Getting started with 1902 Software

Our first objective is to understand your business, your software, and your goals. From there, we'll recommend the most suitable way to work together and get your project moving as quickly as possible.

Every collaboration begins with a conversation.

The purpose of the first meeting is to understand your business, your software, and what you want to achieve. Together we then determine which way of working is right for you: one of our three plans (Care, Care Plus, or Care Ultimate) or a Fixed Price Project, which for large projects starts with a Project Scoping phase. These short meetings also help both sides confirm whether 1902 Software is the right fit.

We say "not a good fit" when:

• The project requires technology outside our expertise.
• Time zones don't overlap sufficiently, we need at least four overlapping hours with GMT+8 for effective collaboration.
• Our current project load doesn't allow us to give your work proper attention.
• We believe another partner would serve your needs better.

When your requirements align with our capabilities and we have the team capacity, we move forward.

During the meeting we typically discuss:

• Your business
• Your existing software
• Current challenges
• Business objectives
• Planned improvements
• Future requirements
• Timeframes
• Budget expectations where relevant

Knowing how to choose a software development company starts with understanding your requirements. Once we understand them, we'll recommend the most suitable engagement model: some companies benefit from ongoing Continuous Monthly Development, while others need a larger Fixed Price Project. Large projects typically begin with Project Scoping.

Continuous Monthly Development is designed for companies that regularly improve their software but don't have enough work to justify a full-time developer.

Instead of requesting quotations every time something needs changing, you simply send your tasks whenever they arise. We prioritize the work together based on your business needs and continuously improve your software and systems. There are three plans: with Care and Care Plus you benefit from one fixed monthly price, with project management and the meetings covered by your plan included; with Care Ultimate you approve a fixed price for every task or group of tasks before work begins.

Typical work includes bug fixes, new functionality, design improvements, integrations, AI implementation, performance optimization, mobile app improvements, brainstorming new ideas and solutions, testing, and ongoing technical support.

A Fixed Price Project is one defined undertaking: a new build or a major upgrade, delivered at one agreed price that is fixed before development begins. It's the right choice when completing the work sooner is important.

Before development begins, we work with you to understand your requirements, define the project scope, and agree on the expected deliverables. Based on everything we've learned, we then calculate a fixed price, using our AI-powered estimation tool and careful manual review.

Depending on the size and complexity of the project, we may prepare a project plan, conduct research, review existing software, create prototypes, or perform technical analysis before development starts. This ensures everyone has a clear understanding of the project before work begins and provides a solid foundation for successful delivery.

Very large projects cannot responsibly be given an immediate fixed price. They must be scoped first.

Project Scoping is typically the planning phase of a bigger project. It is a paid engagement at a fixed price; the price depends on the size of the project and is established by your Project Manager after the initial meetings.

The outcome of Project Scoping is the exact definition of what will be developed, including the price. Nine times out of ten, that outcome becomes a Fixed Price Project; occasionally, Continuous Monthly Development is the better next step.

If you're ready to hire a software development company, we recommend starting with a meeting so you fully understand the service, the way we work together, and what to expect. It costs nothing and it's the fastest way to get your questions answered.

Continuous Monthly Development on Care or Care Plus can also be started right away: you can sign up online and complete the first monthly payment of your plan, by credit card or by invoice and bank transfer. A Project Manager will contact you the following working day to arrange access to your systems and schedule your onboarding meeting, and there is no lock-in period: you can cancel anytime before your monthly anniversary.

Fixed Price Projects and Project Scoping always begin with a meeting or two, which is also the natural way these projects start: we need to understand your business and your project before defining the scope.

You can read about what happens next, system access, staging environments and your first meetings, on our Onboarding page.

In addition to software development, we also provide professional design, testing, and consulting services.

Many of our clients come to us after working with another software development company. Some are looking for better communication, others need broader technical expertise, and many simply want a long-term software partner they can rely on.

We regularly take over existing websites, webshops, business systems, and mobile applications developed by other software development companies. Our objective is to make the transition as smooth as possible while allowing development and support to continue with minimal disruption to your business.

Before taking over an existing solution, we normally perform a technical review. Depending on the project, we may review:

• Source code
• Software architecture
• Security
• Performance
• Database structure
• Third-party modules
• Integrations
• Hosting environment
• Cloud infrastructure
• Technical debt

The purpose is to understand the existing solution and recommend the best way forward.

How we plan the work depends on the engagement model.

Continuous Monthly Development

Once the service begins, you simply submit tasks whenever they arise. We prioritize the work together based on your business needs and continuously improve your software and systems over time.

Fixed Price Projects

Before development begins, we define the project scope and agree on the deliverables, and we then calculate a fixed price using our AI-powered estimation tool and careful manual review. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, we may prepare a project plan, perform technical research, or review existing software to ensure everyone has a clear understanding of the project before work begins. For large projects, this planning takes place as a Project Scoping engagement.

Clear communication is essential to every successful project.

For Fixed Price Projects, project meetings are held online using Microsoft Teams.

For Care Plus, up to two hours of online Microsoft Teams meetings with your Project Manager are included each month; these meetings are never billed.

For Care, communication is handled in writing in our project management system.

Unless otherwise agreed, all meetings, written communication, and project documentation are conducted in English.