The first criterion is how standard your workflow is. For processes defined by law, like accounting, ready-made packages work perfectly. But if your ordering, production or customer management is unique to you, a package will try to force you into its mold — and usually the team abandons it and goes back to spreadsheets.
The second criterion is scale and cost horizon. Packages look attractive with low upfront costs; but with per-user monthly licenses, module fees and forced upgrades, the 3-5 year total often exceeds custom software. With custom software you pay once and own the code.
The third criterion is integration needs. If you have field devices, accounting software or an e-commerce site, whether the package can talk to them is the critical question. In custom software, integration isn't a feature — it's part of the design.
The fourth criterion is competitive advantage. Is software just a cost item for you, or a weapon that makes you faster than competitors? If it's the latter, you can't differentiate with the same package everyone uses.
In short: if your processes are standard and budget is tight, a package makes sense. If your processes are unique, you plan to grow and you see software as strategic, custom is both cheaper and stronger in the medium term. Undecided? We give an honest assessment in the discovery call — sometimes we even tell clients 'a package is enough for you'.