XTreme Computing Article

You should probably have read our article on why you might want custom software before reading this counterpoint to it. In short, sometimes the best thing a vendor can do for you is to steer you to an alternative other than from-scratch custom software.

There are reasons you might not want or need custom software. If you're thinking about getting something custom-made for your business, you should take these points into consideration.

Cost, at least up front

When you license a packaged software product that can be used as-is or with minimal customization, you are sharing the development cost with some larger number of buyers. Depending on size of the market for the product, as well as other factors intrinsic to the product, you will be paying anything from a trivial amount to an amount that, while it may seem large, is less than going your own way would cost. Many factors go into overall cost, and how the cost compares with a custom product. For instance, unit cost of a packaged product might be one percent of what a custom product would cost, but if you need a hundred licenses, the cost becomes equal. You bear the entire cost of a custom product up front, even though you then own it and can use it as long as you want. Still, the amount you must pay may make it worth making do with packaged software.

Development time

With packaged software you purchase it from a vendor, with little delay from the time a purchase decision is made to the time it's installed. The amount of time software development takes from concept to completion is transparent to you. When you have custom software created for you, the development time is undeniably noticeable to you. It's seldom as quick as you might expect, depending on size, complexity, and other factors. If time is a factor and the decision between custom and packaged software is a close one, it may not be worth going with custom software for your company at this time.

Commitment

The commitment involved is considerable when you choose custom software, and impacts cost, development time and quality. When you buy packaged software, you look into what's available, buy it from a vendor, install it or have it installed, and perhaps arrange for some form of training for those who will use it. When you order custom software, you are responsible for determining what you need and communicating the details extensively with the vendor. The custom software vendor will usually have to learn an extensive amount about how your business functions and be freely able to obtain information and feedback. You cannot simply say "I need an inventory program" and magically get one made that fits your company. It will require you to take a good look at what you want, why you want it, and participate fully in the design process. A good vendor will keep you apprised of progress and build in the ability for you to offer feedback during development. You will play a role in testing and quality assurance. While your role shouldn't be confused with nagging or micromanagement, you should be prepared to provide a level of contact and participation that might surprise you. In addition, you are making a commitment to change the way your company operates, assuming the new software represents a substantive departure from current operations.

Overkill for your needs, or packaged software exists that will do the job

Custom software might be a bit much for your needs. If you are a one person show and could manage fine with some standard applications, then custom software is probably overkill and the cost not justified.

Packaged software exists that can be customized

Perhaps packaged software doesn't exactly fit your needs, but it comes relatively close. Many packaged products allow customization through macros, templates, forms, or add-ins. You may be better off adding customizations to the packaged applications, at lower cost and effort, than creating an entirely new application.

Support and maintenance concerns

When you use packaged software, there is a larger installed base of users. More people out there are familiar with the application, and generally more support options exist. That might include peer support in the form of newsgroups or mailing lists. When you create custom software, it's all between you and either the company that created it or any successor company you might hire to maintain, support, or even modify the code. If you have the interest and wherewithal to pursue custom software, this isn't likely to be a showstopper by itself, but it is something to consider.

You can't clearly identify what you need

Face it, if you can't identify what you need or want, then you should not be ordering custom software, and no reputable company should accept the commission. If you don't know what you need, you can't know that a custom solution is the most appropriate thing for you. For the developer, any software created would be through a process of trial and error, increasing cost, increasing time, and most likely decreasing quality. You won't be happy. The developer won't be happy.

Possible indirect costs and responsibilities such as upgrading hardware infrastructure

Custom software doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and the same is true of packaged software. Whatever the cost of having software made for you, or purchasing it, you may need to take into account any additional hardware additions or upgrades required, or packaged software needed in conjunction with the custom software. This might mean new computers, upgrades, installing a network, a database server, or other items for which the software developers are not directly responsible. Chances are if you require the custom software and have a clear vision of where your business is going in its use of technology, the additional burden won’t stop you. It is worth bearing in mind so there are no surprises.

What you want to accomplish is not realistically possible with current technology

It’s unlikely, but the possibility exists that what you wish to accomplish with custom software isn’t possible, or would be so far ahead of the curve that it might as well be.

That about covers it. Custom software can be well worthwhile, but should not be approached lightly.