In 2025, software development is predicted to connect more things than ever before due to the increasing prevalence of the Internet of Things (IoT) and other technologies like 5G. The number of connected devices is expected to reach over 75 billion globally, creating opportunities for software to facilitate communication and interaction. 

It’s no longer just about building tools that increase revenue, or modernise systems. While these are still important, businesses are looking for more intelligent, secure, and efficient systems, systems that actually help them navigate uncertainty and offer solutions that drive better decisions, protect data, and optimise operations.

At Propel Tech, we’re seeing a real shift in how organisations think about custom software.  The conversation is moving away from just functionality and speed, and toward strategic value, resilience, security, efficiency and data insight. Our survey at the start of the year highlighted these changing properties:

What businesses want from software in 2025*

A comparison of top priorities for software investment from 2024 to 2025 reveals some important shifts*:

*Source: Propel Tech 2025 Wishlist Survey.

Four takeaways:

• Analytics now lead: The focus has moved from top-line growth to smarter, data-informed decision-making.
• Security is centre stage: In an era of growing digital threats, protecting data is a major concern.
• Competitiveness over creativity: Surprisingly, software’s role in enabling innovation and NPD (new product development) has dropped in priority. 
•  Efficiency: Our survey showed a growing focus on operational efficiency and cost savings.

Businesses can focus on  these four key areas to maximise the impact of any bespoke software project. These principles are foundational, and at the start of a project specifiers and stakeholders should ask if the solution and plan they are looking at is:

• Intelligent – Driven by analytics and adaptable to data
• Secure – Built with privacy and protection at its core
•  Efficient – Designed to improve and streamline operations, not add complexity
• Strategic – A long-term asset, not a short-term fix

This is exactly what we deliver at Propel Tech, through services like:

• Bespoke Software Development
• AI Consulting
• Systems Modernisation
• Software Consultancy

Real-world examples of bespoke software driving change

The best bespoke software is able to add real value to the bottom line of a business. In 2025, we predict significant shifts from the market leaders in how they are deploying bespoke software. Some market leading examples of how bespoke systems and integrations are already reshaping industries:

• SAP’s AI-Powered Analytics – Businesses can now make faster, smarter decisions using embedded intelligence.
• Amazon’s Personalised Recommendation Engine – A masterclass in boosting revenue through tailored digital experiences.
• Tesla’s Auto-Pilot Software – Custom AI enabling self-driving capabilities and system-level efficiencies.
• BMW’s Digital Twin Technology – Virtual plant simulations help reduce implementation risks and speed up delivery.
  
  

At Propel Tech, we create similar high-impact results across sectors. Explore how we’ve helped clients innovate on our projects page.

The AI opportunity: Where bespoke software meets new intelligence

We can't talk about the future of bespoke business software without talking about artificial intelligence. It's clear to all that AI is capable of making a big impact to business processes and systems outputs, however it is not a silver bullet and without the right planning, data, mapping and configuration, AI alone will simply be another add on rather than an integral opportunity. What most companies are asking is how will it change what we do, what does it mean for our systems, and what should we use it for? 

From predictive maintenance in utilities to real-time fraud detection in fintech, AI is being embedded into custom-built solutions to:

• Automate decision-making
• Improve user experiences
• Adapt software dynamically to user and market behaviour
• Accelerate new product development (NPD)

Seven types of AI, application in bespoke software development

Here's how the core types of AI can be directly embedded into bespoke systems:

 

In real terms, Narrow AI and Limited Memory AI are where most of today’s AI-led bespoke software sits, automating, predicting, and improving how businesses operate. 

Propel Tech ensures its clients are ready for AI integrations, and that they can maximise the advantage and role of AI as part of their bespoke software solutions, building on strong data foundations and clear logic. AI assessment and readiness is incorporated as standard into our bespoke software development process, helping businesses harness data more effectively and scale intelligently. Find out more about our AI consultancy.

Ready to build a smarter, more resilient business?

Whether you're rethinking your tech stack or planning a new AI-enhanced platform, we’re here to help. Let’s talk about how bespoke software can move your business forward,intelligently, securely, and strategically.