Announcement: We deliver an integrated, real-time platform that’s cost-effective and accessible to all, helping you streamline your workflow.

Buy vs Build Journal Management System

Buy vs Build: Should Publishers Build Their Own JMS or Buy One?

05 Jan 2026

Scholarly publishers today operate in a fast-moving digital environment. Rising submission volumes, tighter peer-review timelines, metadata compliance, and expectations for transparency have made technology a critical foundation for publishing success.

One strategic question continues to surface across publishing houses, universities, and journal societies:

Should publishers build their own Journal Management System (JMS), or buy a ready-made platform?

This blog explores the Buy vs Build decision in depth—examining cost, scalability, risk, and long-term sustainability—so publishers can make a future-ready choice.

What Is a Journal Management System (JMS)?

A Journal Management System is a digital platform that manages the complete editorial and publishing workflow of academic journals.

A modern JMS typically includes:

  • Manuscript submission and tracking

  • Peer review and revision workflows

  • Editorial decision management

  • DOI and metadata handling

  • Issue and article publication management

  • Role-based dashboards for authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers

Without a reliable JMS, publishers face delays, manual errors, reviewer drop-offs, and operational inefficiencies.

Option 1: Building a Journal Management System

Building an in-house JMS may seem attractive, especially for publishers with unique workflows or internal technical teams.

Advantages of Building

  • Full ownership and control of the system

  • Custom workflows tailored to internal policies

  • No dependency on external vendors

Challenges of Building

However, building a JMS introduces several long-term challenges:

  • High initial development costs

  • Long development and testing cycles

  • Continuous maintenance and infrastructure expenses

  • Security, compliance, and performance risks

  • Dependence on internal technical expertise

Most importantly, publishing requirements evolve constantly—making long-term system maintenance complex and resource-intensive.

Option 2: Buying a Ready-Made JMS

Buying a ready-made JMS provides access to a stable, proven platform designed specifically for publishing workflows.

Advantages of Buying

  • Faster implementation and quicker go-live

  • Proven editorial workflows aligned with industry standards

  • Built-in security, audit trails, and compliance support

  • Easy scalability across multiple journals

  • Ongoing upgrades and feature enhancements

Considerations

  • Subscription or licensing costs

  • Configuration limits depending on the platform

Modern platforms like Kryoni JMS balance configurability with standardization, offering flexibility without the risks of custom development.

Cost Comparison: Build vs Buy

The real difference lies in the total cost of ownership.

Building a JMS involves:

  • Development and QA costs

  • Hosting and infrastructure

  • Security audits and compliance updates

  • Ongoing maintenance and enhancements

Buying a JMS involves:

  • Predictable licensing or subscription costs

  • Implementation and support

Over time, buying a JMS is often more cost-effective, predictable, and scalable.

Scalability, Security, and Compliance

As journals grow, systems must support:

  • Increased manuscript volume

  • Multi-journal management

  • Secure access controls

  • Transparent audit trails

  • Metadata and DOI standards

Ready-made JMS platforms are designed with scalability and compliance in mind, while custom systems often struggle to adapt quickly.

Strategic Focus for Publisher

Publishers must consider a critical question:

Is our core strength software development or publishing excellence?

Buying a JMS allows publishers to:

  • Focus on editorial quality

  • Improve reviewer and author experience

  • Reduce operational risk

  • Adapt faster to industry changes

Conclusion: Build It Yourself or Buy It Smart?

While building a JMS may provide control, it also brings complexity, cost, and long-term risk. Buying a proven platform enables publishers to move faster, operate efficiently, and scale with confidence.

Platforms like Kryoni JMS are designed specifically for scholarly publishing—offering configurable workflows, multi-journal support, secure infrastructure, and continuous improvements.

For publishers aiming for sustainability, efficiency, and growth, buying a smart, purpose-built JMS is the strategic choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between building and buying software?
Building software involves creating a system from scratch, while buying software means using a ready-made solution designed for specific use cases.
In most cases, buying a JMS is more cost-effective over time due to lower maintenance, predictable costs, and faster implementation.
Building a JMS can take several months or even years, depending on complexity, testing, and ongoing enhancements.
A ready-made JMS can typically be implemented within weeks after configuration and onboarding.
Yes. Modern JMS platforms are designed to manage multiple journals from a single system.
Most JMS platforms offer configurable workflows and role-based settings to match journal policies.
Common risks include high costs, delays, security vulnerabilities, scalability issues, and dependency on internal technical teams.
A good JMS should support submission tracking, peer review, editorial decisions, DOI management, role-based access, and reporting.
Yes. A JMS must ensure secure data handling, access control, and audit trails to protect manuscripts and user information.
Publishers prefer ready-made JMS platforms because they reduce operational risk, improve efficiency, and allow teams to focus on publishing rather than technology.
Need assistance? Let our support team guide you!