A Brief History
Custom software development has come a long way ever since its primitive era in the mid-90s. During the late 60s and early 85s period, the custom software development industry was in a great crisis. Many custom software projects had run over their budget as well as schedule. The software business lacked a competitive advantage it does now. Hence, software development services were at a significant loss since they failed to provide a meaningful solution in time and under budget.
The main reason for this liability was the rigidity of the custom software development process and a lack of security. Hence, any business needing a software solution had to think twice about the help of technology.
Even in the 2000s, custom software development was an enormous task for the management and developers as the developers didn’t have any help from technology libraries or frameworks. They had to build their software solutions from scratch. Hence, the development team didn’t have the cutting edge for software development solutions. So, the end custom software solutions would be dull but costly, sometimes even if you provide them with enough time to work on only one design.
Introduction to Custom Software Development
Over time, custom software development methodologies frequently changed for the better. People started to develop new scientific methods to make quality and robust software. Although it took a lot of time for software solutions to initially meet a business need, it eventually took off like a rocket. At present, thousands of companies make lightweight and dynamic websites according to their clients’ needs.
Custom Software Development refers to the process of creating a tailored made software application for any individual or company. It’s not about just creating it, though; it also involves constant maintenance over a period of time. An example of a custom made app development is Amazon E-commerce Software.
Commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS), on the other hand, is a different concept than custom software development services. It focuses on a broader prospect in contrast to CSD and is made for a more general business purpose. An example of a COTS solution is Microsoft Office Package.
Why do you need Custom Software Development?
Custom Software is essential to meet intricate designs that a COTS can’t meet. It gives software owners the ability to visualize their thought processes and make a profit.
Let’s look at an example of banking systems. At present, most banks have their own customized mobile banking software applications. Each application meets the demands of its parent company. If any bank has an inferior software system, its brand image suffers. Thus, it may lose its customers to other banks.
Five advantages of Custom Software Application Services
Detail Orientation: One of the most significant advantages of custom software applications is detail orientation. The custom modification in the project allows developers to handle client’s minute UI/UX details with ease.
Unorthodox Software Development: Let’s take an example of Facebook in its early time stages. It was only possible to build this type of eccentric application back in the day due to the customized process.
Profitability: You can license your software and sell it to others for a profit. Any business and individual user not wanting to waste more time on small software solutions can buy one within their budget. At present, you can also charge other business applications and services for your software API. An API is similar to a database where developers keep the data of every user.
Scalability: It is easier to scale a custom-built software application. Software Designers and Developers can integrate more features into the existing application without any extra licensing cost.
Security: You can build and add custom security to protect your software applications from potential hackers. Your systems might have unwanted bugs that may not have been detected in testing processes. So, you might want to find any fault in the systems and protect your data.
What does a software development company do?
Software development companies are companies that specialize in making software solutions for your business needs. They provide custom shelf software solution services for your product requirements. An example of an app development company is Wolfmatrix. They design and build web and mobile applications based on your unique requirements. If you need any help regarding technical support, you can contact them at info@wolfmatrix.com.
Key to Effective Custom Software Development Processes
Regardless of which method you use, you always come across the same software development cycle known as SDLC. They are :
Custom Software Planning
Software Planning is the first step of an SDLC process. It involves knowing all the technical requirements of clients and documenting all of them. A typical planning process includes the following:
- Acquiring information about unique business product requirements.
- Documentation of the technical requirements of a software project by a custom software development company.
- Cost Estimation of the custom software development service.
- Assignment of a software development team.
- Assignment of a project manager to carry out the management processes.
- Choosing programming languages and technology needs.
- Assignment of senior front end and back end developers.
- Assignment of a lead QA for the software project.
- Assignment of an app support team for the custom software product.
Design
The next step in custom software development is the design phase. The design team makes a cutting edge layout for the whole software application. At present, SEO has become a crucial factor for a business and the development team. So, design solutions for custom software are sometimes based upon unique business SEO needs.
Implementation
Then, the developers at the software development company start implementing the design. The implementation takes place on a small scale at first. Developers build small parts of the whole application, initially called modules. Then, they continue building larger modules by integrating the small application modules.
Front end developers develop the UI/UX and design parts mostly, and back end developers deal with data and information in the whole project.
Testing
Quality Testing gives you a competitive advantage while building a software solution. Business applications are usually complex and need a large project team. The project team works with time deadlines to meet the project requirements. So, it is essential to test applications and see whether they meet project requirements or not. It is also equally important to see if users are gaining quality experience or not.
Deployment
After all the build requirements are complete, the product management team must deploy the customers’ bespoke software. The company issues “rights reserved” for the software solutions of the project. Project managers with a lot of experience can quickly know the server needs for their software solutions.
Maintenance
Depending upon the budget and cost requirements of the bespoke software, management provides requirements for the maintenance services. Business companies usually work with the same software management team to gain a competitive advantage. Since the developers already know customers’ needs, technology, and management well enough, they can work on newer designs without additional support.
These processes are executed differently in each method. Here, we look at some of the few methods and technologies essential to complete the above software development processes.
Six Most Essential Methodologies in Software Development
Waterfall Model
Waterfall Model is one of the earliest known software development lifecycles. Since it has a linear sequence, it is also sometimes known as the linear-sequential life cycle model. The name waterfall implies that the software development moves to the next stage once an initial phase completes. It cannot revert to the initial step. Hence, this model is not flexible and was replaced by the Iterative model.
Iterative Model
The iterative model is the second known SDLC model. In this model, the SDLC process is divided into iterations. In the initial iteration, you can build software with some specifications in the first version. If you need to add any additional features or change them, you customize the first version software in the second iteration.
Spiral Model
Barry Boehm first mentioned the Spiral Model in his 1986 paper “A Spiral Model of Software Development and Enhancement.” It is a combination of iterative and waterfall SDLC methods. It was mainly designed to reduce the risks in the software development process.
V model
In this method, you execute the software development process sequentially in a V-shape. Every development phase associates itself with testing criteria. The next step of development starts only after the completion of its previous stage.
Agile Method
It is still one of the most popular SDLC methods used in the present time. It focuses on adaptation and customer satisfaction. In this method, various tasks are assigned to different team members simultaneously. The tasks should be completed in a limited time frame called sprints.
DevOps
DevOps is an advanced software development methodology that combines IT operations and the software development process. It aims to provide continuous delivery through continuous integration. Jenkins, Docker, etc., are some of the famous DevOps tools.
Five most common Programming Languages
React
React is a javascript framework that focuses on the front end of software. In a programming world, the front end refers to the UI/UX part (something that the users see and experience.) It is developed and maintained by Facebook.
Django
Django is a framework of python programming language. At present, python has gained a significant rise in popularity. The reason for its popularity is due to its straightforward approach to coding methods. It is comparatively easier to learn for beginners.
Firebase
Firebase is a backend platform of Google. It helps you to develop high-quality software applications. It can support web applications as well as mobile applications.
MySQL
MySQL is a structured database that creates and stores data. It is used along with another programming language in software development. The combination of both is known as the backend of a software application.
Nodejs
Nodejs is another famous backend programming language. It is comparatively more comfortable to use than PHP. Some of the most common Nodejs frameworks are Express, Koa, etc.
Why choose Wolfmatrix for a custom software development service?
Software development is a complicated process that requires immense technological and communication skills. Wolf Matrix has a team of experienced individuals who know their work on the back of their heads. Their individual experience means that they can solve problems through a scientific approach. This leads to cost-effective solutions and timely delivery to the clients.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a software development company to develop your product, think before you rush into any company. My best advice is to research the company you want to work with. Almost every established company has a list of case studies on its website. Look at the company profile of clients they have worked with. Are they progressive? Does their idea excite you? Decent clients only work with a well-run company with expertise. If the company has a decent list of clients, it usually means they are good at their work.
