Software Maintenance & Support Plan

When software goes live, the work does not end; it really begins there. Libraries age, operating systems update, user numbers grow, and the third-party services you rely on change their interfaces.

Without regular maintenance, small issues pile up and one day become "why did it crash?" Software maintenance and support is the service that watches over your live product to prevent exactly this build-up.

What is software maintenance and support?

Software maintenance is keeping a live product working, secure and current: bug fixing, security patches, dependency updates, small improvements and monitoring.

The goal is to catch problems before they grow and to safeguard the product's continuity. This is different from new feature work: maintenance focuses on keeping what exists healthy and running, while adding new functionality is a separate development effort.

Maintenance work usually falls under four headings.

Corrective maintenance fixes the defects that surface. Adaptive maintenance keeps the product compatible with a changing environment: a new operating system, an updated dependency, a changed external service.

Preventive maintenance reduces risk before problems grow: security patches, log hygiene, performance monitoring. Perfective maintenance makes small-scale adjustments to speed, usability and stability.

What is included?

• Bug fixing: reported issues resolved by priority.
• Updates and patches: security vulnerabilities, library and OS compatibility.
• Monitoring: error and performance tracking; noticing issues before users do.
• Small improvements: minor development and adjustments within the monthly capacity.
• Backup checks: regular verification of data safety.

How we work

We set up the maintenance process within a predictable frame from the start. A typical flow looks like this:

1. Takeover review: we briefly examine the existing code, infrastructure, dependencies and known issues. We map out what technology the product is built with, where it runs and the critical risk points.
2. Scope and capacity definition: we clarify in writing how much monthly technical capacity is allocated, which tasks are included and what the response times are.
3. Setting up monitoring: we put the necessary monitoring in place for error and performance tracking, so we see problems before users do.
4. Regular maintenance cycle: incoming requests are prioritized, security and dependency updates are applied on a plan, and small improvements are completed within the monthly capacity.
5. Reporting: we summarize the work done in the period, open items and recommendations, so you can see the capacity spent and the state of the product.

Who is it for?

The teams that benefit most are those with live software whose continuity matters to the business.

We have worked in a payment- and security-critical, high-volume environment, maintaining such a system. We also have experience maintaining live products across different domains such as enterprise resource management, e-commerce, university information systems and AI-assisted manufacturing platforms. The scale can range from a single application to an enterprise system with several modules; the common point is that keeping the product running matters to the business.

How it works

We allocate a defined monthly technical capacity; requests are prioritized and resolved within it. We clarify up front how many hours and with what response time we work, so both sides move within a predictable frame. If needs grow, we can move to broader models under Product Growth & Technical Partnership.

Why Aforsoft?

In a maintenance plan the difference is that a predictable monthly capacity solves small issues before they grow. We handle bug fixing, updates and monitoring within a defined capacity.

Based in İzmir since 2018, we serve clients across Türkiye remotely. With Aforsoft your maintenance cost stays predictable from the start and your software stays stable in production.

Frequently asked questions

Do you maintain software built by another company, not us?

In most cases, yes. We first review the existing code and state, assess whether it can be taken over, then propose a suitable maintenance plan.

What happens if work exceeds the capacity?

We plan larger developments beyond the monthly capacity separately, inform you in advance and clarify scope and timing. No surprise invoices.

What is your response time for an emergency?

We respond with priority to critical (system-down) issues; for defined response times, an SLA can be set under Product Growth & Technical Partnership.

I am outside İzmir, can we still work together?

Yes. We are based in İzmir but work across Türkiye and remotely. By its nature, most maintenance work runs remotely anyway; we hold meetings online when needed.

How much should I budget for maintenance?

Cost depends on the size of the product, its technology and the monthly capacity allocated. Once we clarify your needs, we recommend a capacity and price range that fits. Our aim is a predictable figure that does not surprise you each month.

What happens if I do not use the allocated monthly capacity?

The capacity is reserved to keep your product continuously monitored and to respond quickly when needed. In quiet months we direct that capacity to preventive work: security updates, performance improvements, technical debt reduction. So the capacity is not wasted, it turns into an investment in the product's health.

Who owns the source code and data?

The code and data belong to you. We use only the access needed for maintenance and hand it back whenever you ask. When working with sensitive data we adopt the principle of least privilege and follow confidentiality rules.

How is the security of my data ensured?

We keep access to the minimum needed and do not store secrets or credentials in shared places. We apply security patches and dependency updates regularly and periodically verify that backups work. Having worked in a payment- and security-critical environment shapes the level of care we bring to this.

How do you carry out maintenance with my existing infrastructure and other systems?

We work with the server, cloud and database environment your product lives in, and we sustain maintenance without breaking its connections to integrated ERP, payment or CRM systems. If a change will affect those connections, we inform you in advance and proceed in a controlled way.

When can I end the maintenance agreement?

Maintenance is a periodic service; we do not lock you into a long-term tie. When you no longer wish to continue, we end the work with a reasonable transition period and share the information needed for a smooth handover of the product.