Technical Advisory

84EM advises businesses and their teams on software architecture, web platform decisions, and AI adoption, focused on the decisions that are hard to reverse.

Architecture reviews

Stack, platform, and integration choices weighed against what you're building.

AI adoption guidance

A practical plan for bringing AI tools into your team's workflow.

Proposal & RFP review

An independent check of the numbers and the approach.

Decision support

An experienced outside read on platform, vendor, and migration calls.

Why 84EM for technical advisory?

Advisory work gets the same person who does the implementation. You bring the decision, 84EM reads the materials, and you get a clear recommendation you can defend.

31 years of web development experience

Applied to architecture decisions, vendor selection, and AI adoption plans.

Analysis specific to your situation

Built from your materials and constraints, specific to the decision in front of you.

Software, web, and AI depth

Grounded in current, hands-on work in all three.

Direct engagement

You talk to the person doing the work, from scoping through delivery.

When to Get a Second Opinion

Evaluating a vendor proposal

You're not sure the approach is sound, the scope is achievable, or the price reflects the work.

Planning AI adoption

Your team wants to use AI tools, and you need a rollout that doesn't create new problems.

Architecture decisions with long-term consequences

You're weighing platform, integration, or migration decisions that would be expensive to unwind.

Reviewing a technical plan

A proposal, codebase, or build is ready, and you want someone who has shipped similar work to go through it first.

What does an advisory engagement look like?

Architecture Reviews

How your platform, stack, and integration decisions meet your requirements.

AI Adoption Strategy

Guidance on tool selection, workflow fit, and rules for day-to-day use.

Proposal and RFP Review

A close look at proposals, RFP responses, and technical evaluations.

Codebase Review

Technical assessment for acquisition, investment, or handoff decisions.

Team Enablement

Training for your engineering team on specific tools or practices.

Ongoing Advisory

Retainer-based access for recurring technical questions.

How does an advisory engagement work?

Four stages that run from a scoping conversation to written recommendations you can act on, and 84EM sticks around afterward for questions as you implement.

Scope the Question

A conversation about the decision, the stakes, and what you need from the engagement.

Engage

Review the codebase, proposal, or environment in question, focusing on the parts that bear on the decision.

Deliver

Findings delivered in writing, with a plan attached when the situation calls for one.

Follow Through

Available for follow-up questions, implementation support, or ongoing advisory as the work proceeds.

He communicates technical recommendations clearly and accessibly, making them easy to understand for those without a technical background. Beyond his skill and knowledge, Andrew has been a valuable mentor to our internal development team, always collaborative, reliable, and committed to delivering high-quality results.

I've had the pleasure of working with Andrew at 84EM for over four years, and he's consistently been an exceptional partner across a range of development needs. From deep backend portal work to modernizing legacy code and building custom solutions tailored to our clients, his contributions have had a direct, meaningful impact improving overall site performance while enhancing reporting capabilities and activity tracking.
Supporting a complex 13-site ecosystem with multiple API integrations is no small task, yet Andrew approaches these challenges with both technical expertise and thoughtful problem-solving. He's proactive in identifying potential issues, staying on top of updates in the development space, and ensuring that our clients' websites remain secure, stable, and current.
Equally important, he communicates technical recommendations clearly and accessibly, making them easy to understand for those without a technical background. Beyond his skill and knowledge, Andrew has been a valuable mentor to our internal development team, always collaborative, reliable, and committed to delivering high-quality results.

Lauren Farrell Account Director Plan B Advertising

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Frequently asked questions.

Can 84EM advise without doing the implementation?

Yes. Technical Advisory engagements cover architecture reviews, AI adoption strategy, proposal and RFP review, codebase review, team enablement, and ongoing advisory. Retainer or per-engagement. See Technical Advisory.

Can I get a second opinion on a vendor proposal?

Yes. Proposal and RFP review is a common advisory engagement. A senior technical assessment of scope, architecture, cost, and risk before you commit. Useful for non-technical founders and technical leaders alike.

Can I hire 84EM for ongoing advisory without a specific project?

Yes. Technical Advisory retainers are available for architecture guidance, code review, AI adoption strategy, and general senior technical input. Useful for teams that want an experienced developer on call without hiring full-time. See Technical Advisory.

How do I get started with 84EM?

Contact 84EM to discuss your requirements, timeline, and budget. No commitment required.

Need a second opinion?

Describe the decision in front of you. You'll get a straight technical answer before you commit budget or pick a partner.

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