Ideas

It is a known fact that businesses can benefit from custom software, no matter what type of products or services they have to offer. However, small-medium enterprises need to ensure that the benefits are worth the amount they spend on bespoke applications due to their tighter budget. And because of this limitation, some small-medium enterprise owners are wondering whether they should get generic desktop software or custom software.

SME owners and managers should know how their businesses can benefit from custom software. They should not see it as an expense but should be treated as a necessary investment to help the business growth. Below are some of the benefits that SMEs can get from custom software.

Serve the Needs of the Business

Custom software has been developed to best serve the needs of the small-medium enterprise. There are times when businesses license an application from a vendor and discover that it is not suitable for their operations. With custom software, SME owners will be guaranteed that the software suits the requirements of their business.

Smooth Integration

Technology is always evolving. Most pre-packaged applications can’t seamlessly integrate with other systems that are already in use. Custom software can be developed to accommodate other elements of the business, instead of being forced to find makeshift solutions for the needs of the business.

During the development phase of the custom software, the developer will determine the skill levels of the users. And whenever there are changes in the usage, updates can be made to adapt to the new direction of the business.

Cost Effective Business Solution

While developing custom software can be expensive compared to licensing an already existing application, the former has been proven to be cost effective in the long run. Customised application doesn’t need constant change or updating to suit the requirements of the business. It can be used without additional investment in the next couple of years.

More Flexible

Custom software is more flexible than off-the-shelf applications. Developers often work on a contractual basis and will be able to maintain the software as the business grows in the future. The custom app can support the needs of the business at present, and at the same time allow it to grow.

Secure

Another benefit that custom software can give to a small-medium enterprise is that it can protect the business from hackers. Most data breaches are done on systems running software with known vulnerabilities. When the SME utilise custom software, the system will be less attractive to hackers, because it requires them to spend more time learning how to breach it.

Custom software is definitely the smart choice for small-medium enterprises. It provides a lot of benefits that include flexibility, cost efficiency, and seamless integration into existing system. It also provides a good foundation on which the business can rely on.