Bespoke software development or custom software development refers to the process of creating software specifically for you and your organisation. It is not readily available and instead, built from scratch to function in a specific way and to provide specific outcomes that suit your company only as opposed to multiple organisations.
Off-the-shelf software is designed to appeal to as many businesses as possible, which usually means generic functionality and features that won't be used by all of it's users. As a result, you may find yourself adapting your processes to suit the software rather than the other way around all whilst still paying for functionality you'll never use. With bespoke software, you invest only in what you actually need, when you need it, without ongoing licensing fees or restrictive contracts.
There are many reasons as to why you might choose bespoke software over off-the-shelf alternatives. Some of the most common benefits include:
If your business has unique processes and/or workflows, being able to customise your software will probably be an attractive option. You can have the software designed and built from scratch based on the unique challenges your organisation faces, your current set up and the outcomes you would like to see. There is really no limit as to what can be achieved with bespoke software.
Bespoke software can be built to integrate with your existing systems regardless of whether they are bespoke or off-the-shelf. This allows you to retain the value of your existing technology investments whilst still improving how your systems communicate with one another.
Although bespoke software is often perceived as expensive, it can be highly cost effective - especially over the long term. By reducing manual work, minimising errors and cutting down on duplicated effort, custom systems can absolutely help you save both time and money. When you factor in the lack of licensing fees and freedom from third party vendor restrictions, the long term savings can be significant.
If you don't like the thought of paying for software you don't actually own - we have some good news for you. With bespoke software, you have full ownership and control. You decide when updates are made, which features are added or removed and how the system evolves, rather than relying on an external vendor’s roadmap or priorities.
Custom software systems can be built with consideration for what might happen in the future. If you expect your workforce to increase/decrease this can be accommodated for by making the software scalable. If you know you're are going to be using a specific type of software in the future, the system can be built to ensure it integrates with that system. Essentially, it can be built to set your organisation up for future success.
By opting for bespoke, you can build security and compliance requirements directly into the software. For example, you could track certifications such as Cyber Essentials, receive reminders when renewals are due or maintain detailed audit trails that are aligned with your regulatory obligations.
A software system is for life, not just for Christmas!
Well, that may not be entirely true...however, any software solution is definitely an investment so it's probably fair to say that you'll want to be able to use it effectively for as long as possible.
As we have covered above, bespoke software solutions can be built with your future in mind. They are designed to evolve alongside your business allowing new features, workflows and integrations to be added as your needs change. That is in contrast to off-the-shelf software in that you are never dependent on a vendor to prioritise and implement changes that are critical to your business.
The practices used by different software development companies will naturally differ from business to business. It wouldn't be such a competitive market after all, if we all offered the same services in the same way, at the same price. There are best practice guidelines that software development organisations should be following - this list is not exhaustive:
Learn more about how we approach our projects here at Cool Code Company.
Code reviews are a crucial part of software development and quite possibly, the most integral quality assurance task that can be undertaken by the development team. They (usually) happen as a peer led activity that allows code to be scrutinised, reviewed, discussed and ultimately improved upon by other developers within the team. Code reviews are a fantastic opportunity for a fresh set of eyes to spot mistakes, inefficiencies and other possible risks to the code.
Technical documentation is a fundamental part of good software development. Ensuring the technical aspects of your software are clearly documented means that others can understand how it works, maintain it and build on it in the future. Without proper documentation, knowledge is lost and continuity becomes a real risk. For example, if a developer builds a bespoke CRM system but fails to document the technologies used or how the system operates and then becomes unavailable, you could find yourself facing serious difficulties when changes or fixes are needed.
Version control allows changes to be tracked, promotes collaboration and provides the ability to revert to previous versions if required, protecting the integrity of your system.
Automated testing provides fast and reliable verification that your software works as intended. It reduces the risk of human error and helps identify issues earlier in the development process.
Agile methodology is a modern approach to software development that sets the stage for collaboration, ensuring your development team of choice are able to respond effectively to changing requirements and priorities. It strongly favours iterative development (breaking down a large project into small sections) which helps isolate and fix issues quickly without breaking the whole code base.
Wherever possible, your software should be built using clean, readable and non complex code. This makes future updates, enhancements and maintenance much easier and more cost effective.
Whether you're looking for a complex new CRM system, a shiny new website or some help integrating your existing systems so they work together - we can help. Our Midlands based development team are a friendly bunch with over 30 years combined experience in all things bespoke software development. We very much enjoy getting out and visiting our clients at their sites and seeing their operations in action and we're equally happy to host clients at our own office if they wish to drop in and see us. We have a strong track record of creating long-term relationships with our clients by simply giving them no reason to look elsewhere. So, if you're looking for outside help with your software requirements, come and have a chat with us today!
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