Tuesday, November 28, 2023
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Why Your Out of the Box Software Solution Fails

Jones ,  ,  , 

There is plenty of good quality out of the box IT solutions that can support your business, at least at the basic level. Issues arise when you have an eventuality that a system can’t handle. Although bespoke software solutions can also fail, they do offer several distinct advantages. Consider:

  • Should an eventuality occur that your solution can’t handle, your software development services provider can sort it.
  • Good bespoke solutions will be tailored to your needs using UX interfaces that all your teams will recognise and be able to use to their full potential.
  • It will follow the workflow of the business. None of your staff will be backtracking to complete this or that part of the process. Everything will flow seamlessly.
  • It can integrate with other systems giving huge time and productivity advantages.
  • Increases staff morale as the ‘pointless’ tasks vanish.

Out of the Box

Why Out of the Box Solutions Fail

There are plenty of other reasons bespoke software has the edge over off-the-shelf or out-of-the-box alternatives. Think about:

  • Out-of-the-box solutions are a one-size-fits-all, and herein lies the rub. No two businesses are alike or run the same way even if they are competing for the same markets. You’re also tied into inefficiencies as workflows may be different from your own, and the UX is complicated slowing down productivity.
  • The system may not be able to handle unforeseen eventualities and crashes. This is problematic.
  • It may not integrate with other systems. Again, this is a productivity loss as staff switch between systems losing time.
  • Often, you have reoccurring costs with off-the-shelf software.
  • You may be paying for features you will never use.

Although there are times when out-of-the-box solutions work there are plenty of times when they do not.

Deciding on which approach to take for the IT that underpins your business is an important one. The following examples of IT failure show you just how important it is.

3 Times When Software Failed to Come to the Rescue

Heathrow Airport 2020

In 2020, hundreds of flights were cancelled, delayed, and disrupted after a software failure. Passengers with electronic tickets couldn’t check in, and flight information practically vanished. The airport was tight-lipped in giving an explanation as to what happened.

Bangladesh Bank Heist

In 2016 a group of hackers escaped with $81 million USD stolen from a Bangladesh bank. The system failed to print out a list of transactions so nobody spotted the four transactions worth over $20 million each. Several days later the bank cottoned on and managed to stop a further $870 million from being stolen.

Toyota Car Crashes

Between 2009 and 2011 software glitches caused excessive amounts of Toyota cars to crash. The glitches affected safety systems and other safety-critical features which due to the error, left the cars without brakes or would suddenly accelerate. Toyota has been settling claims ever since.

These three examples show how important it is to get your software choice right. Going for bespoke gives you that flexibility off-the-shelf solutions can’t provide.