Why get bespoke software developed? There are many ways in which off-the-shelf software isn’t really fit for purpose in the real world.
For simple tasks or problems, it may just about do the job and cover your bases. But for anything above and beyond – getting bespoke software developed is generally the better, cheaper, and more efficient option.
Hybrid Technology Partners provide real world software solutions to fit your business!
8 Advantages of Bespoke Software Development
The Differences Between Bespoke and Off-the-Shelf Software
If you’re looking for something more unique, more powerful, more malleable, or multi-faceted, off-the-shelf software can be extremely disappointing and end up costing you more money in the long run.
This is where Bespoke Software comes in. Now, the prospect of developing your own, bespoke software solutions may be a little daunting. There are a lot of questions you need to ask (and answer), you might need to think outside the box a little, and you may need professional support to find the right solutions.
However, there are many advantages to taking the plunge and developing the perfect software for your needs.
First and foremost, you will end up with the product you really want – not a one size fits all solution that actually doesn’t fit your needs. The development process is more open and creative, giving you room to innovate, be specific, and deliver something unique to your audience.
But more than this, bespoke software development can actually work out cheaper than an off-the-shelf alternative, especially as the end-product is so much more durable, flexible and efficient. While the up-front cost may be a little more to begin with, the results will save you money across the board and last longer than a generic alternative.
This is because off-the-shelf software very often comes with hidden costs and hindrances that are difficult to anticipate or properly protect against. Any number of factors from the installation and configuration costs, data import costs, customisation of reports, and the time needed to retrain staff, can add up and ultimately leave you out of pocket.
When you develop your own bespoke software, these factors are taken into account and you have dedicated support on hand to help you find efficient solutions. So over time, the payback of having your own custom solution can be considerable.
Here are some of the key advantages of having your own bespoke software developed.
Bespoke Software: Unique to You
Bespoke software works the way your business works. A business in the medical industry does not operate in the same way a financial or tech business might.
So it stands to reason that your software should be specifically tailored to your business and its unique needs. The user experience should be intuitive to your audience whatever the circumstances.
With custom software development, you lay down the specifications and requirements, you discuss workable solutions, and our development team will design and develop to deliver on your vision.
Quality and Software Testing
It’s absolutely crucial that your software is properly tested and delivered to a high standard of quality. Your bespoke software service will be able to offer various testing and quality-check services to ensure your software is always running securely, efficiently and in accordance with best industry practises. These will include:
Functional testing which is designed to check the operational behavior and product features to ensure their compliance with specifications.
Security testing which will determine that your information system protects data and maintains functionality as intended. Something you may not always be 100% certain of with software which is not fit for purpose.
Performance testing that uses automated test tools to assess whether your system complies with target performance requirements. This means your software is always running at optimum performance whether you’re aware of it or not.
Mobile testing (both functional and localization) and pre-certification testing for Symbian™, Java Verified and Microsoft Mobile2Market Applications, so you’re covered on all bases.
And Localization testing to ensure that your product is properly adapted for usage in a foreign market in terms of translation, justification, interface elements accommodation, etc. So, if you’re looking to reach audiences further afield, you can be safe in the knowledge that your software delivers every time.
Test automation saves a huge amount of time, reduces costs across the board, and maintains quality when developing and supporting large-scale or mission-critical applications. While software testing experts work on detecting defects in software, quality assurance specialists and auditors take a wider view on software and its development. So both the micro and the macro are properly considered and maintained.
These processes will be constantly monitored and audited to ensure compliance with established standards. This allows your company’s functions to be measured, assessed and enhanced to ensure efficient performance and high quality project implementation.
That’s a whole range of things taken care of so you don’t have to worry about them!
Custom Applications
From news readers and mobile applications for restaurants, to complex healthcare and manufacturing automation solutions, bespoke software can deliver turnkey mobile solutions for Android, iOS and Windows Phone.
Depending on your project goals, you could also integrate geo-location, navigation, payment systems, analytics, and other modules in your app. You name it, bespoke software makes it possible.
This is because software engineering brings together the best of complex back-end systems and appealing design, powerful technology solutions and business focus. With this unique combination, you’ll be able to develop web applications from websites to online auctions and enterprise portals. Your development team will design your web application from scratch or offer you an off-the-shelf solution tuned in to your business needs.
An experienced bespoke software development team can provide a full range of mobile development services including:
- native (iOS, Android, Windows Phone)
- hybrid and cross-platform mobile apps development
- mobile web solutions development and optimization
- expert consulting and mobile testing.
Your completed application will empower your business through access to data stored in corporate systems via mobile devices. By integrating apps with an enterprise systems back-end through an API, businesses benefit from flexibility, as well as easy and secure data exchange.
Easy to Modify
One of the huge benefits of a bespoke software system is that modifications and changes can be made quickly and easily. Off-the-shelf software – on the other hand – is largely inflexible. You’ll be stuck with what you’ve got and if it doesn’t fit the bill, it can be tricky (if not impossible) to adapt it.
Bespoke software solutions adapt to the growth of your business. They easily accommodate process changes, increased workloads and additional integrations. The software’s flexibility allows your business to expand as much as it is necessary to meet your business’ needs and objectives.
For example, a business who must adhere to a change in compliance within their market can quickly and easily modify their bespoke software to specification, right there and then. This will save time, money and inconvenience every time you need to make an edit.
Streamline Your Business
By looking closely at your business practice, bespoke software can streamline your business processes and take advantage of the latest developments in software and technology. This means you won’t be struggling to keep up, making compromises or ploughing through repetitive tasks that slow you down.
The elimination of repetitive tasks and integration of separate software systems increases productivity and lets everyone get on with the job at hand. This is a major factor in the long-term value for money of bespoke software over an off-the-self generic alternative.
Better Support
Developing bespoke software with professional support is more than just an investment in the end software product. It allows you to build an on-going working relationship with the engineers behind your software.
So if you encounter problems, you will have the support of the very people who designed your software in the first place. That means quicker, more efficient, more focused solutions. No more afternoons spent avoiding frustrating phone calls with a stranger hired to advise on a generic software model! Now you have someone who knows what they are doing, on hand, who is fully invested in your problem.
A bespoke software team will focus on cost-effective engineering talent and accelerated time-to-market. You’ll be free to vet a candidate and extend your team with necessary skills both onsite and offsite – be it a single developer, a designer or a QA specialist. You can easily scale up or down the team any time to keep up with your business needs.
So you’ll be working with a team who are customer oriented and flexible in their step-by-step service approach. Rather than a one size fits all product, you develop a relationship with an software company who interact with a wide variety of customers. These include IT experts to enterprises, for whom it is a first time experience at the automation of business processes. They bring together expertise from all of their clients and evolving experience which benefits you.
A bespoke company will also provide accurate documentation and comprehensive reports for each iteration. This way, your software development process is absolutely transparent, and you will always have control over due dates and spending budgets on your project.
Synchronizing with Existing Systems
Some businesses still use legacy systems, which are crucial to the business. Bespoke software can be designed to support legacy systems (or work with other operating systems) and help them integrate with new technologies or software platforms.
Again, this saves time and money and removes the responsibility from you. Your system will be designed to fit you – not the other way around.
Hybrid Technology Partners have over 15 years’ experience in the field of software solutions and have led projects as app developers and software developers for large multinationals, SMEs, and public bodies.
Top leaders in application development in the software industry. All software development projects include project management by Hybrid TP.
We have the experience, knowledge, and passion to deliver exactly what you need. So give us a call if you’re interested in talking further about how bespoke software can make an impression on your business.
You can contact us on 061 211444 or info@hybridtp.ie and we’ll be happy to show you how bespoke software can be used to help solve your particular business problem.
Hybrid Technology Partners
