Forward Deployed Engineering
Modernise one department at a time, with a team that stays until it works.
One named lead embedded in your business, backed by specialists in AI, automation, systems, data and security.
Enterprise-grade capability, built for SMEs.
You know the business needs to modernise.
You don't have the people to do it.
Most growing businesses reach the same point.
The work has outgrown the systems, and there is no internal technology function to fix that.
Hiring one person doesn't cover the range of skills needed, and one-off projects don't add up to a plan.
Sound familiar?
- "Our systems don't talk to each other, so we fill the gaps with spreadsheets."
- "Too much of the day goes on manual work and admin."
- "Reports are late, and nobody has the full picture."
- "We know AI matters. We can't tell where it would pay off."
- "We're paying for software we barely use."
A named lead inside your business, backed by a specialist team
We place a named Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) Lead inside your business, backed by our wider specialist team. Together we redesign and platform the business across people, process, systems, data and AI, one department at a time. The aim is people and AI agents working together, with measurable productivity gains and a positive return within the first 12 months.
- 01
People and agents
We redesign work so people, systems and AI agents operate together, with human judgement focused where it matters most.
- 02
One lead, one team
The FDE Lead gives you continuity. Behind them are specialists in AI, architecture, automation, cybersecurity, infrastructure and business systems.
- 03
Value you can prove
A live Benefits & ROI Register tracks savings, hours released, productivity, risk reduction, adoption and other outcomes.
Part of how your business runs
Your FDE becomes part of the operating rhythm, not a consultant working at arm's length. They will:
- attend leadership and quarterly planning sessions
- work directly with department heads and staff
- spend time onsite and watch processes first-hand
- manage and challenge your technology vendors
- help prioritise investment and oversee delivery
The capability of a technology function, without building one
- IT strategy and governance
- Enterprise architecture
- AI and ML engineering
- Automation and RPA
- Process reengineering
- Business systems
- Data and reporting
- Integrations
- Cybersecurity
- Infrastructure
- Vendor and cost optimisation
Sound familiar?
"Our systems don't talk to each other, so we fill the gaps with spreadsheets."
"Too much of the day goes on manual work and admin."
"Reports are late, and nobody has the full picture."
"We know AI matters. We can't tell where it would pay off."
"We're paying for software we barely use."
A named lead inside your business, backed by a specialist team
We place a named Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) Lead inside your business, backed by our wider specialist team. Together we redesign and platform the business across people, process, systems, data and AI, one department at a time. The aim is people and AI agents working together, with measurable productivity gains and a positive return within the first 12 months.
1
People and agents
We redesign work so people, systems and AI agents operate together, with human judgement focused where it matters most.
2
One lead, one team
The FDE Lead gives you continuity. Behind them are specialists in AI, architecture, automation, cybersecurity, infrastructure and business systems.
3
Value you can prove
A live Benefits & ROI Register tracks savings, hours released, productivity, risk reduction, adoption and other outcomes.
Part of how your business runs
- attend leadership and quarterly planning sessions
- work directly with department heads and staff
- spend time onsite and watch processes first-hand
- manage and challenge your technology vendors
- help prioritise investment and oversee delivery
The capability of a technology function, without building one
IT strategy and governance
Enterprise architecture
AI and ML engineering
Automation and RPA
Process reengineering
Business systems
Data and reporting
Integrations
Cybersecurity
Infrastructure
Vendor and cost optimisation
A three-year direction, with value from day one
3 years
A transformation roadmap
12 months
The business outcomes we are working towards
90 days
A priority backlog
2 weeks
Delivery sprints
Each quarter
Review the ROI and reprioritise
Redesign the business, not just the technology
We don't automate inefficient processes. We first challenge how the work should be done, then apply the right mix of systems, automation and AI. Each department is looked at across five areas.
People
Roles, judgement and adoption
Process
Simplify and redesign
Systems
ERP, CRM and workflow
Data
Reporting and decisions
AI and agents
Automate and augment
Continuous delivery, included
The retainer includes continuous delivery of smaller, high-value improvements, so the business sees progress every sprint. That covers:
- AI agents and workflow automations
- dashboards, reporting and data improvements
- system integrations and platform configuration
- process redesign and proofs of concept
- ERP and CRM improvements and minor enhancements
Larger programmes are scoped separately. These include major ERP implementations, significant custom software builds, major data migrations, infrastructure programmes, and work that needs substantial extra specialist capacity.
Built for established SMEs
Forward deployed engineering suits established New Zealand and Australian businesses with 30+ employees and roughly $20m+ revenue. They know they need to modernise, carry significant inefficiencies, want to use AI across the business, and have no mature internal technology function.
| Compared with | The difference |
|---|---|
| One internal hire | One lead, backed by a multidisciplinary team |
| Traditional consulting | We stay embedded and help deliver the change |
| A managed service provider | We improve how the business operates, not just keep technology running |
| Isolated projects | Every initiative sits within a living enterprise architecture and roadmap |
Related pages
A three-year direction, with value from day one
The roadmap sets the destination. Delivery stays agile, takes the highest-value opportunities first and adapts as the business changes.
3 years
A transformation roadmap
12 months
The business outcomes we are working towards
90 days
A priority backlog
2 weeks
Delivery sprints
Each quarter
Redesign the business, not just the technology
We don't automate inefficient processes. We first challenge how the work should be done, then apply the right mix of systems, automation and AI. Each department is looked at across five areas.
People
Process
Systems
Data
AI and agents
Continuous delivery, included
The retainer includes continuous delivery of smaller, high-value improvements, so the business sees progress every sprint. That covers:
- AI agents and workflow automations
- dashboards, reporting and data improvements
- system integrations and platform configuration
- process redesign and proofs of concept
- ERP and CRM improvements and minor enhancements
Positive ROI within 12 months
The Benefits & ROI Register tracks cost savings, hours released, productivity, technology savings, revenue enabled, cycle time, risk reduction, adoption, processes redesigned, and automations and agents deployed.
Built for established SMEs
Forward deployed engineering suits established New Zealand and Australian businesses with 30+ employees and roughly $20m+ revenue. They know they need to modernise, carry significant inefficiencies, want to use AI across the business, and have no mature internal technology function.
| Compared with | The difference |
|---|---|
| One internal hire | One lead, backed by a multidisciplinary team |
| Traditional consulting | We stay embedded and help deliver the change |
| A managed service provider | We improve how the business operates, not just keep technology running |
| Isolated projects | Every initiative sits within a living enterprise architecture and roadmap |
Common questions
Is this a consulting engagement?
No. Your FDE Lead works inside the business, joins your planning sessions and helps deliver the change, rather than handing over a report.
What's included in the retainer?
A named FDE Lead, access to our specialist team, a three-year roadmap, and continuous delivery of smaller improvements such as automations, AI agents, dashboards and integrations. Larger programmes are scoped separately.
How do we know it's working?
The Benefits & ROI Register tracks the outcomes, and we review it with you every quarter before reprioritising the backlog.
Do we need an IT team already?
No. The model is built for businesses that don't have a mature internal technology function.
Where do we start?
With a discovery call. We'll look at where time and money are being lost and outline what a three-year roadmap would cover.
