What is custom software?
Custom software is software developed specifically for one company and its processes. This page explains how it differs from off-the-shelf software, what companies use it for, its pros and cons, and when it pays off.
You will be speaking with Ing. Thomas Grafenau, BSc MSc. He leads the intro call and builds your software.
12 years of software development for mid-sized companies
Custom software, simply explained
Custom software, also called bespoke or tailor-made software, is built for a single client. It maps that client's processes the way they actually run in-house, with its roles, data and systems. The counterpart is off-the-shelf software: a finished product that many companies buy or rent in the same form and adapt only through settings.
So the difference is not the technology but who the software is made for. Off-the-shelf software adapts to the market, custom software to one company. In practice it is often a mix: the generic parts stay standard, and only the parts where a company differs from the market are built specifically and connected to the standard.
Examples of custom software
Custom software usually emerges where a process depends on Excel sheets, manual work or individual people.
- A planning board that replaces an Excel sheet and shows capacity per department.
- An approval workflow that records who confirmed what and when.
- A service tool for field staff, with job scheduling on a map.
- An interface that connects ERP, CRM and specialist applications, so data is entered once rather than three times.
- A dashboard that brings together figures from several sources for management, production and sales.
Custom software and off-the-shelf software compared
Neither is better in principle. What matters is how well your process fits the standard.
| Custom software | Off-the-shelf software | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | one company and its processes | many companies with similar processes |
| Available | after analysis and development, in stages | immediately, after setup and training |
| Adaptation | at any time, as further development | through settings; anything beyond that only as customising |
| Version upgrades | you decide when and what changes | the vendor decides; your own adaptations are re-checked every time |
| Running costs | operation, maintenance and further development | licences, customising and adaptations with every upgrade |
| Dependency | on the software partner, unless source code and documentation are with you | on the vendor, its prices and its roadmap |
Advantages of custom software
- It maps the process that sets your company apart, instead of bending it to fit a product.
- It can be connected to ERP, CRM and existing systems, so data is entered only once.
- It grows with you: new requirements are added as further development, not as workarounds.
- With source code and documentation in your own repository, the software belongs to you.
Disadvantages of custom software
- It is not there right away: analysis and development come before it goes into use.
- Operation, maintenance and further development must be arranged, or it only runs as long as the right people are around.
- For generic needs such as accounting, payroll or email there are proven products; building them yourself rarely pays off.
When custom software pays off
Custom software pays off when your process is your edge and no standard solution covers it, or when your off-the-shelf software covers only half of it and the rest is done by hand. If a good product covers your process almost completely, it is usually the better choice. How we develop custom software for firms with 50+ employees is described on our services page.
Our service: custom software developmentWhat custom software costs
The price is driven mainly by the number of processes, the roles and permissions concept, the interfaces and the data migration. Ranges from our projects and a worked example are on a separate page.
See costs and worked exampleFrequently asked questions about custom software
What is the difference between custom and off-the-shelf software?
Custom software is built for one company and its processes, off-the-shelf software is a finished product for many. Off-the-shelf software is available immediately and can be adapted through settings; anything beyond that becomes customising that has to be re-checked with every version upgrade. Custom software needs analysis and development first, but fits exactly and only changes when you want it to.
Is custom software the same as custom software development?
Almost: custom software is the result, custom software development is the way there. It includes analysing your processes, development in stages, testing and finally operation and maintenance.
Who owns custom software?
The contract decides, and it is not a given. Have the handover of the complete source code and documentation into your own repository guaranteed. With us, it belongs to you once paid for.
Can custom software work together with off-the-shelf software?
Yes, and often that is exactly the best solution. The connection to ERP or CRM runs via an API, directly via the database or via a regular file exchange. Which route works only becomes clear on the real system.
How long does it take to develop custom software?
With us, the analysis takes one to two weeks, and a small specialist application is then often in use within four to eight weeks. Larger systems are built in stages of a few weeks each, so the first parts can be used early.
Does custom software pay off for your process?
In a 30-minute intro call we work out whether custom software, off-the-shelf software or a mix suits you. Free and without obligation.