To build or to buy is a question that must be answered when an enterprise contemplates new technology to gain efficiency, improve productivity, bring down the cost of operation or improve their strategic advantage. The critical analysis that comes into play helps to determine whether it is more beneficial to build a custom solution in-house that meets the specific needs of the company, or to buy an existing software solution that has a wide range of built-in functionality.
This can be a challenging question for organizations considering an automated solution to manage physical identities, credentials and access. Is it better to internally develop a physical security and access management (PIAM) software package that addresses compliance, operational and quality needs – or should it be purchased as a commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) solution? Understanding the differences between the two approaches can yield significant benefits but it’s not an easy choice to make. There are three key areas that should be considered when making the choice between an in-house solution and a COTS package – cost, customization and convenience.