Design the system, then the tools
A focused set of dependable tools is easier to operate than a chain of overlapping services.
We design, build, and operate software systems scoped to what your organization needs. This lowers the time, effort, and cost to run them, and improves security and privacy. Critical systems stay under your direct ownership, and managed services are used where they fit.
B5 Operating model
| Tag | Class | Outcome sought |
|---|---|---|
| CT-001 | Modernizing critical systems | Lower cost and effort to run; stronger security. |
| CT-002 | Outgrowing fragile infrastructure | Cost stays controlled as the system grows. |
| CT-003 | Cost or data-residency pressure | Lower spend; data kept under your control. |
| Part | Constraint | State |
|---|---|---|
| P-01 | Owned | Direct |
| P-02 | Reduced | Bounded |
| P-03 | Predictable | Designed-in |
| P-04 | Documented | Rehearsed |
A focused set of dependable tools is easier to operate than a chain of overlapping services.
Cost stays controlled when dependencies, runbooks, and ownership remain intentionally small.
Security improves when boundaries are clear and integrations are deliberate.
From deployment through recovery, responsibilities stay documented and accountable.
# Ownership matched to requirement critical_systems: ownership: direct managed_services: usage: where they fit outcomes: time: reduced effort: reduced cost: reduced # operated security: improved privacy: improved # Critical systems owned directly.
| Part | Track | Scale | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
E-01 | Advisory | 1:1 · fixed scope | Architecture and dependency review with a practical simplification plan. You own the roadmap; we provide the analysis.
|
E-02 | Build + Operate | 1:N · monthly retainer | Delivery and operations partnership with explicit ownership standards. The system, code, and accounts stay yours; we operate and maintain them.
|
E-03 | Custom Scope | custom · per outcome | Targeted migration, hardening, or cost reduction for high-pressure systems.
|
We design, build, and operate our own products with the same standards we bring to client work. Espalier is a self-hosted, Studio-class visual site builder on the GrapesJS open-source core, available now. Undercurrent is in development.
E1 Have us deploy and operate it
| Ref | Service | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| ES-01 | Deploy | Stood up self-hosted on your own infrastructure. |
| ES-02 | Operate | Upgrades, backups, and support under clear ownership. |
| ES-03 | Extend | Custom blocks, data sources, and publishing flows. |
Managed and SaaS services are used wherever they fit, when they lower cost or reduce what you operate. Critical systems stay under direct ownership, and service dependencies are kept off the critical path.
The systems that keep your product running are operated by your team, or by us under documented ownership. You always know who is responsible and how to recover, even without us.
Your goals, timeline, budget range, and the problems you want solved. That becomes a practical starting plan.
Staged improvements strengthen existing systems and simplify them safely over time.
Capabilities usually bought as metered SaaS, priced per seat, message, or request, can run on infrastructure we operate at much lower cost. Email on your own domains is one example. The same approach applies to other services where it fits your setup.
Clear ownership comes first. Fewer moving parts, explicit boundaries, and standards that stay with the product.
Critical systems are owned and operated directly. Managed services are used where they fit. Every choice is made to improve your outcomes: time, effort, cost, security, and privacy.
We operate our own products, including Espalier and Undercurrent, and apply the same standards to client systems. Critical systems stay under your control, and third-party or operated services are used where they fit, with documented boundaries and fallbacks.