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EngineeringApril 2, 2026·7 min read
Buy vs. Build: Choosing Your AI Stack
When to reach for an off-the-shelf tool, when to build, and how to avoid the integration tax that sinks most stacks.
Buy when the capability is a commodity and your data isn't a differentiator. Build when the workflow is your edge.
The trap is the middle: gluing six SaaS tools together until the integration tax exceeds the cost of building. Audit your tools quarterly and consolidate ruthlessly.