Frequently asked questions
The questions we get asked
Our answers to what comes up most often: how we work, timelines, pricing, ownership of the code, and what happens afterwards.
Général
Do you only work in the Congo?
Our operating base is in Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo. We work remotely for design and development, and on site for the phases that require it: framing workshops, IoT site surveys, training and deployment.
How big is your team?
We are a young and deliberately small team, extended by a network of specialists brought in as a project requires. We would rather say so plainly than claim a size we do not have.
Do you work with small organisations?
Yes. Splitting the work into batches lets you start with a limited budget on a narrow but genuinely useful scope, then extend if the result justifies it.
Projet
How does a first conversation go?
A thirty- to forty-five-minute conversation, with no commitment, to understand your context and your need. We then tell you honestly whether we are the right partner, and if not we point you elsewhere.
How long does a project take?
A first usable batch is generally delivered six to twelve weeks after framing, depending on scope. A complete ERP or a multi-site IoT platform is built over several months, in increments delivered regularly.
How is your pricing set?
A fixed price per batch after framing, or time and materials for continuous support engagements. The framing itself is costed separately, which leaves you free to continue or not.
What if the need changes during the project?
That is normal and expected. Changes are folded into the prioritisation of the next batch. A change that calls the current batch into question is costed and decided with you before it is started.
Technique
Who owns the code and the data?
You do. The code repository, the data, the hosting accounts and the domain names are in your name or transferred to you. We create no artificial dependency.
Can you host the solution?
Yes, under a managed-services contract, or on your own infrastructure if you prefer. In both cases the configuration is documented and reproducible.
What if our internet connection is poor?
We design a degraded mode when the use requires it: local entry, a queue, and synchronisation on reconnection. For IoT, the edge gateway stores and resends, so no measurement is lost.
Will you take over an existing application?
Yes, after a technical audit. We assess the state of the code, the outdated dependencies and the cost of taking it on, then tell you honestly whether a partial rewrite would be cheaper.
Après livraison
What does maintenance cover?
Corrective maintenance covers defects against the specified behaviour, with no limit on the number. Security updates are included. Functional changes are costed separately so they stay visible.
Do you train our teams?
Yes, by role, on an acceptance environment fed with representative data. Written support material is provided, and we also train administrators to run the system day to day.
And if we want to change provider?
The code, the technical documentation and the access are yours. We organise the handover and answer the new provider's questions for an agreed period.
Going further
Each service has its own FAQ too
Technical questions specific to one area are answered on that service's page.
Africa Tech Services
Your question is not here?
Ask it: we answer every message, including to say no.
