Software Consultancy
You've been talked at by enough salespeople
If you're a business owner or technical director who's sat through a succession of software vendor demos and come out more confused than when you went in, this page is for you.
Every vendor has a compelling story. Their system does everything, integrates with anything, and will transform your business. The pricing is always "flexible." The implementation is always "straightforward." And the person telling you this has a very clear interest in you saying yes.
What most of them won't tell you is what the decision looks like two years down the line — how painful it will be to move away from if it doesn't work out, what the real cost of ownership looks like once you're past the initial contract, or whether you actually need what they're selling at all.
That's where we come in.
What we do
We give you an honest, independent view of your software options — the pros and cons of each, how they fit your specific situation, and critically, how reversible they are. That last point matters more than most people realise. Some software decisions are easy to walk back; others will lock you in for years. You should know which you're dealing with before you commit.
We're not tied to any platform or vendor. We don't take referral fees. Our only interest is helping you make a fully informed decision.
What it looks like in practice
There's no fixed format — we work to whatever level of input is useful. For some clients that's a single conversation to sense-check their thinking before a significant purchase. For others it's a review and commentary on a specific sales proposal that's landed on their desk. Where the decision is complex or the stakes are high, we can produce a full written report covering your options, the trade-offs, and a clear recommendation.
If you're not sure what you need, start by getting in touch and telling us what you're facing. We'll tell you what kind of input would actually be useful — and if the answer is "you don't really need us for this," we'll say that too.
What good advice looks like
The questions worth asking about any software decision aren't the ones in the vendor's brochure. They're things like: what happens to your data if you leave? How long have businesses of your size typically been using this? What does the implementation really involve, and who does the work? If the system doesn't deliver what's promised, what are your options?
We help you ask the right questions — and understand the answers — before you've signed anything.
A word on cost
Our consultancy isn't cheap, and that's deliberate. We charge a proper fee because that's the only way we can give you independent, measured advice. We don't take referral fees, we don't have vendor partnerships, and we don't have any financial interest in which direction you go. If we were cheap — or free — you'd be right to wonder how we're actually making our money.
What you're paying for is advice from people whose only incentive is to give you the right answer.
Get in touch
Tell us what you're looking at and where you've got to. We'll take it from there.
