Custom Software Development

Access to information has ceased to be a competitive advantage of the business. Information is not just a lot ... its volumes are going wild - books, articles, blogs, forums, videos. The priority is the ability to effectively manage information and optimize business processes. Information technology and software are designed to solve the problem of increasing efficiency.

It is difficult for those who see the potential in the new software, but do not know how it is created. A series of articles on custom software development that will be useful:

• for the owner, the head of the organization planning to order the development of software for business;
• for someone who dreams of a startup based on a software product: packaged software, a web service or a mobile application;
• for a junior planning to choose or starting a career in information technology.

Alternatives to customized development

Most likely, you do not need custom software development, but one of the following options will do:

• Web service (cloud solution) - the software is installed on the developer’s servers, accessible via a web browser,
  payment of a periodic subscription is supposed (for example, monthly, every half-year or year).
• A boxed product is an option when a license is purchased and the software is installed on the computers or server of your organization.
• Mobile application from the "store".
• Open Source software available for free use (actively used in custom development).
• Option when developing a program yourself or your team.

Before ordering software development you should weigh the pros and cons according to several criteria.
Consider the server software options.

For boxed software

• Installation usually takes a little time.
• There are basic settings.
• Periodically updated.

• Business specifics are not taken into account.
• Does not scale.
• Uniqueness and adaptation for the client are absent.

For web service

• The mechanism of subscription to the web service allows you to reduce operating costs.
• Time to prepare a web service to work is short.
• The web service is maintained and updated by the support service.

• Business specifics are not taken into account - general solutions are offered.
• The configuration of the system parameters is limited.
• Integration with external software products is usually absent.
• Mass decision eliminates uniqueness and adaptability.

For custom software

• It may have an organization-specific functionality to increase business competitiveness.
• It can be configured and integrated with software products of the organization to improve the efficiency and optimization of business processes.
• Custom software can realize a unique selling proposition and adapt to customers.
  In this case, there is no alternative to custom software.

• Custom software is more expensive than existing cloud or boxed solutions.
• A certain development period is required.
  (simple software is created on average 3 - 6 months, medium complexity - 6 - 12 months,
  depending on the type of software, the scope of work, the composition and qualifications of the team members).