Did you know that the word bespoke has been around for centuries? It is an adjective and was first used in the clothing and textile industry to mean “custom made”. So, the term Bespoke software is just a fancy way to say custom-made software.
Advantages of Bespoke Software
Some of the advantages that a bespoke software application offers include;
1. Flexibility
The software team can adapt and make changes in line with the business’ or customers’ needs. For example, if a new feature is needed, it can quickly be developed and added to the application quite easily.
As the business tries to adapt to the changes in the market’s needs, it becomes easier to reflect these changes in a custom-made application. This, therefore, enables businesses to expand into new areas, as their software solutions grow with them.
2. Custom Solution
This should be self-explanatory. If an organization uses bespoke software, none of its competitors will have the exact application. Ideally, this should give the organization a competitive edge because it will offer exactly what the leadership had envisioned for the company and not conform to what is available in the market.
3. Security
A custom-made application may not be common in the public domain. However, in the event of a possible hacking, a hacker may not have an easy way out as they may have not encountered the application before. Developers working on the application may also add extra layers of security to keep out hackers.
4. Support
Custom-made applications come with ready in-house support, which is a time saver as no third-party support teams, which can be time-consuming, are involved. Updates and upgrades specifically suited for the business/organization can also be done promptly.
Bespoke Software vs Off-the-shelf Software
Despite the above bespoke software advantages, off-the-shelf software applications are still a popular choice for many businesses. There is still so much value that a business or organization can gain from choosing them over bespoke software.
Off-the-shelf software refers to ready-made and pre-packaged solutions that can work for different organizations and business models. They are designed in such a way that any kind of business or organization can use it.
Some of the reasons that an organization would choose an off-the-shelf software application may include;
- Limited finances are set aside for the application.
- Limited time is given for the application to be operational.
Even though these reasons are valid enough, an organization still needs to look at the future of the organization and consider longer solutions for the same.
Bespoke Software Examples
Some examples of Bespoke Software include Tiktok, Uber, Amazon and Airbnb. Most of these are pioneers in their respective fields.
One might argue that a large part of their success comes from their tailor-made applications. They exactly knew who their target market was and what they needed so they made bespoke software applications specifically for these target markets.
My take: Bespoke or Off-the-shelf software?
It is advisable for a business/organization to consider having a bespoke software application. Such custom-made applications have so far proven to reap better profits from their target markets.