Bespoke Software Development

Bespoke software - built for you and not for everyone else’s cousin’s, uncle's business model.

What is bespoke software?

The term 'bespoke software' refers to custom built software solutions that have been developed and tailored specifically to meet the unique requirements of your particular organisation - nuances and all. Unlike off-the-shelf software, bespoke software is designed and developed from scratch to address your specific challenges and/or provide specific outputs that may otherwise be unobtainable to you.

Bespoke software comes in many forms. It could be a CRM system, a mobile app, a web application or even a genius way to make all your existing systems finally talk to each other via a fully integrated platform. In short, if you can describe what you want, bespoke software can probably make it happen.

What does bespoke software offer?

Bespoke software comes with a whole host of benefits that can make your business faster, more intelligent and more efficient and in some cases - a better place to work! Here are some of the major benefits your business could achieve, should you choose to go bespoke:

Functionality that suits you

The biggest advantage of bespoke software is that it’s built just for you. It’s designed to match your exact processes, workflows, and goals and yours alone. Every feature exists for a reason and actually helps you do what you need to do.

Financial benefits

Yes, custom software comes with higher upfront development costs when compared with off-the-shelf alternatives, but they're refreshingly transparent. There are no ongoing licensing fees for starters, and over time, the efficiency gains, automation and reduced reliance on subscriptions can add up to some serious savings. What's not to love?

Flexibility built in

Your business changes and bespoke software can change right alongside it. Need to tweak a feature or add something new later? No problem. You won’t be stuck waiting for the next version update or hoping a vendor decides your idea is worth adding.

Great user experiences

Because bespoke software is designed for your specific users (ideally based on feedback from them), the final product should feel more 'natural' to use. When your staff (or customers!) help shape the design, the end result makes sense to them - a win for both productivity and morale!

Extensive integration capabilities

One of the biggest perks of bespoke software is that it can be built to integrate with your existing systems. Instead of forcing you to get rid of the software that already works (and that you've already paid and/or pay for!), bespoke software can connect and enhance what already exists in your environment, protecting your prior investments.

Flexible maintenance and support

You can also get support on a basis that suits you rather than relying on a third party to set the schedule. You can have as much or as little as you require, meaning you're not paying for support or maintenance that you otherwise wouldn't choose to have.

What are the indications that my business would benefit from bespoke software?

Simply put, if you can’t find software that does exactly what your organisation needs, it may well be a sign that bespoke business software is the right choice. Many companies settle for off-the-shelf solutions, sacrificing essential features or paying for unnecessary functionality - often for far longer than they need to. But this doesn’t have to be the case!

If you find yourself in any of the following situations, it could be time to consider going bespoke -

How does a bespoke software development project begin?

The process starts with understanding where you are now, what’s working (and what isn’t) and where you want to go. Together, you and the development team define your goals and objectives, then explore practical options, identify potential risks and set realistic timelines.

From there, development begins with open communication all the way through. You’ll always know what’s happening, why it’s happening and how things are progressing - there are no mystery milestones here. For a detailed look at what you can expect from the development process, check out how we work.

Is bespoke software right for my business?

Whilst we could preach all day about why bespoke software is the best thing since sliced bread, the fact is, we are inherently biased. The only sure fire way to determine whether bespoke software is worth the investment for your specific business is to calculate the return on investment you can achieve by comparing the following:

Upfront development costs v ongoing licensing fees

Bespoke software is going to require a larger investment upfront, as we have covered above. However, that needs to be weighed against what you're already paying, or could be paying in ongoing licensing fees by choosing an off-the-shelf solution. Whilst the upfront costs are lower, per user charges, premium features, additional modules and annual price increases can really add up if you intend to use the software for 2,3, 4 + years, which inevitably erodes your ROI.

An example: If an off-the-shelf system costs £50 per user, per month for 30 employees, that's £18,000 a year or £90,000 over five years (assuming the price doesn't increase). If a bespoke system costs £50,000 to develop and £5,000 a year to support and maintain, the five year cost would be £75,000.

That's a potential £15,000 saving before you even factor in the efficiency gains and other benefits bespoke software might bring.

Time saved v cost of manual processes

Now, consider how much time your employees spend on the repetitive, time consuming, manual tasks that you want your new software solution to automate. Data entry, copying information between systems, producing reports, updating spreadsheets and chasing approvals might only take a few minutes at a time but when you multiply that across your whole business and an entire year, the cost can become incredibly chunky. 

An example: If five employees each spend five hours a week on manual admin that could be automated, that's 25 hours every week. At an average employment cost of £25 per hour, that's approx £32,500 per year spent on tasks your software could potentially manage instead.

If a bespoke system costs £40,000 and removes most of that manual work, the potential efficiency saving alone could see the investment pay for itself surprisingly quickly.

Cost of errors v improved accuracy

Manual processes aren't just a time killer; they also leave plenty of space for good old human error. Messing up on data entry, duplicating records, missing updates and spreadsheet formula mishaps can all have a very real financial impact.

An example: If your business loses an estimated £1,000 a month correcting mistakes, deduplicating duplicated records or resolving issues caused by inaccurate data, that's £12,000 a year. If bespoke software can automate validation, remove duplicate data entry and create a single source of truth, a sizeable chunk of that cost could disappear.

And that's before considering the less easily calculated cost of an error reaching a customer...

Cost of missed opportunities v increased capacity

Sometimes ROI isn't about cutting costs at all, it can also be about how much more your business can do if you could operate more efficiently. This won't be relevant for everyone but for many businesses, it will be.

An example: Say you're in the ecommerce space and your success is dependent on processing high volumes of orders as quickly as possible. At present, your employees can process 100 orders per week but with better automation and streamlined workflows, that capacity increases to 130 without needing to recruit additional staff. If each additional transaction generates an average £50 in profit, those extra 30 could represent a massive £78,000 in additional profit per year.

Cost of multiple systems v one joined up solution

Again, this is not going to be applicable to everyone but if you have multiple different systems that you're paying licensing fees or support for every month, it might well be. A Salesforce subscription here, a Power BI license there, a bespoke HR platform over there and naturally, those seventeen spreadsheets that are needed to support them all.

An example: If your business spends £800 a month to subscribe to multiple different systems, that's £9,600 a year in licensing costs alone. If bespoke software can replace or consolidate several of them through integration, you could reduce those costs significantly.

Use cases for bespoke software

Now let's take a look at some real world scenarios where bespoke software can make a genuine difference. Because whilst talking about automation, efficiency and ROI is all well and good, it's much easier to understand the value when you can see how it might actually work in practice.

From replacing spreadsheet heavy processes and joining up disconnected systems to automating repetitive tasks and supporting business growth, there are plenty of situations where going bespoke can make perfect sense.

The CRM replacement

Let's say you're an SME and you've now outgrown your existing, off-the-shelf CRM. You're paying per user licensing fees, adapting your processes to fit the software and still reliant on other systems and spreadsheets to fill the many gaps.

A bespoke CRM can be built around your actual workflows, integrate directly with your existing systems and remove the need for per user licensing fees. You get the features, automation and reporting your business needs without paying for a load of stuff it doesn't.

The spreadsheet upgrade

Possibly one of the most common use cases for bespoke software, a custom system can be built to replicate and digitise your existing Excel workbooks. Businesses large and small still run important functions, processes and workflows from spreadsheets and at some point, many of these businesses realise that's just not sustainable and indeed, inherently risky.

A bespoke system can take these processes - jobs, stock, projects, customers or reporting - and move them into a central system with automated workflows, permissions and proper reporting.

The consolidated ERP

Now thinking about enterprise specifically. Bespoke software can be used to bring the many systems, departments and processes together across these large organisations.

A bespoke ERP could consolidate the existing finance, HR, inventory, operations, CRM and reporting systems by connecting them together through integration, allowing data to flow between all of those systems whilst also providing one central place for all employees to access the information that matters to their role.

The customer portal

Not only can you enhance your internal work environment through bespoke software, you can also use it to impress your customers by giving them a better way to interact with your business.

A bespoke customer portal could allow your customers to place orders, submit requests, access documents, track jobs, view account information or manage their details online whilst integrating directly with your other internal systems.

The web application for multi device access

If you have employees that are dispersed across multiple different locations, perhaps with different devices to boot, a bespoke web application can provide a central platform that is accessible through a web browser. That means it can be accessed from anywhere, on any device, at any time, providing you have an internet connection.

Regardless of whether they're using a desktop in the office, a laptop at home, a tablet on site or a mobile while out and about, they can access the same up to date information without installing separate software.

How can we help?

Our UK-based development team have seen it all - large enterprise projects to compact systems for small but mighty businesses. We’ve worked across public and private sectors and every project has been shaped around our clients’ specific goals.

All of our solutions are built from the ground up. By drawing on experience with a wide range of technologies, we make sure you get the right fit for your business every time, resulting in software that is both functional and genuinely empowering.

FAQs

Question Answer
What is another name for bespoke software? Another common name for bespoke software is custom software and as far as we are concerned, they mean the same thing.
Is bespoke software less expensive? This is highly dependent on your individual circumstances; it may be less expensive, it may be more expensive than off-the-shelf. Bespoke software tends to deliver a higher ROI over a longer period of time due to lack of licensing costs.
What are the types of bespoke software? There are many different variations of bespoke software (it is bespoke after all!); however, common systems include Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Work Force Management, Supply Chain Management, Ecommerce systems and Mobile Applications.
Is bespoke software more user friendly? It certainly should be. Bespoke software is purpose built to a client's specifications to deliver specific outcomes. The usability of the bespoke software system is generally of paramount importance to clients particularly when they are looking to drive efficiencies in the business; the software can be tailored to ensure best results
What are the limitations of bespoke software? The most common limitation of bespoke software is the initial cost and time to deliver. Because the software is being developed to custom requirements, it can be costly and take time to deliver. However, these limitations are often negated by the lack of monthly subscription fees which can and often does work out cheaper in the long run and the fact that changes and upgrades can be made at any time you see fit.
Who uses bespoke software? Most types of businesses can benefit from bespoke software solutions. Whether they are private or public sector companies, micro or multi-national and regardless of industry, the majority of the time there will be benefits.
What is an example of a bespoke service? A bespoke service or piece of software that has been designed to meet specific requirements set by your company only - it is not for the masses and the features and functionality are unique to your business. Check out our MOTS case study for a real life example from one of our clients.

Further reading

What is the difference between bespoke and off-the-shelf software?

How much does bespoke software cost?

How long does custom software take to build?

Do I need to get rid of my current systems if I am going to invest in a bespoke solution?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of bespoke software?

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