Introduction: Outsource Software for a Tailored Solution
Most companies don’t have their own software development team, making it difficult when they need a custom software system that will meet their company’s individual, specific needs. This is when companies decide to outsource software development to an external team, who can design and build software exclusively for their business. If you’re thinking of outsourcing your custom software systems you might want to consider that this would mean you won’t have to worry about hiring or managing your developers, which saves you time and money. By outsourcing, you can get a system that’s perfectly tailored to your business, which helps to improve your processes, makes things run more smoothly, and increases efficiency – all of which is especially important if you’re going through a digital transformation.
Why Businesses Choose to Outsource Software Development
Saves Time and Money
One of the main reasons companies outsource software development is to avoid the cost and effort of hiring and training an in-house team. Without technical expertise, it can be difficult to find the right people, and keeping part of the team for ongoing maintenance can become expensive.
Outsourcing gives you access to a skilled team with years of hands-on experience. Many of these professionals will have worked together before, which helps the team operate efficiently. Support can also be arranged on an ad hoc basis when needed, saving you the expense of employing full-time staff.
Access to Specialised Expertise
When you outsource software development, the company you hire will provide a team of specialists. This may include software consultants, project managers, senior developers, full-stack developers, testers, and software architects. Some or all these team members may have worked together before, which can help the team collaborate more smoothly.
With experience across a range of projects, they are also likely to be familiar with different industries. Wherever possible, your software development company will aim to assign team members who already have experience in your field. They may also have a background in the type of software you need, whether it’s inventory management, CRM, ERP, or other systems.
Faster Project Delivery
Outsourcing can speed up your project’s delivery. External teams bring both experience and resources, allowing them to complete the work faster than an in-house team might. This means you can launch your software sooner and reap the benefits of improved efficiency and maximum productivity.
Software consultants and senior managers often have hands-on experience with a wide range of projects. This practical knowledge helps them provide more accurate estimates of how long your project will take, based on the complexity and scope of the work.
Scalability
Outsourcing allows you to adjust your development resources as your project evolves. If you need extra developers for a particular task, you can bring them in without committing to long-term agreements. This way, you only pay for the support you need.
A software development company also has the advantage of managing team availability. They can quickly provide additional staff if you want to speed things up or reassign team members when they’re no longer needed. For future work, you can request the same developers who already know your project, ensuring consistency and a more seamless workflow.
Focus on Core Business
Outsourcing software development gives your internal team the freedom to focus on what they do best, growing your business. Instead of getting caught up in technical tasks, your staff can concentrate on areas like sales, customer relationships, and long-term strategy while your outsourcing partner manages the development work.
However, your team will still play a key role in the software project. Since they will be the ones using the system, their input is crucial. Core staff will be involved from the outset to ensure the software is tailored to your business needs. They will also participate in user testing, providing practical feedback based on their day-to-day responsibilities.
Custom Software Outsourcing: Tailored Solutions for Your Business
Unlike off-the-shelf software, bespoke solutions are designed with your company’s operations and goals in mind. This ensures your software works seamlessly with your existing systems and processes. Where appropriate, a software consultant with business development experience may suggest ways to improve your workflows. It will be entirely up to you and your team whether to adopt these recommendations.
While some types of business software are available off-the-shelf and may meet your needs, many companies that come to us have already tried these products and found them lacking in certain areas.
Here are some common types of custom software that businesses often outsource:
Project Management Tools
Outsourcing custom project management software gives businesses a tool built specifically for their way of working. Whether it’s handling tasks, meeting deadlines, or coordinating across teams, having software tailored to your need’s boosts efficiency. Custom project management tools can be designed to match your team’s workflow, making it easier to track progress and communicate.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems
A CRM system helps businesses manage relationships with customers and potential clients. Outsourcing CRM software allows you to develop a system that matches your sales process, customer service approach, and marketing efforts. A well-designed CRM can enhance customer satisfaction, boost sales, and make organising customer data easier and more efficient.
Inventory Management Software
Outsourcing custom inventory software is an effective solution for businesses that rely heavily on stock control. For this type of business accurate stock level management and keeping track of stock locations is essential when the orders roll in. A custom-built inventory software solution can ensure you know when and where your stock is a the touch of a button. This is not always the case with generic inventory management software, as general data fields often can’t capture the uniqueness of your business.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
An ERP system connects functions like accounting, purchasing, staffing, and stock control in one place. A system designed specifically for your business will include features that support your operations, rather than forcing you to adapt your processes to fit the generic software. By outsourcing the development of your system, you avoid the cost of maintaining an in-house development team while still benefiting from a system built to improve efficiency.
Business Intelligence (BI) Software
A well-structured business system simplifies everyday tasks and ensures everything runs as efficiently as possible. A tailored system can either be developed with built-in features or connected to third-party software to bring all your essential functions into one place. By working with a team of specialists, you can ensure that the right technology is used to meet your needs while keeping your involvement minimal.
Outsource Software: Why BSPOKE Software is the Right Choice
Over 15 Years of Experience
At BSPOKE Software, we’ve been creating custom software solutions for over 15 years. This experience has given us a deep understanding of what businesses need, allowing us to deliver high-quality, purpose-built software across a wide range of industries. Whether you require an ERP system, CRM, business intelligence solution, or another type of custom software, our skilled team can bring your vision to life.
A Collaborative Approach
We take the time to understand your business inside and out. By learning about your processes, challenges, and goals, we ensure the software we create fits seamlessly into your operations. At BSPOKE Software, we don’t just build software – we build long-term partnerships, working closely with you to support your success every step of the way.
Ongoing Support
Our commitment doesn’t end once your software is live. We provide continuous support and maintenance to keep your system running smoothly as your business grows. Whether you need updates, improvements, or troubleshooting, our team is always on hand to ensure your software performs at its best.
Get in Touch
If you need custom software that’s built specifically for your business, contact BSPOKE Software today. Let’s discuss your needs and start working on the perfect solution together.
Key Software Outsourcing Models
When you outsource software development, you have different options for how to structure the partnership. Each model offers unique benefits, depending on your needs:
Project-Based Model: Outsource the Entire Project for Full Focus
If you have a clearly defined project with a set goal and timeline, the project-based model might be the best choice for you. In this model, you fully outsource the project to an external team. The outsourced team takes responsibility for every aspect of the project, from planning and development to testing and delivery.
This allows you to focus on other important parts of your business without getting bogged down in technical details. The external team works independently, but you still get regular updates to make sure everything is on track. Once the project is complete, you have the flexibility to move on to other things while the outsourced team handles all the technical work.
Managed Team: Share Responsibilities for Greater Flexibility
With the managed team model, you collaborate with an external team that takes on specific responsibilities while your internal team focuses on other tasks. This model is great if you want to retain control over key parts of your project but need external expertise to handle specific aspects, like development or design. The outsourcing partner becomes an extension of your team, and together you work to achieve your goals. This model offers a lot of flexibility, as you can adjust the level of involvement from the external team as needed throughout the project.
Staff Augmentation: Expand Your Team with Skilled Developers
Staff augmentation is a model where you bring in extra developers to work alongside your in-house team for a specific project. If your current team is already busy or lacks expertise in certain areas, this model can help you quickly fill the gap. It’s ideal when you need more hands-on deck but don’t want to hire permanent staff. The outsourced developers work directly with your team, meaning you can manage the project without worrying about long-term commitments.
The Outsourcing Process: How It Works with BSPOKE Software
Here’s a simple breakdown of how the outsourcing process works when you partner with BSPOKE Software, explained in 6 steps:
Initial Consultation
We start by discussing your goals and requirements. During this step, we get to know what you need and how we can help. This is an important step to make sure we’re both clear on the project from the beginning.
Detailed Proposal
Once we understand your needs, we prepare a proposal. This will include the project scope, cost, and timeline. This step gives you a clear plan of what to expect.
Development
After you approve the proposal, we begin the development process. Our team starts working on your software, and you’ll receive regular updates to stay informed. We ensure clear communication throughout.
Testing
As the software is developed, we test it at each stage to ensure everything works as it should. This helps us identify and fix any issues early on, ensuring a smooth final product.
Launch
Once everything is complete and tested, we launch your software. It’s ready for you and your team to use. We ensure the launch is smooth and will support you through the transition.
Maintenance & Updates
Even after the launch, we continue to offer maintenance and updates. As your business grows and changes, we help your software evolve to meet your new needs.
This step-by-step process ensures that you know exactly what to expect and can count on BSPOKE Software at every stage. While it may seem like each step follows the last, that’s not entirely the case. Many of these steps are repeated as new features of the software are developed, making it more of a cyclical process. This approach follows the Agile software development lifecycle model used by BSPOKE Software.
How to Get the Most Out of Software Outsourcing
To ensure a smooth and successful outsourcing experience, follow these key steps:
Define Your Goals Clearly
Before reaching out to a development company, take time to understand exactly what you need from the new system. You may already be aware of certain frustrations with your current software, but it’s also worth speaking to your team to uncover any additional challenges they face. They might even have ideas for solutions. The clearer your requirements, the easier it will be for your software consultant to pinpoint the areas that need improvement and set the right direction for the project. Consider your budget and timeline as well, so you can have informed discussions with potential development partners.
Keep Communication Open
Regular communication is key to keeping your project on track and avoiding surprises. A reliable software company will take the time to understand your needs at the start and keep you informed with regular updates and progress demonstrations. You and your team may also be involved in testing to make sure the system meets your expectations and works smoothly in real-world use.
Stay Involved Throughout
Don’t step back entirely and assume the developers will handle everything. A good development team will give you the tools to monitor progress, but if you’re not getting regular updates, make sure you check in. The last thing you want is to reach the end of the project only to discover the system doesn’t function as you expected. Being actively involved will help ensure the final product is exactly what you need.
Conclusion: Ready to Outsource Software Development?
Outsourcing software development is a smart way to get the right software for your business, save money, and access specialised expertise. With BSPOKE Software’s 15+ years of experience, we can help you develop custom software that meets your needs and supports your business growth.
Partner with BSPOKE Software to create bespoke software solutions that are perfectly tailored to your business. Our team is here to help you succeed. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us bring your software ideas to life.
