I run a software consultancy (http://www.afi.io) that specializes in transportation and logistics software. Please get in touch with me at afian at alum.mit.edu.
I also write widely on anything related to software and logistics: https://afi.io/blog
I won't tell you whether you should build or buy, but I'll tell you what to avoid.
Avoid
- large system integrators like IBM. They will charge you a lot of money and then just outsource it to someone else (source: me, we occasionally do subcontracting work).
- freelance engineers from a website like Fiverr. You want someone who's done this before, many times, and has seen what worked and didn't work. Logistics is very niche, and outside of a few speciality dev shops you won't find engineers who have experience solving real world customer problems. There are really good engineers at Waymo for example, but they won't work for you (or me).
There a quote attributed to the late Charlie Munger. When asked how he would select a future investment manager for Berkshire Hathaway, he replied, "It reminds me of the young guy who went up to Mozart and said, 'I'd like to write symphonies.' When Mozart said, 'You're too young,' the young man replied, 'But you were young when you started.' Mozart pointed out, 'Yes, but I wasn't asking anyone else for advice on how to do it.'"
Here's a recent case study from one of our clients: https://www.mapbox.com/showcase/sotargruppen
I also write widely on anything related to software and logistics: https://afi.io/blog
I won't tell you whether you should build or buy, but I'll tell you what to avoid.
Avoid - large system integrators like IBM. They will charge you a lot of money and then just outsource it to someone else (source: me, we occasionally do subcontracting work). - freelance engineers from a website like Fiverr. You want someone who's done this before, many times, and has seen what worked and didn't work. Logistics is very niche, and outside of a few speciality dev shops you won't find engineers who have experience solving real world customer problems. There are really good engineers at Waymo for example, but they won't work for you (or me).
There a quote attributed to the late Charlie Munger. When asked how he would select a future investment manager for Berkshire Hathaway, he replied, "It reminds me of the young guy who went up to Mozart and said, 'I'd like to write symphonies.' When Mozart said, 'You're too young,' the young man replied, 'But you were young when you started.' Mozart pointed out, 'Yes, but I wasn't asking anyone else for advice on how to do it.'"
You want someone who's done it before.