The process of building software applications to meet the specific needs of an individual or a company is known as custom software development. Custom solutions, in contrast to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software, typically target unique problems.

Identifying whether or not your business needs bespoke software development might be tricky. Here are a few reasons why investing in a customised solution might benefit your business:

1. Targetted Solution: The most significant reason to invest in custom software development is to create a solution that is tailored to your specific requirements. Since  Every company faces different challenges it is difficult to find an off-the-shelf software solution for that specific challenge. Working with customized solutions not only allows you the freedom to advance but also builds credibility. 

2. Flexibility & Scalability: As your company expands, so will its responsibilities. So, creating a system that can grow and scale with your company operations is a wise decision. You don't want your flexibility to be limited by the off-the-shelf software. If you're willing to invest the outcomes will be worthwhile.

3. Security: Since most off-the-shelf software is written in open-source code, it is often easier to hack. Hackers and attackers are already aware of such software's weaknesses, but custom-developed software is a closed-source project utilized exclusively by your team. As a result, the risk of intrusion is reduced.

4. Hardware Expenses: Licensing off-the-shelf software generally requires the purchase of extra hardware in order for it to function correctly. This might occasionally result in a hefty charge at the end of the day. Custom software takes current hardware capabilities into account, allowing you to save money and prevent additional charges. Custom software is created to serve your business, rather than forcing you to adhere to what is provided.

5. Reliability: No one likes to get stuck on the “Terms and conditions”. As a traditional off-the-shelf software user, you are often dependent on the company that has developed it. But a customised solution tailored to your needs won’t give you that headache, because you control all of the rights and can define how it is changed and maintained. And not to forget, custom software developers typically apply the highest quality tools and industry-leading security standards. As a result, you can always count on top performance and dependability. And you can use it as long as you like and the way you like. Of course, there are maintenance costs to consider. But overall, you’ll have far less to worry about. 

6. Ongoing Technical Support: Often it gets difficult able to contact customer service for assistance as off-the-shelf software typically comes with little or no support, making it difficult to fix glitches or issues whenever they surface. Custom software has access to ongoing assistance from a team of specialized IT specialists who can help upgrade and maintain custom software. Which means the reduction of downtime and a smooth operation.

7. Software Integration: Bespoke software reduces the possibility of integration problems and fits seamlessly into any business's software configuration. It allows you to integrate the latest software to improve company operations and growth. 

Now that you know the perks of owning custom software for your business, let’s discuss the process. 

So how does it actually start?

Step 1: Custom software development starts with identifying the organization's or business's unique requirements. Understanding the goals of the company, present operations, concerns, and possibilities of growth are all part of this. After gathering the requirements, a project plan is prepared that details the scope of work, timetable, budget, and resources required for the project.

Step 2: Then comes the design phase, during which software architects, designers, and developers collaborate to construct the software's architecture, user interface, and database structure. Creating wireframes, prototypes, and mockups of the software to get input from investors and confirm that the design fulfils all your needs is also part of the design process.

Step 3: Next, comes software development scope (SOW) — a crucial step that bridges the gap between the software architect and the software developer. It’s a documentation process that outlines all of the functionalities and artifacts that will be supplied as part of the product. It provides a detailed description of the work to be completed as part of a software development project.

Step 4: The software development team begins the coding step after the design has been finalized. Here, the software's feature set is developed, and developers write the code that makes the product run. Several rounds of testing and debugging are often performed during the coding phase to ensure that the software is functioning, flexible, and protected.

Step 5: The software is then delivered to the client's infrastructure or the cloud environment once the coding step is over. The developers set up the servers, install the software and configure the database and run real-time software testing to identify any possibilities of bugs or issues. The client participates in testing and feedback throughout the development process to make sure the program satisfies their needs.

Step 6: After the testing phase the product finally gets ready to be delivered. But The development team always keeps track of the software, fixes issues, and makes adjustments as necessary once the product has been released. 

In conclusion, the entire process requires close cooperation between the development team and the client to ensure that the software meets the business objectives and provides substantial benefits to the organization.

Custom software development is a time-consuming and complex endeavour that requires a high level of technical proficiency and expertise in software design, coding, and development. But luckily for you, Miaki has an excellent team of tech professionals to make the process easy for you.