B
espoke software is a more elegant way of referring to custom or tailor-made software. The word “bespoke” draws its Old English linguistic origins from the clothing industry. Wealthier men would pay for the opportunity for a bespoke suit that was specifically tailored to their measurements, instead of opting for a more standardized design. Likewise, bespoke software is specifically designed to accommodate the needs of an individual business. It stands in opposition to commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software and free software that has been engineered with the mass market in mind.
Many businesses are hesitant to develop their own custom software, however, because of the initial monetary and time costs. This includes the software development process, which requires considerable input from business executives and employees. After the software developers have a clear idea of what features are needed, they will also have to spend time and effort in testing out the software and solve any unexpected errors and glitches. Without formal testing, there is a risk that unforeseen bugs will cause costly problems for your business.
When you think along a long-term time frame, all the benefits that your business stands to gain becomes more apparent:
1.A precise fit
Each business has particular business operations across various departments, e.g. engineering, research and development, sales, marketing, human resources, and general management. The software may be involved in some or all of these departments, e.g. for inventory management, accounting, customer management, content management, and human resource management.
Bespoke software can address your specific requirements without involving unnecessary features or confusing terminology that is actually irrelevant to what you do. Instead of purchasing a few different commercial software for various operations, you can create a more integrated and streamlined solution. There will be challenges in the implementation stage, but there is tremendous power in a genuine one size fits all solution.
2.Long term efficiency
With customised software, your employees will be able to work more efficiently from a day-to-day basis. Instead of spending time in learning how to use unfamiliar software, troubleshooting, and training new employees, they can focus on other key business functions. When designed properly, bespoke software is user-friendly because it makes for a precise match with what your business does. It should be perfectly attuned to your products, services, customers, suppliers, and existing applications. Repetitive tasks can be automated to save time. Its customised user interface will allow your employees to work more efficiently, make fewer errors, and require limited supervision.
3.Scalability
Your business operations today will probably change down the road as you adapt to different market conditions, technologies, consumer preferences, and challenges. Bespoke software allows you to make accommodations for specific future developments from the get-go. Instead of being burdened by software updates that you cannot control, you will remain in the driver’s seat for how your customised software needs to be updated and modified to correspond with how your business evolves over time.
4.A competitive edge
You might think of customised software as a luxury, but it could very well be a necessity in a highly competitive marketplace. With unique tools and specific innovations, you can distinguish yourself from your competitors by improving on your efficiency, productivity, and customer value. You can also create a better impression by incorporating your branding voice in all forms of communication with your clients and customers, whether offline or online. You could also capitalise on all the investments you have made in developing your customised software by packaging and marketing it to other similar businesses
5.Localization
COTS software is often designed for international use so that it can access a wider customer base. There are often local specificities in each particular country that have to be accounted for, however. This can include time-zones, currency, languages, cultural value and practices, unique tax requirements, import and export duties, and other geographical specificities. Standardized localization processes often involve translation, modifications to a user interface, as well as the localization of graphics, symbols, scripts, and other media. When you work with software development firms based in the United Kingdom, you can be assured that they will be familiar with all these particular details.
6.Security
When you become involved in the process of creating customised software solutions for your business, the technicalities of how your data is generated and stored will become more transparent to you. Your IT support staff can work closely with the software developers you employ to protect your business against potential security risks. This includes protection against hackers, malware, unethical third-party applications, and measures to backup and restore data in the event of a security crisis. Bespoke software thus allows you to have the peace of mind that your business is well-equipped to navigate the complex cyber-security challenges of the 21st century.
