Sovereign Systems’ onboarding process for supporting existing custom software
Taking over support for an already-in-place custom software application requires more than just technical expertise — it takes a careful, systematic approach to ensure a smooth transition and long-term success. Whether you’re struggling with an aging system or seeking better support for a newer application, Sovereign Systems’ onboarding process is designed to minimize disruption.
Here’s how we do it:
1. Learn about the system
Our first step is to thoroughly understand the application and its role within your organization, ensuring we’re aligned with your needs from day one. We focus on learning:
What the software does and which business processes it supports.
Who the key stakeholders and end-users are.
Any historical context about its development and usage.
2. Gain access to the source code
Access to the source code is critical for evaluating the software’s architecture, functionality, and maintainability. Our team reviews the codebase to:
Assess its quality and adherence to best practices.
Identify dependencies, integrations, and any third-party components.
Understand its overall structure, which informs our approach to future maintenance and improvements.
3. Transition with the prior team (if available)
Whenever possible, we work with the team or vendor previously responsible for the software. These transitions allow us to:
Gather insights about the application’s development history.
Understand unresolved issues or technical challenges.
Ensure that no critical knowledge is lost during the handoff.
4. Identify key pain points
We work with your team to identify the most pressing issues from a user and business perspective. These might include:
Performance bottlenecks or frequent bugs.
User experience frustrations.
Gaps in functionality or unmet needs.
5. Evaluate areas for stabilization and supportability
Once we’ve identified pain points, we analyze the software to pinpoint areas that need stabilization or updates to become more maintainable. This step often involves:
Refactoring problematic code.
Improving error handling and debugging capabilities.
Ensuring compatibility with modern platforms or technologies. The goal is to create a robust, supportable foundation for the software’s continued use.
6. Define a future roadmap
Every custom software application has a future — and we help you chart it. Whether your software needs incremental improvements, feature enhancements, or a complete overhaul, we work with you to create a realistic roadmap that aligns with your goals. This typically includes:
Planning for new functionality or integrations.
Preparing for eventual upgrades or replacements if the software is outdated.
Aligning development priorities with your business strategy.
7. Implement error tracking and consistent testing
One of the typical issues we find with existing applications is little to no error tracking, which leaves systems vulnerable. Missing or haphazard testing can be a death sentence for applications because it renders them unstable and unpredictable. This is why we emphasize implementing error tracking and consistent testing as the “last but far from least” final step of our meticulous process. This step consists of:
Using industry-standard tools to track errors and notify our team.
Creating thorough testing scripts for manual and automated system testing.
Why choose Sovereign Systems?
Taking over an existing custom application can be daunting, but our proven onboarding process ensures a successful transition. With our deep technical knowledge complemented by decades of experience, we help businesses turn their custom software into a reliable, strategic asset.
If you’re ready to stabilize, support, and optimize your custom software, Sovereign Systems is here to help. Contact us to start the conversation.