The ROI Of Custom Data Applications: When To Build Vs. Buy

The evolution of data and analytics over the past decade has led to the rise of low-code data applications, providing companies with the flexibility to either build or buy their data solutions depending on their specific needs. As data fluency increases among employees, organizations face the decision of whether to develop data apps in-house or purchase third-party solutions. Building in-house offers benefits such as customization, faster deployment, cost efficiency, and user democratization, allowing teams to rapidly prototype and meet specific business requirements. On the other hand, buying third-party applications can offer pre-packaged workflows and simplicity for complex needs. Success in deploying data apps, regardless of the approach, hinges on understanding user requirements, ensuring data accessibility, promoting user adoption, and investing in training to foster a data-driven culture that supports informed decision-making.