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The software can be highly complex and will usually
include large sections that you will never use (the average Word user is
reputed to only use about 10% of the available facilities).
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It tends to be a compromise. By it's nature it is
designed for many different types of users, each of whom will have different
requirements. |
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As the software tends to be large and complicated it may take a long time to
learn properly (some of the most asked for additions to later versions of Word
were ones that already existed in the previous version - it was just that the
users did not know that they existed because the application was so big).
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You may have to alter the way that you work in order to
fit in with the way that the software has been designed. |
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There will probably be operations that you require that
you simply cannot do with the software. |
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As one small voice amongst many others your requests
will not carry much weight. |
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If you have problems you are usually at the mercy of a
large and faceless organisation who may not be quite as concerned as you are if
you have a major problem that absolutely MUST be fixed before tomorrow morning! |
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As the same system can be bought by your competitors it
is very difficult to gain any competitive advantage from it's use. |
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It has been specifically designed for your particular
requirements and can be tailored to fit in exactly with the way that your
business or organisation wishes to operate. |
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It can be customised to interface with other software
that you operate with the potential to provide you with a fully integrated IT
infrastructure across your whole organisation. |
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The software can be tuned to your specific needs thus providing you with
performance benefits that are just not feasible with packaged software.
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Users will usually find it easier and more intuitive to
use as it should not contain unnecessary or superfluous facilities and should
operate in the way that they are used to working. |
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It can incorporate business processes that are specific
to you and which do not exist in any packaged solution. |
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It is much more flexible than packaged software and can
be modified and changed over time as your requirements and business practices
change. |
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You will (usually) receive much better support and can
in many cases talk directly to the developers concerned. |
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If you are lucky and find a good developer then they
can significantly add value to your company by suggesting alternatives,
improvements and by acting as a source of IT advice and information. |
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The use of professionally developed bespoke software
applications can give you a significant business advantage over your
competition. |
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If you do not have the source code you are dangerously
exposed and are wholly dependent upon the developers continuing existence and
good will. To avoid this problem make sure you choose a developer who provides
you with the source code.
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If the software is not developed to professional Best
Practice standards it may be unstable, unreliable and full of bugs (but then
again so is some packaged software!). Selecting a developer who works to Best
Practice should counteract this. |
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The investment required will usually be much higher than with packaged software.
This is usually the biggest reason for not going down the custom route - you
need to undertake a business justification excercise and compare the costs
against the expected benefits and commercial advantages.
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An unacceptable proportion of developers are either
incompetent, unprofessional or are 'cowboys' and it can be difficult to sort
out the good guys from the bad (the most reliable method is to take up
references and talk to some of their recent clients). |
