In the quest for tailored network intelligence solutions, some companies opt to build their own bespoke systems to address their unique needs.
At first glance, this approach seems appealing, especially if you have the necessary expertise at your company to bring your vision to life. Or so you think…
The initial implementation may be smooth sailing, and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment. However, the long-term challenges become apparent.
Our top three pitfalls of building in-house:
Maintenance and Knowledge Transfer Risks
Over time, your bespoke system will require more than routine maintenance. The team that built it may have moved on, and your internal IT administration team may have changed as well. What happens if your resident expert goes on extended leave or vacation?
All of this introduces a significant risk to the continuity and support of your system. Even with good documentation and internal support, the evolving nature of network intelligence demands ongoing expertise and resources.
Change is Unrelenting
The landscape of network intelligence is constantly evolving, and the rate of change is staggering.
What has improved and transformed in the past five years alone is difficult to fathom. As providers of aviation data services for over two decades, we’ve witnessed the relentless pace of change firsthand. Staying relevant requires substantial investments, both in terms of financial resources and time commitment.
To keep your network intelligence aligned with the evolving industry, you need a sizeable maintenance budget.
And a continuous improvement fund.
And a budget of time and money for research and development.
And *gasp* maybe even a complete rebuild because you were not able to keep up with all of the above.
The Tsunami of Data and Investment
Investing in your own network intelligence system requires a healthy bank balance and an unwavering commitment to keeping up with change.
Our own experience has involved investing over a million dollars annually for over 15 years to adapt and implement the necessary enhancements.
This level of investment is what’s required to ensure your network intelligence remains relevant and effective. Without a substantial development team, you may find yourself reverting to commercially supplied services in the future, at even more cost to your business.
While the allure of building and controlling your own bespoke network intelligence system is understandable, the long-term challenges and risks should not be underestimated.
The maintenance, knowledge transfer, and continuous investment required to keep pace with the ever-changing aviation landscape are significant. You should carefully consider the financial implications and the ability to sustain the system in the face of evolving industry standards.
Collaborating with established providers who have dedicated teams, expertise, and a track record of adapting to industry changes may ultimately prove to be a more sustainable and cost-effective solution.
