5,000 pages to a new platform, without having to re-enter a single one.
Adfiz
Custom software
Custom software, but not always
You are looking for software that does exactly what your organisation needs, because standard packages are not suitable. Often this is justified. Just as often, it becomes evident in the conversation that the problem doesn’t require new software, but rather a better arrangement of what you already have.
Below, you will read what custom software is, when it is the right choice, and when it might be better to avoid it. And if it is indeed necessary, why we build it as an extension to a standard platform instead of as a standalone system.
What customised software is
Custom software is software built around your process rather than the other way around. The functionality, screens, and workflows follow the way you work, not the choices that a package provider has made for an average customer. This means it integrates with the systems you already use, and you don’t have to adapt your work to the technology.
That doesn't say anything about what you build it on, and that's where the difference lies that most people do not expect.
What custom software you deliver
It fits your process.
You add what you are missing and remove what you never use, rather than working around it.Work that is currently manual becomes automated.
Double entry, retyping, and verification rounds disappear from the process.Your insights grow alongside it.
Data from various systems come together in one place, so you operate on figures instead of assumptions.It scales with your organisation.
New functionality is added without the need to rebuild what already exists.
These benefits apply to custom functionality. They do not automatically apply to a proprietary technical foundation, and that is precisely where the distinction lies between software that scales and software that stagnates.
Custom built, on a standard foundation
A custom system built from scratch is exactly what you wanted on the day of delivery. Two years later, it has become something else: software that only the builder fully understands, where every change requires a quote, and where a new party takes weeks to comprehend what is there. This is not a technical issue but a dependency issue, and you only realise it when you want to move on.
That’s why we build custom solutions as an extension of a standard platform. Umbraco on Umbraco Cloud handles the management, updates, and security, and on top of that, we build what your process truly needs. You get the same functionality, but the maintenance remains affordable and another party can take it over.
When customisation is the right choice
Sometimes standard isn’t enough, and we say so. This is the case when:
your core process is embedded in the software and exists nowhere else, such as a calculation tool, a configurator, or a matching system
you need a portal where roles and permissions differ per user
you are working with data that a standard data model cannot handle
there is a need for integration with a system for which no standard solution exists
your process is so specific that a standard package would force you to operate in a way you do not want
In those cases, we just build it. The difference is that we build it on a foundation that we don’t have to maintain ourselves.
When you probably don't need it
You want to organise content and links better. This is a matter of setup, not a software issue. A well-structured content platform with links solves that, for a fraction of the maintenance.
You are hitting the limits of a standard package. The question then is usually which platform suits you, not how much you need to build yourself.
You have multiple systems that do not communicate with each other. This calls for integrations, not for adding a new system.
Someone has told you that it needs to be custom-made. Ask then why, and what it will cost to adjust it in three years’ time. The answer to that second question often goes quiet.
If you recognise yourself in this, then a one-hour conversation is enough to determine what you actually need. It will cost you nothing and could save you a lengthy process.
This is how we determine what is truly needed
We inventory each business process step by step. We talk to you, your colleagues, and customers, and analyse every activity within a work process. Where can work be done more effectively and with greater ease? Software needs to fit perfectly, and that’s why we build around your needs. In this way, work within your organisation is done more quickly and with more enjoyment. The result is a distinctive service that truly adds value for your customers.
What we build in practice
Portals for members or customers, with roles, permissions, and restricted content per page or block
Integrations with external systems, from CRM and ERP to PIM and data warehouses
Complex content models that remain simple for editors
Calculation tools, configurators, and search functions built around your process
All of this on Umbraco Cloud, so that management, updates, and security keep pace with the platform instead of being stored in a folder with us.
Why choose customised software from Webwonders?
We manage more than 50 Umbraco Cloud environments and are an Umbraco Platinum Partner. Our lead developer has been named Umbraco MVP for several consecutive years. You work with a dedicated team of seniors and have a single point of contact. There is no account manager in between.
Having customised software developed with a suitable approach
At Webwonders, we work closely with you to develop bespoke software that perfectly matches your business needs. Our process includes the following steps:
Modular Development
Everything we build consists of small blocks. This means that when changes are made, the entire system does not need to be adjusted. We can implement micro-adjustments while keeping the majority of a process the same, ensuring flexibility and efficiency.Block Box
We utilise a flexible approach where we reuse existing components and add new modules to meet your specific requirements. This allows for rapid and cost-effective development of custom solutions.Good Maintenance, Secure, Up-to-Date
Because we build on the foundation of Umbraco Cloud, maintenance is very easy and efficient. Our (web) applications are always secure and up-to-date, meaning you can trust in the continuity and security of your systems.
Frequently asked questions about custom software
Want to know what is wise in your case?
Are you starting from scratch? Then we'll schedule a one-hour conversation. Together, we’ll determine what needs to be tailored and what can be standard.
Schedule a conversation
Do you already have an environment running? Start with the Platform Scan. Within five working days, you'll know what can be done with your current situation, what can be adopted, and what a follow-up might roughly cost. Even if the outcome is that it's better not to build anything.