Things to Consider: Packaged or Custom Software
Custom Software Packaged software is a pre–written software application that is ready to be purchased and installed, whereas custom software is a software application that is specifically designed and developed for a particular organization or business. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered before making a decision on which type of software to use.
Packaged software is usually cheaper and quicker to implement than custom software, as it does not require any bespoke development. However, packaged software can be costly if a business needs to purchase multiple licenses. Packaged software may not be as flexible as custom software, and it may not be able to be tailored to the specific needs of an organization.
Custom software, on the other hand, is more expensive and can take longer to develop and implement. However, it can be more flexible and tailored to the specific needs of an organization. Custom software is typically easier to use since it is designed specifically for a company’s employees and processes.
In general, it is typically more recommended to use custom software over packaged software. This is because custom software is designed specifically for the organization’s needs, while packaged software is designed to be more general and may not meet all of the organization’s specific needs. Packaged software can become outdated quickly, since it is developed for the general market. Custom software can be designed to last longer, since it is not subject to the same obsolescence. Lastly, Packaged software can be less secure than custom software since it is used by many different companies and is therefore more likely to be targeted by hackers. Custom software is only used by one company and is therefore less of a target.
Custom Software Overview
Custom software is a piece of software that is specifically designed for a certain individual or group of individuals. It is not a one–size–fits–all solution, but rather a program that is tailored to the needs of the user. Custom software can be created for a specific business or organization, or it can be created for personal use.
Some advantages of custom software include:
1. Increased Efficiency: Custom software can be designed to fit the specific needs of your business, which can help to increase efficiency and productivity.
2. Improved Customer Service: By streamlining processes and increasing efficiency, custom software can help to improve customer service.
3. Cost Savings: Custom software can save your business money in the long run by reducing the need for expensive off–the–shelf software licenses, and by eliminating the need to constantly upgrade to the latest version of commercial software.
4. Competitive Advantage: Custom software can give your business a competitive edge by providing unique functionality that is not available in off–the–shelf software.
5. Scalability: Custom software can be easily scaled to meet the changing needs of your business, which is not always possible with off–the–shelf software.
Packaged Software Overview
Packaged software is a computer program that is available for purchase and use. This type of software is typically designed for a specific type of user or business need. For example, there are many different types of word processing software packages available on the market, each designed for a different type of user. Some word processing software packages are designed for general use, while others are designed for specific needs such as legal or medical transcription. In addition to word processing software, there are also many different types of accounting, customer relationship management (CRM), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software packages available.
There are several advantages to using packaged software:
1. Packaged software is usually cheaper than developing custom software.
2. It is often easier to find skilled personnel to work with packaged software than custom software.
3. Packaged software often has better documentation than custom software.
There are also several disadvantages to using packaged software:
1. Packaged software may not meet all of an organization’s needs.
2. It can be difficult to customize packaged software to fit an organization’s specific needs.
3. Packaged software may be more difficult to learn and use than custom software.