Custom Software vs. Buying Off-the-Shelf

Recently I was approached by a client who wanted to develop a Web site with very specific functionality. We talked for a brief period of time to understand the requirements. At the end of this discussion the client looked at me and asked, "Which off-the-shelf application would meet our needs?"

Selecting new software should always start with the question: "what are your requirements?" If you can solidly define these, then you can determine whether an off-the-shelf package will meet your needs or if you will need custom development.

It's often very difficult to choose an off-the-shelf solution that provides very specific functionality at a reasonable cost. A custom developed application may be able to meet such specific needs more closely and at a lower cost.

When choosing between an off-the-shelf product and a custom solution, some things that need to be considered are:

What are my needs and how closely do packaged applications meet these needs?
How easy would it be to find someone who knows this application (end-users)?
How much customization will an off-the-shelf application require to meet my needs?
If we customize an off-the-shelf application, how difficult will it be to upgrade the program when there are new releases?
If we buy a customized application, how much will it cost to build?
How much will a custom application cost to maintain?
What is your long-term need for this application? Just needing a web-page built with certain functionality is much different than needing a full back-office suite.

In the case of the client mentioned earlier, after reviewing these questions, they decided that a custom built application would best meet their needs. Considering the above questions will help you narrow your options and lead you to the correct software solution for your business.