Companies looking to gain a competitive edge often turn to custom software development companies to enhance their business processes. Well-designed custom software can help maximize an organization’s technology investment and encourage growth. One of the most important decisions of the custom software development process is the company chosen to design and develop the custom software.
How To Select The Right Custom Software Development Company
When developing custom software for a business, custom software developers look at a variety of factors. Ideally, the custom software should include everything a business needs to perform streamlined operations and should be free of features that are not needed and simply clutter the custom software application. The right custom software development company will ask a wide range of questions to determine the level of support and functionality needed to create software that aligns with a business’s unique needs and goals.
When searching for a custom software development company, consider the following:
1. Check For Technical Skills & Abilities
Not all custom software development companies offer the same services or possess the same capabilities. Some software developers only work with a single type of technology which could significantly restrict what a business is able to include in their software design plan.
Custom software should address a wide range of business needs, such as advanced security controls, implementation of social channels and similar elements. It is important to choose a custom software development company that is well-versed in many different technologies and programming languages to ensure that they are able to deliver a complete piece of software.
2. View The Organization’s Portfolio
Before choosing a custom software development company, thoroughly review the organization’s portfolio. Viewing an organization’s portfolio gives businesses an idea of what they can expect when they hire the company to take on a project. The number of projects that are in an organization’s portfolio can also speak volumes.
Established custom software development companies will usually have many projects to review, while newer software development companies may only have a few. In addition, more experienced companies will have a tried and tested methodology for the successful completion of custom software. Inexperienced companies may still be working to improve their business and services.
3. Ask What Technologies They Use
It can be challenging to hire a custom software development company without proper knowledge of what software systems exist. Ideally, businesses should take the time to learn basic information about software technologies, such as Windows and UNIX. Some technologies offer unique capabilities and functions that others do not.
If a business requires a project to be built on a specific software system or to use certain technologies, it may be necessary to shop around for a company that is experienced in that technology. Also discuss the quality of coding as this will directly influence how the custom software application is built.
4. Find Out If They Understand Your Needs
Great custom software development companies possess strong communication skills that make it easy to convey what a business is looking for in a piece of software. It is important to choose a software development team that not only possesses impeccable technical skills but is also able to discuss software plans and provide regular updates.
Read reviews and testimonials from past clients to get a better understanding of what type of customer service is provided and whether or not the company was able to meet the needs of its clients. If a software development company is not able to understand your needs from the start, consider looking elsewhere for services.
5. Discuss Ownership & Post-Development Support
When creating custom software, most businesses expect to have complete ownership over their purchase. The majority of time, this is the case; however, there are rare occasions in which a custom software development company will sell custom software to another business. To avoid this type of issue, it is important to discuss ownership from the start of the project.
Businesses should also clarify what post-development support will be provided and for how long. Ask for any commitment in writing and have the document detail what type of support will be offered, such as software configuration, maintenance and backup services.
Speak To Experienced Custom Software Developers
Custom software allows businesses to automate their workflow and work more productively. When software is tailor-made for a particular organization, employees are better able to collaborate and share ideas. Developing a piece of custom software is a long-term investment since the development team must start from scratch. However, custom software eliminates the need for additional hardware, pointless features and costly annual licenses.
To learn more about custom software development or to speak with an experienced custom software developer about a software project, reach out to the experts at Orases today by calling 301.756.5527 or by scheduling a consultation online.
