If we hadn't already poured significant resources into integrating a specific AI model for our internal systems, would we truly consider the switching costs "low" just because the API call itself is simple?
The reality on the ground, especially here in Belgium, is that once a company commits to a system for something critical like managing complex logistics or even our internal helpdesk, the actual cost isn't just a line of code—it's retraining staff, re-validating processes, and ensuring compliance across all those regional and federal regulations.
We've seen it countless times with expensive ERP rollouts: the investment in customisation and training becomes so immense that companies often stick with a suboptimal solution rather than re-enter that pain, regardless of how 'easy' the initial API might seem; it's a classic sunk-cost trap, not a low barrier to entry for practical operations.