Software value and risk assessment for better tech investments
Buying software or a tech company is a major decision. Hidden costs, fragile architecture, or outdated components can change the value of a deal overnight. Our software value and risk assessment service helps to bring these risks down to a bare minimum: all risks weighed against your business needs, by neutral third party experts.
What software value and risk assessment is
Software value and risk assessment is a structured auditing of a software system before an acquisition or major investment. We examine the system landscape to:
- Identify hidden risks and technical debt
- Check architecture and code health
- Estimate future maintenance and modernization cost
- Confirm whether the solution supports the business goals
You get an evidence-based estimate of the system’s real value – before the deal is final.
Why it matters before you buy
Every system carries technical debt. The question is how much, and what it means for your business. Software value assessment gives you clarity on:
- True long-term cost – not just purchase price
- Future risk – what may break, slow growth, or require urgent fixes
- Negotiation strength – real findings support fair terms
- Investment confidence – decisions backed by measurable insight
We don’t give guesses or inflated promises. We give you a clear picture you can trust.
How we work
Our process is designed to be thorough, efficient, and aligned with business priorities. We look at the parts of the system that matter most to value and continuity.
Typical timeframe is short and focused, with minimal disruption to the target company.
The software value and risk assessment steps
Starting a software value assessment project is easy: once we’ve agreed on a scope, goals and parameters, we’ll take care of the rest.
So, what is it that we actually do?
Project initiation
We establish direct communication with system owners, define scope and participants, and handle NDAs. We organize access to code, infrastructure, and relevant documentation.
Technical interviews
We talk with product, development, and operations stakeholders to understand history, key decisions, and known issues. Interviews often uncover:
- Mismatches between business timelines and technical reality
- Dependencies on deprecated libraries
- Process gaps affecting delivery or maintenance
In-depth code and architecture examination
Our engineers review architecture and code quality using trusted tools (for example SonarQube or PMD). We assess:
- Structural clarity and system simplicity
- Maturity of development and release practices
- Outdated components that risk cost growth or obsolescence
Identification of hidden future costs
We map costs that don’t show up in a sales deck, such as:
- Annual fees for third-party tools and integrations
- Cost impact of weak automation or deployment risk
- Modernization needs driven by outdated tech
Evaluating non-functional requirements
We assess requirements that affect scale, compliance, and reliability, such as:
- Auditability and security
- High availability
- Performance and scalability
- Extensibility for new business needs
Documentation and knowledge transfer assessment
We review whether documentation is current, usable, and complete. Poor documentation often leads to long reverse-engineering phases and higher maintenance costs.
Observability and monitoring systems check
For larger systems, we evaluate monitoring and observability (e.g., Datadog) and review historical logs.
The deliverables: what you’ll receive
Executive summary
Technical findings
Cost and risk estimate
Optional walkthrough
Clarity
Client feedback:
Software value and risk assessment for Silen
Silen – an Estonian manufacturer of innovative soundproof phone booths – engaged Helmes to perform software assessment for a potential software acquisition.
„The software assessment provided clear insights into modernization needs and actionable recommendations, enabling informed decision-making.” – Endrus Arge, CEO of Silen
- Architecture – evaluating system design and identifying opportunities to streamline and improve scalability
- Technical Debt – uncovering deprecated components and upgrade requirements that could lead to significant future costs
- Maintainability – reviewing code structure and dependencies to ensure long-term sustainability
- Risk Analysis – assessing potential bottlenecks and vulnerabilities impacting operational efficiency
Software value and risk assessment for an HR company
Before finalizing the acquisition of a business-critical software solution, an HR services provider turned to Helmes for software value and risk assessment to uncover potential risks and hidden costs.
Our review revealed significant third-party licensing expenses and major upgrade requirements, giving the client a clear picture of the total cost of ownership. These insights enabled informed negotiations and helped avoid unexpected costs down the road.
Beyond the initial assessment, Helmes provided guidance on day-one tasks after the takeover and offered technical assistance throughout the transition process, ensuring smooth integration and operational continuity. We also interviewed the seller’s technical team to validate assumptions and clarify risks.
„The cost of Helmes’ service – less than two weeks of work – was negligible compared to the value of the discoveries and gave us confidence and valuable insights ahead of a critical business decision.” – CEO
I like Helmes’ holistic and professional approach to the work.”
Endrus Arge, CEO of Silen
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