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What is bespoke software development and why do I need it?
Bespoke software development is a software solution precisely tailored to your business needs. Using a custom software as opposed to an ‘off the shelf’ one-size-fits-all system means that your business processes will be fully aligned with your technology. You don’t need to compromise on functionality, as is the case with generic commercial packages. This customised system will create streamlined workflows, efficient operations and ultimately save time and money.
When you choose bespoke software, you’re commissioning a system that’s entirely unique to your business. This can give you a major edge over your competitors, particularly in industries where speed is a factor. Tailor-made software eliminates system ‘quirks’ and the need for workarounds, reducing input efforts and maximising time to value. Additionally, you will own the intellectual property to your software, meaning your competitors won’t be able to easily replicate it.
To create your bespoke software, our team of business analysts will dig deep into your business to understand your precise requirements. This intimate knowledge will enable them to suggest smart solutions to optimise your workflow – solutions you may not even know existed.
Businesses undergo continual change, and our agile model of development reflects that. Regular checkpoints throughout the development process allow you to see the progress that has been made, and work in alterations where necessary. Because of this, you can rest easy knowing your software will be a perfect match for your business.
Benefits of custom software development
- Increase efficiency, reduce costs. Automate manual processes to save time and reduce errors. Work smarter, not harder!
- Better visibility & control. Get a 360 view of your business processes, projects, and workload capacity. Comply with legal obligations and SLAs.
- Increase revenue & market share. Get ahead of your competition with bespoke software. Amplify your unique selling points and maximise your company’s intellectual property (IP).
- Keep focused. Let our experts do what they do best. Automate processes and gather more insight so you can save time, make faster decisions and focus on your core business.
- Meet your individual needs. Your business has unique and specific requirements. So it’s worth investing in software purpose-built to meet those needs.
Why choose illumo digital for software development?
Amplify your core offering
Most of our clients use our bespoke software as part of their core customer offering. We’ll ensure your software enhances your unique selling points. We use a meticulous project scoping system of our own design that lays bare your objectives and maps your existing software, channeling these aims and resources into a detailed development project that bridges the gap between your current and target software.
Cost-effectiveness
We focus on delivering long-term value and building trust. So we’ll always recommend the most cost-effective solution for you. (We’re also guilty of giving away a bit too much for free … just don’t tell the boss ???? )
Our people care
We care a lot. (Maybe too much.) We pride ourselves on the collaborative relationships we build with our clients. We’re more like a business partner than a standard software supplier, and once you’ve signed up with us we’ll be by your side throughout the process. Our regularly scheduled updates will keep you informed on project progress, but we’re available for informal chats too.
Tried and trusted
We’ve been around now for over 16 years, and have been lucky enough to deliver projects to some prominent companies. Our NICE-accredited software-as-a-drug service for diabetes sufferers is prescribed by the NHS. Two-thirds of local authorities in England currently use our document management solutions. And four out of five of our clients come back to partner with us in future projects.
What kinds of software can we develop?
We can develop all kinds of software! Here are just a few examples:
- Intelligent Business Process Management (iBPM) systems – like we did for Phillip Carroll Associates.
- Incident tracking systems (we track life-saving incidents for the RNLI).
- Data management solutions.
- eLearning software.
- Healthcare tracking apps (MapMyDiabetes is the only software-as-a-drug service available through the NHS).
- Record management and document management.
- eCommerce software (with subscriptions and stock management modules).
Our software development methods
- Agile or Waterfall development. We’ll work with you to decide the best approach, depending on your needs and budget.
- Flexible approach. We have an existing framework which allows us to get started quickly, or we can start developing from scratch.
- Any development language. We can write code in most languages, but we find .NET and PHP to be the most well recognised, stable and scalable.
- Constant communication. Our Project Managers will update you with checkpoint reports daily or weekly depending on your project. We also provide regular demos, User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and end-of-sprint reports.
Our software development process
Below is an outline of our typical end-to-end software development process.
- Consultancy. We host workshops to learn about your business, what your needs and challenges are, and what potential opportunities lie ahead. We then write up our recommendations in the form of a report / roadmap.
- Discovery. We perform a detailed assessment of requirements before creating a plan for your software project. This includes a cost–benefit analysis and an assessment of your project’s ROI.
- Development. We put together an expert team of Developers, a Project Manager, Business Analysts and Quality Assurers / Testers.
- Hosting. We’ll help you determine how and where you’ll host your solution – in our own secure data centres or in a public cloud.
- Support and maintenance. Keeping your software up to date, dealing with any issues, adding new features, and ensuring your software can keep up with changes in your business.
Preparing a brief for software development
Here’s what you get in this ebook
- Write a request for proposal (RFP) or brief for a technical project that will get the best quality companies working for you
- Use your proposal stage to fully vet your suppliers and avoid any nasty surprises later
- Save your time and theirs by giving software companies the information they need to deliver a relevant and in-depth pitch
