Introduction: The Power of Expert Guidance in Software Development
In our modern world, companies need to rely on software to maximize productivity, improve efficiency, and stay ahead of the competition. However, choosing the right software can be an overwhelming task, this is where software development and consultancy come in.
Many software companies produce generic business software. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, are common and are often tailored to specific industry sectors, such as manufacturing and construction. However, after trying several of these off-the-shelf generic products, many of our clients found that they just didn’t meet their needs.
This is where software development and consultancy comes in. The consultancy stage allows a business to thoroughly explore what they actually require. By working with a software consultant, businesses can analyse their current software, workflows, and processes to determine exactly what they need.
Once this work is complete, the development team takes over to design a software system that fully aligns with the company’s workflows, processes, and strategic goals. Depending on the development model used, the full design can be created first and then handed to the development team to start coding; this approach is known as the ‘Waterfall Model’.
Alternatively, the more commonly used ‘Agile Model’ allows the software to be developed in smaller stages. In this approach, the consultancy, design, and development phases repeat in cycles, with each iteration focusing on specific features or components.
Why Software Development and Consultancy Matter for Your Business
Software should work in line with your company’s processes; you shouldn’t have to change the way you work to fit the software’s generic workflows. With over 15 years of experience as a bespoke software company, we have partnered with many business clients. We have found that companies using ready-made software often have to adjust their processes to use the off-the-shelf products effectively.
An example of this is a generic software product that may include some of the fields you need for entering data but not all of them. Companies often work around this by adding extra information into another field, such as a ‘Description’ field. However, this can make it unclear where the information is stored. Another disadvantage is that searching becomes more difficult, as there is no dedicated field for this data.
How Software Development and Consultancy can Aid your Business
- Identifying weaknesses in your existing software system and recommending improvements. This is one of the goals for the first stage of the development process.
- Maximising efficiency by automating routine processes. The software consultant will guide you to identify the areas of your business where automation can eliminate or reduce the number of tasks that are currently performed manually. This not only saves your staff time but can also help towards minimising errors.
- Improving security with a fine-grained permissions system. Strict controls on who can view and modify data, ensures staff can only access permitted information. If required, your software can also offer limited access to your customers and clients.
- Ensuring your software can grow with your business. Many companies find that they outgrow their current software when they expand rapidly or pivot into other associated areas. For example, we recently had a client who dealt with electrical repairs and had pivoted into installing residential EV chargers. Due to the flexibility of the original software, we developed for them, we were able to accommodate this new branch of their business into their current software system.
- Choosing the best platform for your business, whether you need desktop applications, mobile apps, or web-based software. We can discuss the most cost-effective solution for your needs. Whether you need to build a brand-new software system or improve an existing one, working with expert consultants ensures that your business gets the best possible results.
How Software Consulting Helps Businesses Succeed
Technology Assessment & Strategy
To maximise the return on your investment when purchasing a new software system, it is important to understand how your business currently operates. A software development consultant will visit your premises and get a thorough understanding of your current software system, business processes, and industry/professional domain. This ensures that any software solution proposed will be tailored to your company’s unique and specific needs.
Selecting the Right Software
There are plenty of software solutions available, but many of them, even when they are specific to your industry, might not be the right fit for you. A software consultant can assess these solutions, taking into account factors like cost, the number of users, scalability and usability to find the best fit for your needs. The consultant will then recommend the best solution for you, whether it’s an off-the-shelf product or a custom software solution. They will ensure that it covers all your requirements and stays within your budget.
Process Automation & Workflow Optimisation
Wasted time on repetitive tasks is a major issue for many businesses. Many staff hours are spent manually performing tasks that, with the right software, could be automated. A bespoke software system is often the solution, especially when you have workflows that are very niche. Automating processes such as generating reports, managing stock, or sending reminder texts and emails to customers not only saves time but also reduces human error.
IT Project Management
When a software project involves many teams and departments, it can become quite complex. A software consultant will help the business plan and manage the project, tailoring the software to meet each department and team’s needs. Talking to relevant staff members from each team or department and working with their existing software is important. Exploring their current workflows will help ensure the custom software system works for all areas of your business.
Quality Assurance & Security Testing
Badly developed software can lead to serious security risks, which not only can be frustrating but can also compromise data protection. A software development consultant will ensure that the software is written in such a way that data is only accessible to those who are permitted to see or modify it. Testing, before the software is released for use by your staff and/or customers, will have been carried out during the development process by the development team. Additionally, user testing usually happens near the end of a project or piece of work. However, it may also take place during development through demonstrations, user testing sessions, or project update meetings.
Why BSPOKE Software is the Right Partner for Your Custom Software Project
With over 15 years of experience offering software development and consultancy services, BSPOKE Software create custom software solutions and digital transformations for small to medium enterprises in all industry sectors.
Producing a wide range of software solutions, including mobile, desktop and web portals and working closely with our clients, our team have produced a variety of systems uniquely tailored to their needs.
We offer:
- Custom software solutions: specifically built to your companies needs.
- Software Consultants: who can advise on your current software, offer potential off the shelf products or work with you to build a specification for a custom software system.
- Secure, scalable, and efficient: software, that will improve productivity and maxmise efficiency for your business.
- A client-first approach: we like to get to know our clients and consider them our partners.
Want to discuss your software project? Get in touch with us today!
Industry-Specific Software Consultancy Solutions
Every business has its own challenges, which is why we build custom software individually for each of our clients. This gives us the ability to ensure that the software works precisely as our clients need it to. Our team has worked across various industries and knows the best technologies to use. This ensures you get a system that saves time, provides great customer service, runs smoothly, and streamlines your processes. Here are some examples of the industries we help:
Construction
Managing projects, staff allocations, and material resource tracking are all part of this industry. We have helped construction companies manage their resources, including materials, and allocate staff to jobs. With the right software, construction companies can manage their projects effectively, ensuring they complete all work on time and within budget.
Health and Safety
With strict health and safety regulations in workplaces, employers must ensure that accidents are recorded and tracked to comply with current legislation. Additionally, staff must complete the correct training. Managers must also keep records to ensure the training is finished and up to date.
Manufacturing
These businesses need to track production, materials, and ensure that machinery runs smoothly. We have created manufacturing software that manages inventory, tracks production, monitors equipment, and ensures delivery. With our software, companies can reduce errors, plan for the future, and increase productivity.
Repairs and Maintenance
Whether it’s electrical, plumbing, or cleaning, booking appointments and scheduling staff is essential for this type of business. Customers also appreciate being able to track the operatives so they know roughly when they will arrive. This industry also heavily utilises automatic alerts and reminders.
Final Thoughts: Get the Right Software Solution for Your Business
Getting the right software solution for your business can involve many hours of trying and testing different systems. Our expert consultants can take this burden off your shoulders. They will thoroughly investigate your business processes, workflows, and industry requirements. Then, they will suggest the best and most cost-effective software solution for your specific needs.
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