By Soumya Dinesh, Managing Director at Atula Technologies
Businesses often shy away from custom software solutions due to worries of high costs. However, it doesn’t have to be costly and can save a company money in the long run. Soumya Dinesh is the managing director of Atula Technologies and is a specialist in bespoke software development, having helped businesses across the globe streamline their processes with tailor-made systems. Soumya debunks common misconceptions about software development.
When someone thinks of software development, they probably picture a large company investing in expensive software. In reality, any business can benefit from bespoke software, and the project can be scaled to meet a range of budgets. Despite an initial investment, it may offer long-term cost savings by addressing specific business needs. Others assume custom software can be developed quickly, but high-quality solutions require thorough planning, design and testing. It can take months or even years. Once developed, the software requires regular maintenance and ongoing updates and support. Here are ten misconceptions that may see you trading in your out-of-the-box solution for custom-built software.
1. Custom Software is Always Expensive
Many people assume that custom software development is prohibitively expensive. While custom software can require a higher upfront investment compared to off-the-shelf solutions, it can be more cost-effective in the long run. Custom software is designed to fit the specific needs of a business, which can reduce operational inefficiencies and long-term costs.
2. Custom Software Can Be Built Quickly
Some clients believe that custom software can be developed quickly. In reality, building high-quality custom software often requires careful planning, design, development and testing. Depending on the complexity of the project, it may take months or even years to fully develop and deploy.
3. Once Developed, Custom Software Doesn’t Require Maintenance
A common misconception is that custom software is a one-and-done project. In truth, software requires ongoing maintenance, updates and support. Technology evolves, and as a business grows and changes, the software will need to be adjusted to meet new requirements or handle new challenges.
4. Custom Software Will Be Perfect Right Away
No software is perfect when it’s first developed. It is natural for bugs, glitches or inefficiencies to appear after launch. Approach custom software development with the understanding that iterative improvements and bug fixes will be needed after the initial release.
5. Custom Software Will Automatically Integrate with All Systems
Many people think that custom solutions will seamlessly integrate with their existing systems. However, integration between different software systems can be complex. Custom software might require additional work or third-party tools to integrate properly with other systems (like CRM, ERP or other tools in the tech stack).
6. You Don’t Need to Be Involved After the Initial Requirements Are Defined
Some businesses think they can hand off all the work to the development team and never need to be involved again. However, ongoing collaboration between the development team and stakeholders is key. Regular feedback ensures that the software continues to meet evolving needs.
7. Custom Software is Only for Large Companies
On the contrary, large companies usually benefit more from enterprise versions of readily available software. They usually tend to make use of most of the features that off-the-shelf software offers. Small and medium businesses benefit more from having software developed specifically to suit their processes and industry.
8. Off-the-Shelf Software is Always Cheaper and Better
While off-the-shelf software might seem like the more cost-effective and convenient option at first, it doesn’t always provide the right features for specific business needs. Custom software is developed with the specific workflow and requirements in mind, which can offer more long-term value by increasing efficiency and supporting unique business processes.
9. Custom Software Development is Only About Writing Code
The development process is not just about coding. Successful custom software projects involve thorough requirements gathering, design, user experience considerations, project management and testing. A well-thought-out process will ensure the solution addresses business needs effectively.
10. All Developers Are the Same
Not all software developers or development teams are the same. The experience, expertise and approach can vary greatly between individuals or teams. The success of your project depends on selecting the right team that understands your business and the technologies best suited to your needs.
Custom software can be a game-changer. Once implemented, it can increase the productivity of workers, save on admin costs and, most importantly – time. I have previously worked with a client whose new system will see her workforce clawing back hours of form-filling and manual communication. If you are considering custom software explore your options. Atula Technologies offers a free consultation to explore how we can help you.
