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Extended capability

Software Rescue & Legacy Modernization

For the system you have, not the one you wish you had.

Software rescue and modernization for abandoned or outgrown codebases, plus ongoing maintenance and support for the system you have today.

Overview

Plenty of businesses depend on software whose original developers are long gone. We take those systems on: audit them, document them, get them patched and building again, and then modernize in increments that keep the business running. Rewrites are a last resort, recommended only when we can show the maths.

What's included

  • Care and support retainers
  • Legacy codebase audits
  • Framework and dependency upgrades
  • Incremental modernization and refactoring
  • Stalled or abandoned project rescue
  • Security patching and vulnerability remediation

How the engagement runs

  1. 1

    Codebase audit

    A written assessment of architecture, dependency risk, security exposure, and test coverage — with a prioritized remediation plan.

  2. 2

    Stabilisation

    Get it building, deploying, and monitored again, with the highest-risk security and dependency issues resolved first.

  3. 3

    Incremental modernization

    Replace the worst parts module by module behind stable interfaces, so value lands continuously instead of after a two-year rewrite.

  4. 4

    Ongoing care

    A retainer with agreed response times, monthly patching, uptime monitoring, and a defined allocation for small changes.

What you get out of it

  • A supported system with a named team and agreed response times
  • An honest audit of what is salvageable and what is not
  • Dependencies current and security patches applied
  • Modernization delivered incrementally, without a risky rewrite

This is a good fit when

  • The people who built your system are no longer available
  • An agency stopped responding mid-project
  • You are on an unsupported framework version with known vulnerabilities
  • You have been quoted for a full rewrite and want a second opinion

Typical stack

  • Legacy PHP
  • Ruby on Rails
  • Node.js
  • React
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL

Ways to buy this

  • Discovery SprintAgreed before we start1–2 weeks · Fixed fee
  • Fixed-Scope BuildAgreed in writing, then fixed4–16 weeks · Milestone-billed
  • Dedicated TeamReserved capacity, agreed monthly3 months minimum · Monthly retainer
  • Care & Support RetainerRolling monthly, cancel any timeRolling monthly · Monthly retainer

Every project is worked out from your requirements — how we work with you.