What Is Custom Enterprise Software Development?

Custom software development is the process of designing software applications that meet the specific needs of an individual or a company. Unlike commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software, custom options are usually targeting specific problems. They are also meant for in-house use, not resale.

Bespoke software is another name for custom software. It is derived from old English with roots in the tailoring trade. Bespoke or custom software is built in very much the same way as any traditional software would be made. But although the methodologies may be similar, in custom software development, there are often focused and unique efforts when it comes to application customization, modernization, or management.

When Should Companies Build Custom Software?

Every company needs software. High-performing technology is the driver of businecess success. But custom software goes a tad further than your traditional out-of-the-box software solution. Because of this, there are additional benefits, such as:

* Efficiency
* Scalability
* Reduced costs
* Return on investment (ROI)
* Independence
With custom software, you can be sure everything is compatible with your existing software infrastructure. Businesses can also utilize custom software to scale their companies and get a greater ROI than otherwise. Since building custom software means addressing your unique needs, whether that be special features or added functionality, there is no question your company will grow as a result.

What are Custom Software Development Methodologies?

1. Waterfall Model
The waterfall model is a linear mode of development. In this model, engineers take the product from idea to deployment in a sequential order.
When it comes to building a product of any kind, consumers are an essential part of the deal.
In other words, while the waterfall model may seem practical, for most software development companies, it is too rigid to work with the modern needs of development.

2. Agile Development
The principles underlying Agile manifesto emphasize the importance of customer feedback and adaptability.
Likewise, Agile’s focus on individuals and interactions means responding to change takes precedent versus concrete plans.
Overall, Agile development is a modern spin on software development that reflects constructively on what does and doesn’t work when it comes to building software.

3. Scrum
Scrum is an Agile framework. The framework utilizes the defining principles of Agile but provides a specific structure for development.
One of the biggest components of the Scrum framework is sprints. A sprint is a unit of development in Scrum, denoting an agreed upon length of time to complete certain tasks.
Scrum development teams also have scrum masters who guide development, sprint reviews for checking progress and taking feedback, as well as sprint retrospectives for identifying improvements for following sprints.

5 Advantages of Custom Enterprise Software Development

Deciding whether or not you need custom software developed for your business can be rather difficult. Below are five ways that your business can benefit from investing in a customized solution.

1. Targeted Solutions: Probably the most important reason to invest in custom software development is to develop a product that addresses your exact needs. It is not unusual for businesses to choose an off-the-shelf software option just to realize that it is unsuitable for them. Every business is unique and it is hard to find a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to software. Choosing to work with tailored products not only gives space to grow, but it also means you are serious about your company’s success.

2. Greater Scalability: As your business grows, so do your needs. Purchasing an off-the-shelf software solution will become a problem once it is not able to support your business or becomes too expensive to license. Off-the-shelf solutions may be a better fit for small companies in their startup phase of the business cycle. When operations are not yet stable, the focus is on making the company viable. Developing a solution that is able to grow and scale your business processes is a savvy choice. You don’t want your capacity for growth to be limited by mere software. If you can afford the investment, it will be worth it.

3. Software Integration: Using custom software development, you can integrate your new software with already existing software to refine business processes. COTS software may lead to errors and as a result, a loss in productivity. Custom software mitigates the chance of integration issues and can easily fit within any business’s software ecosystem.

4. Hardware Costs: Licensing off-the-shelf software often means having to purchase additional hardware for it to run efficiently. This can sometimes lead to a pretty big bill at the end of the day. With tailor-made software, current hardware capabilities are taken into consideration, helping you save money and avoid extra costs. Custom software is developed in a way that supports your business so you’re not forced to adapt to what’s available.

5. Increased Reliability: When you are purchasing off-the-shelf software, you are dependent on the company that has developed it. The pricing, terms and conditions, and future of the business, are all out of your hands. If that company suddenly goes bankrupt or stops updating the product, you will have a nerve-racking and limited time to find a new software provider. With custom software, you can use it as long as you like and the way you like. Of course, there are maintenance costs to consider. But overall, you’ll have far less to worry about.

5 Best Practices for Custom Software Development

1. Define the Requirements: Defining requirements is probably a given. However, it’s important to make sure you’re clear in communicating what you want so it cannot be misinterpreted further down the line.

2. Plan and Set Milestones: Specify a roadmap for the development cycle of your software. This will highlight key parts of your project such as initiatives, deliverables, roles and responsibilities, cost, and value.

3. Perform Tests : Performing tests frequently insures that everything is working in proper order. This should have not only a technical focus, but your IT team should pay particular attention to how the user experience feels as well.

4. Document the Process: Documentation is pretty much a universal best practice in every field. Each stage of the process should be recorded in detail from testing to deployment and beyond. Ignorance of how and why the software works can never be an excuse.

5. Hire the Right Team to Develop Your Product: Even if you do have an in-house team, it’s important that your developers have the expertise necessary to develop potentially complex custom software. If not, you could risk the integrity of both the product and your business.
It’s not a bad idea to look for developers outside your own team for a specific project like custom software. Look for a specialist in the technology you’re building.

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