I remember it well. The year was 2004, and someone sent me a link to a new web-based project management tool called Basecamp. The design was modern and user-friendly, and the entire software ran online – no downloads needed. Sounds pretty mundane now, but at the time it was a revelation and it made me realise how powerful web-based software would become.
Fast-forward 21 years, and SaaS is everywhere. Just about every business problem ever encountered now has an app that promises to solve it. From consumer to enterprise products, SaaS solutions have dominated the market in the last 15 years or so. So when faced with the perennial dilemma of buying off-the-shelf software or building their own solution, most decision-makers have tended towards ‘buy’. SaaS tools promise fast time-to-value, predictable pricing and a low-risk path to digital transformation. For most use cases, buying has made perfect sense.
But things are starting to change. In fact, there are two factors that are starting to shift the way we think about solving business problems with technology.
The first factor is that SaaS products have become a victim of their own success. When a product is ubiquitous, it means that no user has a competitive advantage, and everyone is stuck with the same compromises that inevitably come with a one-size-fits-all solution. And while frustration has slowly grown, SaaS companies have ratcheted up the prices in their increasingly captive markets. What once seemed like a fast and cheap way to solve a problem now looks less appealing in the long term.
At the same time, rapid advances in low-code development platforms and AI-assisted delivery are offering a compelling alternative. Building an entirely bespoke solution without compromising on features is no longer the slower, riskier and more expensive option. In fact, it’s becoming the smart choice for companies that want to gain an edge over the competition, move fast and stay flexible.
The problem with ‘buy’
The cracks in the ‘buy’ model are starting to show. Off-the-shelf SaaS platforms often force teams to adapt their processes to the software, rather than the other way around. The options for customisation are limited. Costs can increase sharply as user numbers grow. And integration with other systems can be a frustrating (sometimes impossible) challenge.
Most importantly, you’re beholden to someone else’s roadmap and timelines. If your business evolves or if you want to improve your customer experience, you might find your chosen SaaS platform becomes more of a limitation than a solution.
The rise of low-code and AI
So why not build a solution from scratch? Well, in the past this approach has meant a big commitment in terms of budgets, resources and time. It was also risky, with complex custom software projects tending to go off the rails.
What’s changed is that low-code application platforms have come of age in recent years, and now offer a reliable and super-efficient way to deliver enterprise-grade software. Using platforms like OutSystems super-charges the development process, meaning there’s less code to write, faster delivery cycles and better collaboration between business and tech teams.
Meanwhile, AI tools are accelerating everything from creating code and tests to automating documentation and UI design. With the right team and tools, it’s now possible to go from idea to MVP in weeks rather than months or years.
Strategic benefits of ‘build’
With some of the logistical barriers to custom development now being removed, the strategic benefits of building rather than buying are coming back into focus:
Fit for purpose
Built solutions can be tailored precisely to your workflows, your brand and your users.
Product ownership
You control the roadmap and decide what features are prioritised.
Better integration
Modern API-enabled platforms like OutSystems sit more naturally within your existing ecosystem.
Competitive advantage
Custom-built tools help you to create tailored digital experiences that off-the-shelf tools can’t match, whether that’s for internal or external users.
Scalable investment
Especially for high-growth or process-heavy businesses, the cost of building becomes more predictable and controllable over time.
Business value
When done right, introducing bespoke tools that give your business a competitive advantage can actually make your business more attractive to investors, driving up your business value.
Reframing the question
So, if your business is trying to solve complex problems, create new value, or break free from restrictive tools, it’s time to ask a different question: why wouldn’t we build this?
The companies getting on board with new approaches and new technologies are going to be first to see the business benefits of the ‘build’ approach, so the time is right to look at your digital ecosystem and think about where the new generation of low-code tools and AI-powered development could have the biggest impact.
Curious whether a bespoke approach is right for you? We offer a free five-day ‘Proof of Value’ project to test your idea. If we believe in it, we’ll give you those five days for free. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more.
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Want to learn more about what we can do for your business? And how quickly? Go to the Systems iO services page or
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