It is better to purchase software rather than build a software solution in-house when there is a short timeline. Building software from scratch requires significant time for development, testing, and deployment. Purchasing off-the-shelf software can significantly reduce the time needed to implement a solution. Other considerations include:
Cost-effectiveness: Pre-built software can be more cost-effective than developing a custom solution, especially when factoring in the costs of development, maintenance, and support.
Immediate availability: Purchased software is usually ready to deploy immediately, whereas custom development can take months or even years.
Proven reliability: Commercial software often has a track record of reliability and user support, reducing the risk of bugs and issues that may arise with custom development.
Therefore, when time is of the essence, purchasing software is the preferable option.
References
Ian Sommerville, "Software Engineering," Pearson.
Steve McConnell, "Rapid Development: Taming Wild Software Schedules," Microsoft Press.
