Category Archives: Custom Business Software

Unique Businesses Often Need Custom Software | Modest Dev

Unique Businesses Often Need Custom Software

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Clients are motivated by all sorts of things when they come to Modest in search of custom business software. A motivation we hear a lot is the need for software that adapts to an unconventional business. And we know from experience that there are a lot of unconventional businesses out there.

It is not unusual for us to work with companies whose businesses are unconventional that nothing off-the-shelf even comes close to meeting current needs. They come looking for custom business software because they have exhausted the workarounds they have been applying to their off-the-shelf software. Tired of the workarounds, they want something made just for them.

Managing the Chaos

One of our clients operates a very unique business in the Salt Lake City area. Without getting into the details, her business is set up in such a way that tasks are passed from one party to another similar to how relay race runners pass a baton. Prior to coming to us for custom business software, the business owner felt like she was barely managing the chaos created by her off-the-shelf product.

We fully understand such thinking. We have come alongside more than one client working so hard to overcome the limitations of off-the-shelf software that the work environment could be described as nothing less than chaotic. That’s generally the case when unconventional businesses attempt to adapt to conventional software.

One of our goals is to bring an end to the chaos. We don’t want to simply manage it; we want to eliminate it. We do so based on the foundational principle of giving clients only what they need and nothing more. We accomplish it by starting with basic modules that function as building blocks for a custom software package.

An Affordable Way to Build

Our development process revolves around software modules for several reasons, the first being that it is a more affordable way to build custom business software. We don’t want our clients to have to exhaust their finances to get a good software product. We want them to be able to afford what we build. The module model allows for that.

Starting with modules also allows us to build in customized functions in shorter amounts of time. The foundation for each and every function already exists within the modules. We just need to modify it to meet the needs of the client. And when you are running an unconventional business, plenty of modifications are likely needed.

Still another advantage of the module model is built-in scalability. As a company grows, we do not have to reinvent the wheel to keep their software going. We simply adapt what is already working to accommodate a larger number of users.

The Best Way to Meet Unique Needs

We think it is safe to say that the best way to meet unique needs in terms of business software is to invest in custom software development. Yet there is a considerable barrier to overcome: cost. Custom software development is not always cheap.

We are very cognizant of budgetary concerns. Once again, that is why we utilize the module approach. We are firmly committed to the idea that clients can have customized software uniquely designed around their processes and workflows without spending a small fortune.

If you run an unconventional business for which off-the-shelf software is insufficient, we invite you to learn more about custom business software built on modules. We would love the opportunity to demonstrate how the Modest approach can lead to software perfectly tailored to your business at a cost that fits into your technology budget. We hope you will give us that opportunity. Contact us today to learn how we can build a custom software that best suits your business.

Overcoming the Custom Software Learning Curve | Modest Dev

New Software for Small Business Overcoming the Learning Curve

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Custom software for small businesses is what we specialize in. And here at Modest, we do our absolute best to give each client exactly what is needed. We get to know our clients’ businesses so that we can develop software that easily adapts to how they do things. Even so, the learning curve that comes with new software cannot be avoided.

Employees still need to learn how to use new software. They still need to learn how to navigate, how to complete basic tasks, and even how to troubleshoot to some extent. Learning all this information takes time. In software development, the amount of time and effort required is represented by the learning curve.

We Face It, Too

Before going on to explain how your organization can overcome the learning curve that comes with new software, we want you to know that we face the learning curve, too. We need to deal with it in relation to the technologies and tools we use to create custom business software.

Whenever a new technology merges, we need to learn how to use it. Likewise for new software development tools. You could say that our developers are in a constant state of education given the fact that our industry is evolving so rapidly. The main takeaway here is that we understand the learning curve. We feel your pain. That’s why we try to align software to a client’s workflow as much as possible.

Minimizing the Learning Curve

It is our position that the key to overcoming business software’s learning curve is to minimize it as much as possible. The shorter and less steep the learning curve is, the more quickly employees get beyond learning to return to maximum productivity. Here are some suggestions for doing just that:

1. Map Routine Tasks

You can help your software developers create better software by mapping the routine tasks your employees normally do on the computer. By mapping, we mean writing down the steps they take to complete a given task.

For example, how does a sales executive translate digital data into printed reports? Mapping all those steps provides information a software developer could use to make the process as simple and efficient as possible.

2. Ask for Feedback

During the early stages of software design, ask employees for feedback regarding your current software. Find out what they like and dislike about the package. Ask for any suggestions they might have for improving workflow. With that information, your developers will be better able to create custom business software that maximizes intuitiveness while simultaneously minimizing the need to learn new workflows.

3. Incentivize the Learning Process

Having to learn new software is unavoidable. Some amount of learning is always required. However, an innovative approach some companies are now beginning to look at is applying gamification to learning new business software.

Gamification is literally applying game-playing principles to incentivize the learning process. A good example would be sending employees through a series of learning modules followed by a quick review and on-screen test. Employees can compete for the highest test scores.

4. Leverage Demonstrations

Finally, do not rely exclusively on written documents to train employees. It is better to leverage hands-on demonstrations that encourage employees to walk through routine tasks with the help of an experienced trainer. Live demonstrations beat static training documents any day.

Choose Modest as your developer for custom business software and we can promise you will get software designed around your current workflows. We will also collaborate with you to overcome the learning curve that comes with new business software. Contact us to learn how we can build a custom software that suits your business

Why if It Ain't Broke Doesn't Apply to Business Software | Modest Software Development

Why ‘If It Ain’t Broke’ Doesn’t Apply to Business Software

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There is an old adage that says, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. It has been our experience that a lot of companies apply the principle to their business management software. We think that this is a mistake. Just because a company’s business software is working as intended doesn’t mean it is achieving the best possible results. We believe the most efficient and compatible software is a custom business software that addresses a client’s specific needs and requirements.

In business, results are everything. How a company achieves its stated goals matters. And sometimes, when goals are achieved through old and outdated software that no longer meets modern standards, inefficiency impacts the bottom line without management thinking twice about it. That is a mistake. What’s the solution? Custom business software.

The Horse Wasn’t Broken

Not wanting to replace things that aren’t broken is understandable. Upgrades can be time-consuming and expensive. They can also come with pretty steep learning curves. But imagine if we followed the ‘if it ain’t broke’ philosophy across the board. We wouldn’t be driving cars today.

The horse wasn’t broken when engineers first started working on cars powered by steam engines. For centuries, the horse proved a reliable form of transportation. So why design cars? Because they represented a better way to do things. Cars are faster. They can carry heavy loads. They do not need rest, medical attention, or tons of food.

Just as the car was a total upgrade from the horse, custom business software is an upgrade from that old, outdated system your company is still using. Maybe your old business software still functions the way it’s supposed to. But could it function better? Could it be leaner, meaner, and more efficient?

Nothing to Be Afraid Of

It is not unusual for business owners and managers to fear embracing new software packages because they don’t know what to expect. And yet there is nothing to be afraid of – as long as you team up with a custom software developer with a proven track record and a genuine interest in creating software around your needs. That is what we do here at Modest.

The whole point of going with custom business software is getting a package that fits the way you already do business. By contrast, off-the-shelf packages are designed around generic business needs. You get some of the features you want but not all. You also get plenty of bloat. In a best-case scenario, you need to apply multiple workarounds to maximize the effectiveness of that software.

When you go the custom route, all the negatives that come with off-the-shelf solutions are pretty much nonexistent. You get exactly what you need and none of what you don’t want. You also get business software that works the way you work.

Maximize Efficiency and Productivity with Custom Business Software

Perhaps your old and outdated business software isn’t broken. Maybe it works just fine. But where does it stand in terms of efficiency and productivity? There may be better ways to do things. There might be a way to boost efficiency and productivity with custom business software that fully integrates with all your systems.

Imagine business management software with built-in automation capabilities. Imagine a package that integrates with accounting, HR, etc. It is not just a dream. Custom business software at an affordable price can be reality.

As a company that specializes in software development services, Modest is all about custom business software. We invite you to contact us to learn more about our approach to building business packages. We will get to know your company and how you do business. Then we will build a package perfectly suited to your needs. Best of all, we won’t bust your budget.