Bespoke Software Solutions for Purpose-led Companies and Charities

Living in an age where technology continuously re-invents the way we interact and function, the importance of custom software solutions for purpose-led organisations and charities is second to none. The ready-made software solutions, although abundant and plenty in reach, mostly do not cater to the inherent challenges and unique needs of these organisations. This is where the true value of bespoke software comes into play.

Custom software development is about creating tools and solutions that partner up with an organisation's mission, amplify its impact, and address specific needs its clients seek to meet. We take a closer look at this in this blog post that explores the beauty of bespoke software solutions and why they should form an intrinsic part of your charity and purpose-led organisation - from innovating new solutions to solving your unique problems to aligning technology with organisational goals.

Most purpose-led companies and charities would find that off-the-shelf software doesn't supply them with the right features, or more importantly, the flexibility required by their organisations. A charity, for instance, would be well placed in their field to identify problems the people they service face; however, they would struggle to find software solutions that perfectly address those problems for them.

In addition, these organisations usually have different values and goals e.g. managing their resources in the most optimal way, being transparent about their operations, and having accountability for their actions and decisions. Bespoke software bridges this gap by aligning technology with these unique operational needs and values, helping the organisation to fully realise its mission and impact.

Something must be created afresh when existing software does not satisfy users' unique needs. Bespoke software development starts with identifying whether existing solutions can fulfil an organisation's needs, and in case they do not, developing new software to satisfy those specific needs.

Aligning Technology to Values and Mission

Every purpose-led organisation has defined values and a clear mission. Bespoke software has the potential to resonate with these core guiding principles. For example, a nonprofit organisation focusing on environmental conservation might be well served by custom software with features for supporting community engagement in conservation projects, real-time reporting of environmental impacts, and tools for managing volunteer efforts. This alignment ensures every digital interaction and process that is in place works together to contribute positively towards serving the organisation's mission.

Streamlining Operations and Maximising Resources

Charities and purpose-led organisations are often required to do a lot with very few resources. Bespoke software can revolutionise how these resources are managed. Take the case of a small charity, for example. After implementing bespoke software to automate bookkeeping and streamline workflows through its systems, the charity would reduce administrative burdens that eat into time, enabling the people working there to be more involved in core activities rather than paperwork. This makes better use of the resources and in turn, leads to improved effectiveness in operations and fund allocation.

Tailoring to Unique Organisational Needs

No two organisations are held equal - a fact recognised by bespoke software. For instance, a youth-focused non-profit may require things like event management, volunteer coordination, and engagement toolsets designed with much younger people in mind. Bespoke software could incorporate these unique needs, ensuring that all work done by the organisation is highly tuned towards its mission. The same non-profit may also need to incorporate interactive features as well as social media functionality into its software, which are critical in capturing the attention of younger audiences. Their bespoke software could also offer data analytics tools that come specifically designed to gauge the effectiveness of their programs targeting young people, helping them identify areas in need of continuous improvement.

Innovation and Adaptability

Bespoke software is not only tailored to meet today's needs, but it should also be flexible enough for future challenges and opportunities. As your organisation expands and changes with time, so can the software. This scalability means that as your charity expands from local to national, or even to global reach, your software can also be updated and upgraded with new functionalities necessary for your increased size.

For instance, a non-profit that started as a local charity may grow to have a national presence over time and may find that bespoke software can scale up to grow with them. Scaled-up features could include new and more sophisticated features like multi-regional donor management, advanced reporting capabilities and even more robust communication tools. This flexibility will ensure the software is a perfect fit, which adapts to the changing needs and complexity of your growing operations so that it supports your organisation every step of the way.

In a Nutshell: Why is Bespoke Software So Good for You?

In essence, bespoke software for purpose-led organisations is about creating a digital ecosystem that works in harmony with your mission and values. It's investing in a piece of technology that understands your unique needs and amplifies your impact.

Organisations considering bespoke software need to be able to appreciate the value it brings. It's not just a cost but an investment in your mission's effectiveness and impact. While presenting the idea with stakeholders or donors, focus on how your bespoke software will improve your engagement, efficiency, and alignment with your stakeholders' mission long-term. Use concrete examples, like the ones we’ll show you in the next section, to help illustrate the potential impact and make a compelling case.

The unique challenges purpose-led companies and charities tend to face are the kinds that demand equally unique solutions. Although off-the-shelf software can be useful in a lot of different contexts, it comes short of delivering a truly tailored solution for these organisations' specific needs.

Bespoke software on the other hand can perfectly align with an organisation's mission and objectives. In the case studies below, you showcase how WheelHouse Software works with different organisations in developing custom software solutions. These case studies demonstrate the usefulness and flexibility of bespoke software, and most importantly, how it has the potential to create lasting positive impact for purpose-driven organisations.

Button

The story of Neatebox's 'Button' clearly demonstrates the uniqueness of the issues that innovative bespoke software can address. Developed in partnership with WheelHouse Software, Neatebox has developed the app Button. The purpose of Button is to empower disabled people in their daily lives. Button allows users to use their phones to operate pedestrian crossings and doors, a simple and easy alternative of what once was a potentially overwhelming process. It is a great example of how software can be utilised to enhance autonomy and safety among people with disabilities.

The app, written in React Native, integrated smart hardware technology in proximity-based automatic functions. Apart from granting newfound freedom to disabled users, Button also highlights the importance of recognising specific user needs and building new custom software solutions from scratch. Button is an example of using software to create an innovative solution, showing us how a well-defined problem, when paired with creative bespoke software development, can lead to life-changing solutions.

ARC Scotland

Another case of bespoke software development was that of ARC Scotland's partnership with WheelHouse Software for the Compass project. Designed specifically for parents and the young people they look after, Compass enables users to easily navigate their way through complex transitions that come with additional support needs.

ARC Scotland partnered with WheelHouse in an effort to collect all-inclusive information for the evaluation of the Principles Into Practice initiative. The output was a custom web application that would collate the input data from its users, both quantitative and qualitative by nature, in order to give invaluable feedback to local authorities. At the same time, it is empowering its users with useful and relevant information.

Compass highlighted the significance of co-designing with end-users from the start, along with the necessity for a bespoke approach when off-the-shelf products simply do not meet requirements. Compass is now in the process of being rolled out nationally and shows how a tailored software solution can provide critical support in areas where pre-existing technologies are inadequate.

WelcoMe

In the case of WelcoMe, the team at WheelHouse Software helped in transferring old legacy mobile apps into a comprehensive web application with modern capabilities. The aim of this project was to improve disabled customers' experience in the entertainment industry.

The WelcoMe app was developed as a bespoke web application that allows people with disabilities to book visits for entertainment venues, all the while equipping the venues with detailed information regarding their arrival time and support needs. This solution showed WheelHouse's ability to create innovative solutions within the constraints of the existing technological environment, as this bespoke solution not only improved customer experience but also seamlessly integrated with preexisting booking platforms.

The stories of Neatebox, ARC Scotland, and WelcoMe clearly show the transformations that are possible with purpose-built software solutions in the hands of value-led organisations.

In fact, each case study confirms the idea that when ready-made software fails to correspond to unique requirements, custom development can help create tools which will not only meet specific requirements but also contribute in terms of improving operational efficiency and user experience.

Bespoke software development is a big move for any purpose-led organisation or charity. However, this is a choice that involves several critical considerations in order to put something together that truly meets your unique needs and amplifies your impact. Here are the factors to ponder as you think things through:

Alignment with Your Organisational Goals and User Needs

A bespoke software should reflect the goals of your organisation and the special needs of your service users. The first thing to address is whether there is a possibility that the available software solutions could meet your requirements. If none of these solutions work, the next step is to partner with a development team which intuitively understands the needs of your users.

This team should work closely with you in identifying and addressing the unique challenge your organisation is experiencing so that the software solution enhances your service delivering capacity, reach, and efficiency.

Key advice: Communicate with your team and a few prospective users to understand what the exact problem you are trying to solve with the software is. This approach will shape the software development process in a way that supports those particular requirements.

Choosing the Right Development Method: Agile or Waterfall?

Agile and Waterfall methodologies have been designed for different project needs in the software development and engineering field. Agile is iterative, offering flexibility and adaptability with regular increments and user feedback, making it ideal for projects with evolving requirements.

On the other hand, Waterfall maintains order and is structured by cascading through well-defined phases from requirements to maintenance, suitable for projects having clear and stable requirements. It is less adaptive to changes but excels at predictability and upfront planning.

Key advice: It is the nature of your project that should inform which methodology you choose. Agile is applicable for complex projects which keep on changing and whose completion may necessitate collaboration with the stakeholders, while Waterfall is most suitable for projects with definite, unchanging needs and that need a properly established approach.

Technical Know-How and Partnering with the Right Agency

Developing bespoke software can sometimes be extremely complex and requires a particular set of technical skills. Review your existing in-house capabilities and decide whether you need outside help with the development process. More importantly, select the development agency that reflects your organisational values and understands the essence of your mission. This alignment ensures that the agency will be a true partner in your journey, not just a service provider.

Key advice: Go for a development agency that worked with purpose-led organisations before. Their ability to connect and understand your mission and challenges is going to result in a software solution that truly resonates with your needs.

Commercialisation and Intellectual Property

By choosing to build your own custom software, you own the intellectual property to it. This opens up the possibility of commercialisation, offering you an additional revenue stream. For example, you could develop a diagnostic or treatment tool targeting a narrow health condition, but later you find an application for your tool for broader diagnosis or treatment purposes. Owning your software also gives you full control over privacy and data management (key for maintaining trust and compliance).

Key advice: Think of long-term commercial opportunities that may be associated with your software. Owning the intellectual property for a piece of software gives you flexibility and control over how it could be adapted or used in the future.

Budgeting and Long-Term ROI

While bespoke software is associated with increased upfront costs compared to off-the-shelf solutions, the return on investment in the long run can be enormous. Customised software simplifies operations for optimal efficiency and delivers an improved user experience since it can be designed based on the specific requirements of your business. Such systems are also aligned with your strategic goals, which can translate into tangible benefits such as more support towards your cause, more donations, and a greater positive impact on your operations.

Key advice: When coming up with your budget, consider the long-term benefits and savings bespoke software could bring you. A higher upfront cost can lead to greater savings and impact in the long run.

Conclusion: The Bespoke Software Journey of Transformation

As we've explored throughout this post, bespoke software solutions offer a realm of possibilities for purpose-led organisations and for charities looking to innovate, grow, and achieve their missions more effectively.

By adopting bespoke software solutions, businesses are able to come up with tools that perfectly deal with their unique challenges and address their users' unique needs. It's all about creating ground-breaking innovations when there are specific problems to be solved that no pre-existing solutions cater to.

Overall, bespoke software is an investment not only in a piece of technology but in the future of your organisation. If you are ready to transform your vision into reality and create a solution that simply doesn't exist yet, then bespoke software development might just be your pathway to success.