Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about custom software development
Price, timelines, code ownership, method, scope. If your question isn't here, write to us: it will be next time.
The questions people ask before a project mostly concern price, timeline and code ownership. In short: we quote after a scoping phase, not before; a usable first version arrives early; the code and data belong to you from the first commit; scoping happens on site and development remotely from Lille.
Price and timelines
The first two questions asked are almost always about price and timeline. The short answer: it depends on the real scope of your project, and we only quote after a scoping phase, not before. The detail is in the FAQ below.
Code and data ownership
The code and data belong to you from the outset, with no contractual lock-in that would stop you taking the project elsewhere. It's a point we also detail in our method.
Method and scope
Scoping happens on site, development remotely from Lille, in short iterations that absorb changing requirements along the way. The most common questions about how this works are grouped below.
Frequently asked questions
How much does custom business software cost?
The price depends on the real scope: number of roles, volume of data to migrate, integrations with existing tools, and whether a field app is involved. We provide a quote after a scoping phase, not before, because a figure given blind is wrong either way. The scoping phase is billed separately and stays yours: the written business rules, the scope and the architecture belong to you even if you don't continue with us.
How long until I have something usable?
A first version your teams can use arrives quickly, and that's deliberate: business software gets corrected by being used. Full go-live depends on the scope and on data migration, which is almost always the longest item.
Who owns the code and the data?
You do. The source code is pushed to your repository, the data is hosted on infrastructure for which you are the data controller. There is no contractual lock-in that would stop you taking the project elsewhere.
Do you work remotely or on site?
Scoping happens on site, at your premises, with the people who will use the software — that's where the quality of the result is decided. Development happens remotely from Lille, with regular check-ins and permanent access to the current version.
What happens if my requirements change along the way?
That's the rule, not the exception. We work in short iterations precisely to absorb change: anything not yet built can be reordered at no extra cost. What has already been delivered and needs undoing, however, is quoted separately.
Do you take over software written by someone else?
Yes, it's a service in its own right. We start with an audit of the code, data and dependencies, which clearly states what is salvageable and what needs rewriting. We don't assume everything must be redone: that's often wrong, and always more expensive.
Do you build native mobile apps?
Yes, when the use case requires it: sustained offline use, camera, geolocation, QR code scanning. When it isn't necessary, an installable web app costs less to maintain and updates without going through an app store.
Do you provide maintenance after go-live?
Yes. Business software that isn't maintained becomes a risk: ageing dependencies, security fixes, regulatory changes. Maintenance is covered by a separate contract, with a written scope.
Do you work with companies outside the Hauts-de-France region?
Yes. Initial scoping happens on site, wherever you are; development happens remotely from Lille. We have clients in the Île-de-France and Grand Est regions.
How big is the team?
Deliberately small. That means a single point of contact who knows your project from scoping to maintenance, and a limited number of simultaneous projects. If we're not available within your timeframe, we'll tell you at the first conversation.
Do you sign a non-disclosure agreement?
Yes, systematically if you ask, and before scoping begins. Our public references are anonymised by default: we only name a client with their written consent.
What don't you do?
We don't build brochure websites or online shops, nor do we do SEO or brand design. We build business software and SaaS. For anything else, we'd rather point you in the right direction.
A project, a question?
Describe what you need in a few lines: you deal directly with the team, in Lille.