Build versus Buy is a classic technology dilemma. With today’s technology environment in a continual state of flux, product managers often face the critical decision of whether to build solutions in-house or buy from external vendors. In this blog, we’ll examine build versus buy in the context of an integration platform as a service (iPaaS) solution.
The Top 5 Features To Look For In An Embedded iPaaS Solution
When facing integration challenges, you have many solution options. As a leader in the iPaaS space, we’ve developed an approach that helps organizations pick the best solution for their business needs. Based on that experience, here are our recommendations for characteristics you should look for in an embedded iPaaS.
1. Runtime
Decoupling the platform from runtime enables cloud, on-premises, and/or hybrid deployments. Decoupling is significant for use cases where sensitive data should not be processed in the cloud. If you have strict data requirements, it’s essential to understand the limitations of vendors you may be considering, and whether they align with your data privacy and security standards. For example, some iPaaS solutions can run and connect on premises, but it’s optimal to choose one that can process data behind your firewall.
2. Complex Integrations
The whole point of buying an iPaaS is to simplify integration complexity. Nevertheless, most integration environments are rarely straightforward, and your customers will inevitably encounter complex scenarios that standard, templated approaches cannot address. Look for an iPaaS solution that has features purpose-built to natively handle these requirements without resorting to custom code. Less custom code means more efficient processes and faster time to market.
3. Reusability and Scale
Using a template mindset for integrations can save your organization a lot of time and effort while eliminating complexity. But — and it’s a big but — templates must be flexible. Without flexibility, trouble can arise when faced with custom requirements that don’t fit the template. If adjusting the templates requires code to remain serviceable, then scaling to support hundreds of customers becomes increasingly difficult. Over time, technical debt accumulates until building rather than buying a solution becomes a less expensive option.
The most sophisticated iPaaS solutions promote reusability by design, utilizing decoupled components that naturally support scale. Parent/child account management, reusable map functions, and connections allow you to create flexible templates fitting a range of use cases that are centrally managed and deployed to your customers.
4. Error Handling
While a common tradeoff for many solution providers is sacrificing functionality for ease of use, look for an iPaaS that offers both. You want tools that simplify the task of integration but maintain the core functionality needed to triage any problems that crop up. A solution with document-level, process-level, and account-level visibility also helps make handling errors a seamless experience.
The ability to handle problems quickly and effectively can be a deciding factor in resolving the build vs. buy dilemma. Relying on in-house resources for integration may seem like the smart, economically sound choice until problems arise. Problems that can take up valuable time and effort to untangle when, in reality, fixing integration errors is not driving your business forward.
5. Licensing
A predictable (fixed) endpoint/customer-based licensing model will help you understand how to monetize the integrations your solution offers. An embedded iPaaS should increase the value of your business while offsetting its cost. In other words, revenue gained outweighs licensing expense. Unpredictable “discount” pricing schemes often come with hidden costs, and make it difficult to generate reliable ROI.
Unraveling the Classic Dilemma
Of course, the decision to build or buy technology solutions — iPaaS or any other — isn’t new, but it has become increasingly complex. In addition to the iPaaS features suggested above, here are three general criteria to consider when debating build vs. buy:
- Cost Optimization: Organizations must assess the total cost of ownership when considering a solution built internally vs. purchasing an existing product. This includes not only initial development costs but also ongoing maintenance and support.
- Reliability: External solutions often come with established support and updates, reducing the burden on internal teams. However, a solution’s reliability must be evaluated against the organization’s needs.
- Flexibility: Building a solution allows customization to meet unique business requirements, leading to longer development times, increased cost, and greater complexity.
The Boomi Enterprise Platform delivers all the features outlined above while offering unmatched cost-optimization, reliability, and flexibility. When it comes to embedded iPaaS solutions that truly scale and handle complexity, let Boomi show you the way.
To learn more about embedding the Boomi platform, check out our solution brief, “Boomi for Software Providers.”