6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Bespoke Software | Limitations & Benefits of Bespoke Software

What is Bespoke Software ?

Bespoke software (also known as tailored software) is a customized software which is built according to an individuals needs. It provides the opportunity for the companies to grow and expand. 

When do we need to use Bespoke Software ?

Most businesses prefer to approach bespoke software when the standard approach cannot be used. This approach is more flexible compared to a regular ready made software solutions. 

Even though bespoke software offers many benefits, still there are many businesses that doesn't want to go with bespoke software. Not all the time the bespoke software is able to satisfy user needs. To check whether bespoke software will be the best option for your company, the following pros and cons will help you.

In this article, I will be discussing about 6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Bespoke Software | Limitations & Benefits of Bespoke Software. At the end of this post, you will know the pros and cons of using bespoke software.

Let's get started,

Advantages of Bespoke Software

1. Profit Gains

Although a bespoke software involves lots of initial investments, it is able to bring long term cost savings. It is free of subscription costs, upgrades and licensing. Especially, the cost savings of licensing is highly beneficial even with increasing staffs. 

If the bespoke software is well planned and executed, the users can start experiencing financial benefits almost immediately.

2. Security

The design of bespoke software is made in a way that it enhances security. What makes it less risky is the uniqueness present in them. The data protection solution is already included in the design of bespoke software. 

Unless the software is targeted, cybercriminals cannot easily hack the bespoke software. It is more difficult for them to hack individual systems. This makes bespoke software less vulnerable to security breaches.

3. Scalability

Since a bespoke software is made to be adaptable, it can be expanded as per the requirement. If the business needs to grow, the bespoke software expands accordingly to meet the objectives. Moreover, a bespoke software can be programmed to be scalable in the future even if the company has no idea to expand initially.

4. Efficiency

A bespoke software is built using the advanced technologies. Besides the user, the software is programmed to work quickly and efficiently. This allows businesses to quickly achieve their objectives. And also, due to its agile approach it can be developed without much effort.

5. Control

Since the users own the bespoke software, they have the complete authority over control. This includes controlling of updates, changes and troubleshooting. In case of any failures in the system, the users can solve themselves without any external help.

6. Time Savings

A bespoke software can also be used to save time as well as resources. Using bespoke software, businesses can actually manage to process tasks in a shorter duration. If the business processes are with timely deadlines, the users can extend the time accordingly. Thus, the developers have full control over the development process.

Disadvantages of Bespoke Software

1. Investment Cost

Usually a bespoke software involves lots of time and effort for the development. This is because the software needs to be developed from the scratch. This makes the initial investment of a bespoke software to be costly. However, still a bespoke software is cost effective in the long run. 

2. Development Time

A bespoke software must be developed according to the needs from the ground. The users need to wait until the developer finishes creating it. There is no shortcuts to speed up the process. As a result, it needs significant amount of time for the development. This time is even higher for software of high complexity.

3. Maintenance

Even after the efforts of development, a bespoke software requires long term maintenance. It is not built to be maintained themselves. The developer needs to make necessary changes if there are new updates and features. In addition to that, administrators need to monitor the performance and make sure that the software functions properly.

4.Evaluation 

Unlike a off the shelf software, there is product reviews exists on a bespoke software. A bespoke software is developed from the ground according to the needs. Thus, there is no way a user can know about a software which is yet to be published. But the users can test and review other applications that the user has already made.

5. Developers

Since a user cannot review about a bespoke software, they need to choose a reliable developer on their own. Now that is a problem for the users without technical knowledge. Although there are numerous bespoke software developers available, only few of them can be trusted with the service.

6. Instructions

A bespoke software is entirely built new. Therefore, the employees of a company may not be familiar with its usage. Moreover, there is no tutorials and instruction manuals to learn about the software. The only way the companies can train their employees is by conducting training sessions. But they must be pay for it.