What Is the Difference Between Generic Software Product Development and Custom Software Development?

In the current scenario, you might find many companies providing custom software development services. But, it is essential to choose the right custom software development company. Before that, you must know the difference between generic software product development and custom software development. So, read on and know the difference between both of them.

Generic products are built by developers to be sold to a market of users, whereas individual users with specific needs commission custom products. This difference leads to a critical distinction from the user’s point of view. The user of a generic product has no input into the making of the software. The software’s specifications and production are controlled entirely by the development team.

Talking About Generic Software Product Development and Custom Software Development in a Nutshell

1. Generic Software Product Development

Generic software development is a process executed by the developers that develop the software product. Usually, this product is made for all types of business needs and has a real demand in the market over a duration of time. Software development companies develop generic software on their own and handle it with a group of customers having a similar need.

2. Custom Software Development

Customer software development is a mechanism by which a company develops a product for an individual client. The individual client may be a company or group of persons. This product mostly has a distinct need in the market only for a limited time and is for specialized business needs. A custom software development company develops custom software at the cost of particular customers.

Custom Software Development vs. Generic Software Development As customized software provides functionalities that meet your business requirements, it proved to be more useful as compared to generic software. One by one, let’s compare the requirements and features of generic vs custom software development.

1.  Exclusiveness:

Generic software is produced for the open market. Custom software may be a one-of-a-kind solution developed for a specific customer. You need to pick the right custom software development services for this.

2.  Needs and updates:

In generic software, updates are to be done consistent with a specific plan (defined by the market needs). A generic product is created as per future updates. The customer’s requirement is often fulfilled whenever the customer asks for it. Custom software is formed in keeping with the time, the budget, and therefore, the needs defined by the client.

 3.  Control:

The significant difference between a generic software product and a custom software product is the control over the development process. If we bring up generic software – its development is controlled by the event agency. Even though the client acquires a license to use the software, its owner (development agency) can always make some changes and remove some features useful for the client. The customer/client controls custom software development. Only the customer decides what to do with the product.

4.  Development cost:

Custom software development (tailor-made software) may cost a fortune because the customer gets a singular product. But a competitive advantage the customer acquires may overweight massive investments. So, it is essential to choose the right custom software development company. A generic software (off-the-shelf) is usually affordable. But there might be some hidden costs. For example, extra costs you’ll pay to implement this software and set it up.

5.  Several functions:

Off-the-shelf software typically includes as many functions as possible because of its extensive usage. For this reason, these functions are made quite simple. But, at the same time, you will hardly ever use even half of these functions. Custom software is targeted on the features the customer needs. It is less user-friendly than generic software. But for a selected sort of users (it is formed for) – it should be obvious the way to cope with this custom software.

6.  Functionality:

Generic software has functionality designed to resolve a specific problem for several entities in this vertical. Custom software has functionality made to resolve a problem for a particular entity.

7.  Architecture:

Generic software should be highly scalable. The product may need to pivot during the lifecycle as per the business needs of the development company. Custom software architecture has to be balanced between scalability and the current client’s requirements.

8.  Quality:

Generic software product quality isn’t the most parameter a development company follows. If the company delays the release to refine some features and set up better characteristics – these actions may lead to a loss of market share. That’s why quality isn’t the priority for generic software.

The custom software product, in contrast, should have the most effective quality to impact the client’s revenue and progress. The quality parameters for custom software are going to be proportional to what impact they ought to have on the customer’s company.

Summing Up

YES IT Labs provides various custom software development services. We can help you make the right choice. Contact us and we will help you figure out not only the correct mobile app developing approach but also thoroughly plan your product strategy to the very last development stage. You need to pick the right custom software development company according to your requirements.