Custom Software Development

As the name suggest, custom software development, also called custom software engineering, is one that is tailor made to the special requirements of the customer. Obviously customer software development would rise above the pre-developed, template or boxed solutions. It would be unique in conception, design and development achieved on one time basis.

Custom software is, therefore, developed for specific functions and is quite different from the existing or the off-the-shelf software. It is not addressed to mass market.

Examples of custom software development include accounting software, customized software for budget or project managing, software for commercial products such as e-commerce websites, business data bases, software for special needs of the companies, business entities, organizations, smaller companies, charities and individuals, industries and government.

It is quite evident from the above explanation that custom software can be developed only on a small scale. Custom software development is a complex process and is usually founded on pre-built building blocks which are rearranged, re-organized or re-engineered to suit the individual needs of the clients.

If you wish to have software built to your individual needs, you will have to first explain your needs, the viability and affordability of the software. This would entail formation of a detailed proposal for the development of the design of the software and building a system for its operation.

You will need to draw a contract with the custom software development company about the time frame of delivery, cost and functionality. It is important that the product is delivered functionally complete and ready for testing and deployment by the end user.

According to Blueberry Consultants, there are certain other important questions that need to be addressed before signing the contract and some of them are:

• Who will own the copyright of the product - the producer or its owner or the payer?
• How will the system be built? Would it be built on the top of any other platform or system?
• Will the system use or depend upon the third party systems or libraries. And will it entail copyright violations?
• Who will control the source code?
• Who will collect the requirements from the customer?
• Will the system provide for firewall configuration?
• What is the expertise and experience of the software developing company?
• What is the strength of their expert staff?
• What programming languages will be used?
• Will they incorporate any logging system in the software to report and prevent bugs?

If you wish to stand out among the ever increasing crowd of competitors, you will have to develop unique and innovative ways to remain on the top.