solutions
Custom Software Development
When spreadsheets, disconnected systems or an aging application can’t support the work ahead, you need a clear way forward. Punchcard helps you plan, build and improve the software your organization depends on, with a Canadian team that works directly with you.
Custom software development services built around your business
Custom software development means designing and building an application for the people, processes and goals it needs to serve. It can help when existing tools leave important work to manual steps, duplicate data entry or workarounds.
Punchcard is a custom software development company in Canada. We bring product management, design and development together to build web applications, mobile apps and business platforms. That might mean giving customers a simpler way to access a service, helping field teams submit reports or turning a validated idea into its first usable release.
We start with the problem and the people doing the work. Sometimes the right next step is a new application. Sometimes it’s improving what you already have. We help you make that decision before committing to a build.
“Punchcard successfully delivered the website and our number of appointment bookings increased by 250% in just the first month.”
Julie Macdonald
Manager of Growth & Digital Marketing
connectFirst Credit Union
How we plan and build your software
You work directly with a team of product managers, designers and developers. Together, we make the decisions that shape the application, review progress and keep the work focused on what matters to your organization.
Understand the problem
We start with who will use the software, what needs to improve and how you’ll measure success. For an existing platform, that can include deciding whether to improve, replace or rebuild it.
Plan a useful first release
We define the scope, technical direction, risks and delivery plan before development begins. You get a clearer view of the work and its estimated cost, with priorities that reflect your budget.
Build, review and adjust
Once the plan and development environment are in place, we work in two-week development sprints. You review working software, give feedback and make priority decisions with the team as the application takes shape.
Plan for life after launch
We discuss what the application will need once people are using it. Ongoing application support and continued development can be scoped separately, so responsibilities and priorities are clear.
What we can build and improve
Legacy Software Modernization
Improve an existing application that has become difficult to change or maintain. We help you understand what still works, what needs attention and how to plan the next stage of your platform.
Mobile App Development
Put useful software in the hands of customers, employees or field teams. We design and develop mobile applications around the tasks people need to complete and the devices they use.
Web Application Development
Give people a browser-based way to manage work, access services or interact with your business. We build custom web applications around your workflows, users and integration needs.
Custom software in use
Case studies
From Months to Minutes: How Punchcard Systems Kept Their Finger on the Digital Pulse of the Province and Revolutionized Permitting for Alberta’s Nurses
Read more: From Months to Minutes: How Punchcard Systems Kept Their Finger on the Digital Pulse of the Province and Revolutionized Permitting for Alberta’s Nurses
Made In Canada: How A Product Scanning App Built in 72 Hours Amassed 40,000 Downloads and Became a Media Sensation
Read more: Made In Canada: How A Product Scanning App Built in 72 Hours Amassed 40,000 Downloads and Became a Media Sensation
Digitizing Field Reporting on the Prairies with Buffalo Inspection Services
Read more: Digitizing Field Reporting on the Prairies with Buffalo Inspection Services
Custom software development FAQs
How do I know if I need custom software?
Start with the work your current tools cannot support. If an existing product can meet your needs with reasonable configuration, it may be the better choice. Custom software is worth considering when an important workflow, customer experience or integration requires capabilities those products cannot provide. We help you examine the problem before deciding what to build.
How much does custom software development cost?
The cost depends on the scope, complexity, integrations and condition of any existing systems. We use planning to define a useful first release and estimate the work required. That gives you a basis for choosing priorities and deciding what fits your budget. Ongoing support and further development are scoped separately.
How long does it take to develop custom software?
The timeline depends on what you need to build, the systems involved and the decisions needed along the way. We establish a delivery plan during planning. Once development is set up, our team works in two-week sprints so you can review progress and help prioritize the next work. A sprint is a development cycle, not a promise that the whole application will be ready to launch.
Can you improve our existing software instead of replacing it?
Yes. We help organizations assess and modernize existing applications. The starting point is understanding the platform, its limitations and what the business needs next. From there, we can help you decide whether to improve parts of the system, replace it or plan a rebuild. Learn more about our legacy software modernization services.
What happens after the software launches?
Launch is the start of using the application in everyday work. Punchcard offers separately scoped application support and ongoing development arrangements. The right approach depends on whether you need maintenance and issue support, continued feature development or both. We agree on the scope and responsibilities for that work with you.
What happens in the free 90-minute session?
Launch is the start of using the application in everyday work. Punchcard offers separately scoped application support and ongoing development arrangements. The right approach depends on whether you need maintenance and issue support, continued feature development or both. We agree on the scope and responsibilities for that work with you.
Need custom software built around how you work?
Have an idea or something in your business that isn’t working the way it should? Tell us what’s on your mind. We’ll help you explore what makes sense.
Real people, here to help
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