Custom Application Development: What You Need to Know

Have you heard the term "custom app development" before but aren’t sure what it means? According to EASA, “custom application development is the process of designing, creating and deploying tailor-made software applications for specific users.”

Whether it's an API for managing data flow, a platform to streamline healthcare patient processing, or a mobile app that customers can download onto their iOS or Android phones, custom application development can provide unique solutions to your business's specific needs.

It's important to note that custom application development and custom software development are essentially the same, with the exception of mobile integrations. Mobile integrations refer to the integration of software into mobile applications for devices such as smartphones and tablets.

So if you're looking for a solution that can upgrade your business processes, improve efficiency, and provide a unique user experience, custom application development may be the answer you're looking for.

What Problems Does Custom Development Solve?

One of the primary problems custom app development solves is the issue of mass-produced, off-the-shelf software products not fitting your specific business needs. These rigid systems often have limited functionality and capabilities, requiring your business to operate within predetermined workflows and sequences that may not match the way your business operates. Custom software solutions give your team the ability to “quickly and easily access information from user-defined permissions” and maintain scalability and agility.

Custom software development allows you to build a product that is tailored specifically to your business. With a custom solution, you can solve unique problems in intelligent ways, ensuring efficiency and productivity across your business and teams bringing “all of the functionality you need into a single place,” according to RTS Labs.

For example, a previous client of ours was relying on a third-party service to gather competitor price data. However, this was both costly —  there’s a hefty bill for a continuous data stream — as well as time-consuming. Despite having the information, they needed to constantly check and clean up the incoming data due to poor Q/A. 

Our team built them a custom solution that better fit their business needs. We also included Q/A measures to ensure the quality of the data was exactly what their systems needed so they could eliminate time-consuming data cleansing.

This is just one example of the many problems that custom application development can solve. By tailoring a solution to meet your specific needs, you can improve efficiency, productivity, and overall success in your business.

In addition to solving the problems of mass-produced software, custom development also offers a competitive advantage. With a custom solution, you have complete control over the design, user experience, and functionality of your software. This means that you can create a product that differentiates you from your competitors, by offering unique and valuable experiences to your users.

Lastly, custom application development integrates seamlessly with other systems and technologies. By having a solution that is built specifically for your business and communicates with your current operating systems, you can improve overall efficiency and productivity. This leads to cost savings because it reduces the need for manual data entry and eliminates the risk of errors caused by manual processes.

With a custom solution, you can solve problems specific to your business, improve efficiency, increase productivity, and gain a competitive advantage.

Who Builds Custom Apps?

When it comes to software development, anyone with development skills can build a custom application. The choice of who builds your custom app depends on the resources available within your organization and your budget. 

Typically there are two different options when it comes to building custom apps: in-house development or outsourced development.

In House

If you have an in-house IT team, then you likely have a developer who can build a custom application for your business. However, it's important to keep in mind that IT teams are notoriously swamped with a long list of responsibilities — hardware maintenance, cybersecurity, support, and so much more. Building custom software will take their attention away from these integral duties and will take a long time to create if there are just a few people working on the application.

Additionally, building a custom application requires specialized skills, so it's important to make sure your team has the necessary knowledge and expertise to create a high-quality solution.

Outsourced Development

Another option is to use an outsourced development company to create your custom application. These companies specialize in the full development life cycle, from consultation to implementation, and provide access to a team of experienced developers, project managers, and quality assurance specialists. With a focus on delivering customized solutions for clients, these companies offer a level of expertise and resources that may not be available in-house.

One of the main benefits of working with an outsourced development team is its cost-effectiveness. When you outsource custom software development, you leverage the company’s expertise and established development process to save yourself time and money. You can also benefit from their economies of scale, as they have the resources and knowledge to develop and implement the solution faster and more efficiently than in-house teams.

In addition to the initial development, outsourced development companies can also provide ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure the continued success of your custom solution. They can help you stay up to date with the latest technology, provide bug fixes and feature enhancements, and ensure your solution remains secure and scalable.

Partnering with an outsourced development company can provide many benefits, including access to a dedicated team of experts, cost savings, and the ability to focus on your core business while the software development is handled by experts. If you're looking for a faster and more cost-effective solution for custom software development, consider working with an outsourced development company.

Whether you choose to build an app yourself or outsource, the key is to find the right solution that meets your specific needs and budget.

Other Types of App Development

As you learn more about custom application development, you'll likely come across two other development options: no code and low code. These are DIY approaches to development for non-developers, but they're not quite the same as custom development. 

No Code

There are several app builders available that claim to be the easiest way to create custom software applications and software using a no-code approach. However, it’s unlikely these options will offer all the features and capabilities you need because they aren’t truly custom. 

You can create something yourself with a user-friendly interface and simple controls, but you're still restricted to certain capabilities and functionalities. So, although you could create something somewhat unique that feels very cost-effective, it's not truly a custom solution.

Although no-code app builders may seem cost-effective, they don’t provide a truly custom solution. It is always recommended to weigh your options and choose the one that best aligns with your business goals.

Low Code

Low code is the middle ground between no code and custom solutions. It allows beginner or aspiring developers to build apps without requiring development knowledge. Most of the foundational elements are already in place, but the developer can tweak certain details. Although this is better than no code options in terms of customization, it still falls far short of true custom solutions.

Low code is a popular choice for those who want more customization options than no-code software but don't have access to an experienced developer. With low code platforms, developers can build apps using pre-built elements and can make modifications to meet their specific needs. In short, low code can offer a good compromise between cost and customization, but businesses seeking a truly tailored solution will benefit most from custom app development.

What Makes Custom Development Different?

Custom development is different because you have a developer who can manipulate all aspects of the code and build your software from scratch. This gives you much more control and flexibility in the development process and allows you to create something truly unique for your business.

To sum up, custom app development stands apart from no code or low code in terms of customization and control. Though those alternatives may have their own merits such as ease or speed, only custom development allows you to create software that perfectly fits your business requirements.

Does Your Business Need an App?

Custom app development offers a range of benefits that give companies a competitive edge over alternative solutions such as no-code, low-code, or in-house development. With custom app development, companies have the opportunity to build a software solution tailored specifically to their needs and processes as opposed to an off-the-shelf solution, increasing efficiency and streamlining operations. Custom application development also provides greater flexibility and scalability compared to pre-built software solutions, allowing companies to adapt to changing business needs over time.

Before making a decision, it's crucial to assess if your business could benefit from custom application development.  Ask yourself two questions:

• Am I struggling with my current software solutions? 
• Could custom software increase efficiency in my business?

The answers will help you determine if your needs are being met and if custom development is the right choice for you.

At EnterBridge, we offer specialized services for custom software development and mobile integrations. Contact us for a consultation and see how your business could benefit from our support.