For distributors navigating today’s fast-changing landscape, one decision often looms large: should you build custom technology, or buy an off-the-shelf solution?

It’s not just a technical choice — it’s a strategic one that can impact cost, agility, and long-term competitiveness. Let’s break it down.

The Allure (and Risk) of Building Your Own

Building a custom platform can be tempting. After all, it promises:

• Complete control over features and workflows
• A tailored fit for unique processes
• A sense of ownership over the technology stack

But along with those benefits come some hard realities:

• Costly overruns and delays are common as projects stretch beyond their initial scope
• Maintenance never ends — custom code needs continuous updates, testing, and support
• Talent dependency — when key developers move on, knowledge gaps can cripple future upgrades

For many distributors, the “custom” route ends up consuming more resources than it saves.

The New Reality of Buying Off-the-Shelf

Historically, pre-packaged platforms were seen as rigid and one-size-fits-all. That’s no longer the case. Modern enterprise solutions, like Infor CloudSuite Distribution, offer:

• Faster time-to-value with preconfigured best practices built in
• Lower total cost of ownership thanks to shared infrastructure and ongoing vendor support
• Proven scalability to grow with your business instead of holding it back
• Continuous innovation as vendors roll out regular updates and enhancements

What used to feel limiting is now a strategic advantage — freeing distributors from reinventing the wheel.

The 80/20 Rule: Where to Focus Your Energy

Here’s the key insight:

• Let packaged solutions cover the 80% of processes that are common across distribution businesses (inventory management, order entry, warehouse workflows).
• Focus your customizations and energy on the 20% that makes you unique. Concentrate on customizing your customer experience, specialized services, or differentiating workflows.

By taking this approach, distributors maximize efficiency while still standing out in the market.

Strategy Over Ego

Too often, the “build vs. buy” conversation is driven by ego, simply wanting control for control’s sake, or believing “our business is too different.” The truth? Most distribution challenges are already solved problems.

The winners in today’s market are those who invest strategically: buying where it makes sense, building only where it creates true competitive advantage.

Final Takeaway

Whether you’re evaluating your next ERP, CRM, or distribution-focused tool, the choice isn’t simply build or buy. It’s about knowing where each option fits best in your strategy.

At NSA Computer Exchange, we help distributors cut through the noise, evaluate their options clearly, and align technology choices with long-term business goals.

Which path is your distribution business taking?

Let’s cut through the noise together

Reach out to NSA and align your tech decisions with your business goals.”