2026 guide: How to choose a software partner for enterprise backend projects (Java and .NET)

How to define project requirements for a backend project?

Before selecting the right technology partner for your backend project, it’s crucial to take the time to clearly define your project’s requirements. While it may seem like a straightforward step, many organizations make the mistake of rushing into partner selection without fully understanding what the project requires. This often leads to misaligned expectations, missed opportunities, or unnecessary complications later in the project.

Here are some fundamental questions you should ask yourself, your team, and any potential partners to ensure a solid foundation for the project:

What are the core business goals of the project?

Every backend system is built to solve specific business problems. For example, when working with clients like BlaBlaCar, the focus was on scaling their SaaS platform, which involved addressing the complex business logic around user interaction and data flow to ensure scalability across regions. Whether the goal is to automate internal workflows, develop a customer-facing service, or power an enterprise platform, the backend must be designed to meet those business objectives. Understanding these goals from the outset ensures that your backend solution is aligned with business needs and can scale as the organization grows. Without clear business objectives, there’s a risk of building a technically sound system that doesn’t actually support the company’s strategic direction.

How complex is the business logic that needs to be implemented?

The business logic is at the heart of any backend system. It defines how data flows, how different processes interact, and how requests are handled. If the logic is complex, the system architecture will need to support that complexity without becoming a bottleneck. Be sure to assess the complexity of the workflows, approval systems, decision-making processes, and any integrations with other systems. Understanding this complexity helps in selecting the right architecture, technology stack, and approach for building the system.

Are there integration requirements with existing systems?

Few backend systems operate in isolation. Whether it’s interacting with legacy systems, third-party APIs, or other internal services, understanding the integration requirements is key to the project’s success. Ask yourself what existing systems or services need to be integrated into the new backend and how the system will need to interact with those external components. This will inform your choice of technology and ensure seamless integration across platforms.

What is the expected scale of the system?

Scalability is one of the most critical factors in backend development. A system that works well for a small number of users might fail under heavy load. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the expected scale, not just in terms of user count but also data volume and transaction rates. Will your system be handling thousands, millions, or potentially more? Understanding the scale early on will guide decisions around infrastructure, data storage, and performance optimization, ensuring that the system can grow with your business needs.

How much flexibility will the system need in terms of future changes or scaling?

The technology and business landscapes are constantly evolving. One of the biggest challenges is designing a backend system that can adapt to future changes, whether it’s new features, shifting business requirements, or changes in technology. For instance, your backend may need to integrate with emerging technologies like AI or machine learning down the road. Your partner should help you plan for this flexibility, designing an architecture that accommodates future growth and changes without requiring costly overhauls.

A clear understanding of these factors will not only guide the choice of technology but also help you choose a partner who can deliver a solution that meets your current and future needs. By clearly defining these requirements upfront, you set the stage for a smoother project execution and ensure that the chosen partner is aligned with your business objectives and technical requirements.

If you’re looking for guidance on selecting the right development partner more broadly, check out our article on choosing software development companies in Europe.

How to evaluate the experience of your potential backend software partner?

When selecting a backend development partner, experience is the key differentiator. Backend systems are often complex, and only those with a proven track record in handling large-scale, intricate systems can successfully manage the various challenges and edge cases that arise.

To ensure your partner has the necessary expertise, look for experience in the following areas:

Large-scale systems: Your partner should have experience building systems capable of handling millions of users or high transactional loads. In the Sonnen Digital Transformation project, the backend needed to ensure smooth performance during energy data collection, monitoring, and storage across multiple platforms. They need to understand how to optimize backend performance, ensure uptime, and guarantee high availability, especially under heavy traffic conditions.

Ask for case studies or examples of systems they’ve built that had to scale and maintain performance under pressure.

Microservices and scalability: As your organization grows, so too will the demands on your backend system. Your partner should be skilled in designing scalable microservices architectures that allow for flexibility, rapid growth, and the ability to handle spikes in demand. This includes knowledge of how to break down large systems into smaller, independently deployable services and ensure they can scale horizontally.

For a deeper understanding of microservices architecture, read our comprehensive guide on microservices as an alternative to monolithic architecture.

Best practices in Java/.NET: The right partner will have extensive experience working with Java or .NET, depending on your technology preference. They should be able to demonstrate how they’ve utilized these technologies to solve complex backend challenges, following best practices in areas like security, system design, and data management. A reliable partner will have a portfolio of successful projects and be able to provide examples of how they addressed real-world issues in these specific technologies.

Experience in these areas not only demonstrates technical competence but also reflects the ability to foresee potential obstacles and find effective solutions. A partner with this experience will ensure that your backend is built on a solid foundation, capable of handling both current and future business needs.

How to verify the approach to quality and security of your backend software partner?

When building backend systems, especially those incorporating advanced technologies like AI, quality and security must be foundational elements, not afterthoughts. The reliability and safety of the system are essential to ensuring that it performs well under load and remains secure in the face of potential threats.

Here’s what to look for when evaluating your partner’s approach to quality and security:

Security: Security is a non-negotiable aspect of any backend system, especially when dealing with sensitive data or integrating third-party services. Your partner should have a clear and proven methodology for securing APIs, ensuring data privacy, and protecting sensitive information in accordance with industry standards (such as GDPR, SOC 2, etc.). Ask how they have managed security in past projects—particularly when integrating external systems or incorporating AI components. They should be able to explain how they ensure data protection, prevent unauthorized access, and secure communication channels between systems.

Testing and monitoring: A robust testing strategy is crucial for maintaining system integrity. Your partner should employ rigorous testing practices, such as unit testing, integration testing, and performance testing, to ensure that the backend system functions as expected and handles any edge cases. In addition to testing, proactive monitoring should be in place to track system performance, identify potential issues early, and ensure the backend operates smoothly in real-time. For high-traffic systems or those requiring high availability, continuous monitoring ensures that any deviations in performance are quickly detected and addressed.

Risk management: Every backend system has risks—whether technical, security-related, or operational. Your partner should have a solid risk management strategy in place that includes identifying potential risks early in the development process and devising strategies to mitigate them. This becomes particularly important when integrating AI, as AI models can introduce new uncertainties and challenges. Your partner should be able to demonstrate how they approach the testing, monitoring, and continual adjustment of AI models to ensure they perform consistently over time. How will they ensure that the AI models remain effective and secure post-deployment, and how will they handle any unforeseen risks?

Incorporating a proactive approach to security, testing, and risk management ensures that your backend system is not only functional but also secure, reliable, and able to scale over time. A partner who values these practices will provide you with a stable foundation for future growth and minimize the likelihood of costly issues down the road.

How to check if your backend partner is experienced in managing large teams?

In backend development, particularly in complex, large-scale projects, effective team management is just as important as technical expertise. Coordinating teams across various departments – such as product, design, and operations – ensures that all stakeholders are aligned, and the project is executed smoothly. Your partner should have proven experience in managing distributed teams, leveraging agile methodologies, and providing robust DevOps support to facilitate seamless collaboration across all stages of the development lifecycle.

Here’s what to consider when evaluating your potential partner’s team management capabilities:

Managing large, cross-functional teams: A successful backend project often requires a multi-disciplinary approach, with teams of developers, engineers, designers, and business stakeholders working together. Your partner should have a track record of managing such diverse teams, ensuring effective communication and alignment between different departments. Ask how they’ve managed complex, multi-team projects in the past and how they handled collaboration across different functions.

Agile and DevOps: A partner who understands Agile methodologies and DevOps practices will ensure that your backend development is flexible, iterative, and efficient. Agile methodologies allow for quick adjustments and responsiveness to feedback, while DevOps practices enable smooth deployment and continuous integration. Your partner should be comfortable with regular releases, ongoing iterations, and maintaining quick feedback loops. This is especially critical in backend systems, where complexity often requires rapid changes and flexibility.

Collaboration and communication: Managing large teams isn’t just about technical leadership; it’s also about ensuring that communication remains fluid and transparent throughout the project. Ask your potential partner about their strategies for team coordination, how they handle feedback, and how they ensure all teams are aligned with the project’s overall goals. A partner who has experience in managing large, collaborative teams will be able to efficiently address challenges and ensure the project progresses without significant delays.

A partner with strong experience in team management, Agile, and DevOps practices will help guide your backend project to success, ensuring that all team members work in harmony and that challenges are tackled proactively. This experience is essential to ensure your project is completed on time, within budget, and meets your business objectives.

How to check if your backend partner ensures scalability and performance?

Scalability and performance are foundational to the success of any backend system. As your business grows, so will the demands on your backend – whether it’s an increasing number of users, larger volumes of data, or more complex transactions. Your partner must have a proven track record of designing and optimizing systems that can scale effectively while maintaining high performance.

Here’s what to consider when evaluating your partner’s approach to scalability and performance optimization:

Scaling backend systems: A scalable system is one that can grow seamlessly as the business expands. Your partner should have experience working with cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and be familiar with horizontal scaling to manage increasing loads. In the Prisma project, for example, we utilized AWS to deploy the backend, ensuring that the system could scale horizontally and handle growing traffic without impacting performance. We implemented Event Sourcing and domain-driven design to ensure the backend could efficiently manage complex data flows while maintaining high availability.

Load testing and performance optimization: Backend performance tuning is a skill that requires deep technical expertise. Your partner should have a solid understanding of how to optimize system performance across the stack, from database indexing to API efficiency, and caching strategies. They should be able to demonstrate how they’ve addressed performance bottlenecks in past projects, ensuring that response times remain low – even under high load. Performance optimization is a continuous effort, especially for backend systems that need to handle large amounts of data or complex transactions.

For more insights on building scalable systems, explore our article on how to build applications you won’t have to rewrite using the MACH framework.

How to verify if your backend partner will ensure long-term support?

The work doesn’t stop once your backend system is deployed. Long-term success depends on your partner’s ability to provide ongoing support, maintenance, and updates to ensure the system remains secure, up-to-date, and efficient over time. Choosing a partner who understands the importance of long-term support is critical for maintaining the system’s performance and adapting to future needs.

Here’s what to look for in a partner’s approach to post-launch support:

Ongoing maintenance: Backend systems require constant monitoring and maintenance to ensure they remain secure and perform optimally. Ask how your potential partner plans to provide ongoing support after the system is live. This includes regular security patches, performance monitoring, and updates to keep the system in peak condition. A proactive partner will ensure that any potential issues are identified and resolved before they impact users or business operations.

Feature updates: As your business grows, your backend system may need new features or enhancements. Your partner should have a clear strategy for handling long-term feature updates and improvements. Ask them about their approach to adding new features, prioritizing technical debt, and ensuring that the system remains adaptable to evolving business needs. A partner who offers a structured roadmap for future development ensures that your backend system will continue to evolve in alignment with your organization’s goals.

By choosing a partner who is committed to long-term support and scalability, you ensure that your backend system remains robust, adaptable, and prepared for future growth. A solid partnership can help prevent future disruptions, enabling your organization to scale with confidence and optimize backend performance as you expand.

How to check if your backend partner is AI-Native in the development process and follows best engineering practices?

Incorporating AI into backend development can provide significant benefits, such as improving performance, automating repetitive tasks, and enhancing decision-making processes. However, not all AI implementations are the same, and it’s important to ensure that your backend partner doesn’t just use AI, but integrates it in a way that adheres to best engineering practices.

To assess whether your partner is truly AI-native in their development approach and follows industry-leading engineering standards, consider the following:

Proven AI expertise: A partner that is AI-native will have substantial experience embedding AI into backend systems across multiple projects. Ask for concrete examples of AI-powered solutions they’ve implemented. Inquire about the specific tools, frameworks, and methodologies they’ve used and whether those align with industry best practices. This will show their depth of knowledge in applying AI to solve real business problems in a scalable, reliable way.

To understand more about AI readiness in software development, read our insights on whether AI is ready for real software development.

AI model management: Proper management of AI models is essential for long-term success. Ask your partner how they handle the lifecycle of AI models: from training, validation, deployment, to continuous monitoring and updates. They should be able to explain how they ensure AI models stay accurate, efficient, and adaptable to new data and business requirements. A partner experienced with AI will have a structured process for managing model drift and ensuring models are optimized continuously.

Data quality and security: AI’s effectiveness is rooted in the quality of the data it trains on. Your backend partner should have strict protocols for collecting, cleaning, and managing data. They should demonstrate how they ensure data used for AI is secure, relevant, and unbiased. Make sure they follow data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) and implement strong security measures to protect sensitive information.

Seamless AI integration: AI should not disrupt your existing systems, but rather integrate smoothly with them. Your partner should be able to demonstrate how they’ve deployed AI in past projects without negatively impacting system performance or stability. Ask about their experience with integrating AI into large-scale backend systems and whether they use proven architectural patterns (like microservices) to ensure scalability and flexibility.

By ensuring that your backend partner is AI-native – meaning AI is fully integrated into their development process, with a strong focus on engineering best practices – you can be confident that AI will be a valuable, secure, and reliable component of your backend system. This approach ensures not only effective AI deployment but also long-term stability and scalability for your business.

Why Boldare is the trusted partner for your complex backend project?

At Boldare, we’ve helped companies like Sonnen, Prisma, and BlaBlaCar tackle complex backend challenges by delivering innovative, scalable, and secure solutions. With over 20 years of experience in real software delivery, our exceptional backend engineers understand how to design and implement systems that perform under pressure, scale with growth, and evolve with the business. From managing large-scale integrations to optimizing performance and implementing AI technologies, our expertise in enterprise backend systems makes us a trusted partner for even the most complex projects.

To dive deeper into implementing AI in backend systems, we invite you to join our Claude Code Experts: Why Does AI Fail in Java Teams – and How to Make It Production-Ready? webinar.

Sign up for the webinar here – all registrants will receive a recording of the session. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from our extensive experience in enterprise backend projects!

FAQ:

1. What should I look for when evaluating a potential backend software partner for my project?

• Look for experience in managing large, complex backend systems, expertise in relevant technologies (Java, .NET), proven track record in scalability and performance optimization, as well as their approach to security, quality, and long-term support.

2. How do I ensure my backend partner is experienced with AI and how it can be integrated into my system?

• Ask for examples of past AI projects, how they integrate AI into existing backend systems, and their methodology for managing AI models. Ensure they follow best practices and maintain a strong focus on security, data quality, and system stability.

3. What are the key challenges in integrating AI into an enterprise backend, and how can they be overcome?

• The challenges include maintaining performance, ensuring system security, and integrating AI models with existing architectures. Overcoming these requires a clear AI strategy, proper testing and monitoring, and working with experienced teams who understand both AI and backend systems.

4. How do I know if my partner’s approach to scalability and performance is suitable for my project’s long-term needs?

• Verify their experience in scaling backend systems, especially in cloud environments like AWS or Azure. Check if they have expertise in handling high transactional loads, optimizing performance, and ensuring systems remain stable as they scale.

5. What steps should I take to ensure my backend partner can handle future updates and long-term support?

• Confirm their approach to maintenance, updates, and security patches. Ask about their post-launch support process and how they ensure the system remains adaptable and scalable to meet evolving business requirements.