1-12.4 Make or Build a Custom Solution

The least preferred solution for the Postal Service is to make or build a technology solution. If the Postal Service does not have internal resources to develop the solution, contractors with the skills necessary to build the technology are identified. Development can cost the Postal Service extra time, money, and resources. Below are possible costs associated with the “make” option:

• Initial investigation (technical aspects, the marketplace, and future expectations of technology must be addressed).
• Technical development (including specification, hardware, firmware, and software design).
• Testing and certification (legal requirements and market demands).
• Maintaining the product (including product updates, maintenance costs, and the costs of keeping the product up-to-date with evolving technology).