A Quick Guide to Understanding Software Development for Small Business
Small business owners are often overwhelmed by tasks. Programs bought off-the-shelf to minimize hassle can sometimes increase it. In fact, solutions that should be easy often become more complex than anticipated, and lead to ever-increasing expenditures with little productive result. In response to the struggles that modern businesses present, many entrepreneurs and business owners are turning to custom software development. If you are considering custom software applications for your business, you may have some questions regarding what it is, if it is right for your business, and how it works.
Software development was once viewed as an expensive solution that only the largest companies could afford. As the tech market has advanced, more programmers with excellent skills and the ability to create quality solutions have sought to partner with small and medium sized businesses. As a result, custom software development is now accessible for many business owners, regardless of income and size. As a general rule, the more complex a company’s technological needs are, the more expensive that custom software development will be. There are many advantages that make custom software development worthwhile, however.
Custom software development can address many problems that users of off-the-shelf programs frequently encounter, including the creation of linked databases, increased process flexibility, and the ability to create a product that encourages thinking outside the box. The number of departments involved in the initial phase of software development is impressive, including marketing, engineering, research and development, and general management. This adds to the cost of the final product, but also ensures a reliable and well-rounded solution to the software issues that your business may be facing.
One of the ways that modern software development for small and medium businesses has made pricing more accessible is by the construction of new solutions on reliable and time tested foundations. In short, a smart software development company can create a unique product for your business using your input and a strong framework of pre-existing programming that works for the majority of their clients. Regardless of the starting point – from scratch, or from a reliable framework – quality software development begins with an understanding of your business and how it can improve. The strongest selling point of custom software is its ability to adapt to your business’ needs, and to improve the efficiency of your workflow.
If you are comparing the use of pre-designed solutions versus custom software, consider the price of licensing. Licenses for software can easily run into the millions of dollars depending on the size of company and the program in question, making custom software development a much more affordable option for many smaller business, despite the upfront costs. Additionally, unlike off-the-shelf programs, custom solutions are not subject to repetitive updates or license expirations, as the business is owner of the license. The program can be updated or modified as needed, but there is no long-term increasing cost for a custom software product.
Before investing in custom software development, evaluate your timeline. If you can afford to wait for a quality product, custom applications may be a smart move. They take longer to produce, but will be designed specifically to the needs of your business. If your employee turnover rate is high, however, they may be a poor choice – software training takes time and time is money. Run a cost-benefit analysis of custom software for your business, and speak with an IT consultant or software development expert, like those at Xbitx, to get a clearer idea of what solutions would work for your company, and the cost it would take to produce them.
Custom software development isn’t for everyone. Despite being a highly versatile solution, and offering applications from SEO and digital marketing to supply chain and logistics, the time to market and cost-benefit will affect businesses differently across industries, budgets, and size. By knowing how custom software development can help your business, you can save hassle and expense in the future.