1. Introduction
2. What a Software Development Company Does
3. What are the different stages of the software development life cycle, from planning and design to implementation and maintenance.
4. What Software Companies Have Offices in Canada?
5. Which Company is Best for Custom Software Development? What you should look out for.
6. Tips for Businesses Seeking a Software Development Company
Introduction:
Finding the right custom software development partner is important for businesses so they can achieve their goals and objectives through custom software solutions.
Through customization of business software, an organization can target the specific and unique requirements of their business or industry and improve efficiency, productivity and profitability. Even within the same industries, no two businesses are alike and therefore building software solutions that answer to your specific tech flow can be a complete game changer. Working with a custom software development partner gives business access to specialized expertise and knowledge as well as the latest trends. The collaborative process between developers and their business partners is a process of close collaboration, understanding and informed feedback.
Any solution that provides a business with the upper hand gives them a competitive advantage by enabling them to stand out in their industry or in their community. Streamlining operations, providing better customer service experiences, increasing participation from community members or constituents, will differentiate your organization in your market.
Custom software solutions can also help businesses and organization stay ahead of regulatory compliance and security compliance which is particularly important in healthcare, finance, government and nonprofit industries.
What a Software Development Company Does:
Software development companies create custom software solutions for businesses and organizations that help them improve their business processes. This can include software targeting their marketing departments, accounting, fulfillment, donor portals, volunteer portals or all of these things and more at once. Software development companies like us, provide our expertise, technology and software development services to design, develop and deploy software applications that meet the requirements of specific businesses or industries.
Our team of software developers, project managers, designer and quality assurance professionals work collaboratively with the business or organization stakeholder/board to understand their requirements, preferences and goals. We facilitate this process and leverage our expertise and industry knowledge to ensure we provide the best, most affordable tech solutions to our partners.
It is important that software developers conduct detailed analysis of their partners requirements, including their workflow, data needs, security and compliance requirements and any other specific needs or challenges they may face. Based on this analysis developers will create a software design plan that outlines things like scope, functionality, and the required technology stack to build the application or process.
Once this information is collected and the requirements understood, the software development company will begin the development. This is a systematic process that uses methodologies distinct to the software development company, an iterative process that is done in collaboration with the business or organization. Working closely together ensures that the software will meet the requirements of business.
Once the custom software application is completed development, the software development company will deploy and maintain the software, providing ongoing technical support and maintenance services to ensure that the software continues to function effectively and meet the business's need.
What are the different stages of the software development life cycle, from planning and design to implementation and maintenance.
Discovery Phase
Here the project is defined at a high level. This includes a project charter, an evaluation of the clients’ needs and some preliminary discussion regarding possible technology and design options. This is meant to set expectations, scope, and project organization so that the execution runs smoothly.
The first step of this process is to develop a project charter to analyze and properly scope the project. This is a necessary and important step in the process as it sets the tone for strategic direction. It ensures that both parties understand what is to be accomplished and where the project will go in a formal, written document that has received the necessary sign-offs.
This phase begins with a kick-off meeting and is finalized shortly thereafter with a Project Charter document.
• Deliverable: Project Charter
Requirements and Design Phase
In this stage, the initial design, business and functional requirements are flushed out in detail. This includes deliverables such as the creative exploration, information architecture (sitemap), technology design and confirmation of the target audience’s goals being met.
As well, overall system architectures, and application development environments will be engineered during this phase to ensure business objectives are being met. The software developer would augment the documentation provided with further details to ensure a clear understanding from both sides.
The first step of this process is the creative exploration. This is where the software developer leads an initiative to gather information about brand, look, tone, manner and target audiences with their objectives. This provides the clear, creative direction and guidelines to ensure the needs of all target audiences are met. For this project this may be an optional step.
The sitemap and creative exploration process will allow several design concepts will be created. The design concepts will illustrate workflow, layout, functionality, and structure of content. This is where the business or organization has the fun of reviewing some great designs and picking their favourite aspects of each. Feedback from the business about the overall impression will provide direction for the next phase.
The requirements phase will also include technology architecture development. The software developer will advise on the most appropriate technology to use and identify the platforms this will run on. Many companies provide a technology solution before the business requirements are fully understood, thereby resulting in a solution that is less than optimal.
An experienced software development company does not steer the business into a specific technology, but instead understands the business and implements the best technology for the task at hand.
To ensure the functional requirements are fully understood storyboards are used. These case and activity diagrams help flesh out the details. In addition, the software developer will create a data model to support the application before development starts to ensure the system is fully modelled.
• Deliverable: Storyboards, Data Model, Activity Diagram, Use Cases, Sitemap, Technology Architecture, Test Platform List
Development Phase
The development phase is where the website or application is built and/or configured. This includes the graduated implementation of features. During this process, the client has the means to verify and give feedback on the progress being made.
Communication through weekly status reports, web-based task tracking and change request logs are used to keep the client well informed.
The application or software will be put through Quality Assurance cycles to test against design specifications and functional cases and procedures generated for the project. The client will contribute to the Quality Assurance by participating in the user acceptance segment of the test plan.
Deployment Phase
Deployment is done in a controlled and organized fashion with the facilitation of a staging environment that is identical to production. Nothing will be deployed until it has been fully approved by the client on the staging site. This is done to ensure that application acts in a reliable fashion. This phase is where documentation and training will be provided if part of the project.
Maintenance Phase
During this phase the software developer will run a post-launch review to ensure that the client is satisfied with the results. As well, the software developers will be able to provide all services necessary including updating, supporting and extending the application as may be required and to ensure continued satisfaction.
Each stage is critical for the successful development and deployment of a software application. A structured approach to software development by the software development company can ensure the success their business partners sought.
What Software Companies Have Offices in Canada?
The software development industry in Canada is a growing and dynamic sector that plays a vital role in the country's economy. Canada has a highly skilled workforce, a strong research and development infrastructure, and a business-friendly environment, making it an attractive destination for software development companies.
From startups to large enterprises, the software development industry has a broad range of players, including companies specializing in mobile app development, web development, enterprise software, gaming, and AI and machine learning.
Some of the largest software development companies in Canada include CGI Group, OpenText, and BlackBerry, which have a significant presence in the country and employ thousands of workers.
Canada has a thriving startup ecosystem, with numerous technology incubators and accelerators that support emerging software development companies. These incubators and accelerators provide mentorship, funding, and other resources to help startups grow and succeed.
In recent years, the Canadian government has taken steps to support the software development industry, including investing in research and development, offering tax incentives to businesses, and providing funding to support innovation.
The software development industry in Canada is also known for its high quality and innovation, with many companies specializing in cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity.
Which Company is Best for Custom Software Development? What you should look out for.
Technical expertise: The software development company should have the technical expertise and experience in developing custom software solutions that meet the specific needs of the business. The company should have a team of skilled developers, designers, and project managers who are proficient in the latest technologies and development methodologies.
Industry experience: The software development company should have experience in the industry that the business operates in. This will ensure that the software solution developed by the company is aligned with the business's goals and objectives.
Communication and collaboration: The software development company should have a collaborative approach to working with clients. They should be able to communicate effectively and understand the business's needs and requirements to ensure that the software solution meets their needs.
Development methodology: The software development company should have a well-defined development methodology, such as Agile or Scrum, to ensure that the development process is iterative and collaborative. This will allow the business to have input throughout the development process and ensure that the final product meets their needs.
Quality assurance: The software development company should have a robust quality assurance process in place to ensure that the software solution is of high quality and functions as expected. This includes rigorous testing and debugging to identify and resolve any issues before deployment.
Support and maintenance: The software development company should provide ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure that the software solution remains up-to-date and continues to meet the business's needs. This includes bug fixes, updates, and technical support.
Cost and timeline: The software development company should provide a clear and transparent pricing model and timeline for the development process. This will ensure that the business understands the cost and timeline involved in developing the custom software solution and can plan accordingly.
By considering these tips and criteria, businesses can select a reliable and experienced software development company that can provide them with a custom software solution that meets their specific needs and requirements.
Tips for Businesses Seeking a Software Development Company
Researching and choosing a custom software development company requires careful consideration and evaluation of various factors. Here are some steps to follow when conducting research to choose the right software development partner:
Define your requirements: Before starting your research, define your software development requirements, including the project scope, budget, and timeline. This will help you to narrow down your search and focus on companies that have experience in your industry and can meet your specific needs.
Look for referrals and recommendations: Seek referrals and recommendations from other businesses in your industry, industry groups, or online forums. This will help you to gather valuable insights and feedback on the software development companies that they have worked with and their experience.
Review company websites and portfolios: Visit the websites and portfolios of potential software development companies to get an understanding of their technical capabilities, services, and industry experience. This will help you to identify companies that have experience in your industry and can meet your specific requirements.
Check online reviews and ratings: Check online reviews and ratings on platforms such as Clutch, Google, or Glassdoor to get an understanding of the reputation of the software development companies you are considering. This will help you to identify companies with positive reviews and ratings and avoid those with negative feedback.
Evaluate the company's technical skills and expertise: Schedule a call or meeting with the software development company to discuss your requirements and evaluate their technical skills and expertise. This will help you to assess their ability to understand your requirements and provide you with a custom software solution that meets your specific needs.
Check for quality assurance and support: Check the company's quality assurance and support process to ensure that they have a rigorous testing and debugging process and provide ongoing support and maintenance after deployment.
Consider cost and timeline: Consider the cost and timeline of the software development process and ensure that it aligns with your budget and timeline. This will help you to select a software development company that can provide you with a custom software solution within your budget and timeline.
By following these steps, you can conduct thorough research and choose the right software development partner that can provide you with a custom software solution that meets your specific needs and requirements.
