#SaaS vs Custom Based Solutions

The demand for software app development seems to have skyrocketed like never before. Businesses irrespective of their size and industry verticals are found seeking around for unique, intimidating, robust and scalable-looking software applications to enhance their empire and gain a competitive edge in no time.

Now there is no one kind of software, most of the time you will end up facing two choices: enterprise softwares or custom-developed softwares vs off-the-shelf or ready-made softwares. So what’s the difference here? Well, both the concepts are way different which we will be discussing in the following post but for now, you need to understand it’s more like leasing a car vs buying a car. Both the concepts are beneficial to a great extent, all you have to do is make the right choice depending on your primary needs and requirements. So let’s get started with SaaS vs Custom Software Development but before let us go through each concept to get a better perspective.

Introducing Custom Development

Over the span of years, with technological advancements happening every now and then, custom software development is gaining pretty much momentum like never before. So what exactly is it? Well, you may consider it as a giant, enterprise application that turns out to be quite beneficial for your existing business.

Custom software development is a process of creating unique applications that are meant to take care of the current needs of the business and take care of specific challenges you are dealing with. Now a basic software development process begins with seamless research, planning, designing, developing, testing, deployment, maintenance and seamless support. Well, the best part is, all this you don’t have to do by yourself, you need to hire a reputable software development company that offers amazing solutions that are fully customized, modernized and used synonymously.

Custom Software development is usually taken into account when business needs cannot be taken care of by off-the-shelf software. You see the journey of custom software development begins when the journey of off-the-shelf softwares ends. As mentioned, conducting any application development project has become a pure necessity not just to succeed but even to survive in the current never-ending competitive era.

Most of the time custom software development projects are conducted by in-house development teams. Now after the massive COVID pandemic hit, not just in-house development teams but even offshore development companies or software development outsourcing is pretty much in demand. However, the development process remains the same throughout i.e. planning, designing, developing, testing, deploying, support and maintenance.

Who should be considering custom software development?

• Those organizations which require softwares for specific needs or requirements
• Those organizations who are willing to outgrow in a short span of time or gain a competitive edge. For example, incorporating AI in their financial technologies.  
• If you are seeking around for cloud-based softwares, add a modern touch
• If you are willing to automate different tasks using the software

 Some of the common examples of custom software include spreadsheet-to-software, middleware, mobile application development, business management software, patient management software and a lot more.

Pros or Advantages of Considering Custom Software Development

#1 Unique Software and solutions

One of the obvious benefits of considering custom software-developed solutions is that they turn out to be pretty unique and are meant to serve your business and its particular needs and requirements only. When you create custom software, you can make changes at any point in time, add or remove data/information and rectify in accordance with the different feedback given by the end users.  

#2 Personalization

The next intimidating benefit of considering custom software development for your project is here you are bound to receive more and more personalized solutions. Now every business comprises different users who have different perspectives and tend to use softwares and technologies differently. For them, custom software development acts like a blessing in disguise. When you offer customized solutions or personalized solutions, you are adding insane value to the business resulting in great loyalty and customer retention.

#3 Security

The next interesting benefit of considering custom software development for your project is high-end security. You see most of the time off-the-shelf softwares is pretty easy to hack since they are open-source by nature. In other words, these softwares or applications turn out to be more vulnerable in comparison to custom software solutions. These solutions on the contrary are developed featuring high-end security and the chances of intrusion is pretty less.

#4 Flexibility and Scalability

The next advantage of considering custom software solutions is that they are pretty great in regard to robustness, flexibility and scalability. In other words, custom software can be changed or improved at any point in time. So high-end flexibility and scalability are the most flagged features here. You see most of the off-the-shelf cannot be manipulated whenever you feel like it. As a result, there is no scope for maintenance and updation when using off-the-shelf softwares.

#5 Cost-effective

Yes, conducting a custom software development project can be way more cost-effective in comparison to off-the-shelf ones. You see here you don’t have to purchase the software. So in other words, you no longer have to purchase the hardware required. Tailor-made solutions most of the time tend to save an insane amount of money and avoid extra costs.     

Also, here you are no longer required to force yourself to get acquainted or get along with what’s available.

So this is what custom software development is all about. Now it’s time to focus on the other side, i.e. SaaS solutions.

Introducing SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) Solutions

Another interesting concept that has gained quite a popularity in the software development realm is SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) or off-the-shelf softwares.  Now have you ever used Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and different softwares such as SAP? Well, these are some of the best examples of custom-made software solutions.

Off-the-shelf softwares and Software-as-a-service are ready-made solutions that run on the Internet and all you have to do is pay a basic subscription fee. The software provider or vendor is highly responsible for hosting different services, maintaining databases, adding new and upgrading the existing features and functionalities, and data security, so here all the headaches are well taken care of by third-party providers.

Most of the Software as a service tool are already being used by you day in and day out. For instance, Hubspot, here software tool is being used to view marketing analytics, create landing pages, write blog posts and a lot more. Now we will proceed further with how these SaaS products are beneficial.

Benefits of SaaS Solutions

#1 Reduce time

One of the obvious advantages of considering SaaS-based softwares and solutions is that the overall time taken to conduct the development of such projects and maintain them can be reduced to a great extent. In fact, these softwares are pretty easy and ready to be configured.

#2 Easy to use

Another crucial advantage of using these Software-as-a-solutions is that they are pretty easy to use and turn out to be successful outcomes baked in best practices. SaaS tends to be viable for small, medium-sized and large enterprises as well. 

#3 Easy time management

You see the cut-throat competition seems to be never-ending and in today’s most crucial times, managing time, and core competencies is a pretty tricky venture. Fortunately, we do have these SaaS solutions that require a basic internet connection and you are all set to get started with your regular tasks. As a result, all the downtime and extra working hours are eliminated.

Above all, this software as a service turns out to be highly compatible and can be seamlessly well-integrated with third-party applications. Plus, all the upgrades and updates are taken care of by the manager or the service provider. As a result, you can witness an increase in productivity and efficiency among your employees. 

Spotting the Difference – Software as a Service and Custom Software Development

And here comes the final showdown! So which one is better?

If you choose SaaS software, you are bound to leave your valuable data with the operating company. Other than that, there is no guarantee for how long you will be able to work with the system. A SaaS application might not be able to address all your core requirements, which means you might have to invest in multiple other softwares. And above all, these apps tend to offer a low competitive edge since they are pretty standard and accessible to all.

Custom softwares on the contrary ensures that you get exactly the specific features and functionalities. You don’t have to change your business policies and make yourself fit for the software. It works the other way around. The software is created in accordance with your particular business needs. Of course, you can easily gain a competitive edge here. 

Some Interesting Tips Before Making the Right Choice

• Budget, do keep the estimated budget in mind while deciding
• Have you considered the timeframe for using the solution yet?
• First focus on the problem and then come up with a solution
• Do keep your future goals and make the right choice
• Choose the software that enhances your business in regard to productivity and efficiency.

Final Verdict – Which one is better?

So which one is better, custom software or software as a service? Well, there is no cookie-cutter or sure-shot answer to it. Both concepts are pretty much viable and worth considering. So which one to choose really depends on your situation. For example, if you are looking for fully customized, personalized software featuring specific functionalities that must be highly secured, flexible and scalable then choose custom software development and if you are looking for a ready-made solution that has no scope for customization, easy to get started with, and comes with a fixed price then of course, you should go with an off-the-shelf software.

I hope you did find the following post worth the read. In case, if you still have any doubts or queries, feel free to mention them in the comment section below. Also, try sharing the post with your peers as this will help us in spreading more information and building a better perspective.

von Charles Richard

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