Custom Software Development entails developing a software product with specific users or target groups in mind. Such software is often designed to address the unique needs of the target users that the other off-the-shelf software may not respond to effectively. Another unique and defining attribute of custom software development is they are unique to specific entities and cannot be repacked or resolved.
When to Consider Custom Software Development
A legitimate justification of the need should back the resolve to invest in a custom software product. As highlighted, the purpose of custom software is to fill a gap that off-the-shelf software cannot.
Conventionally, off-the-shelf software is cheaper compared to custom software. This implies that the cost implications are higher with custom software development. Additionally, the risk of failure is higher when developing custom software compared to off-the-shelf software products, especially if the goals are not clearly defined, and the execution is not done effectively.
Therefore, custom software development should only be considered if there is sufficient proof that the existing generic options cannot satiate the problem being addressed.
Types of Custom Software
A variety of custom software exists, and they can be in the form of a mobile app, web app, or desktop software. The main categories of custom software include:
Internal Applications
These are custom software applications meant to be utilized within your organization’s operations. These are purely for internal use and are often aimed at streamlining operations and optimizing internal planning, monitoring, and reporting. They range from financial management systems, human resource software, project management solutions, and data analytics toolkits.
B2B Applications
These are software that helps facilitate seamless interactions between businesses and business partners. They are often tuned to aid the safe and faster transfer of products and services between various business entities. Custom development of B2B applications entails considering the protocols of all business entities they will serve.
B2C Applications
B2C Applications mainly focus on providing customers with a unique and memorable experience. They are a branding and marketing strategy for most businesses that adopt them. The main focus of these apps includes developing payment systems, self-service portals, customer portals, client apps, and e-commerce solutions, among others.
Custom Software Development Process
1. Define your current and future needs
Similar to any concept in software development, the first step to custom software development is to identify the gaps you need to feel and defining your current and future needs. Clearly document how your current systems work, their strengths and limitations, and how the adoption of custom software over generic software will address the stated limitations.
2. Planning
Planning entails assessing all the resource implications of developing custom software, including the budget, time, and labor requirements.
When budgeting, you can do market research to assess the overall industry rates for custom software products, especially those related to what you want to develop. With that information, you can set aside a defined budget within a range. Your budget should leave enough room for flexibility.
With a budget at hand, you can then source for a competent custom software development vendor to engage through the development process. When considering offshore developers, their reputation, portfolio, quality of code, speed of delivery, and experience in custom software development should take precedence in your selection criteria.
3. Methodologies and technologies
The different development methodologies available provide different pathways to the final product. Some of the top methodologies include:
- Agile development
- Minimum Viable Product development
- DevOps
- Rapid Application Development
- Scale Agile Framework (SAFe)
The choice of a development framework is dependent on the uniqueness of your project and your needs and preferences.
4. Designing
In the design phase, an elaborate sketch of the algorithm, UX, and UI of the software are made. The design of the custom software requires a collaborative effort between you and the development team. It involved piecing together the various components that, when put together, will result in the envisioned final product.
5. Development phase
With a clear plan, design, and team in place, the development of the custom software can commence. This is where the developers get to do the dirty work of coding and piecing the different elements of the software together.
It is essential to closely monitor the development process to ensure delivery is done within the timeliness agreed upon and with the highest level of efficiency. Constant communication is essential through this phase.
6. Testing
Once the development phase is complete, the software will then be subjected to testing to ensure it functions as intended and to identify any weaknesses, adjustments, and additions to be made. Testing is to be done by both the technical team – developer and IT professionals – and by beta users.
7. Deployment
After testing and adjustments have been made, the custom software can be deployed for use. Often this involves the developer providing support through transition and chipping in when there is a need for upgrades in the future.
Conclusion
Custom software development helps respond to the specific needs of target users that generic software doesn’t address. However, the success of this venture is dependent on proper understanding and execution of the entire development process, as detailed above
