The motivation behind custom application development is to be as customer-centric as possible, creating products that perfectly fit the needs and workflows of the client’s company. If everything is designed to serve a particular organization, adjust the software to their existing demands and requirements, instead of imposing a completely new solution. 

One easy way to serve the end-user is to create intuitive menus, logically organize functions, and use company-specific naming rules. Tapping into the user’s existing know-how is a way to reduce errors and make them more productive. It also enhances their acceptance of the software since it makes them feel competent.

Custom software that works flawlessly, with intuitive steps and no bugs, can drive a major productivity leap in an organization. Such software with excellent UX allows users to focus on their jobs’ objectives and spend less time finding their way around the program. This translates to more time dedicated to their tasks and potentially better results and improved revenue.

For inexperienced software developers it is an easy pitfall to stumble upon – spending so much time to understand how your client’s business operates, to comprehend the needs and wants of the staff and the management, and then spent months designing and developing a solution that meets those needs puts developers in a biased position where it is possible to miss the big picture.

By the “Big Picture” we mean the natural growth and change that happens to any company at different stages of its life. The needs and the composition of the staff and management change, and new people will come in, sooner or later. It would be a shame if only the staff that was present during development would know how to use the bespoke software database.

That’s why experienced developers know that even the most bespoke software needs to be flexible and customizable to a degree where it is inclusive and accessible to all the employees and all the stages of the company’s growth.

If the program looks and feels user-friendly, follows existing protocols and requirements, especially in highly regulated sectors, it can only contribute to a smoother learning curve. This can save costs and time on training and can facilitate the straightforward implementation of the new software. It helps since most users and companies are reluctant to software changes due to downtime caused by learning a new application.

Inexperienced custom software developers often make the same mistake – spending so much time to understand how your client’s business operates, to comprehend the needs and wants of the staff only too make an unusable, "too custom" solution.

This flexibility should be presented in a friendly and accessible UI and UX, where every design decision, every button is located and works intuitively in every possible scenario. When it is present at the conceptual level and was designed with this intent, it is always easier to implement and modify the necessary upgrades and changes.

A sure way to build an engaging UX is to lend some strategies from the gaming world. Gamification taps into the person’s natural inclination for rewards and winning. A custom software piece can achieve this by showing progress and offering a sense of achievement so that the user is motivated to keep on using the program.

This is even more valid for B2B mobile apps.  At the same time, smartphones are the most popular devices for accessing the internet across the world. Be cautious of developers who are weirdly self-assured that all users think in the same way as they do. As a result, usability suffers. Here are some signs that your custom app will suffer from such developers: 

• Mobile UI is designed by a man with a “desktop” mindset. Result: the application turns out to be a disaster.
• There are only basic guidelines and UI elements affected. The app looks pretty dull and basic. What’s more, these guidelines don’t cover many non-trivial aspects, and it’s unable to prepare top quality based only on them.
• Someone used inefficient analysis techniques. For example, Jakob Nielsen’s Heuristics in their initial version aren’t all that good for mobile interfaces.

Software developers that have been long enough on the market know that going the extra mile is always appreciated. Tentacle Solution can provide online training for your employees on how to handle the database and maintain 24/7 online help to deal with any issue at any time. You’re never left alone with your troubles and their specialists always come to the rescue.