The original developer is gone
A freelancer or agency built the system and moved on, leaving no documentation and nobody who knows how to deploy it.
Custom Software · Maintenance
Software maintenance services that keep live systems healthy
We look after the applications your business already runs on, including ones built by other teams. We fix bugs, apply security and dependency updates, watch for problems and make steady improvements.
What is Software Maintenance?
Software maintenance services are the ongoing work needed to keep an application correct, secure and usable after it launches. That includes fixing defects, updating frameworks, libraries and runtimes, applying security patches, monitoring uptime and errors, maintaining backups, and adapting the software to changes in browsers, operating systems and connected services. Without it, even well-built software gradually becomes fragile and unsafe.
Software does not stay finished. Libraries publish security fixes, browsers and mobile operating systems change, third-party APIs retire versions, and the business keeps asking for small changes. When nobody owns this work, updates are skipped until an upgrade becomes a project, bugs pile up, and the original developer is no longer reachable. Planned maintenance keeps those costs small and predictable instead of sudden and large.
Signs your software needs a maintainer
Outdated dependencies
Frameworks and libraries several versions behind, with known vulnerabilities and an upgrade path that grows harder every month.
Problems found by users
No monitoring or alerting, so outages and errors are discovered when a customer complains.
Small requests that never get done
Minor fixes and improvements wait indefinitely because there is no regular capacity assigned to them.
Our Software Maintenance service
Onboarding & system audit
Taking over access, repositories and hosting; reviewing code, dependencies, infrastructure and backups; and documenting how the system is built and deployed.
Bug fixing
Investigation and resolution of reported defects, prioritized by business impact, with fixes tested before release.
Dependency & security updates
Regular updates to frameworks, libraries and runtimes, with security advisories reviewed and urgent patches applied promptly.
Monitoring & incident response
Uptime checks, error tracking and server metrics with alerts, and an agreed process for responding when something breaks.
Backups & environment care
Backup verification, restore tests, SSL certificate renewals, server patching and hosting cost reviews.
Small enhancements
Minor features, report changes and usability fixes delivered from a planned backlog alongside maintenance work.
Included capabilities
- Ticket-based request tracking
- Priority levels agreed per issue type
- Scheduled dependency update cycles
- Security advisory monitoring
- Error tracking and uptime alerts
- Restore-tested backups
- Staging environment for testing fixes
- Release notes for every deployment
- Regular maintenance reports
What Software Maintenance changes for your business
Predictable costs
Small, regular updates avoid sudden, expensive upgrade projects.
Fewer surprises
Monitoring often catches errors and outages before most users notice them.
Reduced security exposure
Known vulnerabilities in dependencies are patched instead of accumulating.
Less dependence on individuals
Documentation and accessible repositories mean the system is not tied to one developer.
Where it makes the biggest difference
Taking over an orphaned system
An application whose original developer is unavailable, brought under documented, regular maintenance.
Keeping a SaaS product secure
Regular dependency updates and security patching for a product with paying customers.
Supporting internal business systems
Bug fixes and small changes for the internal tools staff use every day.
Post-launch support for new builds
Continuing care after a project goes live, so fixes and improvements keep flowing.
How we take over and look after a system
Before routine maintenance begins, we secure access, audit the system and fix what is urgent.
Hand over access
Collect repositories, hosting, domain, third-party and database access into accounts you control.
Audit
Review code quality, dependencies, security, backups and deployment, and report the risks found.
Stabilize
Fix urgent issues, set up monitoring and backups, and make deployments repeatable.
Agree the support model
Priorities, communication channels and monthly capacity written down.
Maintain
Ongoing bug fixes, updates and enhancements through a tracked backlog.
Review
Periodic reports on work done, system health and recommended improvements.
What it connects to
Software Maintenance
- Error tracking tools
- Uptime monitoring services
- Ticketing and issue trackers
- Git hosting and CI pipelines
- Cloud and VPS hosting providers
- Backup storage
Built with
Security, quality and scale
Access you control
Hosting, repositories and admin accounts are held in your name, with our access granted and revocable.
Patch management
Security advisories for your stack are tracked and critical updates prioritized.
Tested releases
Fixes go through staging and testing before reaching production.
Capacity reviews
Server load and database growth are reviewed so performance issues are addressed before they affect users.
What working with us looks like
We take over code we didn't write
We start with an audit and documentation, so unfamiliar systems become manageable quickly.
Broad stack coverage
We maintain PHP, Node.js, Python, React and Odoo applications, so one team can cover several systems.
Clear, written support terms
Priorities and monthly capacity are agreed in writing for your situation rather than taken from a generic tier.
A path to bigger improvements
If maintenance shows the system needs modernization, we can plan that with you too.
What it costs
Fixed-price packages with the scope written down, paid stage by stage. Your project goes live once it's fully paid.
Related services, technologies and industries
Sources and further reading
Official documentation and guidance if you want to read more about this topic.
Software Maintenance: questions we hear most
Can you maintain software built by another developer or agency?
Yes. We begin with a handover and audit to collect access, understand the code and deployment, and identify risks. We then document the system so it is no longer dependent on any single person.
What is included in software maintenance?
Maintenance typically covers bug fixes, dependency and security updates, monitoring, backup checks, hosting and certificate care, and small enhancements. The exact scope and monthly capacity are agreed in writing for each system.
How fast do you respond to issues?
We work during business hours and agree priority levels with you when we set up the support arrangement, based on how critical the system is to your business. Critical production issues are handled ahead of routine work.
How is software maintenance priced?
Pricing depends on the size and complexity of the system, its technology stack, how much monitoring you need, and the expected volume of changes. Our maintenance retainer starts from $400 a month with agreed capacity, and extra work is billed at $28 an hour after your approval.
What if the system needs more than maintenance?
If the audit shows serious issues, such as an unsupported framework or fragile architecture, we will tell you and propose options, from targeted refactoring to a phased modernization plan.
Do we keep ownership of the code and hosting?
Yes. Repositories, hosting and third-party accounts should be in your name, and we help move them there during onboarding if they are not already.
Next step
Hand us the keys to your system
Tell us what you run, what it's built with and what's been worrying you. We'll start with an audit and a clear picture of its health.