Modernising Legacy SME Systems with .NET, SQL Server & Practical AI
I help SMEs and in-house IT teams modernise ageing WebForms and bespoke systems into fast, reliable .NET 8+ applications — backed by optimised SQL Server, offline-capable Android field apps and practical AI assistants that reduce admin, not headcount.
What I help clients achieve
- Build reliable, custom job, CRM & booking systems for SMEs
- Modernise legacy ASP.NET & WebForms into fast, clean .NET Core apps
- Optimise SQL Server to eliminate slow pages & high CPU usage
- Build Android field engineer apps with offline-first capability
- Add practical AI assistants & chatbots to existing systems
Most bespoke web or Android projects I build for SMEs start in the £3,000–£8,000 range, depending on scope — not the sort of numbers you hear in government IT horror stories.
See typical project budgets →
A clear, simple and transparent process
No mystery, no black box development. Every project follows the same straightforward 7-step process — from first phone call through to go-live and ongoing support.
- Start with a short, no-obligation call to discuss your system
- Agree a detailed written proposal with fixed cost and timeframes
- See progress as we build — with access to the system under development
Why Work With Alastair / New Media Aid?
In a world of AI-generated code and short-term contractors, I offer something different: long-term, hands-on expertise in keeping real SME systems fast, stable and evolving safely – especially across London, Hertfordshire and Essex.
25+ Years of Delivering Real Business Software
It’s one thing to build a toy demo; it’s another to keep a mission-critical system running for years. I’ve spent 25+ years designing, rebuilding and rescuing applications that companies rely on every day — not just proof-of-concept projects.
Work Directly With a Senior Engineer
Many providers hand your project to a rotating cast of juniors using Copilot. With New Media Aid you work directly with a senior engineer — architecture, database design, code, optimisation and deployment — so nothing gets lost in handovers and quality stays consistently high.
Specialist in Complex & Legacy Systems
Anyone can start a fresh project; far fewer can untangle an existing one. I’m experienced with WebForms, mixed-age SQL databases, older server setups and business-critical workflows — exactly the kind of systems most developers (and AI tools) avoid because they’re not straightforward.
Practical AI That Solves Actual Problems
I integrate AI where it reduces workload, speeds up operations or improves decision-making — not just because it’s fashionable. From internal knowledge assistants to domain-specific RAG systems, your AI features are built on solid engineering rather than hype.
What I Help SMEs With
Focused on practical, revenue-generating improvements rather than shiny tech experiments – especially where a bespoke system already runs day-to-day operations.
Modernising Legacy Web Apps
Upgrade old ASP.NET WebForms / .NET 4.x applications to clean, maintainable .NET 8+ solutions without disrupting daily operations.
- Replace fragile code-behind with modern architecture
- Improve security, reliability and observability
- Plan phased migrations instead of risky big-bang rewrites
Database & Performance Tuning
Optimise SQL Server queries, indexes and schema to cut CPU, speed up reports and fix “mystery” slowness in production systems.
- Analyse and tune heavy SQL queries and reports
- Reduce page load times and timeouts
- Design schemas for SaaS and multi-tenant apps
Practical AI & LLM Integration
Integrate AI assistants and LLMs into your existing systems – from internal knowledge bots to legislation and policy Q&A tools.
- RAG over your documents and databases
- On-prem or private cloud models (DeepSeek, OpenAI-compatible)
- Cost-controlled, auditable AI features
Industries I work with
I specialise in helping operational SMEs – especially those with field teams, jobs, inspections and compliance – modernise and streamline their systems.
- Agriculture & Food Production
- Charity & Non-Profit
- Compliance & Inspection
- Education & Training
- Field Service & Trade Contractor
- Scaffolding
- Facilities Management
- Logistics, Warehousing & Distribution
- Maintenance Contractors
- Manufacturing & Industrial
- Professional Services
- Retail & eCommerce
- Transport & Fleet Management
- See all industries
Who I Work Best With
I mainly work with owners, operations managers and IT leads in SMEs who rely on custom software to run day-to-day operations and can’t afford downtime or risky rewrites — particularly across London, Hertfordshire and Essex.
- Scaffolding & construction firms needing job and H&S tooling
- Colleges and training providers handling admissions or enrolment
- Service businesses with home-grown WebForms apps that now need upgrading
- SMEs exploring AI to support staff, not replace them
Typical signs you need help
- Your key system is an old ASP.NET or classic SQL app nobody wants to touch
- Reports time out or the server CPU spikes at busy times
- Staff copy and paste the same information between multiple systems
- You want AI-style search or assistants but don’t know where to start
Typical Projects I Deliver
Every engagement is tailored, but many projects fall into a few common patterns.
- Migrating a core WebForms app to a modern .NET Core / Razor Pages solution
- Re-architecting heavy SQL queries and reports to scale with growth
- Adding an internal AI assistant over policies, manuals or legislation
- Building job, quote & invoice management tools for field services
- Integrating payment, document signing, mapping or credit-check APIs
Based in the South East, Working Remotely
I regularly work with businesses in London, Hertfordshire and Essex, but most projects run smoothly via remote collaboration – email, Teams/Zoom and shared project boards.
On-site visits are always possible for kick-off workshops, system reviews or key milestones where sitting around a table makes sense.
What clients say
I'm trusted to develop and support business-critical systems.
Alastair quickly understood our requirements and delivered an Android app and web-based management interface that met all of our needs. The solution was built on time, at a competitive price and with great communication throughout. We look forward to working with him again.
New Media Aid has been our app development partner since 2006, delivering several mission-critical systems that our operation now depends on. Projects are consistently delivered on time and within budget, and I’d happily recommend Alastair for any bespoke application work.
Alastair provided clear pricing, excellent communication and a bespoke app that does exactly what we need. The whole process was straightforward and we’re very pleased with the result. I’d definitely recommend New Media Aid.
New Media Aid has developed many of our web applications since 2004. The service has been consistently exceptional, with high-quality development and reliable long-term support. I would happily recommend Alastair as a development partner for both short and long-term projects.
Let’s talk about your system
If you have an ageing web application, a slow SQL database, require a custom-built system or an idea for a new AI-enhanced tool, we can usually see in 20–30 minutes whether I’m a good fit to help.
Prefer to schedule something? Drop me a quick email with a short summary of your current system and what you’d like to improve.
Contact Me