Many businesses like the idea of operating a bespoke tech stack, but only a tiny minority will ever get around to building one. The scope of such a project seems way out of their ability to fulfill it.
However, that’s not always true. These days, you can hire developers who stitch everything together for you, matching it up seamlessly. While such projects require the right budget, the long-term benefits they offer firms are enormous and really add up over the years.
The purpose of this post is to explore why a bespoke tech stack makes sense for most enterprises. Granted, you’ll need to be careful to get a decent return on investment, but other than that, it’s usually something that companies seriously consider, particularly those struggling to make their operations more efficient.
Tailored To The Business’s Requirements
The most obvious reason to choose a bespoke tech stack is that developers tailor it to your business’s requirements. A lot of time and attention goes into ensuring that it complements your workflows.
This approach is vastly different from conventional off-the-shelf solutions. Any software you implement is designed around your business and the software you already use. You don’t have to make do and put up with regular solutions.
Overall, this approach helps streamline operations and enhance customer experience. It’s completely different from trying to make do with generic options that don’t really jibe with each other, especially across companies and departments.
Scalable To Your Team
The next reason why a bespoke tech stack is essential for your enterprise is that you can scale it how you want. You’re not limited by a vendor who puts restrictions on what you can do.
For example, a customer stack lets you add infrastructure and functionality when it suits you. Your firm isn’t reliant on ensuring that the vendor keeps pace with what you want to do.
Furthermore, it’s easier to integrate new tools and capabilities when you’re avoiding off-the-shelf options. You have more free rein, and there are developers and other professionals who are willing to help you along the way. No external roadmaps or timetables can block you from doing what you want to do.
Enhanced Performance
In some scenarios, a bespoke tech stack may also enhance performance. You may find that everything can get done faster because the underlying hardware and software are so much more capable.
Developers and engineers can work with your firm to assist with every layer of your tech stack, from your APIs to your physical components. The idea is to get each part to talk to the other so that they form a more seamless whole.
If done right, you should find that this approach brings all sorts of benefits, including reduced downtime and lower latency. It could also boost productivity if workers rely heavily on fast-loading machines that allow them to get on with tasks immediately instead of waiting by a loading screen.
Furthermore, this approach could also be beneficial in high-transaction and high-intensity environments. If your customers or staff make many requests of your system in quick succession, that could be an indication that going down the bespoke route is worthwhile.
Seamless Integration With Legacy Solutions
As mentioned above, the bespoke approach also provides you with seamless integration with existing legacy solutions. This approach means you don’t always have to migrate to a brand new platform–you can simply connect what you already have.
This approach seems complicated, but skilled developers can link almost any application in intuitive and practical ways. You could connect a website ordering system to a CRM or a budget planner to a bank account app. Ultimately, what you want to do via advanced APIs is up to you. You could also create systems that dedicate their resources to specific tasks periodically and then re-focus on others later when demand dies down. Again, these systems already exist, so you won’t need to invent any new technology.
Competitive Differentiation
Another reason for a bespoke tech stack is the competitive differentiation it offers. If you start using one, you’ll likely be one of the only players in your sector to do so. Most firms won’t bother until the price mechanism forces them to take action.
Furthermore, you could use a bespoke and unified tech stack to give you more features and processes that set you apart from the competition. Even small things can make all the difference.
For example, you might develop an algorithm that helps your customers discover the best products for them or an app that delivers more of what customers want. You could even incorporate your bespoke system into your sales funnel, providing support to customers every step of the way.
Better Compliance
Bespoke tech stacks also give you the ability to adhere to higher compliance standards. You can use software tailored to your sector’s regulations, allowing you to check all the boxes more easily.
For example, you could build things like access and encryption into the base layer of your digital operations. Then, you could provide customers with firmer guarantees about their data being safe.
Greater Cost Control Long-Term
Another benefit most businesses don’t consider is the greater cost control that bespoke tech stacks offer over time. While they can be expensive to set up, they often reduce outgoings over time, simply because of how efficient they make everything. A lot of firms are willing to put in the money upfront.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money upfront, it’s also possible to pay for these solutions over time. You could split the work into a series of milestones, focusing on the most critical tasks first.
Flexibility For Innovation
Lastly, full control of your stack lets you iterate and innovate how you want, whenever new ideas come into your mind. For example, you might see a way to add AI to your tech stack. Instead of just buying a new solution, you can slot it in bespoke, like it has always been there. This approach lets you respond more quickly than rigid competitors who aren’t using agile systems.
