Build vs. Buy: Solving the Problem of Unifying Data Across Systems and Assets

Before you commit your resources to building an in-house solution to unify your data across assets and locations, seriously consider buying a solution that is already built, tested and working worldwide.

When the CTO of a major data center operator recently reached out to explore the Radix IoT platform, we could hear the frustration in his voice. His team had spent two years and over $1 million developing an in-house solution to unify the data coming from all their different assets and systems. The goal was to bring all the disparate data together from across their infrastructure into one location so they could catch issues faster, triage issues better, and have the data insights to show them opportunities to curtail operational costs.  

While the team had made some progress, they were still struggling with basic functionality. He initially liked the idea of building something in-house that would be tailored to his needs, but he couldn’t wait any longer and was worried that the team wouldn’t be able to keep up with the inevitable growth and changes in the future. 

His story isn't unique. We frequently encounter organizations – from data centers to energy and telecom providers and more - that initially chose to build their own solution, only to find themselves grappling with unexpected complexities and mounting costs. In this post, we break down the build vs. buy decision so you can make the choice that’s best for your business. We also address a big myth when it comes to buying an IoT management solution and provide insights on why Radix IoT’s flexible and scalable platform can give you the best of both worlds. 

The Appeal of Building In-House 

It's easy to understand why companies initially lean toward building their own solutions. After all, you know your business better than anyone else. And, in an increasingly competitive landscape, you don’t want a “me too” solution. With capable internal IT teams at your disposal, it’s tempting to create a solution that could become a competitive advantage. 

Here are some of the reasons many of our customers were initially drawn to building their IoT management solution in-house:  

• "We want to keep everything under our roof." This is usually first on the list – complete control over the solution and data. When you've built it yourself, you know exactly what's happening with your information and how your system works. 

• "We need something truly unique." Many companies believe that by building their own solution, they'll create something their competitors can't match – a secret sauce that sets them apart in the market. 

• "Nobody understands our needs like we do." Companies often feel their operational workflows are so specific, so unique, that no pre-built solution could possibly address them properly. They want something tailored exactly to their processes. 

• "Our team is ready for the challenge." IT departments frequently champion the idea of building in-house, and it's not hard to see why. It's an exciting opportunity to develop new skills and tackle a major project– all while getting paid to learn. 

The Reality Check 

However, the reality of building an IoT solution often differs significantly from these initial expectations. The complexity of modern IoT management is frequently underestimated. Creating reliable connections and maintaining communication with diverse devices and systems requires deep expertise in multiple protocols and standards. Ensuring real-time data synchronization across various systems isn't just about writing code – it's about understanding the intricacies of how different technologies interact and evolve. 

Here are some common challenges we've observed: 

• Project timelines stretch far beyond initial estimates as teams encounter unexpected technical hurdles and data integration challenges. What seems straightforward on paper becomes increasingly complex during implementation.  

• Initial development funds get consumed faster than expected, leaving insufficient resources for ongoing maintenance, updates, and support. It’s not just about building the solution – it’s about supporting it for years to come. 

• Security vulnerabilities develop over time as teams struggle to keep pace with evolving threats and compatibility requirements. Without dedicated security resources, in-house solutions often fall behind in critical updates. 

• The solution can’t scale to support growth. What works for monitoring a handful of systems breaks down when trying to manage hundreds or thousands. Teams often discover too late that their homegrown solution wasn't architected for enterprise-scale operations, leading to performance issues and reliability problems. 

• Knowledge gaps appear when key team members leave, taking vital system knowledge with them. Suddenly, no one knows how to support the system. This institutional knowledge loss can paralyze development and maintenance efforts. 

The Case for Buying a Proven Solution 

While buying a proven solution may not feel as exciting initially, it opens the door to significant advantages that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with an in-house system. Here's what you gain: 

• Start seeing returns sooner rather than later. Instead of waiting years to see value, a proven solution begins delivering ROI from day one. When you factor in maintenance, updates, and support costs, the total cost of ownership typically works out much better. 

• Hit the ground running with battle-tested functionality. Instead of spending months or years reinventing the wheel, you can build on a foundation that's already proven itself in the real world. 

• Let your IT team focus on what matters most. With professional support handling updates and maintenance, your technical talent can concentrate on strategic initiatives that drive business value instead of getting bogged down in routine upkeep. 

• Bring new team members up-to-speed quickly. With standardized training and comprehensive documentation, onboarding becomes straightforward and predictable. No more lengthy knowledge transfer periods or lost institutional memory when people move on. 

• Sleep better at night knowing you're covered. Cloud-based solutions come with built-in redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities, protecting your operations against both physical disasters and cyber threats. You get enterprise-grade security without having to build it yourself. 

• Flexible configuration tools and robust APIs allow extensive customization without coding. 

• Our vendor-agnostic platform seamlessly integrates with both legacy systems and cutting-edge technologies. 

• Industry-specific templates accelerate deployment for key verticals. 

• Modular architecture enables easy scaling and the addition of new capabilities. 

• Continuous updates and support ensure your system evolves with your needs. 

• Enterprise-grade security protects your critical infrastructure. 

Radix IoT truly delivers the best of both worlds, with a rock-solid foundation that’s ready from day one and a system that grows smarter while staying uniquely yours. With Radix IoT, you have a platform that scales with your ambitions while keeping your competitive edge sharp. 

Take the Next Step 

In today's complex operational environment, having a unified view of your IoT systems isn't just a nice-to-have – it's critical for business success. The right platform helps you spot issues faster, respond more effectively, and optimize costs through better operational insights.  

Don't let your infrastructure management project become another statistic. Schedule a demo today to see how Radix IoT can provide immediate value while supporting your long-term growth objectives.