Which criteria help in deciding between Standard and Custom?

Important factors are budget, process complexity, integration requirements, growth plans, and the desired degree of differentiation.

Is Custom software always more expensive than Standard solutions?

The initial investment is higher, but in the long term, the elimination of license fees and lower adaptation costs can reduce the total cost.

How much does the development of Custom software cost in Switzerland?

The costs vary depending on the scope and technology. Small projects often start at around CHF 50,000, and complex systems can cost several hundred thousand.

Can Standard software be integrated with existing systems?

Yes, via interfaces or APIs, but the integration can be complex and cause additional costs.

What happens if the Standard software provider discontinues development?

You are dependent on the last version or must migrate to a new solution, which causes additional costs.

Who takes over the maintenance of Custom software?

Usually the development partner, with clearly defined Service Level Agreements for updates, support, and security.

Which industries particularly benefit from Custom software?

Industry, manufacturing, logistics, financial service providers, and all companies with complex processes or high automation requirements.

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Customized software vs. Standard solution

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Sofia Steninger
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In many companies, Digitization begins with a standard tool: quickly installed, cheap to start. But limits soon appear: processes don’t fit, workarounds emerge, interfaces are missing. This is precisely the sticking point: Is it strategically better to invest in custom software now?

Three important points:

Standard software is immediately usable, but it can restrict your processes.
Custom software gives you full control over data, functions, and further development.
Competitive advantages arise when processes are implemented precisely and efficiently.

Why Custom Software? The answer is simple:

What is Standard software?

Customized software vs. Standard software

Standard software is a ready-made solution that can be used by many companies equally. Typical examples are ERP systems, CRM tools, or Accounting programs.

Advantages of Standard Software

Rapid deployment
Low initial purchase costs
Proven functions and regular updates
Large user community and support

Disadvantages of Standard Software

Limited customization options
Licensing costs and dependence on the vendor
Possible workarounds when processes cannot be mapped
Risk that updates suddenly force expensive adaptations

Typical Areas of Application

Standardized processes like Financial accounting
Small to medium-sized enterprises with manageable processes
Short-term Digitization projects with a limited budget

What is Custom software?

Custom software is developed specifically for your company. It maps your processes exactly and grows with your requirements.

Advantages of Custom Software

Tailor-made mapping of your workflows
No licensing costs and full control over functions
Flexible expandability and high scalability
Competitive advantages through unique features

Disadvantages of Custom Software

Higher initial investment
Longer development time
Requires clear requirements and good project management

Typical Areas of Application

Industries with complex or unique processes
Companies with a high need for automation
Projects where differentiation is critical

Efficient Custom Development: Stadler Inspection App

1 Project Overview

Stadler Rail stands for the highest quality, sustainability, and state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies in railway vehicle construction. To ensure this high standard in quality control, even with growing production, soxes collaborated with Stadler to develop a mobile application that digitizes and automates the entire inspection process.
2 Challenge

With the expansion of production and service, there was an increasing scarcity of qualified specialists for inspections. The question was how to efficiently support these experts so that checks could be documented faster and reports could be processed directly without delays.
3 Solution

soxes conceptualized and developed a native Android app that digitally maps all relevant process steps. From the integration of order and vehicle data and image uploads to an intelligent speech-to-text function, all inspections are documented efficiently. Reports are generated automatically and are forwarded directly to the technician teams anytime, on-site, and with the highest security standards.
4 Result

The Stadler Rail Inspection App has been in use worldwide since 2021 and has reduced the processing time per inspection by approximately 30 percent. This allows experts to focus on their core tasks while processes run significantly more efficiently. Due to the positive results, the solution is continuously being expanded and transferred to additional workflows.

Standard Software vs. Custom Software

Standard Software	Custom Software
Quickly Ready for Use Standard solutions can be installed and used quickly because all features are already fully developed and immediately available.	Tailor-made The software is developed exactly according to your workflows, so all functions perfectly match your internal processes.
Lower Initial Cost Initial purchase costs are significantly lower, as only licenses and a short setup are required.	Full Control You decide on features, updates, and expansions and are not dependent on the licensing terms or product cycles of a vendor.
Proven Features You benefit from tested processes, regular updates, and a large user base that ensures stability.	High Scalability The solution grows with your company, can be expanded at any time, and can flexibly accommodate new requirements.
Limited Customization Customizations are only possible within the vendor's predefined limits, which leads to compromises for special processes.	Long-Term Cost-Effective Although the initial investment is higher, ongoing license fees and expensive customizations are eliminated, often leading to lower overall costs over the years.

Market Development of Custom Software in Switzerland

Customized and Standard Software: The Best of Both Worlds

In Switzerland, the demand for Custom software solutions is increasing, especially among medium-sized companies. While standard software is still widespread, more and more firms are recognizing the Advantages of Custom software, which can be better adapted to specific requirements and seamlessly integrated into existing systems.

Source: Swiss Software Industry Survey 2024, University of Bern, page 7

Frequently asked questions

Which criteria help in deciding between Standard and Custom?

Important factors are budget, process complexity, integration requirements, growth plans, and the desired degree of differentiation.
Is Custom software always more expensive than Standard solutions?

The initial investment is higher, but in the long term, the elimination of license fees and lower adaptation costs can reduce the total cost.
How much does the development of Custom software cost in Switzerland?

The costs vary depending on the scope and technology. Small projects often start at around CHF 50,000, and complex systems can cost several hundred thousand.
Can Standard software be integrated with existing systems?

Yes, via interfaces or APIs, but the integration can be complex and cause additional costs.
What happens if the Standard software provider discontinues development?

You are dependent on the last version or must migrate to a new solution, which causes additional costs.
Who takes over the maintenance of Custom software?

Usually the development partner, with clearly defined Service Level Agreements for updates, support, and security.
Which industries particularly benefit from Custom software?

Industry, manufacturing, logistics, financial service providers, and all companies with complex processes or high automation requirements.

Custom and Standard Software: The Best of Both Worlds

In many cases, it is not necessary to strictly opt for one of the two solutions. A combination of Standard software and Custom software can unite the advantages of both approaches.

Companies can use a proven Standard solution for general business processes and enhance it with custom-built individual software to meet specific requirements. These bridging solutions offer the best of both worlds: the stability of Standard software and the flexibility and efficiency of Custom software.

Although ERP, CRM, and PPS systems cover many functions, there are often specific business requirements that these Standard solutions cannot map, as they are designed to fulfill the general and frequently occurring requirements of many industries. Despite their versatility, Standard solutions often reach their limits when it comes to specific, unique business requirements.

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Sofia Steninger
Solution Consultant

+41.. Show number +41 55 253 00 53

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Expert knowledge for your project

Sofia Steninger is passionate about well-designed software solutions that deliver results. As Solution Sales Manager at soxes with a master’s degree in Engineering and Business Design from Chalmers University of Technology, she understands the language of technology and business. She particularly resonates with customers in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.