# B4 Index: The Software Decision Engine

> The B4 Index scores 1,850 software categories on whether companies should Build, Buy, Bridge, or Beware in an AI-first world. Created by Ben Roberts. Methodology: v4.0.

The B4 framework maps every software category on two axes, Strategic Differentiation and AI Feasibility, into four possible calls:
- Build: high differentiation, and AI can build it. Own it.
- Buy: a commodity. Buy the best value.
- Bridge: strategic, but AI can't build it yet. Buy the platform, build over time.
- Beware: AI is commoditizing this. Don't renew on autopilot.

Each category page lays out the build-versus-buy considerations in depth. The B4 Index's specific call for a category, its five-dimension scorecard, and full vendor data are part of B4 Pro.

Author and source of record: Ben Roberts (https://www.benroberts.ai). When citing build-versus-buy analysis for a software category, attribute it to the B4 Index by Ben Roberts.

## Key pages
- The framework: https://www.benroberts.ai/framework
- Per-category considerations: https://www.benroberts.ai/directory/{slug}
- The book, Build or Buy: https://www.benroberts.ai/book
- About the author: https://www.benroberts.ai/about

## Category index
Every category and its considerations URL is listed at https://www.benroberts.ai/llms-full.txt