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The bespoke software revolution? I'm not buying it

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Why This Matters

The article argues that the hype around a 'bespoke software revolution' driven by AI is overstated, as most organizations prefer ready-made solutions over custom-built systems due to complexity and resource constraints. It highlights that the majority of users seek practical, straightforward tools rather than the burden of maintaining bespoke software, emphasizing that AI won't fundamentally change this preference. This perspective is crucial for the tech industry to understand the limits of democratizing software development and to focus on delivering accessible, effective solutions for everyday users.

Key Takeaways

A bespoke software revolution? I don't buy it.

It'll exist. It already exists. Small consultants and big consulting firms have made custom software for years. It almost always sucks. It’s bloated, confusing, and because the client pays, it’s built in all the wrong ways.

Who’s excited about bespoke software? Software makers! Of course they're excited about building bespoke software — that's what they do. X is full of them. Your feed is full of people who love making software talking about making software. Of course they’re excited about the revolution. Echo, echo, echo...

Most people don’t like computers. Nobody in tech wants to say that out loud. People tolerate computers. They use them because they have to. Given the choice, most would rather not think about them at all.

So when someone suggests that AI means everyone will build their own custom tools, ask who "everyone" is. The three-person accounting firm drowning in client paperwork? They want the paperwork gone, not a new system to maintain. The regional logistics company with 40 trucks? They want the routes optimized, not Joe spouting off about this new system he’s been messing around with. The law firm billing 70-hour weeks? They want leverage on their time, not a software project to design.

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