Software Development | Product Development |
Today, there is a large and growing market for custom software development. Organizations and individuals are increasingly aware of the benefits and utility of using custom software. But there are many firms spread across the globe offering to design and develop custom software. Entities cannot just select the first custom software development company they come across. The fact is not all custom software providers are the same. They have different locations, time zones, the language of communication, number of programmers, experience, development charges as well as expertise. Note that It makes business and financial sense to hire a quality custom software development company at the earliest for better market share and increased revenues.
Listed below are the criteria to select the most suitable custom software development company.
It is recommended that client companies brainstorm with their decision-makers to outline their needs and preferences for the deliverable. Write the specifications down and store the softcopy as well as hardcopy in secured places. The final document should clearly communicate the functional and business requirements. The scope, timeframe of delivery, and expectations from the product should be explicitly mentioned. This way the potential custom software providers are crystal clear about user requirements. They can quickly make a decision on the technical feasibility of the project. Also, software development firms that do not have the capability to execute the proposed project satisfactorily will be eliminated.
Many companies have a pool of tech-savvy professionals. Check their communication ability thoroughly. Otherwise, the purchaser firm will be burdened with a deliverable that fails to meet its requirements. This is the unfortunate outcome of poor communication or misinterpretation.
If the client doesn’t understand technology, then it will be very difficult to communicate requirements. Also, it makes the client dependent on the software development firm. With a little effort, stakeholders and decision-makers will know which are the most popular and powerful technologies. Also, they will be aware of the benefits as well as limitations of different technologies. Next, they can evaluate the technical skills of different custom software development firms.
Some companies may have their portfolio online. Go through the case studies to evaluate technical expertise and business domain knowledge. Ask for contact details of clients to know the company’s technological prowess, communication methodology, and response time. Also, inquire about the user-friendliness of the deliverable.
It is wise to go for firms having relevant technical skills and domain knowledge. Choose the more experienced providers as they have mature practices and methodologies to create custom software.
The importance of this step cannot be overstated. There are a plethora of stellar online sources which have valuable data such as company rating/ranking, employee strength, how old the company is, and other vital information. Social media is a valuable resource to check the credentials as well as numerous user reviews. Some reliable websites to obtain relevant statistics include Clutch, Good firms, LinkedIn, and others.
No software is first-rate if it has bugs in it. This can result in performance issues, poor impressions on existing and potential customers as well as loss of business. Check with the firm if they have the latest testing tools as well as the skills and experience to use the tools.
The final product/service delivered may contain customer/client data, the company’s financial information, business processes, ideas, and other confidential details. In case this information is accessible to competitors the client may suffer financial losses or compromise confidential information. Avert this scenario by having a legally binding NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between both parties.
At the onset, draft and get signatures on a legally binding agreement between both parties such that the client has full IPR (Intellectual Property Rights). So, the development entity cannot dispute the ownership or sell copies of the deliverable to other organizations.
There are some custom software development companies that have non-existent or sub-par after-sale services. Then the client company will be in trouble. It is very important to obtain a commitment in writing regarding the maintenance and troubleshooting of the custom software in the future. Just don’t go by the service provider’s word regarding the quality of after-sales service. Cross-check with their past clients to get the true picture for safety.
Companies need to spend according to their budget and future ROI. Be wary of very low offers coming your way as the quality may not be up to the mark. It is advised to never ever compromise on quality. Though firms may have to spend a bit extra they will get quality deliverables and make more money in the long run. At the same time realize that more expensive software is not necessarily better software.
Many entities make the mistake of being in a hurry to research and hire custom software development providers. This may result in a loss of time, effort, and money. Identify your requirements, go through many companies’ credentials and have patience. This approach will definitely pay dividends in the long run.
This is a quite useful and popular way to get an authentic insight into bidding entities. If the decision-makers and employees are known clients obtain private insight into the entity. This speeds up the decision-making process. Also, it is a much more reliable technique than just surfing the web.
Do not just have a cursory examination of the website. Devote the necessary time and effort to meticulously go through different websites. Call up the contact number in case you have any clarifications or queries.
Focaloid is a premium software product and services company catering to clients in the US, UK, Canada, and Ireland. We have the necessary expertise and experience in order to deliver high-quality and prompt custom software development services. For your knowledge, our staff is well versed in English and possess a variety of the latest technical skills. Contact us to learn more about how we can help deliver state-of-the-art custom software development services.
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