As a business owner, there are plenty of big decisions you need to make. One such decision is the type of software solution you will use for business processes. There are plenty of things to consider before deciding between custom and off-the-shelf software. It is all about finding the right fit for your company and the process you want to streamline.
Start by making a list of what it is you want — the elements that your business needs, those that would be nice to have and anything that you actively do not want. Once you have done this, you can start to compare the options available to you.
Of course, if you go the custom software route, you will be able to get all the functions you need and none of the ones you don’t. At Netgen, we work with you to discover the best way for your software to operate.
What to Compare When Looking for Software
With your list of must-haves at the ready, you can start looking for your software solution.
- The Price – There are often two options for off-the-shelf software: subscription or once-off fee. With the latter, you get the current version of the software and will have to buy a new version once your current one is no longer supported (usually after a few years). On a subscription, you should get rolling updates and support as you go. With custom software, you’ll find a combination. There is a once-off fee for the original creation of the programme. After that, you can pay the developers a retainer for the maintenance of the software.
- Scalability – Start by asking: if the software is suitable for the size of your business right now, can it grow to future accommodate changes? The second part to that question is: if so, how much will it cost to scale up? You may end up going from an affordable entry-level option to a premium package that has bells and whistles you don’t need to accommodate a few more employee profiles. At the starting phase of building a custom solution, you can tell your developer about future business plans and ensure that the ability to scale your software is built-in.
- After-sales support – It’s essential to be able to get the most out of your software. You’ve bought it to make your business work better. However, you may need training or the option to contact support whenever you hit a roadblock. Make sure you know if that’s available if you go for a ready-made option. On the other hand, Netgen can develop a custom solution to your specifications, so your developer will walk you through exactly how to use it.
Are You Ready to Pick Custom Software from the Experts?
Choosing to get custom software designed specifically for your business needs might cost more, but you get so much more for the price. At Netgen, we work with you to get you the solution that you need now and to ensure it can grow with you in the future. Contact us today to find out more.
