The problem with off the shelf software

Here's my PROBLEM with off-the-shelf software...

Actually 2 problems! 2 big ones.

Problem #1: One Size Fits None

Firstly, it's built to cover a range of use cases and customers. And I get it, that's the deal, that's how it works.

But it has some negative side effects (that you might have found as well).

For one, due to the need to support a range of people with different needs, it probably has a TON of features.

And great... right? More is better? Or is it?

What good is 100 things if you only need 5?

And what if there's still not the 1 or 2 things that would really make your life easier.

Once more, because it's made for everyone, you have to fit it with it.

That means you need to spend time learning. Training your team. Heck even sometimes even training your customers!

I was looking at project management tools with client portals the other day.

The ones I were looking had SO MANY BUTTONS on the client view.

I thought - there's no way I can send people to this.

Anyway, yes compromises.

Problem #2: The Cost

But that leads onto a big part 2 of my moan.

The cost!

For all the compromise there's still a huge monthly/annual license fee.

Like 10s of thousands of pounds.

When Off-the-Shelf Makes Sense

That's not to say off the shelf doesn't have its place.

A lot of the time, especially for small things it makes sense, the compromise is fine and the cost not so bad.

Like Mailchimp. Ain't no way we're building that from scratch to save to £20 per month.

The Case for Bespoke

But if it's bigger software to manage your projects and clients. There's probably a load of things you do that "make you you" and differentiated.

Of course I'm biased but it's from a place of passion over salesy stuff that I say - bespoke, as in, made around you and how you work and what you want to do, starts to become a more attractive opportunity.

ESPECIALLY if you're spending over £10k a year on a license fee.