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Top 6 Advantages of Bespoke Software

Advantages of Bespoke Software

Anton Botha
26 May 2022

In today’s modern world, every company needs good software to be successful. As your business needs (and customer needs) grow, you might find that it’s time to start thinking about a bespoke software solution.

The advantages of bespoke software in today’s competitive market cannot be understated, but the decision to go bespoke is not one that should be made lightly. In this post we’ll discuss some of the advantages of bespoke software, giving you the information you need to make an informed choice.

What is bespoke software?

Before discussing the advantages of bespoke software, let’s first define what bespoke software is. Bespoke software is a software solution designed and developed entirely around your needs. Bespoke software addresses the direct “needs”, or “wants” of your business and/or customers.

Normally seen as an alternative to off-the-shelf or commercial software due to the flexibility, and being developed to fit into your already existing business processes, bespoke software provides a high level of integration that you would normally not find with other commercial software solutions.

Furthermore, as you would normally own the source code, the solution can easily integrate with other solutions. This allows you to replace legacy systems, and update the software as your business and/or customer needs change.

What is off-the-shelf software?

Off the shelf, or commercial software is a general-purpose solution designed to accommodate a broader range of business models. For example, commercial software focuses more on providing a general solution that might not always cover all your specific business or customer requirements.

The solution is designed for mass-market use. As such, it provides a more general set of tools, rather than tools specifically tailored to certain business models.

Advantages of Bespoke Software

What are the advantages of bespoke software?

Although there are several advantages of bespoke software, there are certainly some reasons more valuable than others.

Security

We’re not saying that off-the-shelf software is unsafe. However, with bespoke software, you are sure that your solution is up-to-date against the latest security vulnerabilities that may arise as technology and software platforms improve.

Complete ownership

Having your bespoke software solution not only differentiates your business from others but also gives you full control over the solution. Additionally, you can decide whether it needs additional functionality, features, or customizations, who can make use of your software, and how that software interacts with your user base.

Scalability and flexibility

As your business grows you may find that you need to purchase additional software solutions or licenses to be able to keep up with current trends. However, with bespoke software, you can always implement new functionality or change existing functionality with your already working solution.

Licensing Costs

No more pesky yearly licensing costs. Custom solutions generally do not have licensing costs and all budgets can go towards enhancing the software. Therefore, a business is able to fulfil its ever-changing needs and wants.

Save time on Integration

While building a bespoke software solution may take some time, having a bespoke solution saves time in other areas, such as integration. Some functionalities, such as payment systems, require integrations. These integrations can be built in during the development process, which means your software will be ready to use with all the integrations in place. 

Unique competitive advantage

If you’re building an application your customers will use, a bespoke solution will allow you to add the features that your competitors lack. This gives you a huge competitive advantage and a chance to attract more and more customers.

These are just some of the advantages of bespoke software solutions, and while they are promising, it’s important to look at the disadvantages of bespoke solutions as well.

Disadvantages of bespoke software

The disadvantages of bespoke software aren’t many, and they are mostly just things you should keep in mind when considering your options.

The initial costs of bespoke software may be high, but as we pointed out above, bespoke software allows you to cut costs on licensing fees. You should also take into consideration the competitive edge a bespoke solution gives you, which brings in more business and can balance out the costs.

Investing in a bespoke software solution may be one of the most beneficial decisions you could make for your business. Bespoke software is a long-term investment in the future of your business. Thus, it is important to find the right partner that will and can effectively support your business throughout the development, deployment, and maintenance of the right solution that fits your business requirements and needs.

Integrove’s Bespoke Solutions

At Integrove, we specialise in bespoke digital solutions. We work closely with all our clients to determine their individual technology needs. We do not believe in a “one-size fits all” approach.

That is why our customisable solutions are ideal for the unique problems you might face. You can rely on our skilful and professional team, spanning multiple technology disciplines, to successfully deliver end-to-end solutions in an integrated and agile manner.

Let’s chat about your bespoke software needs.

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