How does a customized solution differ from SaaS

A SaaS solution is ready-made software “out of the box”. It is quickly implemented, convenient to subscribe to and suitable for companies that want standard functionality without complex changes.

But each logistics company has its own unique business processes. For example:

• specific route formation scheme;

• special cargo handling procedures;

• complex interaction schemes with customers or suppliers.

The finished product will cover only part of these needs. If there are too many changes, SaaS begins to “burst at the seams”. And then a custom solution enters the scene - individual software that is completely adapted to the business.

The main difference: SaaS - fast and standard. Custom - longer and more expensive, but with precise integration into processes and maximum effect.

Which companies need a customized solution

Customization is not for everyone. We can conditionally distinguish several types of companies that really need it:

1. 3PL and logistics operators. They have a wide range of services and complex processes that are difficult to “clamp” into a template.

2. Transport companies and freight forwarders. When you need to manage a large fleet, optimize routes or integrate dozens of client accounts.

3. Manufacturers and distributors. They have complex supply chains that combine production, warehousing and delivery.

4. Warehouses with non-standard work organization. If the classic WMS does not cover their operations, a custom version becomes the only way out.

Simply put: if your business does not fit into the standard framework - customization is for you.

How a custom solution is implemented

The success of a custom project depends not only on the developers, but also on the customer himself. Collaboration is important here.

The stages usually look like this:

1. Discovery phase. We analyze all processes, look for bottlenecks, and form requirements.

2. Design. We create a solution architecture that adapts to a specific business.

3. Development. A team of programmers implements the necessary functionality.

4. Testing and implementation. The client is actively involved: his team checks the scenarios, gives feedback.

5. Support. Any system needs support, updates, and improvements.

Important point: without the active participation of the client, customization does not work. If the business is not ready to engage in analysis and testing, the solution may turn out to be “correct on paper, but inconvenient in life.”

CONSOLID team vs. in-house development department

At first glance, it seems that you can hire your own programmers and do everything “in-house.” But practice shows otherwise.

Developers without experience in logistics will write the code as it was explained. They do not see the depth of the processes, do not know best practices and often simply “pack chaos into the program.”

Classic outsourcing will not help either: it lacks domain expertise. It will spend a lot of time on research, and the result will be mediocre.

We work differently. CONSOLID has a team that combines business analysts, project managers, developers and logistics experts. We already have developed cases, our own methodology and best practices, tested by real projects.

In fact, we provide not just code, but a ready-made automation methodology that has already proven its effectiveness. And this is what sets us apart from internal IT departments or casual contractors.

Is there a demand for custom solutions in logistics?

The demand is not just there — it is growing. The global trend towards automation is irreversible. Companies want to eliminate routine, avoid errors and make decisions based on data.

Ready-made products cover basic needs. But as soon as a business starts to scale or faces complex processes, it runs into limitations. And then customization becomes the only way out.

We see that the greatest demand for custom solutions today is:

• TMS systems, because standard products do not always take into account the unique work models of transport companies.

• WMS with non-standard processes, where complete flexibility is required.

• ERP modules for logistics and production, which must be integrated into one system.

And the trend will only intensify.

Conclusion

A custom solution is not a "luxury", but a necessity for those businesses that do not fit into the template and want to grow faster than their competitors. It is more difficult to implement, but it opens up much more opportunities: from full automation to a competitive advantage in the market.

The CONSOLID team helps you go through this path without unnecessary waste of time and resources, using already developed best practices. So if you are considering digital transformation, the main question is not “do you need a custom solution,” but “when should you implement it.”