These days, one of the primary considerations any discerning IT department has is the best way to purchase software. With more and more talented developers offering bespoke solutions, it can be tricky to know whether to commission a tailor-made application to meet requirements, or go with the flow and purchase something ‘off the peg'.
Businesses are under more pressure than ever before to streamline their IT processes and applications to increase efficiency and reduce costs, leaving the IT decision-makers unsure as to the best approach for procuring systems.
Selecting tailor-made systems for specific needs
In an ideal world, every IT department would be able to purchase bespoke systems. The perfect system is crafted to meet individual requirements, factoring in the company's own preferred working practices and objectives. Hand-built applications tend to be scalable and flexible, enabling companies to modify them in line with changing process requirements without incurring additional costs for licensing.
One of the worst problems large IT departments face is the glut of legacy applications which need to be cobbled together when business practices change, resulting in a conglomeration of outdated, inadequate systems. Bespoke software development prevents this issue, streamlining processes and enabling rapid conversion, updating and tailoring to adapt to new requirements. The fact that the company owns the software outright also prevents issues over intellectual property, and means that they are not tied in to ongoing contracts.
The pros and cons of bespoke software
Obviously, purchasing tailor-made software is a costly business. The production process involves people from a number of departments, all testing and monitoring the system, resulting in increased cost in terms of both time and budget. Another pitfall of bespoke solutions is the requirement to accurately brief developers. Omission of important information can result in a solution which does not meet needs, and this can be costly. Advantages of a hand-built application include longer-term cost-effectiveness, and the opportunity to package up and sell the software to other organisations.
Purchasing ‘off the peg' solutions
Generic systems that have already been built will sometimes be bought by companies if they provide an acceptable compromise between the ideal requirements of a system and the common functionality provided. It is not uncommon for a packaged solution to have begun life as a bespoke solution but as demand grew for similar systems across a particular industry the best and most commonly used features were packaged up and sold as a one size fits all solution.
These software solutions have the advantage of being easy to install and since bugs would have already been dealt with early in the lifecycle of the system, teething problems should be kept to a minimum. So in contrast to a bespoke software solution, the off the shelf has the advantage of a lower initial outlay due to less time being spent by IT staff on the installation of the system. Such systems are also usually designed for ease of use which means that staff will find it easier to adapt to using the new system.
Off the shelf packages also suffer from disadvantages, however. For example if the system is not compatible with existing in-house software it can cause operational problems and transferring data between these systems may prove difficult. This can lead to limitations in the efficiency gains of the new system. For this reason care should be taken to ensure that there is compatibility between an off the shelf package and existing systems.
Choosing the middle way: Semi-tailored software
More companies are now realising that there is another option for software requirements. Some developers now offer a half-way house solution, created by modifying existing solutions to make them more tailored to business requirements. This is a cost-effective way of obtaining a software solution which meets the needs of the organisation.
Knowing which way to go when it comes to selecting software
Obviously, nothing beats a bespoke application when it comes to completely answering the needs of an individual IT department. If an organisation needs to be a leader in their field in terms of IT solutions, then bespoke software is the only option. However, the costs involved with this mean it is not always tenable for organisations to choose this solution for their process requirements. However, ‘off the shelf' solutions are often adequate to the needs of a company, and can be integrated with legacy systems. Making a compromise by requesting modifications to existing systems can be an ideal way of obtaining a software solution which works.
Ultimately, the primary criteria for making a decision must come down to cost, closely followed by convenience. All three software options have positive and negative elements, and each IT department will draw a different conclusion based upon their individual needs, budget, and time constraints.
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