Custom software engineering
Software built for how you work.
Rycefield designs, builds, tests and supports custom software for large organisations. We are based in Johannesburg and are part of Royal RS Conglomerate.
- Code review2 approvals
- Automated tests1 864 tests
- Security scan0 high
- User acceptance5 roles
- Load test3x peak
- Production releaserollback ready
Example only
Services
What we do
We build and look after business systems for organisations with many users, approval steps and sensitive data.
Custom applications
Web and mobile systems built around the way your organisation works, such as case management, approvals, scheduling, reporting and self-service portals.
- Web and mobile
- Workflows and approvals
- Portals
- Reporting
Legacy modernisation
Older systems moved to supported platforms one part at a time, so the business keeps running while the old system is retired.
- Re-platforming
- Cloud migration
- Data migration
- Phased cutover
Systems integration
ERP, HR, finance and identity systems connected so information is captured once and reaches the right place.
- APIs
- ERP and HR
- Single sign-on
- Message queues
Data and reporting
Data pipelines, warehouses and dashboards that give managers accurate figures without manual spreadsheets.
- Data warehouses
- Dashboards
- Scheduled reports
- Data quality
Quality assurance
Functional, user acceptance, performance and security testing, planned from the first week of a project.
- Test automation
- User acceptance
- Load testing
- Security testing
Support and maintenance
Monitoring, fixes, security updates and planned improvements after go-live, under an agreed service level.
- Monitoring
- Incident response
- Updates
- Monthly reporting
How we work
From first meeting to live system
Each stage ends with something you can review and approve before we move on.
- 1
Discovery
We meet the people who own the process, the people who use it and your IT team. Together we agree what the system must do, the risks and a release plan.
Agreed scope and plan - 2
Design
We design the screens and test them with real users. Your IT and security teams review the technical design before development starts.
Approved designs - 3
Build
We develop in two-week cycles and show you working software at the end of each one. Every change is reviewed and tested.
Working software - 4
Testing
Your staff test the system in a separate environment, one role at a time. We also run performance and security tests.
Signed acceptance - 5
Go-live and support
We release to production on an agreed date with a rollback plan, then monitor and support the system under a service agreement.
Live system
Quality and control
Every release is checked three times
Each system has separate development, testing and production environments. A release has to pass a set of checks before it moves from one to the next.
- Role-based accessPeople only see and change what their role allows.
- Audit historyEvery change records who made it, when, and who approved it.
- Separation of dutiesNobody can approve their own work. The system enforces it.
- Data protectionEncrypted data, POPIA-compliant processing and hosting in agreed regions.
Development
Environment 1 of 3Where our engineers work. It is updated many times a day, uses test data only, and your project lead can log in at any time to see progress.
Before a release moves on
- Code reviewed by a second engineer
- Automated tests pass
- Test data only
Testing
Environment 2 of 3A stable copy of the system for your staff to test. A version only reaches it once development checks have passed.
Before a release moves on
- User acceptance by role
- Performance targets met
- No open high-risk security findings
- Sign-off from the business owner
Production
Environment 3 of 3The live system your users work in. Changes are released on agreed dates, with a rollback plan and monitoring in place.
Before a release moves on
- Change approved
- Rollback plan tested
- Backups checked
- Monitoring switched on
Technology
Tools we work with
We use established, well-supported technology and work with the platforms and policies you already have.
Languages
TypeScript, C#, Java, Python, Go and SQL
Front end
React, Next.js and native or cross-platform mobile
Hosting
Microsoft Azure, AWS, Cloudflare or your own data centre
Databases
PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL and object storage
Identity
Microsoft Entra ID, SAML and OpenID Connect single sign-on
Integration
REST and GraphQL APIs, webhooks, queues, SAP and Microsoft Dynamics
Delivery
GitHub, automated build pipelines and infrastructure as code
Testing
Automated tests, load testing, security scanning and accessibility checks
Working together
Ways to engage us
Most clients start with a short discovery phase and then choose the model that suits the work.
Fixed-price project
A defined scope, price and delivery date, agreed after a paid discovery phase.
Suits a clear requirement with a deadlineDedicated team
Engineers, a designer and a delivery lead assigned to your organisation for an agreed period.
Suits ongoing product developmentModernisation programme
A phased replacement of one or more older systems, with each phase delivering something usable.
Suits systems that are costly to maintainSupport agreement
We operate, support and improve a system for you under an agreed service level.
Suits systems already in productionQuestions
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not answered here, call us on 010 002 3353.
Who owns the code?
You do. Once the final invoice is paid, the source code, designs and documentation for work we built for you belong to you. We can keep the code in your own repository from day one.
Can you work within our IT and security policies?
Yes. We can host in your Azure or AWS account or in your data centre, follow your change management process and go through your security reviews.
How do you price a project?
Discovery is a fixed fee. After that you can choose a fixed price for an agreed scope or a monthly rate for a dedicated team. Every quote lists the assumptions it is based on.
What happens after go-live?
Most clients take a support agreement that covers monitoring, fixes, security updates and planned improvements. We can also train your own team and hand the system over to them.
Do you work with organisations outside Johannesburg?
Yes. Most of our work is done remotely, and we travel for workshops, testing and go-live.