Understanding Bespoke Software Development
Leicestershire is home to a wide range of different industries, most notably, Wholesale & Retail, Manufacturing, Education and Transportation all of which employ significantly more people compared to the national average.
It is therefore no surprise that there is significant demand in Leicestershire for custom software solutions which allow companies to work efficiently, offer enhanced services to their clients and differentiate themselves in saturated markets.
There are a number of reasons as to why companies across the county and indeed country opt to choose bespoke solutions over off-the-shelf, but what's the difference?
In short, bespoke software refers to a system that is designed and built to a specific set of requirements, to achieve specific outcomes as defined by the client. The system is generally built to fit the needs of one business or group of users. The software is usually owned by the company who had it commissioned and any updates or changes are done at the owners discretion. Off-the-shelf software on the other hand, is a ready built system that has been designed with features and functionality that appeal to a wide range of organisations and is usually 'rented' from the vendor via a monthly subscription fee. Any updates or changes are done at the vendors discretion.
Key Aspects of Bespoke Software Development
By nature, there are many unique features in bespoke software development. Here, we explore some of the core aspects that make bespoke development appealing to organisations in Leicester today.
Custom Functionality
Having the ability to decide on exactly what features and functionality a system needs to operate efficiently in that organisations' specific environment is the number one reason as to why businesses opt for bespoke solutions.
Flexibility
Bespoke software can be modified, adapted or enhanced in line with evolving business requirements without dependency on a third party vendor.
Cost Efficiencies
Custom software can offer significant cost savings, particularly over the longer term, through the lack of licensing fees, paying only for the features and functionality required and through the use of streamlined and efficient processes, which saves time on manual labour.
Integration
Another key reason why companies choose to go bespoke is so they are not forced to get rid of their existing systems and by extension, investments. Bespoke software can be built to integrate with and utilise the features of other systems a business may be using.
Maintenance and Support
With bespoke solutions, the organisation can decide when and how often, to undertake maintenance rather than having a third party vendor dictate the schedule and can arrange a tailored support agreement with a company of their choosing.
Components of Bespoke Development
There are many different components that may be being referred to when we talk about 'bespoke development services' from websites to desktop apps and everything in between - here, we will explore some of the most popular.
Website Development
Chances are, you've heard of the term website development, after all, over 64% of businesses in the UK today have a website. Industries including Manufacturing and Education which are both well represented in the Leicestershire area, were in the top 6 industries for having a website in 2024. Website Development involves the design, build and often, on-going maintenance of a website and is a crucial consideration for any business when it comes to showcasing what they offer, differentiating themselves from their competitors and giving prospects a way to connect with them. Opting for bespoke website development means your website can be designed and built from scratch, based on your exact requirements that align precisely with your business goals whether that be attracting more leads, being visually appealing or providing a fantastic user experience - the possibilities are endless.
Mobile App Development
It is becoming increasingly popular today for companies to have their own mobile applications. They may be apps that are for internal use i.e. field staff management apps or for external use by their clients i.e. e-commerce organisations may have a mobile app that allows customers to browse their stock, place orders and receive updates. Mobile apps are usually complementary and used in addition to other core systems within an organisation such as websites, web applications or desktop applications but for some companies, this may be their core platform for promotion, interaction and management of their operations. By choosing bespoke for your mobile app, you're able to develop a platform with all the features and functionality you desire, that encapsulates and promotes your brand and that integrates with any other systems you may use in the organisation.
E-Commerce Platforms
E-commerce is a growing industry across not only Leciestershire and the UK, but across the world. It has never been easier to set up and run a shop online as it is today with many readily available options that allow business to sign up, create their shop and start trading all within the same day. There are a huge range of sophisticated off-the-shelf solutions that e-commerce organisations can utilise. However, for companies that require customisation which may be the ability to integrate with other internal systems, custom order processing or any other feature that is not available in off-the-shelf e-commerce solutions, bespoke is definitely worth considering.
Operational Systems
Operational Systems can refer to a number of different types of systems within a business that are used to manage day to day operations. Think Customer Relationship Management, Work Force Management, Enterprise Resource Planning and Quality Management Systems to name a few. Whilst again, there are many off-the-shelf options available, opting for a bespoke solution offers a whole host of benefits that you would not otherwise get including having all the features and functionality you do need, and none that you don't, the ability to develop such a system that is capable of integrating with your other systems (bespoke or off-the-shelf) and long term cost efficiencies through more efficient processes, no on-going licensing costs and a reduction in manual labour. If you can't compromise on functionality and have unique business requirements and/or processes then you should definitely consider going bespoke for your operational systems.
How Can We Help?
Here at Cool Code Company, we have over 30 years experience in designing and developing tailored solutions for businesses in Leicestershire and across the wider Midlands area. We understand the unique business landscape of the area, having been established here ourselves for many years and we use this knowledge and expertise to help you transform your business for the better. Our Midlands based developers will work closely with you to understand and define your requirements before building and implementing our bespoke software solutions that set you up for success every time. We use a varied tech stack at Cool Code and will always provide you with options based on benefits v risk so you can choose what's best for you. Come and have a chat with us today - we're a friendly bunch!
The Westermans International Partnership
Why not check out this case study to see how we transformed the operations at Westermans International, a long-standing, Leicester based, family run business in the metalworks industry. They have been valued Clients of Cool Code Company since 2008 and the partnerships continues to blossom to this day.
Case Study: Westermans International | Cool Code Company
