AI Development · Sussex
From prototype to proper software, built with AI
For Sussex businesses with an idea, a spreadsheet, or an app someone knocked up in Lovable that now needs to be the real thing.
An idea, a spreadsheet, or a prototype
"We've got an idea"
We start with whether it should be built at all. If a product or an open-source tool already does it, you'll hear that first. If not, we work out the smallest first version that's worth having.
"It all runs on a spreadsheet"
The spreadsheet that only one person understands, turned into a proper system with logins, history and backups. AI does a lot of the typing, so this costs a fraction of what it used to.
"Someone built it in Lovable"
A prototype that proved the idea and is now being used for real. We read it, keep what's good, fix what isn't, and take it to production. Start with our security checklist.
"It's live and it's struggling"
Data where it shouldn't be, pages slowing, every change breaking something else. That's a rescue, and the AI Code Audit, a fixed-price written review, is the usual first step.
What we do between "it works on my laptop" and "the business runs on it"
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1
Read what's there
What it does, how the data is stored, who can see what. Written down in plain English.
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2
Design the real thing
An experienced developer decides the structure, data and security, keeping the parts of the prototype that are sound.
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3
Build it with AI
AI writes much of the code; every line is read and tested. Quicker and cheaper than building by hand, without the guesswork of vibe coding.
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4
Launch on hosting you own
Your accounts, your code, backups that are tested by restoring them, and someone looking after it afterwards.
The difference between the two ways of building is in AI-assisted development vs vibe coding. What each route tends to cost is in what AI-built software costs.
From Gatwick to the coast
Sussex business is spread out. Around Gatwick, the Manor Royal business district in Crawley alone is home to more than 600 businesses and around 30,000 jobs, from airline and travel firms to manufacturers and offices. Along the coast it's a different mix again. What they tend to share is a system or two that's been outgrown, which is usually where a conversation with us starts.
Our office is in Gravesend, Kent. As the crow flies that's about 27 miles to East Grinstead, 33 to Crawley, 40 to Horsham, 48 to Brighton and 54 to Worthing. We'll come to you wherever you are if the project needs it. Day to day, we work remotely, and you deal with Rob or Jason directly.
The Sussex client we work with, without the name: an electronic security firm in East Grinstead. We developed the program their business runs on, and we keep it up to date. That's the job in a sentence: build it properly, then keep it working.
Advice from the people who'd build it
Our consultancy is about building: should this be built, bought or adapted, what goes in the first version, how to build it with AI without storing up trouble, and what an existing AI-built app needs before more people rely on it. The advice comes from developers who'd have to live with the result, which keeps it honest.
For the longer view, a plan for all your systems and not just one build, that's our fractional CTO, or the whole lot as Your tech department. More on our approach in AI software development, done properly.
What Sussex businesses ask us
Usually, yes. We read it first, keep the parts that are sound, fix or rebuild the ones that aren't, and launch it on hosting you own. Whether that's quicker than starting fresh depends on what's there, and we'll tell you which.
Anywhere, if the project needs it. From our Gravesend office it's about 33 miles to Crawley and 48 to Brighton as the crow flies. Most of the work is done remotely between visits.
Smaller than most people expect. One job done properly, with the data structured so it can grow, is a better first release than a dozen half-finished features.
No. It proves the idea and shows what people actually use, which is valuable. The mistake is treating it as finished software when it holds real customer data or money.
Yes, anywhere in Sussex and beyond. Our only Sussex client so far is in East Grinstead, and plenty of our clients are nowhere near our office in Kent.
Talk to us about building it properly
Tell us about the idea, the spreadsheet or the prototype, and we'll tell you the sensible next step.
What it needs to do, who uses it, and what you have so far. If buying something would be cheaper, we'll say so.
What we will cover:
- Whether to build, buy or adapt
- What the first version should include
- What your prototype needs before it goes live
- Whether you need us at all
Rather talk now? Book a call or ring 01474 639 089.
We reply within one working day.
