Custom software costs money to build. But it also saves money, increases revenue, and reduces risk. Here’s how to calculate whether the investment makes sense.
Savings to Calculate
- Time saved: If a process takes 2 hours per week and automation reduces it to 15 minutes, that’s £1,365/year at £15/hour.
- Subscriptions replaced: If custom software replaces a £100/month SaaS tool, that’s £1,200/year saved.
- Error reduction: Spreadsheet errors leading to rework, missed deadlines, or compliance fines have real costs.
The Calculation
A custom app costing £500 that saves 2 hours per week (£1,365/year) and replaces a £50/month subscription (£600/year) delivers £1,965 in annual value. Payback period: under 4 months.
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