Let us all agree on the fact that the business sector in any industry is always so dynamic. It can literally change in the blink of an eye. Because of this, all business owners are always anticipating and implementing anything that could speed up business operations and make them better. The new digital era with all the captivating advanced technologies has been a great source for businesses for a while. As they now rely on it significantly. Nearly all businesses now incorporate different types of business solutions and software that cover many operations and make them better. These business software and apps are divided into two types: Bespoke apps and off-the-shelf apps. These are probably brand new terms for you but don’t worry, we got your back! In this article, we will explore both types, their pros and cons, and which would be suitable for your business.
The Great Reliance of Businesses on Application and Software Solutions
As we mentioned earlier, the dynamic nature of businesses makes it difficult to always keep up with all the new trends, techniques, and methods. In order to do that, businesses had to go through many tiring and tedious processes and the results sometimes didn’t payoff.
Let us start from the very beginning when businesses discovered the internet and how it could facilitate their processes. The Internet has played a major role in businesses for many years. Through it, many businesses like e-commerce were able to operate a new channel. Additionally, it has also served as a great communication and marketing channel that businesses took advantage of.
Well, like everything else, this kept progressing and advancing. This was until we reached the point where we now have millions of software solutions for all businesses. This software can not only make operations better, but it could also automate some tasks to lift their burden and allow employees to focus on important and complex tasks.
Applications also had a major part in this play where it was effectively embedded to make operations run more smoothly. For instance, many businesses use employee communication applications as an integral part of enhancing and boosting communication and in turn, enhance the overall operational cycle.
While some businesses prefer already established and ready-to-use software and applications, others like to start from scratch and have their own applications and software solutions. This takes us to the next and main section of our article, which is defining bespoke apps and off-the-shelf apps.
What are Bespoke Apps and Software?
Let's start with defining bespoke apps. As we mentioned above many businesses and organizations prefer starting from scratch. This means that they list their requirements and needs and start developing solutions accordingly. And this is how we define bespoke apps in brief. Bespoke apps or custom apps are types of business solutions that are tailored for particular organizations or businesses. It usually includes features and functions that serve the entity’s needs and demands and only this organization can use them. These apps are not entitled to serve the organization only. As some organizations develop bespoke apps and software for their users and clients.
Bespoke apps are ideal for organizations operating in novel and niche segments where it is hard and even impossible to find solutions for such specialized operations. These custom apps are pretty much limitless in what they can do, their features, and who they target and serve.
What are Off-The-Shelf Applications and Software?
On of the other pole of the earth, there are off the self apps. These apps contradict bespoke apps in everything, literally, everything. Off-the-shelf applications are already-made and established software solutions and applications that anyone can use. Off-the-shelf applications are usually called commercial apps, as they are not made for a particular entity or organization, instead, they were made for the mass market. You can find off-the-shelf apps all around you, all the apps you use on a daily basis are also considered to be off-the-shelf applications. Off-the-shelf apps cover a number of needs, however, you won’t necessarily find yours. Thus, finding a suitable off-the-shelf solution is a process of trial and error and doesn't come easily.
Navigating the Differences Between Off-the-Shelf and Bespoke Apps
Cost
- Off-the-Shelf Apps: When it comes to cost, certainly off-the-shelf apps win. Off-the-shelf apps are typically less expensive than custom ones because the price of their development and ongoing maintenance is distributed across a larger user base that can reach millions of users. Thus, the initial investment in them is typically less.
- Bespoke Apps: Because they are designed from scratch to fulfill unique needs, bespoke apps are typically more expensive to create. They may come at a much higher price as they meet the unique and specific requirements of each client.
Time to Deployment
- Off-the-Shelf Apps: Because they have already gone through development and testing, these applications are readily available and can be put into use right away. Which means that you don't have to wait for processes or deployment. Once you integrate them within your systems, you are good to go.
- Bespoke Apps: Building a custom app from the ground up is a time-consuming process. As much as it can vary according to the requirements, features, and overall complexity of the app, it will still take a handful of time and effort to be able to serve your organization.
Customization
- Off-the-Shelf Apps: Off-the-shelf apps may have some room for personalization in terms of configuration and adjustment, but only to a certain extent. You have to make do with the limitations imposed by the currently available options and features.
- Bespoke Apps: Now for bespoke apps, customizations have no limits. Bespoke apps can be altered in any way the user desires. They can be customized to perfectly fit the needs of the individual or business using them.
Maintenance and Updates
- Off-the-Shelf Apps: The app's developer typically handles maintenance and updates. Users' role in this case is to wait for regular updates and give feedback on whether or not it is functioning seamlessly. This is due to the limited flexibility that off-the-shelf apps offer.
- Bespoke Apps: With bespoke apps, (aka max flexibility,) it is up to the client or their development team to perform any necessary maintenance or update work. You'll have a greater say over the regularity and method of software updates with this bespoke app.
Support
- Off-the-Shelf Apps: As they are meant for the mass market, customers must rely on the developer and software provider for help and may need to use their preferred method of contact. Therefore, there might be inconsistency and delay due to the large user base these apps serve.
- Bespoke Apps: On the contrary, bespoke apps only serve a sole entity or a specific user base and audience. Therefore, the development or support team can provide individualized service based on the project's specific requirements on a much better and efficient level.
Integration
- Off-the-Shelf Apps: It's possible that these apps will be able to sync with widely used services and programs, but only to the extent that the developer allows. This means that is very likely that these apps may not match up with your business systems and operations.
- Bespoke Apps: For bespoke apps, integration can be tailored to fit in exactly with the preexisting infrastructure, systems, and operations of the company.
Are Bespoke Apps Worth the Investment?
Despite being incredibly complex and expensive sometimes, bespoke apps are a great investment. Bespoke apps would not only benefit businesses by having a unique solution made only for their requirements. As people are always finding new businesses to enter, it would be undiscovered businesses turn to be unveiled. In this case, all the new businesses would need a software solution to be able to establish steadily, and this is when the bespoke app that was meant for one business only can be used by others. This would be a great opportunity for generating profits and expanding business operations to a great extent.
How to Decide Between Off-the-Shelf and Bespoke Apps and
So, after exploring all aspects of the comparison between bespoke apps and off-the-shelf apps, who do we think is the best? This answer can’t be defined as it varies from one individual and business to another. Sometimes, a business is found in a very popular market. In this case, the business can find plenty of solutions and applications to automate and facilitate operations. The biggest example in this case is e-commerce. There are thousands of software solutions for e-commerce businesses like CRM, analytics, stores, and so on. All of these applications cover everything that an e-commerce would need.
Now if we take a look at businesses specializing in big data, which is somewhat popular but still hasn’t gained enough recognition like e-commerce. These businesses will find difficulty in finding specific software solutions and applications. This is due to the unfamiliarity and complexity of its processes. Businesses then would need to invest in a tailor-made app or software to be able to accelerate their operations.