Any company that wants to remain competitive in the market is aware that its processes will become more efficient as it integrates into its workflow; the use of the appropriate software solution. As a result, every day organizations around the world begin a new search for the perfect tool; and along the way, many continue to stumble upon the same dilemma: Buy or build?
Do you belong to that group that still cannot decide which option best suits its business? What if we told you that an off the shelf software could easily help you reach all your goals? Take a look at these 5 powerful reasons to invest in an off-the-shelf software; and make the process of choosing the right tool easier.
Factors to consider before buying or building your software
Either option, buy or build, can be advantageous for your business. However, the benefits that one or another initiative can bring do not depend on themselves, but are determined by the characteristics of your organization. So, if you want to make a decision that really helps you achieve your business objectives, it is important to consider some important factors:
What do you need the tool for?
In order to find the most appropriate software for your organization, you must analyze in depth the characteristics of your business and establish clear objectives. From this, you can determine the functionalities that the tool you are going to work with must integrate. If after making an evaluation of the market options, you conclude that there is one that can cover at least 80% of the functions required by your organization, then it is highly recommended that you consider acquiring that tool.
What are the limits of your budget?
The development of an in-house software solution can offer you several advantages, such as, for example, the use of a customized tool. However, development costs are usually quite high. So to make the best decision, whenever you evaluate the option to buy or build; it is vital that you take into account the amount of resources you are willing to invest to acquire your tool. If in order to allow you to develop in-house software, you must redirect resources corresponding to other departments that are valuable to your business, then you need to seriously consider the option of purchasing a commercial software license.
How much time do you have?
Another essential question to ask yourself is How urgent is it for your company to purchase a software solution? Depending on the answer, you may be able to decide if your business can afford to wait for an in-house developed software solution. It is important to keep in mind that application development can take on average between 18 months and 2 years; so if your organization’s goal is to start operations in a short period, custom development is definitely not what you are looking for.
Do you have enough staff?
Having one or two talented programmers may give you the confidence to start your own application development project. However, it is important that you take into consideration that regardless of their level of expertise; the smaller the group of people dedicated to this project, the longer it will take to carry it out. Also, in this context, the pressures caused by the need to meet deadlines can cause the final work to be incomplete or contain errors.
In the case of an off-the-shelf software, how reliable is the supplier?
Purchasing commercial software can also involve certain challenges that go beyond the technology of the tool. To obtain total satisfaction through the software solution you choose; you must make sure that the provider offers some essential services, such as for example:
- Expert advice
- Pre-sale consultancy.
- Post-implementation support.
- Product quality guarantee.
- Training in the use of the tool.
If after considering the above factors you still do not decide if it is better for you to buy or build; then we offer you some interesting arguments that could help you to acquire a product that is already finished.
5 Reasons to invest in an off-the-shelf software
#1 Profitability
The development of a software solution implies a considerable investment, in which normally only the development costs can be calculated in a more or less precise way; without including the expenses that can be generated in the post-implementation process. On the other hand, regarding commercial solutions; the market offers an enormous variety of products of different characteristics and adapted to the budget of each organization.
There are even some solutions whose characteristics are focused precisely on making companies save costs by systematizing processes in a simple way; and reducing the need to make use of personnel for certain automated tasks.
#2 Availability
As we already said, developing an in-house software can take an average of 18 months to 2 years of work. This is thanks to the fact that the process of creating a new application demands certain essential requirements related to tool design; feature determination, performance testing, usability evaluations, etc.
If what you need is a solution that allows you to start operations immediately; then an off-the-shelf software is definitely what you are looking for. This type of tool offers installation processes that last only minutes, plus intuitive interfaces and complete documentation; which will allow the staff of the organization to acquire the skills to get the most out of the software, in another period.
#3 Adaptability
Before thinking about developing, you should ask yourself: Is there something that the market cannot really offer me? It is clear that one of the main advantages of developing a tool is the fact that organizations can adapt its characteristics to the needs of the business, however; nowadays there are customizable off-the-shelf systems that even allow some modifications in their code.
For example, many applications for CRM or Service Desk have functions highly adaptable to the particularities of the business. This represents a great advantage because not only will you be able to adapt your tool to the company’s needs; but you will also save the costs of developing functions that already integrate the majority of CRM or Service Desk solutions available.
#4 Trust
How long do you think it takes to create a quality product? For sure, if you try to develop your own tool; you will try to achieve it in those months that you set as a deadline for the project. However, if something is for sure; it is that to achieve true quality takes years and years of experience and work.
That is exactly what the leaders of software solutions can offer you; a huge team of experts who work every day and since a long time to offer you high technology products. All this with the guarantee of having met the expectations of a huge number of customers who relied on these solutions before you.
#5 Best Practices
Even if you get your team to develop a tool that suits your current needs; there may be some hidden requirements that you may not have considered when designing the software as they are not so obvious. As a result, your solution may not meet your expectations the way you want. To avoid this kind of situation; how about acquiring a solution based on best market practices?
There are ITSM tools that can guarantee you great performance based on the best practices of highly efficient frameworks such as ITIL. This type of standard can help you meet needs you might not even know you had; which is a great advantage when facing unexpected challenges.
Do you still have doubts? Do not be left unresolved. Contact our team of experts in software solutions; and receive all the information you need to make the decision that benefits your company the most. At GB Advisors, more than high-tech software solutions, we offer you a comprehensive service oriented to help you get the most out of your business.
