Individual development or ready-made solutions?

In this article, we will look at both approaches and find out what each of them may be the most suitable option for.

Custom automation involves developing and implementing solutions specifically tailored to the needs of a particular organization or enterprise.

Individual automation

This approach comes with several advantages:

• Full Adaptation

Solutions can be developed taking into account the unique requirements and characteristics of the company's business processes. Therefore, they align perfectly with the organization's needs and facilitate the optimization of its activities.

• Flexibility and Scalability

During development, there is an opportunity to consider possible changes in business processes and make corresponding adjustments to the automation system. Such flexibility allows the company to easily adapt to growth and changes in the external environment.

• Competitive Edge

Creating unique solutions can serve as a source of competitive advantage. If custom automation is tailored to all the needs and goals, it can enhance effectiveness and responsiveness compared to competitors.

When is custom development suitable?

In cases where organizations aim to achieve maximum adaptability and satisfy their specific needs, custom automation becomes the best option.

Let’s look at a few situations where custom automation may be particularly beneficial:

• Complex and Unique Business Processes

For organizations with complex and unique processes that cannot be fully covered by off-the-shelf solutions, custom development is ideal. By creating specialized systems that match all processes, you can fully accommodate the nuances of your business.

• Need for Integration with Existing Systems

If you have a sophisticated IT infrastructure comprising various systems and applications, custom automation can help integrate all these components into a unified system. Tailored solutions will enable you to create special bridges between different systems and ensure efficient data exchange.

• Unique Security and Confidentiality Requirements

If your company handles confidential information or has high-security standards, custom automation can provide enhanced data protection. You can commission a system that considers specific security measures and protective mechanisms necessary for your business.

Off-the-shelf automation solutions refer to software products or platforms developed by third-party companies and made available either openly or via subscription.

Ready-made solutions

They also have their own benefits:

• Quick Deployment

These systems are already developed and ready for use, saving time and resources that would otherwise be spent on building a custom automation system.

• Cost-Effective

With off-the-shelf solutions, a company usually pays only for the use of the software product. This can be a more economically viable option, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

• Experience and Reliability

Typically, these solutions are based on developers' expertise and knowledge, and have been tested and refined. They can be more reliable and ensure stable operation within predefined functional boundaries.

When are off-the-shelf solutions appropriate?

Generally, off-the-shelf solutions are preferred when rapid implementation is required due to limited budgetary resources or the need to utilize widely recognized and proven solutions. Let’s delve deeper into a few scenarios where they might be the most fitting option:

• Standard Business Processes

If your organization carries out typical business processes that largely conform to standard models, templated solutions could be perfect. They offer ready-to-use functionality aligned with industry standards and best practices.

• Limited Budget Resources

If you’re operating under a tight budget, off-the-shelf solutions can be more cost-effective because they generally require fewer investments in development and configuration. You can take advantage of market-offered solutions at a fixed price or subscribe to them, reducing initial costs.

• Rapid Implementation

If there's an urgent need to automate a certain process and there's no time for developing and setting up a custom system, off-the-shelf solutions offer swift deployment. You can select a suitable product that meets your requirements and start using it almost immediately.