As businesses across the Midwest continue to accelerate their digital transformation efforts, a key question emerges: Should you focus on fixing existing technology issues or is it time to build something custom that truly fits your needs?
This question may sound simple, but the answer often determines how well an organization navigates change, optimizes operations, and stays competitive. For executives and technology leaders, understanding this distinction is critical.
Let’s explore what differentiates quick tech fixes from custom-built solutions, when to choose one over the other, and how your business can thrive no matter where you are in your digital maturity journey.
Fixing technology issues is often the first step in managing digital infrastructure. Common problems like system downtime, data syncing errors, slow applications, and outdated software can wreak havoc on productivity and profitability.
For instance, a regional logistics company may experience frequent warehouse inventory sync failures between its legacy ERP and e-commerce platform. Instead of replacing the entire system, it may deploy integration middleware such as MuleSoft or Zapier to improve real-time data exchange and minimize errors.
The benefit? Cost-effective stability and improved uptime.
The limitation? Patching symptoms without solving root inefficiencies can hold long-term innovation back.
Custom solutions, on the other hand, allow businesses to align technology directly with strategic goals. These are built from the ground up or through modular, low-code tools to solve unique problems, enhance customer experience, or create new revenue streams.
Take for example a healthcare provider in Tulsa looking to streamline patient scheduling, optimize provider availability, and automate patient follow-ups. Rather than adjusting a clunky legacy system, they invest in a custom scheduling platform built with React for the frontend, Node.js for the backend, and PostgreSQL for secure data storage integrated seamlessly with their EHR.
Risks to consider: Higher upfront investment, longer timelines, and the need for ongoing maintenance.
Q: Is fixing what’s broken always the cheaper option?
A: Not always. While the immediate cost of repairs may be lower, businesses often underestimate the cumulative costs of recurring issues, missed opportunities, and inefficiencies. A thorough cost-benefit analysis is key.
Q: What’s the biggest sign it's time to build a custom solution?
A: If your team is spending more time working around limitations than working on value-creating tasks, or if you're losing business due to poor customer experience or slow response times, it's likely time for a custom approach.
Q: Can small and mid-sized businesses afford custom development?
A: Absolutely. With the rise of low-code platforms and cloud-native services, custom doesn’t always mean expensive. Solutions can be modular, scalable, and tailored to fit smaller budgets while still delivering long-term value.
Whether fixing or forging, the key is knowing your business goals and matching your tech strategy accordingly. Here are several insights to guide you forward:
Before investing in tech, assess your current systems, processes, and workforce readiness. Use tools like Google Cloud’s Digital Maturity Model or Microsoft’s Cloud Adoption Framework to identify gaps and prioritize improvements.
Key benefits:
Bring together IT leaders, operations, sales, and finance to evaluate tech decisions from multiple angles. This helps break down silos and ensures that both short-term fixes and long-term customizations are aligned with enterprise needs.
Tech enablers:
Whether fixing or building, modern architectures make everything more flexible. Migrating key services to AWS Lambda or Azure Functions (serverless computing) can reduce maintenance overhead. Using REST or GraphQL APIs helps ensure new features can plug into old systems without starting from scratch.
Use case: A manufacturing company modernizes its machine maintenance logs by using IoT sensors connected to Azure IoT Hub, sending data to a custom dashboard built in Power BI, enabling predictive maintenance.
Don’t reinvent the wheel when powerful third-party tools exist. Build custom where it creates value and integrate where it saves time.
Example:
Whether you're patching a system or developing a custom solution, focus on the user. Poor adoption often comes down to bad design.
Helpful stack:
Your tech investments should produce data you can use. Custom or not, ensure that analytics tools are part of the implementation plan.
Tools to consider:
Fixing broken tech keeps the lights on. Creating custom solutions builds the future.
The right choice depends on your strategic vision, current capabilities, and long-term goals. For some, fixing is a bridge. For others, it’s a dead end.
The most successful organizations, regardless of size or industry, are those that make technology decisions with intention. They don’t just react to problems; they build systems that scale with their ambitions.
So, ask yourself: Are you just solving yesterday’s issues, or are you preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities?