The Benefits of Custom Software

At some point in your career as a business owner, you’re going to ask yourself, “How can I improve day-to-day operations, while also boosting productivity?” In the beginning, you may rely on handwritten notes or an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of your billing, vendors, etc. You may even have a part-time assistant that is taking a large chunk out of your income just to get these tasks out of the way. If you really want to streamline your business and scale up, an integrated software system is the answer you’ve been searching for.

Implementing a software system that processes specific data, such as invoices or product inventory, can be extremely beneficial for your business in the following ways:

Increased productivity

When you spend less time on tedious tasks like data entry, you free up your schedule to follow sales leads or market your brand. By automating expense approvals and order fulfillments, your employees can take on higher value assignments that further advance your profits. Software also helps employees avoid clerical errors, which saves time and boosts their confidence at work.

Savings on Personnel

You know that part-time assistant we talked about earlier? With software, you can complete administrative tasks without having to pay someone $35,000 plus benefits every year. An integrated system allows you to cut back on unnecessary personnel costs and create a team that directly enhances your business.

Effective Project Management

Do you find yourself constantly approaching your staff asking for updates on a specific project? Keeping a close eye on day-to-day operations can cause you to micromanage your employees and stifle creativity. When you implement project management software, all you have to do is log in and check the status of each activity’s progression. This takes the pressure off your workers and gives you an inside look at the productivity of your company.

Improved Customer Service

When it comes to customer service, communication is key. When someone orders a product from your company, they want to be informed every step of the way until their package arrives in the mail. Customer service software allows you to organize all of your customer information, shipments, complaints, and requests in one place. You can even set up automated responses and prioritize customer requests so that each case is dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Packaged software is obviously more efficient than using old school methods– such as a pen and paper– to keep track of your operations. However, there are limitations to these out-of-the-box systems. Custom software is designed to fit your company’s specific needs and even gives you a leg up on your competition.

Here are some reasons why you should invest in custom software instead of packaged products:

Personalized Functionality

When you purchase an off-the-shelf application, chances are you’re going to be overwhelmed with a variety of software features that are unnecessary for your business. This can delay the implementation process and cause confusion while training your employees to use the system. Additionally, there may be certain functions your business needs that aren’t included in your package. Custom software helps you avoid the fluff and gives you all the necessary tools to streamline your operations.

Room to Grow

As your business grows, so can your custom software. Unlike packaged software, your personalized application can be upgraded and adjusted by your developer so it can keep up with the evolution of your company. You don’t have to wait for the next version to be released or purchase additional tools to meet your needs. As you begin expanding across multiple locations or widening your customer reach, your custom software will scale accordingly, instead of hindering your success.

Competitive Edge

No matter what industry you’re in, there is going to be competition. Although you may become successful in your field, implementing a mass-produced software product allows similar companies to duplicate your strategies. Custom software protects you from competitors, while also adding value to your customers. You can improve your customer experience by offering a mobile app or exclusive online portal that boosts the performance of your product.

Costs Less in the Long Run

Although the initial cost of custom software may seem expensive, it’s nothing compared to the upkeep of packaged software. As time passes, you’ll have to spend additional funds to buy newer versions and upgrades as your company grows. Not to mention the licensing fees and unnecessary features that are included in the price of packaged software. If you want to avoid paying for a complete custom software package all at once, you can ask your developer to slowly automate different tasks over time. This will help spread out your funds and stick to your budget.

Better Security

If a cyber criminal manages to hack one company’s software, he or she may also have access to your information if you use the same system. With so many people sharing their payment information and personal data online, customers want to know they’re safe when they visit your site. Building a system from scratch allows you to customize your software security features, so that your business and your customers remain unharmed.

Back in the day, Fortune 500 companies were the only ones lucky enough to afford custom software. Now, custom software is more accessible than ever and can be personalized to fit your needs and budget. Creating a unique system for your business allows you to save money, improve productivity, and grow exponentially.

At Next Level Studio, we can develop your product in any language, making the possibilities truly endless. If you’re ready to streamline your business once and for all, contact us today for a custom software quote. To get a better idea of what your project may cost, visit our website and check out the software pricing outline.