Make, Buy or Bake? Must-know information when choosing your MIS/ERP software

22 Sep 2022

A really good end product consists of a perfect mix of ingredients. This is true not only when baking a delicious cake, but also when choosing MIS/ERP software. The question is, how to choose the right business software to suit your print media company and your plans for the future? What should you be looking for? In this blog, we outline the advantages and disadvantages of the three methods (make, buy or bake).

Blog Make, bake or buy

Make

You can choose to have your MIS/ERP software customised. This means that the programmer will ask extensively about the daily functionality of your print media company and your business strategy - then they will try to create exactly what you ask for. Ideally, the programmer will empathise with your ambitions for your print media company and be aware of the practical issues to be resolved or alleviated by the business software.

This approach should certainly be considered if the software you need cannot be found anywhere else: very specific functions sometimes do require customisation. Be aware however, that you will have to wait some time for this and that there will likely be a hefty bill.

Costs can pile up quickly in IT projects. You have to factor in expenses for the first version, support, testing and upgrades and also consider the state of the market. Often things don't go as planned. One in six IT projects exceeds the estimated timeline and the average overrun is up to 200% so you would have to be creative in reducing development costs.

The quality of the software itself will depend on a whole range of factors. You have to take into account the experience of the programmer, the implementation period, the training of your employees and last but not least the support afterwards because bugs are often only discovered when your software is used intensively!

Choose "make" when:

  1. you want a unique functionality for your webshop or want to develop an application
  2. you have a specific set of requirements that are not found in existing software packages
  3. you can take the time to develop it
  4. you can absorb the unavoidable extra costs of the complex cost price
  5. you have the right professionals to take on the project, with a feel for your unique print environment

Buy

Buying an MIS/ERP software package on the other hand, could well be a safer route. After all an 'off-the-shelf' software package offered by a reliable brand will have gone through quality control and be fully functional. This solution could save you from all the financial headaches that come with building your own MIS/ERP software.

But this is actually not the end of the thought process - defining the purpose of your technology is only the beginning. There are other points to consider:

  • Has the software been developed with the specific needs of the graphics sector in mind? Every sector works differently.
  • Does this particular software package solve all of your problems? Are there limitations? If it only solves part of your problems, you run the risk of having to link many island solutions. This scenario is detrimental to production efficiency!
  • A general MIS/ERP software package may have a helpdesk but that does not mean that the helpdesk feature understands each specific sector - which in your case is the printing industry. Specific complaints or problems will not be adequately addressed.

Unless you have a core process running on your software, you are better off in the short term if you just buy.

Choose "buy" when:

  1. the software is not a core part of your print media business
  2. you are on a budget and need a cost-efficient tool
  3. you are on schedule and aiming for a relatively quick implementation (without training)
  4. you do not have the technical knowledge to tackle a complex software development project
  5. you are aware that this is only a short-term solution: note that in the long term, you run the risk of having to expand your software with other add-on software - with a confusing problematic tangle as the result

Bake

The Bake approach is the perfect answer. A blend of the two previous methods, it reduces both the make risks, such as underestimated development and maintenance efforts, mounting costs and a long time-to-market, and the buy risks, such as complete dependency, loss of know-how and the incompatibilities of standard software.

Dataline's MultiPress was developed as a total MIS/ERP solution that truly understands and addresses the administration and daily production challenges of all graphic arts companies:

  • Each of the MultiPress modules is interconnected and communicates with each other. In this way, essential information/data is entered only once and reused to the maximum extent throughout the entire company allowing your staff to work much more efficiently and effectively.
  • By implementing a total solution within your company, you improve each department's capabilities and your company will grow sustainably and across the board. Each department will be able to respond to the needs of the next, leading to a streamlined production process.
  • Our team will work with you and puts your convenience and needs first
  • MultiPress is modular, which means that you can start with a module such as CRM or Calculation and then, as your company grows and your budget allows, you can choose to expand and add value. As a result our team will grow with you. We are committed to helping you with each implementation and will always be on hand to solve daily problems. If you are missing some functionality or integration in MultiPress - then we will be happy to find you a solution.
  • If you also use accounting software or specialised software. No problem, you can link and synchronise them through MultiPress!
  • We will support your MultiPress journey from initial discussions to after-care and ongoing support with a strong focus on implementation, parameterisation and the training of your staff - all with a view to the sustainable growth of your print media business.

Choose "bake" when:

  1. you work cost-efficiently and enjoy a transparent price for transparent software
  2. you plan to dedicate time for implementing the software and training your employees
  3. you want a total solution - a perfect mix between the advantages of make and buy software
  4. you want to avoid a tangle of island solutions and are looking for fully linked-up administrative software
  5. you are looking for a sustainable solution that will grow with your print media company

What do you choose?

What is the perfect choice for your printing business? It depends on so many factors. Factors like time-to-market, total costs and savings (project and support time), technological aspects (non-functional requirements) and risks. Internal factors (strategy, know-how and resources) and external conditions (availability of solutions and contractual conditions). These all play a role.

Curious about what MultiPress can save you? Find out with the free MultiPress Audit Software!

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