Customized software is a solution that most businesses and companies use nowadays. Another fond way people refer to them is shelf solutions for businesses. This is because it helps save time and is also very unique.
The importance of custom software to companies cannot be over-emphasized. But someone new to this concept may have a hard time understanding its importance. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss both the pros and cons of custom software. But first, we will briefly but clearly, explain what custom program is all about.
Custom Software – What exactly is it?
Customized software development involves the process of creating, designing, maintaining, and deploying software for a particular set of functions, users, or organizations. Customized programs have a set of narrowed-down and defined requirements.
Custom programs are needed because some businesses and modern management processes and requirements cannot be met by commercial off-the-shelf software.
COTS (commercial off-the-shelf software) are the exact opposite of custom programs as they are built to meet a large range of requirements. They are also packaged, marketed, and distributed commercially. You can find visit here to find out more on COTS. An example of COTS is Microsoft Office.
Meanwhile, an example of a custom program is an online bank app that is made to fit the needs of both the bank’s customers and the bank itself.
To create a custom program, the company or business would need an in-house developer or development team. In the absence of this, a software-creating company can be hired to do the job.
Now that we have discussed what it is, let’s discuss the advantages customized programs offer.
Pros of Custom Software
The following are the major advantages of a custom program…
1. Increased Security
Because they are customized for the company or business, customized programs provide its user better and increased security. Not only do the customers enjoy this security, but the company also does. This is because other companies or even any third party cannot obtain any information about the business from it.
This helps to save your business from any potential threats. COTS often make use of similar tools and as such are very susceptible to getting hacked. Meanwhile, custom programs are built using unique tools. Therefore, hackers will also have a hard time hacking into it as they would need great effort to understand the unique technique used for it.
2. Reduced Interface Problem
It is often quite easy to understand. This is because they are built with convenient features to suit a specific business. Therefore, they do not come with all the complications which most regularly used applications come with.
If the program is built for the employees then it would serve to increase productivity level in the office. This is because the employees will not waste working hours trying to understand the interface.
3. More Cost-Effective
This may not seem like the case in the beginning because of the high cost of the initial installation. However, with time, customized programs would prove to be more cost-effective than off-the-shelf solutions. This is because they can be used specifically to get to the desired goal of the business. The company also owns the program. Visit here to find out more about software ownership. Therefore, the company can at any point decide to make money off it by selling it.
Cons of Custom Software
The following are the major disadvantages of custom programs…
1. Initial High Cost
Customized programs typically have a high cost since it requires several significant resources. And the business has to bear the cost of the development process. Depending on the product, the cost can rank to even as high as five figures. This is unlike cheap off-the-shelf solutions.
2. Takes a Lot of Time to Build
The time spent on building the program may be too much and maybe between few weeks to several months. The time spent is often based on the specification of the project.
3. You May Need to Upgrade or Rewrite the Software
The technology used to create the program can change at some point. In which case, the codes would have to be upgraded or rewritten to prevent them from becoming obsolete.
4. Maintenance
With off-the-shelf solutions, maintenance is the duty of the developer. But with customized programs, monitoring and maintaining it would be your duty. The level of maintenance the program requires is mostly based on the complexity as well as how well the program was coded.
Conclusion
Most modern business processes and requirements cannot be met by commercial off-the-shelf software, so they need customized ones. Some of the major advantages of this business solution are increased security, reduced interface problems, and cost-effectiveness. While the disadvantages are: initial high cost, takes too much time, and it may require maintenance.