Out-of-the-Box or Tailor Made: The Case for Custom Software

Out-of-the-Box or Tailor Made: The Case for Custom Software

Companies are often tempted by the allure of out-of-the-box (OOTB) or commercial off-the-shelf (OTS) software solutions. These ready-made applications promise quick setups, lower initial costs, and the ability to address a wide range of business needs with minimal effort.

However, the reality is OOTB software can come with significant drawbacks that may hinder a company’s efficiency and long-term growth. Our intent is to debunk the myth that OOTB software is always the best choice for businesses. And we’ll highlight the numerous benefits of opting for custom software solutions.

Understanding Out-of-the-Box Software

Out-of-the-box software refers to pre-packaged applications designed to be immediately usable upon installation. Examples include:

• Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
• Customer relationship management (CRM) tools
• Productivity suites
• Graphic design packages.

These solutions are often marketed as cost-effective and time-saving, with claims that they can handle a broad spectrum of business functions without the need for extensive customization. While OOTB software can be beneficial for some organizations, it is important to understand these solutions are designed for mass use. They aim to satisfy the needs of a broad audience, which means they may not align perfectly with the specific requirements or workflows of every business.

Initial Costs vs. Long-term Costs

OOTB software often appears more affordable initially due to lower upfront costs. But that can be misleading. It’s important to consider:

• Recurring subscription fees
• Additional costs for necessary add-ons
• Upgrades
• Support expenses that accumulate over time.

Imagine now — what happens when your team doubles in size, the cost of software also doubles? The chart below shows how costs escalate as a team grows, making OOTB solutions more expensive in the long run.

	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5
License	$800	$900	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000
Users	25	50	75	100	125
Support	15%	15%	15%	15%	15%
Yearly Cost	$23,000	$51,750	$86,250	$115,000	$143,750
			Three Year Cost		$161,000
			Five Year Cost		$419,750

Limited Customization

One of the major drawbacks of OOTB software is the limited customization options. Businesses may find it challenging to adapt these solutions to their unique processes and workflows. This lack of flexibility can lead to inefficient workarounds, which may complicate operations and reduce overall employee productivity.

Integration Issues

Integrating OOTB software with existing systems can be a significant challenge. Many pre-packaged solutions require additional tools or third-party services to achieve seamless integration, leading to increased costs and implementation time. These integration challenges can also result in data silos and reduced efficiency.

Scalability and Flexibility

OOTB software may not scale effectively as a business grows. The inflexibility of these solutions can hinder a company’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions or evolving business needs since the development roadmaps are designed for the needs of the majority of users. As a result, businesses may outgrow their OOTB software, necessitating a costly and disruptive transition to a more scalable solution.

The Benefits of Custom Software Development

Custom software development has emerged as a game-changer for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge. By harnessing the power of tailored technology solutions, companies can:

• Optimize processes
• Increase productivity
• Enhance customer experiences.

Investing in custom software development can yield numerous benefits for businesses seeking growth and differentiation.

Here are some key advantages:

The benefits of custom software development go beyond immediate improvements in productivity and efficiency and can be a strategic investment that sets businesses apart from the competition and paves the way for sustained growth and success.

Growing Through Custom Software

If you have unique requirements and/or need a technical differentiator, custom software is the way to go. With careful planning and choosing the right development partner, custom software is often the perfect solution to get the scalability and competitive advantage you need. Here are some recent examples of how we’ve helped clients.

Asphalt Institute

Asphalt Institute — an international trade organization promoting quality management for construction materials laboratories — wanted to provide a simpler and more efficient method for its customers to manage their laboratory equipment, processes, and staff. They worked with Growth Acceleration Partners to design a custom platform that provides a revenue stream for Asphalt Institute. The completed project enables its members to navigate complex regulatory processes supporting subscription management, role-based access, workflow, document creation, and the complex management of equipment inventory, testing procedures, and employee performance tracking.

Source7

Source7 is a leader in providing comprehensive intelligence on household products, recall data, and product failure insights. It’s crucial for property insurers, realtors, assessors, and technicians. Source7 started with OOTB software to solve their operational challenges, and when those attempts failed, they hired Growth Acceleration Partners to create a custom web application created to improve the usability for adjusters and technicians in the field.

Whether a startup or an established enterprise, investing in custom software development can be a strategic decision that sets you apart from the competition. With the right technology partner, you can drive innovation, improve efficiency, and fuel business growth.

Embrace the power of tailor-made technology to unlock your business’s full potential and propel it towards sustained success with Growth Acceleration Partners. Talk to an expert today.