Published on September 12th, 2018 | by Sunit Nandi

Custom Developed Software vs. Commercial Software Solutions: Which Option Is Better for Your Company?

Different software solutions can elevate your business by improving efficiency in operation and growing your bottom line. All software solutions aren’t created equal. You know exactly what your business needs are and when you decide to make an investment in a piece of software for your business, it is essential to weigh the benefits of different types of software to see how each would fit into your business goals. If you are trying to make a choice between custom developed software and commercial software systems, here are some key points to consider that will help you arrive at the best option for you.

Custom Developed Software

Custom software is designed to align with your particular business process or operation. In other words, the software is designed and written to work for your specific business and is not a typical or “normal” everyday software. You don’t have to worry about changing your business because the software will work for your business and not the other way around.

Custom Developed Software Features

Lack Unnecessary Design Elements: It is tailored specifically to your exact needs. Whatever you need and/or want it to do for your business, it is designed to meet that particular function.
Easily Modified: When it comes to custom software development, it can be modified quickly and easily to keep up with the expansion or transformation of your business. There is no need to panic because the software can readily be adapted to facilitate new business dynamics and objectives. You have the freedom to define and prioritize the changes needed without being restricted to the new features.
Streamline Human Resources: Custom software solutions’ automation feature will allow you to utilize your human resources more efficiently. You can put your human resources to work in areas where human resources need is greatest or when human interaction and thought is generally required. This means less time spent performing mundane and tedious tasks and an improvement in productivity.
Reduce Cost of Training: A custom developed software will require minimal time for employees to learn the new system because it will support their familiar business processes. The language will be specific to your business and the software will feature only what you need without unnecessary features that are a waste of time.

Commercial Software Solutions

Also known as “packaged software,” commercial software is developed specifically for sale or for serving a commercial purpose. They can include applications like Microsoft Word and Excel, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications. They are designed with a focus on a more narrow market of end users in mind.

Commercial Software Solutions Features

Narrow Expert Design: The features that you get with a commercial software system are what subject matter experts deem necessary, defining everything from system rules to menus. They determine the functionality of the system and you have no input. These software solutions typically do not address your exact needs, but performs tasks in a generalized fashion.

Can be Costly: The software itself can be pricey, and depending on the type of applications used, there could be additional service fees, for installing the package, importing existing data, annual vendor fees, training and per seat licenses.

Not Easily Modified: To modify a commercial software is often tedious, and it requires various actions to be taken, such as contacting the company that originally designed the software. This could take some time, be costly and at the end of it all, you could end up with less than satisfactory results.

If you are ready to make an investment in a custom developed software or commercial software solutions, find out what works best for your business. Be sure to define your vision of what you want to the system designers. Also, be a part of reviewing interim deliverables, testing, and be sure give your feedback so that the final product will be what you need for your business.

Tags: better, commercial, company, custom, developed, option, software

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.