Blog

Managers who want to create a mobile app, for example, can choose between different options to accomplish this task. One of the best alternatives to ensure development quality is to outsource the mission to a software development agency.

These companies operate under different names—software house, software development company, software development agency, mobile app company, among others.

Software development is a complex task that requires a multi-skilled team. By hiring a software house, you can rely on a set of experiences, processes, and capabilities to meet your business needs.

But what is a software house? What services does it provide? How is it different from an IT services provider? This article is a guide for business owners who want to develop custom software and are considering outsourcing the work to a software house.

Keep reading to learn everything about:

• What a software house is
• How a software house works
• How a software house develops the system
• Main methods used
• What services a software house offers
• Benefits of a software house
• How to choose a software house

>> Still not sure what custom software is? Find out here

What is a software house?

A software house is a company specialized in building software products, with specific methods, services, and ways of working.

These companies can focus on commercial or consumer software—for example, ready-to-use one-time license software or products such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

While some software houses specialize in commissioned work for corporate clients, others prefer to focus on building off-the-shelf software.

In this article, we will focus on the software house as a software development agency that creates custom software for other companies, offering its experience, skills, and know-how.

How does a software house work?

Now that you know what a software house is, let’s explain how it works.

Developing software requires combined work from professionals from several complementary disciplines. A software house needs multidisciplinary teams specialized in software development, such as:

• project managers,
• software engineers,
• product designers,
• front-end and back-end developers,
• quality test analysts,
• requirements analysts,
• among others.

A complete team is important because implementing an IT project is not limited to programming. It also needs to define the client’s needs and objectives, prepare specifications, analyze solutions, test, collect feedback, and finally implement.

Each of these steps is as important as the others, and each one has its own methodologies and procedures.

Building a mature software development team and process is a complex challenge that requires a lot of time, investment, knowledge, and experience. These requirements give the software house the ability to deliver a product with more quality and security, in less time.

How does a software house develop the system?

For everything to happen as planned and for the project to succeed, some important steps must be followed. The process of developing custom software is basically divided into six stages, described below.

Requirements gathering

At this stage, developers and stakeholders meet to understand what problem the future software or app is meant to solve.

Then, the main features are listed and defined as priorities (or not). In addition, the team analyzes whether the proposal is feasible within a given development timeframe.

Requirements analysis

The second phase is a careful analysis of the features listed in the previous step. From this, the team starts to build development models to organize the production stage.

In addition, the company hired to develop the solution elaborates guidelines that must be followed strictly.

In this process, it is important to validate and verify the models that were built, ensuring that the software will truly meet the client’s needs.

Financial analysis

Now that you know the best model for execution and the client’s requirements, it is important to analyze the cost of the project. This value depends mainly on the complexity of the resources involved.

Project execution

After analyzing all these factors, the project starts. The software house then begins development, following the best production methodology for that client’s business. This stage can be divided into several other phases, depending on project complexity and the methodology used.

The vast majority of software houses use agile methodologies. With this approach, the project is not developed all at once, but in delivery cycles. This makes it possible to deliver feedback and an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to the client faster, making changes only when necessary.

Testing

After features are developed, the testing stage must be performed carefully. Its goal is to ensure the quality of the product that will be released to the market. In this phase, the Software Factory runs several tests with segmented audiences.

Even with planning, errors can happen. Software testing makes it possible to find potential issues a newly developed program may present, so the product becomes broadly available to end users.

Deployment in the company

After testing and fixing possible issues, the software development process comes to an end and the project is ready to be compiled and installed in the client’s environment. In this way, the client receives an optimized product ready to deliver an excellent user experience.

Later, the hired company’s technology team performs maintenance whenever needed, always focused on continuous improvement of the software’s use.

>> Read also: What is a software factory?

Methods used

The choice of method used by the software house depends directly on the client’s objectives and budget. Below are the two most common methods.

Waterfall method

Also known as closed scope, this method has all stages well defined in advance.

This model uses sequential phases, long planning, and projects with fixed costs, scope, and schedule. It covers the basic development phases: planning, execution, validation, and delivery.

Because it is sequential, the project only advances when each stage is finished and approved by the client. An agreement between developers and the hiring company determines, from the beginning, what will be delivered throughout the development process.

However, because it is more rigid, this method may not be ideal for very long and complex projects, which can suffer changes in deadlines, costs, and quality.

In addition, because it is rigid, testing phases occur only at the end. Therefore, the development team will only know whether the project truly works when it reaches the final stage.

Agile method

Most software houses use agile methodologies. The goal is to achieve the best possible result in a shorter execution time and at a lower cost.

Also known as open scope, this method includes several approaches that use incremental and iterative cycles. In the incremental cycle, two- to four-week intervals are defined to plan, define, build, test, and release deliveries. At the end of each cycle, the delivery is validated, characterizing the iterative aspect.

The main focus of the agile method is to generate value for the client, with faster deliveries and tests performed in each stage. In addition, each stage is tested and validated with the client.

From the start of the project, daily meetings are held, enabling more transparent communication among everyone involved. These reviews enable continuous improvement according to client demands and market needs.

>> Learn more: What are the differences between open and closed scope?

What services does a software house offer?

Custom app development

The main advantage of working with custom apps is the ability to create a tailored solution that matches your business’s unique processes, operations, and needs.

You can also rely on experienced software developers’ expertise and boost your internal capabilities.

Mobile applications are designed specifically for use on mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and digital assistants. They can be installed as part of device manufacturing or delivered later from a web server.

To build these applications, mobile developers must consider a variety of display sizes, hardware, and configuration, due to the current lack of standardization for mobile devices.

Mobile designers should also focus on the interaction between the user and the user interface, which involves a closer integration of hardware and software than in conventional software development.

Custom web system development

Web application development is an extension of standard software development with distinct characteristics, such as a greater need for an iterative development process.

Thanks to innovative web technologies and APIs (application programming interfaces), development teams can create web applications that offer a range of functionalities to users. In addition, it is possible to create mobile applications based on web technologies while still delivering a native-like experience.

DevOps operations / System maintenance and updates

DevOps is the practice of combining software development with operations, which are typically separate functions in a traditional data center. The main goal is to shorten the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and continuously deliver high-quality software in an automated way.

In addition, DevOps promotes closer collaboration between development and IT operations, enabling teams to work together more effectively to achieve business goals.

DevOps processes incorporate important changes throughout the software development lifecycle, including infrastructure engineering, security, compliance, governance, risk management, among others.

Software prototyping

Software prototyping is the process of interactively creating incomplete versions of an application, aiming at progressive improvement. This approach is similar to prototyping in other fields such as manufacturing and mechanical engineering. A software prototype usually performs only some of the required features and can be quite different from the final product.

Most software development efforts use some form of prototyping, but this method is particularly effective for applications with many user interactions.

Software prototyping benefits greatly from quickly building the system and letting users experience it early in development.

Software quality control

Quality control is an investigative process that informs stakeholders about an application’s quality. It also provides the client with an independent analysis of the risks of software implementation.

Software testing techniques include checking whether the software can perform the necessary tasks and identifying those it cannot perform or that are not part of user requirements.

What are the benefits of a software house?

A modern software house is a model for digital transformation. In this true “software factory”, resources such as agility, automation, insights, and security come together to help your company develop software according to your needs and become more competitive.

A software house helps your company create agility at all levels of the business. It continuously delivers better and faster applications at lower costs. In addition, a multidisciplinary team helps unlock deeper insights to create amazing experiences for your customers.

Below are other key benefits of a software house.

Develops the system on demand according to the client’s goals

The main advantage of working with a software house is the ability to create a customized solution that matches your company’s unique processes, operations, and needs.

Another benefit is the guarantee that your software will be delivered on time and with the promised quality, since the entire project is based on a contract.

Has a multidisciplinary and specialized team

A software factory has specialized professionals who have worked together for some time. After all, to stand out in the market, it must do its best to hire the most talented developers.

The code produced by software houses is generally high quality because it is the result of years of experience. In addition, these experienced teams have solid processes that minimize risk of errors and maximize delivered value.

Has deep and experienced knowledge in building different kinds of software

A software house has the know-how and experience needed to adopt innovative approaches to product development. It can also adapt functionalities from previous projects into future products.

Provides full-stack capabilities

Being able to rely on all professionals in one place is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to boost your projects.

In general, individual skills complement each other: front-end programmers cooperate with back-end developers, testers validate functions and product quality, and project managers supervise the entire implementation process at every stage.

>> Learn also: what is a full-stack developer?

Supports the client throughout development

A software house needs an efficient project implementation process to stay competitive. Therefore, if you hire a software company to build your app, you will likely get a complete product by the end of the contract. This means the software house is responsible for every step of the development process.

Offers additional services that continue after delivery

Most companies guarantee post-implementation support as part of any contract. Even after extensive testing and quality control before completion, it is very important to monitor websites and apps after initial release. This enables error detection and also serves as a starting point for improvements.

How to choose a software house?

To avoid headaches due to errors that may appear in your software, it’s important to rely on a company specialized in this type of solution.

Before hiring a software house, evaluate the company’s portfolio to ensure the projects they developed meet your quality expectations.

Another good reference is to look for customer feedback on social networks to evaluate satisfaction.

Did you understand what a software house is and how its services work?

Develop your custom software with people who understand the subject! Talk to the experts at X-Apps software house and clear all your questions here.

Read also

>> Tips to start a software development project

>> Gamified apps for companies: what they are and how to do it

>> App design: the importance for a mobile project