Integrity is something that matters in nearly all aspects of life, and custom software development is no exception. In today’s business environment, integrity is more than just a nice-to-have; it has become a must-have to build trusting customer relationships, maintain corporate sustainability, and reach long-term success. In this article, we will discuss what integrity actually is, how it relates to custom software development, and how we practice integrity at Auriga.
What Integrity Means
Everyone is talking about integrity, but ask them what integrity means, and you get a lot of vague explanations. Online dictionaries define integrity as “the quality of being honest and fair,” “the state of being whole and complete,” “adherence to moral and ethical norms,” etc. In business, integrity means strict commitment to the corporate code of conduct, professional ethics, and values shared by clients and partners. Integrity implies incorruptibility, accountability, and trustworthiness. In simpler terms, integrity means consistently doing the right thing, even if no one is watching.
Integrity in Custom Software Development
Custom software development is an industry in which integrity is particularly important and often underestimated. When choosing a software development service provider, clients commit to rather long engagements, so it’s wise to consider consistency in actions, principles, practices, expectations, and outcomes firsthand. Common values and similar company cultures contribute to establishing a cooperative and proactive environment, ensuring transparent communications and issue management and thus enabling united motivated teams to speak the same language and work toward similar goals. At the end of the day, it saves effort and money, reducing unnecessary headaches and time-to-market.
An ethical code of conduct is of utmost importance in custom software development, as clients often have to transfer their intellectual property to a provider. Naturally, they want to be sure that their IP and trade secrets are secure and protected. And what if a provider works for two customers that are competitors within the same market? In such sensitive situations, it is the provider’s responsibility to employ ethical standards and build ethical walls to minimize the risk of inadvertent IP leakage from one client’s project to another’s.
In heavily regulated industries like healthcare, in which people’s lives and wellbeing are at stake, integrity is a top priority. Medical device manufacturers cannot turn to any provider to get software development and testing services for their life-critical medical equipment. Software partners must follow standard approved policies and procedures (ISO 13485, ISO 14971, HIPAA, FDA – just to name a few) to mitigate risks and ensure the high quality of the developed solutions. However, what can initially seem to be a compliance burden is actually a key factor of customer satisfaction and commercial success in the long term.
How We Practice Integrity at Auriga
For us at Auriga, integrity is more than mere honesty or a code of conduct; it is a promise we make to our clients, partners, and employees. Since its inception in 1990, Auriga has been committed to transparent communications and fair business practices. The IAOP® ranked our stringent Corporate Social Responsibility policies the highest in the Global Outsourcing 100® three years in a row. Our dedication to professionalism and high ethical standards is one of the main reasons our customers select us over other providers.
We at Auriga believe that integrity is not just a value we have on paper but a set of skills and practices we cultivate in our daily work. We keep our promises even if it takes extra effort. We focus on quality and develop software in compliance with international standards. We admit that all humans make mistakes and take responsibility for ours. We embrace diversity and inclusion and treat customers and staff with respect. We pay attention to our environment and care about the communities in which we live and work.
We do not chase profit but build trust and partnerships that last long and are mutually beneficial to all parties. For 30 years in the industry, Auriga has always strived to be a reliable partner exceeding customer expectations rather than a vendor competing solely on price or technology stack. Our partnerships are based on shared values and codes of conduct, and they allow us to successfully encourage innovation, provide efficient support, and generate added value in the long run. That’s why some of our customers have stayed with us for over a decade.
The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened business integrity risks, which, if not managed, may result in reputational damage or financial loss. Luckily, our vast experience of working with distributed teams has helped us to quickly adapt our practices to the new “remote” normal and fulfill all our commitments to our clients with fairness, openness, and hard work. In the most uncertain and challenging period, Auriga remained fully operational and dedicated to providing safe, secure, and reliable software development services. Times may be tough and the future unknown, but integrity binds us together, enabling us to stay strong and act responsibly throughout any challenges we may face.
A Beacon in the Night
Business integrity does not have an on/off switch: it should be a mindset and a part of corporate culture in every organization striving for a positive reputation and solid credibility. In fact, it is integrity that separates successful companies from also-rans. In custom software development, where clients have to choose from dozens of service providers, integrity stands as a beacon in the night allowing them to recognize companies with common values and goals. Customers today are taking an intense look at providers’ codes of conduct, moral and ethical principles, diversity policies, impacts on society, etc. Want to find a trustworthy and accountable software development partner for long-term cooperation? Make sure integrity is on your list of selection criteria!
