Customized software or a generic solution – this is a question that companies are now asking themselves very often. There seems to be no alternative to the path to custom software in many cases.
More and more processes are now being run entirely on the computer. Of course this only works if the right programs are available with precisely the right functions. And this is not necessarily a matter of course. Because: As a rule, standard software only meets the requirements that companies have for it at their intersection , and cannot display every single specific requirement.
This, in turn, means that off-the-shelf software cannot meet all the unique needs of a particular organization. According to the study “Status Quo – the use of custom software in German companies,” standardized industry software cannot meet the requirements of many companies.
A total of 201 IT and software decision makers from German companies participated in the study – not a particularly large number. Nevertheless, one result is particularly interesting: 53 percent of those surveyed said they were more likely to rely on custom software than on standard solutions. This begs the question: what is custom software?
What is custom software?
Custom software is software solutions created specifically for a customer by service providers who specialize in software development. This means that this type of software fully takes into account and fulfills specific technical, organizational and functional requirements, which means that the associated workflow within a company can be optimized .
This type of customized software can be developed and used for virtually every industry and every area of business. Nevertheless, it is particularly recommended for business-critical areas , because here it gives the company the opportunity to stand out from the competition through its use and the particularly efficient workflows associated with it. Even in very niche sectors for which there is no standard software, the service provider’s own developments are possible.
Software development: custom and forward-looking
Professional IT service providers, who specialize among other things in the development of software, are first aware of the precise ideas of the customer during the provision of their services. What are the specific requirements? Which functions do the customer need in detail? What interfaces to other programs are required? How can the software best optimize daily work? All of these questions need to be clarified during negotiations with the IT service provider.
Then the experts get to work. The first thing to do is to create a concept . Then the user interface design needs to be developed . It is often the case that these steps are done in close cooperation with the client. Once the programming is completed, the service provider can present the first prototype . Feedback is then used to allow developers to complete the individual software . In parallel with everything, a handbook is often produced , which contains both accompanying documentation and recommendations on how to use it.
Individual software vs. standard software
Standard software scores higher than custom software because it is available directly . All you have to do is purchase a license, install and configure it, and it’s ready to use. In addition, the costs are usually much lower than with custom software designed specifically for the company. And: Vendors often also offer professional training courses so that all employees can use the software.
On the other hand, custom software development comes with certain risks . So there may be a misunderstanding between the client and the service provider, and the result is not what you really want. It can also happen that there are delays – for example, because the programming turns out to be more complicated than expected, or because the approval takes some time.
With the right service provider, however, these risks are small for companies. Above all, the advantages of custom software should be considered when making the decision.