Imagine the following scenario: a company has been using the same legacy business software for more than 20 years. It is no longer keeping up, so Mike is given the task of finding an adequate replacement. His biggest problem is the many software pain points his colleagues complain about. And since new software means new pain points, he is stifled in his search.

Does this scenario sound familiar? Have you ever found yourself in a similar position? Pain points are one of the biggest hurdles to adopting new business management software. Too many pain points can stop you in your tracks. It is easy to find yourself so afraid of adopting new software that you never actually do. Meanwhile, your legacy software continues to be more of a burden and less of a helpful tool.

5 of the More Common Pain Points

There are as many software pain points as there are business software developers. Pain points come in all shapes and sizes. Below are five of the more common ones we have encountered as a custom software development firm. Perhaps you are familiar with them.

1. Compatibility

Rarely do companies rely on a single piece of business management software to run everything. Rather, multiple software solutions are employed. This creates a problem when it’s time to upgrade or replace – new software isn’t necessarily compatible with the other packages a company is using. Sometimes new software is not compatible with a company’s current business or workflow.

2. Software Bloat

Software bloat can be a pain point on multiple levels. First, bloat can make new software too overwhelming for users to learn. Second, companies pay for bloat. A company could spend a lot of money on a bloated piece of software filled with features that will never be used.

3. Missing Features

The other side of the bloat problem is business management software lacking critical features. Missing features do not help people get their work done. Meanwhile, the IT team needs to spend a lot of time creating workarounds.

4. Lack of Support

Off-the-shelf business software rarely comes with the kind of support businesses need. Without proper support, a piece of software can become a real nightmare. Have you been there?

5. Price and Value

Shopping for new business software makes one realize just how expensive running a business can be. Price is a big pain point. In addition, a perceived lack of value makes the pain point hurt even more. If you feel like you are paying too much and not getting enough in return, you may be reluctant to buy new software in the future.

Custom Software Is the Answer

It is not possible to eliminate every pain point that comes with business software. Pain points are a normal part of the equation. But there is a way to minimize them: a custom software solution from a company committed to developing packages around how you already do business.

Custom business software can have its own pain points. Here at Modest, we limit the pain points by learning your business. We learn what you do, how you do it, and whether you think you can do it better. Then we design software to fit your unique needs. You get nothing more and nothing less.

Every software package we develop comes with our full support. We will answer your questions, help you troubleshoot problems, and even teach you how to use your new software. We do what we do because we believe in the power of customized business solutions. If pain points are keeping you from upgrading your software, let us talk.

Modern companies are not afraid to tell their customers just how innovative they are. Meanwhile, management routinely talks about innovation during team meetings, collaboration sessions, and training sessions. Here at Modest, we believe in innovation, too. So much so that we also believe companies can harness custom business software to drive their innovation.

Software is part and parcel of modern business. No one does paper anymore. Everything is electronic, digital, and computer based. Therefore, business software forms the foundation of everything a company does. A company trying to be innovative without software capable of supporting innovation is not going to get far.

Off-the-Shelf vs. Custom Business Software

The developers behind off-the-shelf business software do their best to innovate. Yet off-the-shelf software has one major flaw: it is designed to appeal to the broadest possible customer base. That might be good for them in the sense of being able to sell a lot of licenses, but it is not good for their customers.

Custom software goes way beyond automation. It goes beyond the basics like connectivity, file sharing, and group collaboration spaces. Custom business software is designed to solve very specific problems – with direct solutions rather than workarounds. It can be designed to capture unique data points or give a company an edge over its competitors with features not found in off-the-shelf solutions.

A Tailored Solution

By its nature, custom business software is a tailored solution. We take that concept one step further by making it our business to learn and understand yours. We take the tailored solution concept to its logical conclusion by designing software around how your company does business. You tell us what you do and how you do it; we create software to make it happen.

A big advantage of tailoring each solution to the customer is winding up with a package that contains only the required features and nothing more. You are not saddled with bloated software loaded with features you will never use. You also don’t have to find workarounds for missing features.

Automation and Data Capture

Business management software is made better when automation is built in. Let’s face it, there are some routine and basic business tasks that don’t really require human intervention. They can be automated through a custom business software solution. Automation frees employees to do more important things. Your team has more time to innovate because it is not spending time on mundane tasks.

Along with automation is customized data capture. This is where some of the most exciting innovations are born. We write software that can capture as little or as much data as you want. You and your management team can then figure out how to use that data to the company’s advantage. You supply the metrics; we will find a way to capture them in your business software.

You Maintain Control

The secret to using business software to drive innovation is maintaining control over the software environment. Rather than your company’s business software being in control, you and your team members are running the show. You use your custom business software as a tool for doing whatever it is you do best. And because the software is customized to your current workflow and practices, it pushes you forward rather than pulling you back.

Innovation is critical to moving forward in modern business. If your company is lacking in innovation, could it be that your business software is holding you back? The possibility is worth considering. In the meantime, reach out to Modest and let us show you how custom business software can help drive innovation within your company.