Welcome to your journey to hire a custom corporate software developer!

What’s this about? This short guide is aimed at establishing what custom software is, what to expect at every stage, how to notice red flags before its too late, how to choose between freelancers and corporate developers, and most importantly - do you even need it?

Is this guide for you? This guide is aimed at individuals looking to understand what’s the deal with custom software and apps, and who want to navigate the software development landscape, properly plan and budget a custom software project, and efficiently communicate your needs and wants to the development team.

Do you have to read 5,500 words to understand what custom software is? Let's be honest - no, you don't. But making informed business decisions on long term projects is better than basing your opinion on a Wikipedia article, right? 

If you want a more succinct, straight-to-the-point, tl;dr type of answer to a particular question - email the author - alexandr@tentacle.solutions or hello@tentacle.solutions and we will do our best to lift the lid on everything that might interest you.

We updated the guide with new advice and content on 15.02.2021

CONTENTS

Part 1: Basics

What do you need from a software development company

How to choose?

What kind of technology you might need

Cloud-ready Tech

Postgre vs MS SQL

Where to find?

The power of reviews and portfolios and how to evaluate them

Part 2: Freelance VS Corporate Developer

Key differences

Freelancers

Software Development Firms

Who owns your data?

Part 3: Quality control and Costs

Auditing and Testing

Certifications and standards

How to Budget

Risks of Cutting Costs

Part 4: Longterm Partnership

Maintenance and scalability

Different strokes - custom software is not for everyone
 

Part 1: Basics

1.What do you need from a software development company

Everywhere now, software development proves to be a crucial component that facilitates the smooth conductivity of a company with minimal resources. Diverse business processes are recruiting the assistance of software development systems to automatize business plans and thereby lubricating the efficiency and productivity stage. The induction of customized software development services requires many advantages. It allows companies of different sizes to solve limitations in any web structure software.

Initially, the Software Development Service included the development of software applications, web design, web development, graphics, marketing, and maintenance of websites. These services are very useful in many fields, such as:

• Media
• Healthcare
• CRM solutions
• Telecommunication
• E-commerce Solutions

Following are the core advantages of software development, which in turns make their associated companies so useful:

The demand for resources in software apps is strong. There is a lot of resources. The production of software makes it easy to reduce costs and to reduce the licensing costs of new software for your company. It's easy to arrange a custom software package in line with the business process requirements.

The rivalry is more worked up by the use of custom apps. You typically enjoy a better place in the organization by purchasing more customers and making more benefits compared to others. The development of software simplifies managing and monitors huge databases when necessary. It helps you to improve your performance and differentiates the main role of other key players.

The production of business software accommodates 100% of your business needs. Personalized programs are a powerful tool for enhancing productivity and reducing the cost of training activities in particular.

Without too many human resources, company procedures are modernized. The technological aspects are well controlled in less time, and maximum results are shown without error.

It is also critical that offshore software development companies with profound expertise can overcome the art of software application for web sites to obtain the benefits of software development services. It does not only save you time and effort but also alerts you to a lot of mistakes that can take place in your website apps.

2.How to choose?

A new age of digitalization has been created by the growth of technology, and it a new demand. Companies have adopted different iterations of technology that cater to people from developing world-class websites to designing engaging applications.

Many companies that work on software development and related applications can be found. Companies and organizations, be it B2B or B2C related, are now designing applications to meet their needs. Many businesses have trouble finding the best approach for software creation that makes it hard to choose the right software development company.

It is a challenge to find the right software provider. A successful software development partner cannot be recruited by many.

You could be someone just starting up and have got a great idea. You probably want to bring about a new shift in the business environment with a vision in mind and a concept of the software or application you have thought about.

The only thing lacking in your plan is a good resource that can develop your software.

Therefore, you will end up searching for a company or agency that can use its resources to develop an app or software for your concept. After evaluating some of these businesses and are also searching for the right organization to suit your needs, you don’t know which one would work the best for you.

Here are the tips which will help you decide on a software development company:

Know Your Needs:

You must sort out your needs before you divulge yourself into finding the right business. You need to know which software you are developing.  It does you good to know your requirements to make the hiring less complicated. 

First of all, to understand your needs and ambitions before you search for a software development business, you must know exactly what your specifications.  Figure out your needs and goals. You must evaluate your business needs and priorities by identifying and reviewing issues as an organization or as a small business.

Save Money on Resources:

When businesses are filtered by the price they quote, they will inevitably become confused. Remember that the cheaper offers are the ones you should never hire.

The less expensive the quotation is, the lower the output! You can't create revolutionary apps with inexpensive service providers. The price is relative. Some businesses charge on per hour rate, some for the value of the project. You can't exclude companies simply because they are expensive.

Plan Your Finances:

A necessary aspect is to address the budget and finance. You need to list developer tech agencies on a budget basis. This way, your search list can be narrowed.

Note that cheap is bad, but the best possible approach is to set a budget and search within it.

A budget needs to be made for software development. The anticipated ROI must be equal to or greater than the investment. You may make a full list of software development companies by allocations on budgets and funds.

Chose that Stands-Out:

In this phase, you need to collect a list of the best websites to meet your needs. Find skills and see if they reflect your business expertise. Check the technology they use, managing experience in complex software projects, portfolios, and customer experiences.

It is interesting to find out how they address business aims and challenges, how they interact, and whether they reach the deadlines. It is also helpful to search for companies that love developing apps and applications relevant to your company or the concept of the startup you have. Look for a software developer who handles the job properly. Software building takes a lot of time and experience.

Devotion, skills, and enthusiasm are required to create a revolutionizing software. Look for a developer that integrates them during software creation.

Level of Communication:

Find out the most communicative software development companies from the list that you have compiled. This includes leading software development companies. Select a software developer who interacts with the customer during the production of the software. Companies who do not connect with the customer end up with software that does not satisfy the customer's needs and further postpones software production.

Constant contact with the developer leads to faster app development. The designed software perfectly meets the business objectives and user needs. You are probably looking to work and provide quality service. Find an organization that offers both job and service efficiency.

Or building apps, customer-vendor communication is essential. The developer of software should know its limits and when to say 'no.' Do not employ a firm that addresses all inquiries otherwise.

Market Credibility:

Try finding the software development company's business reputation before recruiting them. Credibility in the market gives you an idea of how the organization defined its work and the kind of work it has carried out.

The development partner analysis helps to recognize project references for your software. It offers insight into the design and growth of the business and the opportunity to construct the apps.

Read More: The Risk of Being Cheap

Business Model:

It is a condition often ignored by organizations until they employ a development company. Until recruiting, it is necessary to understand how an organization works and develops software. It will give the final results a clear picture.

Look for an organization that holds retrospective meetings without effort. The dialogue and appreciation of the company's previously worked projects help to generate great results. Clarity on both sides should be given.

The most effective model works. It contributes to high levels of cooperation in software development. Companies with agile models produce fast performance. They are highly adaptive.

Language Barrier:
It is a fruitless endeavor to employ a software developer who does not understand your language. The best way to meet the criteria is to have a developing partner who leads and not just codes. You need to better understand the amount of knowledge that they share with you, the consistency of the product.

These days, English is a must. Find a development company that is located near you in terms of geography and also speaks the language you speak.

Ask for Sample Work:

If you would employ their service, don't forget to ask if they are willing to provide the final software prototype.

Ask for a prototype before the company supplies the final software. It normally helps to identify the missing priorities which need to be taken into account. Prototypes typically help with the final product construction.

Coders and developers can make mistakes as well.  These defects are seen and repaired in a prototype. Before developing the final program, the prototype must be tested. These tips can help you to identify the best tech companies in the market, and you will definitely find the most suitable one.

3.What kind of technology you might need

Cloud-ready Tech

A cloud-enabled application or cloud-ready program is an old software application that has been modified to run on a cloud computing infrastructure. Cloud-ready applications differ from the so-called "cloud-born" or "cloud-native" applications. These are developed solely from the ground to run in cloud environments.

The most beneficial move for a company would be to switch from an existing application to a cloud-native equivalent or to extensively re-code the previous application in order to make it cloud-native. But when such an important transition is not possible, it is usually the next best solution to just modify the legacy application to get the cloud-ready. Making an application ready for the cloud still needs skilled development but gives the company many worthwhile advantages.

Postgre vs. MS SQL

PostgreSQL is a high-level object-relation database management framework that, in addition to its own procedural language, PL / pgSQL, uses Structured Query Language ( SQL). With an entire stack of RDBMS database features and data handling capabilities, PostgreSQL is easy to use. It can be installed easily on Linux.

SQL Server is a Microsoft-designed and managed Relational Database Management System (RDBM). A version called T-SQL is used in the Structured Query Language ( SQL). This can run with Kubernetes support or Windows on Linux operating systems. Users define it as simple to use, secure, and highly compatible with NET.

Read More: POSTGRE VS MSSQL

4.Where to find?

There are several online website portals from which you can hire freelance software developers:

• Freelance Platforms:

Independent developers of the software were abundant in 2019. Computerworld estimated 18.2 million software developers worldwide, even in 2013, and it is estimated that 26.4 million developed software developers are anticipated by the end of this year.

What is important to you is that all of these developers are autonomous. A study undertaken by the Freelancers Union and Upwork showed that 35 % of Americans in 2018 were freelance, with workers like the United States likely to be equal. Here are freelance sites at stake. The largest example is Upwork, produced after the merger of Elance and ODesk, two of the oldest platforms. Upwork is a fantastic venue for independent software developers, with over 3 million jobs reported annually. More than 20,000 results come from a fast quest for app developers!

Some of the others, which are fewer but equally pleasant, are People Per Hour and Freelancer.com.

This freelance platform would be the best bet, particularly if your objective is to remain within the budget. This is not to suggest that you do not receive high-quality app developers, but these platforms are not like other field-specific platforms to screen their free partners. On the other side, platforms like Toptal and Gun.io distinguish by vetoing their self-employed and allowing only the best developers of apps.

When employing developers, one of the main errors is to hasten the process and then settle for non- ideal applicants or worse. It will not only slow down your development cycle by mediocre or weak developers and blow your costs up, but will also be far more likely to attract other B developers in the future. Successful developers want to work with a great team — poor people want to look nice compared to other developers.

• Software Development Agency

In comparison to freelancers, agencies offer a better solution. This could be someone with the ability to meet your development needs in a more in-depth and long term manner. If you don't know what you need to do to create your software, a software development agency will help you learn how to bring your ideas to life. However, there's a price of rising uncertainty. Agencies manage the whole staff. This starts with project managers to developers to sales and more. This increases the overall investment costs.

When you pay an organization, you not only pay for established software but also for services, such as marketing, administrative, and more. While costs are higher, one advantage agency over freelancers is that you can visit local companies directly. You can collaborate with local companies. You will meet the people who work for you face to face, so it is much easier to handle the whole work process.

5.The power of reviews and portfolios and how to evaluate them

A detailed analysis of software developers' portfolios will tell you a lot about a potential contractor and minimize possible risks. Most ventures surpass or totally miss their costs and/or time budgets. This results in the loss of valuable capital by several businesses that employ software developers.

This is a reasonable observation: thousands of companies are on the market, and one that is able to successfully grow the project can be very difficult to pick. There is, however, a way of mitigating risk. Companies must research portfolios carefully, as they tell a lot about a potential contractor. During this process, you will also discover if your cooperation will be a success or a failure.

Following are the ways to check a software development portfolio:

1. Contractor Having Similar Solutions

Refer to case studies on the website of the contractor for items which are identical by specificity or functionality to yours. Read what the customer wanted initially and how the contractor carried out the project. Decide if you like the outcome.

Be cautious with the technology stack, the programming languages, the software, and the frameworks. If possible, it is also possible to try to verify their quality in practice free versions.

2. Contractor Experience with Similar Industry

That will tell you whether the contractor understands the details of your business. A team that can clearly grasp the answer you need is far easier to work with than a team that doesn't really comprehend your business and industry. Check for case studies in which the team speaks about his job with a similar industry group.

If you can prove that it succeeded for other businesses in your industry, it would be easier for you to share your thoughts with the workers. The contractor is more likely to develop a valuable product since the team has awareness about your problems and understands your business.

3. Company Size Dealt With

Although the contractor has collaborated with companies in your sector and has created similar software to yours, this might not be proof of potential success if your firm's size has a big effect on the particulars of your job.

For example, while start-ups and companies can operate in the same sector, their methods, marketing platforms, and clients can differ considerably. It is beneficial to ensure that the contractor works with companies of your size and understands the specifications thoroughly.

4. Portfolio Designs

Most certainly, before recruiting a software developer, you pay attention to the layout of the website, which is why portfolios should be no exception.

To make the portfolio study easier to read, check if the prospective contractor uses sub-headers, bullets, bold text, and graphs. In this case, consider additional evidence of the professionalism of the contractor and the confidence of potential customers.

5. Client Quotations

A portfolio may lack credibility without customer quotations. The contractor team can write anything they want, and any project is likely to be favorably portrayed. However, the opinion of the consumer is not always assured correctly.  Without quotations, you can request contact information from any of your past customers with whom you can check credentials with the prospective contractor.

You can also see the profile of the contractor on Clutch. With customer reviews and assessments, you can get a certain sense of the business. Perhaps the team does not merit your confidence if you still do not obtain confirmation of progress.

In Part 2 we will go deep on the difference, pros and cons, and red flags of the choice between freelance software developers and corporate agencies.

PART 2: FREELANCERS VS CORPORATE SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS