In our first post, we explored why custom systems take longer to build, and more importantly, why that extra time creates long-term value. When you invest in a custom project or a custom digital solution, you’re choosing something that offers ROI, transparent ownership, and the ability to evolve with your organization over time.
In the second installment, we continue the conversation and look at what you’re really paying for when you choose a custom project.
A custom software development project begins with discovery, planning, and a deep understanding of your workflows and priorities. Rather than forcing you to adapt to a prebuilt template, our team translates your requirements into a solution that fits.
By contrast, when organizations choose an off the shelf or a SaaS vendor, the true cost often comes as a surprise. Expensive “professional services”, “implementation” and “consulting” packages are frequently required just to make the software usable in your environment. These extras can end up costing more than the licensing fees themselves, and they often inflate both first year and ongoing costs.
At Bizont, we sometimes recommend working with a low-code platform partner when it is the right fit. We scope projects clearly and share costs upfront.
In addition to avoiding unexpected costs, choosing custom also means choosing adaptability. Unlike off the shelf software that locks you into a roadmap you cannot control, a custom solution provides a foundation that can grow, scale, and integrate with future systems. As your needs change, your technology can change with you, supporting your digital transformation journey rather than holding it back.
Another important aspect is the value of support that is both available and personal. You are paying for access to people who not only understand the technology, but who have also delivered dozens of projects within your ecosystem, community, or in very similar contexts. That means a partner who knows your reality and can respond quickly, without the barrier of distant call centers or being passed from one contact to another. For Northern governments and organizations, this local connection can make the difference between short-term fixes and lasting success.
Would you rather rent a tool, or buy and own it? This is an important question.
The answer matters, because ownership gives you control, while renting may feel convenient in the short-run. Transparent code and documentation keep you in charge, protecting you from rising license fees, sudden vendor shutdowns, or acquisitions that can disrupt your systems. Ownership is especially critical in government technology solutions, where continuity, accountability, and security matter most.
Finally, when you choose a custom project, you are paying for more than deliverables. You are paying for a partner who takes the time to understand your goals, align with your challenges, and collaborate with your team. That partnership is what ensures your project’s success long after launch.
In short: investing in a custom project means investing in expertise, flexibility, personal support, ownership, and partnership. Each of these elements adds up to long term value that far outweighs the initial build.
Stay tuned for our final instalment in the What We Wish You Knew series, where we will look at how your team’s readiness can shape the success of a project.
If something in this post resonated—or sparked ideas—we’d love to hear from you.
If something in this post resonated—or sparked ideas—we’d love to hear from you.
Join our mailing list to receive fresh insights, stories and updates.
