What Does a Software Development Company do?

There’s no question that software is at the core of how almost every business operates. If there’s one thing that nearly every organization needs to keep itself running, it’s software. That’s why many companies invest in custom solutions to help them streamline processes and improve day-to-day operations.

Some people know that software development companies can help them create the solutions they need. However, there’s less clarity around what these companies do and how they get the job done.
Recent data shows that there are over 500,000 software and IT services companies to choose from in the US alone, to make things more complicated. Are you wondering what a software development company does? This article will break down the process and tell you what to look for in a software development company.

What is a software development company?

Software development companies design, develop and maintain applications, frameworks or other software components for businesses or consumers.
To get a deeper understanding of what this process involves, let’s start by talking about what software development is. Software development is the process of conceiving, specifying, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and bug fixing involved in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components.
A software development company puts all of these pieces together. This includes everything from the software’s conception to the final manifestation of the software—research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, and more.
Each company will have its own engagement model and process for working with clients. However, before starting a project with a software development company, it’s important to understand exactly what they do. 

What does a software development company do?

Among the many services they do, at the core, we can break down this process into four steps.

1. Identifying the need

First, a software development company will strive to understand the importance of the software they’re going to create. What makes it important? What features need to be included? How will this software impact users?

2. Developing the software

Next, the company will go ahead and design and develop the software to meet the criteria they identified and the users’ needs. The products they work on may include desktop solutions, mobile applications, SaaS products, and more. 

3. Testing & quality assurance

If a software company follows the agile methodology, they may make testing and iterations part of the development process. Some companies don’t follow this methodology, and they do their testing at the end.
In either case, once the software company completes development, they will test it to ensure that it functions the way it should and that users will get the desired results. They will also use this time to identify any feedback and resolve any bugs they may discover throughout the process. 

4. Release and maintenance

Finally, the company will release the product. At this stage, the product is ready for users, and organizations can use their custom software. A software development company may also include on-going maintenance or support to ensure the product is always working the way it should.
Most software development companies will follow this basic process. However, some companies implement what they learn after working on various projects to refine their process and make it seamless for each customer.
Bottom line: software development companies create solutions that need the needs of their customers. They often specialize in different industries or businesses and have insight into what their customers require to be successful.

What services does a software development company offer?

Many software development companies also offer consulting and strategy services outside of the software development and delivery process. For example, here at Unosquare, we offer technology project consulting and digital transformation strategies to help businesses plan their projects and accelerate the digital transformation process.
With our Distributed Agile Framework, our software development engineers provide the external perspective, agility, and understanding required for real innovation. Services like this are ideal for companies who need help executing projects or meeting their digital transformation goals. 

How to choose the right software development company for your project?

While some software development companies will claim that they can take on any project, this is not the case. If you’re looking for a software development company for your project, you should focus on finding one that can provide service for your specific needs.
The right software development company will create unique software that works for your business and meets your specific requirements. Before choosing a software development company, research their practice areas to determine if they have the expertise you’re looking for.
While some projects can be completed quickly, most custom software development projects will take several months to complete. So, it’s critical to find a company that you feel comfortable partnering with. It’s not just about the code. It’s about the process from beginning to end and how the finished product works for you.
Remember: every company has its strengths. Some companies will have the capability to work on time-sensitive projects. Others might bring a level of expertise in your space that you can’t find with other companies. It’s important to think about the software development process as a whole and what will work best for your organization before you make a choice. 

Need help from a software development company?

We understand the need for transparency, efficiency, and, more importantly, delivery. We not only have been laser-focused on finding the best talent in the world but also putting together a delivery management practice that is your eyes and ears within our organization. In a way that is fast, transparent, and efficient, we provide agile software development services and complementing talent for teams.
With over 2,000 successfully completed projects, over 600 engineers, and more than 120 distributed teams, Unosquare is one of the leading software development companies. We know what it takes to meet and exceed project needs. Want to learn more about what Unosquare can do for your company? You can go here to check out our blog.