The OpenWater Blog

Why Developing an In-House Awards System Will End Up Costing You More

When it comes to your awards program, making the decision to automate the submission and evaluation process in order to streamline and improve it is typically simple. But figuring out whether or not to use an existing system or having a custom one created? That can be difficult.

Each option has its pros and cons, after all. However, some organizations initially believe that in terms of effort and costs, a custom awards management system is a better option than simply buying an existing one. Additionally, they believe that a custom system will be personally-tailored specifically for their needs, making it cheaper and easier to maintain.

But this pattern of thinking can be incredibly deceptive. And, once you begin to consider the pros and cons of many aspects of your awards software, you’ll likely realize the hidden complexities that developing a custom system has to offer.

Considering Your Options: A Comparison of Several Key Qualities

When you actually forge a comparison between in-house development versus buying an existing software, the results might surprise you. However, it’s best to consider your options extensively before simply making a decision before fully understanding all related implications.

Initial Program Development

Initial development is often where the most is lost, at least when you choose to create your own custom system. That’s because you’ll have to not just find credible web developers to hire or task those already on your staff, but you’ll have to fund the project from scratch. That means paying professionals to develop a user-friendly front end, as well as a reliable back end complete with all of the databases and reporting and processing features necessary for staff and judges alike.

In contrast, an existing system already has these costs accounted for. In fact, awards management systems like OpenWater boast of millions of dollars and countless hours of development, delivering a comprehensive system perfect for your program. Of course, you won’t have to worry about ongoing development or updates either. Instead, all you need to worry about are the critical details of your program that only you can decide.

Program Support

It’s natural for applicants, judges, and staff to have questions regarding your awards system, particularly if you’ve just had it custom-developed for your organization. But the costs that you can incur to hire extra staff or assign existing staff to provide support are quite steep for an awards program. This added budgetary stress can quickly cost your organization more than expected, causing unforeseen complications for your awards program.

However, relying on programs like OpenWater for your support eliminates these additional costs. We have a support staff dedicated to answering any questions that judges, applicants, or staff members might have. Additionally, we offer extensive training and documentation regarding use of our program, helping to get your program started on the right foot and maintaining this simplicity through completion.

Industry Standards

When you choose to develop your system in-house, staying up-to-date with all of the latest industry trends can be difficult. After all, your staff is already busy running your program. However, you’ll have to find the time to do this because it’s the only way to ensure that your program is both successful and efficient.

The benefit of working with programs like OpenWater is the ability to forego the research yourself and let our team of experts do it themselves. With over seven years of experience already, our continuous research and feedback gathered from countless organizations allows us to consistently improve our system according to the best practices available at the time. This means you get all of the innovation with none of the hassle. Talk about a win-win situation!

If you still need more convincing, download our white paper regarding whether to build or buy your software to see the full list of pros and cons!

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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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