The fact that companies have to or want to resort to software solutions that are customized for them can be attributed to a variety of reasons. On the one hand, of course, features may be required that regular software providers do not supply, or functions may have to be streamlined to such an extent that the software is limited to the bare essentials. In addition, data protection or resource arguments can flow into this decision. In this article, we discuss exactly which advantages can be a motivation here and what needs to be considered when introducing a company's own software in the enterprise.
The advantages of customized software
A study by the digital association Bitkom already revealed in 2017 that every third company in Germany uses its own software. Dr. Bernhard Rohleder, Bitkom CEO, commented on this study result as follows: 'Whether it's interactive functions of websites, the opening of an online store or modern data analyses in production: you need software everywhere.' And software is best adapted to all individual requirements when it is developed in-house or by third parties. Even Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently said at a developer conference: 'In the future, every company will have to develop its own software.'
Commissioned programming puts your needs first
If you have very specific ideas about what your company needs from software, or simply know that prefabricated solutions that already exist on the market are not enough, contract programming is the right place for you. You will be involved in the process from the very beginning: What functionalities does the software need to have? What design ideas do you have? You know your employees and company processes very well and can therefore best assess what the software should be able to do. In the meantime, you will be supported by experts to find out which solutions are feasible and reasonable. In addition, the experts can provide numerous helpful impulses and ideas.
These experts will also assist you with any updates or questions you may have while implementing the software. Together you will go through all the steps to successfully introduce the software into your company.
You yourself will get deeply involved in terms of content and concept, actively participate in the development and review completed milestones. Above all, it is important that you find a partner with whom you want to work for many years. After all, customized software should always keep pace with your company's developments and be adapted to new circumstances, so that the advantages of your own business software are retained.
For example, you can start small and later expand the software. By the same token, the software can also be linked to your existing structures and adapted to them.
Saving resources through business intelligence
If a digital software solution is adapted to your needs in the best possible way, processes can be streamlined and thus accelerated. By excluding unnecessary features that you do not need, your employees can concentrate only on the essentials. In this way, work processes can be carried out optimally.
In addition, another important term comes into play: Business Intelligence. With the help of special software that even 'thinks' in a certain way, processes can be automated that would otherwise consume a lot of time and human resources. This includes, for example, the evaluation of large amounts of data and their processing, e.g. for business reports.
However, we will come back to this point in the usage scenarios.
Data protection through customized software
In everyday life, employees often use communication tools that are easy and intuitive to use. If the IT solutions already available in the company cannot offer this, colleagues often look for communication channels that meet their expectations by themselves. This can be fatal for data security.
This so-called shadow IT, unauthorized IT solutions in the company that are used by employees unnoticed by the IT department, can cause great legal and administrative damage - software like Google Drive or Dropbox. The use of trusted software is especially necessary for sensitive customer data or confidential company documents, where data is encrypted and keys are stored securely. Companies must prohibit their employees from using shadow IT, but at the same time management and IT managers should offer alternatives. Of course, this is easier said than done. After all, who is to determine whether an employee is using a private e-mail address out of convenience? With mobile devices in particular, you can remedy this situation with a mobile device management system, for example, but if the cause, namely the inconvenient use of corporate applications, is not addressed, employee satisfaction will suffer in the long term.
Here, having your own enterprise software guarantees all the possibilities to observe GDPR and other data protection guidelines while remaining within the scope of all compliance standards. Of course, you should also take into account the wishes that your employees have expressed for the functions and that you have missed with previous solutions. This also ensures you a higher acceptance of the software afterwards - a factor that should not be underestimated!
