Nowadays, businesses are competing aggressively to develop a special niche for their services and products to maintain their Point of Difference (POD). It has become more and more significant for them to attain the most out of their in-house procedures increaser ROI generation. The consistency of in-house practices, for most organizations, rely mainly on the specific technology utilized and how well their IT procedures are maintained.
Companies are relying on the software automation to restructure their in-house processes. The better software results in more streamlined processes. This lead to improved efficiency levels. For that reason, it is vital to operationalize a computerized system that fulfills the business needs. It must also be easy and affordable to scale as the businesses grow.
There are two main options when you are automating business processes:
- Select readymade or off-the-shelf software
- Create a modified software particularly tailored to satisfy your exact requirements
Although there are many advantages of selecting a ready-made software, the drawbacks overshadow the benefits of utilizing them. Readymade software apps, also known as commercial apps, encompass pre-defined functionality. They are particularly created to justify the requirements of most business-types. Therefore, the feature functionality they provide in general. It also fails to target particular organizational needs – which is the major reason for concern. Every business is different and follows processes exclusive to its definite requirements.
As a result, readymade packages have a tendency to fulfill most organizational requirements. However, they often fail when the business scope or processes transform. In such scenarios, one has to improve current software or purchase a new product that is providing a new set of functionality and features. This can cause serious budgetary concerns as businesses might be compelled to invest in latest products.
Now the question arises that how can you determine if your business requires a readymade or customized software?
So, in order to help you out, we have listed seven indicators that can help you to determine if your business needs a readymade or customized software.
1. Design and Development
The main things that must be kept under consideration are price and timely delivery. The readymade software can be attained at reasonable prices and one can begin utilizing them straight away. The major issue is that they are more “product” oriented instead of being “solutions” oriented. An off-the-shelf application is primarily intended to address mutual business needs and openly target the end users. It is not obligatory to concentrate on any particular processor business-centric requisites. This makes commercial applications unbending and impractical for organizations having very precise work processes and distinctive end user necessities.
Custom software development services offer a “company focused” method that focuses more on what the business really requires and how end users are going to utilize a specific process. In addition, consumers, shareholders and project owners are involved early, and more frequently, with the design procedure. Their proposals offer useful insights in deciding the applicability and scope of future software systems.
Furthermore, opting for a customized software development will enable you to design a hybrid architecture encompassing tailor-made and readymade applications. This is likely to happen when data is shared through the entire platform.
2. Implementation
The point to ponder here is how naturally the organization can arrange and utilize the new software system. A tailor-made software is usually put in by a custom software development company team alongside end-users performing in the organization. Meanwhile developers engage and interact with process users throughout the development process, the latter is more familiar with project particulars, and consequently, find it simple to take on the new system.
Packaged software is typically set up by third-party contractors or by the company personnel, none of whom are vigorously involved with making the software. Instruction manuals and training guides try to make the application part simple. However, the downside is every process user has to be taught utilizing the new software system. This means numerous hours or even days of fruitless productivity time that has to be tolerated by the organization.
3. Processes
Another point that must be taken into consideration is how professionally the software can support the mechanization process. The most important indicator in determining whether the company requires off-the-shelf apps or custom made software is the ability of software to support a company’s operating processes.
A custom-built, branded user interface delivers process users and customers an extremely personalized, tailor-made user experience. This can also assist in making an effectual channel for helping direct sales and making new engagements.
This cannot be done with readymade software because the automation options and process flows are predefined and they do not have much room for personalization. Custom software development services make modification possible.
4. Costs
Last but not the least, the cost factor involved in purchasing or developing the software also plays a major role in determining the need for customized software. Although packaged software perhaps looks affordable, there could be unknown costs involved such as purchasing a plugin or third party gadget or other software to make it attuned to current system processes.
Besides this, complex or large systems perhaps entail the organization to order special consultants or trainers so the process users can learn how to utilize and apply the new system. There is a price tag joined with the training meetings and companies have to tolerate the added cost.
Conclusion
It can be hard to select between customized software or packaged software. Nevertheless, if you have dedicated work processes or you are ardent in enhancing your process flow and attain the most out of your IT infrastructure, custom software development would be the great choice for your organization.
