Custom AI & Software Development on AWS

Frequently Asked Questions

Section 1: Speed to Value

Q: How quickly can we get started?

A: We prioritize fast time-to-market. Most projects begin with our free Discovery & Analysis phase (typically 1–2 weeks), where our AWS-certified architects define your requirements and deliver a detailed implementation roadmap. From there, phased delivery means you see measurable business value within 4–8 weeks, not months. Unlike traditional consultants, we structure engagements for early wins.

Q: What's the typical timeline for a custom software project?

A: Timeline depends on complexity and scope. Simple automation projects can launch in 6–8 weeks. More complex applications typically take 3–6 months. We use agile sprints so you get working features every 2 weeks, allowing you to course-correct early and capture value incrementally rather than waiting for a big release.

Q: Do you do fixed-price or time-and-materials engagements?

A: We offer both. Fixed-price works best when scope is crystal clear (often after our Discovery & Analysis). Time-and-materials works better for evolving requirements or experimental projects where you want flexibility. We'll recommend the right model based on your project type and risk tolerance during our initial conversation.

Section 2: AWS-Native & Future-Proof Architecture

Q: Why should we use AWS instead of building in-house?

A: AWS provides managed services that handle scaling, security, and compliance automatically—so you focus on your business logic, not infrastructure. Our AWS-certified team designs architectures that grow with you without expensive rewrites. Plus, AWS services like Lambda, RDS, and S3 are battle-tested at scale and reduce long-term operational costs compared to managing servers yourself.

Q: What happens if we need to scale or change our technology later?

A: That's built into our architecture from day one. We use AWS-native, modular, cloud-native design patterns that scale horizontally and avoid vendor lock-in. Your codebase remains maintainable by any team familiar with modern cloud development. We also provide DevOps support and runbooks so transitioning teams is seamless.

Q: Can you help migrate our legacy systems to the cloud?

A: Absolutely. Our modernization roadmap approach begins with analysis to understand your current system's dependencies and constraints. We then design a phased cloud migration strategy that minimizes downtime and risk. Many mid-market companies find this discovery phase alone saves thousands in failed migration attempts.

Section 3: Industry-Specific Intelligence

Q: Do you have experience in our industry?

A: We've built solutions across fintech, healthcare, construction, legal, agriculture, education, ecommerce, and ride-hailing. Each industry has unique regulatory, performance, and operational requirements—and we understand them. Check our case studies to see how we've solved similar challenges in your sector. Even if your use case is novel, industry context shapes our architecture decisions from the start.

Q: How do you handle compliance and security in regulated industries?

A: Security and compliance are non-negotiable. We design with AWS-native security services (Cognito for identity, KMS for encryption, etc.) and follow industry standards from day one. For fintech and healthcare especially, our architects factor in compliance requirements (PCI-DSS, HIPAA) during requirements gathering, not after development. This prevents costly rework.

Section 4: AI & Automation Services

Q: What's the difference between Generative AI and standard AI automation?

A: Standard automation uses pre-trained AWS Cognitive Services (Textract for documents, Comprehend for text analysis, Rekognition for images) to automate repetitive workflows—like invoice processing or data extraction. Generative AI (using LLMs) creates new content, writes summaries, or makes complex recommendations. We assess which approach solves your specific business problem.

Q: Can you build a custom AI model for us?

A: We can, but often we don't need to. Pre-trained AWS services solve 80% of use cases faster and cheaper than custom models. We start by analyzing your problem to recommend the right approach—sometimes it's a generative AI agent, sometimes it's standard automation, sometimes it's a hybrid. Custom model development is available for specialized use cases.

Q: How do you price AI projects?

A: AI projects typically follow the same model as custom development—fixed-price after clear scoping, or time-and-materials for exploratory work. Proof-of-concept (POC) projects often cost $10k–$30k and take 2–4 weeks. Full production implementations vary based on data volume, complexity, and integration needs. Your Discovery & Analysis phase will include a specific estimate.

Section 5: DevOps & Ongoing Support

Q: What does your DevOps support cover?

A: Our DevOps plans manage your AWS infrastructure, handle deployments, monitor performance, apply patches, and optimize costs. You focus on product; we handle operations. We offer tiered support from basic monitoring to hands-on architecture reviews and continuous improvement. Most clients see 15–30% cost savings after 3–6 months of optimization.

Q: Do you stay on after launch to maintain our application?

A: Yes. We typically transition projects into either a retainer DevOps support plan or a managed services engagement. We provide runbooks, knowledge transfer, and ongoing support so your team can eventually take over. Or stay with us long-term for peace of mind—many clients find this more cost-effective than hiring internal DevOps engineers.

Section 6: Engagement & Process

Q: How does the Discovery & Analysis phase work?

A: We start with stakeholder interviews, technical architecture review, and requirements documentation. Within 1–2 weeks, you receive a comprehensive report including current-state analysis, proposed architecture, technology recommendations, project timeline, and detailed cost estimate. This phase typically costs $3k–$7k depending on complexity and usually gets credited toward your project if you proceed with us.

Q: What's your team structure—who will work on our project?

A: You'll have a dedicated project manager who understands your business, AWS-certified architects designing your solution, and senior developers executing. We keep team continuity high—no musical chairs with contractors. For larger projects, you get a dedicated technical lead who owns quality and communication.

Q: Can we meet with your team before committing?

A: Absolutely. We start every engagement with a free 30-minute consultation to understand your challenge and see if we're a good fit. No sales pitch—just an honest conversation about what we can do, timeline, and cost. Book a free requirements assessment on our website.

Q: What if we're not sure exactly what we need?

A: That's common, especially for AI projects. Our Discovery & Analysis phase is designed for exactly this scenario. We'll spend a few weeks helping you define requirements, explore options, and validate assumptions. By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap and can decide confidently whether to build, buy, or partner with us.

Section 7: Pricing & Commercial Terms

Q: What's your pricing model?

A: We typically work on either fixed-price (when scope is clear) or time-and-materials (for evolving projects). Hourly rates range based on seniority and location; our Australian team offers competitive rates compared to onshore development. We're transparent about costs—no hidden fees. A detailed estimate comes from your Discovery & Analysis phase.

Q: Do you offer retainer or monthly support plans?

A: Yes. DevOps support and ongoing maintenance are available as retainers, typically $2k–$10k/month depending on infrastructure complexity and support level. This ensures continuous monitoring, security updates, and performance optimization without project-by-project overhead.

Q: What's your payment structure?

A: We typically work on milestone-based payments aligned to delivery phases. For a 3-month project, you might pay 25% upfront, 50% mid-project, and 25% on completion. This aligns incentives—we're invested in delivering on time and on budget.

Section 8: Trust & Credibility

Q: How do we know you'll deliver?

A: We're AWS-certified with proven experience across fintech, healthcare, and other regulated industries. Check our Clutch profile, client case studies, and customer reviews. We're transparent about what we can and can't do and respect your timeline and budget. Most importantly, we structure engagements so you see working software every sprint—not empty promises at the end.

Q: What if the project doesn't work out?

A: Rare, but we have a protocol. If we discover scope is misaligned or unfeasible mid-project, we discuss options early—adjust scope, extend timeline, or pivot approach. Contracts allow for early termination with reasonable notice. We'd rather be honest upfront than surprise you later.

Q: Do you provide references?

A: Yes. After a free consultation, we can connect you with 2–3 clients from your industry or with similar project types. Reference calls are invaluable for understanding working style, communication, and results.