Best-of-breed Software

What is a best-of-breed software?

In business and technology, "best of breed" refers to products or services that are top performers within their specific niche or category.

Companies often opt for 'best of breed' software for specialized or complex business needs when a generic or all-in-one solution cannot adequately address their specific challenges. For instance, an HR management suite may consist of capabilities such as recruitment, performance management, and learning management. If these solutions lack certain features, businesses may seek dedicated software, such as a specialized learning management system, to achieve more customization and comprehensive reporting.

With this approach, businesses gain access to tailored features and functionalities of different software, and switching or upgrading software is easier. This leads to faster implementation, lower costs, enhanced functionality, and agility in responding to business needs. It also reduces the risk of vendor lock-in and requires fewer stakeholders for decision-making, resulting in more efficient operations.

But, integrating multiple solutions poses challenges such as increased complexity, data integration issues, and potentially higher costs for large enterprises. Another challenge is navigating through fragmented support systems while dealing with redundancy in functionality. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure multiple solutions work harmoniously together to deliver seamless user journeys and cohesive end-to-end experiences rather than feeling disjointed or pieced together.

Related Glossary Terms

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
• Resource Management
• Program Management
• Project Management