Five Signs You Need to Invest in Custom Software Development

Last updated: March 27, 2023 ·

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Are your company’s existing software solutions feeling a bit vintage, and not in a good way? Are you facing significant demand for new features or even new capabilities? If so, you are not alone. Business system innovations are racing down the digital superhighway with no sign of slowing. Many companies are turning to custom software development solutions to update existing systems.

A perfect storm of colliding trends in custom software development points toward significant demand growth in this decade. Artificial intelligence, blockchain integration, and the proliferation of connected devices lead the way in software industry trends.

A perfect storm of colliding trends in custom software development points toward significant demand growth in this decade. Share on X

Grandview research valued the 2021 US custom software development market at USD 24.46 billion. Building on a COVID-19 industry spike, growth in additional trends such as analytics, blockchain and AI-driven chatbots, robotics automation, and IoT-connected devices will drive demand for custom software development will contribute to an increase of 22.3% in the market from 2022 to 2030.

It’s more important than ever to have the right tools and systems in place to support your organization's goals. Companies that normally handle all their software needs internally may begin to feel spread thin. Here are five signs that it's time to consider investing in custom software development:

Frazzled Teams Benefit from Custom Software Development

If your business op teams are constantly behind schedule or struggling to keep up with current demands because of software lags, it may be time to consider a change. Custom software can streamline workflows, automate tasks, and improve collaboration. Solutions optimized for your teams can help them work more efficiently and effectively, which leads to happier teams and better business outcomes.

Workarounds Have Become the Runaround

If workarounds have become the norm to compensate for deficiencies in your software, it's time to invest in custom software development. Workarounds can be time-consuming and lead to errors and delays.

Workarounds are also frustrating to your in-house development team. According to the 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the average voluntary turnover rate for software developers is 25%.

Are your best developers excited about maintaining workarounds and dealing with glitches? At a time when 25% of software developers are leaving their jobs, keeping your in-house software talent happy is important.

By investing in custom software development, you can augment and support your in-house team to create a solution that meets your specific needs. Eliminating the need for tedious workarounds results in happier developers as well as improved efficiency of business processes.

Current Solution is Maxed Out

As your business grows and evolves, your software needs will change. If your current software is no longer meeting the needs of your operations, it may be time to invest in custom software development. A custom software solution can also incorporate flexibility for future capabilities and ensure that your software continues to support your business as it grows and evolves.

Your Software Resists Change Like a Boomer

If your current solution cannot integrate new features or updates, it may be time to consider custom software options. Custom software can integrate seamlessly with your existing systems while making it easier to implement new features and updates. By investing in custom software development, you can ensure that your software stays up-to-date and continues to meet your business needs.

Cranky Performance

Performance and stability issues with your current software are red flags for a situation that won’t improve over time. Custom software teams design with performance and stability in mind, ensuring that your software runs smoothly and efficiently. Investing in custom software development can eliminate performance and stability issues and improve the overall reliability of your software.

Moving Ahead

Do any of the above signs feel familiar? If so, it may be time to begin planning for a custom software solution.

Using the five signs above as a starting place, add any other symptoms you are experiencing to your wish list. Knowing the specific outcomes that you need will help you define your project scope and requirements, including the features, functionality, and user experience you want to achieve.

At Sharkbyte, we know that custom software development can be a significant investment for any business. We’ve helped hundreds of companies scope out their needs assessments and roadmaps. We can even help with team augmentation to smooth out any gaps in development. Contact us today to get the conversation started.