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18 articles

SME Software Strategy

Cost, ownership, vendor lock-in, and build-vs-buy decisions for growing companies.

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18 articles

SME Software Strategy

Cost, ownership, vendor lock-in, and build-vs-buy decisions for growing companies.

SME Software Strategy

When is custom software cheaper than SaaS?

A practical way to calculate when owning software becomes cheaper than renting tools per user.

Ingmar van Maurik12 min read

SME Software Strategy

What is vendor lock-in and how do you avoid it?

A practical guide to spotting vendor dependency before software becomes expensive to leave.

Ingmar van Maurik11 min read

SME Software Strategy

How do you calculate ROI for custom business software?

A simple ROI model for custom CRM, dashboards, portals, and automation tools.

Ingmar van Maurik11 min read

SME Software Strategy

The most expensive SaaS subscriptions for SMEs

Where software spend usually gets out of control and what to review first.

Ingmar van Maurik7 min read

SME Software Strategy

How do you choose a software partner for your SME?

A practical checklist for selecting a partner who can build and maintain business software.

Ingmar van Maurik6 min read

SME Software Strategy

How much does custom business software cost?

Indicative price ranges for custom CRM, dashboards, portals, and automation systems.

Ingmar van Maurik7 min read

SME Software Strategy

Build your own reservation system for restaurants

When restaurants should own bookings instead of depending on reservation platforms.

Ingmar van Maurik8 min read

SME Software Strategy

Build your own CRM: a step-by-step plan for SMEs

When a custom CRM beats HubSpot, Salesforce, or spreadsheets.

Ingmar van Maurik8 min read

SME Software Strategy

Build your own booking system for service providers

When salons, clinics, trainers, and agencies need owned booking workflows.

Ingmar van Maurik7 min read

SME Software Strategy

Custom invoicing software vs Exact and Moneybird

When standard accounting tools are enough and when custom invoicing makes sense.

Ingmar van Maurik8 min read

SME Software Strategy

Build your own HR system: ATS, onboarding, and employee records

When custom HR workflows are better than separate SaaS tools.

Ingmar van Maurik8 min read

SME Software Strategy

Custom ERP for SMEs: when does it make sense?

When to build an ERP-like internal system instead of buying a large suite.

Ingmar van Maurik9 min read

SME Software Strategy

Build a customer portal: what does it cost and what does it deliver?

When a portal improves customer experience, document exchange, and support.

Ingmar van Maurik8 min read

SME Software Strategy

Low-code vs custom software: what should SMEs choose?

How to choose between low-code platforms and fully custom development.

Ingmar van Maurik8 min read

SME Software Strategy

How do you migrate from SaaS to owned software without data loss?

A migration plan for exports, mapping, validation, and staged rollout.

Ingmar van Maurik8 min read

SME Software Strategy

Software cost benchmark: what does the average SME pay?

How to benchmark SaaS and software spend against team size and workflow value.

Ingmar van Maurik7 min read

SME Software Strategy

Custom software for accountancy firms: from file to tax return

Where accountancy workflows benefit from owned portals, checks, and automation.

Ingmar van Maurik8 min read

SME Software Strategy

Build your own order management system for e-commerce

When an OMS should connect orders, stock, fulfilment, and customer service.

Ingmar van Maurik8 min read

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