Software Feasibility Study: …And Questions To Ask When Deciding Between Custom And Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

• Effect On Business – This area will relate to revenue, efficiencies, including time savings and ROI, product offerings to customers, how these offerings compare with competitors’ offerings, and the satisfaction of employees.

   

• Who Will Use – Internal, external, decision-makers, other.

   

• Interoperability (Now & Future) – Which other systems, and how many, within the company should this new application interact seamlessly? Can and should it integrate with the current system? Will it run on infrastructure, in the cloud, or have to work as a hybrid or multi-system application?

   

• End-User Sophistication Level – Can this be a complex system, or should the user experience be in single steps? Is the audience expecting high-design, or can it be more “database” driven (i.e Turbo Tax vs. H&R Block Software)?

   

• How Much Data Will Be Delivered And Produced – This is a very important question. You should make sure the expectations align with your network and infrastructure. In addition, make sure that you plan to collect your data in a format that can be used for future predictive modeling and any automation that may be in your future if AI becomes part of your plan.

   

• How Much Data Will Be Delivered And Produced – This is a fundamental question. You should make sure the expectations align with your network and infrastructure. Besides, make sure that you plan to collect your data in a format that can be used for future predictive modeling and any automation that may be in your future if AI becomes part of your plan.

   

• What Is The Potential Value Of The Data – If it is proprietary to you and can be used to help in decisions, identifying trends, and assist in other areas of the company, the value increases exponentially.

• Process – Is there a specific process you need to follow for (a) creating custom software, or (b) purchasing and implementing a pre-packaged software solution?

   

• Business Rules & Business Logic – What e the business rules and what is the business logic for the specific application you would like to implement? The rules represent the portion of the software that is specific to your application’s core behavior and will remain fairly constant, while the logic is often subject to change as customer needs dictate. Define the core requirements and the adjustable requirements.

   

• Support (Now & Future) – Do you have people to support the application? In situations where there is no internal support, Intertech is often tasked with upkeep and adjustments to keep the logic client based and in keeping with company directives. Pre-packaged software will typically have a support team that keeps the application updated but rarely offers the ability for meaningful customizations to fit changing requirements.

   

• System Integration – Do you have other applications you need to integrate with? Are there existing integrations that need to be considered? If so, will you be using the same approach or with the integrations be part of the new system? Do you control the integration points for the application or is it a packaged solution? If so, do you have all the licenses you need to operate and modify?

   

• Custom Reporting – Do you need custom reporting?

   

• Accessibility – With the many law suits creeping up on companies due to lack of accessibility, it is important to understand your requirements as a company and weigh the options. Accessibility can take additional time in application development, while many off-the-shelf solutions may not have every aspect of accessibility addressed and cannot be modified or require a work-order and fee to resolve.

   

After answering these questions ask yourself what the implications of this specific project will be on the company and whether it makes sense? If the answer is “YES”, it is time to consider which option is best for you and the company.

There are many SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) and prepackaged applications on the market. This is an option that helps middle-players afford conventional systems without the up-front expense of custom software. The cons are that you often outgrow the software quickly but not the contract. (SaaS Conversions)

Identify the costs of development and convert these to potential savings that will be realized in the future. One way of doing this is by creating a chart similar to the one below. Make sure to consider multiple perspectives on the situation.

Costs vs. Benefits Should Be Considered:

Next, review the technologies that will be required and compare them with new technologies that may be better. Make sure your IT department is with you every step of the way. And make sure not to latch onto fad-tech toted as the most significant thing in years. Take your time and consider if the technology is proven and sound. Ask yourself, is it supported, or is it so specialized that future assistance may be tough to find and very expensive.

Evaluate the technologies you are using and research the innovations these companies offer that may expand your current system while considering new ones that have proven support and integrate well with your company’s existing business IT requirements.

With our Software Feasibility Study we work through all phases to make sure you don’t miss a thing. In the feasibility discovery phase, findings allow us to map out your requirements for development, maintenance, DevOps skillsets, schedules, and deployment. We will add a Full Technical Skill and Competency Review, Time to Market Requirement Analysis, and Regulatory and Internationalization Assessment.

Next, we outline a strategy that will define recommendations for the technology stack, provide a project management game plan and propose necessary team resources. This will include Software Development Lifecycle Planning, Documentation Needs, Rollout Options, Proposed Resource Model, Suggested Technology Stack, and more.

You’ll also receive a project launch map and follow-on support plan. In short: everything you need to plan the actual rollout, as well as manage your documentation needs and the full software development lifecycle.