{"id":22032,"date":"2020-05-25T13:35:59","date_gmt":"2020-05-25T08:05:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/?p=22032"},"modified":"2020-12-16T12:22:43","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T06:52:43","slug":"off-the-shelf-software-or-custom-software-whats-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/development\/off-the-shelf-software-or-custom-software-whats-best\/","title":{"rendered":"Off-The-Shelf Software or Custom Software: What&#8217;s best?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Whether you&#8217;re a small business, startup, or a multinational, the &#8220;build or buy&#8221; (or off-the-shelf software or custom software) dilemma comes up often. When purchasing\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/development\/5-key-challenges-in-enterprise-software-development-for-cios-in-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">enterprise software<\/span><\/u><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, the primary challenge here is to find a perfect balance between your short-term demands and your long-term goals for growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sometimes business leaders are forced to choose between operational efficiency and costs. However, this isn&#8217;t the best approach. It&#8217;s far more complicated than that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Turnkey software solutions, for example, are cost-effective in the short-term but may not perfectly match your business needs (and therefore impacting productivity). Whenever that happens, you&#8217;ll also have to make a case for your return on investment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Even when off-the-shelf software is free, it doesn&#8217;t exactly mean that your company is saving money. If the off-the-shelf solution doesn&#8217;t address your business needs and challenges effectively, it&#8217; l end up being an expensive choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Why? Think about it, you&#8217;ll have to have to adapt to accommodate the software, risk losing disgruntled staff who are frustrated with the process. What&#8217;s more, you&#8217;ll have to adopt a custom development approach eventually.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On the other hand, for some small businesses, turnkey solutions like\u00a0<\/span><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">accounting software<\/span><\/u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0work perfectly. So the right choice depends on your business, industry vertical, staff competency, and your present and future requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">So how do you go about this? Let&#8217;s take a look.<\/span><br \/>\n<!-- Home page 728x90 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 728px; height: 90px;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9864771813712812\" data-ad-slot=\"3152971286\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Before You Go Shopping, Make a List of Demands<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It&#8217;ll be much easier to decide if you write down your present and future needs. Equipped with an in-depth understanding of your business, you&#8217;ll be able to quickly make a list of all the problems you want to solve, opportunities you wish to take advantage of, and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For example, if your salesforce is working remotely from all over the country and using their own tracking system, the whole process can be complicated and inefficient. In this scenario, you can probably fix it by mapping out the processes and matching it with an off-the-shelf centralized CRM solution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, company needs vary and are relative to existing systems and processes, the size and nature of the company, marketplace, available funds, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As internal operations become unique, specific, and more sophisticated, you&#8217;ll need customization. Off-the-shelf software can also be quite rigid and might be challenging to make it work seamlessly with other enterprise software.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In this scenario, it would be better to choose a custom solution. When you partner with a third-party software development provider, they will help you with the discovery process and work closely with you every step of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>But before speaking to an external vendor, ask yourself the following questions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Do our business operations demand deep customization?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Which option is easier to integrate with existing infrastructure?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Is it compatible with other software we already own?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What are the additional costs of upgrades and updates?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Is it easily scalable?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Does the custom software provide a competitive advantage?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With a clear understanding of the business, the challenges you&#8217;re addressing, and the processes you&#8217;re optimizing, you&#8217;ll be ready to make a decision and move forward.<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"seethis_lik\"><span>Also read:<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/mobile-apps\/hide-instagram-likes\/\">How To Turn Off Likes + Views Count On Instagram? Do It In Just 4 Simple Steps<\/a><\/span>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Off-the-Shelf Software<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Turnkey software like\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/microsoft-365\/blog\/2020\/03\/30\/new-microsoft-365-offerings-small-and-medium-sized-businesses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Microsoft Office 365<\/span><\/u><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0is essentially a &#8220;boxed solution&#8221; that targets a massive global audience. When you think of off-the-shelf software like Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel, they address some universal needs that satisfy the mass-market.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As this technology&#8217;s developed for a broad audience (often spread across the planet), development costs are spread across mass-markets. This makes off-the-shelf solutions affordable for most businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some functions and features are generic, but there might be options to adapt it to meet the demand for more complex operations. But since the audience is spread across industries, you might have to contend with the features listed on the packaging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In this scenario, upfront costs alone shouldn&#8217;t drive your decision. This is because costs can add up quickly when you consider the lack of functions to cater to your specific needs, the cost of support, licensing fees, per-seat costs, and upgrades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Depending on your particular situation, you have to ascertain if these costs will be equal to or exceed the costs of developing a highly customized solution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For some small businesses with tight budgets, boxed solutions are the only option. Sometimes, they will adjust their staff behavior, workflows, and internal processes to fit the software (and not the other way around).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>So before you make a decision, consider some hidden costs<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Staff retraining (to get in line with the software)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Costs of what you&#8217;re not getting\/business requirement left unaddressed (how do you plan to accomplish it?)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Would you need more software to support the one you&#8217;re about to purchase?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Are there any security or regulatory requirements you must adhere to?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What&#8217;s the impact on time to market?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Finally, keep in mind that this software addresses general requirements, so it might not evolve as fast as your company. So you&#8217;ll have to figure out the costs of not adapting more quickly, and other related inefficiencies.<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"seethis_lik\"><span>Also read:<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/top-10\/onionplay-alternatives\/\">[10 New] Best OnionPlay Alternatives To Stream TV Shows And Movies<\/a><\/span>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Custom Software<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When canned solutions don&#8217;t fit the bill, take inventory of your business demands, processes, and desired functionality. Then shop around and find a software development company that can develop a custom piece of enterprise technology that fits perfectly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The downside is that it&#8217;ll take time to develop, test, and deploy. It requires an upfront investment long before the application is ready for use. Costs also add up when things don&#8217;t go according to plan, so it&#8217;s best to do your homework and partner with an established provider with proven experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">None the less, as it matches your business processes and requirements, the benefits far outweigh the risks involved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For example, one of Britain&#8217;s leading aggregate suppliers,\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lafargeholcim.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lafarge<\/span><\/u><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, that transported an excess of 10 million tonnes of aggregates annually (from 140 plants), desperately needed to update their legacy systems that harmed customer service (and their bottom line).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">So they engaged software development and consultancy services provider,\u00a0<\/span><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Evolve<\/span><\/u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, to build robust software that enhanced efficiency, cut operational costs, and improved customer service. The resulting\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.evolve-consultants.co.uk\/portfolio\/bespoke-software-development-for-lafarge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">custom software developed by Evolve<\/span><\/u><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0helped Lafarge save as much as \u00a34 million a year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As you can see from the above, taking the custom software development approach can reap huge rewards. In this scenario, if the initial costs of building a robust, comprehensive system seem too high. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But you can also take a layered approach to spread development costs over some time. You pay, for example, only for each function or feature that&#8217;s ready.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As the development cycle and integration challenges are more complex, it&#8217;s best to address these issues and calculate costs upfront. It&#8217;s worth the effort as software aligned with your enterprise processes provide a significant competitive advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It&#8217;s also a good idea to build a long-term relationship with the developer. This will help you adapt and scale your technologies in the future seamlessly. This translates into direct vendor support, rapid iterations and enhancements, and seamless evolution with your business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As your company owns the software, you don&#8217;t have to wait for someone else to deliver updates or upgrades. However, as you add new functions and features, again, some training may be required.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If you have some IT professionals in-house, they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/development\/5-key-challenges-in-enterprise-software-development-for-cios-in-2020\/\">can augment third-party software development teams.<\/a> This approach provides an insider&#8217;s view during each iteration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">So off-the-shelf software or custom software? There&#8217;s no right answer to this question.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If canned applications fit your needs perfectly without any hidden costs, that should be your go-to solution. However, if your operation is complex, custom software provides enhanced efficiency, a competitive advantage, and is highly cost-effective in the long-term.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you&#8217;re a small business, startup, or a multinational, the &#8220;build or buy&#8221; (or off-the-shelf software or custom software) dilemma<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":619,"featured_media":22048,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[133],"tags":[1974,1250],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22032"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/619"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22032"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22032\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31679,"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22032\/revisions\/31679"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/media\/22048"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.the-next-tech.com\/rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}