Companies need custom software development for many reasons — to create an in-house app for employee communication, to build a custom inventory management system for a specific workflow, to make programs to sell, or just to tweak a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) application.

Some businesses have in-house staff to work on these projects, while others may need to supplement those teams or hire an outside agency to do all the work. If you’re considering working with a vendor to help with your software development projects, you should know what services you’re looking for and how to find the best solution for your goals.

What Are Software Development Solutions?

Software development solutions are services, processes, and products to help you update or create the software you need to use internally or want to sell as a product. Here are a few of the solutions software development service providers offer. All these types can be adapted for web, mobile, or cloud interaction.

While it’s smart to have some idea of what you need, your software development provider can help you determine the right solutions based on your type and size of business, your industry, and the functionality and access you and your employees or customers need.

• Software Creation: This basic level is the foundation of software development companies’ offerings. Many providers focus on a specific industry, such as fintech or manufacturing.
• Enterprise Solution Development: Large companies with multiple international locations require a different level of software. If this is your case, you’ll need to find a software development provider that specializes in this type of system.
• Business Intelligence Creation: You can get a COTS business intelligence software application but, if you want something different, you’ll need to find a provider that specializes in this type of application.
• Specialized programs for AI or IoT: This is another specific type of application that enables users to coordinate with other technologies to perform high-level tasks from a convenient dashboard.
• Industry-specific software: Each industry has specific tasks companies must perform, and each business has its own way of doing it. If your methods are somewhat removed from the standard COTS applications, hiring a software developer may be your best move.

Software Development Methodologies

Prior to starting a new assignment, your software developer will choose a methodology based on the project’s requirements. Methodologies are structures that drive how each design is completed and some of them require more client involvement than others. BairesDev uses the following methodologies:

• Agile: A standard mindset when the client’s involvement is crucial and flexibility is important.
• DevOps: Used for big-scale projects to allow for smoother collaboration and reduced risk.
• Extreme Programming (XP): Allows for cross-functional teams to deliver superior results on high-risk projects.
• Lean: A great approach for when things need to be done quickly and efficiently.
• Prototype: Prioritizes user involvement to create products with excellent user experience (UX).
• Rapid Application Development (RAD): Engaged when the software relies heavily on user feedback.
• Scrum: A “sprint”-based method that includes daily meetings to keep close track of progress.

The Software Development Process

Software development is typically completed in several stages, including requirement gathering, initial design, planning, building, testing, deployment, and maintenance. In the first stages, developers meet with clients to discover exactly what the software will be used for, who needs to use it, how it will be accessed, and what features it should have. Team members may draw out initial ideas about what each screen could look like.

During the intermediate phase of planning and building, all interested parties agree on specific features and the development team completes the actual coding. This phase may also involve the development team or a testing team looking for problems that could become bigger if not identified early on. Either way, team members conduct testing after development is completed to ensure all the functions work as they should, and the software performs well.

After the software is deployed, the development team is typically available to provide training and support as users begin to interact with it. They may also update the software if needed over time.

How to Find the Best Software Development Solutions

To find the best software development solutions for your project, it helps to have at least some idea of what you need. Will your software be used internally by your employees, or will you sell it as a product? Do you want the software to work across multiple locations or at just one? Do you need it to be available via mobile devices, a website, or both?

Non-technical considerations are important as well. Do you need to be able to meet in person with your development team? If not, how many time zones are you willing to have between you? Is it important that the engineers speak your language well and keep you informed via frequent meetings or updates? Is it critical that the developers share your culture and values?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you can start your search. As you’ll quickly learn, that’s easier said than done. There are many companies out there offering software development solutions for all kinds of tech-related projects. Your goal is to sift through this vast offer to find the best candidate to suit your needs and particular challenges.

To do so, you may want to begin by getting referrals from others who have had software custom-created. Ask them what they liked, what they didn’t like, and what they would change if they could. You can also ask about specific things that are important to you, such as timely delivery, cost, and how well they liked the end product.

Next, conduct online research to find potential development partners to narrow your search. Be sure to check out each provider’s portfolio to see if they’ve completed any projects similar to yours. Then interview some of your top picks. Pay attention to the communication process and identify which providers seem to best understand your project and your concerns.

If you’re in the U.S., consider hiring a software developer close to you geographically and culturally — that is, a firm from Latin America. Working with companies from this region offers many benefits. Their developers are well-trained, sometimes from a young age. They speak excellent English and are highly professional experts in their field. BairesDev is just one example of a notable software development solutions company that has been helping U.S. businesses for years and that can boost any project you might have.