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What can Mustard do to help your business?
Mustard create bespoke software and mobile applications. We do this so that you and your staff have the information required to run your business. We have been creating bespoke applications for over 20 years and have worked within most of sectors. However, no one knows your business like you do. So we will take the time to understand your existing processes and find out what you expect to achieve.
We do not need a technical specification, or any written overview from you. Instead we try to get a good understanding of what you require and who will be using the system. We are flexible and expect comments such as “I like that but can you change it to…..” or “Such and such is required here, can you add it?” during the development and that is why you should choose Mustard. We understand that until you are using a system, you will not know if all the angles have been covered.
The route to bespoke software development
Your business is growing, at one time you knew all of your customers by name, and what they had ordered. You probably moved on to spreadsheets but after a short time, those became cumbersome and complicated. At that point you started taking on staff to help you. You then realise that you can no longer keep information in your head. Your staff need to know what you know, about your customers, their orders and your stock.
You know that computers are the answer but after trying a few off-the-shelf packages your realise that your business needs something special and unique, something that matches your existing processes.
This is the point that bespoke software development starts to make sense and this is where Mustard can help. Generally, customers of Mustard do not start out to computerise their entire operation. They start with a single function, like a customer database or a cost calculator.
But over time, as the business grows, bespoke software can reach every corner of your business. Each new function being paid for by the savings of the previous development.
What Is Bespoke Software?
Bespoke software is used by all types of businesses, from one-person training companies to major investment banks. Most small businesses operate a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to keep track of their prospects and customers. When a business first starts, prospects and customers are stored in Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets or Microsoft Access databases. All of these solutions work until you either have too many customers or start taking on staff.
What are the advantages of bespoke software?
Bespoke software is designed specifically for your business, so you do not have to alter your existing processes. Bespoke software enables you to have multiple users and to provide permissions to those users, which improves accountability and protects you from accidental deletions and data theft.
The software is an asset of your business and can attract better offers when you come to sell. You also own the data and are free to use it how you wish without restrictions.
What are the disadvantages of bespoke software?
Bespoke software is a long-term commitment as a computer system takes time to build and develop. You are often dependant on the software development company, and it can be challenging to transfer to a new provider. At Mustard, we understand this concern and will provide access to the backend database and a backup of the source code so that you are free to change provider. Bespoke software is also more expensive as the developer only has you as the customer for your bespoke system.
Who uses bespoke software?
Bespoke software is used by all types of businesses, from one-person training companies to major investment banks. Most small businesses operate a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to keep track of their prospects and customers. When a business first starts, prospects and customers are stored in Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets or Microsoft Access databases. All of these solutions work until you either have too many customers or start taking on staff.
How much does bespoke software cost?
Bespoke software is charged by project, by the hour, or a combination of the two. At Mustard, we start with a project price, and this is the cost to get you to a usable product that meets the majority of your requirements. The next stage can then be charged as another project or hourly depending on the features required. At Mustard, our starting price is £1000+vat. For this amount, you could have your own bespoke Customer Relationship Manager that stores the data you need, categorises people and enables you to store files (invoices, quotes etc.) against each entry.
What are the advantages of off the shelf software?
Off the shelf software is designed to fit as many companies as possible, this means that there are usually more features than your business requires, which creates a steeper learning curve for you and your staff. Usually, you can get up and running very quickly, and there are often trial periods so that you can see if the software will work with your business. The cost of off-the-shelf software is usually low and is ordinarily payable as a monthly subscription. However, you do not own the data you enter, and the provider often provides data exports that are little or no use, which prevents you from moving to another product.
What are the advantages of bespoke software over Microsoft Excel?
Spreadsheets, including Microsoft Excel, are what brought computers into the business arena. For calculations, pivot tables and charts, they cannot be beaten. However, spreadsheets have no audit trail, and only one person can edit a spreadsheet at a time. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet can be accidentally deleted or stolen by one of your staff members.
What are the advantages of bespoke software over Microsoft Access?
Microsoft Access is a brilliant database and ideal for a one-person business. However, as your business grows, Microsoft Access starts to show it’s weaknesses including the biggest of which is that the entire database can be ‘accidentally’ deleted or stolen by one of your staff members.
How do I get started with bespoke software?
Bespoke software data-driven, e.g. bespoke software uses information specific to you and your business. At Mustard, we don’t expect a detailed requirements specification. To get started, we only need to know what you want at the end of the software. That could be a report, an invoice, statistics or a graph. A great starting point is your existing system, e.g. a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or a Microsoft Access database.
How long does bespoke software take to design, create and implement?
Bespoke software is very project dependent and can range from a week to several months. At Mustard, we have been creating bespoke software for many years and have a library of components ready to be adapted to your business. For a bespoke Customer Relationship Manager (CRM), you could be up and running within 5 days. A more complicated system like stock control, freight management or recruitment could take a couple of months.
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