Technology
How Do You Know When to Buy Versus Build Your Software?
By Dalip Jaggi
Businesses of all different sizes today depend on various software applications to help them manage multiple core elements of their operations. These solutions support everything from supply chain management and bookkeeping projects to detailed project tracking and customer relationship management.
As businesses grow and evolve, however, they often reach a fork in the road where they need to decide whether to continue relying on highly accessible, ready-made software or invest in building a custom solution that’s specifically designed to fit their needs.
The truth is, there is no perfect answer to this question, and the best choice will depend on various factors unique to each business. However, by understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, you’ll be able to make a good decision for your organization that will help it achieve its long-term goals.
What are Ready-Made Software Solutions?
It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in – there’s likely an abundance of ready-made software solutions available for you to take advantage of. These solutions, often called “enterprise solutions,” are built to be useful for a wide range of business types and can be particularly helpful for larger companies with intricate organizational structures.
One of the major benefits of these solutions is their high accessibility. They’re incredibly easy to purchase, and once you’ve set up an account or paid your subscription, you’re essentially ready to go. Depending on the software’s purpose, your organization could quickly see improvements in various areas.
However, while ready-made solutions offer versatility, their design can also be somewhat restrictive. Because they primarily focus on catering to a broad spectrum of businesses and industries, they often include a range of general features, some of which may not be relevant or valuable to your specific needs.
How are Custom Builds Different?
Custom software development differs from ready-made solutions since it provides a completely custom experience. It’s similar to going to a custom tailor to purchase a hand-made suit rather than just purchasing one off the shelf at a department store.
The main purpose of moving forward with a custom software build is to maximize the value of your investment. Instead of purchasing a generic software package with numerous features you more than likely will never use, you receive a comprehensive solution made exclusively for your business needs, ensuring minimal resource waste.
Naturally, developing a solution from scratch comes at a premium cost. The price of custom-built software can range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars for larger organizations. However, these solutions are designed to unlock a business’s full growth potential which could very well lead to substantial returns on investment over longer periods of time.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Deciding Between Buying or Building Software
Choosing between purchasing or building software is an important decision to make. Each business should carefully evaluate its own specific requirements and budget constraints before deciding.
To help guide you through this process, consider these four key questions:
How is the Software Going to Be Used?
Each software application is designed with a core objective in mind. It’s important to ensure this objective complements your unique business goals.
Remember, many businesses share common needs, whether it’s improved financial management, better team communication, or so on. However, software solutions may not cater to every industry’s unique scope and could lack key features crucial for success in your particular sector.
If the software offers the competitive advantage and desired functionality you’re looking for, it’s worth looking into more. But, if essential elements are missing, think about exploring whether a custom solution better suits your needs.
How Will the Structure of My Company Impact Implementation?
When considering a custom software development project, it’s important to assess your organization’s current structure and capacity. Smaller businesses or those with limited resources might find it challenging to manage these types of projects. Even with outsourcing, significant internal collaboration and resources are crucial for successful implementation.
If your teams aren’t equipped to handle larger projects, consider using a ready-made solution, if not for anything but a temporary solution. This approach can be more efficient until you’ve scaled your workforce and have enough support to assist with a larger-scale development project.
What are the Features I “Want” Versus the Ones I “Need”?
Adapting ready-made software to perfectly suit your company’s needs is many times challenging or simply not doable. Often, these solutions come with limitations on customization, similar to how home renovation project scopes are limited to the foundation of a home.
To help you decide on the right path, it’s important to distinguish between the features you “want” and the features you “need.” While compromising on certain features is sometimes necessary, you can’t afford to settle for software lacking the core functions your business needs to grow.
If your research shows that many ready-made software options fall short of your requirements, consider exploring custom software solutions.
How Many Resources Can I Afford to Invest?
When considering software options, budget is a crucial factor. Ready-made solutions generally offer more transparent pricing, making it easier to predict your initial investment.
Just like when renovating a home – custom projects can come with unforeseen expenses, both during development and for ongoing maintenance, upgrades, and security.
However, with custom software, you have the power to design the development roadmap and prioritize your spending. While a ready-made solution might seem cheaper upfront, the long-term benefits and cost savings of a custom solution could be more advantageous for your business.
Find the Right Fit For Your Business Needs
The market is flooded with software options that businesses can use to help them expand. However, before committing to a recurring subscription model, it’s important to weigh the factors discussed and think about whether a customized software solution might be a better idea to explore.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As part of broader Africa-focused Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives, Google has launched the AI Skilling Blueprint for Africa, designed to help governments build a future-proof workforce.
The programme provides governments with a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to formulate national skilling strategies. It focuses on developing three critical cohorts: AI Learners, who will gain foundational AI literacy; AI Implementers, professionals upskilled to integrate AI tools into their work; and AI Innovators, deep technical experts dedicated to building the next generation of AI solutions.
Africa is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population. The continent shows immense potential for AI-driven economic growth.
However, new research highlights a significant challenge: while optimism for AI is exceptionally high, reaching 95 per cent in Nigeria and 76 per cent in South Africa, 55 per cent of firms across the continent report needing AI talent more than financing. Closing this skills gap is key to unlocking Africa’s opportunity.
Google’s Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Doron Avni, explained that, “The AI Skilling Blueprint provides a clear roadmap for governments to build the workforce of the future.
“By also investing in AI-ready data and expert local organisations and partners, we are helping build the interconnected ecosystem needed for a prosperous, AI-driven future for the continent.”
As part of its broader initiatives, Google also announced $2.25 million to support projects building trustworthy public data sets for AI by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and PARIS21.
This contribution will help national statistical offices modernize their infrastructure and empower decision-makers with the reliable data they need to address challenges from food security to economic growth.
“For Africa to drive sustainable development, evidence-based policymaking is indispensable. This requires accessible, reliable, and AI-ready data.
“This effort is a crucial step forward. By building a Regional Data Commons, we can empower African institutions with the data and tools they need to make strategic choices that will drive growth and prosperity,” the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Claver Gatete, said.
Finally, building on its $7.5 million Google.org Skilling Fund commitment, Google announced the first set of expert social impact organizations who will receive funding to execute on projects consistent with its skilling mission, including FATE Foundation and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), which will embed advanced AI curricula into universities; and JA Africa and CyberSafe Foundation, which will advance crucial work in online safety and digital literacy.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the African Institute of Management Sciences on the Advanced AI UpSkilling Project, with support from Google.org. This groundbreaking initiative is a direct response to the urgent need for deep AI competencies in Africa, empowering tertiary institutions, lecturers, and students in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.
“This strategic support aligns perfectly with FATE Foundation’s mission to foster innovation and sustainable economic growth across the continent, ensuring Africa is fully equipped to lead in the global technological future,” the Executive Director for FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, stated.
“We live in an age defined by rapid technological change and our mission at JA Africa is to ensure that African youth are not left behind. However, even as we engage our youth in more digital programs and encourage AI literacy, we are fully aware of the harmful effects of unchecked online exposure and, therefore, invest equally in protecting their data, physical safety and mental wellbeing.
“Through this support from Google.org, we will give young people the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly,” the chief executive of Junior Achievement Africa, Simi Nwogugu, remarked.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Global technology firm, Zoho, has enhanced its all-in-one business software platform known as Zoho One with improve security, and deeper intelligence across all over 50 applications.
The company improved the user interface, placing context at the centre of the user journey and removes traditional boundaries between applications.
Spaces now organise tools by purpose—such as Personal, Organisation, and Department-specific groups—enabling employees to access what they need without switching between apps. A centralised search bar spans the entire ecosystem, allowing users to find information or trigger workflows instantly.
An enhanced Action Panel provides a full view of upcoming meetings, unread messages, pending tasks, and other key updates, helping employees remain informed regardless of which app they are using.
The updated Dashboard consolidates data from Zoho and third-party apps into one central hub that can be customised using pre-existing or bespoke widgets.
The platform also introduced Vani, a new visual-first collaboration space that supports brainstorming, planning, and creation through diagrams, whiteboards, mind maps, and integrated video calling.
A central integrations panel enables administrators to monitor and configure all connections. Foundational integrations bring application-specific portals—Zoho or third-party—into a single unified portal. Practical tasks such as domain verification and authentication can now be configured more easily.
The new Smart Offboarding feature introduces outcome-based integrations, allowing organisations to transfer department ownership, manage employee device data, and determine data access rights within a single workflow, ensuring smooth transitions.
Also, Zia, Zoho’s AI assistant, is now accessible throughout Zoho One, providing unified intelligence that supports decision-making and improves productivity. Zia can aggregate and contextualise information from various platforms, including third-party systems such as Google Workspace, and present it as clear, actionable insight.
Zia Hubs, the platform’s intelligent content management system, now has a dedicated space where contracts, meeting recordings, and other important assets are automatically organised. Through Zia Search, employees can quickly surface relevant information without navigating multiple locations.
In addition, Ask Zia, available from the bottom toolbar, enables prompt-based searches across Zoho One, providing quick visibility into schedules, tasks, recent interactions, and other key details.
Commenting on the changes, the Country Head for Zoho Nigeria, Mr Kehinde Ogundare, said, “The Zoho One update reflects how work has evolved from using individual applications to operating within a unified platform.
“Zoho One customers are not simply licensing apps; they are choosing a solution that allows Zoho to handle the technology while they focus on productivity. The enhancements announced today deliver a cohesive experience built on unified integrations, context, and data.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The unlimited data market in Nigeria is getting more robust with MTN Nigeria joining the fray.
The company, in a statement, said it has launched its Unlimited Broadband Data plans powered by 5G technology.
The new plans are available in speed-based variants of 50Mbps and 100Mbps, designed to cater to a wide range of users and smart homes.
New customers that purchase a 5G router will enjoy a welcome bonus offer of unlimited data for the first 30 days, allowing them to experience the Power of Unlimited 5G!
It aims to convert interest into subscription through immediate incentives such as attractive bundles and device tie-ins, offering exclusive deals on 5G routers to ease the transition for new users.
MTN Nigeria said its new Unlimited Broadband Data plans were tailored to resolve major frustrations faced by Nigerian internet users, capped data volume limits, high costs, and unstable connectivity.
The new proposition is positioned by the company as a transformative product intended to support high-demand users, from streamers and gamers to households and businesses requiring uninterrupted connectivity.
The unlimited broadband data plans focus on providing the necessary high-speed infrastructure to support contemporary Nigerian digital demands and enable customers to Stay Limitless. This includes guaranteeing the stable connection required for virtual meetings and large file transfers, crucial for remote work and digital lifestyle expressions. It also aims to facilitate uninterrupted online learning, high-definition streaming, and professional online gaming.
The technology company is differentiating its plan by highlighting the capabilities of its network, promising lightning-fast speeds and ultra-low latency, a direct response to the pervasive problem of connection lag and buffering.
Furthermore, the network will offer affordable and flexible options, designed to cater to diverse economic segments, ensuring accessibility for both individuals and households.
Customers interested in the new Unlimited Broadband Plans can access them by dialing *461*1#, on MyMTNApp, MTN eShop, MTN website, visiting any authorised retail store, or by speaking with an agent to enquire about available packages.
“We’re building a broadband experience for everyday life; content creators, remote workers, gamers, students and households.
“Our focus is on speed, reliability, low latency, and affordability. Broadband is designed to deliver seamless connectivity that empowers Nigerians to thrive in the digital economy,” the Chief Broadband Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Egerton Idehen, stated.
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