A warm welcome, straight from my desk — №1
This is the first edition of my rebranded newsletter, straight from my desk. Every other week, I'll write something about what we'
Andreas Creten
Technical due diligence before acquiring a software company
What over 180 SaaS audits reveal about the technical risks that restructure software acquisition deals, and how to assess them before signing. Real data on documentation debt, testing gaps, key person risk, and the five findings that change deal terms.
AI didn't change the economics of software engineering
AI made writing code faster, but the real economics of software engineering were never about typing code in the first place.
The unbundling of engineering value (Part 2)
AI won't make software engineers redundant. It will expose what engineering was always supposed to be about: understanding systems, not just writing code.
The unbundling of engineering value (Part 1)
Here's part one of a post I shared with our team on the radical change and evolution of our jobs. AI won't make software engineers redundant. It will expose what engineering was always supposed to be about: understanding systems, not just writing code.
Investor Insights #7 - Andreas’ new book: The Economics of Software Engineering
How AI is quietly killing open source
LLMs generate code on demand, but they do not replace maintainers, communities, or years of shared learning. This piece explores how AI-assisted coding risks fragmenting logic, increasing technical debt, and slowly eroding the open source ecosystem.
Navigating Outages: lessons from recent cloud failures
Outages can strike unexpectedly, impacting businesses and users alike. In this episode of the SaaS Show, hosts Andreas and Sjimi delve into the recent outages experienced by major cloud providers like Amazon and Cloudflare.
The End of “AI-powered”
Of course your product is AI-based. There is no need mention this anymore. Tech loves a fashionable label. Web 2.0 had its moment, then mobile, then the cloud. Do not tell me your product uses AI. Tell me what your product can do that was impossible before AI existed.
The stainless steel lesson: why boring technology outlasts shiny frameworks
Shiny frameworks promise magic, but like cheap non-stick pans, they scratch, peel, and end up in the bin. Boring technology, like stainless steel, isn’t sexy, but it lasts for decades if treated well. The lesson? Build for the long haul, not the quick thrill.
AI isn't optional anymore: Why developers without AI are falling behind
AI is not replacing developers, but it is replacing developers who refuse to use it. The real skill lies in how well you steer, validate, and challenge the model. Fundamentals matter, but today’s best engineers treat AI as an amplifier, not a crutch.
You can't delegate accountability: what the NIS2 directive means for boards
Here’s an uncomfortable truth: board members can’t delegate accountability. Not for budgets. Not for legal compliance. And no longer for cybersecurity.
What would it cost to rebuild this software from scratch?
Evaluating the cost of rebuilding software from scratch involves more than counting development hours; it requires recognising the invisible value of user feedback, lessons learned, and embedded experience.
Why front-end rewrites are more common than refactors
Why do engineering teams keep rewriting frontends? Let’s explore the leadership bias and tech churn that makes refactors feel harder—yet ultimately more sustainable.
🌶️ Why Native PHP shouldn’t exist
Building desktop apps with NativePHP misuses Laravel’s core strengths, creating potential security risks and practical limitations.