When launching a business, it’s common to focus on immediate needs while overlooking long-term growth and scalability. A vivid illustration of this was encountered during a case study involving a small business with around 30 employees. Despite the company’s profitability and progress, a significant challenge emerged that highlighted the limitations of off-the-shelf software solutions.
License Cost
Initially, the company’s CRM system was sufficient for its small-scale operations. However, as the client base expanded and customer inquiries surged, an evaluation of Salesforce and other CRMs was conducted, with license costs varying from £10 to £100 per user per month. While £10 per user per month might seem affordable, when you scale this to 30 users over 12 months, the costs quickly add up to £3,600 annually. This cumulative expense highlights the importance of evaluating the long-term financial impact of off-the-shelf software solutions
In-House Software Development
Instead of opting for a commercial solution, the decision was made to develop a custom system in-house. The IT team and developers, experienced with ASP / .NET, undertook the project. Despite comprehensive end-to-end testing, the developers failed to plan for scalability adequately. When the new system was implemented during a peak season, it struggled with the increased data volume, leading to severe slowdowns and ultimately a complete crash. This failure left the company without access to critical information, necessitating a reversion to the previous system.
While the precise cause of the failure remains unclear, I suspect it was related to several factors:
- Inefficient Code: The performance of applications can be heavily influenced by how well the code is written. Inefficient algorithms, poor database query design, or unoptimized code can lead to slower performance.
- Database Bottlenecks: Many ASP and ASP.NET applications interact with databases. Poorly optimised database queries, lack of proper indexing, or slow database performance can significantly impact application speed.
- Resource Management: Inefficient use of server resources, such as memory and CPU, can also affect performance. ASP.NET applications that are not properly managed can lead to memory leaks or high CPU usage, slowing down the application.
- Network Latency: Since ASP.NET applications typically involve server-client communication over the internet, network latency can impact the perceived speed of the application.
This experience underscores the importance of considering scalability from the outset of any software development project. Custom software, though potentially advantageous, must be meticulously planned to accommodate future growth.
Scalability
Long-term scalability is a critical factor that should be prioritized when selecting or developing software solutions. As businesses grow, their needs and demands evolve, making it essential to have systems that can adapt and expand seamlessly. Off-the-shelf software may offer quick and convenient solutions, but it often lacks the flexibility to accommodate future growth and changing business requirements. These limitations can result in costly disruptions, forcing businesses to either upgrade to more expensive plans or undertake time-consuming migrations to new platforms.
On the other hand, custom software development offers the potential for a more tailored and scalable solution, but it requires careful planning and foresight. Without a strong focus on scalability during the initial development phase, even custom-built systems can struggle under the pressure of increased data volumes, higher user loads, and more complex operations. This oversight can lead to performance bottlenecks, system failures, and the need for costly re-engineering down the line.
With a background in logistics, IT, and development, it’s clear that a long-term approach is vital. Ensuring scalability from the outset is not just about meeting immediate needs—it’s about building a foundation that supports sustained success and growth. Whether opting for an off-the-shelf solution or custom development, businesses must prioritize scalability to avoid setbacks and ensure their software continues to meet their needs as they expand.
If you’re considering custom software development for your business, we’d love to hear from you. Custom solutions offer the unique opportunity to tailor every aspect of the software to your specific needs, turning your vision into reality. We thrive on challenges and believe that innovative, out-of-the-box thinking can bring your ideal software to life exactly the way you envision it. Remember to check out our Custom CRM Development and Custom CMS Development page.