How to Choose the Right Business Process Management (BPM) System?

Choosing an automation platform is a strategic decision that will affect your company for years to come. Often, the choice is between expensive "off-the-shelf" solutions from large vendors and flexible platforms deployed on your own infrastructure (in-house).

"Off-the-shelf" solutions vs In-house platforms

Industrial BPM systems often attract with a big name and promises of a quick start. However, this is often associated with high annual license fees, dependence on vendor policies, and limited flexibility. The cost of developing one process on such a system can reach $10,000 - $25,000.

In-house platforms, like LFS Workflow, offer a different approach. You get the system in full ownership and deploy it on your servers. This means:

• No license fees: You invest in process development, not in software rental.
• Full control over data: Your business information remains within your infrastructure.
• Maximum flexibility: The platform adapts to your unique needs, not the other way around.
• Low cost of ownership: Development requires specialists with common technologies (PHP, JavaScript), which is much cheaper than with proprietary systems.

The choice depends on your priorities. If you need a fast but expensive and less flexible option, an "off-the-shelf" solution may be suitable. If you think strategically and want a flexible tool that will grow with your business, an in-house platform is a much smarter investment.