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As businesses strive to make their mark in a world of endless competition, they turn to bespoke software solutions to offer them a competitive edge. But how important are custom solutions to the success of a company?
Unsurprisingly, very. In fact, 90% of leading marketers say personalization significantly contributes to business profitability.
With a priority on improving productivity, providing a personalized experience that aligns with the customers’ needs, and becoming industry leaders, more and more companies are opting for bespoke software solutions to take their operations to the next level.
This blog explores popular types of bespoke business software in today’s market, common features, and the advantages and disadvantages of creating custom software.
What is Bespoke Software?
Bespoke software, or custom software, is tailor-made software built for the client’s specific requirements; it can be adjusted, modified, or adapted to fit the needs of the business. Custom software can be made in-house, or businesses can work closely with experienced developers to create it from scratch, developing features that fit their specific needs, improving scalability and security, and offering their users a unique experience.
Bespoke vs. Off-the-Shelf Software: A Comparative Overview
How does bespoke software differ from off-the-shelf software?
As mentioned, bespoke software solutions are custom solutions catered to the needs of a client or business. Off-the-shelf (OTS) software, on the other hand, has been developed for the mass market and is designed for a broad range of uses. Let’s take a look at some of their key differences.
- Customization: Bespoke software is made for one company, allowing for significant customization to improve workflows and cater to a specific target audience. Off-the-shelf software has limited customization, often restricted to configuration options within the pre-built software.
- Cost: Bespoke solutions have a higher initial cost. Off-the-shelf solutions have lower initial costs but may have additional costs for customization.
- Implementation time: Bespoke systems take longer than off-the-shelf solutions because they’re built from scratch. OTS systems are ready to use once purchased.
- Support and maintenance: Bespoke solutions often require ongoing maintenance and support, which can be provided by the software developers. Off-the-shelf solutions often come with vendor-provided support, but updates and fixes are at the vendor’s discretion.
- Scalability: Bespoke business software can be designed to scale with your business as it grows and evolves. OTS software has limited scalability, causing many businesses to replace it as their needs change.
- Integration: Custom software is highly flexible for integrating existing systems and third-party applications, while OTS software may require additional development or the use of third-party integration tools.
While bespoke software may have a higher upfront cost, it can also drive a greater long-term return on investment by offering scalability, security, and tailored features that attract and retain customers.
For businesses that require some customization but don’t have the time required for custom software development, low-code or no-code techniques are efficient alternatives. As the name suggests, low-code development requires little knowledge of coding, while no-code development uses pre-built templates that require zero coding. These options are not as flexible or customizable as bespoke applications, but they do provide a degree of customization, acting as a halfway point between bespoke and OTS solutions.
Types of Bespoke Software and Systems
To get a better idea of how bespoke software solutions are used in the real world, let’s compare 5 bespoke software examples:
| Type of Software | Industry Applications | Key Features | Customization Examples | Benefits |
| Health Management Software (HMS) | Manufacturing, retail, finance, healthcare | Integration, customer relationship management, data analysis, automation, tracking and visibility, order management |
Informatica – Healthcare solution that automates the data collection and analysis process
|
Reduced operational costs, data security, compliance, better resource allocation, enhanced decision-making |
| Customer Relationship Management Systems (CRM) | Sales, marketing, customer service | Contact management, analytics, lead management, dashboard, sales automation | Abby Connect – provides live receptionist and chat support services | Improved customer relationships, data security, increased sales, streamlined communication |
| e-commerce Platforms | Retail, B2B, B2C | Product catalog, shopping cart, payment gateway integration, promotions, customer management | Mobile Outfitters – Sells high-quality mobile accessories worldwide | Enhanced online shopping experience, flexible payment options, targeted marketing, the ability to adapt to changing market trends |
| Custom Marketplaces for Agriculture | Crop and produce sales, livestock trading, food processing and distribution | Product listings, online ordering, inventory management, communication tools, weather and crop data integration | On Farm – A marketplace where assessors and vendors easily manage cattle assessment data | Efficient market access, transparency, improved sales, enhanced agricultural productivity, support for local agriculture |
| Operations Management Software (OMS) | Manufacturing, logistics, supply chain management, healthcare | Production scheduling, inventory tracking, demand forecasting, cloud computing, regulatory compliance | Medical Case Management System – Designed to facilitate mobile health providers in managing their businesses online | Improved security and productivity, better integration, maintenance and support, tailored workflows, enhanced communication |
| Content Management Systems (CMS) | Web development, media, publishing | Analytics, SEO tools, content creation, editing, and publishing, content templates | CNKT Mobile App – an app where users can freely discuss real issues or topics | Better security, scalability, branding, user management, content control, improved performance |
| 3D Software | Architecture, construction, manufacturing, entertainment | 3D modeling, animation, camera control, import/export, rendering, CAD integration | SketchList 3D – 3D woodworking design software that streamlines the entire design process | Design flexibility, better customer engagement, better automation, efficient prototyping, seamless integration |
| Medical Imaging Software | Radiology, surgery planning, dental, veterinary | Image acquisition, multi-modality support, image processing, 3D reconstruction, patient data management | Orthoselect – 3D modeling and 3D printing software for dentistry and orthodontics | Better diagnostic accuracy, scalability, increased data security, quick adaptation to new regulations |
Common Features and Functions of Bespoke Software
Many businesses opt for bespoke software development because of the custom features and functions they provide. Let’s explore some of these features in more detail:
Customized User Interface (UI) and Experience (UX)
Bespoke applications allow businesses to create an intuitive user experience and on-brand user interface that appeals to their target audience. Since there is no one-size-fits-all solution to UI/UX design, creating a custom design is crucial to meeting the specific needs of a business and requires careful consideration of the project’s requirements and goals.
Integration Capabilities
Bespoke application software can be designed to integrate with existing systems, databases, and APIs. This enhances efficiency and data consistency and reduces manual data entry.
Scalability and Flexibility
Bespoke systems can be designed to scale as an organization grows. This allows them to adapt to changing business needs and market conditions, such as accommodating an increase in users.
Advanced Security Features
In custom software solutions, developers can implement secure SDLC, the practice of incorporating security principles from the beginning of a project to the end, helping organizations identify and address potential security issues early on. There are also custom security features that can be built into bespoke systems to address the specific risks and compliance requirements of distinct industries. An example of this is HIPAA compliance for software development, an important requirement and regulation in the healthcare industry that protects the privacy, security, and integrity of protected health information.
Data Analysis and Reporting
Custom software development can include specialized data analysis tools and custom reporting features to provide businesses with insights that are tailored to their unique needs. This may include domain-specific analytics, real-time data analysis, advanced algorithms, and more.
Automation of Business Processes
Bespoke application software is made to meet the specific requirements of a business, meaning that it’s an all-in-one solution to your business needs. Having a tailored system automates specific business processes, reducing the workload for employees and improving efficiency and accuracy.
Support and Maintenance
Since bespoke solutions cater to the needs of their clients, there are often personalized support and maintenance plans that accompany them. This ensures long-term success by working to address issues, improve functionality, and adapt to changing requirements.
Mobile and Remote Accessibility
One of the features that developers can implement is mobile access and remote capabilities, an important feature in today’s modern work environment.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Bespoke Software?
Companies must consider the pros and cons of bespoke applications to better understand if they align with their business goals.
Advantages
- Tailored solutions: Every business is different, and only bespoke software development can guarantee that it addresses the specific needs, workflows, and processes of an organization.
- Best return on investment: Custom features that cater to your target audience will help attract and retain customers, therefore increasing your ROI.
- Easy to scale: The ability to scale up and down as the business’ needs change is crucial in today’s constantly changing environment. This allows businesses to grow without sacrificing quality or the need to change software.
- Full ownership and control: Organizations have full ownership and control over custom software, allowing them to make changes, enhancements, and updates based on their timeline and priorities.
- Better security: Developers apply security best practices tailored to the needs of the business. This makes it easier to implement highly secure encryption methods, protect sensitive data, and comply with industry-specific regulations.
- Better integration: As mentioned, bespoke systems have better integration with new and existing systems, therefore improving accuracy and efficiency.
- Saves time in the long run: Although bespoke applications require higher initial time investments, they may lead to reduced training time and streamlined workflows.
- Saves costs in the long run: Bespoke business software development typically requires a one-time payment for development, while off-the-shelf software may have ongoing costs and updates that could cost more in the future.
Disadvantages
- High initial costs: Software that’s tailored to the clients’ needs has higher upfront costs than OFS software. Though it does have a better ROI in the long run, high initial costs may be out of reach for smaller companies.
- Longer development time: Custom software is built from scratch, so interested companies should start development ahead of time so they can accommodate the time requirements.
- Risk of scope creep: Scope creep can lead to additional costs and time. An experienced software development company will know how to handle this, setting clear expectations and timelines from the beginning.
Our Expertise in Bespoke Software and Case Studies
At Scopic, we have over 15 years of experience as a software development company. Our team of tech experts has experience creating custom solutions that are tailored to your business’ unique requirements, which include web, desktop, and mobile development. To get an idea of our previous work, here are some of our favorite bespoke application software projects:
RecipeIQ
RecipeIQ is a nutrition calculator app that provides nutritional information for any recipe taken from a magazine, newspaper, cookbook, or online. Scopic’s team created the application from scratch, developing a tech stack that includes e-commerce, image processing algorithms, SQL, HIPAA compliance, and more. In less than 6 months, they received over 4,500 downloads, which has since grown due to social influencer campaigns and the implementation of ASO best practices.
PBT Marketplace
Before partnering with Scopic, PBT Marketplace, a marketplace that connects pet breeders with retailers, was hard to navigate and received many user requests. To improve their usability, Scopic chose a robust technology stack that includes CSS, ASP.NET MVC, REST API, jQuery, and JavaScript. After building their software from scratch with Scopic, PBT Marketplace can now easily adapt to the changing industry, provoking a positive response from users.
OrthoSelect
OrthoSelect partnered with Scopic to develop modeling software that creates 3D models of patients’ teeth. Our developers carefully created a tech stack that includes 3D Graphics, VTK, Medical Software, Open GL, and more. We also proposed feature enhancements such as bracket adjustment, super imposition, and results simulations. Today, OrthoSelect handles 10,000+ cases monthly for orthodontists around the world.
Compass Adjusting Services, Inc.
Compass Adjusting Services, Inc., an insurance adjusting firm, wanted to create a tool that streamlined their and their clients’ workflows. After partnering with Scopic, the Property Insurance Contractor Management Portal was created, a one-stop shop for managing all aspects of insurance adjusters. Scopic developed a technology stack that contains Twilio, React, Leaflet, Google Geocoding API, and Google Distance Matrix API, building the portal piece by piece and creating all the desired features.
Future Trends and Innovations in Bespoke Software
Just as consumers’ and businesses’ needs are constantly changing, custom software development must continually adapt to the modern environment. Developers are constantly implementing new technology, such as machine learning, to provide advanced analytics, predictive capabilities, and automation.
Technology makes way for new features in bespoke software development, such as voice and natural language interfaces, AI business assistants, and other unique features to improve its capabilities.
Blockchain technology is also increasingly being used to bring transparency to software development. With blockchain, developers can track and verify software components, which can be applied to address various business needs, such as supply chain management, identity verification and authentication, health records management, and much more.
To adapt to remote work and collaboration between international teams, cloud computing is becoming an increasingly popular trend, with the global cloud computing market expected to grow from $626.4 billion in 2023 to $1,266.4 billion by 2028. Cloud application development grants users’ access to remote data centers, allowing for real-time updates, advanced security, and scalability.
Custom software is tailored to offer highly personalized experiences, and it’s expected that emerging technology and trends will therefore increase user satisfaction and engagement.
Final Thoughts
Bespoke software offers businesses an opportunity to create solutions that align with their current and future goals. With an increasing number of businesses trying to create an online presence, the use of tailored features helps businesses outperform competitors and improve their brand awareness, customer loyalty, and overall sales.
Anyone interested in bespoke software solutions should set clear goals, outlining who their target audience is, what features may interest them, and the overall idea behind their project. At Scopic, we know exactly how to bring these ideas to life, working with our prospective clients to set clear expectations from the beginning.
If you’re interested in learning more about our software development services, contact us for a quote.
FAQs
How to make custom software?
Software product development starts by defining project goals and objectives, identifying target users and market segments, conducting competitive analysis, creating a product roadmap, resource planning and allocation, and choosing the right software development partner.
How much does bespoke software development typically cost?
The cost of development depends on the complexity of the project, the features and functionalities required, and the technology stack. That said, the price may range from $50,000 to $300,000+.
How long does it take to develop bespoke software?
The development time depends on many factors, including the complexity of the project, scope, features, and more. Depending on the project, it can take anywhere from a few months to over a year.
Can bespoke software be integrated with existing systems and technologies?
Yes, bespoke software can be created to seamlessly integrate with existing systems, databases, and APIs.
How to know if bespoke software is right for your business?
Bespoke software may be right for your business if off-the-shelf software doesn’t meet your requirements, your business is growing or is expected to grow in the future, your company has a unique business model, or you think custom features will help you reach a larger client base.
Is bespoke software suitable for small businesses or startups?
Bespoke software can be suitable for small businesses and startups, as a custom software solution can scale as their business grows. However, budget and time restraints should be considered.
How to choose the right development partner?
When choosing a software development company, consider their expertise in bespoke solutions, past reviews, level of communication, methodologies, and portfolio. It’s recommended to select a company with AWS partner solutions, such as cloud native development, AWS architecture, AWS cloud, and backup and recovery services, among others. For more information, check out our guide on how to choose a software development company.
About Bespoke Software Guide
This guide was authored by Baily Ramsey, and reviewed by Sergij Rylskyj, a Technical Lead with experience in leading and delivering complex software and application development projects.
Scopic provides quality and informative content, powered by our deep-rooted expertise in software development. Our team of content writers and experts have great knowledge in the latest software technologies, allowing them to break down even the most complex topics in the field. They also know how to tackle topics from a wide range of industries, capture their essence, and deliver valuable content across all digital platforms.
Note: This blog’s images are sourced from Freepik.
