Ampity vs Dev Shops
A capable development shop can be exactly right for well-specified build work. Ampity is designed for situations where architecture, operating risk and delivery evidence are part of the work itself.
View every comparisonChoose for the work in front of you.
The useful question is not which model sounds better. It is which model matches the ownership, ambiguity and operating context of the work.
A development shop
- Optimized for feature or product delivery
- Often priced by team size and time
- Architecture involvement varies by provider
- Handoff follows the contracted build scope
- Strong fit when product ownership is already clear
Ampity
- Works from the system constraint and desired result
- Commercial terms follow a bounded scope
- Architecture and operating controls stay close to delivery
- Handoff evidence is agreed before implementation
- Strong fit for consequential production change
Compare the model behind the rate card.
Commercial labels rarely reveal who coordinates the work, carries context, proves acceptance or owns the handoff.
| Dimension | A development shop | Ampity |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Usually expressed as features, stories or a product roadmap. | Expressed as a system result, constraints, dependencies and acceptance evidence. |
| Architecture | Depth depends on the team, contract and client direction. | Architecture decisions are treated as part of delivery, not a separate presentation. |
| Operations | Production ownership varies and may begin after handoff. | Reliability, security, cost and operability are included where they affect acceptance. |
| Change control | Backlog and change-request process. | Explicit assumption, dependency and scope-change record. |
| Best fit | Well-understood product work with strong client ownership. | Ambiguous or high-consequence work that needs senior systems judgment. |
Use the model that removes the actual constraint.
A specialist partner is useful only when it changes the delivery equation. Otherwise, keep the work with the team or model already equipped to own it.
A defined customer portal
A development shop
Often a good fit when flows, integrations and acceptance are already specified.
Ampity
Useful if identity, data boundaries or operating scale are unresolved.
A live platform will not scale
A development shop
A fit when the remediation design is already known.
Ampity
A fit when bottlenecks, failure modes and safe options still need investigation.
A complex integration program
A development shop
A fit when contracts and ownership boundaries are settled.
Ampity
A fit when reliability, reconciliation and operating ownership must be designed.
Ask questions that expose the operating model.
Use the answers to clarify fit before comparing proposals or day rates.
- Is the build already well specified?
- Who owns architecture choices that change operating cost or risk?
- Who defines production acceptance beyond feature completion?
- What happens when the evidence contradicts the original solution?
- Who owns the system after the delivery team leaves?
Compare the model against your actual constraint.
Bring the system context, ownership gap and delivery pressure. We will tell you where Ampity fits and where it does not.
Browse decision guidesFrequently asked questions
What is a dev shop?
A dev shop, or development shop, is a company that builds software for other organisations. Its work can include websites, applications, integrations and ongoing maintenance. The label alone does not tell you whether the provider owns architecture, testing, deployment or production support; those responsibilities depend on the agreement.
How is Ampity different from a typical dev shop?
Ampity combines architecture and decision support with accountable engineering delivery. Development shops can offer similar capabilities, so compare the actual scope, decision ownership, acceptance evidence and operating support rather than relying on the label. Ampity's responsibilities, assumptions and client dependencies are agreed for each engagement.
When does a project-based dev shop make sense?
A project-based development shop can suit well-defined software work when the customer has clear product ownership and can specify integrations, acceptance criteria and ongoing support. Project size alone does not determine fit.
What risks come with outsourcing to a dev shop?
Risks arise when the agreement leaves architecture decisions, security, testing, source-code access, documentation or post-launch ownership unclear. These are contract and delivery risks to check with any provider, not inherent weaknesses of every development shop.
How do you ensure quality with an outsourced team?
Through code review, automated testing, shared metrics, regular demos and transparent access to the codebase and backlog.
Can you take over a project from another vendor?
Yes. We begin with a code and architecture review, then plan a safe transition and stabilisation.