When exploring the possibility of implementing a new software solution, a question most people face is whether to buy an out of the box solution or have someone build a custom solution according to your business practices. Building a custom solution allows you the most flexibility to have a program that works exactly as your business dictates. The initial investment will be higher, as you will need to start from scratch or patch a bunch of existing open source solutions together to meet your needs; however the training time and adoption rate will be much, much lower.

Custom built solutions are attractive, but you should consider long term support and maintenance. When will upgrades occur? Who will initiate them and who decides what enhancements are worth further investment? Are you going to build it in house or hire a consultant to design the system? Where will those people be 5 years from now when standard equipment and operating systems change?

Out of the box solutions give you the scalability, latest innovations and power your business is going to need to be more efficient with your new software in the long run. While you might need to adapt your business processes slightly, or in some cases drastically, it will be well worth the initial learning curve to have a team of developers, R&D professionals, and a knowledgeable and accessible client base behind your newly acquired product.