The previous post explained the importance of going mobile and suggested nine questions you need to answer before deciding whether to buy a mobile app or build one. Having answered those questions, you are now in a better position to evaluate which approach will be best for you.
Building — Advantages
- You can get the precise functionality that you desire.
- You can significantly reduce your costs for licensing fees.
- You own the app, meaning you can modify it as you choose. You will never be forced to make updates that could potentially cause issues with your app.
Building — Disadvantages
- Building will almost always be the costlier method.
- Unless you have in-house IT resources with the right skill sets, you will need to rely on a technology partner for development and support.
- Building an app usually takes longer, so if speed of deployment is critical, a build might not be your ideal solution.
Buying — Advantages
- A pre-built app may have cross-platform functionality, eliminating the need to have separate apps for different operating systems.
- A purchased app can be customized to meet your requirements in less time than it would take to have an app built.
- Finding developers with the skills to support a purchased app can be easier than finding developers to support a built app, as many will already have expertise with the basic app.
- Buying an app is typically the lower cost option, even with extensive customization.
- Most vendors supply at least some level of support for their apps, and they may have assistance available at times when an outsourced developer may be unavailable.
Buying — Disadvantages
- You might be unable to customize the app sufficiently to meet all of your needs.
- There is always a possibility that the vendor could go out of business, leaving your app unsupported.
- You will need to address issues such as ownership and storage of data.
- Some vendors may require you to purchase a separate license for each of your employees.
- If you are in a highly regulated industry, you will need to make sure that the app you select complies with all mandatory regulations.
- Not all purchased apps can be integrated with all legacy systems, particularly some of the older ones.
As you can see, there are times when building a mobile app is best, and there are times when buying one makes the most sense. In short, neither approach is ideal for all companies under all circumstances.
If you need help determining whether to build or buy, ask the professionals at PhaseAlpha. We have built our reputation on providing the best custom software solutions to clients in all industries. Our team members have the experience and skills to help you determine the solution that best fits your needs. You can call (913) 648-9200 to speak with one of our team, or you can send an email to info@phasealpha.com