Legacy .NET & SQL Server support
Legacy .NET and SQL Server support for systems the business still relies on.
When an important application has become difficult to support, the first job is to understand it before changing it. I take over existing VB.NET, C#, WinForms, Web Forms, ASP.NET, .NET Framework and SQL Server applications, stabilise the immediate risks and improve them in practical stages.
Best fit
Use this service when the application matters, but support has become uncertain.
This suits established businesses with an existing .NET or SQL Server application that still runs important work but has become harder to maintain, extend, deploy or trust.
Takeover
The original developer is no longer available
The application still runs important processes, but knowledge, documentation or technical ownership has been lost.
Changes
The business needs fixes and features without a rewrite
Users need careful improvements to the system they already rely on, with disruption kept under control.
Modernisation
The platform needs a sensible upgrade path
Older .NET, SQL Server or hosting arrangements need to be stabilised, documented or moved forward.
Support areas
Support starts with understanding the system, not replacing it.
An older application is not automatically a failed application. The first priority is to understand what it does, how it is deployed, what it depends on and where the real operational risk sits.
Application takeover and dependency analysis
Review the codebase, database, deployment process, scheduled work, integrations, access and the operational tasks users depend on before changing production behaviour.
Bug fixes and production support
Investigation of user-reported issues, workflow interruptions, deployment problems, data mismatches and operational blockers.
SQL Server maintenance
Stored procedures, reporting datasets, performance checks, production data fixes and database changes that support the application.
Documentation, security and supportability
Improve deployment notes, dependency records, logging, access controls and the practical information needed to support the application with less reliance on memory.
Gradual modernisation and deployment
Prepare or move selected components across ASP.NET, WinForms, IIS, newer .NET, Azure App Services and Azure SQL where the benefit justifies the change.
Process
Take responsibility in a controlled sequence.
The system is assessed in the context of live business operations. Urgent risks come first, then improvements can be planned without turning support into an unnecessary rebuild.
01
Understand and stabilise
Review access, dependencies, users and production risks, then address the issues that most affect operations or trust.
02
Improve
I work through fixes and small features in a practical order, with testing around the real business workflow.
03
Document and modernise gradually
Improve support notes, logging, deployment, code, database structure or hosting in stages that the business can absorb.
Pricing
Ongoing support with a clear entry point.
Support can run as a monthly retainer with a set number of hours across investigation, bug fixes, SQL Server work, documentation and small improvements. The appropriate level is agreed after the initial system review.
Legacy application support
from $1,125/month
Covers 5 support hours each month at $225/hour, with extra support hours at the same rate. Separately scoped development is quoted after review. Prices are in AUD and exclude GST.
Request a 20-minute system reviewTechnology
Relevant technology
Questions
Questions people ask about .NET application support
Existing systems
What is .NET application support?
.NET application support is the ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting and improvement of an existing .NET system. It can include bug fixes, SQL Server work, performance investigation, small feature changes, deployment help and practical modernisation.
Can you take over an existing .NET application?
Yes, if the codebase and access are available. I start by understanding how the system is used, where the risks are, what users rely on and what needs attention first.
Do you support older VB.NET, WinForms or ASP.NET systems?
Yes. Older VB.NET, WinForms, WebForms and ASP.NET systems often still run important business processes. The work is usually careful support, targeted improvements and a realistic modernisation path rather than a rushed rebuild.
Risk
Can a legacy .NET application be supported without rebuilding it?
Yes, many legacy .NET applications can be supported without a full rebuild. Practical support may include fixing production issues, improving SQL queries, documenting risky areas and modernising parts of the system gradually.
Can you modernise without replacing everything?
Often, yes. It depends on the system, but practical uplift is usually safer than a rushed rebuild. Modernisation can start with hosting, deployment, database, reporting or selected screens before larger changes are considered.
Can you help with SQL Server issues?
Yes. SQL Server support can include data fixes, stored procedures, reporting datasets, query changes and performance investigation. For many .NET applications, the database work is as important as the application code.
Availability
How does after-hours .NET support work?
After-hours .NET support can be discussed for systems that genuinely need it. I do not pretend to be a 24/7 help desk, but we can agree what counts as urgent, how to contact me, response windows and required access before an issue happens.
What happens if a solo .NET developer is unavailable?
If a solo .NET developer supports a business-critical system, the support plan should not rely on memory alone. We can document key processes, keep deployment notes current, improve logging or monitoring and agree a fallback plan before urgent problems occur.
Start here
Have an important .NET system that needs someone responsible?
Tell me what the application does, who relies on it, what is going wrong and what access or documentation exists. The first review will separate immediate risk from work that can be planned.
Request a system review