There’s no doubt that custom software can give you the competitive edge but how do you go about choosing custom software development services to ensure that you’re making a wise investment? There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to the development of software that will make your business more efficient and more profitable. Here are questions you need to ask when you’re shopping for the right company to work with:
Do They Understand Your Business?
It’s one thing for a company that offers custom software development services to listen to your list of wants and needs when it comes to custom software but it’s another thing entirely for them to want to get to know your business and understand what you need before you even offer a list. Granted the amount of time spent researching your business will depend on your budget and the size of the development firm; but it’s still something you should ask about upfront before a line of code is written.
Have They Worked With Your Type Of Business Before?
Experience helps when it comes to custom software. You’ll want to know if the company you’re considering not only understands your business but has also designed software for similar businesses in the past. Be careful of companies that specialize too much in one type of business because you may end up with software that is too similar to others they’ve designed and that will be no better than off-the-shelf software.
Are They Local?
It may be tempting to find an “offshore” type of software development firm based simply on pricing. Your best bet, though, is to look at the bigger picture. When you work with a local firm, you won’t have to worry about time zone or language barriers that could end up affecting turnaround time for delivery and that can make the end product less than what you expected.
Will They Offer Ongoing Support?
Delivery of your new software shouldn’t be the end of your relationship with your developer. You may need help learning how to use the software or how to integrate it with new applications in your business. The firm you choose must be available to help you long after the development process is complete.
In addition to asking these questions, you should also ask each company for references, ask for samples of previous work and even attempt to contact them by phone or email to see how long it takes to get a response. To make your choice of custom software development services easy, call us at Axis Software Dynamics at (469) 535-7500 or visit axissoftwaredynamics.com to get the custom software your business needs.
