Buy vs Build: Platform teams and the need for reusable services

The Platform Dilemma for Engineering Teams

Understanding when to build in-house and when to buy off-the-shelf solutions

The debate between buying vs building software solutions has long been a crucial topic for platform engineering teams. As companies scale, the decision to invest in reusable services and platform infrastructure becomes even more critical. This article summarizes key insights from our latest webinar featuring David Scott Turner and Nick Merino, where they explore the pros and cons of buy vs. build decisions in software development.

Nick, a product leader in platform engineering, shares his perspective on how businesses can optimize their software strategy by focusing on force multipliers, cost, technical complexity, and strategic alignment.

Here is a sneak peek of the Webinar, Buy vs. Build

1. Why is understanding the 'why' behind building software so important?

Nick Merino: Before considering whether to buy or build, companies must deeply understand the business rationale behind the decision. If a service does not contribute directly to a unique competitive advantage, it may not be worth building in-house. The true focus should be on enabling the business, not just solving a technical need.

2. What are the hidden costs of building in-house?

Nick Merino: Many teams underestimate the long-term maintenance costs associated with in-house solutions. Beyond initial development, there are ongoing engineering maintenance, security updates, compliance, and integration challenges. If not managed well, these can lead to high technical debt, making the solution a liability rather than an asset.

3. What are the risks associated with buying third-party solutions?

David Scott Turner: The biggest concerns with buying off-the-shelf products include vendor lock-in, data security, and loss of control over customization. If a vendor changes pricing, discontinues support, or suffers from a data breach, companies must be prepared to mitigate these risks. Due diligence is essential when selecting a vendor.

4. How can businesses minimize vendor lock-in?

Nick Merino: One of the best ways to mitigate vendor lock-in is by using open standards and interoperability-focused solutions. Technologies like OpenTelemetry have helped make monitoring and event-driven architectures more flexible. Companies should prioritize solutions that adhere to industry standards to ensure a seamless transition if they ever need to switch providers.

5. Where does open-source software fit into the buy vs. build conversation?

David Scott Turner: Open source can be a middle ground between buying and building. While it provides flexibility and eliminates licensing fees, it still requires internal expertise to manage hosting, security, and compliance. If a company chooses open-source solutions, it must be prepared to contribute back to the community and stay updated with the latest developments.

Key takeaways from the Webinar

- Focus on the ‘Why’ – Align platform investments with business goals, ensuring that time and money go into strategic differentiators rather than generic services.

- Be Aware of Hidden Costs – Engineering resources, compliance, and ongoing maintenance make in-house solutions far costlier than anticipated.

- Vendor Lock-in is Real – Prioritize open standards and API-driven architectures to keep migration options open.

- Open Source is Not Free – While it offers flexibility, self-hosting and maintaining open-source solutions require substantial investment.

- Think Long-Term – What may seem cost-effective today could become a technical debt burden in the future. Strategic planning is key.

What’s Your Take?

Are you currently deciding between buying or building a platform service? What are the key factors influencing your decision?

Watch the full webinar to dive deeper into the nuances of buy vs. build in platform engineering.

Learn more about how Qala can help – Book time with us!

At Qala, we specialize in enabling companies to build scalable, efficient, and secure platform solutions without the overhead of maintaining generic, non-core services.

Watch the full webinar to learn more about optimizing your platform engineering strategy.

Get in touch with us to explore how we can support your team’s platform development needs.