Custom vs. packaged applications; building exactly what is needed for the business now and into the future or buying a generic solution and customizing it to fit. Thankfully, you are in the driver’s seat in determining the right solution for your goals. In the meantime, here are some factors to consider…
Custom Software – pros and cons
Custom Software – pros and cons
- Gives you exactly what you need – Each business has its own set of unique business rules.
- You own the source code – Owning the source code affords more control over future enhancements. When clients see the value of custom software, they become more sophisticated and quickly find specific ways to improve their particular business work flow.
- More useful reports – There is no reason to have software unless it can produce the desired output; this is often in the form of reports. Custom software allows for the creation of meaningful reports that are used to make astute business decisions.
- More efficient in-house help desk – Help desk personnel will be more familiar with the business rules involved and can assist users. They will know about common issues, traps, and work-arounds. What’s more, since the software is developed specifically and tailored for the business and those who work in it, less help desk resources are generally required. COTS tends to be "for the masses"; great for word processing but not so much for a tailored ERP solution.
- Decision makers are readily available – During the design phase, decision makers are available to make judgment calls. This significantly reduces the time it takes to develop the right solution for the business.
- Vested users readily accept the software – If the users have had input into the design of the new software, they more readily accept the changes.
- Money is not wasted on unnecessary features – A side benefit of getting the exact functionality you want in the software is wisely spending your development dollars. Every dollar that is spent goes toward making the best possible product.
- No major license fees – Annual fees, hardware enhancements, and other "cost of doing business" expenses exist, but find out how much they are and then compare them to the same fees for COTS.
- Not immediately available - Depending on the number of developers, the scope of the project and other factors, it does take time for the application to be developed. This is greatly reduced by using highly trained and experienced designers and developers who employ good internal design ethics and proven software development practices such as agile processes, test-driven development and so on.
- Immediately available – Upon purchase, the software is yours. Deploying the software and establishing the user environment is up to you; as is getting it to do exactly what you want.
- Technical support – Technical support is sometimes free; sometimes it’s pay-by-incident. Hopefully, the COTS personnel know their package and can relate to your specific issues.
- Little extensibility – The software may or may not be able to implement the features you desire. However, some COTS packages allow for some extensibility via a user scripting tool or via a report writer that enables the user to develop their own custom reports.
- Usually "work-arounds" are required – There may also be additional expenses to implement required "work-arounds" to handle specific needs for your particular business; even then, you might not get the result you desire.
- At the mercy of the manufacturer – You have no control as to when updates, bug fixes and new features will be available or even if they will ever be available. Worse yet, the vendor could be acquired or go out of business; leaving many COTS implementations to whither on the vine.
- Non-Vested users can become frustrated – Users have no vested interest in "canned" software and there is a psychological component when installing new software.
- Potentially major license fees – Some vendors charge annual license and/or subscription renewal fees.
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