Best of Breed vs Complete Software Solution

This debate has been raging since the advent of computer programs. Is it better to buy separate programs that do one business task well, or is it more productive to have a complete solution that reduces overall effort and does a lot of different things well?

Each side has its pros and cons.

Best of Breed (BoB) Computer Solutions:

Pros:
1. Specialization: BoB solutions are known for their specialized components, allowing organizations to select the best individual components for their specific needs.
2. Flexibility: Organizations can mix and match components from different vendors to create a customized system tailored to their unique requirements.
3. Innovation: BoB solutions often incorporate cutting-edge technologies, as individual components can be upgraded independently.
4. Vendor Diversity: Choosing components from various vendors promotes competition and can result in possible cost savings through negotiations.

Cons:
1. Integration Challenges: Integrating disparate components can be complex and time-consuming, requiring additional effort and resources.
2. Compatibility Issues: There may be compatibility problems between components from different vendors, leading to technical difficulties and reduced efficiency.
3. Support and Maintenance: Organizations must manage multiple vendor relationships, potentially leading to fragmented support and maintenance processes. Any time one of the component programs are upgraded, any integrations that you have put in place may break, resulting in additional costs and effort. And you often run into each vendor blaming the other for the failure of the integration.
4. Manual work: In the event one or more of your selected component programs do not integrate with each other, you and your staff are left to do additional manual data entry to try and keep the systems in sync. This can be a lot of unnecessary additional labor in addition to the resulting personnel cost.
5. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): The cost of ownership, when factoring in the price you pay for each individual program, the personnel costs for manual input, and the associated integration and maintenance costs, will usually be much higher.

Complete Computer Solutions:

Pros:
1. Seamless Integration: Complete solutions come pre-integrated, reducing the complexity and time required for deployment.
2. Vendor Accountability: With a single vendor responsible for the entire solution, organizations have a clear point of contact for support and maintenance.
3. Streamlined Procurement: Procuring a complete solution simplifies the purchasing process, reducing administrative overhead.
4. Reduced Risk: The absence of compatibility issues between components ensures a more reliable and stable system.
5. Process Focused vs Feature Focused: As the program has multiple modules/functions, processes that cross over functions can be seamlessly executed, instead of having to use a different program for a part of the whole process.

Cons:
1. Limited Customization: Complete solutions may not cater to highly specialized needs, potentially leading to compromises in functionality.
2. Vendor Lock-In: Organizations relying on a single vendor may become locked into that vendor's ecosystem.
3. Innovation Lag: Complete solutions may not always incorporate the latest technologies, as vendors may not update all components simultaneously.

While Best of Breed solutions offer flexibility and the ability to cherry-pick components, the inherent challenges of integration, compatibility, manual input and fragmented support make them a less optimal choice for many organizations. In contrast, complete computer solutions provide a holistic approach that can address most general requirements efficiently. Moreover, the advantages of seamless integration, vendor accountability, and reduced procurement complexity make them a compelling choice. Here are some key points in favor of complete solutions:

1. Efficiency: Complete solutions are designed to work together seamlessly, ensuring optimal performance and reducing downtime caused by compatibility issues.
2. Simplicity: Organizations can streamline their IT operations, focusing on their core business activities rather than managing multiple vendor relationships and integration headaches.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: The overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of a complete solution is often lower when considering the reduced support, reduced manual data entry, and maintenance complexity.
4. Reliability: With a single vendor accountable for the entire solution, organizations can expect better support and quicker issue resolution.
5. Evolving Innovation: Vendors of complete solutions are incentivized to keep all components up-to-date, ensuring that organizations benefit from the latest technological advancements.

It’s clear that while Best of Breed computer solutions have their merits, the advantages of complete computer solutions, such as efficiency, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, reliability, and evolving innovation, make them more than the sum of their parts. For many organizations seeking a hassle-free, integrated, and efficient IT infrastructure, complete solutions offer a compelling solution that can boost productivity and reduce operational complexities.