From off-the-rack software to software that fits the business

For years, business software has worked a little like off-the-rack clothing.

Companies choose the system that fits them best, then adjust their processes, teams and expectations around what that software can do.

Custom development has always been an option. But it often comes with significant budgets, long implementation cycles and months of coordination.

AI is beginning to change that model.

As creating new functionality becomes faster and more accessible, businesses will increasingly be able to shape technology around the way their organization actually works.

Instead of waiting for the next product release or compromising with a process designed for the “average” company, they can create workflows, reports, automations and internal applications around their own requirements.

In other words, business software can begin moving from off-the-rack to tailored.

This can also change how organizations think about transformation.

A new requirement does not always have to become a major IT project. A process improvement does not necessarily need to wait for the next annual roadmap. Some changes can be designed, tested and introduced while the business need is still relevant.

We are already seeing an early example of this with ABI in a large tourist complex.

As operational requirements change throughout the season, new reports, automations and business applications can be created around the needs that emerge — rather than requiring the organization to wait for a predefined product roadmap.

The most important shift may not be technological.

It may be psychological.

When change becomes easier and faster to implement, organizations begin thinking differently about what is possible.