Custom Development vs Generic Apps | Which One to Choose?

When selecting business process automation software, it is extremely important to understand the differences between a generic application and one built from scratch. Because a general application does not suit all of their demands, firms frequently purchase an excessive number of business apps. So let's look at how bespoke development can help you prevent data silos and integration concerns while meeting all of your organisation's requirements.

Generic Applications

A generic application is designed to be bought off the shelf. Rather than focusing on the demands of a single business, these solutions are designed to fulfil the diverse requirements of a various range of clients.

These apps are popular among software organisations because they are simple to scale and save time in development and installation. In addition, because the functionality is designed for large-scale applications, the features are broad and generalised.

The Advantages of Generic Applications

Generic applications are valuable since the majority of them meet common business requirements. In addition, the integration process is simple, and new updates are frequently provided for free.

A generic application also necessitates less financial commitment in development and integration.

Similarly, a general programme will have a significant number of references and reviews available to help you assess how well the product works and whether it will be beneficial for your automation needs.

Major Drawbacks Of Generic Application 

The biggest disadvantage of using a generic business solution is that it will almost certainly not meet all of your software requirements. In addition, because the features are designed to service many customers, they may lack the crucial capabilities you require to meet your business needs. In other words, a general application may operate momentarily, but there will almost certainly be gaps in the characteristics that are necessary for digital transformation.

Custom Development 

Custo-developed applications are created exclusively for your company. To develop unique B2B software, the organisation collaborates with developers to choose features, capabilities, and functionality.

The purpose of bespoke development is to understand the unique issues that a company faces with digitalisation and process automation - and to design a tool to address them. The entire application will be based on the needs and desires of the firm and is frequently kept confidential for that customer.

The Advantages of Custom Application Development

Custom database apps provide numerous advantages to organisations, the most important of which will satisfy all of their business process and system requirements. These apps/software was created specifically for your company.

You can collaborate with developers to define the platform and change custom development services. It is adaptable and tailored to your specific business requirements. You don't have to worry about paying for features you don't need or want because you choose which ones are included in the application.

The rise of no-code development has made it easier than ever to create custom applications. These platforms enable your company to build a system that meets your specific requirements without hiring a large team of data scientists and developers.

Drawbacks of Custom Development

One drawback of custom application development is that if you are too detailed at the outset, the software may not be maintainable in the long term.

Similarly, because there will be no standard updates, your organisation will be responsible for future development, upgrades, or system modifications. Again, this means that a custom application may cost more in the long term because you must pay at each stage of development.

Which is the best?

So, which is better for your company: a custom application or a generic one? Both generic applications and custom solutions have advantages and disadvantages, but the answer will depend on your specific business requirements. A custom application is probably your best option if your organisation has very specific and unique needs. While you may be able to patch together multiple generic applications to solve all of your business challenges, this will almost certainly result in data silos and integration issues.

Custom development should be considered if the process you are attempting to automate must be replicated exactly as it is done offline. Most generic applications include standard workflow and reporting features, but the more specific the process, the less likely the application will meet your requirements.

A custom enterprise solution is a way to go if you need complete control over the platform's features and how they are integrated into your business.

This is also true when integrating your new platform with proprietary hardware or software. For example, if you need your specific equipment to work with a mobile app, or if you need to follow detailed data from medical devices, a generic app will not suffice.

While developing a custom application may be more expensive upfront, it can save you funds in the long run since you won't have to buy multiple generic applications to overcome your challenges.

Taking the Next Step with Custom Development

If you've decided that developing a custom database application is the best option for your company, consider working with a top custom development firm like Extract and start making magic.

And you'll discover that true custom digital tools will enable you to meet all of your system requirements while also assisting you in overcoming the challenges associated with the automation and digitalisation of your business processes. This will boost your productivity and allow you to use data to gain valuable insights to propel your company forward.