When a company wants to improve its data visualization and reporting, it often has a big decision to make: invest in a custom dashboard development or just buy a ready-made one. Both have their pros and cons and can be a good option, depending on the specific needs, budget, and long-term goals.
But in order to make the right choice, every business needs to understand the differences between the two. This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of both custom and off-the-shelf dashboards to help make an informed decision about the best path forward.
What is a Custom Dashboard?
Custom dashboards are bespoke solutions built specifically for the needs and requirements of a business, often in collaboration with the business itself. Unlike generic dashboards, custom dashboards are designed from scratch. This grants complete control over features, design, and functionality, meaning that every aspect of the dashboard is aligned perfectly with the processes and goals of a particular organization.
Advantages of Custom Dashboard Development
Custom dashboards are built from the ground up to meet the exact requirements of a client. Every feature, metric, and visualization can be customized. For example, a custom dashboard can integrate with existing business systems (like CRM or ERP software), so that all relevant data is together in one place.
As businesses grow, their data needs to change. Custom dashboards can adapt to these changes without limits. Whether a company needs to add new data sources, bring in advanced analytics, or scale the dashboard to more users, custom solutions give that flexibility. This is especially useful for businesses that already know their data landscape is going to change.
A custom dashboard can give companies a competitive edge by providing unique insights not available through generic solutions. By tailoring the dashboard to the specific challenges and opportunities within the industry, businesses can make better decisions.
Disadvantages of Custom Dashboard Development
One of the biggest drawbacks of custom dashboard development is the upfront cost. The custom solution requires substantial investment because it involves planning, development, and testing. On top of that, businesses must plan a budget for ongoing maintenance and updates to keep the dashboard running smoothly.
Custom dashboards take time. Depending on the requirements and how complex they are, the development can take several months. This is a huge consideration for businesses that need a quick solution and they need it now. The development time also includes the need for testing and iteration to make sure the dashboard meets all the specs.
Businesses that go with custom dashboards often end up reliant on the development team for updates, bug fixes, and new features. If the relationship with the developer breaks or the team breaks up, the business may have trouble with maintaining and upgrading the dashboard.
What is an Off-the-Shelf Dashboard?
Off-the-shelf dashboards are pre-built solutions that serve many businesses across many industries. They are developed by third-party vendors and come with a set of standard features that can be deployed right away. While they may not offer the same level of customization as custom dashboards, they are cost-effective and efficient.
Advantages of Off-the-Shelf Dashboard Solutions
Off-the-shelf dashboards are generally cheaper than custom-built ones. They often come with a subscription model, so that businesses can spread the cost over time. Plus, the initial setup cost usually isn’t high since the product is already developed and ready to go.
For businesses that need a quick dashboard solution, off-the-shelf is the way to go. These solutions can be deployed in days or weeks, which is why businesses can start seeing the benefits right away.
Most off-the-shelf solutions come with a support network like forums, knowledge bases, and customer support teams. This can be invaluable for troubleshooting issues or learning how to get the most out of the software. Additionally, these products get regular updates and new features to keep up with industry trends.
Disadvantages of Off-the-Shelf Dashboard Solutions
Off-the-shelf solutions are designed to serve a broad audience, meaning they may not offer the level of customization that some businesses need or want. This can result in a dashboard that only partially meets the organization’s needs or requires workarounds to work as needed.
Using a third-party vendor for dashboard solutions can lead to vendor lock-in, where the business is tied to a single provider. This can be a problem if the vendor changes its pricing, discontinues the product, or doesn’t provide good support.
Since off-the-shelf solutions are available to anyone, they don’t offer anything unique to the company and don’t give it any competitive edge. If the industry a company’s in is very competitive, then this disadvantage can be a potential problem.
Conclusion
Choosing between custom dashboards and off-the-shelf solutions first and foremost depends on the needs of a specific business. Custom dashboards have great flexibility, scalability, and the potential for a competitive edge, but they come with higher costs and longer development times. Ready solutions are cost-effective and quick to deploy, have strong community support, yet may not have the customization and uniqueness that some businesses require.
Ultimately, it is up to a business to weigh those pros and select the best dashboard solution that supports its goals and drives success.
