Skip to content

Software Development

Custom web applications, APIs and business systems built for your processes, with Arabic and English support where you need it.

Book a free consultationCall +971 52 210 4014

Overview

Custom software development means building a web application, internal system or SaaS product around how your business actually works, instead of bending your processes to fit an off-the-shelf tool. Almahira designs, builds and supports web apps, ERP systems, APIs and cloud infrastructure for businesses in the UAE.

The first decision is whether to build at all. If an existing product already does most of what you need, configuring it is usually cheaper and faster. Custom software makes sense when your process gives you an edge, when you need to connect systems that don't talk to each other, or when the software is the product you sell.

We start with a short discovery phase to answer that question honestly, then scope, design and build in short sprints so you see working software early. We plan for local needs from day one: Arabic and right-to-left interfaces, UAE payment gateways, hosting in UAE data centres where required, and handling personal data in line with UAE data protection law.

Key facts

Languages
English and Arabic, with right-to-left layouts planned from the design stage
Accessibility target
WCAG level AA, which the UAE Design System sets for federal government websites (citing WCAG 2.1); we build to WCAG 2.2
Data protection
UAE PDPL (Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021), in force since 2 January 2022; DIFC and ADGM have their own laws
Hosting
UAE or international cloud regions, chosen per project, with backups kept in a second location
E-invoicing
ERP integrations for the UAE e-invoicing system, mandatory from 1 January 2027 for businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more
Code ownership
Agreed in the contract before work starts; code can live in a repository you own

Who it's for

Startups building a product
You need an MVP (minimum viable product) or SaaS platform built well enough to grow, without paying for features you don't need yet.
Growing SMEs
Your team runs on spreadsheets, email and disconnected tools, and you need one system that fits the way you work.
Enterprises with complex systems
You need integrations between ERP, CRM, payment and third-party systems, or new modules built around a core platform.
Owners of legacy software
Your current system is slow, hard to change or no longer supported, and you need a safe plan to modernise it.

What's included

  • Custom web application development
  • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and customisation
  • API development and integration
  • Cloud infrastructure on AWS or Azure
  • SaaS product development
  • Legacy system modernisation
  • Arabic and right-to-left (RTL) interfaces
  • UAE payment gateway integration
  • Testing and quality assurance
  • Maintenance and support after launch

What we'll ask you for

  • A short brief describing the problem, the users and your goals
  • Any existing specifications, wireframes or process maps
  • Access to current systems, code repositories and hosting accounts
  • Documentation for third-party systems we need to connect to
  • Sample data, with personal details removed where possible
  • Brand assets such as your logo, colours and fonts
  • A named product owner who can make decisions

How it works

  1. Discovery

    We meet your team, map the current process and agree what success looks like. If an existing product would do the job, we tell you.

  2. Scope and estimate

    We break the work into features, flag risks and integrations, and give you a written estimate with a recommended first release.

  3. Design

    We design user flows and screens, in Arabic and English if needed, and review clickable prototypes with you before development starts.

  4. Build in sprints

    We develop in short sprints and demonstrate working software at the end of each one, so you can adjust priorities early.

  5. Launch

    We test, migrate data, set up monitoring and backups, and release to your users with a rollback plan in place.

  6. Support

    After launch we fix issues, apply security updates and keep improving the product under a support plan that suits you.

Typical timeline

A focused first release often takes a few months from discovery to launch; ERP projects and large platforms usually take longer. The main factors are scope, the number of integrations, data migration and how quickly decisions and feedback come back.

Common questions

How much does custom software cost?

It depends on scope, so there is no fair figure until the scope is clear. The main drivers are the number of features and user roles, integrations with ERP, CRM or payment systems, data migration, Arabic and English interfaces, security requirements and support after launch. We give you a written estimate after a short discovery phase, often with a smaller first release to keep the initial spend in check.

Do you work on a fixed price or time and materials?

Both. A fixed price works when the scope is clear and unlikely to change, such as a well-defined first release. Time and materials suits products that will evolve as you learn from users, because you pay for the work done and can change priorities between sprints. We recommend a model after discovery and explain the trade-offs in the proposal.

Who owns the source code?

Normally you do. Ownership is set out in the contract before work starts, and most clients take full ownership of the custom code and related intellectual property once invoices are paid. Open-source libraries and third-party services stay under their own licences. We can work in a code repository held in your own account, and we are happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement before you share detailed plans, code or data.

Can you build software in Arabic and English?

Yes. Bilingual software needs more than translation. Arabic interfaces read right to left, so layouts, navigation, icons and tables need to mirror correctly, and fonts, number formats and dates need attention. We plan for both languages from the design stage, which costs far less than adding Arabic after launch.

Where will our data be hosted, and what about data protection?

Wherever your obligations require. We can host in the UAE when data needs to stay in the country, or in an international region when it doesn't, and we keep backups in a second location so one site going down doesn't take your service with it. The UAE Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) has been in force since January 2022, the DIFC and ADGM have their own laws, and sectors such as health and payments add rules. Your legal adviser should confirm your obligations.

Can you integrate UAE payment gateways?

Yes. We integrate local and international payment gateways used by UAE businesses, including card payments and wallets such as Apple Pay where the gateway supports them. You will need a merchant account approved by the payment provider, which runs its own checks on your business. We handle the technical integration, testing and secure handling of payment data.

Can you get our systems ready for UAE e-invoicing?

Yes, on the technical side. Under the Ministry of Finance's rules, businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more must go live by 1 January 2027, with an accredited service provider appointed by 30 October 2026, and smaller businesses by 1 July 2027. We connect your ERP or invoicing system to the provider you choose, map your invoice data and test the flow end to end. Your tax adviser should confirm which phase applies to you.

What happens after launch?

We move to a support plan, unless you prefer to take the product in-house. Software needs ongoing care: security patches, framework updates, hosting, and new browser or operating system versions all need attention. Support plans cover monitoring, bug fixes and agreed response times, with room for improvements if you want to keep developing the product. If you take it in-house, we hand over the code and documentation.

Guides on this topic

Last reviewed . Rules change often; we confirm current requirements during your consultation.

Sources

Tell us what you're planning

One short call is usually enough to recommend a jurisdiction, licence and visa route. A written quote follows.

Book a free consultationChat on WhatsApp

Or call +971 52 210 4014 (Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 6 PM)