Bespoke web and software development plays a leading role in helping local businesses in Lincoln to vastly improve their operations, provide first class customer experiences and stay ahead of the competition. From small and medium sized enterprises to large multinationals like Siemens who have a significant presence in the city, organisations are increasingly looking for software solutions that can be built to reflect the unique nature of their businesses.
Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, bespoke software is designed and developed from scratch based on the exact requirements of an organisation. This means, it can be built to encompass existing workflows and processes with only the essential features and functionality that the organisation requires to meet their goals. No compromises, no workarounds and no paying for attributes that are simply not needed. In heavily industrialised cities such as Lincoln, this can be the difference between failure and success.
Custom software development starts with a deep dive into the business’s unique needs, challenges and goals. It is crucial to fully articulate what the software needs to achieve - saving time through automation, providing better customer service or increasing productivity - these are common examples of the outcomes businesses might want to see. By fully pinpointing exactly what the organisation wants to get out of the software, the development team will have a much clearer direction.
It is also essential for the development team to work closely with business owners and key stakeholders to assess the current environment and gain an understanding of how operations currently run. This may include manual processes, paper documentation, existing software or a combination and will provide the team with the detail of what they have to work with and ultimately how they move from A (current set up) to B (required set up).
This period of exploration is going to set the standard for the project going forward and helps identify inefficiencies, gripes and specific areas that technology can help to improve.
So what services does a bespoke software development company actually offer? Websites, Mobile apps, Integrations? The answer is, that depends entirely on the provider. Some focus specifically on one type of software system whereas other offer a broad range of different software services. Let's take a look at some of the most common:
Custom built websites are used by businesses who need something unique with regards to their online presence. This could be specific functionalities that are outside 'the norm' and therefore not available with off-the-shelf solutions, integration capabilities with existing bespoke systems or design elements that fall outside of the generic templates on offer by off-the-shelf web vendors.
Ecommerce organisations may require bespoke websites with features such as:
E-learning providers may opt for a custom built website so they can provide:
Hospitality companies may choose a custom built website in order to have:
Mobile applications are becoming increasingly popular for the flexibility they provide to businesses and subsequently, it’s employees. From accounting apps such as Xero for finance on the go to email and collaboration apps like Office 365, they’re everywhere. However, these off-the-shelf apps don't provide the nuanced features many organisations require such as collecting certain information, integrating with bespoke systems and providing a user experience that is aligned to the organisations brand.
Companies with field based employees may require a bespoke field service app that includes the following:
Healthcare providers may benefit from a bespoke mobile app which can offer it's patients:
Retail businesses might decide they would like a bespoke mobile application so their customers can:
There are a myriad of reasons as to why an organisation might require a bespoke integration. If a company uses a number of different systems for their daily operations, a bespoke integration could connect them with each other for the purposes of data transfer and consolidation. Or, maybe a company wants to extend the life of a legacy system - they could do this by integrating with more modern technologies that provide useful features. Bespoke integrations can also be used to connect a company with third party services such as Social Media or their supplier's systems.
Wholesale businesses might require bespoke integrations that allow them to connect with supplier systems to:
Healthcare Providers may choose a custom integration that allows:
Ecommerce organisations commonly rely on bespoke integrations to:
Management systems such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Work Force Management (WFM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are used by businesses to streamline their operational processes. These systems can help to make organisations more efficient through reducing the need for manual input, utilising automation and ensuring data is accurate and up to date. Off-the-shelf solutions work for some, but for others who have non standard and/or complex workflows, they simply aren't flexible enough. Custom management systems are built from scratch to encompass an organisations existing processes and workflows which means no workarounds, no limitations and no compromises.
Organisations who have Sales & Marketing departments (pretty much all businesses!) can benefit from bespoke management systems, particularly CRM systems that allow them to:
Professional Services companies might use custom CRM systems for:
Manufacturing & Engineering organisations can use bespoke WFM systems to:
There is no universal approach to tackling software development projects and so, every software development company will have it's own unique method(s). However, there are some general steps that can be taken to ensure projects are completed successfully. Again, this will differ from company to company - some may have additional steps and some may skip steps - but as a loose guide, here is a general overview of the design and development process:
The developers will aim to understand the company's objectives, user needs and technical requirements as well as the current environment they have to work with to create a roadmap.
The previous outcomes will be used to form the basis of a suitable design for the software, encompassing all requirements and considering the current technical landscape.
The code itself is written at this stage with many developers using agile methodologies to allow them to review and improve on individual components throughout.
Once the software is written, any integrations will need to be set up. This could be to connect to other existing systems, APIs, third party services or a combination.
Testing the software comes next - individual components, integrations and performance testing should all be included here.
Once the software has been proven to work as required, it will then be deployed across the relevant parts of the organisation. It's a good idea to have a rollback plan here to minimise any potential disruption.
The software should be monitored on an on-going basis with changes, improvements and updates made as required.
Bespoke solutions offer a wide range of advantages that off-the-shelf alternatives simply cannot compete with. Because they are tailored to a business’s exact needs, they provide much greater efficiency, flexibility and long term value. Whether it’s a custom software system, web design or integrations, choosing bespoke ensures businesses get exactly what they need to operate more effectively and stand out in their industry.
Bespoke solutions are built from scratch, specifically to meet a company’s unique requirements. Unlike generic software or templates, they are created with purpose which is defined by the purchasing organisation. This ensures they are completely aligned with business operations as they can encompass existing workflows and processes. This level of personalisation allows companies to improve their workflows, enhance the user experience and differentiate themselves from their competitors.
Custom built systems help businesses run more efficiently by integrating with their existing tools including CRMs, ERPs and accounting software. Through these integrations, manual work can be reduced and repetitive tasks can be automated. This can save costs whilst also boosting productivity levels.
A well designed, custom built website can make a huge difference in how a business is perceived online. Bespoke web design allows for unique branding, better user experiences as well as improved SEO performance. It ensures businesses can stand out from competitors whilst offering features and functionality their users will genuinely find useful.
Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, bespoke systems can evolve and grow alongside a business. They allow for the addition of new features and integrations as and when needs change, ensuring companies always have the tools they require. Continuous improvement means businesses can stay relevant and up to date without being limited by the constraints usually found with off-the-shelf software solutions.
When it comes to choosing a development services provider, it is imperative that organisations do their homework. There are hundreds of software development companies out there - some fantastic, some mediocre and some down right terrible and it's not necessarily easy to tell this from a website alone although this is usually good starting point!
Whilst websites can provide insight into a providers values and purpose, it goes without saying, any company wants to put their best foot forward so it is highly advisable to go further and actually speak with the company in question. This provides the opportunity to ask specific questions regarding the project at hand, clarify development processes and gauge how well they understand business needs. Speaking directly with the provider allows the purchasing company to assess their communication style, responsiveness and willingness to accommodate requirements. It also offers insight into their problem solving approach and how they handle challenges.
Collaboration is another important aspect to consider when choosing a development partner. Some organisations require a more hands off approach, providing the necessary information upfront and allowing the developers to just get on with the project, particularly when the scope and requirements are set in stone. Others require a more communicative approach whereby they can regularly receive updates on progress, provide feedback and request tweaks if necessary. There is no right or wrong approach to collaboration but organisations should ensure they understand how a development company typically collaborates on projects to ensure that fits in with expectations.
If you're a business in Lincoln looking to explore the world of software development to see how it might benefit your company, we'd be glad to help. Our Nottingham based team have acquired a wealth of knowledge and experience over the years and can help you with everything from bespoke website development to custom CRM software and everything in between. We will work with you to understand the context and goals of your business, provide suggestions where appropriate and guide you through the development process step by step. We offer ongoing support to all of our clients and aim to develop long term partnerships that continue long after a project is delivered. Come and have a chat with us today to see how we can help transform your business, for the better!
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