A lot of people are often drawn to off-the-shelf software solutions because they are cheaper. However, have you ever stopped to think that these solutions could be cheaper for a reason? Instead, if you want your business to flourish, bespoke software development is imperative in the 21st century. Read on to discover all of the advantages that are associated with this option and the limitations that are associated with off-the-shelf software solutions.
There is only one place to begin, and this is with the fact that custom software is designed and developed to suit the exact needs of your business. With off-the-shelf solutions, they are designed to appeal to the masses, meaning they will never completely satisfy your requirements. With a custom and experienced software development agency, this ensures that you benefit from software that works exactly how you want it to and delivers the results your business needs, which will, in turn, enhance efficiency and productivity by a significant degree. However, if you were to go for an off-the-shelf solution, there would undoubtedly be features that you do not need, and not only will this make your software more inefficient but it can make it complex and confusing too.
Aside from this, another limitation of off-the-shelf solutions is the fact that they are not very flexible. Therefore, when your business starts to grow, you may find that your software is standing in the way and you will need to upgrade, which is not only a lot of hassle but will involve a lot of costs too. However, with bespoke software, this is something you do not need to worry about, as these solutions are flexible and will evolve as your business does.
You also need to consider the fact that no other business in the industry is going to have the same software as yours, and this can give you a distinct edge that allows you to stand out from the competition. Now is the time to invest in bespoke software, before your competitors beat you to it and gain the edge.
Last but not least, while bespoke software development may require a great initial investment, it can save you money in the long run. This is not only because of the fact that productivity will be enhanced greatly, but also you won’t be tied into extra fees, such as per-user fees, which is often the cost with off-the-shelf solutions, as this is how they make their money.
All things considered, it is not difficult to see how bespoke software is a much better option than purchasing an off-the-shelf solution. Give your business a competitive edge, enhance productivity and reduce costs in the long run.