Custom Software Development

Custom software is also known as Bespoke software which in common parlance defined as the software developed for a specific organization or for specific performance. The aim of custom software development is to meet requirements of specific companies, business entities, and organizations and their specific process and requirements. With development in Information Technology, complex custom software can be developed on an increasingly small scale through the rise of rapid application development frameworks. The implication is that smaller companies, charities or even individuals receive benefit from custom software, and that may be a reason that several firms have mastered custom software development process.

Custom software development companies develop software such as commercial websites, business databases and software for governments. A typical custom software development process includes steps such as discussion with client, proposal, detailed design, development, delivery of system (software), etc.

However, some issues related to custom software development such the ownership of copyright, source code control, etc. remain unsolved and create discontent between custom software development company and client.  Notwithstanding, the issue could be resolved with the help of mutual understanding about various intellectual property rights.

Other than issues related to intellectual property rights, custom software development may cause discontent for some obvious reasons. The following issues could come up in case custom software is developed in imperfect manner or does not meet the specific requirement of organization or end users. The system fails to meet the business requirements, for which it was developed, and the system is abandoned or expensive adaptive maintenance is undertaken.

There are performance shortcomings in the system making it inadequate for the users' needs. Even after successful custom software development, errors appear in the developed system causing unexpected problems asking for patchwork at extra cost. Least but not last, the systems is accepted at the beginning only to be left disused subsequently.

Similarly, when software lifecycle is too short, off-the-shelf applications are adequately customizable, very few resources for training staff on customized software, then custom software development does not make any sense. In the sense, any custom software development is doomed to fail if there is absence of some ideal conditions.

So, a custom software development is required where streamlining of various internal processes, specific solution may required for specific relationships, compatibility between existing & new with web interface, longer lifecycle than off-the-shelf & greater flexibility, etc. is there; then, custom software development serves well.