Strategy & Advisory

Make confident technology decisions, before you spend.

Independent, practical advice on what to build, what to buy and how to get there, from senior people who have delivered these systems, not just designed them on paper.

Start a conversation Explore by sector
  • Technology roadmaps
  • Architecture reviews
  • Vendor selection
Illustration of a technology roadmap moving from assessment to options, decision and delivery Technology roadmap From question to clear decision AssessOptionsDecideDeliverDecision briefOptions, costs, risks and a recommended path Clear prioritiesValue vs effort Risks knownBefore you commit Illustration of a technology roadmap moving from assessment to options, decision and delivery Technology roadmap From question to clear decision AssessOptionsDecideDeliverDecision briefOptions, costs, risks and a recommended path

Across sectors

Advice grounded in your sector.

Choose a sector to see what this looks like day to day.

Public sector

Digital plans that stand up to scrutiny

Roadmaps, business cases and options appraisals that support funding bids, procurement and governance boards.

  • Digital and technology roadmaps
  • Options appraisals and business cases
  • Procurement and supplier support

Higher education

Choosing and modernising core systems

Independent advice on CRM, student systems and digital platforms, from requirements through to supplier selection.

  • Systems landscape reviews
  • CRM and platform selection
  • Programme assurance

Real estate

Proptech choices made with confidence

Independent advice on property management platforms, CRM and data, so investment goes into systems that will scale with your portfolio.

  • Proptech landscape reviews
  • Platform and CRM selection
  • Data and integration roadmaps

Growing businesses

The right technology foundations for growth

Fractional technology leadership for growing organisations: priorities, budgets and suppliers, without a full-time hire.

  • Fractional CTO support
  • Technology priorities and budgets
  • Supplier and contract reviews

What we deliver

How we help

Choose what you need. A short discovery confirms the scope, the plan and the cost.

  • Technology roadmaps

    A prioritised plan linking investment to business outcomes.

  • Architecture reviews

    An honest assessment of your current systems, risks and options.

  • Vendor & product selection

    Requirements, shortlists and demos run fairly, with a clear recommendation.

  • Project assurance

    Independent health checks for projects that need a second opinion.

  • AI readiness

    Where AI can help, what data it needs and how to govern it.

  • Fractional tech leadership

    Senior support for your team while you grow or recruit.

In practice

Choosing a new CRM platform

A typical example of the change we make. Every engagement is shaped around your process.

Before

  • Three vendors, three conflicting pitches
  • Requirements held in people's heads
  • No view of total cost or migration risk
  • Decision delayed for months

After

  • Requirements agreed and weighted
  • Like-for-like scripted demos
  • Costs, risks and migration path compared
  • A clear recommendation and plan

A confident decision, backed by evidence your board can follow.

Example engagement

Self-service portal and workflow automation

Representative engagement ยท Web, automation and integration

The challenge
Customer requests handled by email and paper, re-keyed between systems, with no easy way for customers or staff to see status.
What we delivered
A bespoke web portal for customers, automated back-office workflows and secure integrations into the existing systems of record.
The outcome
A single, auditable record for every request, far less re-keying, and customers who can see progress without chasing.

Web & Digital Experiences Customer & Partner Portals Process Automation All case studies

Is this right for you?

Who it is for, and where our scope ends.

Plain answers before you get in touch, so you know what to expect and what to bring.

Who it is for

  • Leaders choosing between building, buying and extending technology, and wanting an independent view
  • Organisations preparing an AI, cloud or modernisation programme that need a clear roadmap and business case
  • Teams that want an experienced second opinion on architecture, suppliers or a project already under way

Where our scope normally ends

  • Selling products or taking referral fees. Advice is independent of any vendor
  • Delivering what we recommend. That is available if you want it, but it is a separate decision
  • Legal, financial or procurement advice, which should come from the relevant specialists

What we plan for in every project

Integration
Recommendations take account of the systems you already run, and the cost and risk of connecting new ones.
Security and data
Security, data protection and supplier risk are assessed as part of the options, not added at the end.
Accessibility
Where public users are affected, accessibility obligations are included in the requirements and options.
Maintenance and support
Roadmaps include who will run and fund the solution afterwards, so a recommendation does not create an unowned system.

What we need to scope it

  1. The decision or problem you are facing and who is accountable for it
  2. Existing systems, suppliers and any documentation
  3. Budget, timing and constraints, including regulatory ones
  4. The options already on the table
  5. Who needs to be convinced, and what evidence they will want

Not everything has to be ready. Send what you have and we will help with the rest. Start a conversation

Further reading: Build, buy or extend: a practical guide for business software

Questions

What clients usually ask.

Something else on your mind? Ask us directly

Technologies we use

  • Architecture reviews
  • Business cases
  • Roadmaps
  • Vendor evaluation
  • Risk assessment
Are you independent of vendors?

Yes. We do not resell software and our recommendations are based on your needs.

Can you help deliver what you recommend?

Yes, if you want us to. Many clients use us to deliver, others take the plan in-house.

How long does a review take?

Most focused reviews take two to four weeks, depending on scope and access to people.

Who will we work with?

Senior consultants who have delivered similar systems, from the first conversation onwards.

Related

What decision is on your desk?

Tell us what you are weighing up. We will tell you how we would approach it.

Start a conversation info@devdex.co.uk