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Bespoke software development
A team of bespoke software specialists with over 25 years' experience, Achorda creates cost-effective software solutions for clients with unique ideas. Speak to us today to turn your software ideas into something spectacular.
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It's the clever stuff behind bespoke software development that puts you ahead of your competitors.
Achorda has developed and supported bespoke software applications including membership systems, intranets, extranets, databases and document management systems for over 25 years. We know precisely how to help organisations improve their business operations and lift their brand by elevating their customer and staff experience.
Full stack development team
Our software professionals are experienced in both front-end and back-end technologies, ensuring that your solution is slick and efficient. Software development is a fast-changing environment so we are constantly adding new technologies to our skillset to ensure all our solutions exceed expectations.
Identifying the software requirements
Achorda collaborates closely with stakeholders to identify the goals everyone is aiming for and then designs and builds solutions to achieve those goals in a cost-effective way. It's important to get a good understanding of what everyone needs from the new software before any budget is spent, avoiding wasting money heading in the wrong direction.
We don’t try to shoehorn our clients into a ready-made solution which is what can happen with off-the-shelf solutions. We work the other way around and create a solution that fits an individual client perfectly, taking into account their preferred business methods and their aspirations for the future of the company.
Our clients are unique and they all want something different. Sometimes it’s completely new and bespoke and nobody else in the world is doing what they want to do. Often they need functionality that's similar to what's already out there but they either want to do things differently or they just have to do things differently.
Whether our customer wants a database solution, a mobile app or needs some software written to run their machinery, the first stage is always to thoroughly examine the requirements and provide wireframes to make sure we are all on the same page from the get go.
Why choose bespoke software?
The beauty of bespoke software is that pretty much anything is possible. The only limitations are budget and imagination. Achorda has a wealth of experience building software applications that not only look great, but also deliver beyond our clients' expectations. These applications, whether a stand-alone solution or a plug-in to integrate with an existing solution, can all be extended and adapted to ensure that the software exploits new opportunities and remains aligned with the business requirements.
The Software Development Process
1. Consultancy and Stakeholder Discussion
Achorda call on over 25 years' experience to offer expert advice on the best way to progress your software development project. We talk to all the stakeholders to ensure everyone's needs and ideas are considered right from the start, identifying problem areas and bottlenecks.
2. Requirements Planning and Documentation
Next, based on the knowledge gathered in step 1, a Requirements Specification document is produced to ensure any development is following agreed functionality guidelines and direction.
3. Wireframing and UX Design
Following the guide of the Requirements Specification work can begin on wireframing key pages to agree on on the User Experience and flow of the application.
4. Graphic and UI Design
With the framework in place, the look and feel of the User Interface can be designed and agreed before development starts.
5. Development and Testing
Development can then begin, with front-end and back-end coding being written in tandem. Testing is an ongoing process as each section of functionality is added.
6. Feedback and Adjustments
The client is involved throughout the whole process with access to a development copy of the application as soon as possible. Client feedback is encouraged at this stage and adjustments made accordingly.
7. Delivery and Go Live
Once everyone is happy, we help you get your application up and running through your chosen hosting service and you can begin to use your brand new software.
8. Ongoing Support / Maintenance / Enhancement
Once delivered, Achorda provides ongoing support and maintenance, not only to keep things running smoothly but also to help clients identify whether the software is keeping up with their business needs and to chat through ideas to keep one step ahead of the competition.
Some of the great clients we've worked with
Our clients’ testimonials
Being able to undertake the complex work we required with a single company like Achorda has made the entire multi-year project we engaged them for so much easier. They understand our business and so work with us to help produce systems that suit our workflow and allow us to achieve our strategic goals.
It’s always a pleasure to deal with their whole team.
Simon Powell, Henley Audio.
We have built a long standing relationship with Achorda Ltd and knowing that we have Achorda developers as our extended web team is invaluable to us. Achorda staff are a delight to work with and can always be relied upon to support us in resolving daily issues, define future development goals and make strategic projects happen. We are delighted with our online achievements and the work Achorda has done for us. We can warmly recommend them.
Hanne Christensen, Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
The Achorda team are always quick to understand what we are trying to achieve with our online membership services and consistently deliver efficient and reliable solutions. The support we receive from Achorda is always fast and personal.
Chris Bacon, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).
We are constantly impressed by Achorda's ability to help us evolve concepts into effective solutions and to always deliver. Achorda have developed a worldwide Intranet for the Group and this is helping us to achieve greater efficiency through the sharing of knowledge.
Yousef Achercouk, Wood Group Kenny.
We had a clear idea of what we wanted to achieve. Achorda totally understood our requirements from the beginning and actually suggested improvements to our specification throughout the project.
Rather than just producing an app from a specification, Achorda provided creative value throughout including UI and graphic design principles as well as fundamental advice on how best to implement our ideas.
The quality of the resulting app exceeded our expectations and we would certainly recommend their services to others.
Tom Speechley, SX2 Ventures.