A business application is a software solution or set of programs that provide business functionality. They are also used to enhance and monitor the performance of the entire organization. Business applications can be used externally, internally or with other business applications.
They can be created in-house or purchased as off-the-shelf solutions. Which type of software a company chooses depends on its specific needs and budget.
3 types of business applications
B2B applications: applications that are used between business partners (e.g. intermediaries, suppliers, etc.). They can be accessed through dedicated lines, such as a web-based bulk ordering service.
B2C applications: applications that are used for general applications. These are mostly websites or web browsers, e.g. websites with dynamic content, e.g. customer loyalty programs, e-commerce programs, etc.
Internal applications: applications that are used within the enterprise. These are core applications for business functionality such as internal ERP system, HR system, etc.
Subcategories of business applications are
Front-end applications: users directly interact with these applications, usually through a graphical user interface.
Background applications : these server applications run behind the scenes and manage background processes.
Service-based applications : these applications serve as an integration point for other applications or systems.
When you start your company, you do things that do not scale. That’s the nature of business. When you start, you test the market to see if there is demand for your services.
The problems arise when your business starts to grow…
You are suddenly forced to ensure the efficiency of your operations. Otherwise, you will stumble over your business systems and prevent success. And this is where business software comes in handy.
5 benefits of business software
Every growing business needs application development. While these critical applications require an initial investment to build, they can provide many benefits for growing organizations. Here are a few:
- Business applications increase employee productivity by streamlining business processes to increase efficiency.
- Business apps enable field workers to stay connected to the office and receive real-time process information.
- Business applications facilitate customer engagement, increasing loyalty and sales.
- Business apps that are powered by intuitive analytics tools that help provide actionable insights to help you grow your business with more informed decisions.
- With low code, developing custom business apps has never been easier, which means you can get exactly what you need without spending high price or time on custom builds.
Development of customized and ready-made business applications
Thinking what is better: off-the-shelf business software or a custom business application?
The answer depends on your business, its specific needs and budget. You need to analyze a number of factors and understand the benefits of each approach. That’s because there is a huge difference in functionality, performance, and usability between these two approaches.
Here is what you need to know about the differences between custom software development and off-the-shelf business solutions.
Custom business application development
Custom applications are usually very flexible and can be well suited for companies with special requirements. Here is everything you need to know:
Custom design : they are created for the specific business processes of a particular company. This means that you don’t have to customize your processes to fit the program. You pay for what you need because the functionality and features of custom programs are designed to meet the needs of specific users and company goals.
Unique features : customized business software can be changed and updated as your company grows, giving you a competitive advantage. You can make changes whenever you want and you don’t have to wait for new versions to add new features or functions. You can also get updates from your business application developers at any time.
Easier integration: custom software can be easily integrated into your existing IT ecosystem. This is very important for data analysis and data-driven business strategy development. You can also perform any integration with other legacy systems or plan to install additional systems later.
Freedom: with custom applications you are not tied down by the busy support team of off-the-shelf vendors.
Better long-term profit : the costs of developing a custom solution can be high.
