In this episode of The Fuse & The Flint, Nick Dyer and Amanda Graham discuss the crucial decisions companies face regarding software development: whether to build in-house, buy off-the-shelf solutions, or outsource. 

They explore the pros and cons of each approach, considering factors like cost, innovation, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. They also cover emerging trends like AI and low-code/no-code platforms, as well as the importance of cybersecurity and sustainable development within the current market landscape.

• (01:44) - Build vs. buy for enterprise
• (05:23) - Low code, no code
• (09:05) - Outsourcing the headache
• (19:07) - Decision making framework

Amanda Graham, Senior Director, Strategic Solutions

As an experienced software consultant, Amanda Graham has built a number of organizations from the ground up and helped numerous companies leverage technology and deliver stellar customer-focused programs. 

As Senior Director, Strategic Solutions Amanda is a proactive software development leader and partner. She provides technical leadership and partners with new accounts on achieving success.

Nick Dyer, Partner

Nick Dyer is an experienced software professional with more than a decade of experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering high-quality technical products. Nick serves as Partner, bringing a passion for building high-performing teams and growing technical careers. 

During his time at 8th Light, Nick has helped teams deliver and maintain platforms into production, facilitate priorities and workflows for diverse teams, and partner with clients to solve complex problems with custom software.

Key Points:

• Building custom software may be the better choice if the software is a strategic differentiator for your business.
• Low-code/no-code (LCNC) solutions provide a middle ground between building a completely custom solution and buying an off-the-shelf product, allowing in-house domain experts to create customized workflows.
• When considering whether to build, buy, or outsource, it is critical to consider the time to market (TTM). There is no shortcut to building a solution from scratch if that approach is required.
• When evaluating options, consider the total cost of ownership (TCO), which includes the cost of ongoing fees versus maintaining an in-house team.

Resources:

• The Benefits of Recreating Vendor Software In-House
• How No-Code/Low-Code Solutions Impact Business Outcomes
• Delivering Value: The Shift from Short-Term Gains to Long-Term Benefits

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We hope today’s conversation ignited your curiosity, inspiring you to think differently about technology and its capability to transform. You can also subscribe to stay updated on our latest episodes and visit us at 8thLight.com for more information. Until next time.

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Podcast episode production by Dante32.