Many businesses run on a mix of spreadsheets, emails, paper notes and two or three programs that don't talk to each other. That works as long as everyone knows where everything is. As soon as someone is off sick, an order goes missing or the stock count is wrong, it gets expensive. Here I explain what custom software is, how software development works with me and what to look out for when deciding.
What custom software is and who it suits
Custom software is a program built around your processes, instead of you bending your processes to fit a program. Typical examples are order management, an inventory system, a lean CRM for customer contacts, a customer portal where your clients can see orders and documents, or an internal tool for planning and record-keeping. Usually it runs in the browser, on desktop, tablet and phone, without installation.
It makes sense for trades, retailers, manufacturing and logistics businesses, service providers and anyone whose work doesn't fit standard software, or who pays for more licences and customisation than they use. The “Orders & inventory” live demo on this site shows what such a system can look like.
Custom or off-the-shelf software?
I don't recommend custom software in every case. For accounting, payroll or email there are good standard solutions you shouldn't rebuild. Custom development pays off when one of these applies:
- Your processes are distinctive and part of what sets you apart.
- Staff enter the same data into several programs.
- The standard software covers most of it, and spreadsheets handle the rest on the side.
- Licence costs grow with every user, even though most only need a few features.
- You don't want to depend on a vendor who can change prices or features at any time.
Often the best answer is a mix: you keep your accounting and your shop, and I build the missing piece in between and connect it through interfaces. I assess this honestly before you get an offer.
How software development works with me
- 01
First call
30 minutes, free. You describe where things get stuck today. I ask who works with which data and what eats up the most time.
- 02
Mapping your processes
Where it helps, I look at your processes on site. The result is a short, plain description of what the software must do and what it won't do yet.
- 03
Fixed price for the first module
We start with the part that saves the most time. You get a written fixed-price offer for it, rather than a large open-ended project.
- 04
Development in stages
You regularly see progress in a test environment and can try things early. That way misunderstandings surface before they get expensive.
- 05
Rollout and data migration
I migrate existing data from spreadsheets or legacy systems, set up accounts and show your team how to use it. Further modules follow if you want them.
What drives the effort
I don't give prices here, because without knowing your processes they wouldn't be serious. These factors determine the effort:
- How many processes and roles are covered, for example office, warehouse, field staff and customers.
- Connections to existing systems such as accounting, shop, till or email.
- Amount and condition of the existing data to be migrated.
- Requirements for permissions, logging and traceability.
- Whether the software must also work offline or on mobile devices in the warehouse or on the road.
- Reports, exports and documents such as delivery notes or quotes as PDF.
The technology, briefly
For the interface I use modern web technology like Next.js and React. That means the software runs in the browser, looks just as good on a warehouse tablet as on an office PC, and updates reach everyone without installation. The data lives in a PostgreSQL database. It's a proven, free database system that reliably handles large amounts of data, and plenty of professionals know it. So you're not tied to an exotic solution only I understand.
Data protection and hosting in the EU
Business software holds customer data, prices and often personal data about your staff. That's why I plan for GDPR from the start: hosting with providers that have data centres in the EU, encrypted connections, role-based access and regular backups. You sign the data processing agreement directly with the host, and I help you document the technical measures. If you'd rather run the software on your own server, that's possible too.
The code belongs to you
You get the complete source code and the rights to it, plus documentation of how it's built and run. You're not tied to me. That matters to me, because software that carries your day-to-day business shouldn't depend on a single person. I also deliberately keep the technology mainstream so any experienced developer can pick it up.
After rollout
Software evolves with your business. New products, new staff, a changed regulation: at some point something needs adjusting. If you like, I take care of maintenance, security updates and further development. What matters to me is that even without a maintenance contract you have a stable solution that won't fall over after a year.
Software development in Karlsruhe, on site if you like
I'm based in Karlsruhe and work with businesses from the city and the region, from Durlach to Ettlingen and Bruchsal. With custom software in particular it helps to see the work in person: how items are scanned in the warehouse, where paper piles up in the office, which questions keep coming up on the phone. If that isn't needed, working together on video goes just as well. You always talk to the person who actually builds the software.