Off-the-shelf software is faster and cheaper to start with. Custom software fits better and can become an advantage. Neither is always right.
Four questions to ask
- Does an existing product cover at least 80% of what you need without awkward workarounds?
- Is the process you want to support a genuine differentiator for your business?
- Will you need to connect it to other systems that a packaged product does not support?
- Can you maintain and fund it over several years, not only the first release?
A common middle path
Many businesses use a packaged product for standard needs, such as accounting or email, and build custom software only where their process is unusual. Connecting the two with APIs keeps the custom part small.
If you choose custom, start with the smallest version that proves the idea, then grow it. Large first releases carry the most risk.
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