5 Key Features to Include in Your Custom Software

Custom software can give your business a competitive edge by tailoring technology to your unique needs. Here are the 5 must-have features for modern custom software:

1. AI and Automation: Simplify operations with automated workflows, predictive analytics, and smart data processing.
2. Accessibility Standards: Make your software usable for everyone by following guidelines like WCAG, ensuring compatibility with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and visual adjustments.
3. Single Sign-On (SSO): Enhance security and streamline user access with one login for all systems.
4. Scalable Architecture: Build software that grows with your business using modular design, cloud integration, and performance monitoring.
5. Strong Security Protections: Safeguard data with encryption, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with regulations like GDPR.

These features not only improve efficiency but also future-proof your software. Below is a quick comparison of custom software vs. off-the-shelf solutions:

AI Enterprise Software Development: The Future of Business Innovation

1. AI Features and Automation

Custom software today often includes intelligent tools designed to simplify operations and improve user experiences. The global predictive analytics market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 14.4% between 2020 and 2027, potentially reaching $22.1 billion by the end of that period . This trend highlights the growing demand for AI-powered solutions.

Here’s how AI integration in custom software can make a difference:

• Automated Workflows: In logistics, AI-based routing systems use real-time traffic and weather data to plan efficient delivery routes, cutting costs and saving time .
• Smart Data Processing: AI tools analyze data patterns and provide actionable insights. According to Accenture, this helps businesses address missed opportunities and make better decisions .
• Predictive Capabilities: AI-driven software anticipates user needs and system requirements. For example, in manufacturing, predictive maintenance tools monitor machine performance, forecast potential failures, and reduce downtime and repair expenses .

These examples show how AI can deliver real-world efficiency gains.

"AI will change the way we work and run our businesses in the same way that the introduction of the internet did." – Richard Potter, Co-founder and CEO, Peak

To successfully implement AI features, prioritize tools that fit smoothly into existing workflows and clearly demonstrate their value. Start small by targeting high-impact, low-risk processes to show immediate results. This strategy helps build momentum and ensures AI solutions are practical, not just flashy tech .

2. Accessibility Standards

AI may boost efficiency, but accessible design ensures everyone can benefit. As custom software adapts to meet specific business needs, it must also work for all users. With over 2.2 billion people worldwide living with blindness or low vision , making software accessible is not just important – it’s necessary.

Modern accessibility standards focus on four main areas:

• Screen Reader Compatibility
  Use semantic HTML and include alt text so screen readers can accurately interpret your interface. Did you know 85.9% of screen reader users believe more accessible websites would improve their online experience?
• Keyboard Navigation
  Ensure users can navigate with a keyboard by providing clear focus indicators and logical tab ordering .
• Visual Adjustments
  Allow users to adjust font sizes, enable high-contrast modes, and provide colorblind-friendly options – all while maintaining a clear visual hierarchy.
• Standards Compliance
  Accessibility standards provide a framework for creating inclusive designs. Here’s a quick overview:

These standards are essential, but testing in real-world scenarios is just as important.

"Inaccessible software excludes those who need it the most, creating a digital divide and leaving far too many people behind" .

Regular testing with specialized tools and direct input from users with diverse abilities is critical. As Miguel Estrada, CPWA, emphasizes, > "There is no replacement for hands-on manual in-person Screen Reader testing" . Prioritizing accessibility ensures a solid foundation for user-friendly authentication in future solutions.

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3. Single Sign-On (SSO)

Single Sign-On (SSO) simplifies how users log in while strengthening security across your systems. With nearly 68% of employees juggling up to ten apps every hour, easy access becomes crucial for maintaining efficiency . SSO integrates seamlessly with other custom software features, helping to streamline workflows.

By centralizing authentication with a single set of credentials, SSO eliminates the hassle of multiple logins – an issue that causes 54% of users to abandon online services . This approach not only enhances user experience but also addresses key access management challenges.

Key Benefits of SSO

The demand for SSO is growing, with the market projected to hit $8.4 billion by 2030 .

"SSO is like giving your team a single, secure key that opens every door they need, which makes security simpler and more reliable." – Consilien

Best Practices for SSO in Custom Software

1. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Pair SSO with phishing-resistant MFA to further protect your system .
2. Track User Activity: Implement monitoring tools to quickly identify and address unusual behavior .

SSO not only improves user satisfaction but also reduces security risks. When implemented correctly, it provides a scalable and secure way to manage access as your organization grows.

4. Growth-Ready Architecture

Once you’ve secured user access with SSO, the next step is ensuring your software can scale alongside your business. Scalable software isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s crucial. McKinsey reports that companies without scalable solutions could lose between 8% and 28% of their revenue .

Architectural Foundations for Scalability

Netflix offers a great example of how to tackle scalability challenges. Back in 2008, a three-day service outage pushed Netflix to rethink its system. Yuri Izrailevsky, Vice President of Cloud and Platform Engineering at Netflix, shared their approach: "We realized that we had to move away from vertically scaled single points of failure, like relational databases in our datacenter, towards horizontally scalable, distributed systems in the cloud" .

These strategies lay the groundwork for systems that can handle current demands while preparing for future growth.

Key Components for Growth-Ready Architecture

1. Modular Design
   Breaking your software into independent modules allows for targeted scaling. For instance, Trend Micro revamped its architecture and cut AWS deployment time from nearly a full day to just one hour .
2. Cloud Integration
   Cloud-based auto-scaling adjusts resources in real time, ensuring consistent performance while keeping costs under control .
3. Performance Monitoring
   Implement robust monitoring tools to catch bottlenecks before they escalate into bigger problems .

Best Practices for Implementation

• Design systems for distributed computing to maintain reliable performance.
• Use efficient caching to speed up access to frequently used data.
• Implement load balancing to evenly distribute traffic.
• Keep system components loosely connected to simplify scaling.
• Leverage Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for consistent and repeatable deployments.

5. Security Protections

When working with scalable architecture, safeguarding enterprise data is absolutely critical. Custom software should have security measures built into its design from the start. A layered security approach helps protect data on multiple levels.

Multi-Layered Security Architecture

A strong security strategy involves multiple layers. As OpenArc explains, "Security isn’t just a box to check at the end of development – it’s something that should be woven into every step of the process" .

Key Security Components

A layered security approach is strengthened by incorporating essential components into your software.

1. Advanced Encryption

Using AES-256 encryption is a widely adopted standard, securing cloud data for 68% of organizations . Encryption should be applied to data both in transit and at rest .

2. Authentication Systems

Passwords alone are often not enough. In fact, 83% of compromised passwords meet standard regulatory requirements . Strengthen authentication with measures like:

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Role-based access control
• Regular password updates
• Biometric options

3. Compliance Framework

Failing to meet compliance standards can be costly – GDPR fines, for example, can reach up to 4% of a company’s annual global turnover or $20 million . As Endpoint Protector points out, "Data encryption protects your sensitive data by rendering it inaccessible, even if stolen. Decrypting well-encrypted data without the key is theoretically possible, but it would require all of the world’s computing power and many years to succeed" .

Best Practices for Implementation

To ensure your software remains secure:

• Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests
• Follow secure coding practices based on OWASP guidelines
• Set up automated monitoring and alerts for suspicious activity
• Maintain detailed, secure logs
• Develop a clear incident response plan for potential breaches

As Instandart emphasizes, "Integrating security into the very fabric of custom software development is no longer optional – it’s a necessity" . These steps not only protect sensitive data but also build trust with users and help meet compliance standards.

Conclusion

Custom software has become a key tool for businesses looking to stay competitive. By incorporating AI-driven automation, user-friendly accessibility, single sign-on (SSO), scalable architecture, and strong security, companies can build a solid platform for growth.

According to Gartner, 70% of organizations are either adopting or testing AI solutions . Research also shows that AI tools can significantly cut development time and costs .

When businesses use tailored software designed to meet their specific needs, the results are impressive: customer acquisition rates improve by up to 80%, profits can rise between 25% and 95%, and revenue growth may increase by as much as 40% .

Real-world examples back up these claims. Unilever, for instance, used AI and IoT in their production planning, slashing changeover costs by 10% and cutting administrative time by 80% . Similarly, Air Canada revamped its revenue management with a custom ticketing and financial application, showcasing the impact of personalized software solutions .

"Effective IT governance requires striking a delicate balance between fostering innovation and maintaining robust security measures. Organizations that can achieve this balance stand to gain a competitive edge in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape" .

The numbers suggest even more exciting possibilities ahead. Gartner projects that by 2025, AI-powered virtual assistants will manage 95% of customer interactions without human involvement .

For businesses weighing the decision to invest in custom software, the advantages are clear: improved efficiency, better user experiences, and stronger security. These benefits make custom software a smart choice for companies focused on digital transformation.

As Guy Wilcox puts it:

"Accessibility isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s a necessity" .

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