When your company needs to replace a legacy system or needs to start a new multi-screen digital initiative, we all know the typical first step, we look for existing technology or companies who’ve already solved the problem. It’s easier to look for existing software (Enterprise or SaaS) to solve your business challenges. After all, the thought of building an entirely new system, is pretty scary. The engineers, the time-line, the UX expertise and the design talent you would need, not to mention the technology selection and architecture expertise, may be just plain overwhelming for most CIOs and CTOs.Chances are, there are existing ERP or vertical-ized solutions that can give your company 80% of the functionality you’re looking for without venturing into the ‘build-your-own’ landscape. So even though most companies will eventually need their own tailor made solution, they delay that challenge for as long as they can. But, if this were the best strategic option, then why are all the largest companies designing and building their own legacy systems?They want (and need) to own their data and technology.It doesn’t matter what industry the company is in, the big-boys know their company’s practices, business model and workflows are unique. They also know not to let anyone co-own their data nor control how and when they advance their systems.What many large companies end up doing is designing and building their own systems using the latest technology and the best teams they can find.

The big companies know if they were to continue using existing software, the results would be the same:

Off the shelf solutions can’t properly handle the business workflow and requirements they have or will have.

• They’d need to perform workarounds for the software limitations or un-customizable features.

• Integration between the multiple software is not always possible or easy

• Lack of proper user roles and permission settings

• Their data is then shared or usable by the vendor solution

• Competitors are probably delivering the same digital experiences to their customers as theirs (because they are using similar and sometimes the same software)

Data is not being properly handled

• Data is being stored on / managed from multiple sources / software, which generates manual / duplicate workload and compromises the data accuracy

• Valuable company data is being kept (or held ransom) by third-party companies

Off the shelf software are bundled (bloated) with functions and features no one ever uses

• Companies end up paying full price and using no more than a couple of features

• And even still some simple, obvious (and sometimes pivotal) features are either sold as “add-ons” or are not available

Ring any bells?If that sounds familiar, then it’s about time you consider building custom software for your company, even if you’re not fortune 1000.Lucky for you, as technologies, frameworks, design and engineering methodologies dramatically evolve, the cost and timeline for building custom software has dramatically changed too, for the best.

Many cutting-edge development companies, including FreshinUp have technology and architecture that make designing and building custom applications and dashboards very fast and very reliable. Here is what you should look for and get when you go down this road:

1. Own your own software and data
   Times are a-changing and this is now reasonable… no data should be held or shared by a vendor, it needs to be entirely yours.

2. Use the latest cloud-based and API-based architecture
   Design a fully custom platform that connects / integrates to other software your company will need. Make sure you’re using technology that is fully API based and built specifically to connect with other systems using the greatest security available.

3. Use a system technology framework and language that is very common
   If you don’t insist on this, you’ll double or triple the duration of your project and likely have a very difficult time building your team or supporting your platform

4. Make sure digital experiences can be designed for any user group (potential customers, employees, etc)
   Make sure the system can expand and be used for any type of user who needs any type of experience, employees, customer, potential customers, vendors, C-level… everyone.

It could be time for your company to own its own data and digital experiences.

If you’d like to learn more about how FreshinUp is helping companies of all sizes design and build their digital experiences, contact us, and let’s set up a time to talk.

Tim Baio
Digital Director – Freshperia