Custom Programming Vs. Off-the-Shelf Software
The first thing you should do is to determine your company’s priorities - in most cases the answer to
this question helps you make your choice. The best solution will be the one that offers the most
advantages in priority areas and the fewest shortcomings that may affect your work.
Working with Templates and Ready-Made Solutions
A template or ready-made solution is software that is available for purchase and with which you can
start working immediately upon installation. Typically, such services have a limited set of functions,
but can be launched within a few hours or days.
Before deploying such software, you’ll still need to spend time searching for and purchasing the service
that best suits your needs and meets your budget expectations. However, in general, this process is
still much faster than custom programming.
Advantages and Disatvantages of Ready-Made Solutions
Typically, templates and ready-made solutions are distributed online and work through the cloud and
external servers. On the one hand, this offers an excellent opportunity to work on a dedicated server
provided by the supplier company, but on the other - imagine what will happen if this server fails, or
you have trouble with your ISP and can’t access the cloud? For many, this situation means the loss of a
large number of orders.
Out-of-the-box solutions may be useful if you need a standard set of simple functionality. Such
solutions have already been tested by many users before you get to your order. Custom programming of a
service with similar functionality will usually cost a lot of money and is not always expedient.
Ready-made software is usually much easier to configure and reconfigure than custom programming. It is
enough to tick off or enable some function and the app will start to toy with new colours. In custom
programming, new features always require a new code. On the other hand, ready-made solutions can
sometimes be too cumbersome for business tasks, with most users eventually abandoning around half the
pre-installed functions but still paying for them.
![Custom programming services by Magora]( "developers for hire")
Pros
- Significantly cheaper
- No time spent on development
- Integrability with third-party services
- Proven technologies / services
- Well-developed community support for users
Cons
- Standardisation
- Dependence on vendor
- Possible licence problems
- Unplanned and unnecessary future updates
- Long-term development
Out-of-the-box apps are guilty of giving you so many functions, half of which you’ll likely never use.
Let's take Bitrix-24 as an example. Yes, it’s easy to install, works through the cloud and has a large
set of useful functions. But let's be honest - this set may actually be too big, and working in a system
overloaded by unnecessary functions may be time-consuming.
What is Custom Programming?
Custom programming and development is the process of creating a new app, service or piece pf software
that either has some unique functionality yet not available through other projects or is being developed
for a specific customer with specific needs.
Custom programming is rarely fast. Regardless of the complexity of the project and the task, they
consist of certain stages. Stages can vary depending on the purpose, but in general the process usually
looks like this:
- Initial request and project meeting.
- Preparation of a detailed requirement specification.
- Work on design (prototyping, visual concept, layouts)
- Programming
- Testing and debugging
- Review and launch
As you can see from this list, the process is time-consuming, but custom development will help to create
and customise a product or service that directly meets your needs.
Here at Magora, we always focus on custom programming and unique solutions based on the special
needs of each business and client. This is thanks to our specialisation in complex business
software: internal social networks, loyalty programs and other services that necessitate detailed
strategy elaboration.
Unlike boxed solutions, custom programming is great for creating complex systems such as ERP, SCM
and CRM. Moreover, with the development of technology and the emergence of a large number of new
industries, off-the-shelf products can’t always close the desired niche or offer sufficient
alternatives.
Pros
- Detailed map of all your company's business processes
- Clear advantage over competitors
- Only the required functionality
- Development under your supervision
Cons
- Expensive in comparison to ready-made analogues
- You will be the first to test the program
- Difficult to standardise (whether all plug-ins for Internet trading will be connected,
etc.).
- Long-term development
At first sight custom development may seem too complicated and costly. However, it’s custom programming
that allows you to get a product that is finely-tuned to your current goals and the expenses will pay
off in the shortest terms.
When it comes to buying licences and paying for support, custom development always wins. You are the
only owner of the product - all additional expenses for upgrades etc. are minimised, there are only
necessary features and nothing complicates the functionality.
Why Is Custom App Programming Beneficial for Business?
Do not neglect your customers - it's easy to hear them if you start really listening. Your customers are
already using mobile apps. The only question is when they can start using yours.
Stages of Work
A clear structure of the production process is the key to the successful implementation of your
project.
At the first meeting, you’ll outline the idea for your app in general terms (in order
to preserve the confidentiality of your information, we offer to sign a Non-Disclosure
Agreement). Together we define the basic functionality, navigation elements, platform of
the future product and other common points. Application development always begins with
the drafting of the specs, in which the entire project will be detailed, and on the
basis of which the final cost and terms will be determined.
Your app should be attractive but still functional if it is to achieve success. This is
why we pay great attention to the visual support of the project, the ease of navigation
and the clear interface.
Our team consists exclusively of professionals in their field - each of our programmers
has at least five years’ experience. The server part is the starting point of any
client-server application. We use different approaches to programming and employ a great
variety of technologies and tools both native and web.
In order for the application to be published, the developer account must be separately
registered. The application is then submitted for approval, after which follows a review
procedure that takes up to seven business days. Working with Magora, you can be rest
assured of a by-the-book, on-schedule launch - we will provide you with a step-by-step
explanation.
If your product is intended for internal use and requires integration, our developer
will provide all necessary services to make this procedure flawless and secure.
Every project needs technical support. The application must be adapted to changing
conditions and kept up to date. We offer our customers consulting services and can help
your internal team support the software, or else help keep your project up-to-date via
the implementation of regular technical support and the adding of new features based on
your requests.
We Can Make the App You’ve Always Dreamed of
We take care of the entire process, from design to launch. The Magora team will offer solutions that
fit
your unique needs, processes and corporate style.
Our experience in developing mobile applications is an important factor that speeds up the creative
process and guarantees high quality. Dynamic elements and integration with software-administrative
components (backend) are advantages of custom mobile apps that add great value to your products and
services.
Think about all the benefits and opportunities your company can discover by entering the mobile
world.
Contact us for a quick consultation and we’ll be happy to help you with good ideas for your mobile
application.
