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.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

resilience, do you believe?

Seeking out the closest spot to the door of the office was not a common practice; however, at 07:00 on August 24th, 2022 the temperature was already 96' and 98% humidity.   The building would have a hell of a time keeping up today, rolling black-outs and brown-outs would be inevitable.   It likely won't be an outright equipment shut-down, instead we will have to endure the impending "brown-out" conditions, a slow, low voltage and high amperage stressing of our electrical infrastructure and connected systems. Our deliberate and continuous leverage of Industrial IoT (IIoT) technology and the companion AI prescriptive models have positioned us well. It had to be around the year 2018 when we invested in IIoT.   Heck, most were comparing our endeavors to the "Nest" thermostat, a pioneer (yet very fundamental) entrĂ©e into home-based IoT.   Naysayers were laughing that we would never see the benefits; however, our fragile National infrastructure and Mothe...

is your "score", you?

Avid Andy begins to wonder if he may be schizophrenic.   Or could it be a sign of true genius when he can see a problem from all sides? Andy was reflecting on a service meeting that happened last week.   Conversation was around our ability to objectively measure things and make better decisions. At the center of almost any measurement environment are the fundamentals of math. To determine priority or influence, it seems logical when dealing with inanimate objects like sensors, assets, and sites in a portfolio to move towards "point-based systems". The real dilemma for Andy seemed to comes when we begin scoring humans and letting pre-determined algorithms establish an individuals path. Our service meeting quickly changed from tactical to philosophical discussions and one of the technicians, Pragmatic Paul, made mention of a black mirror program (Netflix) named "Nosedive".    In this futuristic episode, an individuals score dictates their behavior and those ...

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 |...