If you’ve landed here, it’s because you have a general idea of what software development is and you’re probably looking for information because you think that custom software can contribute to the growth of your company or business.
However, it’s easy for non-experts to have an abstract idea of what software is and what activities need to be carried out to create software. Therefore, if you’re thinking of embarking on this path and looking for a software development company that can support and accompany you on this journey, it’s important to have all the information to evaluate what’s truly right for you.
What is meant by software development?
We refer to all those computer activities dedicated to the design, implementation, distribution, and support of software.
The software, a clarification that can always be useful, corresponds to the immaterial part of a computer system, that is, the set of components, instructions, procedures that regulate a data processing system.
What is the difference between software development and web development?
Software development and web development are often mistakenly grouped together, but they represent two completely different outcomes even though both processes are based on writing programming code.
Web development results in the creation of a website or web platform, such as a company website, a social media platform, a web application, an e-commerce site, or a marketplace.
On the other hand, software development involves writing code and algorithms that allow physical machines or hardware to perform certain actions and functions.
Although they are different, both digital entities can be useful for a company or business that wants to modernize its processes and establish a presence in the digital world.
Who creates software?
The development of software is generally entrusted to specialized computer companies, software houses.
The software developer
The software developer, who as mentioned above is the technician who writes the actual programming code necessary to make the different parts of the software work. What does the software developer do in more detail? Depending on the complexity of the project, the software developer can be divided into different types:
- Front-end developer: the one who develops the visible part of the software that the user can interact with;
- back-end developer: responsible for the hidden parts of the software that allow all its parts to work correctly;
System Architect
and Software Architect
Project Manager
UX Designer
Business Analyst
Why is it important to develop software for your company?
Embarking on a path for custom software development can be a way to respond to a specific need, to achieve a business goal faster and more effectively, and to increase profits.
Since every company is unique and has specific needs, developing custom software guarantees a tool that is completely built to meet its needs; on the other hand, when using pre-packaged software, the company has to adapt its processes.
The advantages of custom software are numerous, such as:
- greater efficiency and flexibility, since all the software features are designed around the business needs and can be modified or enriched quickly;
- process optimization, as compromising on pre-packaged software could limit its efficiency;
- cost savings and optimization, in fact, although it may represent a significant investment at the beginning, it is possible to amortize costs in the long term;
- scalable investment as it is a project that starts from scratch, so it is possible to modulate the choice of initial components, decide to enrich the project by adding new features with subsequent development phases;
- lower security risks as only the company and the development team have access to the information.
Finally, it is worth noting that, given the scope and constant growth of the software market, not being present in the digital and technological world can represent a significant disadvantage compared to competitors.
How is software developed?
As you may have already guessed, software development is a rather complex process divided into different phases. The level of complexity obviously depends on the project, which also determines the various software development methodologies that can be adopted.
Since each project may require modifications to the software development model, at W&B Asset Studio we adopt flexible and scalable software development models that adapt perfectly to every type of project.
This is the so-called Agile methodology, an iterative and cyclical approach in both project management and software development, which consists of short development sprints that form the basis of rapid and effective releases of usable software increments. This allows us to better satisfy the customer, who sees the development progress continuously, and to provide greater value to the customer since each sprint builds upon their feedback from the previous sprint. Another advantage of agile software development is that the team can better organize themselves, be more flexible, and respond better to changes.
How long does it take to develop software?
Although it is one of the most frequently asked questions by the client, it is impossible to establish standard timing with utmost honesty, as each project has specific characteristics, functionalities, and complexity, all of which affect development times. It can take from 4 to 12 months, but for very complex projects, it can even go beyond this range.
How many and what are the phases to develop a software?
Generally, there are 6 phases in software design, here they are:
- Requirements analysis
- Design
- Programming
- Testing and quality assurance
- Deployment
- Maintenance
When does the software life cycle end?
In theory, the software life cycle ends with the last phase, which is the maintenance phase that includes all the activities aimed at ensuring the correct functioning of the code.
How much does software development cost?
In this case, there is no one-size-fits-all answer; it depends on the complexity of the software and the requirements it needs to meet. As a rough estimate, it can start from 5000 euros, but for very complex and articulated projects, it can go up to hundreds of thousands of euros.
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UX/UI Design
Memorable user experiences for applications, websites, and software
