Services

Delphi Digitalisation Re-Engineering Blog

What happens if the developer leaves?

How can I support you?

Patrick Büchler
CEO

+41.. Show number +41 55 253 00 53

Get expert advice. Discover our success stories.

When developers leave and knowledge is lost, there is a risk of downtime, high costs, and stagnation.

What you should know

Dependence on individual persons quickly leads to downtime and uncertainty in operations.
A lack of documentation makes maintenance, support, and further development extremely difficult.
We analyze your system, document the know-how, and ensure a smooth transition.

Sudden failure in the development team. Who will take over now?

Imagine your most important developer or IT expert leaves the company. Suddenly, internal processes are at risk, important software adaptations are left undone and no one can take over critical processes. This is exactly what happens in many companies. And often they only realize it when it’s too late!

Reasons for leaving

Resignation

An employee changes jobs. Their knowledge goes with them.

Retirement

Long-standing experts leave without systematically passing on their knowledge.

Illness or accident

Sudden absence can paralyze projects and operations.

Overload

Individual developers are often overloaded and cannot document everything.

The dangerous dependence on individuals

Many companies rely on one or a few internal experts for years. These employees know the company software, individual customizations and workflows inside out. But what happens when they are suddenly no longer there?

It becomes particularly critical when programming is done in a special or outdated programming language that only a few developers are still proficient in. For example, many company applications are based on legacy technologies such as Delphi or other specialized systems.

Patrick Büchler, CEO soxes

There is no rest in IT. Systems must run, errors must be rectified and further developments must be driven forward. If critical processes are tied to individual heads, it is not a question of «if» but «when» a company will stumble. Without a handover to a broader team, a sudden failure can quickly become a business-critical problem.

The problem: Lack of documentation & knowledge transfer

In many cases, there is a lack of structured documentation. Knowledge transfer is neglected because day-to-day business takes priority. If the central expert is then absent, companies are faced with a huge challenge:

Important software cannot be further developed or maintained.
Processes come to a standstill.
Critical security risks arise because no one really knows the systems anymore.
In the absence of a migration strategy, the company remains trapped in outdated and inefficient systems.

We offer solutions for your problems.

Can an existing software system be taken over by a new team?

Yes, but this requires a thorough analysis. The code is checked, the structure is understood, and everything is documented step by step in order to regain operational capability.
How much time does it take for a new team to take over a system?

That depends on the condition of the system. For smaller applications, a few days are sufficient, while complex systems require several weeks or months for a complete handover.
What are the risks if no one understands the system anymore?

Error susceptibility, slow response times, security gaps, and the risk that necessary adjustments are no longer possible—especially for critical applications.
Who can maintain our software if the developer is no longer available?

Software companies such as soxes with experience in system takeovers offer support, maintenance, and further development even for solutions that they did not develop themselves.
What does it cost to have an existing system maintained externally?

The costs vary depending on the condition of the system, the objectives, and the desired scope of services. Among other things, soxes offers modular starter packages for evaluation.
How does the collaboration with an external software partner work?

It is common to start with a technical analysis. This is followed by knowledge transfer, documentation, and the gradual takeover of support and further development.

As your partner, we make sure of this

Knowledge management

Transfer, documentation and structuring of all relevant information.
Long-term support

Teams of experts instead of individuals ensure ongoing operations.
Seamless transitions

The IT system remains stable in the event of staff changes or emergencies.
Technology transfer

Skills and expertise are transferred to a broader team in order to reduce dependency on individual people.
Cooperation on equal terms

If desired, we work hand in hand with the existing teams in the company.
Further development & modernization

We optimize and expand existing systems.

Anastasia Schmuck, Projectmanager soxes

Developer gone? We take over and continue to develop.

Instead of being dependent on a single person, a competent partner is the better choice. We secure the knowledge, document processes and ensure smooth operation – so that your application continues to run seamlessly and is developed further.

Especially with older or specialized technologies such as Delphi, PHP, Access, Cobol, or VBA, it is crucial to find a competent partner who not only understands the existing system but can also be strategically established as a new, long-term supplier.

Act before it’s too late

If your company is dependent on a few IT experts, there is a high risk. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Secure your IT knowledge and put your business on a solid footing: with a reliable partner who will support your company in the long term.

What is your situation? Does your company have a strategy for securing IT knowledge in the long term?

Act now, before it becomes critical.

When systems are unclear and dependent, every failure becomes a problem.

How we support you:

Analysis and structured documentation of your existing system
Takeover and further development by an experienced team

Direct number

+41 55 253 00 53

Let us take a look at your system!

How can we support you with your software project?

Patrick Büchler
CEO

+41.. Show number +41 55 253 00 53

Please contact me Our References

About the author

Patrick Büchler is CEO and owner of soxes AG. With a master’s degree in computer science from ETH Zurich, he shapes the strategic and technical direction of the company. His strengths include software architecture, agile leadership, and customer focus, always with the goal of effectively implementing innovation.