Combination standard and custom software or the best of both worlds

A lot of software programs for joinery are standard packages with quasi identical functionalities. The software does not adapt itself, which means that you have to set up the business process to match how the software works. Any unique way of working that could provide competitive advantage is lost in the process.

Why customization?

If you have chosen a flexible basic package, a piece of customization can be used to implement unique features that make a substantial difference to your business.

The advantage of customization is that you can maintain and even emphasize your own identity. It does what you need it to do, exactly the way you want it and the way you are used to it. Customization is the lever that takes the whole business to the next level.

What is customization?

Customization is adapting a basic package to your specific requirements. So first and foremost, you need to have a solid basic software, developed specifically for the joinery industry, in which your data and processes can be well accommodated. Instead of conforming to the imposed way of working, there should be the additional possibility to make adjustments that are more tailored to your own way of working.

Customization can be applied to very many domains. Just a few examples:

• Configuration:
  Intervening in the configuration should allow to propose and calculate own suggestions and benefits for the customer in addition to the supplier's data. To illustrate: using the same door hinges everywhere to make it aesthetically pleasing or just applying a simpler type of hinge to optimize the price
• Input screens:
  On a personalized input screen, you put only the fields that must definitely be filled in, so that even non-work planners can get started with the software.
• Reports:
  The format of an offer report can be tailored to your type of customers.
• Work processes:
  The order and follow-up of your daily work processes is preferably done in the language and vocabulary you are used to in your business.
• Training:
  If new people need to be trained, it is more efficient to have it done on a custom basis.

What to consider in customization ?

Before proceeding to customization, it is essential to fully understand the capabilities of the basic package. Together with the specialists, the analysis of the requested customizations is then made and from this an estimate of the necessary work follows. After elaboration, the adjustments are validated and this can lead to new insights. So you don't have to start from scratch at all.

It is then important to analyze and work out the requested improvements. So there is nothing wrong with asking questions again when the first results become visible and, through further advancing insight, arrive at the best results. You can compare it to climbing a ladder: the higher you climb, the further you see.

Conclusion

So for the development of custom work, it is best to turn to a software vendor that has experience in the joinery industry, is open to questions and has specialists for implementation.

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