To Buy or To Build - Comparing Benefits

While lower cost is an important benefit of its own, there are other benefits that go well beyond software costs.  Most important of these is the quality of the software.

Software Quality

Some will argue that the extent to which an application, built or bought, meets user specifications is the most important measure of software quality.

While this can be true, there are other factors that cannot be ignored.  Functionality, ease of use, flexibility, staff time saved, and performance...almost any dimension on which quality is measured will also be a direct result of the level of experience incorporated into the software. 

Unfortunately, user specifications for a custom build option are seriously limited by the experience of a handful of local managers collected over a usually short design period.  In fact, without a broader capability for comparisons, it is not uncommon that this limited experience could result in automating existing cumbersome practices. 

On the other hand, the capabilities found in an established commercial application can easily exceed this limited list of user specifications.  With a commercial application, user requirements are continually revised to fit real world needs using input from thousands of managers, nationwide or even worldwide, and collected over many years.  The benefits of this incredibly large team of experts helps weed out inefficient practices, and introduces ideas into the software design that could not have been considered by a much smaller development group.

In summary, when considering the buy vs. build decision, it is important to consider some of the factors that have contributed to the success of a commercial package, including:

• the contributions of thousands of professionals in the field,

• the years involved in collecting that experience, and

• the money an established vendor has already invested. 

These factors all ensure a much higher capability and quality in commercial software.  (For more on Benefits, click here.)

For anyone considering building a "home grown" system, we strongly recommend you read the article in detail and review the references provided.