What do we need to own, and what can we rent?

The definitive guide to evaluating custom-built pricing systems vs. off-the-shelf platforms like Vendavo and PriceFx.

Explore the Guide
Challenging the Myths

The 4 Myths That Keep Companies Locked Into Platforms

Myth #1
"Custom takes 18+ months"
Reality
MVP in 60-90 days with the right team
Myth #2
"Custom costs 3-5x more"
Reality
Often cheaper than heavy platform customization + perpetual licensing
Myth #3
"You'll own technical debt forever"
Reality
Only if built by generalists; domain experts build maintainable systems
Myth #4
"Buy = lower risk"
Reality
Platform lock-in, vendor roadmap misalignment, and integration costs are massive hidden risks
Diagnostic

5 Signs You've Outgrown Your Platform

If 3 or more of these apply to you, you've likely outgrown your platform and should consider custom.

1. Your Customization Budget Exceeds Your License Cost

Symptom:

You're paying $250K/year in licensing, but spending $500K/year on consultants to make it work.

Why it matters:

At this point, you're not using the platform—you're fighting it. If 60%+ of your code is custom anyway, you don't own that IP and you're stuck on the vendor's upgrade cycle.

2. The Vendor Roadmap Doesn't Match Your Needs

Symptom:

Critical features you need are 'on the roadmap' indefinitely. The features they are building don't help you.

Why it matters:

You're paying for innovation that doesn't serve your business. Meanwhile, competitors who own their systems ship faster.

3. Integration Costs Are Out of Control

Symptom:

Every time you add a new ERP, CRM, or data source, it's a 6-month project and $200K+ in integration work.

Why it matters:

Platforms are built for the median customer. If your data model is unusual, every integration is custom work—which you don't own and can't iterate on without vendor approval.

4. You Want to Own Your Pricing IP

Symptom:

Your pricing logic is a competitive differentiator. The algorithms, data models, decisioning—that's your secret sauce. But it lives in a black box.

Why it matters:

If you build market-leading pricing capability inside Vendavo, Vendavo owns it. If you ever exit the platform, you lose everything.

5. Speed Is a Competitive Advantage

Symptom:

Your market moves fast. Competitors ship pricing changes weekly. You ship quarterly because your platform change process is heavy.

Why it matters:

Custom = control. If your team can ship a pricing logic change in a day instead of a sprint, you iterate faster than competitors stuck on vendor release cycles.

Demystifying Custom

What Custom Actually Looks Like

A transparent look at timeline, team structure, and true Cost of Ownership.

Timeline to Production

Discovery: 2w
MVP Build: 8-10w
Testing: 2w
Total: 60-90 Days

What You Own

Full source code
Data model & architecture
Deployment infrastructure
No recurring license fees

Total Cost of Ownership (5-Year)

Platform (Vendavo/PriceFx)
$2M+
($250K/yr license + $150K/yr customization)
Custom Build (Xprezen)
$975K
($600K initial build + $75K/yr maintenance)
Savings: $1M+ AND you own the IP

No vendor lock-in. Full control over roadmap and features.

Our Expertise

Pricing & Revenue Solutions

We do custom development as well as configure and optimize bought solutions. We meet you where you are.

Custom Pricing Systems

End-to-end bespoke pricing engines that you fully own. Built for speed, scale, and unique business logic.

Vendavo Implementation

Expert platform implementation, optimization, and migration services by people who've run billions through it.

PriceFx Consulting

Setup, customization, and strategic consulting to get the most out of your PriceFx investment.

CPQ System Development

Configure-Price-Quote systems with intelligent pricing logic and streamlined approval workflows.

Dynamic Pricing

Real-time pricing optimization engines with AI-powered decision making for fast-moving markets.

Revenue Growth Management

Strategic RGM consulting, pricing optimization, and price elasticity modeling.

Ready for an Honest Conversation?

We'll tell you if custom makes sense — or if you should stick with a platform. No pitch, just clarity.

Schedule a Strategy Session

Or email us directly: sales@xprezen.com