The "Build vs Buy" question is a common one that many companies face. How do you decide whether to choose an existing COTS software or build your own? This presentation outlines the pros and cons of both options to help in the decision making process.

1. PRESENTED BY: ACIRON CONSULTING, INC
COTS VS CUSTOM
SOFTWARE
DEVELOPMENT

2. COMMERCIAL OFF-THE-
SHELF SOFTWARE
(COTS)
AN EXISTING SOFTWARE SOLUTION THAT
IS READILY AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
CUSTOM SOFTWARE
A SOFTWARE SOLUTION DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY FOR A
COMPANY THAT IS TAILORED TO THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS
VS.

3. PROS:
COTS
SOLUTION
TYPICALLY MORE COST EFFECTIVE
FREE TRIALS ALLOW YOU TO TRY BEFORE
YOU BUY
TRIED AND TESTED SOLUTIONS
LARGE CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFERINGS
ALMOST IMMEDIATE IMPLMENTATION
AFTER PURCHASE

4. CONS: COTS Solution
- CUSTOMIZATION
RANGES FROM EASY, TO
DIFFICULT, TO
IMPOSSIBLE
- ADAPTING TO CHANGES
WITHIN THE BUSINESS
MIGHT NOT BE
AVAILABLE. (HOWEVER,
SOMETIMES IT IS)
- MAY INCLUDE
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
THAT YOU DON'T NEED OR
WILL NEVER USE
- CANNOT OWN THE
RIGHTS TO THE SYSTEM
- POSSIBLE FUTURE
UPGRADE AND
ENHANCEMENT FEES

5. Pros: Custom Software Solution
CAN BE USED
TO DEVELOP
EVERYTHING
YOU NEED
AND NOTHING
THAT YOU
DON'T
COMPLETE
CONTROL OVER
SCALE,
CUSTOMIZATION
AND
FUNCATIONALITY
OF THE
SOFTWARE
CAN EASILY
PLAN FOR
FUTURE
DEVELOPEMENT,
UPDATES, AND
ENHANCMENTS
GAIN A
COMPETITIVE
EDGE, WITH NO
LICENSING COSTS,
AND HAVE
COMPLETE
OWNERSHIP OVER
PRODUCT

6. CONS: Custom Software Solution
NOT AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION. COULD TAKE
MONTHS TO DEVELOP THE SYSTEM
REQUIRES MORE EFFORT AND TIME FROM KEY
STAKEHOLDERS TO PIN DOWN EXACT
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SYSTEM
COULD BE A LARGER FINANCIAL INVESTMENT
CANNOT FULLY DEMO THE PRODUCT BEFORE
MAKING THE INVESTMENT
NO EXISTING USER COMMUNITY TO OFFER
SUPPORT

7. YOUR REQUIREMENTS
YOUR TIMELINE
YOUR BUDGET
How to Decide?
Ultimately, the decision between choosing COTS or
developing your own software comes down to where
each option falls in relation to these factors:
YOUR YOUR END GOAL
Choose the option that best aligns with your goals, and
meets at least 80% of your requirements

8. WE'RE ALWAYS READY TO HELP!
NEED TO REACH US?
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT US AT
www.aciron.com
FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, CONTACT US AT
info@aciron.com
Aciron Consulting is a business management and technology
consulting firm, dedicated to developing innovative solutions to
improve the value and impact of our clients' unique business and
IT initiatives