While it’s true that many businesses look forward to opting for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for meeting their customer needs, however, there comes a stage when even these two software solutions present their limitations, compelling you to compromise on one or more of the required features. And that’s where the bespoke software solutions take the lead. Whether you choose a bespoke solution for your business or deliver one to others, custom saas solutions will benefit you in the long run in ways others don’t.
What is Bespoke Software?
Also known as custom software development, bespoke solutions are designed to meet a business’s unique needs. Developed from scratch, they are tailored to perfectly match your concept, giving your software a customized touch.
Example: Software like enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, inventory management software, and customer relationship management (CRM) software fit the definition of a bespoke solution as each of these is tailored to align with your business’s needs without compromising on any aspect.
Market Demand: Given the present business landscape, the demand for custom software development has hiked. By 2028, its market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 20.3%, with its market size reaching $85.9 billion according to GlobeNewswire.
Types of Custom Software Services
You can have bespoke solutions for the development of a number of different applications. It’s like an umbrella covering multiple software development services, such as:
- Mobile app development
- Web app development
- Database development
- Desktop application development
- Integration services
Now arises a significant question: “Are bespoke solutions worth investing in?” The answer lies in exploring the pros and cons of custom software solutions, the factors determining their pricing and performing a cost-benefit analysis that helps decide whether or not to outsource bespoke solutions for your business.
Factors Shaping the Cost of Bespoke Solutions
Understanding the factors affecting the development of a bespoke software solution is essential for deciding whether to invest in one or not. This knowledge will also help with your cost-benefit analysis when choosing custom software solutions for your business to meet your customers’ needs.
1. Software Scope and Complexity: One of the crucial factors determining the cost of a bespoke solution is the scope of the software. Larger projects usually go beyond the estimated budget by 45%. A feature-rich and complex software portrays complex user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX), ultimately requiring more time and capital investment.
2. Type of Software: The next determining factor is your software type, with the price varying with your software type. For instance, the average cost and development time for cross-platform software is usually higher than the one meant for a single platform (web, desktop, or mobile).
3. Technology Stack: The efficiency and smooth running of the developmental processes depend largely on the technology stack used during the process. Of course, advanced tools and technology deliver better efficiency, but those come at the cost of high investments. It suggests the direct relation among all: the higher the initial investment, the better and more robust the tool stack used, and the higher your software’s efficiency.
4. Software Development Teams: As strange as it might sound, the software development team plays a crucial role in the cost estimation process. For instance, a team of skilled developers demands more capital investment. Likewise, junior developers with less-than-good skill sets and mid-senior developers with relatively better skill sets will charge differently.
Also, the price of hiring developers from a specific region varies. For instance, in a region like Eastern Europe, the competitive hourly rates for a skilled developer are high. Likewise, the rates differ for developers belonging to regions like North America, Western America, and Asia.
Note: In Asian countries such as, Pakistan and India, the development rates are much less compared to the Western nations.
1. Third-Party Integration: It’s no surprise that a good custom software solution requires integration with other tools and technologies to improve functionality and streamline operations, which, ultimately, increase the overall cost of having a bespoke solution developed for your business.
2. Maintenance: Software maintenance is essential for ensuring efficiency and functionality. The ongoing maintenance costs are the reason the cost of developing a bespoke solution is high.
Benefits of Bespoke Solutions
There are some major benefits of having bespoke solutions for your startup’s needs that you must consider. These include:
Tailored Fit
The entire idea of a bespoke solution is to meet a business’s unique needs, which otherwise remain unaddressed by off-the-shelf software. This can also significantly increase operational efficiency. So, for businesses willing to ensure complete alignment with their customers’ needs and avoid the one-size-fits-all model, custom software solution development is the way to go.
Increased Efficiency
Custom software solutions play a pivotal role in streamlining workflows and ensuring the smooth running of operations. For instance, automation of workforce management tasks becomes increasingly efficient and streamlined, which would have been impossible to achieve manually. As a result, you can then assign other tasks to your workforce, making the best use of your resources.
Scalability
Imagine this: you have a new idea, or a process defined in your business as you understand that users are now seeking a new feature. Now, you wish to implement it in your business model and boost your customers’ experience.
While off-the-shelf software may provide beneficial features, it is limited in meeting the unique and new needs of your customers. This is where a bespoke solution stands out.
A bespoke solution offers complete control over the product with no top-down limitations. You can make changes to your product according to the user’s needs, embarking on the road to growth and scalability.
Increased ROI
Likewise, having a bespoke solution developed requires a high capital investment. However, if done properly and completed, it can pay back double. Given the careful validation of the business idea and product-building based on real-time insights and KPIs, a bespoke solution can actually improve your business’s functionality. Ultimately, it helps grow your customer base, adding value to your business.
Competitive Advantage
In the present competitive business landscape, standing out among all is highly challenging. It’s only possible when you offer unique and new customized solutions to the users, something making the core concept of bespoke solutions. Delivering something new to your audience that’s also custom-designed to meet their unique needs is what gives you an edge over your market competitors.
Enhanced Security
Picture this: you put great effort into having software developed from scratch, and within minutes, it gets breached due to the lack of sound security.
Off-the-shelf software is prone to this. With fewer security checkpoints, it is easy to hack, providing unwanted access to your confidential files and data. On the contrary, a bespoke software solution is a closed-source project. Special security checks are installed that prevent hackers from breaching your data.
Drawbacks of Bespoke Solutions
Anything with a benefit also has a drawback, and so does the bespoke solution. Although the benefits may outweigh the cons, nevertheless, addressing the latter is crucial when choosing a solution for your business.
High Up-Front Costs
A custom fit always costs more!
Having software tailored to the customers’ unique needs requires a high capital investment, becoming one of the major drawbacks of bespoke solution software. Studies suggest the initial development costs of such software can hike up to $36000 according to Goodfirms. Its generic alternatives are comparatively more affordable, which is why most businesses opt for off-the-shelf software solution development.
Longer Development Time
It’s no surprise that developing MVP software from scratch takes longer than usual. Aligning it with the users’ specific needs also requires more time and effort.
Based on the project’s requirement, type, and technology, the development of a bespoke solution can take as long as up to nine months. Most companies, however, are accustomed to developing custom software within 4.5 months.
Limited Support and Testing
As software is created from scratch, testing it is nearly impossible. Considering that the software is in the development stages, testing and validating it also becomes a challenge, compelling you to rely on the developers’ code.
Bespoke Software vs Off-The-Shelf Software
There is no definite rule regarding the choice of software for your business. It all depends on your business needs, goals, audience, and estimated budget. Let’s compare a bespoke solution and an off-the-shelf solution to help you decide to choose one.
| Aspect | Bespoke Software Solution | Off-the-Shelf Software |
| Functionality | Customizable, meets specialized needs | Non-customizable meets basic needs |
| Cost | High initial cost but less long-term cost | Low up-front costs but requires later purchases to meet special needs |
| Development Time | Takes longer due to customizations | Takes less time due to built-in features |
| Scalability | Completely scalable | Limited scalability, requires additional software purchases |
| Competitive Advantage | Provides a competitive advantage as it meets the business’s specialized needs | Has limited competitive advantages, as it caters to only basic needs |
Conducting Cost-Benefit Analysis
Undoubtedly, bespoke software solutions help meet the user’s specialized needs. However, it’s always to our advantage to conduct a cost-benefit analysis to make better-informed decisions. Here’s a quick overview of the process, which will help you decide wisely.
- Problem Defining: Identify your customer’s problem that the bespoke solutions will solve.
- Benefits Identification: Ponder upon the benefits of investing in this custom saas development service, and how they can contribute to your business’s growth.
- Cost Estimation: Estimate costs for bespoke solution development, implementation, and maintenance.
- ROI Calculation: Calculate your expected ROI (Return on Investment) by weighing total benefits with total costs.
- Result Analysis: Based on your calculation, analyze whether custom software development is worth investing in.
- Alternatives Consideration: Compare the benefits and costs of off-the-shelf software with bespoke solution development. If the business requirements align with the alternative solutions you have on the table, choose the latter.
Final Thoughts
Bespoke solutions can be a worthwhile investment, provided they meet your business needs, align with your user preferences, and come with manageable costs. The software’s efficiency, customized-for-user nature, and competitive advantages give it an edge over the alternatives. Consider making a comparative analysis of the pros and cons of this personalized development service with the off-the-shelf solution, if you’re having difficulty in deciding on which one to opt for your business.
Now, finding a reliable partner that can provide you with robust bespoke solutions for your business goals is another challenge that you might face. Khired Networks is one such reliable source that you can approach for this purpose. Our team of expert developers ensures to provide you with what you demand of us, addressing every query, and delivering a solution that best aligns with your business goals and customers’ needs.
