Imagine that every tool or app you utilise or rely on follows the same model. It would be a frustrating encounter, wouldn’t you think?
Because of this (the individuality of every company), customised software is quietly transforming industries, addressing issues that companies face in a unique way.
Think of the software that monitors the vitals of a patient in a hospital or one that syncs thousands of deliveries throughout cities. These aren’t solutions that can be purchased off the shelf because generic software can’t provide the features this software needs. These are custom-built software designed to address issues that standard tools cannot.
We’ll look at 8 real-world instances of custom software, illustrating how technology transforms complex issues into opportunities. These examples show the capabilities of custom software development services. Let’s explore!
What is Custom Software?
A custom-designed software application is designed specifically for a company, taking into account the business’s requirements and objectives. It is the method where developers create, develop, deploy and manage a custom software solution based on an organisation’s functions and requirements.
Custom-designed software design involves the software developer in various stages of SDLC, which involve designing, developing, deploying and maintaining customised software according to a user’s requirements. Compared with pre-made software, custom-designed software has various distinct characteristics. Ready-made software comes with various features that make it suitable for commercial advertising.
Key Characteristics of Custom Software Development
Although bespoke software may require more time and resources to create, it can benefit businesses because it will enhance productivity and increase innovation to meet any business requirements. It offers an innovative solution to customer issues you can’t encounter with commercial software. Customers can collaborate with the team responsible for custom software development to modify the software to be more suitable to their specific needs.
Tailored Solutions
Custom software is designed to meet the customer’s specific needs. It provides features and functions specifically selected to enhance processes, increase efficiency and meet business goals.
Scalability
Custom software is developed with the ability to scale. It can grow and change to meet an organisation’s changing needs and is an asset that is worth the investment over time.
Flexibility
Clients control the software’s design and can allow modifications and updates to meet changing technology or business requirements.
Security
Custom-designed software can include robust security measures that protect sensitive information and limit the risk of attacks and vulnerabilities, which makes it a good option for businesses with stringent security needs.
Integration
Custom-designed software can be easily connected to databases and systems in use to improve data flow and enhance operational efficiency.
Ownership
The clients have complete ownership and control over the customised software, allowing them to make their own decisions about its development, maintenance and future improvements.
Top 8 Examples of Custom Software Development
Nearly every company with the funds plans to develop custom software instead of buying software off the shelf.
Customised software can help you tackle specific problems, give you an advantage in competition, facilitate scaling and offer numerous other advantages.
According to a report conducted by Global Newswire, the global custom software development market is predicted to hit AED 85.9 billion in 2028.
Are you unsure of the use cases custom software might use?
Below, we’ll go over the eight most commonly used custom software examples that proved effective for real companies:
Fast Food Service Software
Software for fast food service is designed to help speed up food establishments. It is generally optimised to handle orders, inventory and customer information. It may include features like self-service kiosks.
A few of the more famous examples of fast food service software are the point of sale (POS) system used by various fast-food chains like McDonald’s. McDonald’s was one of the first to utilise POS technology to create self-service kiosks. These kiosks allow customers to order food and pay for meals using an intuitive interface.
Additionally, it improves customers’ ordering experience. McDonald’s POS technology for self-service kiosks also benefits the restaurant by boosting sales and decreasing the cost of labor. According to research, McDonald’s started rolling out self-service kiosks in 2015 and saw a 5% to 6% increase in sales over one year.
Banking Software
Financial institutions and banks utilise custom-designed banking software to handle various aspects of their business, including customer accounts, transactions and regulatory compliance.
For example, JP Morgan Chase has created a collection of software tools called Contract Intelligence (COiN). The COiN utilises machine learning algorithms to automate the review and processing of legal agreements. The company also uses standard banking software.
Features like loans, transactions, account statement generation and so on.
Similarly, Bank of America (BoA) has created custom software to enhance its mobile and online banking services. The BoA mobile app lets customers log into their bank accounts, make transfers to money and pay their bills.
BoA has also created a software program named Erica. The virtual assistant powered by AI can assist customers in managing the financial aspects of their lives and making better financial decisions. The data shows that more than 1 million people are using Erica and the virtual assistant has experienced more than a billion interactions with users.
Healthcare Software
The term “healthcare software” is broad and encompasses the various kinds of software used to help in the provision of health services, including psychology, nursing and physiology.
Healthcare software typically lets you digitalise and manage patient information, schedule appointments, make Telemedicine, etc.
One of the most popular examples of healthcare software is the Mayo Clinic’s CareLink. CareLink gives healthcare professionals access to patient information, clinical guidelines and best practices to aid in decision-making.
Mayo Clinic also uses the software’s customised online application platform, which uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to detect and anticipate health risks, provide individualised care plans and improve the patient experience. It also has software for research, training development, clinical trials, etc.
Real Estate Software
Custom real estate software is a vital tool for the market. It allows buyers and agents to manage their properties, search for homes and track market trends. Zillow and Redfin are well-known firms that use custom software that provides distinctive features and user experiences.
Zillow’s custom software includes Zestimate, which calculates a house’s value using the market’s statistics and algorithms. The company also offers an option called “Make Me Move,” which lets homeowners set an amount they’d like to offer for selling their properties. Zillow’s software comes with a mobile app that allows users to search for properties, receive alerts about new listings and communicate with agents.
Redfin’s software, on the other hand, comes with an option known as “The Redfin Estimate,” which utilises machine learning and data to calculate a house’s value. Additionally, they offer the 3D Walkthrough feature, which lets users virtually explore homes on their computers and mobile phones. The mobile app of Redfin has the feature “Book It Now,” which lets users immediately schedule an appointment to tour their home with an experienced Redfin agent.
Streaming Software
Custom streaming software can stream digital content, including music, videos and live-streamed events. It is generally tuned to provide top-quality audio and video streaming even in difficult network conditions.
A few popular examples of streaming software include Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Netflix’s streaming application, for instance, is built on a custom-built Content Delivery Network (CDN) known as Open Connect. This CDN includes specialised servers around the globe to ensure that Netflix can quickly provide customers with the local content they need.
Netflix utilises the software to collect data about customers’ preferences. Netflix analyses this information using algorithms to give individualised suggestions.
However, Amazon provides its streaming content using a combination of custom streaming software and cloud infrastructure. Its streaming software is built upon Amazon Web Services (AWS), a cloud computing platform that offers the flexibility, scalability and security necessary to provide high-quality streaming services.
Delivery Software
Delivery software is another well-known custom software model. It aids in managing the delivery process for products or services. Delivery software typically comes with options like monitoring deliveries in real time, optimising delivery routes and sending delivery alerts to clients.
Uber Eats is a prominent example of a business that utilises custom delivery software to oversee its food delivery services. The program lets Uber Eats connect customers with local delivery drivers and restaurants, track orders in real time and optimize delivery routes to ensure food is delivered quickly and securely.
You may collaborate with a custom software development company UAE to create an app similar to delivery services.
Shopping Software
Shopping software was designed to facilitate online shopping. It may include options like these:
- Search for products
- Comparison of products
- Cart of shopping
- Sorting and filtering the products
- Payment processing
Amazon is an excellent example of a company that uses customised shopping software. Its software incorporates algorithms that suggest products based on the customer’s shopping and browsing history.
The company also provides tools to monitor inventory levels and track orders. Amazon uses its software to monitor and change prices in real-time and is a market leader in e-commerce.
On-Demand Rental Software
On-demand rental software is an application that allows users to rent products or services on a per-demand basis. Companies from various sectors, such as transportation, hospitality and entertainment, utilise this software.
Airbnb is among the most well-known examples of a business that utilises a custom rental program that can be booked on demand. The platform temporarily permits homeowners to rent their apartments, homes or rooms to tourists. The software oversees all process aspects, from booking to making payments and permits guests and hosts to communicate.
AirBnB’s customised rental software is very sophisticated and offers amenities like real-time availability calendars and schedules, a safe payment process and immediate booking confirmations.
The software also includes sophisticated algorithms that assist hosts in setting reasonable prices based on demand.
The Key Takeaway
Industries and companies require bespoke software solutions to stay competitive and efficient in a constantly changing business world. The assistance of professional developers will aid you in making the best decision for your company.
Customised software is an excellent option for impacting your business. As an expert developer, you can conduct more research to determine the most effective solution for your company and your customers.