Custom Software Applications: An Overview
All companies need a good process for managing information if they plan to grow in today's competitive marketplace. A smart business strategy includes having adequate IT systems and processes in place to communicate and collaborate with partners, customers and stakeholders.
To meet market demand, thousands of software packages are designed, published and distributed to the mass market. Everyday examples include such titles such as QuickBooks, Windows, Mac OS X and Microsoft Office. In the age of the Internet, commercial web-based systems also exist, which are generically known as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Pioneered by companies such as Dell and Amazon.com, solutions are presented as online "services" which can be accessed with the global reach of the Internet.
Custom software solutions are created by companies when commercial and SaaS related solutions cannot fit unique business requirements. Examples of custom software applications include:
In some cases a commercial solution may be customized so that it can be used in a unique way by a business. An example of this is Microsoft Office 2007. Using Office, a typical business can use its "out-of-the box" functionality without any customizations. However, Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) can be programmed with custom menus, windows and other functionality to meet a company's specific needs.
Custom software systems can also provide a different view (or level of access) to existing data. This is commonly seen in the area of a Customer Relationship Management. Data related to customers is stored on internal systems which cannot be accessed from outside the company. With the widespread acceptance of the Internet, clients now expect to access their account information, along with inventory, documents and other statistics relative to their business. Examples of these solutions can be seen in online banking as well as in the online components of "brick-and-mortar" companies such as Barnes and Noble, Best Buy and JC Penney.
Other examples of custom applications include extending existing systems to send and receive information from other applications. Facilitating these transactions is technology known as xml web services. Designed by programmers for programmers, these components usually reside within custom or commercially available software products. To encourage growth, companies like Google, Autodesk and Amazon.com "publish" xml web services to encourage adoption of their SaaS based solutions.
Is your company seeking a custom software solution for a specific need? If so review our page on frequently asked project questions (Project FAQ). You'll find additional answers to commonly asked questions and information related to how Arbutus can shape technology to suit your business.
To meet market demand, thousands of software packages are designed, published and distributed to the mass market. Everyday examples include such titles such as QuickBooks, Windows, Mac OS X and Microsoft Office. In the age of the Internet, commercial web-based systems also exist, which are generically known as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Pioneered by companies such as Dell and Amazon.com, solutions are presented as online "services" which can be accessed with the global reach of the Internet.
Custom software solutions are created by companies when commercial and SaaS related solutions cannot fit unique business requirements. Examples of custom software applications include:
- Customer Relationship Management
- Management / Business Workflow
- Internet Websites
- Intranet Websites
- Inventory Management
- Supply Chain Management
In some cases a commercial solution may be customized so that it can be used in a unique way by a business. An example of this is Microsoft Office 2007. Using Office, a typical business can use its "out-of-the box" functionality without any customizations. However, Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) can be programmed with custom menus, windows and other functionality to meet a company's specific needs.
Custom software systems can also provide a different view (or level of access) to existing data. This is commonly seen in the area of a Customer Relationship Management. Data related to customers is stored on internal systems which cannot be accessed from outside the company. With the widespread acceptance of the Internet, clients now expect to access their account information, along with inventory, documents and other statistics relative to their business. Examples of these solutions can be seen in online banking as well as in the online components of "brick-and-mortar" companies such as Barnes and Noble, Best Buy and JC Penney.
Other examples of custom applications include extending existing systems to send and receive information from other applications. Facilitating these transactions is technology known as xml web services. Designed by programmers for programmers, these components usually reside within custom or commercially available software products. To encourage growth, companies like Google, Autodesk and Amazon.com "publish" xml web services to encourage adoption of their SaaS based solutions.
Is your company seeking a custom software solution for a specific need? If so review our page on frequently asked project questions (Project FAQ). You'll find additional answers to commonly asked questions and information related to how Arbutus can shape technology to suit your business.
who we are
Arbutus Software is a premier development firm that provides state-of-the-art custom software applications. Our vision is to help shape technology to meet business challenges by increasing workplace productivity and streamlining automation.
What we do
As a Microsoft Certified Partner, we specialize in custom application development using Internet, database and MS Office technologies. Serving Puget Sound businesses for the past 4 years, Arbutus works with companies of all sizes.
Free Newsletter!
Sign-up for our free newsletter. You'll be notified as new articles, case studies, tutorials and presentations become available.