When you’re looking for technology solutions to improve your business operations, there are three different software options to consider:

Buy: software as a service (SaaS) or “off-the-shelf” solutions

Build: custom software – developed specifically for you

Hybrid: a combination of the two

Cost

Technology is expensive. Off-the-shelf SaaS solutions have low upfront costs (often in a user-based subscription cost model), but costs increase with users and features as you grow.

It’s true, technology is expensive. Off-the-shelf SaaS solutions have low upfront costs (often in a user-based subscription cost model), but costs increase with users and features as you grow. Like renting a house or apartment, all of the money you put into SaaS is money lost.

Contrastingly, custom solutions have higher upfront costs to build the software, but once it is built, it is yours to use without subscriptions or user limitations. Like owning a home, the money you put in is money invested in an asset that is yours to use.

So, when comparing custom software to SaaS, you have to decide if the short-term costs are worth the long-term benefits.

Speed

SaaS solutions appear to be the fastest option, as they are already built and operational, there are long processes for onboarding the new system and adapting your business processes to the new system.

All businesses have the desire to move quickly. While SaaS solutions appear to be the fastest option, as they are already built and operational, there are long processes for onboarding the new system and adapting your business processes to the new system. Meanwhile, custom solutions take time to build, but they are built around your business processes, so integration and acceptance is faster. Again, it is a matter of short-term gains versus long-term benefits.

Specialization

Technology is expensive. Off-the-shelf SaaS solutions have low upfront costs (often in a user-based subscription cost model), but costs increase with users and features as you grow.

One of the more obvious differences between SaaS and custom software solutions is that SaaS solutions are built for the market while custom solutions are built for you. Every business has communications, reporting, and scheduling needs, but even then, communication in a warehouse is different than communication in a corporate headquarters. While SaaS solutions can present solutions for business communications, they fall short in providing solutions specific to your business and often your industry. When you are looking for software solutions unique to your business, choose custom.

Growth

With custom software solutions, your growth is your choice because the software is your asset. Rather than fighting for attention and arguing your case for change, your voice is all that matters in custom software solutions.

Let’s face it. As you grow, your needs change. With SaaS solutions, you can submit your requests for software change to a help desk that may or may not respond. Your request may also be lost in a sea of requests from other companies in other industries asking for the software to evolve in completely different directions. With custom software solutions, your growth is your choice because the software is your asset. Rather than fighting for attention and arguing your case for change, your voice is all that matters in custom software solutions.

Security

The more users of a system naturally makes the system more vulnerable. If security is a priority and risk is a concern, custom software solutions are the most secure and reliable when built correctly.

If the CrowdStrike incident taught us anything, it is that we are all vulnerable when we all use the same technology. The more users of a system naturally makes the system more vulnerable. If security is a priority and risk is a concern, custom software solutions are the most secure and reliable when built correctly.

Helping you navigate the build vs. buy decision…

At Unidev, we understand that every business is different, and that’s why we work closely with you to determine the best software development strategy for your goals. Whether you’re looking for a fully custom solution or a hybrid approach, we’re here to help you navigate the build vs. buy decision to ensure you’re making the right choice for the future of your business.

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