Bespoke Software vs Off the Shelf: Which is More Appealing?

Comparing two different entities can be best rationalized based on their requirements. In the digital world, establishing the need for a particular method of development is best done when you know what your business needs, and ultimate digital goals are. Whether you would like your tea hot or cold depends entirely on your need. Similarly, whether you want to indulge in bespoke software development or off the shelf software development depends on what you gain from either of the two techniques, and how best they can fulfil your goals.

Bespoke Software Development

You have set a few goals for your business that you wish to achieve through the software that you are planning to develop. With bespoke software development, you get software that is designed to suit your requirements. It is built to plan, and that’s the reason you get to make it work the way you want. Alterations in bespoke software are easy, as it is designed as per your demands. Slight changes within the business will need to be incorporated in the software too. This can be done with ease and convenience if you have gone in for bespoke software. The first mover advantage and designing a unique application are the foremost advantages of bespoke software, which definitely gives you an edge over the others.

If there’s good, there’s bad too! Firstly, you will be getting the bespoke software developed. This means you need the right developer to align the software well with your business, and help you achieve your goals. This can prove to be difficult. Dependency on developers who have created the custom software increases, in case you don’t have the source code with you. This can prove to be disadvantageous, as you are stuck with a single developer.

Off the Shelf Software

Off-the-shelf software is probably an affordable solution for most businesses. In case, you are looking for something affordable, good and in sync with your business needs, you can go for off the shelf. You can easily find backend support and maintenance experts for an off the shelf software, which means you are not dependent on a single person in here.

The flip side is that you don’t have any influence on the development process, and so you will have to make do with whatever is being served on your plate. Incompatibility in terms of your business needs and the software that is being used can lead to a gap between what you have planned to achieve and what will eventually be achieved. No differentiation! This simply means, you are one of your competitors.

Which is Better?

Both are good, and competent. But, when it comes to aligning business goals with your development, you should ideally choose bespoke software development over the off the shelf development. Reason being, you have an upper hand in development here, and you get to choose how your software will be.

Conclusion

Bespoke software development UK is the need of the hour, especially at a time when more and more companies are looking at differentiating themselves. Along with differentiation in strategies, companies are attempting to differentiate their business goals, and their web applications. Strategizing and planning will help create a custom software aligned with your business needs.