Bespoke and industry-specific software solutions continue to play a major role in the day-to-day activity of many businesses. Such software is often seen as the only way to handle specialised business processes, such as those undertaken by print, service, distribution, engineering and logistics companies.
There are many reasons for this dominance. Until recently, companies in these sectors seeking to computerise their core activities had very little choice since only custom-made solutions and industry-specific solutions were up to the task. Generic `packaged` business solutions simply did not have the scope or functionality that was required.
Once installed, bespoke solutions tend to have a long lifecycle. Companies grow organically, gradually adjusting and updating their software to match. The outcome is a tight fit between the way the company works and the way its software operates, and thus there is a natural reluctance on the part of management and employees alike to consider the benefits of new solutions. Turning one`s back on a familiar system is never easy, particularly one that represents a substantial investment.
However, this close fit comes at a substantial price. To keep a bespoke solution running usually requires an investment in specialised staff, capable of carrying out everything from routine maintenance to the regular updating of management reports. When these people leave, essential knowledge disappears with them; the intricacies of a bespoke solution are rarely documented in full.
As the business evolve, gaps in functionality can prove difficult to plug. What happens if multi-currency processing is needed to cope with new markets? Similarly, what happens if XML messaging and EDI are required to keep up with competitors, suppliers and customers? If the original vendor cannot help, a new application must be grafted on to the original, with all the additional challenges this presents. Over time, what began as a single, tightly fitting bespoke solution can gradually become a loose assemblage of piecemeal systems, poorly suited to the challenges of a rapidly changing marketplace.
Is there an alternative? Packaged business solutions have always been cheaper to implement and maintain, and that certainly hasn`t changed. But today`s packages have improved in three vital areas.
Firstly, they offer a far greater depth and breadth of functionality. Secondly, they can be easily configured to the needs of individual companies. Lastly, they can integrate seamlessly with almost every kind of third-party application, from best of breed solutions (such as Microsoft Office) to highly specialised, industry-specific software. In short, `packaged` no longer means `restricted`.
Consequently, companies in almost every industry can now enjoy the cost-savings associated with packaged software alongside the tailored fit of a bespoke solution. Occasionally, the final solution may be made up of two or more packages, but the user doesn`t even need to be aware of this.
The SQL Server Dimensions financials package from Access Accounting has innovative integration and configuration tools developed as part of Access` SDK (Software Developers Kit). This kit enables solutions to be fully customised for individual users; presenting such a wide range of functionality as a single package greatly reduces the cost of re-training. Most importantly of all, the responsibility for keeping up to date is shifted firmly from the user to the vendor. Even if they have opted for extensive customisation, users of Access Accounts and customised applications can still take advantage of free software enhancements, as if their solutions were 100% standard.
"Implementing an integrated solution to a wide range of business activities overcomes the biggest difficulties of running multiple applications," says Paul Marketos, MD of ASYST International, "and that is making consolidated, up-to-the-minute information available on demand.
"The largest companies may continue to operate bespoke software solutions, confident they have the IT infrastructure and budgets needed to support them," he says. "But for the majority of South African companies, packaged solutions can now provide a far more cost-effective and efficient alternative."
For further information, please contact Justine Morgan, Marketing Manager, ASYST International SA (Pty) Ltd: telephone (011) 622 0112, fax (011) 622 0124, e-mail jmm@asyst.co.za.
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ASYST International SA is a South African company providing experienced consultancy and specialising in the provision and improvement of business information systems. ASYST International is an established expert in financial, business intelligence customised software systems, providing solutions to improve business efficiency, reduce operating costs and increase profits. Asyst believes in a hands-on approach, from a tailored proposal, through to the best software design and systems configuration, to providing on-going training and support. It is also the sole distributor of Access Accounts in southern Africa.
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