Custom application is also known as bespoke
application or tailor-made application. Custom application is application that
is specially developed for some specific organization or other user. As such,
it can be contrasted with the use of application packages developed for the
mass market, such as commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software, or existing
software. Since custom application is developed for a single customer it can
accommodate that customer's particular preferences and expectations. Custom
application may be designed in stage by stage processes, allowing all nuances
and possible hidden dangers to be taken into account, including issues which
were not mentioned in the specifications. Especially the first phase in the
software development process may involve many departments, including marketing,
engineering, research and development and general management. Large companies
commonly use custom software for critical functions, including content
management, inventory management, customer management, human resource
management, or otherwise to fill the gaps present in the existing software
packages. Often such applications are legacy software, developed before COTS
software packages offering the required functionality became available. Custom
application development is often considered expensive compared to off-the-shelf
solutions or products. This can be true if one is speaking of typical
challenges and typical solutions. However, it is not always true, custom
application development by a reputable supplier is often a matter of building a
house upon a solid foundation and, if managed properly, it is possible to do
this quickly and to a high standard. In many cases, COTS software requires
customization to correctly support the buyer's operations. The cost and delay
of COTS customization frequently adds up to the expense of developing custom
application.
Additionally, COTS comes with high upfront license
costs. Thus only the big corporations are able to absorb such high costs
upfront. Additionally, the big software houses having COTS products revamp
their product very frequently. Thus a particular implementation needs to be
upgraded for compatibility every 2–4 years. Given the cost of customization,
such upgrades also turn out to be expensive as a dedicated product release
cycle will have to be earmarked for it. The decision to build a custom
application or go for a COTS implementation would usually reside on one or more
of the following:
Finances - Cost
and Benefit:
The upfront license cost for COTS products mean that
a thorough cost-benefit analysis of the business case needs to be done.
Time to market:
COTS products usually have a lesser time to market.
Size of
implementation:
COTS come with standardization of business processes
and reporting. For a global and national player, these bring in gains in cost
savings, effeciencies and productivity.
