# Horizon Dev LLC
> Software agency specializing in legacy platform modernization for niche data businesses

## About
Horizon Dev is a 15-person software agency that rebuilds legacy platforms for mid-market companies with complex data workflows. We specialize in replacing outdated ERP systems, legacy databases, and manual data pipelines with modern, maintainable software. Founded by Austin Reed.

## Expertise
- Legacy platform modernization and ERP migration
- Custom software development (React, Next.js, Django, Node.js, Supabase)
- Data pipeline automation and replacement
- Technical debt elimination and code refactoring
- OCR data extraction and document processing
- AI/ML pricing models and automated reporting
- Business process automation

## Who We Serve
Niche data-intensive businesses ($1M-$50M revenue) whose growth is constrained by legacy software platforms. Industries include aviation, finance, insurance, enterprise SaaS, and logistics.

## Case Studies
- **VREF Aviation**: Rebuilt their 30-year-old aircraft valuation platform. Built OCR data extraction, AI pricing models, and automated reporting. Result: 67% revenue growth, 4.2x ROI within 18 months.
- **Microsoft**: Took over a website with 1M+ active users annually for a 2.0 launch. Shipped on deadline despite constantly changing requirements.

## Key Pages
- [Homepage](https://horizon.dev/)
- [About Us](https://horizon.dev/about)
- [Case Studies](https://horizon.dev/case-studies)
- [Blog](https://horizon.dev/blog)
- [Book a Call](https://horizon.dev/book-call)

## Blog Posts
- [Off-the-Shelf vs Custom Software: Real 5-Year TCO Numbers](https://horizon.dev/blog/off-the-shelf-vs-custom-software) — off the shelf vs custom software
- [Build vs Buy Software: Hidden Costs Calculator for 2024](https://horizon.dev/blog/build-vs-buy-software-calculator) — build vs buy software calculator
- [From Legacy to Modern: How We Migrated a 20-Year-Old System in 6 Months](https://horizon.dev/blog/legacy-system-migration-case-study) — legacy system migration case study
- [Custom Software ROI Calculator: 5-Year Cost Analysis Tool](https://horizon.dev/blog/custom-software-development-vs-off-the-shelf-solutions-cost-comparison) — custom software development vs off-the-shelf solutions cost comparison
- [Firebase for Startups: When to Switch to Enterprise Solutions](https://horizon.dev/blog/firebase-for-startups) — firebase for startups
- [Django vs Node.js for Reporting Dashboards: Performance Benchmarks](https://horizon.dev/blog/node-js-vs-django-for-reporting-dashboards) — node.js vs django for reporting dashboards
- [ERP Modernization: A Phased Migration That Actually Works](https://horizon.dev/blog/erp-modernization-phased-migration)
- [Python Django vs Node.js for Enterprise Dashboards: Performance Benchmarks](https://horizon.dev/blog/django-vs-node-js-enterprise-dashboards) — django vs node.js enterprise dashboards
- [How to Estimate Legacy System Modernization Timeline](https://horizon.dev/blog/legacy-modernization-timeline-estimation)
- [Technical Debt Is Costing You Clients: How to Fix It](https://horizon.dev/blog/technical-debt-cost-clients)
- [COBOL Migration: A CTO's Risk-Balanced Playbook](https://horizon.dev/blog/cobol-migration-cto-playbook)
- [Rebuild vs Refactor: When Your Legacy Software Needs a Rewrite](https://horizon.dev/blog/rebuild-vs-refactor-legacy-software)
- [Business Process Automation: 5 Workflows to Automate Now](https://horizon.dev/blog/business-process-automation-workflows) — business process automation
- [VREF Aviation's Legacy Platform Rebuild: 30 Years → 90 Days](https://horizon.dev/blog/vref-legacy-platform-rebuild) — legacy platform case study
- [Supabase vs Firebase: Pick the Right Backend in 2026](https://horizon.dev/blog/supabase-vs-firebase-startups) — supabase vs firebase
- [API Integration for Legacy Systems: Stop Rebuilding](https://horizon.dev/blog/api-integration-legacy-systems) — api integration legacy systems
- [7 Signs Your Business Needs Custom Software Development](https://horizon.dev/blog/signs-need-custom-software) — signs you need custom software
- [React vs Django Enterprise Apps: Performance Reality Check](https://horizon.dev/blog/react-django-enterprise-performance) — react vs django enterprise
- [How to Choose a Software Development Agency That Ships](https://horizon.dev/blog/choose-software-development-agency) — how to choose software development agency
- [What Is Data Pipeline Automation? Non-Technical Guide](https://horizon.dev/blog/data-pipeline-automation-guide) — data pipeline automation
- [Custom Software vs Off-the-Shelf: Real 5-Year Costs](https://horizon.dev/blog/custom-vs-off-shelf-software-costs) — custom software vs off the shelf
- [Legacy Modernization Cost: $50K to $5M+ in 2026](https://horizon.dev/blog/legacy-modernization-cost-2026) — legacy system modernization cost
- [5 Signs Your Legacy System Costs Are Killing Revenue](https://horizon.dev/blog/legacy-system-revenue-drain) — legacy system costs
- [What Is a Legacy Platform Rebuild? 5 Revenue Signals](https://horizon.dev/blog/legacy-platform-rebuild-signals) — legacy platform rebuild
- [Django vs Node.js: Which Wins for Data-Heavy Apps?](https://horizon.dev/blog/django-vs-nodejs-data-applications) — django vs node.js
- [Legacy Platform Rebuild: Miss the 18-Month Window, Pay 3x More](https://horizon.dev/blog/legacy-platform-rebuild-timing) — legacy platform rebuild

## Tech Stack
React, Next.js, Astro, Django, Python, Node.js, TypeScript, Supabase, PostgreSQL, Tailwind CSS, Docker, n8n, Prefect

## Team
15 engineers across frontend, backend, DevOps, and design. Based in the US with global team members.

## Contact
- Website: https://horizon.dev
- Email: austin@horizon.dev
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/automationsexpert/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@horizonsoftwaredev