Which of the following is not a way a company can obtain software?

A company can obtain software through various methods, including purchasing it off the shelf, building it in-house as proprietary software, or subscribing to a software service. Each of these methods provides legitimate means to access software tailored to a company's needs or preferences.

Borrowing software from a competitor, however, is not a standard or ethical means of acquiring software. This practice could infringe on intellectual property rights and violate licensing agreements, leading to legal complications. In contrast, the other methods described—buying, building, or subscribing—are recognized practices within business and technology sectors. Therefore, identifying the act of borrowing as not an acceptable way to obtain software is key to understanding how businesses can responsibly and legally acquire necessary tools for their operations.