Swagman Systems Design Inc.

Is implementing Custom Software the right choice for your company?

What is Custom Software?

Custom Software is software that is written specifically for you or your business. It is designed and developed to fulfill a specific need. It is built to your specific requirements and designed to comply with your company’s procedures.

When would I use it?

Custom software is written with the belief that there is nothing currently on the market that does exactly what you need it to. It is used when you have determined that no off-the-shelf software exists that meets your essential requirements.

Custom software is frequently used to solve a problem unique to an organization. You would use it when you need a specific output that your current business system is unable to produce.
It would also be used to develop an idea into a unique product. This could be a product for use in-house, to better serve your customers or to market to a wider audience.

How do I determine if I need it?

Fully defining the problem is a critical first step. Conducting a thorough needs analysis will help you through this process. To start, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is it about our current system that is most frustrating or troublesome?
2. Talk to your staff and customers to get their input. Those that use your current system usually know best how it can be improved.
3. What is it that we want to achieve?
4. What steps are required to solve the problem?
5. How will changes to our current system affect our operations?
6. What will happen to our company if we don’t solve our problem?
7. Is new software the solution to our problem?
8. If so, does it already exist in an off-the-shelf-format?
9. Would the off-the-shelf product be cost effective?
10. Does the off-the-shelf package do everything we need it to?
11. In solving this problem, what is most important to our company:
    • time
    • quality
    • price
    • service