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Guides to buying bespoke software
How to choose who builds your software, what to put in the contract, how to write a specification and how to avoid the mistakes that sink projects. Written by the developers who do the work.
Buying guide
Bespoke vs off-the-shelf software
Bespoke software vs off the shelf: compare fit, ownership, integration, lock-in, UK GDPR and time to go live, plus when buying is right and the hybrid route.
13 min How to choose a software development company
How to choose a software development company in the UK: who writes the code, 15 questions with good and bad answers, red flags, reference checks and scoring.
14 minPlanning
How to write a software specification
How to write a software specification: a 14 part template, user stories with acceptance criteria, worked examples, common mistakes and what to leave out.
14 min Replacing legacy software
How to replace legacy software: Access, VB6, Excel macros and old PHP. The risks of standing still, five options, data migration and a phased cut-over plan.
14 min Why software projects fail
Why software projects fail: what Standish, McKinsey, Oxford and the NAO found, the causes behind most failures, how to prevent each, and a 20 point checklist.
13 minContracts
If your software developer goes bust
What happens if your software developer goes bust: who owns the code, administration vs liquidation, software escrow and what to do in the first 48 hours.
13 min Software development contracts in the UK
Software development contract UK guide: who owns the code under the CDPA 1988, IP assignment, open source, acceptance, liability caps, DPAs and a checklist.
13 minAI
AI and UK GDPR for small businesses
AI and UK GDPR for small businesses: lawful basis, DPIAs, processor terms, training settings, international transfers and automated decisions explained.
12 min AI results come from data plumbing, not agents
Businesses ask for AI agents, but real results come from data plumbing: getting data out of silos, cleaning records and connecting systems. Why order matters.
11 min Zapier vs Make vs n8n
Zapier vs Make vs n8n compared for UK teams: branching, error handling, code and AI steps, hosting, UK GDPR data residency and who can own each tool.
14 minReady to talk about your project?
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