How Custom Software Development Can Benefit your Business

1. Increases Efficiency and Raises your Standard of Performance

In a perfect world, custom software provides all the features you need and none of the features you don’t. It also means a higher quality of work, because it reduces human error. Having staff and processes that run like a well-oiled machine leaves room for innovation and excellent service.

Custom software development also improves efficiency and performance through better tech support. You’ll most likely have a dedicated support team as part of the contracted services, so when you run into issues, you won’t have to rely on forums for answers or wait days for a response.

2. Saves Costs Over Time

Building custom software takes more labor than off-the-shelf solutions, and providers usually charge a portion upfront instead of billing monthly. Plus, despite the higher bill, you may not be able to use the software for several months.

But once it’s finished, if your new software creates enough efficiencies, it could save you in wages what extra you spent on the custom option—or it could attract new business, making up the difference in revenue instead.

It’s hard to predict when the tipping point to “worth it” happens, so you have to make an educated guess. Gather quotes, honestly assess your current cash flow and decide what level of risk you’re comfortable with (as with any other investment).

It’s worth noting that you may be able to negotiate the price. If you’re concerned about price, ask about launching your project in phases so you can manage the costs better. Also, it’s worth checking out software development companies outside of the U.S. that may provide a more cost-competitive experience overall.

3. Improves Customer, Client, and Employee Satisfaction

Removing roadblocks for employees can lower their stress levels. Offering sophisticated services to your customers can make them enthusiastic, repeat buyers, and evangelists, not just someone who bought something from you once.

When you launch your new software, especially if it’s internal software for complex business processes, employees and clients may experience a learning curve. It’s a natural part of the process, but you can curb the growing pains by asking the software developer to focus on intuitive UX during the build.

4. Supports Business Expansion Much More Effectively 

If you plan to add more services, locations, or employees in the next few years, custom software may help that transition go more smoothly.

Off-the-shelf services update and evolve much more slowly than custom solutions. When it comes to requesting changes and accommodations, you’re at the mercy of a long queue, and your concerns may not be addressed at all, let alone to your exact specifications.

Custom software can be built to be updated easily. And if you create this amazing solution and then in a year need changes you couldn’t have predicted, your development team can iterate without having to learn the background of the first project.

5. Gives You a Competitive Edge

You and your competitors probably use the same set of off-the-shelf software(s). When you make the switch to custom software, you give yourself the opportunity to solve problems your competitors can’t.

As more businesses adopt custom software, your lead may decrease a little. But since your program fits your exact business needs, not your competitors’, it will still help you function the best you can. And you’ll keep the edge over competitors who never customize.

Plus, to really clinch that competitive edge, you can buy the rights to your custom code. That’s right—you can usually negotiate ownership of the intellectual property so that you have complete control over who else uses the software and how it changes over time.

For example, in 1982, the Carnegie Mellon Computer Science department designed the first IoT software: a Coke machine program that counted inventory detected time-in-machine of each can so buyers didn’t have to drink warm soda and displayed the results on the still-infant internet.

This simple Coke machine code didn’t launch a new business, but after almost 40 years, it still keeps students and staff caffeinated. And it’s made the department famous. Just imagine if that Coke machine and its custom software were your property.