Business software can be confusing. There is a lot of it around and the market is growing. Here the MD of Smashed Crab Software discusses situations that may indicate it is time to invest in a bespoke software from a development company.
Business software can achieve so much with the right software. But it can have so many features and functions that business owners can be baffled by the choice. Custom made software may be the right choice for your business, especially if you are in one of the below predicaments.
An internal developer has resigned or retired from the company and you are left with a legacy system that can no longer be updated
This is an opportunity. Perhaps a change in software is just what you need to revitalise the company and improve efficiency and workflow. One certainty is that your legacy software will not get any better or help you adjust and grow in the future.
You no longer want to store software on your own servers
If your servers have seen better days and you want to move to cloud computing then this is a valid reason to look at your software provision. Once up and running, all hosting and security is taken care of leaving you to run your business.
Your business cannot find a SaaS package that suits your requirements
The right software for your individual needs may not be available as a SaaS (Software as a Service) package. This may include environmental concerns such as waste management or paperless documents.It could be because it doesn’t have the exact feature you need, or perhaps you feel like you will only use a few of the many functions the SaaS has and you don’t want to pay for things you won’t use.
Whatever your reason, this is a real problem for many organisations.
Possible hurdles
Still not convinced? Here are some of the worries you may have:
I don’t know how to write a technical brief
That’s OK. A good development company will be able to translate a bullet list of your requirements into a full technical specification document.
I don’t want to pay everything upfront
Depending on the project size and complexity, development may take several months. Typically software companies will take a deposit upon contract signing and then agree a staged payment schedule. The final payment won’t be invoiced until after you have your custom software up and running.
I’m worried it will be too complicated to use
The great thing about bespoke software is the ability to develop it in the way you need. Easy to use? No problem! Just let your chosen company know how you would like it to work and they should be able to translate that into an intuitive and easy to use system.
Most of the concerns you have can be laid to rest with help. The benefits will far outweigh them. Getting a new set of (software) tools will help project your business into the future.
Have any more worries or questions? We are always happy to help with any queries you have, even if you don’t want a quote from us. Just contact us to start a conversation or check out our FAQ page.
Alex Beamer, MD @ Smashed Crab Software
