Bespoke software for SMEs — now faster, safer and more affordable
If your business is bending itself around off-the-shelf SaaS tools, you’re not alone. Many SMEs end up with multiple subscriptions, spreadsheets in the middle, manual workarounds, and gaps that never quite get solved.
I build custom business systems that fit how your team actually works — combining web apps, Android field apps, secure APIs and SQL Server data. With modern AI-assisted coding tools and 25+ years of hands-on delivery, bespoke systems can now be delivered more quickly (and often more cost-effectively) than people expect.
This page explains when bespoke software beats SaaS, why AI coding breakthroughs matter in practice, and how senior engineering plus modern tooling leads to faster delivery, lower risk and systems that match your business 100%.
Faster delivery
Modern AI-assisted development accelerates scaffolding, refactoring, tests and documentation — while a senior developer keeps architecture and quality rock-solid.
Fits your workflow
Your process shouldn’t be forced into generic screens. Bespoke systems model your exact approvals, roles, job stages, compliance steps and real-world edge cases.
Security by design
Least-privilege access, audit trails, secure APIs, modern auth and hardened hosting patterns — built in from day one, not bolted on later.
Integrates cleanly
One joined-up platform across web, mobile, SQL and third-party services. No more fragile exports, manual rekeying, or “another system to check”.
Why bespoke software is having a comeback
For years, SMEs were pushed toward SaaS because bespoke software was seen as slow and expensive. The reality is that a big chunk of traditional development time was spent on repetitive engineering work: scaffolding screens, plumbing, boilerplate, tests, documentation and routine refactoring.
Today, AI-assisted coding tools can reduce that mechanical overhead dramatically. But the critical point is this: AI doesn’t replace senior engineering — it amplifies it. A highly experienced developer knows what to build, what not to build, how to design for change, and how to spot subtle security and data integrity issues long before they reach production.
The result: bespoke systems that are delivered faster, with better quality, and with security and maintainability built in from the start — making bespoke a genuinely compelling alternative to “yet another SaaS subscription”.
Quick self-check
Bespoke often makes sense when:
- You’re paying for multiple SaaS tools + integrations
- Your team uses spreadsheets to “fill the gaps”
- Reporting requires exports and manual work
- Processes are unique (or compliance-heavy)
- You need tighter control over data and security
- You’ve outgrown the SaaS vendor’s roadmap
Bespoke vs SaaS: what changes in real life
The SaaS reality
- “Almost right” features — but never quite a perfect fit
- Recurring monthly fees that keep rising over time
- Workarounds, manual steps and duplicated data
- Limited ability to change workflows (or integrate cleanly)
- Security and permissions are generic, not tailored
- Vendor roadmap decides what you get next
The bespoke advantage
- Workflows designed around your approvals, roles and edge cases
- Unified system: web + mobile + data + reporting in one place
- Automation that matches reality (not generic checklists)
- Better reporting because data is consistent and validated at source
- Security by design: least-privilege, audit trails, hardened APIs
- Ownership of roadmap, data and long-term direction
What “modern bespoke” typically includes
Architecture that scales
Clean modular design (so future changes don’t become painful), predictable data models, and APIs that work for both web and mobile.
- .NET + Razor Pages / API-first patterns
- SQL Server with performance-focused schema and indexes
- Background processing for integrations and scheduled jobs
- Structured logging, monitoring, alerting and diagnostics
Security features that matter
Built-in security controls aligned with modern threats — particularly important as AI-driven automated attacks become more capable.
- Strong authentication + MFA options
- Role-based access control + least privilege
- Audit trails on critical actions and data changes
- Rate limiting, input validation, secure headers
- Secure secrets handling, backups and disaster recovery
Who this is for
- SMEs that have outgrown SaaS tools and spreadsheets
- Teams with operational workflows that are unique or compliance-heavy
- Businesses needing better reporting from consistent, validated data
- Organisations modernising legacy systems without “big bang” risk
- Companies that want to own their roadmap and data
Typical outcomes
- Reduced admin time through automation and better UX
- Fewer errors due to validation and guided workflows
- Cleaner reporting without exports/rekeying
- Better visibility across jobs, customers, compliance and finance
- Lower long-term software costs vs stacked SaaS subscriptions
Not sure if bespoke beats your current SaaS setup?
If you describe your current tools, workflows and pain points, I can outline a practical migration path: what to build first, what to integrate, and how to deliver value quickly without disruption.
Related pages
If you arrived here from the navigation, these pages go deeper into specific delivery areas.
Web app development
Bespoke .NET web apps, internal platforms, portals and operational systems built for performance and maintainability.
View pageAndroid app development
Android field apps for data capture, inspections, job updates and offline-first workflows — integrated with your back-office data.
View pageAI safety & governance
Practical guidance for using AI safely in business systems — data boundaries, auditability and risk-managed adoption.
View page