The Software Decision Beyond Build vs. Buy

About this session

What if the most consequential AI decision is not which model, tool, or vendor you select, but which software path you commit your organization to for years to come? In my work with enterprise technology leaders, I see organizations navigating a growing range of options—from buying SaaS and extending established platforms to adopting AI-native or low-code platforms and developing custom solutions on the cloud. Each path can be the right choice, but each carries tradeoffs that are often underestimated, including customization pressure, escalating ecosystem costs, governance challenges, architectural constraints, engineering continuity, and vendor lock-in. In this session, I will examine where each approach works best, the common failure modes leaders should anticipate, and how AI coding agents are changing the economics and speed of custom development without replacing the need for strong architecture, domain expertise, governance, and long-term ownership. Attendees will also learn how a hybrid approach—combining an open technology foundation, modular domain products, and AI-powered development tools—can deliver the acceleration of a platform while preserving flexibility, architectural control, and a path away from permanent vendor dependency. Join me for a practical, candid discussion designed to help CIOs, CAIOs, and technology leaders make the software decision that will shape how their organizations build, operate, and evolve.