Stackporch

specialist software takeover

The code exists. The outcome does not.

When a build stalls, the first job is not writing more code. It is establishing what you own, what runs, what is exposed, and which path protects the remaining investment.

when to call

The situation is uncertain. The next spend should not be.

  • Your agency stopped answering, closed, or changed ownership mid-build.
  • An offshore team delivered code nobody can deploy or maintain.
  • A key developer left and operational knowledge left with them.
  • A customer, franchisee, or partner is waiting on a promised system.
  • A budget, renewal, or write-off decision is approaching.
  • Repositories, cloud accounts, domains, credentials, or vendor relationships are not clearly owned by your company.
  • The software runs, but security, privacy, reliability, or support obligations are unknown.

what happens first

Software Rescue Assessment

A bounded review creates a defensible finish, rebuild, replace, or retire decision before recovery-level money is committed.

fixed after scope
  • Access, ownership, repository, hosting, and deployment inventory
  • Immediate security, continuity, dependency, and data risks
  • Architecture, delivery, integration, and operability evidence as required
  • Executive decision summary, salvage map, and ranked risk record
  • Options, total ownership costs, scope, exclusions, and acceptance criteria
  • Fixed-price implementation proposal when responsible
  • Operational handoff and exit path

Stackporch’s $200/hour rate card builds the fixed price after the codebase, systems, and evidence requirements are understood.

a rescue means more than “it runs”

Security and delivery are part of the verdict.

A system is not rescued because it runs on one laptop. The review follows evidence across source control, build and deployment paths, identities, secrets, cloud boundaries, third-party packages, data access, integrations, logging, backup, restore, and incident ownership.

Evidence, not theatre.

Stackporch does not sell a certification or claim that a scan proves security. The assessment records observed conditions, business exposure, recommended actions, owners, and validation steps.

what the engagement is—and is not

Clear boundaries protect both sides.

Fixed-scope workScope, price, milestones, and acceptance criteria are written before implementation begins.
Direct accountabilityYou work with the person inspecting and changing the system.
Client ownershipCode and operational assets stay in repositories, infrastructure, domains, and vendor accounts your business controls.
Not an expert witnessI document technical facts. I do not join disputes with the prior developer.
Not unlimited staff augmentationI do not rent open-ended hours into a process nobody owns.
Not automatically a rebuildSometimes finishing is right. Sometimes replacement is cheaper. Sometimes retirement is responsible.

Get the facts before spending again.

Tell me what was supposed to ship, what you can access today, and what decision you need to make. The assessment will establish whether there is a responsible next step.