When the software industry was nascent, companies evaluated various external systems but due to limitations in their custom needs, they started building their own systems according to their preferences. Still, due to a massive shift in the technology, homogeneity of solutions increased, along with vendor solutions, leading to a war between build v/s buy. And as a matter of fact, people started choosing modern tools instead of building one of their own.
Reinvent the wheel – This is one of the main reasons why companies stick to their homegrown systems. It is the tendency of a human to not put their trust into things they have not experienced or invented which results in neglecting the merits of external offerings.
The building of homegrown tools worked when the software development industry was at its infant stage. As the software companies grew, every company wanted to have its own system that deals with the specific needs of its organisation. In order to utilise the bench, companies built their self-made tools with the help of their support staff and programmers rather than purchasing COTS ( Commercially Available Technology Systems) from the market with a better package.
But with the increase in the company size, the complexity and requirement of these tools also increase and internal developers can’t keep up with creating tools keeping in mind all the employees in the organisation. As a result, companies outgrow their homegrown tools and start to turn to Industry Standard Product offerings.
With the constant development in technology, Industry Standard Product providers update their systems frequently in order to stay ahead of the curve. The internal employees of the organization might not have time to do this.
Another benefit of outgrowing your homegrown tools and using modern tools is that people on all levels can focus on key areas and learnings without worrying about the technology.
The Industry Standard Product provider ensures proper and secure functioning of the organisation’s platform, easing the work of the internal employees.
When organisations use homegrown systems, decision-making can be affected to a great extent as it might take days to solve a situation without considering any time frame. With the help of Industry Standard Product providers, it is the responsibility of the providers to solve an issue within a time frame as they are accountable to the organisation. This enables a better learning environment in the organisation.
SUMMARY
Though people might think that available products charge more and it would highly affect the company’s budget, it is a wrong assumption. Adopting industry standard products saves your budget in the long run. It eliminates the cost of fixing, maintenance, and building and the expert staff needed to develop these tools for the organisation At the same time, one can get the benefit of industry’s best practices embodied in the products.
So what are you waiting for? Change your direction! Outsource your homegrown tools now!
