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Off-the-shelf vs
Bespoke Developed Software
Choosing bespoke software development vs off-the-shelf
software packages
Once you have identified that an IT system
can help you, you will need to decide whether to buy an off-the-shelf package,
or have a bespoke package developed specifically for your business.
Off-the-shelf software package
Advantages
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Tried and tested (assuming it
is not version 1.0)
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Meets common requirements
well (e.g. Accounting)
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Changes to track legal
requirements (e.g. financial calculations) incorporated at relatively little
cost.
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Customer effort limited to
specifying high level requirement and selecting package that best meets them.
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Often includes many
non-critical ‘nice-to-have’ features
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Disadvantages
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You are tied into the way the
software changes as new versions are produced
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You may be
forced to upgrade to retain support.
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You need to
work the way the software works.
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You are
dependent on the fortunes of the software company
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Cost
is normally proportional to the number of users
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Bespoke Development
Advantages
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Fits closely
into your business process
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Links with
other software to help improve efficiency
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Cost is not
proportional to the number of users
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Software can be
adapted to the way your business changes
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The package
will work the way you do
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Disadvantages
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You are
dependent on the fortunes of the software developer.
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You bear the
full cost of development – this needs to be quantified.
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The effort in
specifying and testing the software is significant.
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Ensuring a
successful development requires customer and developer to follow a
well-structured process.
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Note: In the long term you
will need to change the software package – so plan for it - ensure you have the
ability to export the data from package to a standard format.
Factors influencing the
decision
Use an off-the-shelf software
package when:
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The requirement
is common – this means there are likely to be a number of packages to choose
from.
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The requirement
is well-known.
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The requirement
is fixed in medium term – or the software company is committed to tracking
changes (e.g. VAT rules).
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The required
integration with other systems exists or can be provided by a small bespoke
development.
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Use a bespoke solution when:
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Using an
off-the-shelf package would mean too many compromises to your business process.
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The requirement
not influenced by frequently changing external factors (e.g. accountancy
practices)
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The requirement
is unique
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The requirement
is developing
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The initial
requirement can be well-defined.
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The required
integration is not available commercially and suitable commercial tools cannot
be integrated.
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You have
sufficient staff time to fully support the development process.
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