Seeking Advice on Printer Firmware and Software Design

We maintain firmware alongside GUI tools for different printer models using Git for individual configurations. Should we alter open-source tools or develop an OS image for our setup?

Considering my experience with system design and firmware management, I lean toward modifying open source tools when the changes are focused and well-documented. Relying on established projects helps maintain compatibility and takes advantage of community testing, while an OS image is more beneficial if a complete and tightly integrated control is required. In instances where the customization is moderate, adapting open source solutions minimizes overhead and maintains flexibility. Evaluate the frequency of updates and support commitments before deciding, as each option has distinct long-term implications.