
Is Bespoke Legacy Software Holding Back Your Business Growth? An Affordable Custom Solution for SMEs.
Are you being left behind by ageing, custom designed legacy technology that for one reason or another can’t be updated? You don’t have the budget to redevelop it to meet your current needs. But staying where you are means your competitors will thrive at your expense as your productivity suffers. So what’s the solution?
In today’s business world, services – and solutions – are expected instantly. And if strategic commercial decisions are to be made, rich insights are vital. But outdated technology is never going to deliver any of this. Not only do legacy systems hold back operations, they also hinder business growth, as well as leaving organisations vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Despite these drawbacks, there are countless businesses still relying on legacy applications:
- 74% of UK manufacturing companies depend on legacy systems and spreadsheets
- 92% of UK financial services firms still use legacy technology
- 50% of the UK government’s annual IT spend is allocated to maintaining and managing legacy systems
The trouble is, if your legacy software was custom designed, you’ll still be acutely aware of the time and financial investment that went into it.
Every business is different, so trying to find off-the-shelf solutions to tackle a range of business processes is never going to be easy. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible.
Bespoke software has its benefits. It gives you all the functionality and features you need to undertake specific tasks. It’s designed to resolve the specific challenges your organisation faces. Or at least it was when it was first developed.
The problem is that things change. Business processes evolve. Companies grow. New regulations are introduced that need to be complied with. Fresh cyber threats emerge. As a result, custom software can, over time, become outdated. And so all those productivity-enhancing benefits you once enjoyed are no longer delivering you that vital competitive advantage.
Going back to your software developer for an upgrade may be an option. But in many cases, that’s easier said than done.
Maybe that developer has moved on. Perhaps the technology your system was built on is now obsolete, so that upgrade would have to be a complete redevelopment. And of course there’s the issue of budget. Few smaller businesses have the funds available to reinvest into Bespoke software development.
So, what’s the answer?
The good news is that there is no need to compromise with an off-the-shelf solution. Because thanks to Microsoft, there’s a software development platform that’s cost-accessible to businesses of all sizes, designed to create custom applications with the power to resolve everyday productivity challenges.
Microsoft Power Apps makes it possible to build low-code, custom apps that incorporate individual business needs, and solve specific problems. Apps can be web or mobile based, so are fully flexible and perfect for today’s mobile-first workforce.
Here are some of the key benefits:
Simple and scalable
Because it’s a platform-as-a-service (PaaS), Power Apps allows you to create, run and manage applications, without the need to get bogged down by complex and expensive infrastructure maintenance. It also means that it’s scalable to fit with your changing business needs.
Fast to deploy
As a low-code solution, Power Apps can be used to create bespoke technology solutions without the need to engage the services of a specialist software developer. Whilst there is a certain degree of tech savvy required to create all but the most basic apps, it’s something you can work on with your IT support team or Microsoft Partner. It also means that the whole development process is way faster.
Affordable for SMEs
It’s also a lot less expensive than traditional Bespoke software development. According to a Forrester report, the average cost to develop an application using MS Power Apps is 74% less than with a specialist software developer.
Secure
Another benefit is that apps developed with Microsoft Power Apps are more secure than those created through other means. Because the applications tie into Microsoft security solutions, it’s possible to control permissions at data and application levels.
Compatible with Microsoft and other platforms
And finally… if you were growing increasingly frustrated by the fact that your existing custom software didn’t integrate with all your favourite Microsoft tools, or indeed other popular third party applications you use on a regular basis, then you’ll be pleased to learn that Power Apps is fully compatible with everything Microsoft, and a large number of the most popular external platforms, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Slack and many more.
Time to leave your legacy software behind with an affordable custom replacement from Microsoft Power Apps?
Here at ClearTec IT, we have the knowledge and expertise to translate your unique business requirements into effective business solutions. As accredited Microsoft Partners, we can ensure you get the most out of your Power Apps solution, that it delivers excellent ROI, and that it carries on meeting your needs and driving productivity as things change.
We offer a full MS Power Apps development, support, subscription and management service.
To learn more about how Power Apps from ClearTec IT could prove the ideal replacement for your ageing legacy software, please get in touch.