Independent software and cloud consultancy

Make the software you depend on easier to change.

EM Development helps organisations modernise legacy applications, reduce technical risk and deliver well-engineered improvements without unnecessary disruption.

Software that can move forward.Scotland · UK

01 / Services

Improve what matters.
Keep what works.

Practical support for teams working with valuable systems that have become difficult to maintain, secure or evolve.

Rails upgrades and application modernisation

Plan and deliver safe upgrades for mature Ruby on Rails applications, bringing dependencies, tests and deployment practices forward in manageable stages.

Legacy remediation

Untangle fragile dependencies, reduce operational risk and leave the application in a better state than it was found.

Delivery foundations

Improve Docker-based development, CI/CD, MySQL reliability, source control practices and handover documentation.

Azure and platform engineering

Design and implement secure, maintainable Azure infrastructure and automation where it supports the application and the people running it.

02 / Approach

A clear route through complex work.

Useful progress starts with a shared understanding of the system and its constraints.

  1. Understand the system

    Assess the codebase, dependencies, deployment process and operational constraints.

  2. Make the risk visible

    Agree a practical sequence of work, with scope and trade-offs stated plainly.

  3. Deliver and hand over

    Make incremental improvements, document the outcome and avoid creating a new dependency on the consultant.

03 / About

Experienced, independent and hands-on.

EM Development is led by Euan Maxwell, an independent consultant working with organisations that need thoughtful technical delivery rather than a large consultancy engagement. The focus is on maintainable software, clear communication and work that leaves your team stronger.

04 / Contact

Have a difficult system that needs a sensible plan?

If you are considering an upgrade, tackling accumulated technical debt or improving the foundations around a critical application, get in touch.