Buy, Integrate, Modernize, or Build?

A Simple Way to Make the Decision

Before you consider building, you should consider buying, integrating or modernizing. Here’s a simple flowchart.

Buy

While off-the-shelf software solutions offer convenience and cost-efficiency, they come with their own set of limitations which can be partially mitigated through customization. These solutions are typically designed to meet the general needs of a wide user base

Consider when:

• Your business runs on standard processes and there is already something available in the market to address your concerns.
• You are willing to adapt your business process to conform to the software
• There is a need for established technology.
• A quick solution is needed, and budget constraints are a primary concern.

PRO:

• Convenient
• Handles most use cases from day 1
• Cost-effective

CON:

• Limited to provided functionality
• Customization limited or impossible
• Provides no competitive advantage

Integrate

Writing software to bridge your systems and data sources is a good way to connect systems that already provide you with the functionality you need but are limited by their lack of coordination. Utilizing new or existing - APIs on the systems already in place can bridge the gap.

Consider When:

• You already have existing systems that work well but need extra features to maximize efficiency
• Accessing data from other apps or software is necessary to utilize its functionality
• There is a need to streamline processes from different data sources for faster results

PRO:

• Can be the best of both worlds as it allows you to use off-the-shelf software and combine features of multiple systems to address all (or at least many) of your requirements
• Can be very cost-effective

CON:

• Still limited to the features each (off-the-shelf) system provides
• Changes to either system can temporarily or permanently disrupt your integrations

Modernize

Maybe you find yourself in a situation where you have aging or incomplete software that provides the majority of your needs and you would like to keep it around while making some improvements. Or perhaps you feel stuck with no clear route to move to a better solution. Most often we find that owners of legacy systems find themselves somewhere in between those worlds. The solution here is to modernize, sometimes creating a bridge to other solutions – involving buying, integrating, or building – but in some cases the software can be modernized over time buying another decade or more of a lifetime.

If there’s an existing system in place you can often improve and secure it.

Whether through web development, refining user experiences, updating CMS websites, enhancing eCommerce functionality, or developing mobile apps, we speak your language. Lelander provides a comprehensive approach to digital transformation.

Consider When:

• You have existing software that is hard to replace
• The existing system poses significant risks, such as a lack of support for security patches and updates, making it an easy target for cyber attacks.
• Operational efficiency plunges, leading to crashes and incompatibility with current tech.
• The software delivers a poor user experience that diminishes customer satisfaction and hinders employee productivity.

PRO:

• It can be faster and more cost-effective than rebuilding
• Extends the ROI period of existing solutions
• Reduces operational risk with minimal disruption

CON:

• In some cases, it is a better investment to buy, integrate, or build
• Can take time to feel the improvements
• Incremental improvements can feel less invigorating to a business than revolutionary change

Build

If you have made it through all the other options and none of those approaches are the perfect fit then you are ready to strongly consider building new custom software. It is the most exciting way to address the technical needs of a business but must be approached responsibly. It is critical that stakeholders understand the costs, time commitment, and risks associated with this approach. If done well it can provide incredible value and competitive advantage.

Consider when:

• There is nothing like your business in the market, and it has totally unique operational processes
• Flexibility, whether for UX/UI, scalability, or overall functionality, is important to achieve goals and set new standards.
• You have a path to profit from the efficiency or quality of a high-quality custom solution, whether that is through efficiency, increasing customer satisfaction, or some other avenue

PRO:

• Unparalleled ability to fit your needs
• Systemizes and automates your unique operational processes
• When done well can set a high standard for your business that positively impacts users, whether they are employees and/or customers

CON:

• Expensive
• Requires commitment of your mental effort to work alongside the development partner to define requirements
• Takes longer to implement than other approaches