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Building or Buying an Awards Management System: What You Need to Know

If you have already made the decision to move your awards program online into an awards management system, awesome! After all, doing so comes with a ton of benefits, like automating processes and staying organized throughout the entire awards season.

However, not all awards software systems are created equal. In fact, not all will offer the same type of quality when it comes to submission management, online judging, and many other features. But each of these processes is essential when you’re looking to ensure a smooth, efficient program for your entrants, judges, and staff members.

This begs the common question of whether you should purchase your system or build it. But, which option is truly better and what are the issues commonly associated with both?

Below, we’ll discuss each option as well as what you should consider when you’re making a decision for your organization.

Building Your Own System

At first glance, building your own system often seems like a more attractive option rather than just purchasing awards software. After all, you can customize it rather than just buying what seems to be a “cookie-cutter” solution that doesn’t account for your organization’s unique challenges or needs.

But, is building your own system really all that you think it is? Most individuals find that it just isn’t.

There are several unique challenges that often arise when you choose to build your own system, including:

• High Up-Front Costs – Hiring web developers or organizing your current staff to create your awards management system is costly, and not just in terms of money. Developing a system from scratch is extremely time-consuming and keeping that same system updated will continue to cost more time and money.
• Difficult Integration – Integrating your awards system with your membership database, payment processors, and other systems can be difficult, leading to further development and time costs.
• Support Challenges – Your system is all about simplicity and a positive experience for entrants, judges, and staff alike. When you develop your own system, it can be difficult for your team to support the program, train judges, and fix any bugs that inevitably arise.

Of course, there are other common challenges that may arise with hosting, upgrades, and more. However, recognizing the most common complications is essential when you’re choosing to build or buy your own system.

Buying An Existing System

Buying a system that works for most organizations might not seem intuitive, but it’s often the better solution. So, why is this the case?

The answer lies in the ability to customize the existing awards management system to account for your unique needs. In contrast to buying your own system, this means that:

• Development is Already Taken Care Of – Forget the high time and financial costs of building your own system. This is already handled and tested when you choose to purchase your software from an industry-leading professional.
• Integration is Simple – Getting your existing information into the system is essential. By purchasing a system that’s already been tried and tested, you can enjoy simple integration that ensures all of your members are accounted for.
• Support is a Done-for-You Feature – When you purchase a system, your entrants, judges, and staff will enjoy a dedicated support system that can handle any questions, comments, or problems that arise.

Deciding whether to buy or build your own awards management system is a personal decision that only you and your awards team can make. However, if you’re looking for more information about whether or not buying or building is the right option for you, check out our guide to compare the two options further!

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Miriam Hancock

Miriam Hancock
Miriam is the Marketing Coordinator for OpenWater. When she isn't writing and designing content she paints and cooks for her own personal blog.

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