Every growing business reaches this point: the spreadsheets and loose tools no longer cut it. Do you choose an existing software package, or have something custom built? The honest answer: it depends. But on a few clear things.
When off-the-shelf makes sense
If your process looks like that of thousands of other businesses, good software often already exists. Think accounting, email marketing or a standard web shop. You pay monthly, go live quickly and benefit from updates.
When custom pays off
Custom software becomes interesting when your way of working is your advantage. Or when you’re trying to do with three packages and lots of manual work what one good system could do in one go.
- Your process is unique and gives you an edge
- You pay for many features you never use
- Staff retype data between systems
- You want to own your software and data
The smart middle ground: integrate
Often the best solution is a combination. You use strong off-the-shelf tools where possible, and make them work together with integrations or a small custom piece. That way you only pay for what is truly unique.
Five questions before you decide
Ask yourself these questions first.
- How many hours a week are lost to manual work today?
- Which part of our process is genuinely different?
- What does a package cost over three years, including extra users?
- Who owns the data, and can we take it with us?
- What happens if the vendor stops or raises prices?
- Off-the-shelf where possible, custom where it counts
- Integrating is often the best middle ground
- Always calculate over several years
