Why Treat Software as an Asset, Not a Project

For years, companies have approached software as a project — something that has a defined start and end date, a budget, and a finish line. You scope the requirements, build the solution, cut a ribbon at launch, and then… it’s done. Or so it seems.

The truth is, software is never done. Applications live, grow, and evolve in step with your business. Treating them as one-off projects is like buying a car and never changing the oil. It might get you where you need to go for a while, but sooner or later, that neglected “project” turns into a liability.


The Limitations of the Project Mindset

Traditional consulting models lean on time & materials (T&M) contracts or staff augmentation. That works for Fortune 500 companies with internal development teams, but for mid-market organizations and non-profits, it creates risk. Projects run over budget, maintenance gets deferred, and before long, custom software becomes outdated, insecure, or simply unusable.

When you treat software as a project:

  • Costs are unpredictable and hard to manage.
  • Post-launch maintenance is neglected.
  • Innovation stalls while you’re stuck in break/fix mode.
  • The “project” that was supposed to drive growth becomes a burden.

The Asset Mindset

At Red Hawk, we believe software should be treated like an asset. Just like facilities, equipment, or data, it requires care, investment, and continuous improvement. An asset provides ongoing value. It doesn’t end at “go-live” — that’s actually where its real value begins.

This shift in mindset is where our Development-as-a-Service (DaaS) model shines.


Development-as-a-Service: A Smarter Way Forward

We built our model specifically for mid-market companies — the organizations too small to run a full internal software engineering department, but too ambitious to settle for off-the-shelf solutions.

With Red Hawk’s DaaS, you get:

predictable costs

A predictable monthly cost that covers development, support, maintenance, and enhancements.

Continuous innovation

Continuous innovation that keeps your systems secure, efficient, and competitive.

Financial stability

Financial and operational stability that allows you to plan long-term and focus on high-value work.

True Partnership

A true partnership built on understanding your business and sharing R&D insights.

This isn’t just outsourcing. It’s a strategic investment model designed to ensure your software remains an asset — fueling transformation, unlocking new revenue streams, and leveraging data to deliver more value to customers.


Preparing for Tomorrow

The pace of change in technology isn’t slowing down. That’s why we’re continually investing in research, new partnerships, and tools like Software Composition Analysis (SCA) to help clients manage technical debt and security risks. By aligning our growth with the evolving needs of our clients, we ensure their assets are positioned not just to survive, but to thrive in an ever-changing market.

Projects end. Assets grow. With Red Hawk’s Development-as-a-Service (DaaS) model, you don’t just get a finished product — you get a long-term partner who ensures your technology continues to deliver value year after year.

Don’t let your next software project become a liability. Reach out today, and let’s talk about how we can turn it into a strategic asset that drives innovation and fuels lasting business success.

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Matt Strippelhoff

Matt Strippelhoff

During his career, Matt has built an expansive portfolio of work in both traditional and interactive media. He’s designed and led the development of corporate intranets, extranets, e-commerce websites, content management tools, mobile applications and specialized interactive marketing programs for large and small business-to-business and business-to-consumer clientele. In addition to keeping Red Hawk a well-oiled machine, Matt consults with customers’ IT and Marketing executives on how to use technology and data to solve their business challenges, as well as take advantage of business opportunities.

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