Skip to main content

Is custom software in 2019 spelled EGO?


I still struggle , as do many, with the rationalization between building software and buying software. Microsoft Excel , likely one of the most widely recognized packaged software applications, was released over 30 years ago . My guess is not many people would consider building a custom piece of software which performs math and other worksheet related tasks. While this is an obvious example, it highlights an important factor for many in deciding between custom and configurable software solutions . Fact is, everybody understands how Microsoft Excel works.



Let's mix it up a bit and add the opinions that you have regarding what makes your approach to business so special.  The things that you do, in an industry, which are totally unique to your competitors.  This is where it gets a bit murky, we must tease out the transactional components from the value add aspects of software.  For instance, you use a staffing system to help find, manage, and retain internal and external employees.  Is the connection to Indeed or Monster any different than your competition?  Odds are no, instead your differentiation is likely in the manner in which you see the information and what actions you take to ensure your clients receive unmatched value. 



Instead, should you look for software solutions that "cover the transactional bases" and offer the ability to personalize with data perspectives and system workflows?  Absolutely, as we round the corner of another decade and come face to face with 2020, you would be hard pressed to find a reason why you shouldn't take this path.  Oh, unless my observations are deliberately avoiding the elephant in the room, your ego.  Years ago, when the software universe was very limited, building custom software may have been a good idea.  However, with the flood of solutions existing and entering on a daily basis your strategy should be one that embraces, through the use of graphing and other integration tools, the best components to make your solution.  Sometimes that means an end to end solution and other times that may mean a symphony of best in class software applications.  Either way, building custom tools to perform commoditized transactional functions is a bad move, short and long term.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

expert at everything...not a problem

Well... I would say sometimes there certainly is a perceived notion that one person is an expert at everything. For the worker "everything" may be defined as the specific area in which you were hired or are constantly scheduled. Our opinions are frequently influenced off of past experience, or information we've received from their coworkers. Unfortunately this only gives us partial insight to that workers expertise and often is limited to their most recent history. Narrowly focused accounting is made of the skills that this individual possess. Come on, can't we figure out a way to leverage all of the skills of a particular worker? One of the challenges has always been that relationship between the activities which need to be accomplished and the myriad skills of individuals within your workforce. In addition, even if you could inventory and get a pretty good handle on the skill sets, they are constantly changing (with any luck) and thus the ineffective process of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

In$pired

As the steam from Avid Andy's coffee fogged his glasses on this crisp January morning, he reflected on last year and thought enthusiastically about the year ahead.   Sometimes the noise of business is deafening, we rarely take the time to contemplate our moves, instead are often thrown one direction or another.   Hey, face it, if you are reading posts to gain perspective you fall in the group of folks who pride themselves as obsequious hoop-jumpers.   We live to help others and expect that all of those around us feel the same way.   I just love Influential Irene.   Okay, it is out in the open, she is an inspiration for me and so many others.   Irene reminds folks every year, without fail, these three statements which she fondly refers to as "the punchline" (although this is no joke).   Businesses, of any size, will be successful if they remember that it is people that make a company.   Put this advice into practice, today: Sincerity |...
Post a Comment
Read more

suggesting is NOT selling

People and companies want to buy from people that they trust.   The individual which possesses the broadest set of knowledge will gain the most credibility and as a result yield high levels of trust.   When I was in the field I definitely had the ear of the customer and for the most part discussed areas that needed improvement or replacement. At no moment was I ever, at least in my mind, selling. Instead, as I think back on those days, I believe I was simply "suggesting". Take an immediate need, add in a trusted advisor and a credible suggestion, you will most likely get a sale. However, this is not selling. From my non-salesman perspective I would sum up the following related to the sales process; sales is not a single event but instead a sequence of connection points which create a positive experience that leads to a purchase . Over the years I've been fortunate to have known many different types of salespeople in different industries and I believe that they a...
Post a Comment
Read more