Company finds key in custom software. (Software Systems Development Corp.)

In a sea of companies selling software products, carving out a niche as one of the Valley's few customized software developers has sent Systems Development Corp. on a wave of growth that last year swept sales past the $2 million mark.

That, and a little bit of luck, said founder, president and chief executive officer Pete Miller, placed him with the right client at the right time.

Since its incorporation in 1984, Software Systems has grown from five to 40 employees, net income has grown from $1,143 to $250,000, and total revenue has grown from $165,000 to $2.1 million.

Part of that is because of the unique product the company sells, and part is because of the "luck" of securing a large client early on that helped the fledgling company build a reputation as a big-time player.

Miller …