In 2023, companies are increasingly switching to custom software to address their specific business needs.
Sadly, though, many of those custom software projects fail. According to a recent report by Standish Group, only 16.2% of software projects are successful and one of the primary reasons is a lack of knowledge and ideas.
Long story short, companies usually don't have a clear idea of what they want from their software.
This is where custom software examples can prove helpful. Reading about various custom software examples can help you come up with new and creative ideas for your own project, and this article is here to help you with just that.
We explore some of the most popular custom software examples for 2023 to get you started on your journey to creating the perfect custom software for your business.
Almost every business that has the budget is looking to build custom software instead of buying off-the-shelf software.
Custom software helps you solve unique problems, gives a competitive advantage, offers scalability, and provides many other benefits.
In fact, according to a market analysis by Global Newswire, the global custom software development market is expected to reach a whopping $85.9 billion by 2028.
Not sure what kind of use cases can custom software have?
Below, we’ll cover the 15 most common custom software examples that were successful for real businesses:
Custom streaming software helps stream digital content, such as videos, music, and live events. This software is typically optimized to deliver high-quality video and audio streaming, even in challenging network conditions.
Some popular streaming software examples are Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Netflix's streaming software, for example, is built on a custom-built content delivery network (CDN) called Open Connect. This CDN comprises specialized servers strategically located worldwide to ensure that Netflix can deliver localized content to its users quickly.
Netflix also uses the software to gather data about customer preferences. The company then analyzes the data using algorithms to offer personalized recommendations.
On the other hand, Amazon uses a combination of custom streaming software and cloud infrastructure to deliver its streaming content. Amazon's streaming software is built on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This cloud computing platform provides the scalability, flexibility, and security needed to deliver high-quality streaming content.
Fast food services software is designed to facilitate fast food restaurant operations. This software is typically optimized to manage orders, inventory, and customer data and may also include features such as self-service kiosks.
One of the most prominent examples of fast food services software is the point-of-sale (POS) system used by many fast food chains, including McDonald's. McDonald's has been at the forefront of using POS technology for self-service kiosks, allowing customers to place orders and pay for their meals through a user-friendly interface.
In addition to improving the ordering experience for customers, McDonald's POS technology for self-service kiosks also benefits the restaurant by increasing sales and reducing labor costs. According to data, McDonald's started rolling out self-service kiosks in 2015 and witnessed a 5%-6% sales growth within a year.
Delivery software is another popular custom software example. It helps manage the delivery process of goods or services. Delivery software usually offers features such as tracking deliveries in real-time, optimizing delivery routes, and providing delivery notifications to customers.
Uber Eats is a prominent example of a company that uses custom delivery software to manage its food delivery service. The software allows Uber Eats to connect customers with nearby restaurants and delivery drivers, track orders in real-time, and optimize delivery routes to ensure that meals arrive quickly and safely.
You can collaborate with a custom software developer to create a similar app for your delivery services.
Banks and other financial institutions use custom banking software to manage various aspects of their operations, such as customer accounts, transactions, and regulatory compliance.
For instance, JP Morgan Chase has developed a suite of software tools known as Contract Intelligence (COiN). The COiN uses machine learning algorithms to automate reviewing and processing of legal contracts. The company also takes advantage of standard banking software features, such as transactions, loan processing, account statement generation, etc.
Similarly, Bank of America (BoA) has developed custom software to enhance its online and mobile banking services. The BoA mobile app allows customers to access their accounts, transfer funds, and pay bills.
BoA has also developed a software program called Erica. This AI-powered virtual assistant can help customers manage their finances and make smarter financial decisions. Data shows that over a million people are now using Erica. The virtual assistant has now had more than one billion interactions with customers.
Carpooling software facilitates sharing rides between multiple passengers headed in the same direction. This helps everyone, including the business offering the services, the customers, and the environment.
Lyft uses its custom software to offer carpooling services, such as Lyft Line and Shared Rides, which get riders going in the same direction into contact and enable them to share the ride and cost.
Lyft's carpooling software also provides real-time ride tracking, in-app messaging, and ride schedule features.
Shopping software is developed to make online purchases easier. It can have features such as the following:
Amazon is a prime example of a company that uses custom shopping software. Its software includes algorithms that recommend products based on a customer's browsing and purchase history.
On top of that, it also offers tools that track inventory and manage orders. Amazon also uses its software to monitor pricing and adjust its prices dynamically, making it a leader in the e-commerce industry.
Any software you use to access web pages online is internet browsing software. This software can help users with tabbed browsing, bookmark management, and built-in search capabilities.
Google Chrome is the best custom software example in this category. Chrome is fast, secure, and user-friendly, with features such as automatic updates, built-in malware protection, and streamlined settings management.
In addition to its core browsing functionality, Google Chrome includes various custom features and extensions that can enhance the user's browsing experience.
For example, there’s a Save to Google extension that saves any image or video you are looking at to Google Drive. Another example is the HTTPS Everywhere extension, which converts any unsecured HTTP website to a secure HTTP website by adding a layer of encryption. This can save the users from potential cyberattacks.
Healthcare software is a broad term encompassing various types of software that support the delivery of healthcare services, such as nursing, psychology, and physiology.
Healthcare software usually allows you to digitalize and handle patient data, book appointments, telemedicine, etc.
One of the popular examples of healthcare software is Mayo Clinic's CareLink. CareLink provides healthcare providers access to patient data, clinical guidelines, and best practices to aid decision-making.
Mayo Clinic also uses the software’s custom online web application platform, which leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and predict health risks, support personalized care plans, and improve patient outcomes. There is also software for training, research, development, clinical trials, etc.
On-demand rental software refers to a type of software that allows customers to rent services or products on an as-needed basis. Companies in various industries, including hospitality, transportation, and entertainment, use this software.
Airbnb is one of the most popular examples of a company that uses a custom, on-demand rental software. Their platform allows property owners to rent out their homes, apartments, or rooms to travelers on a short-term basis. The software manages the entire process, from booking to payment, and allows hosts and guests to communicate.
AirBnB's custom on-demand rental software is highly advanced and includes features such as real-time availability calendars, secure payment processing, and instant booking confirmations.
The software also incorporates sophisticated algorithms that help hosts to set competitive prices based on market demand.
Flight ticket booking software refers to the technology that enables customers to purchase airline tickets online. This type of software is a critical component of the airline industry, as it allows airline companies to offer their customers a streamlined and convenient booking experience.
Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines are examples of airlines that use custom flight ticket booking software. Delta Airlines' software is designed to offer a user-friendly interface, easy payment options, and personalized recommendations for flights, hotels, and car rentals. The software also integrates with Delta's loyalty program, allowing customers to earn and redeem miles when booking flights.
Alaska Airlines' custom software similarly offers a seamless booking experience, with features such as flexible date searches, low fare alerts, and the ability to track flight status in real time.
Insurance software is designed to manage insurance-related operations. Some of these operations can include the following:
State Farm and Progressive are two prominent insurance companies using custom insurance software to manage their operations. Moreover, they are taking advantage of user-friendly custom software to ensure enhanced user experience, as insurance is a complex field that customers don't always understand well.
Real estate custom software is a crucial tool in the industry, enabling agents and buyers to manage properties, search for homes, and view market trends. Zillow and Redfin are popular companies in this field that use custom software to provide unique features and user experiences.
Zillow's custom software includes the Zestimate, which estimates the value of a property based on market data and algorithms. They also offer a feature called "Make Me Move," which allows homeowners to set a price to consider selling their homes. Zillow's software also includes a mobile app that lets users search for properties, get notifications about new listings, and connect with agents.
Redfin's software, on the other hand, includes a feature called the "Redfin Estimate," which uses data and machine learning to estimate the value of a home. They also offer a 3D Walkthrough feature, which allows users to virtually tour homes from their computer or mobile devices. Redfin's mobile app includes a feature called "Book It Now," which lets users instantly schedule a home tour with a Redfin agent.
Regardless of the industry, almost every business uses content in one form or the other.
Some companies use text and image content to promote their services through blog posts and articles. Others, use video to create content about their products and services. All of this is vital for building a robust online presence.
CMS, or Content Management System software, helps manage all digital content from a single place. This software helps businesses to streamline their content creation and publishing process and often includes features such as content editing, collaboration tools, and analytics.
TechCrunch is an example of a company that uses custom CMS software. Their software is designed to manage and publish news articles and blog posts on their website. TechCrunch's CMS software includes features such as a visual editor, image and video embedding, and automated article tagging. The software also includes collaboration tools that enable multiple authors and editors to work on the same article simultaneously.
TechCrunch's CMS software also includes analytics tools that provide insights into article performance, such as page views, click-through rates, and engagement metrics. These insights enable TechCrunch to optimize its content strategy and increase audience engagement.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software helps businesses build strong customer relationships. It stores customer data, including their purchase history, contact information, preferences, demographics, etc.
One of the most popular custom software examples in CRM use is that of Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola is a huge company with thousands of customers worldwide. Its custom CRM software is designed to provide a centralized platform for all communications.
It specifically includes features such as customer data management, sales forecasting, and marketing automation. The software also offers tools to manage customer inquiries and complaints, ensuring customer service is consistently high.
Coca-Cola uses Salesforce CRM. However, the company does not use CRM as it is. Instead, it modifies the basic functionalities and builds on the CRM to bring uniqueness and more functionalities. This makes it bespoke software.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a type of software that organizations use to manage their business processes. ERP systems typically integrate various functional areas of an organization, such as finance, human resources, manufacturing, and supply chain management, into a single system that allows better collaboration and data sharing between departments.
Starbucks is one company that has successfully implemented custom ERP software to improve its supply chain management. Starbucks' custom ERP system allows the company to manage its inventory, supply chain, and procurement more effectively.
The system provides real-time data on inventory levels, sales trends, and product demand, allowing Starbucks to optimize its supply chain and reduce waste. It also facilitates communication between suppliers and Starbucks' distribution centers, ensuring that products are delivered on time and in the correct quantities.
Businesses develop custom software for their specific needs, meaning no two custom software are identical. There are countless creative ideas out there to make your custom software as unique and multifunctional as you need it to be.
That said, we can broadly classify custom software into the following four different types:
Do you still have some questions about custom software? Check out the most frequently asked questions on the topic:
Custom software is important for businesses because it enables them to tailor it to meet their unique needs and demands. This is crucial for companies seeking a competitive advantage over other businesses using off-the-shelf packaged software.
Custom software is better than off-the-shelf solutions because it offers complete control to its users. For example, a financial company can tailor the custom software to add as many functions as it wants to stand out from the competition, like online loan sanctions, forex transactions, etc.
The first step is fully understanding what custom written software is, in its entirety.
Then, you can decide whether you need custom software by considering your business’ budget, needs, and workflows. Determine whether off-the-shelf software can meet those needs. If it can't - and if you have the budget - then custom software is the way to go.
Hopefully, these popular examples will help you get ideas about what you need in your custom software. However, getting ideas is just the first part of your journey. The next phase is finding the right team of custom software developers to bring your ideas to reality.
You can connect with MakeITSimple to get that team. You can also contact our experts if you are not getting any ideas for your software or need help determining what functions you need in it. Whether you need web applications, enterprise software, or app design, our bespoke developers have got you covered.
Reach out to MakeITSimple and take the first steps to build your own custom software.
If you are looking for a bespoke software development company, please get in touch by phone by calling +44 (0) 1905 700 050 or filling out the form below.
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