Introduction
Custom Software by Preston is a private software development firm that specializes in delivering tailored digital solutions for businesses across a range of industries. Founded in the early 2010s, the company has built a reputation for its ability to translate complex business requirements into scalable, high‑performance applications. The organization operates out of a primary office located in Austin, Texas, and maintains satellite development centers in Bangalore and Toronto to support its global client base. Custom Software by Preston offers end‑to‑end services that span consulting, architecture design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance.
History and Background
Founding
The company was established in 2011 by software architect Daniel Preston, a former senior engineer at a leading enterprise software vendor. Motivated by a desire to provide more flexible and responsive development options to mid‑market enterprises, Preston co‑founded the firm with two former colleagues, Sarah Martinez and Michael Lee. The initial team comprised eight developers, two project managers, and a small business development office. Early projects focused on web‑based applications for local logistics and retail companies, allowing the firm to refine its agile development process.
Early Growth
Between 2012 and 2014, Custom Software by Preston secured a series of contract engagements that emphasized integration with legacy systems. The firm’s early success hinged on a modular approach that combined contemporary web frameworks with legacy database technologies. This period also marked the establishment of the company’s first formal quality assurance team and the introduction of a continuous integration pipeline that leveraged open‑source tools such as Jenkins and Git.
Expansion and Diversification
In 2015, the company expanded its service offering to include mobile application development for iOS and Android platforms. The launch of a dedicated mobile engineering team was supported by partnerships with major cloud service providers, enabling the delivery of cloud‑native mobile back‑ends. By 2018, the organization had opened a development center in Bangalore to tap into a highly skilled pool of engineers. This move enabled a 24‑hour development cycle that increased project delivery speed by 30% and reduced costs for time‑zone‑constrained clients.
Recent Developments
During the 2020s, Custom Software by Preston embraced emerging technologies such as containerization, serverless computing, and artificial intelligence. The company published a set of best‑practice guidelines for micro‑service architecture and began offering AI‑driven analytics solutions to data‑centric enterprises. In 2023, the firm announced the launch of its proprietary platform, “Preston Cloud Framework,” a modular, open‑source toolset designed to accelerate the development of scalable cloud applications. The framework has since been adopted by several of the company’s clients, reducing development time for new features by an average of 25%.
Company Overview
Organizational Structure
Custom Software by Preston is organized into several functional units: Consulting, Development, Quality Assurance, DevOps, and Client Services. Each unit operates under the guidance of a senior leader who reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. The consulting team is responsible for business analysis and requirements gathering, while the development team executes the technical implementation. Quality Assurance focuses on automated testing, performance validation, and security compliance. The DevOps unit manages deployment pipelines, infrastructure provisioning, and monitoring. Client Services handles project governance, stakeholder communication, and post‑deployment support.
Business Model
The firm operates primarily on a fixed‑price project model, supplemented by retainer agreements for ongoing maintenance. Project scopes are defined through detailed discovery workshops and proof‑of‑concept prototypes. Custom Software by Preston employs a hybrid engagement model that combines time‑and‑materials work for exploratory phases with milestone‑based delivery for larger initiatives. The company also offers “Innovation Labs” services, in which it partners with clients to experiment with new technologies and validate business hypotheses.
Key Personnel
Daniel Preston serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer. He oversees strategic direction and maintains the technical vision. Sarah Martinez holds the position of Chief Operating Officer and manages day‑to‑day operations, client relationships, and business development. Michael Lee is the Chief Information Officer and directs the technology stack, infrastructure, and DevOps strategy. The engineering leadership team comprises Senior Architects, Lead Developers, and Team Leads who drive product architecture, coding standards, and mentorship.
Products and Services
Custom Web Applications
Custom Software by Preston offers end‑to‑end development of web applications using modern JavaScript frameworks such as React, Angular, and Vue.js. The firm’s architecture guidance emphasizes component reuse, progressive enhancement, and responsive design. Server‑side logic is built with Node.js, .NET Core, or Java Spring Boot, depending on client requirements. Integration with enterprise systems, including ERP and CRM platforms, is facilitated through RESTful APIs, GraphQL, and message queues.
Mobile Solutions
The mobile development portfolio includes native applications for iOS and Android, as well as cross‑platform solutions built with Flutter and React Native. Mobile apps are integrated with secure back‑ends hosted on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, and leverage OAuth2 and OpenID Connect for authentication. The firm also provides mobile‑first web experiences that ensure consistency across devices.
Cloud Infrastructure and DevOps
Custom Software by Preston designs and implements cloud infrastructures using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with tools such as Terraform and Pulumi. The company promotes the use of Kubernetes for container orchestration, enabling high availability and auto‑scaling. Continuous delivery pipelines built with GitLab CI/CD, CircleCI, or Azure Pipelines streamline deployment processes. The firm’s DevOps practice includes automated monitoring with Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK stack, ensuring rapid detection and remediation of production incidents.
AI and Analytics
The firm’s AI services encompass data preprocessing, model training, and deployment of machine‑learning pipelines. Custom Software by Preston uses frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit‑learn, and offers model deployment through services such as SageMaker, Azure Machine Learning, and GCP Vertex AI. Analytics dashboards built with Power BI, Tableau, or Looker provide real‑time insights into operational metrics and customer behavior.
Legacy Modernization
Legacy modernization projects involve refactoring monolithic applications into modular micro‑services, integrating with cloud services, and adopting modern programming languages. The company applies techniques such as strangler pattern, containerization of legacy components, and incremental refactoring to minimize risk and downtime. This service has been particularly valuable for clients with aging .NET or Java EE codebases.
Security and Compliance
Custom Software by Preston embeds security practices throughout the software development life cycle. Static and dynamic application security testing (SAST/DAST) are performed with tools such as SonarQube and OWASP ZAP. Security controls include encryption at rest and in transit, role‑based access control, and compliance with standards such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR. The firm conducts regular security audits and penetration testing as part of its service offering.
Development Methodologies
Agile Practices
The company adopts Agile Scrum and Kanban frameworks to manage project delivery. Sprints are typically two weeks long, with sprint planning, daily stand‑ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives. Product backlogs are maintained in tools such as Jira, and user stories are written following the INVEST criteria. The company promotes cross‑functional teams that include developers, QA engineers, UX designers, and business analysts.
Test‑Driven Development
Test‑Driven Development (TDD) is a core practice across engineering teams. Unit tests are written before code implementation using frameworks such as Jest for JavaScript, JUnit for Java, or NUnit for .NET. Integration tests validate interactions between services, while end‑to‑end tests are executed with Cypress or Selenium. Continuous testing is integrated into the CI pipeline to ensure early detection of regressions.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery
The CI/CD pipeline orchestrates building, testing, and deployment of software artifacts. Code changes trigger automated build processes, which include linting, compilation, unit testing, and static analysis. Successful builds are automatically deployed to staging environments for further testing. Upon stakeholder approval, releases are promoted to production with blue‑green or canary deployment strategies to minimize downtime.
Design Thinking
Client engagements often begin with design thinking workshops that facilitate user research, persona creation, and journey mapping. Prototyping tools such as Figma and Adobe XD are used to create high‑fidelity mockups that inform development priorities. This user‑centered approach ensures that delivered solutions meet real‑world business needs.
Technical Architecture
Micro‑Service Architecture
Custom Software by Preston follows a micro‑service architecture that decomposes applications into loosely coupled services. Each service runs in its own container and exposes a well‑defined API. Service discovery, load balancing, and resilience are managed through service meshes such as Istio or Linkerd. This architecture enables independent scaling, rapid deployment, and fault isolation.
Event‑Driven Systems
Many of the company’s solutions employ event‑driven patterns using message brokers such as Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ. Events capture domain actions, and downstream services react to events asynchronously. This model enhances scalability and decouples components, allowing the system to handle high volumes of traffic.
Serverless Components
For use cases requiring elastic scaling, the firm utilizes serverless functions via AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, or GCP Cloud Functions. Serverless components are typically employed for lightweight processing tasks, data transformation, and API endpoints that experience sporadic load.
Data Architecture
The data layer is designed to support both relational and NoSQL stores. Relational databases such as PostgreSQL or Microsoft SQL Server are used for transactional workloads, while NoSQL databases like MongoDB or DynamoDB support document and key‑value access patterns. Data pipelines incorporate ETL processes managed by Apache Airflow, enabling data consolidation for analytics and reporting.
Notable Projects
Logistics Management Platform for Mid‑Size Freight Company
In 2013, Custom Software by Preston delivered a logistics management platform that integrated route optimization, carrier tracking, and invoicing. The solution was built with Java Spring Boot for the back‑end and Angular for the front‑end. Integration with GPS tracking hardware was achieved via MQTT. The platform reduced shipment turnaround time by 18% and lowered operational costs by 12%.
Retail POS System for Chain of Stores
Between 2016 and 2017, the firm developed a point‑of‑sale (POS) system that unified in‑store, online, and mobile sales channels. Built on .NET Core and React Native, the system leveraged a micro‑service architecture to separate inventory, payments, and customer engagement services. The solution enabled real‑time inventory synchronization across 150 physical locations and increased sales conversion by 9%.
Healthcare Data Exchange Network
In 2019, Custom Software by Preston partnered with a regional health authority to create a secure data exchange network for patient records. The platform utilized FHIR standards and HIPAA‑compliant encryption. Kubernetes managed the deployment of services across multiple regions. The network facilitated real‑time data sharing between hospitals, improving patient outcomes and reducing redundant tests.
E‑Commerce Personalization Engine
For a global apparel brand in 2021, the firm delivered an AI‑driven personalization engine that analyzed browsing behavior and purchase history to recommend products. The engine was built with TensorFlow and deployed via Azure Machine Learning. Integration with the brand’s existing e‑commerce platform increased average order value by 14% and boosted customer lifetime value.
Financial Compliance Reporting Tool
In 2022, Custom Software by Preston designed a compliance reporting tool for a fintech startup. The tool automated the generation of regulatory reports, incorporating data from multiple payment processors. Built on Python and Django, the solution reduced manual reporting time from weeks to days, enabling the startup to maintain regulatory compliance with minimal overhead.
Partnerships and Clients
Technology Partnerships
The firm maintains strategic alliances with major cloud providers (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform), container orchestration vendors (Docker, Red Hat OpenShift), and database vendors (PostgreSQL Global Development Group, MongoDB, Inc.). These partnerships facilitate access to cutting‑edge technology, joint go‑to‑market initiatives, and shared best‑practice resources.
Client Portfolio
Custom Software by Preston serves clients in the following sectors: logistics, retail, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and education. Notable clients include a national logistics provider, a regional hospital network, a multi‑brand apparel retailer, a fintech accelerator, and a university system. The firm’s client retention rate exceeds 90%, reflecting strong satisfaction with delivered solutions.
Academic Collaborations
The company partners with universities such as the University of Texas at Austin and Stanford University to sponsor research in distributed systems, AI ethics, and secure software engineering. These collaborations provide opportunities for internships, joint research projects, and technology transfer.
Industry Impact
Advancement of Micro‑Service Adoption
Custom Software by Preston has contributed to the wider adoption of micro‑service architectures by publishing open‑source tooling and hosting community workshops. The firm’s micro‑service design guidelines are widely referenced in industry blogs and academic courses.
Contribution to Open‑Source Projects
Employees contribute to several high‑profile open‑source projects, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and the Flask web framework. The company has also released its proprietary Preston Cloud Framework, which provides reusable modules for authentication, API gateways, and monitoring. The framework has been downloaded over 10,000 times and is actively maintained.
Thought Leadership
Senior engineers regularly speak at industry conferences such as AWS re:Invent, Microsoft Ignite, and DevOpsDays. They also publish white papers on topics such as secure API design, serverless scalability, and data‑driven product development. These activities position Custom Software by Preston as a thought leader in custom software engineering.
Key Personnel
Daniel Preston – CEO and CTO
Daniel Preston has a background in distributed systems and has authored several peer‑reviewed articles on scalable architecture. Under his leadership, the company has shifted focus from traditional web development to cloud‑native solutions.
Sarah Martinez – COO
With a decade of experience in business operations, Sarah Martinez oversees global delivery, quality assurance, and client relationships. She introduced a client‑centric governance model that increased transparency and trust.
Michael Lee – CIO
Michael Lee leads the technology strategy, emphasizing DevOps automation and data‑centric development. He pioneered the adoption of Infrastructure as Code across the organization.
Engineering Leadership
- Rebecca Chang – Lead Architect (Enterprise Integration)
- Jason Patel – Lead Software Engineer (Mobile Applications)
- Aisha Khan – Lead Data Scientist (AI & Analytics)
- Leonardo Rossi – Lead DevOps Engineer (Cloud Platforms)
Awards and Recognition
- 2015 – “Best Emerging IT Firm” by TechCrunch
- 2017 – “Innovation in Cloud Solutions” award by Cloud Expo
- 2019 – “Top Software Development Partner” by Gartner Peer Insights
- 2021 – “Excellence in AI‑Driven Business Solutions” by AI Weekly
- 2023 – “Best Use of Open‑Source in Commercial Projects” by OpenSourceCon
Challenges and Controversies
Scaling Rapidly While Maintaining Code Quality
As the company expanded, maintaining consistent code quality across multiple delivery centers proved difficult. The firm responded by investing heavily in automated quality gates and establishing a centralized Quality Center of Excellence.
Talent Acquisition in Competitive Market
Recruiting senior engineers in high‑demand fields such as AI and cloud infrastructure remains challenging. The firm mitigates this by offering competitive compensation, professional development, and flexible work arrangements.
Security Incidents
In 2020, a minor security incident involving a misconfigured S3 bucket highlighted the need for stricter access controls. The incident prompted a comprehensive review of security practices, resulting in enhanced SAST/DAST coverage and stricter IAM policies.
Future Directions
Quantum‑Safe Cryptography
Custom Software by Preston is exploring quantum‑safe cryptographic algorithms to future‑proof applications against post‑quantum threats. Pilot projects are underway with a partner in the defense sector.
Edge Computing Solutions
Expanding into edge computing, the firm aims to provide low‑latency services for IoT devices in manufacturing and agriculture. Edge nodes will be managed via Kubernetes and will integrate with central cloud services.
Global Expansion
Plans include opening delivery centers in Europe (Berlin) and Asia (Singapore) to support multinational clients and tap into diverse talent pools.
External Links
- Company Website – https://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com
- GitHub Repository for Preston Cloud Framework – https://github.com/preston/cloud-framework
- LinkedIn Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-software-by-preston
Categories
- Software companies based in Texas
- Custom software development firms
- Cloud computing services
- Micro‑service architecture consultants
- Open‑source contributors
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