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- For USA only (800) 875-5907In a world where background music is a key driver to enhance the customer experience, music providers must not only excel in music creation but also ensure effective and reliable distribution.
This raises a strategic question: is it better to build an in-house solution or invest in an existing one? This decision is critical, as it involves key choices regarding costs, resources, and strategic priorities. This article explores the advantages and limitations of the Make or Buy approaches to help you make an informed decision tailored to your needs.
These two strategies have key implications in terms of time, costs, and resources. But what exactly do “Make” and “Buy” approaches mean, and how can they be clearly distinguished?
Building your own solution involves developing a custom product, whether hardware or software. This often means collaborating with a developer or an IT team who designs and maintains the solution to meet specific needs. This approach may include using hardware like Raspberry Pi to reduce initial costs while tailoring the tool to specific expectations.
Think of it as designing and constructing your own architect-designed home from scratch: every detail is customized to your desires and needs. This requires specific skills (architecture, masonry, electrical work…), time, and a significant budget.
Buying a solution involves choosing an already existing product, designed and provided by an expert in the field. For instance, Wavespark is a SaaS platform that enables music providers to manage playlists, distribution, and integrate advanced tools such as audio normalization. This approach offers a ready-to-use solution that is tested and functional.
It’s like buying a newly built house from a real estate developer: it’s already constructed and ready to live in, with standardized but practical features. You avoid the hassles of building and can focus on customizing the interior to your taste.
Creating your own solution can be appealing for businesses seeking total control over their product. However, this approach comes with benefits and limitations that must be carefully evaluated.
Building a custom solution can give you a sustainable competitive edge. If the product is central to your offering, its customization and complete control can allow you to meet unique needs precisely.
For instance, a company specializing in a niche music genre might develop a one-of-a-kind tool perfectly aligned with its audience’s expectations.
In some cases, existing solutions may not fully meet your expectations. Developing an in-house solution can be an opportunity to create a tool perfectly tailored to your requirements. It’s like crafting a bespoke menu for an event: you cater to all specific preferences.
An internal solution gives you total control over features, evolution, and product updates. This freedom demands strong involvement at all levels. Not only does the design need to anticipate evolving needs, but it also requires continuous investment in time and human resources.
In other words, building your solution demands a clear long-term vision and rigorous team management.
Developing a solution requires significant investments in time, human resources (hiring a developer or team), and infrastructure. Maintenance and cybersecurity costs also add up.
It’s like purchasing a luxury car: the upfront bill is high, and maintenance isn’t cheap.
Creating a custom solution may take months, delaying your ability to meet customer expectations. Imagine having to build a road before driving on it: the benefit is delayed by construction complexities.
Once the solution is built, you remain dependent on the skills of the developer or IT team for its maintenance and evolution. If this resource becomes unavailable, your solution can quickly become obsolete.
Purchasing a ready-made solution provides a fast and effective alternative to in-house development. However, this approach has both benefits and limitations that should be considered to make an informed decision.
An existing solution allows for near-instant deployment. Unlike in-house development, the product is ready to use, enabling you to quickly meet market needs.
For example, Wavespark offers quick and intuitive onboarding, allowing music providers to immediately focus on their core business.
Acquiring a turnkey solution eliminates delays associated with designing and developing a custom solution. You can quickly expand operations, test new markets, or scale production capacity. This translates into the ability to seize business opportunities faster while reducing the risks of internal development.
Purchasing a solution includes technical support, regular updates, and automated fixes, reducing the internal workload, particularly for smaller structures.
With Wavespark, you get a turnkey solution designed by experts. Maintenance, updates, technical support—everything is managed for you, so you can focus on what matters most: creating unique musical experiences for your clients.
Opting for a proven solution protects companies from common development risks, such as critical bugs, delays, and design errors. An experienced provider has already refined processes and addressed common issues, ensuring greater stability.
By choosing Wavespark, you focus on your expertise: creating background music. The technical aspects, like software updates or maintenance, are handled by specialists, enabling you to maximize your impact and deliver real value to your clients.
Off-the-shelf solutions don’t always cover 100% of a company’s specific needs. If you have highly specific or innovative requirements, depending on the provider’s roadmap for certain features can be frustrating.
You rely on the provider for updates and adjustments. However, this dependence can also be a strength, as it ensures continuous expertise and support. Providers regularly roll out updates to meet client needs and adapt to market changes.
Unlike an in-house solution, where costs are primarily concentrated upfront, purchased solutions often involve recurring fees (subscriptions, renewals, etc.). These fees should be factored into your long-term profitability calculations.
| Criteria | Make | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | High investment for development (team, infrastructure). | Cost spread over subscriptions or regular fees, limiting the initial investment. |
| Maintenance | Depends on your internal team or external partners. | Maintenance included, managed by the provider. |
| Time-to-market | Long timeline: development, testing, and deployment. | Rapid and immediate deployment. |
| Flexibility | Fully customizable to meet specific needs. | Limited customization based on the provider’s roadmap. |
| Technical support | You manage potential bugs and updates. | Support and updates handled by the provider. |
| Risks | High risks related to design and initial reliability. | Proven solution, reliability validated by other users. |
| Recurring costs | Lower in the long run but still present. | Regular subscription fees, which include services (updates, support). |
| Required expertise | Requires a skilled and experienced IT team. | Technical expertise integrated into the provider’s offering. |
Wavespark is designed to simplify the management of your background music: playlist creation, broadcast scheduling, audio normalization… All with an intuitive interface and fast deployment. As a music provider, you benefit from a tool specifically built for your operational needs, with regular updates based on your feedback.
With a dedicated team and proven features, Wavespark allows you to work with confidence. You gain in efficiency and security while avoiding the hassle of technical maintenance. By choosing Wavespark, you partner with a recognized player that invests in innovation to ensure the longevity of your solution.
The choice between building or buying a solution depends on strategic priorities and available resources. While building may seem appealing for those seeking total control, the associated costs, timelines, and risks can quickly become a burden – especially without clear evidence that the market is ready to support these investments.
On the other hand, a solution like Wavespark offers a reliable, scalable, and ready-to-use tool, freeing music providers from technical complexities. By focusing on their core business – creating background music – they maximize their impact and enhance the customer experience.
Buying rather than building is not just a practical choice; it’s a winning strategy for those who want to excel in their field.