scale application development to application customization (think ERP or CRM), modernization, mobile applications, and management.
Bespoke Software Vs. Custom Software
You may have heard of the term “bespoke software.” What’s the difference? Custom software and bespoke software are used synonymously, depending on the industry and region.
Generic or Off-the-Shelf Software Vs. Custom Software
To help differentiate custom software development, it’s easiest to compare it to generic or off-the-shelf software. These two types of software are opposites. Whereas custom software is developed uniquely for your business’s needs, off-the-shelf software is an application that’s ready-to-go, straight from the manufacturer, without being customized for your business.
Examples of off-the-shelf software include Microsoft Office applications and virtual collaboration software, like Zoom.
Comparatively, custom software applications aren’t immediately available from a manufacturer, because they don’t meet the needs of various businesses/industries. Instead, custom software needs to be planned, developed, and supported for a specific company.
As an example, check out this custom patient management software we developed for Special Products Kansas.
What Types of Organizations Need Custom Software?
Off-the-shelf is a perfectly viable solution for many companies — if it’s cost-effective, easy to implement, and meets most of your needs, it’s a good choice. However, every business is unique, and while generic software solutions may satisfy some requirements, they can fall short.
If your organization can relate to any of the following characteristics, you may benefit from exploring custom software solutions.
Software for Unique Business Situations
Does your organization do something no one else does? Off-the-shelf software serves a broad functionality, whereas custom software serves individual needs. Typically, the more unique or specialized a business is, the more likely they are to need custom software. For example, in Runwell’s case, you can’t just buy a custom social media mobile application off-the-shelf; however, a custom software company can build one for you.
Software for Growing Businesses
As businesses grow, they can outgrow their off-the-shelf software. Broad, generic software solutions fail to account for businesses’ unique nuances as they expand. A custom software solution doesn’t have the same setbacks, because it meets the company’s specific goals to help it continue to grow.
Similarly, newer industries are more likely to need custom software. For example, there’s no off-the-shelf AI software for driving cars since it’s such a new industry. On the other hand, hospitality is an established industry, and there’s an endless sea of prebuilt solutions that meet those businesses’ specific needs.
Older Businesses Looking To Modernize Software
As businesses age, so do their software needs. A software application developed years ago may no longer meet the needs of the organization—it’s slow, not cloud-based, needs new functionality, or no one knows how to support it. Moreover, legacy software solutions often rely on platforms and services that are no longer supported and are now considered insecure.
Instead of building a new application from scratch, software modernization may be a more cost-effective solution.
Businesses Looking To Automate Tasks Using Software
In some cases, you might not know precisely what you need, but you know that you need to automate processes. A software development partner can help examine your current workflows and process to help understand how custom software can help make things easier for your business.
What Are Some Examples of Custom Software?
The beauty of custom software is in the name — it’s customizable. The sky’s the limit, but here are a few examples of custom software development projects:
- Spreadsheet-to-Software. Excel isn’t meant to run an entire business. Too often, companies rely on a spreadsheet with complicated macros and equations that only one person knows how to edit or troubleshoot. You can use middleware to help create an easy-to-use application that automatically compiles and does the work of the spreadsheet without the expert manual labor that’s typically required.
- Middleware. Connect standalone existing applications and data. Middleware examples include integrations, API development, data consolidation, and automation. Learn more: 6 Warning Signs Your Business Needs Middleware.
- Mobile Apps. Whether it’s an internal app to make things easier for employees or a customer-facing app to build a community for your business, a custom mobile app can be a game changer for your business. Check out the mobile app we built for RunWell.
- Business Management Software. Streamline your processes and data. A custom software solution can replace multiple individual off-the-shelf applications to help you define processes, organize data, and streamline workflows.
- Patient Management Software. Patient Management Software gives unique companies in the healthcare industry everything they need to track patient information, diagnoses, prescriptions, notes, payments, and more. Case study: Special Products Kansas.
How Much Does Custom Software Development Cost?
Custom software development tackles a unique challenge with a customized solution. With that in mind, the price of a custom software development project varies widely. If you choose a third-party company to develop your custom software application, they should provide a business development document outlining all project costs.
Aspects of the project you need to consider when researching the price of custom software include the project’s size, scope, type, timeline, and level of engagement.
When weighing using an outsourced solution versus in-house development, keep in mind the cost of hiring highly-skilled employees like Software Developers. That dollar amount varies based on location, but it’s something to consider when calculating the cost of in-house software development versus working with a software development company.
How To Choose a Custom Software Company
You should view custom software applications as an investment in the future of your business. Deciding to build a custom application isn’t an on-a-whim decision.
How can you be sure that you’re working with a reputable company that’s going to deliver the software you need on time and on budget?
First, do your research into the company’s reputation. Ask for referrals from their current clients and examples of their previous work. Similarly, ask about case studies and their history of deliverability.
A reputable software development company should be able to answer any questions you have about staff developer experience and introduce you to their team. Developing software is an art that requires years of experience, especially when building a custom application from scratch.
Pay attention to your communications with the company building your software throughout your vetting process. Do they respond promptly? Do they answer your questions thoroughly and honestly? Do they provide knowledgeable answers? You should be confident in the capacity and capabilities of the company you choose to work with.
Finally, be sure to ask questions about the app’s security, who’s responsible for the ongoing support and maintenance of the application, and who retains ownership of the code. These questions are essential for the long-term success of your new application.
We Meet Your Needs.
We got our start building custom software nearly 40 years ago. Today, we continue to engineer and develop custom software solutions for businesses, including applications, integrations, and mobile applications. Similarly, we can assist organizations with everything needed for software modernization projects, custom software maintenance, and software conversion requestion.
Contact us to learn more about custom software development for your business.