5 Key Considerations for Buying or Building Enterprise Mobility Software

April 9, 2024

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When it comes to implementing new enterprise mobility solutions, the dilemma of whether to buy off-the-shelf software or build a custom solution internally can be difficult. To help make this critical decision, consider these 5 key factors:

Customization Requirements

Off-the-shelf software may lack flexibility to adapt to your processes
But heavy customization is expensive and hinders future upgrades
“Draw a line” around how much customization is feasible long-term
Too many mods make it tough to integrate future product upgrades. Learn more about Bluefletch products!

Time to Market

Does your initiative need to launch by a regulatory or strategic deadline?
Buying software is often the fastest route to market
But building custom allows you to take your time if deadlines permit
Consider running a pilot with an off-the-shelf solution to start

Support and Maintenance

Who will handle ongoing support – your team or the vendor?
Building custom means dedicating resources to stay ahead of all updates
Off-the-shelf allows the vendor’s team to fully focus on the product
But their roadmap may not always perfectly align with your needs

Intellectual Property Protection

For some, mobility is core to their competitive differentiation
In these cases, building proprietary software protects your IP
For most, it’s about digitizing business processes which are trade secrets
An off-the-shelf solution can likely meet these process automation needs

Total Cost of Ownership

Initial license costs for off-the-shelf can be high
But custom build is “9 out of 10 times more expensive”
However, heavy customization also adds significant ongoing costs
Consider the 3-5 year TCO, not just upfront pricing

By carefully evaluating these 5 key areas, organizations can confidently make a more informed buy vs. build decision tailored to their mobility needs.

Building a Bulletproof Business Case for Enterprise Mobility

Once you’ve evaluated the key considerations for buying or building your enterprise mobility solution, the next major hurdle is building a convincing business case to secure leadership approval and funding.

An air-tight business case is critical for such a strategic, potentially costly initiative. Here are some tips for constructing a bulletproof proposal:

Define Objectives & Metrics for Success

What core challenges/problems will this solve for your business?
How will you measure ROI and determine if it’s successful? (e.g. productivity gains, cost savings, revenue uplift, etc.)
Build a phase-gate plan with specific milestones and KPIs to hit

Map to Overarching Business Strategy

Tie the mobility investment directly to high-level company goals and priorities
For example, improving field service efficiency, optimizing warehouse operations, empowering a mobile workforce
Demonstrate how it advances digital transformation, innovation mandates

Identify Areas of Impact

Which teams, departments, regions, processes, etc. will it affect?
Calculate potential value and efficiency gains in each area
Think broadly across the business, not just one narrow use case

Get Front-Line User Feedback

Don’t make assumptions – survey the actual users to uncover their needs
Hold focus groups with employees who will leverage the mobility solution
Find examples where they currently struggle with outdated processes

Build Consensus Across Stakeholders

Don’t let it be just an IT project – evangelize the vision company-wide
Get stakeholder input and buy-in from other departmental leaders upfront
Find an influential executive sponsor to be the internal champion

Model out Costs & Projected ROI

Get realistic budgets and implementation estimates from potential vendors
Build multi-year operating and maintenance cost forecasts
Calculate NPV, IRR, payback period based on estimated benefits and savings

By taking a holistic approach that maps enterprise mobility to strategic goals, incorporates user feedback, aligns all stakeholders, and shows quantifiable ROI projections – you’ll have a much stronger business case that leadership can’t ignore.

Ready to mobilize your workforce and digitally transform your business operations? Don’t go it alone – trust the enterprise mobility experts at BlueFletch. Our team has decades of experience building and implementing secure, scalable mobile solutions tailored to your industry and use cases. Let’s talk about how BlueFletch can take your mobility strategy to the next level. Contact us today!