Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bespoke Software Development Company

Bespoke Software Development Company

With the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, the world has witnessed a rise in the use of software applications as people had to switch to digital means in every sphere of their lives. Whether work or personal, people had to rely on software applications to do things that were carried out in person in the pre-pandemic world. This has brought about a drastic shift in the technological landscape globally. Many businesses have resorted to using software solutions to solve their problems and keep their businesses functioning. Let’s see the important factors to consider when choosing a bespoke software development company.

As a result, a wide variety of new off-the-shelf software solutions have launched in the market and the existing ones have seen a steep increase in their sales. Such software offer tools to businesses to manage the different aspects of their operations. Additionally, in the cases where businesses that have very unique or complex business requirements that are not fulfilled by the off-the-shelf software in the market, businesses have also turned to bespoke software development to develop custom software solutions for their business. This way, businesses hire software developers to build a software application that addresses their unique requirements.

In this article, we will discuss why businesses need custom software and the best practices of hiring a bespoke software development company to develop custom software. There are some important factors you need to consider when choosing a software development company to develop your custom software. But before that, let’s discuss if you really need a customised software as a business.

Do you need a customised software?

Using off-the-shelf software is less expensive than developing bespoke software and investing in bespoke software development only makes sense when a business truly needs a custom solution. Here are some reasons why your business should consider developing a bespoke software system.

1. Unique business requirements

When your business needs are unique and no commercially available software caters to your requirements, it makes sense to develop custom software exclusively for your business operations.

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2. Limited off-the-shelf solutions

Some off-the-shelf software solutions are too rigid. They are a one-size-fits-all solution for business problems. As a result, they offer limited functionality and businesses struggle with finding a software product in the market that addresses all their needs. If this is the case with your business, it seems sensible to find a bespoke software development company to develop custom software with all the features and functionalities that you require.

3. High Licensing Fee

The licensing fee of some off-the-shelf software can be quite high. If your business requires to use a software solution for a long time, the licensing fee can add up to a significant amount. You can pay that amount to a development company and develop your own bespoke software. The Intellectual Property (IP) rights of the custom software will belong to you and you will not have to pay license fees.

4. Business Scalability

If you expect your business to grow in the future it might be smart to invest in custom software today. As your business scales up, your requirements and workflows will also grow and evolve. With bespoke software, you can add features and functionalities to adapt to your changing needs.

Factors You Should Consider While Selecting a Bespoke Software Development Company

When you are sure your business needs a custom software solution, it is time for you to find a development team that can develop your software to meet your exact requirements. There are a plethora of companies that offer bespoke development services and finding the right company can be an overwhelming task. Here are some important factors you to consider while choosing a development company:

1. Clients Reviews and Testimonials

Review and rating platforms such as Clutch and Manifest are great resources to analyse and vet a company. You can find reviews and portfolios for companies, that give you a fair idea about the credibility and the quality of services they offer.

2. Location

Location of the software company you choose matters a great deal. London and other European cities are considered global technology hubs, and most top companies are located there. A software development company from other parts of the world such as India can never compare to the level of service and quality that a software development company in London offers.

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3. Experience and Skills of Software Developers

Technologies come and go out of practice and it is crucially important to consider the experience and skills of the developers. Request software companies to provide the resumes and portfolios of the developers that will be working on your project to make sure they have relevant experience and the rights skills before you trust them with your project.

4. Technology Stack

While choosing a bespoke software development company it is important to review their technology stack. Always select a company that uses the latest tools, technologies, and development frameworks. Make sure the company you select has a good experience of working with the tech stack that your software project requires.

5. Pricing

Pricing is another factor that you must consider when selecting a software development partner for your project. The cost of software development can vary greatly depending on various factors such as the features you require, the tech stack of your project, and the location of the software company. As we discussed earlier, the location of the software company matters. A software development company in the UK is different from a company in India and so are their pricing. The former guarantees high-quality service and top-notch software development but it is also expensive. Whereas, the latter is comparatively less expensive but it comes with its own risks and challenges.

Before you select the software company for your project, you need to have a clear development budget in mind. This will help you select a company that offers the services within your budget. Request quotes and cost estimates from different software companies by telling your requirements and product idea. The more information you can provide them, the easier it will be for them to estimate a realistic cost for your development project. You should always compare the quotes provided by different companies to reach a decision but it should not be the only deciding factor behind your choice. A company offering services at a low cost can be attractive but the factors (i.e., location, experience, tech stack, etc.) are equally as important.