Are you facing the dilemma of “build or buy” when it comes to choosing the right add-ins? We have got you covered. Well, it becomes tough to get going with short-term business requirements while taking care of long-term business growth. So, it’s a must to pick the right option for add-ons. Here we will disclose all the key differences between bespoke add-ins and standard add-ins so that you can make a precise decision.
Innovation is the key for businesses to stay on top of the market. For that, you are required to step out of the standard zone to create a unique solution. Here comes the bespoke add ins which is the talk of the town in the market.
In this blog post, we will be looking at the major distinctions between customized add-ins and standard add-ins, and what role they play in business.
Now talking about standard add-ons vs custom add-ons, the big difference that remains between them is their customization.
Standard Add-ons for Google Sheets, for example, can help you handle amounts of user data at once, but as the count grows to large numbers, it becomes quite difficult to manage. This is where custom Google sheet add-ons development comes in, allowing you to easily handle company data and communication.
Bespoke Add-Ins vs Standard Add-Ins: What’s the Difference?
What are the Standard Add-ins?
Standard add ins also known as off-the-shelf add ins are pre-built plug-ins that can be used immediately. Standard add ins possess a fixed set of functionalities. Standard extensions can be your go-to solution if you are looking for a ready-to-adapt solution.
What are the Bespoke Add-ins?
Bespoke add-ins refer to building new plug-ins from scratch that suit your specific requirements. These add-ons are entirely designed and developed to meet your specific requirements of yours. It is tailored to meet particular prospects and workflow of business.
Now when we talk about custom add-ins, these can belong to any Office 365 development platform i.e., Microsoft Word, MS Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and even Gmail, and Googlesheet as well.
Excel Add-ins development solutions help you enhance the fundamental functions of the Microsoft Excel platform and are widely considered in businesses having vast volumes of data.
Bespoke add ins are developed by considering the modern-day business requirements. And more importantly, it possesses features that are not available in standard extensions.
The following image illustrates the reasons for using Office 365 Add-ins.
Bespoke Office 365 Add-ins vs Standard Office 365 Add-ins:
The main difference between these two add ons are that bespoke Office 365 add-ins offer tailor-made solutions that can be continuously enhanced and scaled to meet the growing business demand, while standard add ins for Office platforms do not provide the same level of customization so there are some limits on software expansions as well.
Basically, bespoke add ins are developed from scratch while standard add ins are the ready-made solution.
The next difference relies on the production timeline as bespoke requires a longer time to develop the product as per the client’s demands.
On the flip side, standard plug ins are already built they only require integration time.
Now it comes to software cost. Custom development is way more costly compared to standard plug-ins however there are some risk factors like security and efficiency which can harm your business in the long run.
Bespoke plug ins are highly customizable and can be modified according to the client’s demand. And if we check customization support in standard plug-ins then it cannot satisfy the modification demand. So once the business starts to grow clients have to look for alternative solutions.
So, these are the basic differences between bespoke plug ins and standard plug ins.
Bespoke Add-ons vs Standard Add-ons: Challenges
Custom add-ins development and standard add-ins creation come with a set of challenges, such as;
Integration Into an Existing System
- Custom add ins development might require integration with other systems for the data flow which can be a time-consuming procedure.
- On the other hand, off-the-shelf plug-ins may offer built-in integration capabilities but sometimes the facility is limited to current extensions only.
Security Concerns
- Bespoke plug-ins are designed to meet the security standards at it best. However, it demands broad measures for implementation which again requires diligent testing.
- In contrast, standard plug-ins do offer in-built security features but sometimes they fail to meet the modern security demands of businesses.
Data Migration
- Bespoke plug-ins require more precise efforts for data migration, especially with the legacy systems which need extra time and effort.
- On the contrary, off-the-shelf plug-ins provide way easier migration but it may get along with the new systems.
Some other challenges include testing and maintenance support, user satisfaction, and much more.
Why is There a Need for Bespoke Add-ins? Benefits of Custom Add-ins Development
Tailor-made Functionality
With bespoke extensions, you can be assured that the extensions include the exact functionality that you require. So, you don’t have to compromise with whatever is given on the standard software.
Increased Efficiency
The best advantage you will get is that custom plug-ins offer efficiency to automate your business tasks and even can be integrated with the existing software.
Scalability
Investments are all about considering long-term business goals. As the business starts to expand it will require more upgraded functionality. So, with custom software, businesses can modify and integrate new functionality consoling to their growing demands.
Competitive Advantages
There are endless possibilities to build something new from others with custom development. Grab this opportunity and stand out from your competitors with custom office add ons development.
Cross-platform Compatibility
With custom add-ins development, cross-platform compatibility is possible for Windows, mobile, macOS, and web browsers. With this flexibility, clients can enjoy personalized features in their system.
Long Term Cost Saving
Bespoke plug-ins require higher costing although it can be a cost-saving alternative when considering the long-term scenario. As clients can save from unnecessary subscription fees, external providers fees, etc.
Personalized Support
Operating with a bespoke extension provider means more personalized support. As they possess a deeper understanding of your project and provide support concerning the same. As a result, you can easily keep up with regular software maintenance and support.
Bespoke Add-ins vs. Standard Add-ins: What is the Best for You?
Clients can look for the following factors while making a choice.
Business Requirements
Before giving a kick start always write a plan. This way you can know what are the pain points that need to be solved and the precise requirements the business holds at the moment. E.g. if you are dealing with sales and business communications then Gmail add-on development is a must to deal with clients.
Cost Prospects
Consider your budget scenarios first if you have a low budget then a standard plug in may suit with current demand but in the long term, it will result in higher licensing fees. Instead, try investing more at first with custom plug ins which will save your budget in the long run.
Integration Facility
Does your selected standard plug ins provide seamless integration with the existing system? If not, then custom plug ins is preferred choice which can seamlessly blend with your existing system.
Growth Potential
Well, every industry tends to grow over time so your focus should be on future growth. Suppose your business system needs to be upgraded over time then consider investing in bespoke extensions so that in the long term you don’t have to spend money on finding alternative solutions.
User Experience
User experience remains critical to look for. If your users do not feel satisfied, then how your business will perform? So have a look at what your users are looking for and make a choice accordingly.
Conclusion
The ultimate decision choosing between bespoke add ins and standard add-ins depends on myriad factors such as budget, timeline, business needs, etc. Comparatively both the solutions proffer their own set of pros and cons. However, it’s a must to consider your short-term and long-term business objectives while making a choice.
This way, you can be saved from future circumstances and handle your business with the right tool. Here we have checked some common differences between bespoke add-ons and standard add-ons, hope you find this helpful to make a decision between these two solutions.
Author Bio: Kapil Panchal – Technical Content Manager
A passionate Technical writer and an SEO freak working as a Technical content manager in a reputed .NET development company. Having served in the Information technology, Services, and Product industry for years, I relish writing about technology, and love sharing impeccable insights on various platforms. I believe in constant learning and am passionate about being better every day. Hire .NET developers from us to reach your business goals faster.