4 Friends

Services

Eight ways we help build and run software.

Each engagement is scoped to what you need. Below is what each service is for, what it usually includes, and what you receive at the end.

  1. 01 Custom software development
  2. 02 Web application development
  3. 03 Frontend and backend engineering
  4. 04 UX/UI and product design
  5. 05 API development and integrations
  6. 06 Cloud and DevOps
  7. 07 Software testing and quality assurance
  8. 08 Maintenance and ongoing technical support

Service 01

Custom software development

Software designed around your specific processes, data and rules when standard products don't fit.

Typical scope

  • Requirements and process analysis
  • Architecture and technology selection
  • Business logic, automation and data processing
  • Internal and administrative tools

Expected deliverables

  • Working software in agreed releases
  • Source code and repository access
  • Technical documentation
  • Automated tests for core functionality

Service 02

Web application development

Browser-based products — portals, dashboards, SaaS platforms and management systems — that work across devices.

Typical scope

  • Product scoping and MVP definition
  • Responsive, accessible interfaces
  • Authentication and user roles
  • Deployment to a production environment

Expected deliverables

  • Deployed web application
  • Admin and user documentation
  • Performance and accessibility review
  • Release notes for each version
Code editor on a monitor above a mechanical keyboard on a wooden desk

Service 03

Frontend and backend engineering

Hands-on engineering for the client and server sides of an application, for new builds or existing codebases.

Typical scope

  • Component-based frontend development
  • Server logic, databases and data models
  • Refactoring and modernisation
  • Code review and technical audits

Expected deliverables

  • Merged, reviewed code changes
  • Database schema and migrations
  • Audit findings with recommendations
  • Updated technical documentation

Service 04

UX/UI and product design

Making products understandable and pleasant to use, grounded in how people actually work.

Typical scope

  • User interviews and journey mapping
  • Information architecture and flows
  • Wireframes and interactive prototypes
  • Visual design and design systems

Expected deliverables

  • Prototypes for review and testing
  • High-fidelity interface designs
  • Reusable component library
  • Design specifications for developers
Hand sketching app wireframes beside a tablet with interface screens

Service 05

API development and integrations

Connecting your systems with each other and with third-party services so data flows without manual work.

Typical scope

  • REST or GraphQL API design
  • Third-party service integrations
  • Webhooks and data synchronisation
  • Authentication, rate limiting and error handling

Expected deliverables

  • Documented API endpoints
  • Integration code and configuration
  • Automated integration tests
  • Monitoring for failures

Service 06

Cloud and DevOps

Infrastructure and delivery pipelines that make releases repeatable and keep systems observable.

Typical scope

  • Cloud environment setup and migration
  • Infrastructure as code
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Logging, monitoring and alerting

Expected deliverables

  • Version-controlled infrastructure
  • Automated build and deploy pipeline
  • Monitoring dashboards and alerts
  • Runbooks for common operations
Data center server rack with organised cabling and status lights

Service 07

Software testing and quality assurance

Finding problems before your users do, and making quality checks part of everyday development.

Typical scope

  • Test strategy and planning
  • Unit, integration and end-to-end tests
  • Manual exploratory testing
  • Regression testing before releases

Expected deliverables

  • Test plan and coverage overview
  • Automated test suites in CI
  • Defect reports with reproduction steps
  • Release readiness summaries

Service 08

Maintenance and ongoing technical support

Keeping software secure, up to date and improving after launch.

Typical scope

  • Dependency and security updates
  • Bug investigation and fixes
  • Monitoring and incident response
  • Small enhancements and improvements

Expected deliverables

  • Regular update releases
  • Issue tracking with clear status
  • Periodic health reports
  • Prioritised improvement backlog

A note on scope

Final scope, timelines and deliverables are always agreed in writing for each project. Services can be combined — for example design, development and testing in one engagement — or provided separately to support your existing team.