Buy a standard process
When the task is common, data provide little differentiation and a product fits the stack, buying is often faster and cheaper. Review data export, access models and exit conditions.
Do not build a generic chat interface when a product meets requirements without a critical loss of control.
Build unique logic
Custom work is justified when the process creates competitive advantage, uses unusual sources or requires specific decision rules. Custom does not mean training a foundation model from scratch.
- A ready model as a component
- Owned context and rules
- Key system integrations
- Independent quality evaluation
A combined model is often resilient
Buy the platform while keeping orchestration, data, evaluation and critical integrations under organisational control. This accelerates launch and protects differentiation.
Revisit the choice after a pilot because support costs and integration limits often differ from assumptions.