Bespoke software creation is a process that involves the design, production, implementation, and maintenance of software tailored for a particular set of users, organisations or tasks. This differs from generic, pre-packaged software as it targets a very specific set of needs, unlike the latter, which is designed to accommodate a wide variety of requirements, hence making it suitable for mass marketing and distribution.
Microsoft word is one example of such generic software. It is designed to be used by a wide variety of people and organisations. It is not designed to be modified or extended to meet the needs of a particular organisation.
On the other hand, bespoke software is created with a precise set of needs in mind. Examples include:
- An application to manage quoting, jobs, customers and suppliers for trade contractors
- A website to promote and sell custom tours and travel
Bespoke software and its creation process are also often referred to as custom or tailor-made software, a term with roots in the tailoring industry, synonymous with a tailor-made suit.
The development of bespoke software is often carried out by internal development teams or subcontracted to an external party. The methodology and processes involved in its creation are consistent with other forms of software development, including stages like requirements gathering, code development, testing, and deployment, and often utilize methodologies such as Agile, DevOps, or Rapid Application Development.
Activities related to bespoke software development encompass application customization, application modernization, and application management. Application customization involves adjusting generic software to cater to specific needs. Application modernization is crucial for ensuring that a company's custom software remains relevant and can meet evolving user and market needs. Application management ensures software effectiveness by overseeing tasks like installation, updates, performance optimization, availability enhancement, and service desk functions.
Step 0 - Be sure about build vs buy
The initial step towards a successful tailored software development project is to ascertain the necessity of bespoke software instead of settling for an off-the-shelf solution.
One of the first questions we ask new customers is "have you looked for a ready-made software solution"?
If there is an existing software product out there that does 80% of what a customer needs, then the customer needs to seriously consider purchasing that product rather than using our developer services.
Things to consider when looking at an off-the-shelf option
- Business Needs and Requirements: The most crucial factor to consider is whether the solution will satisfy your business's specific needs. Off-the-shelf software is often designed to meet the needs of a wide range of businesses. Off the shelf software will have been tried and tested by many businesses. However, it might not be a perfect fit for your specific use-case. Remember you are not always looking for the perfect fit, you are unlikely to get the perfect fit with off the shelf software, but you can get a good fit, with reduced time, cost and risk.
- Cost Off-the-shelf software has more predictable costs. The vendor will have a price list for upfront costs and long term recurring support costs. Custom software has less predictable costs as the required effort and potential issues are not known, so a vendor cannot provide a predictable cost to work with.
- Time If you need a solution urgently, off-the-shelf software might be the better option, as it's readily available. A custom solution requires time to design, develop, and test, which might not be suitable for urgent requirements.
- Scalability If your business is growing or anticipates growth, it's crucial to consider whether the software can scale to match this. Custom-built solutions can be designed with scalability in mind and should not attract extra license cost when scaled up. Off-the-shelf software vendors should be able to indicate how well their product will scale and provide reasonable estimations of additional license cost incurred when the software is scaled.
- Integration Consider how well the new software will integrate with your existing systems. Custom software can be built to seamlessly work with your existing systems, but off-the-shelf software may not integrate as smoothly and might need additional work or third-party tools.
- Security Off-the-shelf software is often designed with security in mind and is regularly updated to address any security issues. Custom software can be designed with security in mind, but it's crucial to ensure that your developers are following best practices and are up-to-date with the latest security standards.
- Support Off-the-shelf software is typically supported by the vendor, who will provide updates, security patches, and support. With custom software, your developer can provide ongoing support and can quickly fix any issues or make adjustments as needed. However, you must ensure that you have a robust agreement in place with your developers for continued support.
- Ownership and Control With custom software, you typically have full control over the software, its features, and its future development path. Off-the-shelf software does not offer the same level of control and you will have to adapt to the changes and decisions made by the software vendor.
- Competitive Advantage Custom software can provide a competitive edge by being tailored to provide the most efficient solution for your specific business processes. Off-the-shelf software is available to all, including your competitors, and might not offer the same strategic advantages.
