Nowadays, the question isn’t about whether a business should use software solutions, but rather which kind. Thanks to developments in cloud computing and SaaS, there are many out-of-the-box software businesses of all sizes can implement. However, as businesses grow and work to scale at a rapid pace, they may soon find they need custom software to fit their needs.
Here are some points to consider regarding which option is right for your business.
Out-of-the-Box Software
Arguably, the greatest benefit of out-of-the-box software is that implementation is often quick and seamless. Many vendors provide prepackaged software designed to handle most if not all standard processes of specific industries. It is ideal for SMEs looking for a budget-friendly solution that has helped similar, successful companies.
Moreover, the provider often handles updates and other functional tasks, so users don’t need a lot of expertise or an advanced IT team on their end. Partnerships and integrations are also readily available. If a user needs to connect their accounting, ERP, or CRM, this can be achieved with little hassle.
Garter estimates that Cloud Business Process as a Service (BPaaS) will be worth approximately 53,121 million USD in 2022.
The drawback is that there is often limited customization. If your business has unique processes, you may be hard-pressed to find something prepacked that’ll fit your needs. Also, you may find many features don’t apply to your business at all. Finally, while set-up costs are lower, you may find the regular subscription fees becoming costly.
Custom Software
If you’re struggling to find the right out-of-the-box solution, then you may want to build your own. Flexibility is custom software’s greatest advantage. You know exactly what you need, so you also don’t have to deal with features you’ll never use. And because you own the software, you could license it to other businesses as an added revenue stream.
The drawbacks are implementation and start-up costs. On average, a custom software development project can take between four to five months and costs can vary widely from $3,000 to $120,000 depending on scope, timeliness, and developers’ fees. Also, you will have to handle upgrades and other ongoing adjustments.
We Can Help
Whether your business is looking for custom software or an out-of-the-box solution, SHEA has you covered. We can review your business and work with you on implementing our recommendations.
And if you have your eye on some out-of-the-box solution but would like to make some customized tweaks, then you can have your cake and eat it too. We’ll design custom add-ons, apps, and whatever else you need to fill in the blanks.
To learn more about how SHEA can help take your business to the next level, contact us at one of our offices or visit our website.