It’s a big question that can have huge consequences for your business. Should you go for off-the-shelf software? Or opt for a custom build?
As frustrating as it may sound, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this dilemma. Every business is different, and as such so are its needs. You might be in a position where the ready and available (and often cheaper) off-the-shelf software can be the ideal solution that you’re looking for. While on the other hand, you may crave a more ambitious construct that’s tailor-fitted to what you require to get ahead of competitors with technology that’s unique to you.
Firstly to help you figure out which type of software works better for your business, let’s explore the key differences between off-the-shelf and custom solutions.
Off-the-shelf software is the commercial approach to solving your business needs. It’s relatively cheap and readily available. A good example of an off-the-shelf product for companies is Microsoft Office – a pre-existing package that’s available to everyone that you can get up and running with minimal fuss.
Custom software has become extremely popular with businesses in recent times, down in no small part to how its bespoke programming can cater precisely to your needs. Because it’s created exclusively, the costs of accessing such a product are higher, and developing the service takes some time too.
So instead of asking what software should you get, it might be more useful to figure out which would be more beneficial to you and your business at this time.
So the first part of the process of picking the right type of software is to work out exactly what features you need to be incorporated into the product. Will you need to be capable of communicating, invoicing or accessing large sections of information? Is there a product already on the market that’s able to cover everything you want in a way that integrates well with other technology that you use?
If you use market research and find an off-the-shelf product that has the features that you require then great. But the next thing to consider is the age of the software and how long you’ll be able to survive using it before the need to update creeps in.
Of course, this isn’t a problem with bespoke software. The custom features are added based on your wants and needs, while the product is developed upon your approval to bring you an up-to-date solution that carries no ageing technology.
Custom software’s flexibility makes it a winner for customers who want something a little bit more immersive and different from the sort of products that are commonly on the market, but business owners will still need to be wary of costs and time management – both of which vary significantly compared to its off-the-shelf counterpart.
Furthermore, taking the custom approach can give you the upper-hand over your competitors. The problem with modern business is that so many companies are using the same tools – which prevents them from gaining ground in their processes. With your own software helping to streamline your performance and optimise your output without irrelevant features or clunky menus holding you back.
With bespoke software, it’s important to get things right first time, as failing to do so will undoubtedly be costly and time-consuming. It’s advisable to choose trustworthy developers who are always on hand to help. Cost-cutting by picking 3rd parties to complete your work for you risks undermining your final product and could cause your final product to be buggy and unworkable. Always play it safe and get professionals to create your software.
Such problems don’t exist with off-the-shelf solutions. Often they work seamlessly and will update itself if any of its large user-base report problems. The product is usually very sophisticated, too, which may not be the case with cheap custom approaches. The big drawback of this is adaptability. Because the product is commercial, it’s not made with you or your business in mind, which means the onus is on you to adapt your approaches to suit your technology, while custom software works the opposite way around.
Perspective pays dividends in choosing the right type of software for you. It’s pivotal that you assess the needs of your company, and what you would like to achieve from your chosen product.
If you own a business that’s establishing itself on a smaller budget that primarily aims to keep up with competitors by gaining access to the sort of software that provides features that you need without breaking the bank, then off-the-shelf is the way to go.
Whereas, if you’re intent on keeping ahead of the curve and overtaking rival businesses by implementing software that adapts to your vision and brings you everything you need to function at a premium cost, then custom software is the answer.
If you’re still undecided over whether or not to make the leap to your own bespoke solutions then why not spend a couple of weeks researching & evaluating the market to see which type of software suits your business the most.
We hope this article helps you find an answer to a question that’s proven difficult for business owners worldwide on which type of software would be the most effective – now it’s up to you to take your company to the next level with a service that’s right for you.
