When software is custom-made for a client, it is termed as custom software development. While software development can be compared to different standard-size dresses being made and sold, custom software development can be compared to a client being measured and a perfectly fitting dress being stitched for him exclusively. Developing custom software could involve many hard coded areas in the software to accommodate the client's unique business processes that are not likely to change. Custom software development overlooks or avoids existing solutions and views like templates or software modules that may already be available.
Custom software has new and unique solutions to a client's specific problems. The goal of teams involved in custom software development should be to come up with solutions not for the masses but solutions that are a perfect fit solely for the client. Usually, a software development company developing custom software for its client would recommend and use the latest technologies to implement solutions according to the preferences and needs of the client.
Custom developed software is typically designed stage by stage taking into account all issues not mentioned in the requirements or specifications. Software development companies with experience in custom database design, distributed web applications development etc. provide custom software development services to its clients.
Advantages of going for custom software include functional, dynamic software that adjusts to the client's specific needs smoothly and software that complements the business goals to perfection. But it also means a lot of deliberation and making sure that no critical points are left out. Though custom developed software has its advantages of fitting the client needs to a T, it also has some underlying disadvantages. Custom solutions mean high cost and longer project cycles. The planning effort involved is very high. The duration to discover solutions and implement them is much longer as the team has to look for a perfect fit to the client's requirements.
A software development company that has a client needing custom software solution also has a dedicated team to complete the project. Some specialists are even hired as consultants for the duration of the project to take care of the specific requirements.
A client that needs special database access like mobile phones access, automated mail triggers on an event, interfacing with external systems or some high-security reports to be provided to special users etc. is a client that most needs a or an that can provide him with custom software. Also those who want to promote their brand improve productivity by automating some business processes or those who want some modification to their existing applications are all potential clients that need custom software development.
Custom software examples include software for mobile phones, web sites for specific business types like holiday resorts, health care management applications, recruitment applications etc. The teams will have members to address software development, business analysts to gather requirements, members specialized in maintenance and enhancements and members for designing systems.
