Short answer
To choose a software development firm, review its experience with comparable projects, delivery process and proposed acceptance criteria. Clarify code ownership, documentation, testing, hosting and maintenance after delivery. Courtier TI suggests a company that matches your project; you decide whether to accept its quote.
Define the application project
Prepare the requirements document
When should you call on a development firm?
- No off-the-shelf software matches the way you work: custom software can adapt to it.
- You want to offer a mobile app to your clients or employees.
- Your software systems don’t talk to each other and your teams re-enter the same data.
- Your current application is aging and needs to be modernized or taken over.
- You need a developer for a specific project without hiring in-house.
Automation or AI projects
In 2023, 7% of Canadian businesses with five or more employees used software or hardware with AI, an increase of 3 percentage points from 2021 (Statistics Canada, 2023 (opens in a new tab); population: businesses with five or more employees).
What to check before choosing
| What to check | Why it matters | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Experience with a similar project | It reduces technical surprises. | Have you completed a project of a similar nature? |
| The working method | It determines how you follow progress. | How are the stages, demos and approvals handled? |
| Code ownership | It affects your future independence. | Who owns the source code and documentation at the end of the project? |
| Testing and quality | They limit errors after launch. | How do you test the software before delivery? |
| Security and data | An application may process personal information. | How are security and Quebec’s Law 25 taken into account from the design stage? |
| Maintenance after delivery | Software needs updates. | What is planned for maintenance and fixes? |
How does it work?
- You describe your project once, in a single form.
- The Courtier TI team first contacts you in less than 48 business hours, to understand your need, then suggests an IT services company that matches your project.
- That company presents its quote, and you decide.
The Courtier TI service is free for the business making the request.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need complete specifications before making a request?
No. A clear description of the problem to solve, the users and the essential features is enough to get started. The firm can help you define the rest.
Who will own the code?
It depends on the contract. Ask the question at the quote stage and have it specified in writing.
How do I follow the project’s progress?
Ask for defined stages, regular demos and a contact person. You can then approve the work as it goes.
What information should I provide to receive a quote?
Describe the need, the users, the systems to connect, the essential features and your deadline. The Courtier TI team first contacts you in less than 48 business hours, then suggests an IT services company that matches your project.
How much does the Courtier TI service cost?
The Courtier TI service is free for the business making the request. The firm presents its quote, and you decide.