FNO Services Europe
Application Maintenance and Support Services
Support for existing web applications and software
Keep an established web application reliable, secure and compatible without replacing the entire system simply because it is no longer new.
FNO Services Europe provides application maintenance and support services for businesses using custom PHP applications, legacy web systems, databases, scheduled processes, APIs and other software that requires ongoing developer attention.
We can investigate errors, maintain existing functionality, upgrade ageing components and improve an application gradually while protecting the business processes that already depend on it.
You work directly with an experienced developer who can examine the existing code and infrastructure, explain the risks clearly and recommend a practical route forward.
What are application maintenance services?
Application maintenance is the continuing technical work required to keep software operational after its initial development has been completed.
It may include correcting defects, maintaining compatibility, supporting users, improving performance, updating integrations and adapting the application when business requirements or external systems change.
For a web application, maintenance can involve several connected layers:
- PHP or another server-side programming language
- The application database
- Front-end JavaScript and browser behaviour
- Hosting and server configuration
- APIs and third-party integrations
- Scheduled cron jobs and background processes
- Email, payment and reporting services
- Authentication and user permissions
Application maintenance and support we can provide
Error investigation and bug fixes
- PHP warnings and fatal errors
- Unexpected application behaviour
- Broken forms and workflows
- Database query problems
- Failed scheduled processes
- Errors following hosting changes
PHP and platform upgrades
- PHP-version compatibility reviews
- Deprecated code replacement
- Library and dependency updates
- Database compatibility work
- Testing after infrastructure upgrades
- Gradual modernisation planning
Database maintenance
- MySQL and MariaDB troubleshooting
- Slow or inefficient queries
- Data-import and export problems
- Database structure reviews
- Duplicate or inconsistent records
- Backup and migration assistance
API and integration support
- Failed API requests
- Authentication and token changes
- Marketplace integrations
- Supplier and product feeds
- Payment and CRM connections
- Webhook and callback processing
Cron jobs and automation
- Scheduled imports and exports
- Background processing
- Queue and retry handling
- Automated reports
- Failure logging and notifications
- Performance and timing problems
Hosting and deployment support
- Application migrations
- Server and PHP configuration
- File permissions
- Environment configuration
- SSL, DNS and domain issues
- Development-to-live deployment
Legacy PHP application support
An older PHP application is not automatically a bad application. It may still perform an important business function, contain years of valuable data and support workflows that would be costly to recreate.
The real question is whether it can continue operating safely and economically.
We can review legacy PHP systems to identify:
- Code that is incompatible with supported PHP versions
- Deprecated functions and outdated libraries
- Database queries that need correction
- Areas where errors are being hidden rather than resolved
- Missing documentation and unclear dependencies
- Security and access-control concerns
- Integrations that depend on discontinued services
- Parts of the application that can be modernised independently
Where possible, we favour manageable improvements over unnecessary disruption. A complete rebuild may eventually be appropriate, but it should follow a technical and commercial assessment rather than being treated as the only option.
Application support after the original developer leaves
Many businesses rely on software created by a developer, agency or employee who is no longer available. The application may continue working, but nobody is confident about making changes or responding when a problem appears.
We can begin by establishing:
- Where the application is hosted
- Who controls the domain, server and accounts
- Whether the source code is complete
- How the database is accessed and backed up
- Which external services the application depends on
- How deployment and scheduled processes work
- Whether development or staging environments exist
- Which issues need immediate attention
For a system with uncertain access, ownership or technical history, start with our Website Takeover Check.
Application maintenance versus website maintenance
A normal website maintenance service usually focuses on content-management software, updates, backups, forms, hosting and routine website reliability.
Application maintenance normally involves deeper code-level work and business logic. The system may manage products, customers, bookings, reports, feeds, transactions or internal workflows.
Website maintenance
Best suited to WordPress, WooCommerce, Drupal and other content or ecommerce websites requiring routine care and technical support.
Application maintenance
Best suited to custom systems, legacy PHP applications, databases, automated processes and software with specialised business rules.
Some systems require both. We will recommend the appropriate support model after reviewing the technology and expected workload.
Maintaining APIs and third-party integrations
An application can remain unchanged while an external API, marketplace or payment provider changes around it.
Ongoing maintenance may therefore include:
- Updating authentication methods
- Adapting to changed API endpoints
- Supporting new response formats
- Handling rate limits and temporary failures
- Correcting failed imports or synchronisation
- Adding logging and safe retry processes
- Updating field mappings
- Testing changes introduced by the provider
For new or substantial connections, see our API integration services.
Our application maintenance process
1. Initial review
We discuss what the application does, who depends on it and which problems or risks have prompted the request.
2. Access and technical discovery
We review the available code, hosting, database, logs, scheduled processes and external dependencies.
3. Priority assessment
Immediate operational problems are separated from maintenance work and longer-term modernisation opportunities.
4. Controlled changes
Changes are developed and tested with appropriate backups and safeguards for the system involved.
5. Documentation
Important findings, changes and dependencies are recorded so the application becomes easier to support over time.
6. Ongoing support
Continuing maintenance can cover faults, upgrades, integrations and incremental improvements.
Application maintenance pricing
The cost depends on the condition of the application, the technologies involved and the level of responsibility required.
Pricing may be influenced by:
- The size and quality of the existing codebase
- The availability of documentation
- The age of PHP, libraries and dependencies
- The number of external integrations
- The importance of the application to daily operations
- The availability of development and test environments
- The urgency and risk of the required work
Defined ad-hoc work starts from £35 per hour, subject to availability. Active monthly clients receive additional standard work from £25 per hour.
Complex debugging, agency escalation, high-risk work and substantial modernisation projects are assessed and scoped separately.
Frequently asked questions
Can you maintain software built by another developer?
Yes. We first review the available source code, database, hosting and documentation before accepting responsibility for changes.
Can you support an old PHP application?
Potentially. The system must be reviewed to determine its PHP compatibility, dependencies, code quality and operational risks.
Does an old application always need rebuilding?
No. Some applications can be maintained or modernised gradually. A rebuild should be recommended only when it offers a clear technical and commercial benefit.
Can you fix database and cron-job problems?
Yes. We can investigate MySQL or MariaDB issues, scheduled scripts, failed imports, queues and background processes.
Can you maintain existing API integrations?
Yes, where the necessary source code, API access and documentation are available.
Can you move the application to new hosting?
Yes, after checking its PHP, database, storage, configuration and external service requirements.
Do you provide emergency application support?
Urgent work may be available depending on capacity, access and risk. High-risk or emergency work is quoted separately.
Do you work with international clients?
Yes. FNO Services Europe is based in Portugal and works remotely with businesses in the UK, Europe and other international markets.
Discuss your application maintenance requirements
Tell us what the application does, which technology it uses and what has changed or stopped working.
We will review the available information and recommend whether the next step should be troubleshooting, a takeover review, ongoing maintenance or a staged modernisation plan.