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Build or buy software: how to decide.
Most of the time, buy. Sometimes, build. Here is how we tell the difference.
Start by buying
If an existing product does 90% of what you need, buy it. It is cheaper, quicker and someone else keeps it updated. Custom software has a cost to build and a cost to keep running, so it should earn its place.
Five signs it is time to build
- Your team works around the software every day
- The process is what makes your business different, and no product matches it
- You are paying for several tools that do not connect, and the manual glue is costing hours
- You want to sell the software to others. See SaaS development
- The risk of depending on a spreadsheet or one person has become too high
The middle path: buy and connect
Often the best answer is neither. Buy the tools that do their job well and connect them properly, adding custom pieces only where there is a gap. See systems integration and business automation.
Questions to ask before deciding
- How many people use this, and how often?
- What does the workaround cost us each week?
- What happens if the supplier changes the price or closes?
- Who will look after it in two years?
- Could a smaller custom piece plus an off-the-shelf tool solve it?
Not sure? That is what our IT and software consulting is for.
Questions we get asked
Is custom software more expensive?
Upfront, usually yes. Over time it depends on how much the workaround costs and how well the product fits.
Can we start small and grow?
Yes. We build in short sprints, so you can begin with the part that matters most.