There are a number of reasons why purchasing an off-the-shelf time tracking software solution is preferable to building a custom program.

Routine maintenance and support
Businesses that choose to build their own time tracking technology may find that when it's time to tune up their systems, or when things go wrong and they need technical support, their avenues of assistance fall woefully short. In contrast, companies that use Sage Timeslips can choose from an assortment of support plans, including two annual Billing Assurance Plans—Billing Assurance Premium and Billing Assurance Essential—plus 30 days of free warranty support upon registration. Additionally, rather than leaving users to fend for themselves with nothing but an inefficient trial-and-error approach and a pile of manuals, Sage Timeslips offers customers the ability to contact a team of Sage Timeslips Support specialists, who can help troubleshoot problems, answer questions and improve results. Users are given access to 30 days of customer support, and then have the option to take advantage of on-demand telephone support as needed.

Ability to zero-in on core competency
Companies that put all their efforts into developing and subsequently maintaining their own time tracking solutions are taking their eyes off the prize in terms of providing the services that comprise their core purposes. While tracking time and expenses is an important part of business operations, it should not overshadow everything else. By bringing in ready-made solutions, enterprises can ensure they have comprehensive, accurate tracking systems in place without diverting too much energy and focus away from other important tasks.

Return on investment
Businesses that dedicate significant amounts of time and money to building their own time tracking software programs might run into scheduling roadblocks and unforeseen expenses that would not present themselves with off-the-shelf solutions. With ready-made software, what you see is what you get—there are no hidden surprises or costs that manifest themselves at the last minute. In short, building your own software is a much riskier undertaking, as companies go into the process with only a vague idea of the time and money that will be required to get everything up and running.