Custom software development

Custom software development is the development of custom software.

Custom software is not aimed at the mass market, but rather developed for a single customer, and thus can accommodate preferences and expectations of that customer. Custom software may be designed in stage by stage processes, allowing all nuances and possible hidden dangers to be taken into account, including issues which were not mentioned in the specifications. Especially the first phase in the software development process may involve many departments, including marketing, engineering, research and development and general management.

Pre-developed software packages, in most cases, may not be modifiable or customized to ones needs; and are usually available to unrelated users or groups of users. For example, software designed for a cell phone manufacturer would be 'custom,' even though there could be thousands of individual users. Software written for use by many other manufacturers would be packaged, even if there were only a single user in each factory.

Software development companies worldwide provide custom programming and software engineering services.

Potential benefits

Business benefits include streamlined operations where software fits business processes exactly. Training costs can be reduced as workflow of the software matches workflow of the business and where names in the software match what the business calls things. Also, as business needs change custom software can change as well. Custom software can evolve as the business does over time.

Potential problems

Custom software development projects can be costly, and they carry unique risks. When a customer purchases bespoke software, he may face certain problems installing the software, adopting it to his needs and purposes, or distributing it to the intended user base. Managing these issues can be costly in terms of time and expense. That said, no software solution -- including those developed internally -- is ever immune from complications.

A custom software project is often an expensive undertaking. However, often a pre-developed solution will not be able to meet all of a particular customer's preferences and requirements as well as a customized solution.