Bespoke vs Off-the-shelf Software
Author: Steve Davidson (Hero Solutions Limited)
Date Posted: March 2006
Introduction
Most software that you use will be 'off the shelf' packages and the same application will typically be run by thousands or even millions of users. You may be considering having a bespoke application written specifically for your organisation. There are various advantages and disadvantages to both off-the-shelf and bespoke applications. This article takes a balanced look at the pros and cons of each to help you make the right decision for your organisation.
The Pros and Cons of Off-the-shelf Software
Large software companies such as Microsoft and Adobe produce a massive range of off-the-shelf software for a variety of different purposes and audiences. Packaged software, as with anything, has its pros and cons.
The PROS of Off-the-shelf Software
- The software tends to be relatively cheap as the cost of development can be spread over a large number of users
- The software can be very sophisticated (e.g. Excel or Word) as the revenues from a very large numbers of users means that a lot of resources can be applied to it's development
- It is easy to get support and literature is usually widely available as there are many other users using exactly the same software
- It is easy to share files produced by the software with others as chances are they also have the software available to open the file
- You don't have to dedicate any of your time to the development process (e.g. helping with specifications, testing etc.)
The CONS of Off-the-shelf Software
- The software can be highly complex and will usually include large sections that you will never use (the average Word user is reputed to only use about 10% of the available facilities).
- It tends to be a compromise. By it's nature it is designed for many different types of users, each of whom will have different requirements
- As the software tends to be large and complicated it may take a long time to learn properly (some of the most asked for additions to later versions of Word were ones that already existed in the previous version!)
- You may have to alter the way that you work in order to fit in with the way that the software has been designed
- There will probably be operations that you require that you simply cannot do with the software
- As one small voice amongst many others your requests will not carry much weight
- If you have problems you are usually at the mercy of a large and faceless organisation who may not be quite as concerned as you are if you have a major problem that absolutely MUST be fixed before tomorrow morning!
- As the same system can be bought by your competitors it is very difficult to gain any competitive advantage from it's use
The Pros and Cons of Bespoke Software
On the flip side, bespoke software has its own unique set of pros and cons that should be considered.
The PROS of Bespoke Software
- It has been specifically designed for your particular requirements and can be tailored to fit in exactly with the way that your business or organisation wishes to operate.
- It can be customised to interface with other software that you operate with the potential to provide you with a fully integrated IT infrastructure across your whole organisation
- Users will usually find it easier and more intuitive to use as it should not contain unnecessary or superfluous facilities and should operate in the way that they are used to working
- It is much more flexible than packaged software and can be modified and changed over time as your requirements and business practices change
- You will receive much better support and can in many cases talk directly to the developers concerned (Hero provide a full range of support services)
- If you are lucky and find a good developer (we suggest Hero Solutions!) then they can significantly add value to your company by suggesting alternatives, improvements and by acting as a source of IT advice and information
- The use of professionally developed bespoke software applications can give you a significant business advantage over your competition
- As an alternative to the point above, you have the option, assuming you own the rights to the application (with Hero Solutions you do), to sell the application to others and recoup some or all of your investment.
The CONS of Bespoke Software
- If you do not have the source code you are dangerously exposed and are wholly dependent upon the developer's continuing existence and good will. To avoid this problem make sure you choose a developer who provides you with the source code.
- If you pick the wrong developer you could end up with an application that is unstable, unreliable and full of bugs (but then again so is some packaged software!). Selecting a developer who works to Best Practice and industry standards should counteract this.
- The investment required will usually be much higher than with packaged software. This is usually the biggest reason for not going down the custom route - you need to undertake a business justification exercise and compare the costs against the expected benefits and commercial advantages.
- A large investment in your time is required during the development process and a bespoke application will take longer to implement.
- It can be difficult to get support for bespoke software, unless the developers themselves offer support services.
- An unacceptable proportion of developers are either incompetent, unprofessional or are 'cowboys' and it can be difficult to sort out the good guys from the bad.
Conclusion
Having a bespoke application developed for you can potentially provide you with major business and commercial benefits and allow you to gain significant competitive advantage. Bespoke applications are generally easier to use and can work around the way you do business, rather than the other way round. However, you have to expect to pay more for it than for a packaged solution (both in time and money) and it is also essential that you use a professional developer who works to industry standards and who is happy to provide you with the source code to your application and on-going support for the package.
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