3 Stages Of Software

The 3 Stages of Software

Are you a tech newbie? Don’t know if you need software? Let us help you to understand what stage of the software life-cycle you are in.

Firstly, what is software?

This is the hardest part about what we do here at Dvelop.IT. Essentially, in the simplest terms, software is how we tell a computer or system what to do. However, it is a vast and complicated entity. One that is often misunderstood, or just not understood at all! This is a huge shame as any techie knows that software can do amazing things, especially for businesses. Let me give you an example…

Imagine a typical delivery company. Without software, or back in the good old days, people would have to use maps to plan routes as efficiently as possible. This would take hours upon end and without live traffic information might just be a fruitless task. Nowadays, using clever software (which we have built) businesses can plan routes with live traffic info incorporated into it, so they can be as efficient as possible when it comes to time or money.

Streamline, work smarter and increase revenue

That’s why we develop software for our clients, to help them streamline their processes, work smarter or even increase revenue. In most cases software usually offers a great ROI too. But this is just one example, the possibilities are endless!


Knowing what you’ve read above (if you didn’t know it already), I want to help show you how this translates into business success. Here are our 3 stages of software and how to recognise where you are:


post-it-chaos

Stage 1: You don’t have/need software

We will never try to sell our services to businesses that won’t benefit from what we do. You also have to consider scale of businesses. If you are a ‘one man band’, it’s unlikely you will need software, other than very basic systems such as an e-mail account. Also, if you are pretty organised and tech friendly you are probably effectively managing your time well anyway.

The main way to tell if you need software is to ask yourself this – “Am I struggling with anything in my business day today? Is there anything taking way too much valuable time? Do I have pains that could be simplified or automated?” If the answer to any of these is yes, then software might be the right route for you.


Stage 2: You’re happy with ‘off-the-shelf’ software

You may already be doing this. A CRM is very important to a lot of businesses. Accountancy software is very popular too. There are so many systems out there that are cheap or even free and do exactly what you need them to do.

Off the shelf software can be great, we use it ourselves! However, once you’ve been using this software for a while you will notice that it has limitations. For example, your CRM doesn’t work with your accountancy software and therefore you act as a middle-man. This can become time consuming. Is your off-the-shelf software GDPR compliant?  If not, then that might soon present some big issues for your business.  Are you starting to outgrow your software?  As your business needs grow are you hitting the limitations of off-the-shelf software?  If any of this sounds familiar, then maybe you are ready for the next stage?


Stage 3: You need bespoke software

By its very nature, bespoke software can do (pretty much) whatever you want it to do. We can make systems talk to each other or even better, build something completely bespoke to your needs from scratch. Imagine the time you could save and what processes you have that you could streamline. Here’s a simple example: you could generate invoices automatically from your CRM system – it would not only produce the invoices but also send them too and even chase payment automatically.  Automation like this can be a game changer for some businesses!


Bespoke software can be exactly what you need it to be

Now, obviously every business is different and runs in a different way. This is the beauty of bespoke. It can be whatever you want it to be, do whatever you want it to do, when you want it to do it!

With all this new information, have a think about your current practices. You may be surprised at the ideas you now have. We can help to turn your ideas into reality, it’s our bread and butter and it’s what we love doing. If you’re still at stage 1 or 2 then you don’t need us but, if you’re at stage 3 or even feel like you’re getting there, then come and speak to us.

Join the software revolution!