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march, 2024

Custom Development vs off the shelf software: How to Choose the Best for Your Business?

Weigh the pros and cons, from speed of implementation to cost and security.
Sustainable and healthy business growth requires continuous improvement of internal processes. The stage of digitalization and automation is an integral part of the development of any enterprise. And when a business faces the task of implementing IT solutions, there are two options: off the shelf software or custom software development.
So, which one should you choose? How to understand which option suits you best?

Off the shelf software is a universal remedy or an unprofitable waste of money?

Off the shelf software offers a ready-made set of functions and capabilities that can be quickly implemented into your business.

Advantages of off the shelf softwares:

Speed of implementation

Off the shelf software are usually already developed, tested, and ready for use, which reduces the time for deployment and implementation into the project.

Cost reduction

Using off-the-shelf products is often cheaper than developing custom software, especially considering the costs of development, testing, support, and updates.

Support and updates

Many off-the-shelf products come with regular updates and support from developers, ensuring continuous functionality and product security.

Disadvantages of Off the shelf products:

  • Limited customization capabilities

    Off the shelf software may be less flexible compared to custom solutions and may not always allow full adaptation of functionality to unique business requirements.

  • Unnecessary features and redundancy

    Off the shelf software may include unnecessary functionality that is not used in a specific project, increasing complexity and resource consumption.

  • Vendor dependency

    Using Off the shelf products often creates dependency on the vendor, and in case of discontinuation of support or updates from the developer, switching to another solution or developing your own may be required.

  • Limited security

    Since off the shelf software are available to a wide range of users, they can be subject to attacks and have known vulnerabilities, increasing risks to data and system security.

Custom software development — the perfect solution for everyone?

Custom software development provides the opportunity to create a unique solution fully adapted to the needs of your business. This allows you to obtain an individual product that precisely reflects the goals and objectives of your company.

Advantages of custom software development

  • Full compliance with business needs

    Custom software is developed taking into account specific business needs and goals, allowing you to create a product that perfectly meets its requirements.
    01

  • Unique functional capabilities

    With custom development, a business can implement unique features and capabilities that are not available in Off the shelf products.
    02

  • Flexibility

    You can make changes and enhancements during development to accommodate changing needs of your business.
    03

  • Scalability

    Custom software is usually designed with the ability to expand and modify in the future, ensuring scalability of the system as the business grows.
    04

  • Control over development process and code ownership

    The business has full control over the development process and ownership of the code, ensuring security and confidence in long-term support and product development.
    05

Disadvantages of custom software development

High cost

Perhaps one of the main factors that prevent businesses from implementing their own IT solutions is the cost. However, it is worth considering that the initial costs of custom development may seem high, but our research shows that this strategic investment will lead to significant economic benefits in the long term.

Long development times

Since custom solutions are developed from scratch, the time required to complete the project may be significantly higher than when using offthe shelf software or platforms. But modern agile development methodologies ensure more efficient project management and allow reducing development time without sacrificing quality.

Complexity of support and updates

After implementing a custom solution, there may be difficulties with its support and updates. This is due to the limited availability of specialized developers for support and modification.

Omega product support and update plan includes not only technical support but also regular updates and staff training to ensure smooth operation of the product in the long term.
When making a decision, it is important to carefully weigh all factors and choose the solution that best suits your goals and budget.
Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on the specific needs of your business. In the long term, custom software development justifies its costs, providing uniqueness, adaptability, and long-term satisfaction of business needs without the need for additional investment in updates.

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