5 Benefits of Tailored Software Solutions for SMBs

1. You can define the features you need (and those you don’t)

2. Never worry about third-party apps shutting down

When you put all your effort into a third-party app, you’re trusting that they won’t change the app (to your disadvantage) or go out of business. The company could stop supporting the app, leaving you with nothing. When you develop your own app, this isn’t a problem. You are in control of app updates and uptime. This is especially important for businesses that rely on their software for mission-critical tasks. Tailored software solutions puts you in the driver’s seat. If you need to shut the app down for maintenance, you can do it at a time that is convenient for you, not the company of the third-party app. The app will stay active as long as you have a team to maintain it.

3. Combine benefits of off-shelf products and custom development

There are benefits to using off-the-shelf apps and software. For one, if an app or script exists that suits your needs, why pay to reinvent the wheel? You can often do a combination of off-the-shelf apps and your tailored software solutions to personalize it to your needs. This gives you the cost-benefit of using trusted, pre-existing code, with the benefits of more customization options to stand out in the market. This is called a hybrid app. Based on the needs of your project, your developer can recommend options to build your software from scratch, use off-the-shelf apps, or a combination of the two.

4. More flexible scalability

Holding the reins of your software development gives you greater flexibility for scaling the software or app. When you use solely third-party applications, you may not have access to the scalability features you need, but with your custom-designed apps, you can easily add any additional features you need. While the tailored software solutions may come at a higher up-front cost, you likely won’t pay any additional ongoing fees or subscription increases (like you would when upgrading third-party software).

5. More proactive, rather than reactive

When you use third-party software, and they stop supporting the app or go out of business, it is often without much notice. This means you’ll be rushing around to download your data before it disappears and migrate to a new platform. This reactive approach is not ideal as it could result in lost data, wasted time researching a new solution, and downtime for your team or customers as you migrate to your new system. Instead, you can be proactive and choose the tailored software solutions route. This puts your business in charge of your data, not a third-party app developer. You can choose when you integrate new software and upgrade your systems. You can take the time to be proactive and set up redundancies and fallbacks for migrations if you ever choose to redevelop or switch apps. Essentially, you’re not at the mercy of an “unknown” developer.

How do you create a custom software for your business? 

Twelfth Dream creates custom software solutions for your business. When we work together, here’s what you can expect:

• Defining Features and Priorities:

In today’s digital landscape, businesses operate in diverse environments, each with its own set of challenges and requirements. Off-the-shelf software solutions may offer a range of features, but they often fall short when it comes to addressing the unique needs of individual businesses. With tailored software solutions, however, businesses can break free from the constraints of pre-packaged solutions and tailor-make software that aligns perfectly with their operations. Imagine you run a boutique e-commerce store specializing in handmade crafts. Off-the-shelf e-commerce platforms might offer a plethora of features, from inventory management to payment processing. However, these features may not be optimized for the intricacies of your business. For instance, you may require a feature that allows customers to customize their orders, or a loyalty program tailored to reward frequent buyers of your unique products. By opting for tailored software solutions, you have the freedom to define exactly what features you need and how they should function. Working closely with experienced developers who can pave the way for your business to flourish.

• Review off-shelf products:

Innovation is the lifeblood of business, driving growth and differentiation in competitive markets. Off-the-shelf software solutions, while convenient, often impose limitations on creativity by offering standardized templates and features. Tailored software solutions, on the other hand, empowers businesses to think outside the box and explore new possibilities. Consider a scenario where you’re launching a new mobile app to revolutionize the way people track their fitness goals. While generic fitness apps may offer basic features like calorie counting and workout logging, they lack the creativity to truly engage users and stand out in a crowded market. With tailored software solutions, you have the opportunity to innovate and create a unique user experience that resonates with your target audience.

• Conduct a Feasibility Study:

In today’s economy, every dollar counts, especially for small and medium-sized businesses striving to maximize their return on investment. Off-the-shelf software solutions may seem like a cost-effective option at first glance, with their low upfront costs and quick deployment times. However, these solutions often come with hidden expenses that can add up over time. Tailored software solutions offers a more cost-effective alternative by allowing businesses to invest in a solution that is tailored to their specific needs from the outset. By eliminating unnecessary features and focusing on functionality that drives real value, businesses can optimize their investment and achieve a higher return in the long run.

• Choosing a Platform:

In today’s fast-paced business environment, agility is key to staying ahead of the competition. Off-the-shelf software solutions, while convenient, often lack the flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions or evolving business requirements. Tailored software solutions, however, offers businesses the flexibility they need to thrive in dynamic environments. It empowers businesses to remain agile by providing the flexibility to adapt and evolve as needed. Whether it’s adding new features to meet emerging customer demands or integrating with third-party platforms to streamline operations, businesses can customize their software to suit their evolving needs and stay ahead of the curve.

• Choose a Development Strategy:

Launching a new software solution can be a daunting task, fraught with challenges and uncertainties. Off-the-shelf software solutions often provide limited support, leaving businesses to fend for themselves when issues arise. Tailored software solutions, however, offers a personalized support experience tailored to the unique needs of each business. From the initial planning stages to post-launch maintenance and updates, businesses can rely on their development team to provide expert guidance and support every step of the way. Whether it’s troubleshooting technical issues, optimizing performance, or implementing new features, businesses can rest assured knowing that help is just a phone call away. By forging a partnership with a dedicated development team, businesses gain access to a wealth of expertise and resources that can help them navigate the complexities of software development and achieve their goals. With personalized support at their fingertips, businesses can confidently launch their custom software solution and chart a course for success.

• Choosing Programming Languages:

In the world of programming, the choice of language can make or break a project. We’ll carefully assess your project’s needs and select the most suitable language, whether it’s Python for versatile web applications or Swift for seamless iOS development. Once the language is chosen, we’ll dive into development using SCRUM. This agile framework allows us to work in iterative sprints, delivering features incrementally and ensuring constant feedback and adaptation. With SCRUM, we’ll keep your project on track and deliver results efficiently.

To Sum Up

Depending on your requirements, we can complete a prototype app within 1.5 months and a full app product within about five months (depending on the scope and complexity of your requirements). We’ll keep you updated every step of the way.

Do you have an idea to make your business more efficient or provide a better customer experience? Schedule a call with our team today, and we’ll help you develop custom software for your business.