> In this particular example idling 99% of the time is cheaper, but even if idling 99% of the time is slightly expensive, it might still be a good idea not to outsource due to resilience.
Or in some cases it might make sense to become an outsourcing destination. Your otherwise idle equipment & skills become a revenue stream rather than a cost when your need it low, your local equipment and skills are tested & re-enforced which reduces the risk of finding them unexpectedly wanting when you turn to them in those 1% times, and you might end up with a small controlling advantage in your market (you get priority over any competitors that outsource to that part of you). It could become a significant arm of your business & profit. Think Amazon farming out its network resources.
If you go through all this trouble, you have essentially added another business line to your company. This may or may not be where a company wants to spend their resources. Rolling your own XYZ will always be cheaper than paying a 3rd party vendor, _if_ you have the time, experience, money, and competitive advantage to do it correctly, which are pretty big iffs.
Or in some cases it might make sense to become an outsourcing destination. Your otherwise idle equipment & skills become a revenue stream rather than a cost when your need it low, your local equipment and skills are tested & re-enforced which reduces the risk of finding them unexpectedly wanting when you turn to them in those 1% times, and you might end up with a small controlling advantage in your market (you get priority over any competitors that outsource to that part of you). It could become a significant arm of your business & profit. Think Amazon farming out its network resources.