Custom Software Development in Malaysia

A first version for one team, such as booking or job tracking that replaces a shared spreadsheet, costs RM 15,000 to RM 50,000. A business app that runs orders, stock and invoicing across outlets or sales staff is RM 50,000 to RM 150,000. A whole-company system with many branches and user types runs RM 150,000 to RM 300,000, and enterprise platforms with compliance rules go past RM 300,000. Most small businesses start at the low end. Our custom software cost guide on the blog explains what moves the number.

One to two months for a simple tool or first version, two to four months for a mid-range business app, and four to eight months for a system that runs the whole company. Enterprise work with compliance reviews takes six to twelve months. We work in two-week sprints, so you can use a working build early and change course while changes are still cheap. Waiting on data, logins and sign-offs often takes longer than the code, so we plan for it from the first week.

You get the source code, the admin passwords, the documentation and the accounts, plus 30 days of bug fixes. After that, anyone can maintain it, us included. Our support is a monthly plan or pay per fix, and you can leave either. Budget 15 to 20 percent of the build price a year for support on cloud hosting, and 25 to 35 percent on your own servers or for government and regulated work, where patching and on-call cover are part of the deal.

Yes. Almost every custom system has to talk to the stock and accounting system, such as SQL Account, AutoCount or an ERP. If that system has an API (a door other software can plug into), the link stays near the bottom of the price band. If it can only export files, expect daily file syncs and roughly double the work. If your business turns over RM 3 million a year or more, LHDN e-invoicing applies, so anything that bills customers needs a MyInvois link. Our e-invoice integration guide on the blog compares the options.

HRDF does not pay for building software, because the levy funds training. If you pay the HRDF levy, training your staff on the new system can be claimable when it is planned into the contract and run by an HRD Corp registered trainer, so raise it before you sign. On tax, customised software qualifies for LHDN capital allowance under the Income Tax Rules 2019, written off over four years. Check the details with your tax agent before the invoice is drawn up.

When you have fewer than five people and a tool under RM 1,000 a year already does 80 percent of the job. When the workflow still changes every month, because a custom build locks it in. And when you are about to replace your stock and accounting system in the next six months, since anything built against the old one gets rebuilt against the new one. If one of those is you, we will say so on the first call.