Build vs buy, custom software cost, Virtual CIO, and sector-specific software realities. Written by a team that builds and operates real platforms.
A practical decision framework for 1–300 staff organisations. When does off-the-shelf SaaS stop scaling? When is custom software actually cheaper? An honest take from a team that builds both — and recommends each, when it's right.
Honest Australian ranges for SMB projects, what actually drives cost, and the hidden SaaS costs you're already paying. Plus a 5-year TCO comparison.
The patterns rarely announce themselves — they accumulate. A 7-sign diagnostic for ops leaders, with a "what to do" angle on each.
Both work. They work for different organisations, at different stages. Cost comparison, when each fits, the hybrid model, and common mistakes.
Where off-the-shelf software falls short — and what custom does about it.
The donor CRM / accounting / grant reporting stack almost fits. The cost is the gap between "almost" and "actually." Plus a budget reality check.
Field reps in regulated environments need sample, visit, and formulary tracking that generic CRM doesn't model. Sector-specific CRM is often overkill. Where custom wins.
Multi-stakeholder, season-paced, member-driven. Referee, fixture, and registration workflows that off-the-shelf doesn't fit. Plus the volunteer-and-budget reality.
The stories behind the platforms — what they solve, how we built them, and what each one shows about how Stacksy works.
Field-first software for Australian medical and pharma reps. The case study of building for an underserved middle of the market.
The feedback platform tackling community sport's officiating crisis. The case study of going deep on a sector before writing code.
The workspace we built for ourselves — tickets, projects, conversations, ops in one fast place. The case study of internal-tool-becomes-SaaS.
A zero-PII, two-way anonymous feedback platform. The case study of building software where the principles are non-negotiable.
Affordable dynamic QR codes that are yours. The case study of disrupting a utility category that incumbents left lazy.
Branded shortlinks on your own domain, with click tracking and bio pages. The case study of "bring your own domain" done right.
A personal start page for the team, not just a bookmark manager. The case study of the internal-tool-becomes-SaaS pattern, again.
The marketplace getting qualified officials onto community sport fixtures. The case study of tackling a multi-system sector problem.