These days, every business needs to have software solutions to support consumers and their internal teams alike, streamlining their operations and generating the desired revenue. However, what kind of strategy in software development is ideal for small and medium-sized enterprises in the market as we know it today?

Whether you require the service software solution for your entrepreneurial venture or client-facing applications that go beyond the competition, it’s usually a better approach to build it from scratch. So, why exactly is the development of custom software important for SMBs?

Custom software — what is it?

As its name implies, custom software refers to any type of computing solution tailored and designed specifically for meeting the needs and expectations of the organization that requires it. It’s the opposite of an off-the-shelf software that's generally sold as a one-size-fits-all solution with little personalization or customization options.

A business can either choose to have custom-developed software created by an in-house team or have a third-party company build it for them on the platform or infrastructure of choice, like Azure managed services. Due to how laborious and time-consuming this process can be, the latter is usually a better approach.

Importance to SMBs

Custom software for business is growing in popularity among smaller enterprises because of its unique and dynamic nature. Every entrepreneurial endeavor has to find a niche — an area of the market that remains free of their competition. To achieve this, brands and companies have to provide their target audience with something different, and through custom software, it can be done.

In order to stand out, small businesses have to deliver something unique. Client-end custom software could potentially provide this unique element, enabling customers specific solutions and capabilities that rivals won't be able to match. Alternatively, it could also remain internal and support personnel in delivering quality goods and services to the consumers.

Potential failings of off-the-shelf solutions

There are various existing solutions for small businesses available today, with the majority being much cheaper than custom projects and enabling teams to deploy and access them immediately. So, shouldn’t you use ready-made software? Unfortunately, it can potentially come up short in the following areas:

• They could be intended for an entirely different purpose and won’t align with your business objectives.
• Since the software solution doesn’t match the requirements of the business, your personnel may be impeded by difficulties in its use.
• If it fails to support their needs and expectations, consumers may become frustrated with the off-the-shelf software.
• Off-the-shelf solutions might be difficult to scale and inflexible, meaning you may have to replace the software much earlier than a bespoke solution.

Conclusion

Technology drives the modern business of today. Those who fail to use it will miss opportunities to connect with and engage their customers and be unable to generate sizable profits. From the smaller enterprises to medium-sized businesses, investing in custom software will pay dividends because it will ensure that the solutions align with their objectives completely.