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Bespoke software

Bespoke software is designed to fulfil specific requirements that cannot be met by standard off-the-shelf packages.

Ryland Technology has been building bespoke software since the 1990s. We have extensive experience of understanding client requirements and designing solutions to meet them, and we pride ourselves on the provision of professional and value-for-money services, allowing us to build long-term relationships with clients.

Read more about what we can do below.

Ryland Technology has been building custom software solutions for a wide variety of clients since 1996. These have varied from custom databases (see database design) through to complete client-server applications with large user bases and separate enterprise level databases.

Custom software can be written for a variety of operating systems on different platforms (and with many alternative development tools). This doesn't just mean Windows or MacOS applications, but includes applications for mobile devices, Raspberry Pis, smart home devices, industrial control systems, and much more besides. Ryland will work closely with you to help you select the right type of application for your business. Key factors to consider include:

  • integration with existing systems
  • speed (and therefore cost) of development
  • ongoing maintenance costs
  • use of industry standard programming languages to ensure you're not tied into one supplier
  • third party licence fees
  • support contract requirements
  • intellectual property rights

Read some examples of different types of bespoke software below.

Laptop computer showing an application with graphs

Windows and MacOS applications

There are a variety of options when it comes to bespoke software, including custom-built applications running directly on PC or Apple Mac computers.

These can be standalone applications with databases stored on the device itself, or they can be client applications connecting to networked or cloud-based servers and databases. And because you'll own the intellectual property, there'll be no additional licence fees for installing the software on multiple computers - you only pay for the development once.

Read our case studies for examples of the applications we've developed to date.

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Web applications

In today's world of broadband internet access and cloud technology, there is a significant overlap between bespoke software and web applications. In many instances the best solution for a client is to build a bespoke application using web technologies.

Web-based applications can be accessed from anywhere in the world, don't need special software installed on the user's machine, and allow for simple deployment and upgrades from a central location. With extensive web development and web hosting experience, Ryland Technology is ideally placed to advise on the best use of the latest web technologies, and to manage the project from start to finish.

A barcode scanner in a shop

Hardware integration

Ryland Technology has extensive experience developing software to interface with specialist hardware devices. Whether it's a temperature sensor used in a manufacturing process, a card reader in an access control system, or a webcam streaming video, we can write the code to interact with it.

One long-running project has involved developing an application that interfaces with RFID/UHF readers to identify movement of inventory. You can read more from this and other case studies here.

A wifi chip on a circuit board

Internet of things

From fridges to traffic control systems, the internet of things is growing exponentially. Devices of every sort and size are being put online, allowing individuals, businesses, and entire cities to become smarter and more efficient. This proliferation of connected devices and real-time information has also given rise to the concept of 'big data', which itself offers revolutionary opportunities for businesses.

Ryland Technology can create software to integrate with these connected devices and to process and report on the data they produce. Whether you know exactly what you need or you're at the concept stage and need some sensible technical input, our experienced developers can help.

Click here to get in touch.

A smart speaker and a mobile phone

Smart home devices

Smart homes are just one aspect of the internet of things. From fire alarms that message you when there's an alert to central heating systems that turn the heating on when you leave the office, the possibilities for the use of technology in the home are endless. There's going to be significant growth in this market in the coming years.

Whether you're a multinational with a range of smart home products in need of additional development resource, or you're a startup in need of a technical partner to work with you through every stage, Ryland Technology can help. Get in touch now to discuss your requirements.

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Intellectual property rights and source code

A key concern for many clients is the ownership of intellectual property (IP) and application source code once the project is finished. Many companies will tie you in to using them indefinitely by retaining IP rights and only granting you a licence to use the software that they've created for you.

At Ryland Technology, all of the code that you pay us to develop is yours as soon as the project has finished, and you'll be given the full source code as well. That means you're free to use other developers, to have the code reviewed by third parties, or to stick with Ryland if you're happy with our service. We prefer to build long-lasting relationships with our clients by offering unbeatable, professional, value for money service.

Software code on a computer screen

Development environments

Examples of the development languages, frameworks and environments used by Ryland Technology include:

  • .NET Framework, including ASP.NET
  • C#
  • Visual Basic
  • MVC
  • HTML5
  • CSS
  • Javascript, JQuery, Bootstrap
  • ASP
  • PHP
  • JSP
  • Java including Swing and AWT
  • MOSS (Sharepoint)
  • AJAX
  • Adobe Flash (ActionScript & Flex)
  • C, C++ and Objective C
  • Pascal
  • Delphi

Please note that the above is not an exhaustive list, but is included to give you an idea of Ryland's experience. If you have a specific requirement please feel free to contact us to discuss the options.