Build Custom Software vs Buy Ready-Made Solution

The healthcare industry is an area that strongly needs innovations at all times. Diseases constantly evolve, and the care methods should go one step ahead. Infrastructure in healthcare and streamlined communication are not the last points in fostering positive swifts in this industry. These two elements, in conjunction, create favorable conditions for bringing innovations or merely positive changes. The more automation and advancements are introduced, the more effort can be devoted to curing and preventing diseases. That is why the Medical Internet of Things is so emphasized nowadays. Its role is impossible to overestimate, indeed.

Essence and Aim of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)

IoMT stands for a tech advancement that envisages the mutual coordination of various elements inside the health system, such as medtools, apps, and other arrays that facilitate steady and ongoing data circulation. The pillar objective of the IoMT is to foster and ease the non-stop collection, handling, transmitting, and sharing of the medinfo among the interested subjects. Most typically the latter ones are state authorities, hospitals, and other members of the healthcare industry. 

Among the main deliverables that IoMT ensures are multiple options to track and manage the state of patients on a real-time basis. It also makes possible timely cure and disease prevention. Variable IoMT devices are already utilized for these purposes – health monitors, intelligent implants, remote diagnostic tools, and patient tracking systems, to mention a few.

How IoMT Works at a Glance

This tech approach is aimed at connecting multiple physical devices, including sensors and implants, through the Internet networks, most typically Wi-Fi. This endeavor is accomplished in order to grasp and transfer the most up-to-date info regarding the patient’s state. 

IoMT also makes it feasible to collect a large scope of data and ascertain the outcomes of treatment as well as the tendencies of disease evolution. At a glance, the said technology is about multiple devices, software, informational systems, algorithms, and storage facilities. All of these elements are related to each other instantaneously and deliver error-free info about the things that fall under the survey. 

Based on that info, medical personnel and other interested subjects highlight measures that have to be taken for the effectual care of the patients. IoMT is also in charge of elaborating on the list of actions that are needed to be accomplished to prevent similar cases from appearing in the future. Any information obtained during such an operation is extremely valuable and derives numerous benefits. 

Benefits of IoMT

This tech advancement is definitely under the stage of its next development and upgrade. Therefore, the number of benefits may be higher in the short-term perspective. As of now, it is proven that IoMT guarantees these positive swifts across the industry:

• Bolstered efficacy of performance within a healthcare institution – the work of the medical personnel becomes more effective and coherent enabling quick decision-making which is especially crucial in emergency cases. 
• Better and easier identification, including across multiple institutions – people don't need to input the same data many times. Once they have done that, it is transmitted through the internal channels of communication between the medinstitutions.
• Enhanced surveyance – IoMT software ensures timely and correct treatment as well as further post-medical support. The info is collected and processed steadily allowing the interested parties to make relevant conclusions regarding the efficacy of the chosen methods.
• Tackling diseases – collecting the info regarding the reasons why patients suffer from certain diseases enables scientists to elaborate on findings that are very precious for disease prevention. Most typically this is made by eliminating the conditions for such diseases to occur. 

IoMT issues and challenges

On balance, the adoption of the considered tech advancement is associated with specific threats and risks:

• Coherent interaction of various medsystems – frequently, such medsystems have multiple peculiarities of operation since different independent producers develop them. Making all the integrated systems not only joint but also coherent may be quite challenging sometimes.
• Effective information management – this covers clinical data monitoring, storage, and processing. The outputs have to be accurate, relevant, and up-to-date.
• Secure data handling – since the info processed is very sensitive in nature, it requires more advanced measures to be implemented. Fairly saying, this type of data is very nourishing for cybercriminals. Still, encryption and specialized IoMT security software can substantially decrease, even eliminate at all, the risk of data leaks. The goal of ensuring robust data protection is required not from the ethical perspective solely – this is also a compulsory rule among the norms applicable within the industry.
• Alignment with the regulatory standards – the applicable legal rules are quite strict, taking into account the essence of services. To this end, a failure to comply with such often leads to severe fines and other sanctions, up to the liquidation of a medical institution. In addition, the applicable regulatory framework is frequently updated, resulting in the need to take other measures allowing to remain compliant.

What Prospects Does the IoMT Have?

IoMT in healthcare definitely opens wider perspectives, among others, thanks to the following tech advancements:

• AI&ML implementation – these two elements are equally good at bolstering analytics and personal care approaches. This can be achieved through automation in decision-making. Most common cases will not require excessive time to ensure correct treatment – these technological advancements, like AI platform for clinical diagnostics, will handle them quickly, efficiently, and at lower costs.
• Bolstering the quality of wearables and implants – upgraded serviceability and preciseness will deliver more faultless data regarding the patient’s state, particularly one’s life parameters. The advancement will also enable quick and more productive feedback in response to possible changes, especially adverse ones.
• Automated internal arrangements – monitoring the inventory and machines plays a pivotal role in ensuring the straightforward operation of any medinstitution. The less time medical personnel devote to routine assignments, the more time caregivers have for their visitors. Even more, optimized internal flows reduce associated costs drastically as well. The quality of medservices is not sacrificed but boosted under such terms.
• Utilizing big data benefits – IoMT ensures the effective and timely handling of large volumes of medical information for multiple purposes: tendencies, patterns, typical treatment outcomes, opportunities for innovations, etc.
• Quality and upgraded involvement methods – future IoMT will facilitate far more effectual involvement of patients and their awareness of the medcare applied. Informing, consent giving, and providing the updates will be made automatically and faultlessly, preventing any unreasonable delays or discrepancies.
• Effectual dealing across the healthcare sector and the remainder of the sectors concerned – IoMT architecture opens another room for diverse independent service providers, financial institutions, and state authorities to interact and exchange data with each other swiftly and straightforwardly. As a consequence, the interested subjects can drastically bolster their performance and the speed of decision-making.

Conclusion

The Internet of Things medical application is a powerful tool on the way to ensuring top-rated services within the industry and effective disease prevention in the future. It already offers multiple benefits, such as on-time and effective performance, multifunctional diagnostics, disease treatment and prevention, cost-effective operation, and, finally, more accurate forecasts. This tech advancement will undoubtedly bring even more opportunities in the short term since it is evolving steadily. 

So, it was definitely a wise decision to incorporate such tech upgrades in a business yesterday. Now, they have already become compulsory things to have in possession. Our company is a reliable service provider experienced in custom medical software development. We will facilitate you to take the next step ahead by rendering top-notch services swiftly and at a reasonable cost. Enjoy the condensed expertise gained through the years.

When you are going to create a new web solution from scratch or optimize an existing one, one of the key indicators of top high quality will most likely be a high response rate (to user actions) and SEO-friendliness. 

Unfortunately, client-side rendering, which is done by default in many modern web frameworks and libraries, can become an antagonist for developers pursuing these two goals. In this case, it makes sense to consider the possibility of implementing server-side rendering. Below, we will explain to you what it is, what its features are, with the help of which software tools it can be implemented, and also for which projects it is best suited. 

Definition of Server-Side Rendering

Generally speaking, server-side rendering (SSR), as is probably clear from the name, occurs on the backend side. First, the browser sends a request from the client side to the server, after which the SSR server returns an HTML page with all the necessary meta tags, styles, markup, and other attributes. Then, in the browser, the rendering itself happens, the results of which immediately become visible to the end user.

Why is all this necessary if you can use the default option, client-side rendering (CSR)? – you may ask. In fact, everything is simple: search engine crawlers do not recognize the SEO text contained on the pages (or the page, if it is the only one) of the CSR solution. Thus, if the CEO occupies a significant part of the promotion strategy of your project, you can achieve better results only by implementing SSR. Let us add that projects with sophisticated business logic may “suffer” from CSR in the context of performance since the increased load in the form of several synchronous requests will lead to delays in the interface’s response to user actions. And this is exactly the case where server-side rendering can also become a win-win solution.

Currently, SSR technology is actively used in such world-famous solutions as Airbnb, Upwork, YouTube, Netflix, Uber, etc.

What Are the Benefits of Server-Side Rendering?

Now, based on the above, let's look at the key benefits of SSR.

• SEO and social media friendliness. The server side render approach ensures improved SEO ranking through the correct indexing of pages – now, search robots can recognize SEO text and other attributes important for good ranking. First of all, this is due to the fact that now, search robots do not need to read SSR JavaScript code. As for friendliness for social platforms, it is explained by the ability to display colorful previews when sharing SSR-rendered pages – all due to the correct recognition of meta tags. 
• Better app/website performance. SSR rendering provides a faster initial page load as the JS to HTML conversion is done on the backend. Thus, users see refreshed content faster than with CSR, in particular when it comes to dynamically updated pages. In the long term, this can ensure a reduced bounce rate for websites and web applications. 
• Lower load on the user's device and better user experience (UX). Due to the fact that user requests are now processed on the server side, the user device will experience minimal load. All that remains for it is to interpret the HTML code returned by the server.

What Are the Risks of Server-Side Rendering?

To ensure the objectivity of our review, let's also analyze the disadvantages of server-side rendering.

• Higher TTFB. TTFB or time to the first byte is one of the highest priority indicators of good (or, vice versa, insufficient) performance of web pages. This parameter indicates the time it takes for the browser to receive the first byte of page data processed on the server side. Typically, compared to CSR, the TTFB value is higher because instead of returning a file with links to JS, the server spends some time converting JS to HTML code.
• Limits on the number of requests simultaneously processed on the server side. Due to the increased load on the server, the number of requests processed synchronously will be less than in the case of client-side rendering. Thus, the server throughput will be reduced.
• Need to wait for all the HTML code to load. While the page is loading HTML code under SSR, the user will not be able to perform any new actions on it.

If we add to the above disadvantages a fairly high entry threshold into SSR, as well as an increase in the budget of such projects (due to frequent requests to the server), it becomes clear that this approach is not suitable for everyone.

Server-Side Rendering Frameworks and Tools

As for the server side rendering frameworks and libraries that can be used to process client-side requests on the backend, these include React, Next.js, Nuxt.js, Angular (v7 and newer), and Svelte/Sapper. They use one of the most universal server-side templating languages – JavaScript.

Below we propose to consider server-side rendering React concepts only since React is one of the main tools that we use in web development.

Server-Side Rendering vs Client-Side Rendering

Server-side rendering is not a one-size-fits-all solution since there are situations where its alternative, client-side rendering, is the best choice. In particular, if the content on web pages is updated dynamically – that is, it requires the rendering of some components only (i.e., those with whom the user interacted) while the whole page doesn’t need to be updated, CSR is better suited since part of the content with which the user did not interact will be already loaded.

However, considering that during initial initialization, the content is not displayed until the page is fully loaded into the browser (this can take 2 or 3 seconds, which is critical for a modern consumer of Internet content), when implementing CSR, the site may have poor SEO regardless from the professionalism of SEO specialists (note that this is not a default situation, because with the right approach, lightweight projects with CSR are still ranked well). And this is where the SSR React approach can come to the rescue as usually, React server side components are well-recognized by search crawlers. Thus, by resorting to it, you will be able to ensure enhanced content visibility for search engines.

Server-Side Rendering: SEO vs. Performance

As you can already understand, server-side rendering is capable of providing the best SEO performance for solutions that really need it. In particular, thanks to this approach, search engines will not need to interpret JavaScript. At the same time, if you decide to render in React applying CSR by default, for the React server side rendering implementation, you will have to use additional tools to indicate metadata (for example, React Helmet).

As for performance, in the case of high-load projects, with the server side React rendering, this indicator will be better than with CSR since the SSR website or application will not be limited by the resources of the user device and browser. Also, the user device itself will be less loaded since its only task in the context of updating content will be its output (without rendering).

Conclusion

To sum up, we would like to emphasize that with the correct use of JavaScript frameworks for SSR, you can solve the problem of poor ranking of single-page applications (SPAs) as well as content-heavy websites where SEO and bootstrap performance are critical. On the other hand, CSR is suitable for software with dynamically updated content, that is, content that should change without completely refreshing the page.

However, you should not limit yourself to just these two rendering approaches. In particular, there are also hybrid rendering approaches that combine the best characteristics of SSR and CSR. For example, you can consider the static site generation (SSG) vs SSR couple – perhaps the first option will be the best choice for your project.

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In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses and individuals constantly seek innovative ways to optimize their processes and enhance productivity. One key solution that has gained significant attention is custom-made software. Tailored specifically to meet unique requirements and objectives, it offers a large number of benefits compared to off-the-shelf alternatives that can limit your business's growth potential. Today, we are diving into the world of custom-made software, its advantages, and how it can revolutionize how businesses and individuals operate.

Understanding Custom-Made Software

The purpose of custom-made software is to offer a unique solution that aligns precisely with your needs and goals. Unlike standard software, which provides general functionality for a wide range of users, custom computer software is designed to align perfectly with unique workflows, business models, and user preferences. It is created from scratch, allowing complete control over its features, design, and integration capabilities.

Custom software can grow and evolve with your business. It can be designed to handle increased workloads, incorporate new functionalities, and seamlessly integrate with existing systems, ensuring long-term scalability and adaptability.

As for the user experience, it’s also optimized for your specific needs. Custom application software enhances efficiency and productivity by focusing on usability, intuitive design, and personalized workflows, leading to higher user satisfaction and engagement.

Mass-market software often includes unnecessary features and complexities, making it less efficient and harder to learn. Custom-developed software overcomes these challenges by offering user-friendly interfaces, streamlining processes, and automating repetitive tasks, significantly boosting productivity.

The advantages of custom-written software are that it offers enhanced security measures, guarding against potential vulnerabilities and ensuring heightened data protection. That is achieved through the implementation of strong encryption, access controls, and user authentication mechanisms, enhancing the security of sensitive data in custom-made software.

Planning Your Project and Managing Costs

Outline the Project Parameters

Clearly define the scope of your project by identifying the key features and functionalities required. Prioritize the must-have features and separate them from nice-to-have ones. That helps manage costs and ensures the development team focuses on the most crucial aspects.

Finances

Determine a realistic budget for your custom-made software development project. Consider complexity, development time, resources required, and ongoing maintenance costs. Discuss your budget with potential development partners to ensure alignment and feasibility.

Development Approach

Consider adopting an Agile development approach, such as Scrum or Kanban. Agile methodologies emphasize iterative development, allowing flexibility, frequent feedback, and continuous improvement. This approach helps manage costs by delivering software incrementally and adjusting priorities as needed.

Collaboration

Maintain open and transparent communication with your development team throughout the project. Regularly discuss progress, address concerns or changes, and provide timely feedback. Effective collaboration ensures that the software aligns with your expectations and minimizes the risk of costly rework.

Consider Long-Term Maintenance

Discuss post-development support options with your development partner and consider the need for future updates, security patches, and feature enhancements.

Unlike ready-made software that may require additional licensing fees or customization, a custom software tailoring solution that eliminates the need for unnecessary features and ongoing expenses. By partnering with a reputable development team and strategically planning your project, you can ensure the successful delivery of a custom-made software solution that meets your specific needs and unlocks new opportunities for your business.

How to Choose a Developer Team

When searching for a custom-made application software development partner, it is crucial to consider their knowledge, background, and previous work when evaluating their suitability. Look for developers with a deep understanding of your industry and a proven track record of delivering successful custom software solutions. Collaborating with an experienced development team will ensure a smooth and efficient process, resulting in a tailored software solution that meets your requirements and exceeds expectations. 

Define Your Requirements

Clearly articulate your goals, functionalities, and budget before approaching a developer team. That will help you communicate your needs effectively and evaluate potential partners.

Look for Relevant Experience

Seek a developer team with experience in your industry or a similar domain. They will understand your unique challenges and have the expertise to deliver a solution that meets your specific requirements.

Check Portfolios and Client Feedback

Review the portfolios of custom-made software development teams to assess their previous projects and the quality of their work. Request references and reach out to past clients to gain insights into their experience working with the team.

Evaluate Technical Expertise

Assess the technical skills and proficiency of the developer team. Look for certifications, proficiency in relevant programming languages and frameworks, and a track record of successful software development projects.

Additionally, when considering developer teams for your custom software project, it's worth noting that specialists from Eastern European countries such as Ukraine or Poland are renowned for their high qualifications and expertise. For the reason that IT industry in these countries has experienced rapid growth and development over the years, resulting in a rich talent pool of skilled professionals.

Here are some reasons why specialists from Eastern Europe can be a valuable choice for your custom software development needs

High-Quality Expertise

Eastern European specialists are known for their strong technical skills, proficiency in programming languages, and up-to-date knowledge of industry best practices. They often possess advanced computer science and engineering degrees, ensuring high expertise.

Cost Efficiency

While offering exceptional skills and expertise, Eastern European specialists generally charge lower rates than their counterparts in North America or Central Europe. This cost advantage can be significant when working within a tight budget or seeking to maximize the value of your investment.

Communication Skills

English proficiency is widespread among IT professionals in Eastern Europe. That makes communication with the development team efficient and effective, ensuring smooth collaboration throughout the project.

The Development Process: Steps to be Followed When Building a Custom-Made Software

Requirements Gathering: Clearly define your goals, objectives, and functionalities. Discuss your vision with the developer team to ensure a shared understanding of the project scope.

System Design: The system design phase begins once the requirements are established. That includes designing the database structure, determining the architecture, and mapping the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) elements.

Coding and Implementation: Qualified software engineers write the code, ensuring that the software meets the design specifications and incorporates any necessary integrations.

Backend Development: The backend is the "behind-the-scenes" part of the software that handles data storage, logic, and interactions with the frontend. Common technologies used in backend development include Node.js, PHP, and NestJS.

Frontend Development: The frontend is the visible part of the software users interact with. Technologies such as JavaScript, ReactJS, Angular, and Vue.js are commonly used for frontend development. These frameworks enable the creation of dynamic, responsive, and user-friendly interfaces.

Design: Design encompasses both the UI and UX aspects of the software. UI design focuses on the visual elements, while UX design ensures a seamless and intuitive user experience. Good design enhances usability and engagement.

Quality Assurance (QA): It involves thorough testing to identify and fix any bugs or issues. That ensures that the software functions correctly and meets the defined requirements. Testing is conducted at various stages of development to maintain high-quality standards.

Project Management: Project management ensures that the development process stays on track and meets deadlines. It involves effective planning, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communication.

Deployment and Maintenance: Once the software has undergone thorough testing, it is deployed and available for use. Ongoing maintenance and support are provided to address any future needs or updates.

Here is a List With Brief Descriptions of the Key Technologies in Custom Software Development

Databases (DB): DB store and organize data used by the software. Popular database options include relational databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Firebase).

React Native: UI software framework for building cross-platform mobile applications. It allows for code sharing and rapid development across iOS and Android platforms.

ReactJS: ReactJS is a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It allows for component-based development, reusability, and efficient rendering, resulting in fast and responsive web applications.

Angular: It’s an efficient JavaScript framework for building scalable and feature-rich applications. It provides a comprehensive set of tools and features for building complex frontend applications.

Vue.js: It’s a progressive JavaScript framework known for its simplicity and flexibility. It allows developers to adopt its features and scale applications as needed incrementally.

Node.js: Runtime environment that enables server-side JavaScript execution. It provides a scalable and efficient platform for backend development.

PHP: Widely-used scripting language for server-side development. It is known for its simplicity, extensive library support, and compatibility with various database systems.

Ionic Framework: Popular framework for building hybrid mobile applications using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It offers a single codebase for multiple platforms, reducing development time and costs.

Summary

In summary, custom-made software offers unmatched benefits in today's technology-driven world. By carefully selecting a competent developer team and following a well-planned development process, you can create a cost-effective solution that meets your unique needs, improves efficiency, and enhances user experiences. By following these guidelines, you can access the total capacity of tailored solutions for your business and unlock the full potential for growth and success!