If you can purchase a proprietary solution, so can the competitor. In terms of competition, I think you're better off focusing on end product value rather than

If you can purchase a proprietary solution, so can the competitor. In terms of competition, I think you're better off focusing on end product value rather than obfuscation. Obfuscation may make it more difficult to duplicate your effort, but it also may make further effort more difficult, hurting the product in the long run. Adding value not only give more for competition to duplicate, but also allows you to charge more and garner more customers.