Skip to content
All posts

When To Buy, When To Build: The AI Edition

By  Holly Walker  ·  2 minute read

In today’s fiercely competitive SaaS landscape, knowing when to buy or build AI solutions can be a game-changer for your business.

The Growing Importance of AI in SaaS

AI has become a cornerstone of innovation in the Software as a Service (SaaS) industry. As companies strive to stay competitive, AI offers transformative capabilities that enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, and drive data-driven decision-making.

From automating routine tasks to delivering personalised user experiences, AI is reshaping the way SaaS businesses operate. The ability to harness AI effectively can determine whether a company leads the market or lags behind.

Key Factors to Consider When Buying AI Tools

When considering off-the-shelf AI tools, several key factors should be evaluated. First, assess the tool's compatibility with your existing systems and workflows. Integration capabilities are crucial to ensure seamless operation.

Additionally, consider the scalability of the AI tool. As your business grows, the tool should accommodate increasing data volumes and user demands. Vendor support and updates are also important to keep the tool effective and secure over time.

When to Buy: Speed & Simplicity Rule

Sometimes, time is of the essence—and the business case is simple.

  • You need a fast fix for a non-core function
  • The market already offers a solid AI tool that does exactly what you need
  • You're okay with ongoing subscription costs and vendor lock-in
  • Customisation isn’t a priority

In these cases, buying makes sense. It gets you up and running quickly, especially if you’re early in your AI adoption journey.

When to Build: Long-Term ROI, Flexibility & Ownership

But here’s the catch: most off-the-shelf tools were built for general use, not your unique workflows.

If any of the following rings true, building is your better bet:

  • You're creating a product with AI at its core
  • You want full ownership of your IP and code
  • You need room to scale, pivot, or integrate deeply with existing systems
  • Your workflows are complex or require custom logic and data models

  • You care about long-term cost efficiency and avoiding vendor lock-in

This is where PIES Studio steps in.

Why PIES Makes Building the Smarter Option

Traditionally, building custom software took months, required a full dev team, and meant a trade-off between flexibility and speed.

Not anymore.

PIES Studio gives your team the best of both worlds.

  • No-code/low-code tools to prototype and iterate quickly
  • Pro-code and code export to maintain full control
  • Data-driven AI features to accelerate dev cycles
  • No vendor lock-in
  • AI agents (coming soon!) to support product owners, BAs, and developers
  • Trusted by ASX-listed companies and scaling startups alike

In fact, customers using PIES have seen an 80% increase in speed, cutting time-to-market from 6 months to 6 weeks.

The Hybrid Future: Build Smarter, Buy Strategically

Smart teams are embracing a hybrid approach. Buy where it makes sense. But build where it gives you a competitive edge—and do it with tools that make it fast, flexible, and future-proof.