Custom business software is a uniquely designed stand-alone solution to meet the specific needs of a business, which off-the-shelf products do not offer. Off-the-shelf products are built with mass audiences in mind and serve a similar purpose as custom software with certain bits & pieces missing.
Experts recommend identifying the need of having a custom software design vs. an off-the-shelf solution. Businesses can conduct a build-vs.-buy analysis to determine if a packaged software like Microsoft365 can solve their needs or a custom business software (like an ERP) will be needed.
Below are some important factors that IBM identifies to determine if your business needs a custom software solution:
- Support or automate unique business processes and transactions
- Handle information and data specific to an industry or line of business
- Meet unique privacy or security
- Facilitate integration with legacy applications and data
- Replace or help consolidate existing implementations at lower cost
- Replace or help consolidate existing systems to achieve greater productivity
- Enable new opportunities or improve competitive advantage
- Grow and adapt to changing requirements.
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