Finding the right software development partner can be difficult, especially when businesses need something more sophisticated than an off the shelf platform. Bespoke software can offer greater flexibility, but it also represents a significant investment, so choosing a development company with the right technical expertise, security credentials, and understanding of business requirements is essential.
Talk Think Do is a UK based custom software development company that focuses on enterprise applications, AI, cloud technology, and modernising existing systems. The company has also made AI assisted development a central part of its approach, claiming that this allows it to deliver software around 50% faster than traditional bespoke software companies.
But, what is Talk Think Do actually like to work with, and does its approach make it stand out from the growing number of software development companies available today. Here’s our honest take on what the company offers, where it appears strongest, and what you should know.
Who Is Talk Think Do?
Talk Think Do is a UK software consultancy founded in 2014 and headquartered in Bournemouth, Dorset. It specialises in building bespoke software for organisations that need solutions based on what standard SaaS products can provide.
The company philosophy is summed up by its name. It says its process starts with talking to the client to understand the problem, followed by thinking about the architecture and approach, before doing the actual development and delivery. That focus on listening is particularly relevant when developing software that needs to fit an organisation’s existing processes.
Talk Think Do has a strong Microsoft focus, and is a Microsoft Solutions Partner, with specialisations in Azure infrastructure, digital and app innovation, DevOps, and more. The company also works with organisations where security and compliance are important. It holds ISO 27001 certification and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation. As well as this, it’s an approved supplier on government procurement framework, including G-Cloud 14.
Their client list includes organisations like the Department for Education, CalMac Ferries, Third Space, and more, demonstrating their skill across a number of sectors.
What Do Talk Think Do Offer?
This company offers a fairly comprehensive range of software development services, meaning customers can potentially work with the company from the initial concept through to ongoing support. Custom software development is at the heart of the business though. The company builds web, cloud, mobile, and enterprise applications, with customers retaining ownership of the resulting code.
It also provides AI development and implementation, including generative AI features, intelligence automation, retrieval augmented generation (RAG), custom copilots, and agentic AI. Its AI services are built primarily around Microsoft’s Azure AI ecosystem, including Azure OpenAI, Semantic Kernel, and more.
For organisations with older technology, legacy application modernisation is another area of expertise. Talk Think Do can help businesses move their ageing systems towards a more modern, scalable solution.
There are also API and integration services available. They have been designed to connect different applications and automate workflows alongside DevOps and modernisation services. But, potentially most important of all, Talk Think Do doesn’t just stop when the software launches. They offer managed application support to provide ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and continuous improvement. This also includes support for software that this company did not build.
What Did We Like About Them?
One of the biggest positives is the company’s clear specialism. Talk Think Do isn’t trying to be a general marketing agency or an IT provider offering every service that it can think of. Instead, its focus is on bespoke software, particularly within the Microsoft Azure ecosystem. This could make it a good fit for organisations with genuinely complex software requirements.
The claimed 40-50% faster delivery is another bonus if they are able to deliver on it. However, it should be treated as an estimated figure rather than a definitive result for every single project they take on.
We also really enjoyed their approach to AI assisted development. AI is used throughout the development process rather than just being offered as an add on to make people feel ‘better’. Talk Think Do says that around 80% of its code is now AI created with senior engineers reviewing the work, and quality assessment processes being in place.
Of course, another highlight is the fact that customers retain ownership of their code. Talk Think Do says it provides clean, documented and version controlled code, which gives businesses greater flexibility over time.
Last but not least, we can’t miss out the fact that they provide ongoing support. This is super appealing, as bespoke software is only part of the challenge. From there it needs to be kept secure, functional, and change with changing business requirements, something this company is happy to provide.
What Did We Not?
Of course, no company is perfect, and while Talk Think Do doesn’t have many obvious negatives, that doesn’t mean that it is going to be the right fit for everyone.
The first thing to think about is cost. Bespoke software can be costly, and it requires a significant investment that is far higher than just subscribing to an existing SaaS platform. Talk Think Do itself positions its services around organisations that need more than off the shelf software, which means that those with straightforward needs can be served by an existing product.
Also, the fact that they focus so heavily on Microsoft Azure could be an issue for some companies. If you’re a Microsoft centred business, then this is a huge advantage, but those that are invested in other cloud ecosystems may prefer a more platform neutral approach.
Overall Thoughts
So, when all is said and done, would we recommend Talk Think Do to you? Yes, we would. They are a strong option for UK organisations looking for bespoke software development, particularly those that are already working within the Microsoft ecosystem. The combination of expertise, their focus on AI, and their range of services makes it a fantastic contender. Just make sure that you talk to the company first to check that they are the right partner for you, and then you can go from there.
