3 Reasons Your Small Business in Rochester Will Flourish with Hosted Custom Software

Rochester, Minn., might be a small city, but it bustles with business. In fact, it came in as 29th on Forbes magazine's recent list of the Best Small Places for Business and Careers. If you own a company in Rochester, hosted custom software will streamline your day-to-day operations and save you more money in the long run. These programs offer a number of advantages over traditional off-the-shelf applications and could prove to be a welcome addition to your current IT ecosystem. Here are some of the benefits of custom software for business owners in Rochester.

 1. Custom Software Is Tailored to Your Business Needs

Off-the-shelf solutions adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to business software and come with many unnecessary functions. Yes, these programs might brim with fancy features, but how many of them do you actually use? Take customer relationship management software (CRM), for example. While these applications help you connect with your customer base in Rochester, advanced features — territory management, collaboration software integration, testing, etc. — might end up confusing your staff.

With hosted custom software, on the other hand, you only get the features you really need. That means there are no redundant functions that make your IT processes a chore. Whether you own a restaurant downtown or a store at Apache Mall, software developers will tailor a bespoke application to the specific needs of your organization. This helps you simplify IT workflows, so you can focus on other areas of your business.

2. Protect Your Company from External Security Threats 

Cybercrime is on the rise in the United States. In Rochester, more businesses are taking precautions to prevent hackers from infiltrating their IT systems and stealing valuable data. Hosted custom software is one safeguard you can use to defend your business. Cyber criminals find these programs less attractive because they are more difficult to hack. Off-the-shelf packages, however, are easily exploited.

Sixty percent of small businesses go bust within six months of a cyber attack, according to one study. If you are concerned about losing sensitive data to hackers, using custom software — as well as investing in other security measures — could provide you with the peace of mind you need.

 3. It's Cheaper (in the Long Run)

Yes, hosted custom software requires an initial outlay. A developer will need to build your bespoke application from scratch and then migrate all your data to your new system. Then there are the costs involved in training your staff to use your brand new software. Bespoke programs could work out cheaper in the long run, though.

With custom software, you don't need to constantly add new features or make modifications. These programs are designed to your specific requirements so you can use them for a long time without having to make major upgrades. Over time, hosted custom software provides you with a significant return on your investment.

The three benefits on this list prove how hosted custom software helps your business flourish in Rochester. Bespoke applications are tailored to your exact requirements, protect your company from any external threats and save you cash in the long run. Use these programs if you want to provide first-class service to customers in the "First Class City."