CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for custom computer programming services firms in Alabama
366 custom computer programming services firms operated in Alabama in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 366CBP 2023
- Employees
- 7,135mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 7.1U.S. 20.0
- State rank
- 30th of 51by count
The custom software firm industry in Alabama
Alabama had 366 custom computer programming services firms in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services). They employed 7,135 people in mid-March and reported $768.0 million in annual payroll. That is the 30th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Custom computer programming services firms make up 0.35% of the 105,720 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Alabama has 7.1 custom computer programming services firms, 64.5% below the national rate of 20.0. The average establishment has 19.5 employees against 14.9 nationally. Payroll per employee is $107,632, 13.4% below the U.S. figure of $124,254.
| Measure | Alabama | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 366 | 68,051 |
| Mid-March employees | 7,135 | 1,012,250 |
| Annual payroll | $767,956,000 | $125,775,835,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 19.5 | 14.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $107,632 | $124,254 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 7.1 | 20.0 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Custom computer programming services firms by metro area in Alabama
Census published custom software firm counts for 14 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Alabama. The largest is Birmingham, AL, with 116 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 92% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 116 | 1,995 | 9.7 |
| Huntsville, AL | 91 | 3,088 | 16.8 |
| Montgomery, AL | 36 | 511 | 9.3 |
| Mobile, AL | 30 | 755 | 7.3 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 17 | 52 | 5.2 |
| Auburn, AL | 15 | 91 | 7.3 |
| Daphne, AL | 11 | 71 | 4.2 |
| LaGrange, GA-AL | 8 | 157 | 7.6 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 7 | 62 | 2.5 |
| Florence, AL | 7 | — | 4.5 |
| Dothan, AL | 7 | — | 4.5 |
| Ozark, AL | 7 | — | 14.0 |
| Anniston, AL | 5 | — | 4.3 |
| Decatur, AL | 3 | — | 1.9 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at custom computer programming services firms in Alabama
64.0% of Alabama's custom computer programming services firms with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 72.0% nationally. 74.5% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 233 | 64.0% | 72.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 38 | 10.4% | 10.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 28 | 7.7% | 7.0% |
| 20–49 employees | 41 | 11.3% | 5.9% |
| 50 or more employees | 24 | 6.6% | 4.9% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for custom computer programming services firms in Alabama
Small software shops juggle client meetings, support requests and sales calls with a team that is mostly heads-down building. A shared line with routing keeps support from interrupting developers while still answering clients.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for custom computer programming services firms in Alabama:
- A client calls to schedule a demo.
- A client calls to report a bug in production.
- A partner agency calls about a subcontract.
What custom computer programming services firms text about
Firms text release notices and meeting reminders.
Texting from a local number in Alabama requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
What a phone system costs a custom software firm in Alabama
Custom computer programming services firms in Alabama average 19.5 employees, so the comparison uses a 19-person team. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $474.05 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $570.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $379.00 a month for 19 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,292 less than RingCentral for a custom software firm in Alabama of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $379.00 | $4,548.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $361.00 | $4,332.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $437.00 | $5,244.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $474.05 | $5,688.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $513.00 | $6,156.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $570.00 | $6,840.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in Alabama
Alabama has 7 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a custom software firm can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 256 | 786 | Central | 1998 | 938 |
| 205 | 785 | Central | 1947 | 659 |
| 334 | 784 | Central | 1995 | 483 |
| 251 | 528 | Central | 2001 | none |
| 938 | 193 | Central | 2010 | 256 |
| 659 | 177 | Central | 2019 | 205 |
| 483 | 11 | Central | 2026 | 334 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for custom computer programming services firms in Alabama
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Alabama is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many custom computer programming services firms are in Alabama?
366 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 7,135 people in mid-March.
Which Alabama metro area has the most custom computer programming services firms?
Birmingham, AL, with 116 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 19-person custom software firm?
$570.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $474.05 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $379.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Alabama number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.