No. As a software engineer, I will never again work at a company where the product is not software. Software at non-software companies is a cost center, not a

No. As a software engineer, I will never again work at a company where the product is not software. Software at non-software companies is a cost center, not a profit center, and cost centers get fucked. It's thankless, depressing, soul destroying work. Maybe start a new company whose goal is to write software for companies like yours. I have worked at a startup launched by execs from established industry with inside knowledge of what is required, and it was truly fun, even though the great recession brought it to an end (acquired for pennies). If you do it yourself, in house, there are plenty of thirsty contractors and consultants who will be very happy to bleed you dry. Basically, if you have to ask, then the answer is no, you can't afford it.