Configuration vs customization whats the difference. Ok maybe not, but it is one of the most asked questions within laboratory informatics. Software vendors have always sought to provide highly adaptable solutions by allowing customization. Most vendors will claim that its easy to customize their solutions. Mar 30, 2018 offering a plethora of exciting business aspects, product configuration tool can actually be an effective way to provide your customers with the best service.
On the pure saas side, you retain the benefits of quick bug fixes and feature upgrades that the vendor rolls out through. As a purchaser and user of applicant tracking software, i learned the hard way that many people use the terms configuration and customization interchangeably. Configuration vs customization whats the difference and why does it matter. Configuration best practices for choosing a saas application. Theres a long running debate about configuration versus customization in saas. Most configuration settings are made once and last forever unless your business evolves and requires some new configuration and that revised setting will last years more. It is welldefined, but limited in what it will let you do. While customization can be explained using configuration and development. Aug 01, 2012 as a result, some companies hold off on upgrades, weighing the benefits of new features against the pain of fixing broken customizations.
What are the differences between configuration, development. Cots vs configuration vs customization definitions cots commercial off the shelf plug in and play configuration data model, api, automation of tedious tasks customization behavior change in each of the segments, the choice of implementation approach is selected to exploit the strengths of tc avoid the shortcomings of tc align with the future plans of fede and siemens. Industry consultants have also discussed the distinct difference between configuration and customization. I like this definition, found on linkedin, the best edited for clarity and grammar. Configuration, however, can deliver results that feel like customization, but without custom programming and technical skills. Customization for enterprise qms software experience shows that outofthebox configured software only works for businesses with limited resources or. To start, lets understand what we mean by a customization. Organization name client setting in computer agent group.
This is an ageold question right behind which came first. To get started and try some of the tools builtin to azure, see how to automate the customization of a linux or. Association management software ams systems typically include outofthebox functionality to support most of the organizations basic processes. Key differences between customization and configuration include. Unraveling software configuration vs customization. Oct 20, 2011 this is a very frequently asked question. Convention over configuration also known as coding by convention is a software design paradigm used by software frameworks that attempts to decrease the number of decisions that a developer using the framework is required to make without necessarily losing flexibility. Even from a strictly financial perspective, software configuration initiatives cost far less to implement than customization projects. Plan for software center configuration manager microsoft docs. Another way to think of the difference between configuration and customization is to imagine ordering a meal at a restaurant. Lims configuration vs customization eusoft lims software.
In a recent staffing talk article titled a false dichotomy. Jan 10, 20 im not sure of standardized definitions and their applicability in industry, so will try my hand at explaining. While these terms are often used interchangeably, in the world of lims they are very different. You can choose to either modify your business practices to align with the functionality of the digital asset management software or you can choose to enhance the solution to better align with your needs. Saas customers are entitled to the latest and greatest from their vendors as the software continually improves over time. Configuration a configuration is a setting, parameter or personalization built natively into the erp software.
Most vendors will claim that its easy to customize their solution. The difference between erp customization and erp configuration. What are your experiences with customizing or configuring software to fit your needs. Wait you may be asking, those sound very, very similar. Ultimately, customization requires programmers to modify the program or write a new one to make the software do something that it was not designed.
Configuration is the ability to work within the framework of an application. It helps you grow your business, increasing sales, tracking engagements, handling and streamlining different processes in your organization. Hard customization is a physical process of manufacturing unique items or reconfiguring components. The related term implementation means the actual work done configuration, customization or the combination thereof to satisfy an actual set of. One common fallacy about configuration and customization is that customization offers greater scalability. Jun 17, 2007 what is the difference between configuration and customization, configuration is attaching to process flow to the existing one and customization is adding new fieldstables as per client requirements. The following is an outline that helps address what seems like a simple question.
Jan 30, 2015 in discussions with many different endusers and vendors, this move, along with the adoption of new mobile solutions and a mashup internet of things iot enabled applications has reopened the debate as to what constitutes outofthebox vs. Customization, on the other hand, refers to changing the code of the software to meet the business needs of your particular association. A setting or parameter could be a simple flag or field or as complex as a table defining a list of rules. A brief on product customization vs product configuration. Customization requires a developer to make changes to code whereas configuration is changing settings even when they are very in depth. Aug 20, 2018 if customization is determined to be necessary or add sufficient value, the key is to understand how it is managed within the infrastructure of the core system, and exactly what the implications and risks are for implementation, maintenance and support. Jun 22, 2017 june 22, 2017 discussion and confusion about the difference. Customization is often a symptom of bigger problems, including a solutions mismatch with a companys requirements during the realtime implementation. One approach involves the need to program or code customization and the other involves using a simple user interface that nonprogrammers can set up configuration. Generally, customization refers to optimizing the softwares settings to meet a companys specific needs, while configuration refers to optimizing system components to meet specific business needs. Configuration settings are a standard component of the erp and the erp developer will always stand behind their entire product, including any configuration settings.
If youre seeking an experienced erp configuration and customization company, speak to a clarity consultant for advice on how we can help your company. What are the differences between configuration, development and customization. Configuration, often abbreviated config, refers to entering information into the system in ways that allow the stock software to work best for you. The difference between configuration and customization can add thousands of dollars to what you thought you would pay.
Soft customization vs hard customization simplicable. I have a decent experience in sap erp in all aspects that you referred to in your question. On the other hand, configuring refers to the ability to adopt out of the box functionalities to achieve business goals. This consists of a developer writing code to make the system work as. Many well known techniques especially related to sql and database customization cannot be used. Feb 15, 2019 industry consultants have also discussed the distinct difference between configuration and customization. Im not sure of standardized definitions and their applicability in industry, so will try my hand at explaining. While presenting to her peers, patty miceli used an analogy to describe the philosophy on software customization that her team.
While fewer developers are needed since the software source code may not have to be adjusted, more analysts may be needed to audit the data and to perform configuration. In crm, customizing usually refers to crm extensions, which may require custom coding or development utilizing the crm software development kit sdk. Basically customization involves developers, if we need to make a configuration that is not supported by sap default functionalities then with the help of abaper new features are added to meet the business requirement. Cloud brings many challenges to enterprise software configuration and customization. Customization refers to making changes to the software at the database architecture level. There is a healthy amount of discussion and an unhealthy amount of confusion over the difference between configuration and customization where software is concerned. Why erp configuration is better than erp customization. Jan 17, 2017 customization is often a symptom of bigger problems, including a solutions mismatch with a companys requirements during the realtime implementation.
However, cindy notes, the initial price of the software could easily be dwarfed compared to the up front cost of customization and the continued cost to maintain. Software as a service saas provides software application vendors a web based delivery model to serve big amount of clients with multitenancy based infra software as a service. What is the difference between customization, confirguation. Configuration uses the inherent flexibility of the enterprise software to add fields, change field names,modify dropdown lists, or add buttons. Customization is a modification of a software feature that requires custom coding by skilled programmers. Navigating the slippery slope of custom software design. Customization can include companyspecific task management processes, expanding the functionality with thirdparty software, and more. Configuration vs customization whats the difference and why.
Customization means extensive time and investment in software development. Any functionality that is configured using builtin workflow tools shipped by the vendor, but may not be forward compatible with. Because customization requires vendors to write coding, thus making implementation work and time greater, customization tends to be more expensive than configuration. In discussions with many different endusers and vendors, this move, along with the adoption of new mobile solutions and a mashup internet of things iot enabled applications has reopened the debate as to what constitutes outofthebox vs. Oracle enterprise taxation and policy management software etm is architected to prevent customizations, so that upgrade paths are preserved. Soft customization is a configuration process driven by information technology. This is not out of the box its custom to the specific needs of your association. These changes are normally outlined on whats called a functional spec, which is usually written by the responsible functional consultant. Dec 04, 2018 thats why its so important that you understand the difference between configuration and customization and know which one you need, specifically. O configuration is the process of setting up options for oracle enterprise taxation and policy management features tailored to meet implementation specific business requirements using the administrative tools supplied within the application. But what do you do when your association has a unique need that cant be addressed through basic setup. When considering enterprise software of any type, it is important to understand the difference between configuration and customization.
There are two common buzz words that fly around the software world. In response, onpremises software vendors are increasingly embracing configuration, an approach used heavily in the software asaservice world, but it shops used to the old way might be tempted to customize. Customization, on the other hand, involves writing code to integrate with the erp system. Customizations can range from writing basic class files to actually changing the core application. Configurations are made using powerful builtin tool sets. Laura murphy august 20, 2018 one of the common themes i heard during naems ehs mis workshop last march was the question, was this configured or customized. Such applications vary in the amount of configuration possible, and it may not always be to the field level or other exact requirements, such as in our customization visa example. Aug 15, 2018 in crm, customizing usually refers to crm extensions, which may require custom coding or development utilizing the crm software development kit sdk. When you install the configuration manager client on a windows device, it automatically installs software center as well. This usually involves some degree of custom coding. Customization requires a developer to make changes to code whereas configuration is changing. Nov 29, 2019 users change settings, browse for applications, and install applications from software center. Configuration is the equivalent of throwing switches and picking values from preset lists.
Configuration is done through existing parameter and functionalities available in sap. Software as a service is supposed to be quick and easy, right. If the product is configurable, it is more appetizing to the customers, and they can quickly fine tune the software to their needs. The difference between customization and configuration boils down to coding and development versus a vendorsupplied menu or wizarddriven approach. Customization no, unlike yales legacy systems, workday does not allow customization historically, yales systems were customized to respond to the unique needs of each school or administrative unit. To put these definitions into practical terms, customization means more effort and more risk. Erp customization and configuration work in conjunction to make the solution more efficient, but there are differences between the two terms. What changes when youre writing requirements for offthe. The correct approach to take depends on the situation. What is the difference between customization and configuration. A configuration is when you use native tools in the system to change its behavior or features. When you develop custom code to change or extend functionality, theres always a chance the code wont work when the vendor introduces the next release, so extra validation steps are required.
The key here is that customization is by definition much more invasive to the core application because it requires programmers to modify a program or write a program to do something that the software does not currently do. Microsoft dynamics 365 crm customization and configuration. Soft customization vs hard customization both soft and hard customizations result in unique items to serve different markets, preferences and customer requirements. This is, in essence, changing the source code of how the software operates. Here, we highlight key issues and suggest a straightforward approach when. Which option is best for your association management software. Custom software configurations and programming can be a significant cost component in implementing many projects, leading to longterm support problems if undertaken incorrectly. Customization is always optional, whereas the software must always be configured before use e. Configuration and customization perspectives ieee conference publication. There are many different options to use infrastructure automation tools in azure.
Configuration vs customization whats the difference and. Many solutions offer some level of customization and configuration. Most configurations survive software updates, while certain customizations do not. If you are evaluating qms software, be wary of vendors that tell you that their qms software works right outofthebox. Customization involves code changes to create functionality that is not available through configuration. Adding a new field to a given salesforce object is configuration. Jul 17, 2014 customization, on the other hand, refers to changing the code of the software to meet the business needs of your particular association.
What is the difference between configuration and customization, configuration is attaching to process flow to the existing one and customization is adding new fieldstables as per client requirements. Beyond plm product lifecycle management blog heavy. When evaluating a software platform, consider the differences between configuration and customization for enterprise qms software. Alternatively, customization requires changes to the underlying code, therefore altering the applications framework. Use infrastructure automation tools for windows vms in. Ann mcdermott, a senior consultant for delcor, a leading association and nonprofit technology consulting firm stated, when you talk about customization to association technology professionals and. Configuration vs customization vs development informed group.
June 22, 2017 discussion and confusion about the difference. With modern cloudbased software, solutions were designed to be configured by just about anyone while also being able to scale from small to large global enterprises. Theres a big difference between configuration and customization. Customization basically customization involves developers. The related term implementation means the actual work done configuration, customization or the combination thereof to satisfy an actual set of business needs. A customization is a feature, extension, or modification that requires custom coding andor some form of special implementation. That is why we should look at the impact of the requested change when deciding on configuration only vs customization vs development. A guiding principle mitratechs professional services team uses for implementing our software is to rely on configuration as much as possible and only customize when a requirement cant be met with pure configuration. For more information on the other features of software center, see the software center user guide. Jan 23, 2014 customization requires a developer to make changes to code whereas configuration is changing settings even when they are very in depth. Aug 03, 2011 interested in the saas model for a new applicant tracking system. Ann mcdermott, a senior consultant for delcor, a leading association and nonprofit technology consulting firm stated, when you talk about customization to association technology professionals and consultants, the stories keep coming. Customization the second way to make the application your own is through customization. Customization, on the other hand, is like asking the chef to prepare you a special dinner thats not on the menu.
Configurations include things like ui policies, plugins, system properties, and modifying form and list views. A configuration is where you use native tools in the. A company simply pays a subscription and leaves the rest to the saas provider. A configuration is where you use native tools in the system to change its behavior or features. A lot of people feel very strongly that customization has no place in a saas environment, because it necessitates branching from the primary code base.
A customization is a feature or extension or modification of a software feature that requires custom coding and or some form of implementation. Configuration is a bit like substituting rice for a baked potato, or adding on a bowl of french onion soup. May 11, 2019 if configuration is the ideal, why is it so hard to achieve and what in fact can we do to truly protect ourselves in the way that the configuration vs customization debate has so far struggled to accomplish. Difference between configurationdesign and development. Configuration manager applies custom branding for software center according to the following priorities. Jun 10, 2014 a customization is a feature or extension or modification of a software feature that requires custom coding and or some form of implementation. This is because a programmer is working outside the application. Generally, customization refers to optimizing the softwares settings to meet a companys specific needs, while configuration refers to optimizing system.
Customizable vs configurable software, author gregg dourgarian argues that software providers and marketers often use the terms customization and configuration interchangeably. When you customize an erp system, youre building functionality that doesnt currently exist anywhere in the software. Customization is required for various lims systems. Nov 16, 2018 microsoft dynamics 365 crm customization and configuration. This is generally referred to as system customization or configuration. Difference between customization and configuration. Unless were talking simple business problems that can be addressed with an outofthebox solution, your cots implementation is. The result is that relying on configuration allows our clients to meet complex. You have the freedom to use the solution that best fits your needs and environment.