Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Internal solution vs Imported solution

This will always be a discussed thread. As a company which solution is better? To build your internal systems strong in house or to buy an already made solution.
The answer lies in the nature of the company. If the company has a dynamic business behind it and it's always on the change building an internal system will help it be ready to adapt to the modifications in the right time. Buying a solution can make it absolute in a short period of time no matter how complex the solution is.
On the other hand buying an already made solution can take lots of problems from the shoulders of your company for the right price. The responsibility suddenly moves from your little tools team to a big specialized team which is supposed to answer any questions you have. The services can have a higher quality because the company that provides them is specialized in this and has the experience to give you what you want.
As a short balance between the two show the following advantages and disadvantages:
In house:
+full control of the solution
+adaptability
+strong knowledge kept in house
+confidentiality
-higher costs
-training and watching over a team involves specialized personnel
Imported solution
+specialized solution better quality
+support
+the responsibility lies in the company that offers the solution
-less control
-0 adaptability
-your data gets shared to the company that offers the solution
-you risk to buy a general tool that doesn't do exactly what you want

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