When Hormel Foods—a U.S.-based food company with 50+ brands operating in over 80 countries—began facing delays caused by disconnected internal systems, they implemented Oracle Cloud ERP to streamline operations. The new platform centralized supply chain management and standardized financial reporting across all brands.
That’s what enterprise-level software is built for: solving coordination problems at scale and helping complex organizations work as one.
In this blog, we’ll walk through what enterprise-level software development means, how we approach it at Devōt, and how we've solved the challenges we’ve faced in the process.
Understanding enterprise software: what does it mean?
Enterprise-level software is a scalable software application built to support core business operations across large organizations. Unlike regular software, it manages complex workflows, high volumes of data, and multiple user roles. A typical enterprise software system might handle resource planning, customer management, or compliance tracking all at once.
Now that we've clarified what enterprise-level software is, let's explain what enterprise-level software development is.
Enterprise software development involves a multi-step process that includes architecture design, development and testing, and long-term maintenance. Because enterprise systems are central to operations, they demand higher software quality, stronger integration, and more strategic planning than standard app development. The goal of the development process is to build a custom enterprise solution that supports sustainable, efficient growth.
The 6 main steps in the enterprise software development process
1. Understand what needs to be built
Before writing any code, we work with the people who’ll actually use the software. We look at how they get things done today, where the bottlenecks are, and what the new system needs to fix or improve. This helps avoid unnecessary features and keeps the project focused on real problems. It also helps set a realistic scope, timeline, and budget. These things are important because the cost of enterprise software can grow quickly if you don’t plan properly.
2. Design the structure of the system
Once we know what the software needs to do, we plan how it will work behind the scenes. This includes decisions about how data moves through the system, what tools we’ll use to build it, and how we’ll keep everything secure. We're making sure the system can grow, connect to other tools, and be maintained without problems later.
3. Plan the user experience
People expect modern enterprise software to be fast and easy to use, even when it’s handling complicated tasks. At this stage, we map out what users will see and do inside the system. We build sample screens and test them before development starts. This helps us catch usability issues early and avoid wasting time on changes that could've been folded into the initial design process.
4. Build the software
Now the software development team gets to work. This part includes writing the actual code, setting up databases, and building connections between systems. Since enterprise software development is different from regular software development, we build in small pieces, test them, and keep everything documented. This makes it easier to manage the process and avoid surprises. Our goal is to make sure the software works well today and can be improved without breaking tomorrow.
5. Test and connect everything
Once the software is built, we test it thoroughly. We check that every feature works as expected, that the system is secure, and that it can handle real usage. We also test how it connects with your existing tools and data. This step helps avoid costly fixes after launch. It's one of the most important ways to reduce risk in enterprise-level software development.
6. Launch and maintain
We don’t just launch and leave. Enterprise software development depends on careful rollouts and long-term maintenance. That means training your team, monitoring performance, and making regular updates. For us, engaging in custom enterprise software means committing to support and growth over time.
Enterprise-level software vs custom software vs SaaS: What's the difference?
Enterprise-level software, custom software, and software as a service (SaaS) often get confused, usually for one reason: they can all be custom-configured and branded to look like they were built specifically for one company. Below, we'll clear the air about these software types by answering specific questions that'll help you to have a better understanding of how each works.
What is its purpose?
-
Enterprise software: Built to run your business's most important operations—things like finance, supply chain, HR, and customer data—in one unified system.
-
Custom software: Made to solve a specific need that off-the-shelf tools can’t handle, like a tailored reporting tool or internal workflow system.
-
SaaS: Software you access through the web, usually by paying a monthly fee. Good for everyday tasks or specific business functions.
What's its scope?
-
Enterprise software: Covers multiple departments or business units. Think of it as the digital backbone of a large organization.
-
Custom software: Focused on doing one thing well for one team or purpose.
-
SaaS: Can be narrow or wide in scope, depending on the tool, but you work within the limits of the platform.
What's the development process like?
-
Enterprise software: Long-term project involving planning, building, and testing across teams. It’s a full software development lifecycle.
-
Custom software: This is still a development process, but it is usually shorter and simpler than enterprise builds.
-
SaaS: Already built by someone else. You just sign up and start using it.
How well can it integrate with your system?
-
Enterprise software: Often connects with dozens of other systems like accounting tools, CRMs, or inventory platforms. Integration is a core requirement.
-
Custom software: May need to connect to a few other tools, depending on its purpose.
-
SaaS: Integrates with your system through APIs, but you're limited to what the provider allows.
Is it flexible?
-
Enterprise software: Highly customizable. You can tailor how it works, how it looks, and how it fits your processes.
-
Custom software: Built to your specifications, so it’s flexible by design.
-
SaaS: Some settings and features can be adjusted, but you can't change the core functionality.
What's the length of the development lifecycle?
-
Enterprise software: Continually evolves through updates, testing, and improvements, requiring long-term support.
-
Custom software: Still goes through a development and maintenance cycle, but it’s usually more contained.
-
SaaS: Managed entirely by the provider. You get updates automatically, but you don’t control them.
How many people do you need to hire to build and maintain it?
-
Enterprise software: Built and maintained by a full team—designers, developers, QA testers, and project leads.
-
Custom software: Creation and maintenance involve a small development team or agency.
-
SaaS: No team on your end. Everything is handled by the SaaS provider.
Who owns and controls it?
-
Enterprise software: You own the software and the data. You control how it runs and who accesses it.
-
Custom software: Also fully owned. You decide when and how to update it.
-
SaaS: No ownership. Your data and access are subject to the provider’s terms.
Who's responsible for its deployment and maintenance?
-
Enterprise software: You (or your tech partner) manage where it's hosted, how it's updated, and how it's supported.
-
Custom software: Easier to maintain, but still your responsibility.
-
SaaS: The provider determines how and when maintenance is done. You have no say in this.
Who is it best for?
-
Enterprise software: Large organizations that need to connect multiple systems and teams under one roof.
-
Custom software: Businesses with a very specific need that no existing product solves.
-
SaaS: Businesses that want to get started quickly without building anything from scratch.
Examples
-
Enterprise software: SAP, Oracle, a custom-built ERP system.
-
Custom software: An internal reporting tool or workflow automation built just for your team.
-
SaaS: Slack, Google Workspace, HubSpot.
Which type of enterprise application should you choose?
Choosing the right enterprise application software starts with understanding the problem you need to solve. Enterprise software is designed to support critical business processes—everything from managing finances to tracking customer relationships to keeping internal data organized. Below are the main types of enterprise software products and when they make sense.
1. Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
ERP software helps organize your core operations, such as finance, inventory, HR, and procurement, in one place. It's often the foundation for scalable enterprise software because it reduces duplication and keeps data consistent across departments.
2. Customer relationship management (CRM)
CRMs manage everything related to your customers—leads, sales pipelines, support, and renewals. For companies that depend on repeat business or need sales visibility across teams, a CRM is one of the most impactful enterprise applications available.
Enterprise app development in this space often focuses on improving the usability of existing systems, speeding up front-end development, and integrating cleanly with ERP tools or email systems.
3. Business intelligence (BI)
BI tools analyze and visualize your data. They’re used to track performance, forecast trends, and spot gaps. BI is common in enterprise software development projects where leadership needs better insight from existing software but doesn’t want to overhaul the full system.
Trending technologies in enterprise-level software development (examples include data warehouses and low-code development tools) are making BI apps easier to roll out without building from scratch.
4. Human Resource Management (HRM)
HRM software supports hiring, onboarding, payroll, and compliance. These tools are especially useful when growing teams or when managing people across locations. Many companies customize HR modules inside broader ERP platforms.
5. Document and content management
These tools store internal documents, records, and files in one searchable location. They're useful when legacy systems or email chains make knowledge hard to track.
Enterprise software development creates more value here when it focuses on access control, speed, and integration with your existing systems.
6. Custom enterprise applications
When off-the-shelf enterprise tools don’t fit your workflow, custom enterprise software development fills the gap. These tools are built specifically for your business process, often replacing outdated management software or legacy systems.
In 2025, enterprise software development depends on balancing performance, integration, and maintainability. Custom enterprise software development services give you control over everything—from software architecture to testing the software—without being locked into a third-party platform.
Custom enterprise apps require a full enterprise software development team, and development is a multi-step process. But they allow you to build around your needs, not the other way around.
The software development life cycle for these tools typically includes the steps we listed above: discovery, design, code development, and long-term support. Development involves creating tools that evolve with your team.
Custom software offers flexibility, but it also requires commitment. The software must be maintainable, secure, and easy to update. That’s where working with a focused software development company makes a difference. They handle the software development process, software testing, and integration, so you can focus on scaling.
What are the costs associated with custom enterprise software development at Devōt?
Over nearly a decade, we’ve worked on everything from mobile apps and SaaS platforms to full-scale enterprise application development. We've delivered modern enterprise applications, custom software solutions, and web platforms in several industries, including FinTech, HealthTech, AI, and travel. And if there’s one thing our 1000+ software developers have learned over time, it’s this: no two projects cost the same.
The cost of building enterprise software depends on your goals, your timeline, and the depth of your systems. As we said earlier, enterprise software development is a multi-step process, and the price varies depending on the complexity of each step.
Some factors that affect the cost include:
-
Scope: The more features, integrations, or workflows your enterprise software solution includes, the higher the development and maintenance costs.
-
Customization: Projects that involve rebuilding or replacing a legacy system require more time and planning than those starting from scratch.
-
Tech stack: Choosing the right development platforms and technologies in enterprise software development impacts cost, especially if you're scaling fast or need advanced performance.
-
Testing and QA: Rigorous software testing takes time but is essential to ensure that the software is reliable and secure for a large-scale enterprise.
If your project involves a lot of custom integrations, complex architecture, or advanced features, it’ll likely cost more than a simpler build with standard components of enterprise systems. But again, the only way to know is to talk with us.
The figures listed on our Crunchbase (you'll see amounts like $25,000+ for a minimum project, $50–$99 per hour, etc) offer a general sense of what past clients have paid. But don't take those numbers as ballpark estimates of how much your enterprise software will cost.
So here’s our approach: we start with a consultation. You tell us what you're building, where you're stuck, and what success looks like. We’ll talk through the business process, software architecture, code development, and any enterprise software development challenges we see upfront. Then we’ll send you a tailored estimate that reflects your actual needs.
In enterprise software development in 2025, price depends on alignment. The better we understand your goals, the better we can ensure the software supports them without overbuilding or missing important requirements.
Common enterprise software development challenges and how we avoid them
Enterprise-level software development comes with real challenges. These projects support critical operations, often across departments, and getting them wrong can cause more problems than they solve. Here's a glimpse of how we’ve worked through these problems in real projects at Devōt:
Challenge #1: Making complex tools usable for everyday teams
When we built the Rectangle Health digital intake platform, it had to work for healthcare staff who weren’t technical. That meant designing a system that was easy to use but still handled sensitive medical data.
➡ We focused on simplicity from the start, giving users just what they needed to create, manage, and publish forms without slowing them down. This is key to any enterprise-level software: it must be powerful without being overwhelming.
Challenge #2: Pulling useful answers from messy internal documents
For the Employee Advisor, the goal was to create an AI assistant that could read internal files and help employees get the right answers fast. The challenge is that most internal data isn’t tidy.
➡ We built the tool to find context and filter out noise, so users didn’t have to dig through files themselves. That’s what good enterprise software depends on: tools that take complexity out of the process, not add to it.
Challenge #3: Keeping the software flexible as the business grows
Enterprise software must keep up with changing needs, e,g., more users, more tasks, new teams.
➡ At Devōt, we build software that can be updated without starting over. We design with long-term flexibility in mind, so your tools stay useful even as your business evolves.
Challenge #4: Staying on schedule without losing reliability
Building enterprise-level tools isn’t fast, and trying to rush it often leads to bugs, rework, or unhappy users.
➡ We create room for testing throughout the development cycle. This helps us avoid last-minute surprises and ensures the software actually works the way it’s supposed to.
Challenge #5: Preventing cost overruns
Enterprise-level software development is a complex process, and small changes can quickly turn into big expenses if they’re not handled early.
➡ We split the work into clear steps, with a clear plan for each. That helps clients see exactly what they’re getting and what each step will cost.
Conclusion
Enterprise-level software might seem like a must-have as your business grows, but it isn’t always the right move. Whether you need it depends on how your operations work, what kind of scale you’re managing, and whether the long-term gains justify the investment.
Before committing to enterprise software—custom-built or off-the-shelf—take the time to weigh the cost against the value. If you're unsure what that equation looks like for your business, schedule a consultation with us. We'll help you sort through the details and figure out if enterprise-level software is the solution you actually need.
