June 2, 2026
Part 2 of 2.
In Part 1 of this article, we focused on the fundamental trade-off between standard software and custom solutions: when is standard sufficient, and when is customization necessary? We concluded with the principle keep the core clean: keep the core of standard systems as intact as possible and position custom solutions smartly. But what does that look like in practice? Today, the market offers more possibilities than ever before. Modern platforms, low-code tools, and AI-supported development make hybrid solutions accessible that were barely feasible just a few years ago. In this second part, we explore how organizations can concretely find that balance.
Precisely in this area, much has changed. Modern platforms increasingly offer intermediate forms between standard software and full customization. SAP, for example, is increasingly delivering specific apps for individual tasks. This means employees no longer have to work with complex standard screens but receive task-oriented applications for, say, booking goods or modifying orders. In this way, the system's core largely remains standard, while the user experience significantly improves.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations and SAP also offer increasing possibilities for configuration and extension. Organizations can customize screens, develop reports, and implement additional functionality with tools like Power Apps and Power BI. Especially by designing the user interface more intelligently, standard solutions better align with daily practice. This is particularly relevant in sectors where employees need to act quickly and efficiently on the shop floor, in the warehouse, or on the go.
More flexibility doesn't mean anything goes. Precisely when users can customize screens, apps, or reports themselves, governance becomes essential. Without clear agreements, additional complexity quickly arises. Or, as UC Group consultant Ludi Cosman aptly puts it: “Everything is possible, but not everything is necessary.”
This calls for clear frameworks: who is allowed to implement changes, how are adjustments evaluated, and when does customization truly add value?
An interesting development is that customization is increasingly built not *into* the standard package, but *alongside* it. External software can be securely linked to existing systems via supported APIs. Low-code platforms are playing an increasingly significant role in this.
This approach offers several advantages. Organizations maintain the stability of the standard system, while specific processes or user requirements can still be supported with custom solutions. Furthermore, this method makes it easier to make applications available on various devices, which is becoming increasingly important in logistics and production.
The line between standard software and custom solutions is further blurring due to developments such as AI-supported software development and AI agents. Adjustments that were once specialized, costly, and time-consuming are becoming increasingly accessible. Today, software vendors can rapidly prototype with clients and realize working solutions in a short time. This brings software development closer to the end-user, allowing organizations to respond more quickly to operational needs.
At the same time, technology remains only one side of the story. Ultimately, successful implementations are not just about functionality, but primarily about the extent to which employees accept and can effectively use the solution.
The choice between custom and standard software is much less black and white today than it used to be. Standard software offers clear advantages in terms of cost, maintenance, and stability. Custom software, on the other hand, provides added value when processes are distinctive or when user-friendliness and flexibility become crucial.
For organizations in supply chain, production, and logistics, the solution therefore rarely lies in an absolute choice, but rather in finding the right balance. Use standard solutions where processes don't need to be distinctive, keep the core stable, and add flexibility where it genuinely creates value. Organizations that successfully strike this balance not only increase the likelihood of a successful implementation but also ensure sustained user acceptance and better performance in daily operations.
UC Group supports organizations in supply chain, production, and logistics in making this assessment: from software selection to implementation.
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