Anchoring in a Crowded Sea: Choosing the Right ABA Platform
At this year’s CASP conference in San Francisco, 19 different ABA software vendors were exhibiting.
That number alone says something: the ABA platform market isn’t just crowded—it’s saturated. In fact, it’s now almost an exception not to have received investor funding if you’re building software in this space.
For ABA Providers navigating this overwhelming sea of logos, demos, and product pitches, it’s natural to look for something to hold onto—a way to anchor their thinking. But the word “anchoring” carries dual meanings. Done right, it can stabilize your strategy and decision-making. Done wrong, it can weigh you down or pull you in the wrong direction.
What Anchoring Means in ABA Tech Decisions
In behavioral psychology, anchoring often refers to a cognitive bias—our tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information we receive. But in the world of ABA platforms, I’d argue anchoring is necessary—if it’s intentional and grounded in your own future.
An anchor helps you resist distraction from the noise. It gives you a reference point. But just like in sailing, if you drop anchor without understanding the conditions—your vessel, the depth, the current—you might find yourself stuck, drifting, or capsized.
Start With Your Future
The most effective way to approach the crowded ABA tech landscape is to anchor your decisions in your own roadmap:
Where is your organization heading in the next 3–5 years?
Are you preparing for growth via M&A?
Are you expanding into new states or payor types?
Do you have plans to improve AI, data integration, or KPI tracking?
The clearer you are on your own trajectory, the easier it becomes to identify platforms that align with that future.
If you’re unsure how your strategy will evolve, it may be wise to pause on a major platform overhaul and instead focus on improving systems around the edges—data pipelines, automation layers, analytics dashboards, or API integrations. These are areas where you can retain more control without committing to a foundational system that may or may not serve you in a few years.
If you are clear on your future plans and you see a platform ready to grow with you, it might be the time to jump in. As an early adopter, you have the ability to influence product direction and get top-notch support.
Anchoring to Your Strengths
Good tech decisions also start with a candid look inward. If your team is technically adept, you may want more flexibility and open integrations. If you’re operationally excellent but tech-light, an all-in-one solution may reduce friction.
Whatever the case, anchor to your internal strengths, not someone else’s vision.
Evaluating the Platform’s Anchors
Just as providers must anchor their decisions, platforms themselves are anchored—sometimes in ways that make them strong and trustworthy, and other times in ways that should give you pause.
Good Anchors Might Include:
A track record of serving ABA specifically—not just mental health or healthcare broadly
Publicly listed customers and positive case studies
Measurable growth in team size, product depth, and customer satisfaction
Strategic partnerships that increase platform value
But Beware of Anchors That Weigh Down a Vendor:
Legacy systems with outdated architecture or slow iteration cycles
Over-reliance on investor capital without clear revenue models
Repeated outages or negative user feedback
A mismatch in company culture or roadmap focus
These aren’t always visible on a tradeshow floor. But they’re often revealed in customer references, leadership turnover, product release notes, and public filings.
When You’re Not Sure, Don’t Anchor Deep
Not every provider needs to pick a new platform today. If you’re unsure how things will play out, experiment at the edges instead of overhauling your tech core. Consider:
Consolidating data for visibility across systems
Automating low-hanging administrative workflows
Picking platforms that can be integrated into your ecosystem with minimal fuss.
Defining and tracking better KPIs
Creating a middleware layer for integration
These areas offer high ROI without the high risk of a full re-platform.
The Right Anchor Should Let You Grow
At its best, an anchor keeps you grounded during choppy waters—but it should never prevent you from reaching your next destination.
As a provider, your decision shouldn’t be based on which logo has the biggest booth or which press release got the most buzz. Anchor your tech choices in your strengths, your strategy, and a careful read of the platforms’ own foundations.
Because in this market, the right anchor won’t hold you back—it will help you scale with confidence.