Web application development has matured to a level where businesses can get solutions to almost any issue they face online. However, they might not be the right fit for your business. These solutions are called Off-the-shelf owing to their property of being ready-to-use and their nature of being reusable for multiple use cases.
Custom software development is a solution-building approach whereby the user’s main issues are kept under consideration to develop bespoke software solutions that cater to a particular business’s challenges. Custom-made solutions like these are more suitable for businesses that can’t fit their business model in the parameters set by off-the-shelf software.
Businesses go for bespoke software solutions to enable better-performing apps and the individual attention that goes into developing them. This write-up is to help you gain perspective about getting these services: the drawbacks and the advantages.
WHERE BESPOKE SOFTWARE BEATS OFF-THE-SHELF SOLUTIONS:
You can explore multiple options when getting bespoke software solutions from a reliable agency. Businesses can choose to venture through those options if they’re looking to scale up their services or products to cater to a wider audience.
1. Usage of the right technology
The type of software you get for your development defines how your business thrives. Getting the right software for your team is mission-critical. It’s even more so when the software you adopt determines your business’s success rate. You do not need to get stuck with what an off-the-shelf solution can deliver on a budget.
With an off-the-shelf software license, you usually get the common features that everyone might be using in the industry. If you’re looking to be more specific in your approach, then bespoke software development is the way to go!
2. Worth the bucks!
Bespoke software development allows you to choose the specific features and the final outcome of the product for your business. This ensures that nothing you’re paying for is an unnecessary cost as you do with off-the-shelf software. Your software becomes user-friendly, attracting more people instead of looking basic and unoriginal.
Developing a bespoke solution could be a more worthwhile deal than opting for off-the-shelf solutions.
3. Measurable architecture
An obvious limitation of off-the-shelf software is its lack of adaptability to your business’s style. There will either be an option for you to follow the workflow suggested by the pre-made template that comes with an off-the-shelf solution or pay even more for additional features offered which may or may not suit you even though you paid for them.
Bespoke solutions are flexible enough to suit your business’s workflow. Despite that, bespoke software development companies keep on checking your product for maintenance and upgradation to meet the market standards, which you do not get with an off-the-shelf website.
4. Higher level of security for you
It is obviously more advisable to go for custom software solutions that provide a global level of data protection and don’t lag behind in fulfilling the security requirements of the various regions where it will be operating. This will ensure its safety against any kind of scams or hacks and you can rest easy knowing that your business process is secure and won’t be hindered in any way.
LIMITATIONS OF BESPOKE SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS TO CONSIDER:
For full disclosure, we are listing here those limitations that do not dim the reliability of bespoke software but may be good to know in terms of setting a budget and timeframe for your project.
1. Longer development times
You should be clear on the fact that a bespoke solution takes much longer time to develop than an off-the-shelf solution. This is something to keep in mind while choosing an option for yourself. It is worth suggesting that you may go for the off-the-shelf option if you do not have ample time for development and you may tweak the software until it becomes consistent for you.
If you have enough development time, it’s advisable to go for bespoke solutions that address the main ailments of the user. Template solutions may just take a few days to tweak according to your needs but real needs may only be catered with bespoke solutions that can compete in the global market. It’s time-consuming but worth it!
2. Initial costs can be high
The only way to approach a bespoke software development company is with a hefty budget. But this does not mean that the template solutions you’re getting are anywhere less costly. The time and resources spent on tweaking off-the-shelf software may go just as high.
Generally, available software solutions for commercial use are ready to use with affordable price tags. They may come with a small subscription charge. But they are limited in functionality and technological reserve.
CONCLUSION
People decide on their software solutions depending on their core needs, time, and budget, among other factors. This means every choice has its own time and place be it bespoke software solutions or off-the-shelf.
You must weigh your options before making an informed choice deciding on the software solution vendor for your particular business is essential. If you are looking for web application development in London, we have got you!
Reptech Solutions has been providing the best web application development in London. We support businesses across numerous industries and we will gladly help you out.