K12 Platform vs. "Best of Breed" Software: Which Is Better?

K12 software platforms often claim they can "do it all," with one system offering an end-to-end solution to many school district management challenges. Meanwhile, "best of breed" or "point solutions" take a more focused approach, perfecting a particular solution. It's the battle of breadth vs. depth. So which is better? Let's take a closer look. 

What is a K12 software platform?

A software platform is made up of both hardware and software that serves as the basic foundation on which additional updates, applications, and processes are built. In non-tech speak, a platform is about pulling many disparate products together into a single offering. Platforms claim greater efficiency and the convenience of a one-stop shop. 

Unfortunately, these platforms have some disadvantages. They often come with unnecessary “bloatware”: services or features that may be excessive and irrelevant. Even more frustrating for school administrators, K12 software platforms likely have initial onboarding and learning curves that can take months to grasp.

Is the promise of an “integrated K12 platform” that can do it all realistic?

No, according to many school administrators. The push for K12 platform adoption often comes from large vendors owned by private investors, who may have vested interests in pushing K12 software platform sales. These vendors turn profits by convincing districts to purchase hefty software infrastructures equipped with features you may or may not need. 

Large K12 administrative software platforms have a few other common disadvantages. They often: 

• Are expensive and roll out additional fees or price increases without warning 
• Are focused on upselling instead of meeting the individual needs of the customer 
• Offer little to no personalized customer support 
• Can be slow to integrate disparate products together
• Rarely make improvements based on customer feedback
• Provide no opportunity to establish personal relationships with the vendor, as business acquisitions can frequently result in layoffs
• Leave administrative staff to deal with generalists instead of experienced product specialists
• May be difficult to leave, offering little to no flexibility when it comes to contract terms 

What is best of breed software? 

In contrast to K12 software platforms, many districts are turning to "best of breed" technology or "point solutions," which quite simply are highly-developed systems created to solve niche problems within a specific industry.

Unlike many K12 software platforms, best of breed software is known for exceptional performance in a particular area, working well with other software systems, offering a more modern interface, and being easy to implement and use. And because they’re developed to solve specific problems, they can be tailored to fit the unique needs of different customers.

In short: best of breed software is about focusing on doing one thing really well before moving on to the next.

• Because they're single-mindedly focused, best of breed or point solutions evolve constantly, with quick and frequent updates based on customer feedback. 
• Best of breed technology usually integrates with school districts’ other software systems, which don’t need to be on the same platform to work harmoniously.
• Best of breed generally offers customizable options. Unlike K12 platforms, districts don’t have to purchase tools they won’t need.
• Best of breed does not usually require long-term commitments, which allows administrators to change or upgrade their plans over time. This flexibility gives districts more options - they’re not stuck with irrelevant features just so they can have the convenience of working with a single vendor. 

Conclusion

If you need an all-in-one solution, platform may be the way to go—but you should be prepared for a hefty price tag (and unexpected increases), lackluster support, and little customization or product evolution. 

If you want greater flexibility, a system that works incredibly well (and keeps getting better), predictable pricing, and reliable support, then best of breed allows you to choose the options that work best for you.