Platform Selection & Architecture Guidance
Platform selection and architecture advisory: measurable criteria, proof-of-concept validation, and the total cost of ownership and cost of exit calculated up front.
What we deliver
Measurable selection criteria, written down and weighted. Without written criteria, whoever gives the best presentation wins.
Shortlisted options tested against your own workload, with results measured on your data instead of the vendor's benchmark.
License, hardware, operational labor, training and migration costs totaled over three years. Comparing a single line item is misleading.
The cost and difficulty of leaving the chosen platform later, calculated at the start. Some platforms are cheap to enter and expensive to leave.
We assess the support model, roadmap, references and contract terms, with particular scrutiny of audit rights and data return clauses.
The rationale, the rejected options and the accepted risks committed to a written document as the basis for approval and later review.
How it works
Every engagement follows the same five steps: baseline the current state, design the target model, roll out in stages, operate it, and improve against measurements.
Assess
Baseline the current state, name the gaps and put the success criteria in writing.
Design
Architect the target operating model and the toolchain it needs.
Deploy
Implement, configure and validate in a staged rollout.
Operate
24/7 management with contracted response times and proactive monitoring.
Improve
Continuous improvement driven by metrics, incidents and changes in the business.
Every engagement runs under a written SLA: a commitment, not a best-effort promise.
Dedicated engineers who know your stack. No generalist help-desk tier in between.
Service reviews every two weeks, roadmap updates every quarter.
Knowledge Hub
What we have written about running and managing technology, collected in one place.
01How long does a platform selection engagement take?
Typically three to six weeks: requirements gathering, candidate identification, criteria-based evaluation and proof of concept. Selections that run shorter are usually ones where requirements were not properly established.
02Who sets the evaluation criteria?
Jointly, but the weightings are yours. We do not look at candidates until the criteria are written; otherwise the product with the best demo wins rather than the best fit.
03Is a proof of concept essential?
For critical selections, yes. But the PoC scenario has to represent your real workload; a vendor-prepared demo works on every product. We write the scenario with you.
04Do you have relationships with vendors?
Where we do, we disclose it and justify that vendor's place in the evaluation separately. A hidden partnership invalidates the whole engagement.
05Do you help with negotiation after selection?
Yes. We assess the market price range, contract clauses, exit terms and renewal conditions. The most expensive clauses usually hide in exit and renewal terms rather than in the price.
Let's work out where to start
Within two weeks you get it in writing: what works, what carries risk, and a prioritized roadmap.
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