When organizations start looking for a software developer, price is often one of the first filters. That’s understandable — software is an investment, and budgets matter. But in custom software development, choosing the cheapest option often leads to higher long-term costs.

At Sovereign Systems, our team is made up of people who care deeply about solving real problems with technology. Today, we’re highlighting Fletcher Kitchell, one of our newest software developers.

Many organizations treat software as a one-time project: define the requirements, build it, deploy it, and move on. Once it’s live, the assumption is that it should simply “keep working.”

Hiring a software development firm is a big decision. The right partner can help your business move faster and operate more efficiently. The wrong one can leave you with unfinished software, rising costs, and long-term risk.

If your team still relies heavily on spreadsheets, copy-and-paste workflows, or re-keying the same information across multiple systems, it may be time to take a closer look at the real cost.

Automation can streamline operations, reduce manual workloads, and free employees to focus on higher-value work. But not every automation project succeeds. In fact, some organizations jump in too fast — only to find that the new system is harder to use than the old one, fails to integrate with critical tools, or solves the wrong problem altogether.

Many businesses rely on legacy software that still “gets the job done,” but outdated systems eventually become expensive, risky, and difficult to support. So how do you know when to keep maintaining what you have — and when it’s time to rebuild or replace it?

Most organizations don’t intentionally ignore software maintenance — it just slowly gets deprioritized as day-to-day operations take over. The system still works (mostly), the team knows the quirks, and fixing small issues feels easier than planning a proper update.

It’s that time of year again—the season when we pause to reflect on what we’re thankful for. So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here’s our list of things we're thankful for this year.

Every software developer has a story about “that project”—the one that started strong, got complicated, and eventually lost momentum. Maybe the original developer left. Maybe the system became too outdated to keep up. Or maybe everyone got busy and the project just… stopped.

Depending on your business model and your clients’ needs, there are several ways to collaborate effectively. Here are three of the most common (and most successful) ways software developers like Sovereign Systems partner with MSPs and IT providers.

Every industry has its own language, workflows, compliance requirements, and operational challenges. Partnering with a developer who understands those nuances can be the difference between a tool that simply functions and one that truly drives results.

At Sovereign Systems, we believe that great software comes from great people. This month, we’re excited to highlight Jonathan “Johnny” Reimer, one of our talented software developers who brings both technical expertise and creative energy to our team.

Starting a new software project is exciting. It’s a chance to solve problems, improve efficiency, and move your business forward. But it’s also an investment of time, money, and resources—one that deserves careful consideration before you begin.

When I think back on the beginning of my career in software development, one name immediately comes to mind: Dr. Allan Nowakowski. He wasn’t just my first mentor—he became a good friend and someone I admire to this day.

Automation is one of the most effective ways businesses can save time, reduce errors, and free up staff for higher-value work. But not every process is a good candidate for automation. Before investing in a new solution, it’s important to evaluate whether your business is ready—and whether the process you want to automate makes sense.

Migrating SQL Server to new hardware or the cloud can feel like a daunting task, especially if your business depends on continuous access to its data. For many organizations, even an hour of downtime can mean lost revenue, frustrated customers, and operational disruption.

In healthcare, protecting patient data isn’t just about meeting HIPAA requirements or passing audits. Compliance is the baseline, but true security goes beyond simply checking the box. Every piece of sensitive information represents real people who trust you with their most private details. Safeguarding that trust means taking proactive steps to strengthen cybersecurity practices.

At Sovereign Systems, we’re proud to highlight the talented individuals who keep our projects moving forward. This month, we’re excited to introduce you to Jessica Gehman, our Project Manager.

After more than 35 years in software development (I know I don’t look it—dermatologists hate me), I’ve written a lot of code, solved a lot of problems, and worked with all kinds of people and projects. The technology has changed dramatically, but the lessons I’ve learned along the way are still applicable, even decades later.