Custom software
Custom web and desktop software development
When off-the-shelf programs do not follow the way a company works, people end up adapting their processes to the software, or holding everything together with spreadsheets. I am Gaetano Racioppa, Software Engineer: I develop web applications, business software, dashboards and desktop programs built around the real processes of companies, startups and public bodies.
I take care of analysis, development, testing and go-live, and of the connection with the systems you already use, because custom software is only useful if it fits into what is already there.
When custom software is needed
Spreadsheets everywhere
Duplicated data, different versions of the same file and no control over who changes what.
Software that is too rigid
The software in use does not cover an important process and every customisation is expensive or impossible.
Scattered data
The information exists but lives in different systems: a dashboard is needed to bring it together.
A dated application
A program the company relies on, but that nobody is able to update any more.
What development includes
- Analysis of processes and requirements together with the people who will use the software
- Web applications and portals with Angular
- Desktop applications for Windows, macOS and Linux with Flutter or .NET
- Backend, APIs and databases
- Integration with ERPs, CRMs and external services
- Testing, go-live and user training
- Maintenance and evolution over time
Web or desktop: how to choose
A web application runs in the browser, needs no installation and is updated for everyone at the same time: it is the natural choice for portals, business software and dashboards used by several people and sites.
A desktop application makes sense when you need to work offline, communicate with peripherals and devices or handle large amounts of data locally. With Flutter the same codebase can cover desktop, web and mobile; with .NET you get the most out of the Windows environment.
Experience
I have built web and desktop applications for companies in different sectors, including Industry 4.0, Insurance and Retail, often connected to systems already in production. Where projects are confidential, I can describe their context and technical choices during a call.
“Ho avuto modo di lavorare con Gaetano da remoto su un progetto complesso in ambiente .NET. È riuscito ad acquisire velocemente le competenze necessarie a svolgere le varie mansioni e si è sempre dimostrato disponibile e propositivo. Queste qualità lo hanno reso una risorsa preziosa per la buona riuscita delle attività.”
How I work
- 01
First conversation
A call to understand goals, users, constraints and what already exists.
- 02
Estimate and scope
We define features and priorities together; the estimate is based on the agreed scope.
- 03
Iterative development
Intermediate, verifiable releases, so you can see and try the product as it takes shape.
- 04
Testing and quality
Automated tests and checks on real devices and environments before every release.
- 05
Release
Store publication or go-live, following a repeatable procedure.
- 06
Maintenance and evolution
Fixes, updates and new features after the first release.
Frequently asked questions
Is a web or a desktop application better?
It depends on where and how it is used. Web if it must be accessible to several people and devices without installation; desktop if it must work without a network or talk to local hardware. In some cases the two coexist.
Can an old program be replaced gradually?
Yes, and it is often the most prudent route: you start from the process that causes the most problems, run the new software alongside the old one and migrate data and functions one step at a time.
Can the software connect to the systems I already use?
In most cases yes, through APIs, database access or file exchange. Feasibility depends on what the existing system makes available and is checked during analysis.
How much does custom software cost and how long does it take?
It depends on the number of features, the integrations with other systems, the level of polish of the interface and what already exists. That is why I do not publish price lists: after the first conversation I prepare an estimate based on the agreed scope.
Related pages
Let’s talk about your software
Describe the process you want to improve and the tools you use today.