In Chapter 7, you learned how to analyze advantages and disadvantages of in-house
development versus purchasing a software package. The same basic principles apply to
system design.
If you decide to proceed with an in-house solution, you must have an overall plan to help
achieve your goals. How should you begin? Figure 10-20 offers guidelines for companies
developing e-commerce strategies. An in-house solution usually requires a greater initial
investment, but provides more flexibility for a company that must adapt quickly in a
dynamic e-commerce environment. By working in-house, a company has more freedom to
integrate with customers and suppliers and is less dependent on vendor-specific solutions