If you’ve owned or managed a business for any length of time, you’ve probably come to the realization that a good software program can help make your business run more smoothly and turn a larger profit. In a few industries, the right software choice is an easy one. In most other industries, there may be many good solutions, but each one lacks something you’d really like for your team or your customers. You may ask yourself whether an OOTB, meaning out of the box, the solution will really cut it when you reach this point. If you are exploring the difference between out of the box software and custom software development, there are a few factors you will want to consider.
Out of the Box Software
For some businesses, and out of the box (OOTB) software will work just fine. The software was built for your industry, generally, and will have a good deal of the features you need. As the name suggests, out of the box software is fairly plug and play. You download the software, punch in a few specifics about your company, and you’re off and running. This simplicity has its pros and cons.
OOTB Pros
An out of the box software was mass-produced to meet the most common demands faced by your industry and is a very cost-effective way to get a decent toolkit that will help you squeeze a little more productivity out of your days. The fact that many people are using it means there is likely an FAQ page on their website, and you can easily get support if you are willing to wait on the phone for a bit. These solutions get you up and running quickly, without the need for much customization.
OOTB Cons
On the downside, going this route will definitely have its limitations. If you require configuration or customization of the software, you will likely pay a lot more than the advertised sticker price. And let’s face it, the software will undoubtedly miss some of the features you really want, and include features you’ll never use. If your business has needs that surpass the capabilities of simple consumer software, custom software development may be a good route to consider.
Custom Software Development
When you have software needs that are a little outside the box, or your company provides a more specialized product or service, having your software custom-built to your workflow can be invaluable, and may even save you money in the long run.
Custom Software Pros
One of the best aspects of custom software design is the ability to add features that are truly valuable to your customers. When you build it yourself, there are very few limitations placed on your imagination. A good software designer can also integrate third-party Application Programming Interface (API), meaning you can build an impressive arsenal of high-value tools for your business.
Custom Software Cons
If a robust software isn’t essential to your business operations, custom designing your software might be overkill. It takes a little longer to implement, because people who go the custom software route diagram exactly what they’re looking for, and the designers need time to create that reality. If you’re unsure as to what you’re looking for or aren’t looking for a long term solution, custom software development may be more than you need.
Making the Decision
Your software should give you what you want, and work for you. When the time comes to take the plunge, ask yourself a few simple questions:
- How important is this software to my business? - While lines are being blurred, and most businesses today couldn’t operate efficiently without computers and software, some businesses rely on them a great deal. Others, not so much. If computers and software can help with a large portion of what you do on the daily, making a quality software decision is incredibly important.
- What do you want out of your software? - An OOTB solution should meet and exceed your needs to be valuable. If it does everything you need with added bonuses, this may be the ticket. If you want to customize your experience to deliver something outside the box, you may want to consider developing your own software.
- How long do I want my investment to last? - If you are looking for a long-term solution for your business, developing a custom software allows it to grow with you and your business. With Agile development, you can make adjustments as your needs and wants change over time, making it better year after year. If you are looking for something more short term, an OOTB is usually a better bet.
Your software should solve problems for you. An OOTB solution can solve a lot of common industry issues for you, and a custom-built solution can solve the exact issues your company is facing at any given time. While custom software can always deliver more if you don’t really use it that often, your budget may not support it. If a solid software is essential to your daily operations, your bottom line can’t afford to spring for a true problem solver.
