Custom software: what is it, who needs it and is “standard” the better solution?

Neither standard nor customised software is the be-all and end-all for every company, but both have their raison d'être. Let's take a look at the differences!

Custom software adapts to the needs of your company and closes the gaps that a standard product cannot close. Even if a “one-size-fits-all” solution seems simpler and cheaper at first glance, this is not always the case – especially if it slows down sustainable growth and is not scalable.

We will show you: what custom software is, when it makes sense, what advantages it offers and how to decide between in-house development and working with a software development company.

What is custom software?

Custom software is a tailor-made software solution that is customized to the specific requirements of a company. These can be, for example, ERP and CRM systems, mobile applications or desktop apps. It is developed in close collaboration with you, the customer, to optimally support your processes and needs.

What is the difference between standard and custom software?

Standard software is a pre-built solution designed for a broad target audience and offers a “cross-section” of features that are useful for many businesses. Custom software, on the other hand, is built specifically for the unique requirements, needs, and processes of a single business.

Standard software vs. custom software

First things first: Neither standard nor custom software is the ultimate solution for every company; both have their place. Let’s take a look at the differences between the two approaches:

Standard SoftwareCustom Software
FeaturesPredefined featuresFeatures tailored to the use case
CostNo development costs, but often high license feesHigher development costs, no ongoing license fees
FlexibilityLimited customization options & high costs for individual customizationCan be adapted to changing business conditions at any time
ScalabilityLimited scalabilityHighly scalable
MaintenancePerformed by the providerPerformed by the company itself or by a development partner
Integration CapabilityOften difficult, as not all standard software offers interfaces for all relevant programsSoftware is developed in such a way that all necessary interfaces are considered from the outset

When it comes to general requirements, standard software can be a quick and cost-effective solution for your company. However, as soon as you have specific requirements or are in a dynamic, rapidly growing industry, individual software development is often the better choice. It enables you to optimize processes and drive innovation that cannot be achieved with standard solutions.

And last but not least, there are always opportunity costs to consider with standard software, such as lost benefits or a lack of efficiency compared to the actually better, customized solution.

For whom is the development of customized software useful?

There is no specific industry for which customized software is or is not recommended. Rather, it always depends on the individual circumstances of your company and what you intend to achieve with your project. There are some criteria that show when an individual software solution is worthwhile for your company. Namely, if you…

  • have specific business processes that cannot be covered by standard software.
  • operate in industries that change quickly and require a high degree of adaptability.
  • want to gain a competitive advantage through unique, innovative software solutions.
  • have high demands on integration into existing systems and infrastructures.
  • value long-term investments that pay off through lower operating costs and high flexibility.

Efficient custom software & real-world examples

As a partner for custom software development, we have already implemented numerous projects. Here are some examples that show how custom software can create real added value in practice:

Braso AG

We developed the mobile application “extro” for Braso AG, which helps electrical companies to process orders more efficiently. The software covers the entire process from the first contact, through time and report recording, to payment. Thanks to the individual software, Braso has been able to significantly speed up its processes and increase customer satisfaction.

Swing Productions

Swing Productions is a non-profit association that organizes cultural events such as courses, workshops, shows and parties related to swing and lindy hop and manages all events independently.

As a software partner, we have developed the Swing Office management application and the Lindyhop.ch platform, which make it possible to efficiently plan, manage and bill dance events.

Sales Coach

With the “Sales Coach” application, training, coaching and interaction can be carried out in a fun way using an avatar, from anywhere and around the clock. Training progress can be continuously measured and verified by management using the integrated leadership dashboard.

We developed the product from scratch, made it marketable and, as a technical organization, we are constantly implementing product enhancements and improvements for the ever-growing number of users and end customers.

What are the advantages of individual software?

Process orders more efficiently, plan and invoice events successfully or carry out virtual sales coaching. As you can see, individual software is versatile and offers a range of advantages:

  • Customized solutions: Individual software adapts exactly to the requirements of your company and offers functions that are tailored to your processes.
  • High flexibility & scalability: You can expand the software at any time and adapt it to new requirements, which is often only possible to a limited extent with standard software.
  • Long-term cost savings: While development costs may be higher initially, there are no ongoing license fees and the software can quickly pay for itself through efficiency gains.
  • Full control: You own the usage rights and the source code, which means you are not dependent on an external provider. This offers security and independence.
  • Competitive advantage: By developing software in-house, you can create unique solutions that strengthen your competitive position.

Implementing individual software development in-house or with a partner?

As soon as you have made the decision to use individual software for your business processes in the future, you need to clarify the next important question: should your software be developed in-house or should you rely on external software development?

To answer this question, you should first look at your available resources. The following criteria will help you in your decision-making:

Inhouse-DevelopmentDevelopment with a Partner
Time requiredOften longer development times due to a lack of internal capacity and a high time investment for new hires (if developers can be found at all), lack of agility, especially in large companiesFast implementation by experienced teams and agile working methods (SCRUM method, flat hierarchies, quick decisions, efficient communication)
ExpertiseNecessity to build up own expert knowledge & cover important roles in the development teamAccess to a wide range of experts & all necessary roles for a development team
CostHigh personnel costs & lack of skilled workersCalculable costs, often cheaper than internal development
FlexibilityOften a lack of agility due to internal processes and organizational structuresHigh flexibility through agile working methods

If your company has sufficient internal resources and the necessary expertise, in-house development of custom software may be an option. If you want to benefit from the flexibility of a software development company and have limited resources, we recommend developing custom software with a partner like Riwers.

We offer you the development of custom software in a team or as-a-service in three different models:

Wir bieten Ihnen die Entwicklung von Individualsoftware im Team oder as-a-Service in drei verschiedenen Modellen an:

Custom software for more efficiency in the digitalization of processes

There are gaps in your business processes that standard software cannot close, otherwise you would not have read the article this far. The question now is: is it worth developing custom software?

One thing is certain: a tailor-made solution not only meets your current requirements, but can also be adapted to the future status quo time and again. In addition, you have full control over your software and are not dependent on any external provider.

However, you should weigh up the following: how much more efficient does custom software make your company and how can you actually save resources in the long term?

We examine your individual case and find the optimal solution for long-term efficiency and cost savings. Our range of services includes the development and integration of web apps, mobile apps, SaaS products, business processes, legacy systems, data management and AI.