If you like listening to business and tech-related podcasts, you may know Sigli’s CBDO, Max Golikov, as a host of the Innovantage podcast. This time, he changed his role and participated in the podcast not as a host but as a guest. He joined Derek Gallimore at the Outsource Acelerator Podcast to talk about Sigli’s business model, Lithuanian outsourcing and staffing potential, as well as the role of AI in the business world.How does Sigli work?Today, Sigli is a team of around 100 people, focused on delivering high-quality software solutions across Europe, mainly in the Benelux region, the UK, and the US. The company offers software development services and can build software or its pieces tailored to the requirements of its clients. But at the same time, if any businesses require additional workforce for their projects, Sigli can provide its specialists to work for them remotely as part of their teams. In general, the company can address all business needs in between these two extremes as well.Project-based outsourcing vs. staff augmentationIn software development, companies often choose between two models: outsourcing entire projects or augmenting their existing teams with skilled engineers. Both approaches have their strengths, but they fit different needs.Outsourcing works well for smaller companies or clearly defined projects within larger organizations. In these cases, goals, budgets, and timelines can be set in advance.Staff augmentation (or outstaffing), on the other hand, is better suited for mid- to large-sized businesses with long-term, complex projects. These initiatives can last for years, involve dozens of people across multiple countries, and integrate deeply into core business processes. Outsourcing an entire project of that scale isn’t realistic. However, adding specialized engineers to strengthen in-house teams is practical and effective. Outstaffing gives companies access to top talent with niche expertise, without the overhead of recruitment, infrastructure, or long onboarding cycles. It also offers the flexibility to scale teams up or down as business needs evolve.Sigli has always primarily cooperated with mid-sized to larger businesses. That’s why the majority of projects its experts usually work on are pretty large.Given this, the balance between the two models is roughly 60/40, with staff augmentation prevailing. Often, engagement begins as project-based outsourcing. But it can gradually evolve into a seamless outstaffing arrangement. In this model, Sigli either provides entire teams that work directly with the client’s management or individual professionals who integrate smoothly into the client’s existing teams.Moreover, Sigli’s approach adapts to each client’s preferences. Some clients want tight control over the hired team. Others focus mainly on outcomes. In this case, they leave day-to-day management to Sigli’s team. Lithuanian outsourcing landscapeSigli is based in Lithuania, a country that is known for its strong technical capabilities and supportive environment for international business. Vilnius, the capital, is home to a diverse mix of nationalities. That’s good proof that the country today is open to foreigners. Despite its small size, Lithuania has a rich history. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the largest kingdoms in Europe. Then, many centuries later, it had its Soviet period. All this shaped its modern development and created a unique social and cultural environment. Since regaining independence, Lithuania has heavily invested in infrastructure and EU integration. Now, it has excellent connectivity, fast internet, and strong innovation support. Its universities maintain high standards. They partner with European institutions and encourage students to study abroad. Many of them now return and bring new ideas to the country. Today, Sigli hires a lot of nationalities, both Lithuanians and non-Lithuanians, so the team can embrace a lot of perspectives and opinions.With its central location and easy travel links across Europe, Lithuania fosters an international, well-educated, and forward-looking society. Given all this, it’s absolutely fair to say that Lithaunia is a great destination for outsourcing and technology projects. And according to Max, they are always proud to demonstrate the country’s potential to their clients.The right technical expertise and the culture that fosters itQuite often, people believe that any software development company has only “engineers”. But, as Max mentioned, there are important distinctions between various roles, for example, engineers, software developers, and quality assurance specialists. From the very beginning, Sigli has been building its foundation around true engineering talent and cultivating an engineering mindset across the company.By “engineers,” Sigli means professionals with higher education and proven expertise in their fields. These people are delivering results in complex, real-world scenarios. At the same time, software developers are more specific, feature-centered roles.The company’s core focus has always been on web solutions. And while web technologies have changed dramatically over the past decade, good engineers continuously evolve with them. They learn new frameworks and strengthen their skills.Sigli places a strong emphasis on culture and professional growth. Every engineer in the company, no matter their seniority, is paired with a mentor. This mentor is not a manager but someone more experienced in a specific area that the engineer wants to develop. Their role is to guide, support, and help colleagues build on both strengths and weaknesses. This system creates a structured path for development while still being personal and flexible. It ensures employees don’t get lost in the overwhelming number of possible directions their careers could take. With this focused guidance, their growth becomes more effective and meaningful.AI and its real valueIn this conversation, Derek and Max also discussed AI and its changing role over the past years. As Max noted, AI isn’t new in the tech world. It’s been around in various forms since the earliest computers. What has changed is the hype. Today, everyone seems to be talking about it, even if the broader public often misunderstands what it can realistically do. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are just one small part of AI. Undoubtedly, they are useful tools, but not the whole story.Most practical AI relies on solid data. Max explained that at Sigli, data engineering and data science have always been at the core of what they do. Real AI applications, including but not limited to predictions, machine learning, and computer vision, depend on quality data. Without it, even the most advanced tools won’t deliver results. LLMs can provide insights and guidance, but the backbone of any AI project is still the data. How engineers can use AI todayA recent study claimed that engineers believe AI tools like Cursor make them about 40% more efficient. In reality, the research suggested the opposite. Their efficiency actually drops by around 30%, as engineers spend more time interacting with AI than directly solving problems.However, this view oversimplifies the nature of engineering work. For experienced engineers, the biggest challenges are not in writing lines of code but in solving complex architectural problems with many interdependencies. Measuring efficiency in such cases is nearly impossible. Writing code is only a small part of the job. From this perspective, their work can be compared with the work of writers. Simply being able to write doesn’t make someone a great author. A true writer creates narratives that resonate, just as a great engineer sees into systems and uncovers non-obvious solutions.In this context, large language models are helpful mainly for routine tasks. They can generate usable code, but only when you give precise instructions. This can greatly save time on repetitive work. Client expectations and AI adoptionClient demand for AI solutions has been steadily growing since the hype began, but the nature of requests has shifted. According to Max, in the early stages, many clients approached with ambitious, high-level ideas about transforming their entire business processes with AI simply because it was the trend.One example came from a company that used underwater robotics to clean vessels and gather images for reporting. The idea was to have AI automatically generate client-ready reports. However, the challenge wasn’t the AI itself but the poor visibility in dirty port waters. Differentiating between cleaned and uncleaned surfaces required a highly specialized model trained on vast amounts of data. This would take years and cost millions. Once clients realized such complexities, projects were often put on hold.More recently, the requests have become far more practical and grounded. For example, an e-commerce business struggling with high return rates asked for AI-driven solutions. A simple LLM-based bot aimed at streamlining the returns process proved much easier to build and justify within a reasonable budget.These kinds of targeted, metric-driven applications are increasingly replacing the earlier hype-driven projects.Sigli’s approach to AIAt Sigli, there are no “AI engineers”. At the same time, the team has data engineers, data scientists, and backend developers, some of whom have experience with LLMs.Engineers who combine AI knowledge with expertise in other areas, are particularly attractive to clients because they can contribute insights beyond their core tasks. While AI-related skills are in high demand, they are not always essential for day-to-day work. Their real value lies in making engineers more versatile.Sigli’s philosophy is that the technology as a whole matters more than a single specialized skill. AI expertise is useful, but it’s not a dealbreaker. It is still possible to solve business problems with other skills and technologies.Final wordToday, AI is making headlines. But the most controversial thing is that its impact is still concentrated at the top. For most businesses, widespread adoption is gradual. It may take years before AI truly transforms everyday operations. Despite the hype, AI is just one of many valuable technologies. However, it is not the only one that matters today.With its future-proven approach and realistic vision, Sigli helps businesses stay competitive by building large-scale web solutions, supporting their AI-driven initiatives, and providing experts who seamlessly integrate into client teams.If you want to dive deeper into the discussed topics, please follow the link to listen to the whole podcast episode.To learn more about Sigli, you can visit its official website, contact Max on LinkedIn, or visit the Innovantage podcast page.

In the rush to automate back-office workflows, many UK businesses overlook a crucial fact: business process automation (BPA) is personal data processing. Under the UK GDPR, introducing BPA tools without privacy-by-design can expose your company to compliance, reputational, and operational risks.Automation increases the volume, velocity, and visibility of data flows, making it essential to understand where personal data travels, who controls it, and how it’s secured. For SMEs and large enterprises alike, GDPR compliance must be built into your automation program — not bolted on after deployment.What “High-Risk” Processing Means for Automation ProjectsAutomating decisions, workflows, or data enrichment stepscan trigger “high-risk” processing when individuals’ rights and freedoms couldbe affected — for example, automated HR screening, invoice processing withpersonal identifiers, or cross-border data enrichment.When processing is high risk, a Data ProtectionImpact Assessment (DPIA) becomes mandatory before go-live. This ensuresrisks are understood and mitigated upfront rather than discovered afterdeployment.Accountability and Automation: Why SMEs Must RethinkTheir GDPR ControlsUnder UK GDPR, SMEs are held to the same accountabilityprinciple as larger organizations: you must demonstrate compliance,not just claim it.Automation expands data flows across multiple systems, meaning: More processing activities under one controller’s responsibility. Increased reliance on processors (vendors, cloud services). Continuous changes to data purpose, storage, and access.Before rolling out your BPA tools, ensure that every automated process is mapped, risk-assessed, and governed.Quick GDPR Glossary for Automation Projects DPIA – Data Protection Impact Assessment; mandatory for high-risk processing. DPA – Data Processing Agreement; defines controller–processor obligations. IDTA/Addendum – UK transfer tools replacing EU SCCs. TRA – Transfer Risk Assessment; required for restricted data transfers.BPA Tools Implementation Discovery: Map Data, Systems, and Risks (Pre-DPIA)Before drafting a DPIA, perform a data-mapping exercise across the automated workflow: Identify data sources, categories, and flows (especially special category data). Record controllers and processors for each step. Confirm the lawful basis for every processing operation (e.g., contract, legitimate interest). Use a DPIA screening checklist to decide if a full DPIA is required.Early discovery reduces rework later in the rollout and aligns privacy engineering with system design.‍BPA Tools Implementation DPIA: A Step-by-Step Checklist1. Scope & Necessity: Define the purpose, benefits, and less intrusive alternatives.2. Describe Processing: Document data subjects, categories, recipients, and transfers.3. Assess Risks: Evaluate likelihood and severity to individuals’ rights and freedoms.4. Mitigations: Plan for minimisation, pseudonymisation, encryption, access control, and retention.5. Consultation: Involve your DPO, stakeholders, and consult the ICO if residual high risk remains.6. Decision Log & Review Cadence: Record DPIA outcomes, assign owners, and link to release management cycles.BPA Tools Implementation and Lawful Basis: Get It Right, Then AutomateEvery automated task must have a documented lawful basis linked to its purpose.Typical mappings include: Contract: Processing required to fulfil a client or employee contract. Legitimate Interests: Efficiency or analytics automation that doesn’t override data subject rights.When in doubt, perform a Legitimate Interests Assessment (LIA) — particularly for automation involving monitoring, HR, or analytics data.Pro Tip: Maintain a “purpose–basis–data” linkage table in your automation catalogue for quick audits.BPA Tools Implementation Retention: Policy, Schedules, and ConfigurationsAutomation should not mean endless retention. Apply storage limitation principles to each dataset: Define retention events (task completed, invoice paid, case archived). Configure secure deletion or “put-beyond-use” patterns in your BPA tools. Maintain an evidence pack: retention schedule + deletion logs for audits.Avoid “keep just in case” – regulators view that as a breach of minimisation and accountability.BPA Tools Implementation with Vendors: DPAs, Sub-Processors, and AuditsWhen outsourcing parts of automation to SaaS or cloud providers, ensure your Data Processing Agreement (DPA) includes all Article28 UK GDPR requirements: Documented instructions, confidentiality, TOMs, sub-processor approval, assistance, deletion, and audit rights. Operationalise the DPA: run restore tests, verify security evidence, and maintain incident logs.BPA Tools Implementation & International Transfers: IDTA/Addendum + TRAIf your automation vendor stores or accesses data outside the UK: Confirm if the transfer is restricted. Choose between the UK International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA) or the Addendum to EU SCCs. Conduct a Transfer Risk Assessment (TRA) to evaluate legal and technical safeguards.Document the chosen transfer tool in your DPA and your automation catalogue.BPA Tools Implementation Security: Technical & Organisational Measures (TOMs)Effective BPA security reduces both bot fragility and privacy risk.Essential controls include: Least privilege access & segregation of environments. Encryption in transit and at rest. Key management, logging, and alerting. Regular resilience and restore testing.For SMEs, demonstrating “appropriate” security can align with Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001 frameworks.BPA Tools Implementation for Data Subject Rights: DSAR-Ready by DesignAutomation must support data subject rights from day one.Embed mechanisms to: Locate, export, or delete records quickly. Prevent orphaned data in automation queues. Include processor assistance SLAs inside your DPA to guarantee compliance.Building DSAR-readiness now avoids retrofitting pain later.BPA Tools Implementation Governance: Records, Audits, and MonitoringMaintain a live automation catalogue containing: Purpose, lawful basis, DPIA link, DPA link, retention, TOMs, transfer tools, owner, and next review date. Integrate with release management — run pre-production DPIA checks and monitor vendor/sub-processor changes.Ongoing governance ensures automation remains compliant as it evolves.BPA Tools Implementation Rollout Plan: Timeline, RACI, and KPIsA successful BPA rollout under UK GDPR follows a six-week phased plan, integrating compliance deliverables at each milestone rather than treating them as afterthoughts.Phase 1 – Discovery & Mapping (Week 1)Start by cataloguing all automated processes, data sources, and system integrations. Identify controllers and processors, define purposes, and complete a DPIA screening.Accountable: Project lead (privacy-by-design owner)Consulted: DPO, system architectsKPIs: 100% of automated processes mapped; DPIA screening decisions logged. Phase 2 – DPIA, DPA & TRA (Weeks 2–3)Run the full DPIA for high-risk processing, execute Data Processing Agreements with vendors, and complete Transfer Risk Assessments for any international data movement.Responsible: Privacy teamConsulted: Vendors, legal counsel, IT securityKPIs: All high-risk processes documented; signed DPA and TRA on file before build. Phase 3 – Build & Configuration (Weeks 4–5)Configure automation workflows with privacy controls built in — least privilege, encryption, retention triggers, and logging. Validate lawful basis per task and integrate deletion schedules.Responsible: Automation engineersAccountable: Product ownerKPIs: No open security gaps; retention and deletion events configured in all workflows. Phase 4 – UAT & Go-Live (Week 6)Conduct user acceptance testing with privacy test cases —DSAR readiness, audit logging, and rollback validation. Approve productiondeployment only after residual risk review by the DPO.Accountable: DPO and release managerConsulted: End users, QA, IT operationsKPIs: 100% UAT sign-off; zero unresolved DPIA actions; no data quality regressions. Phase 5 – Post-Launch Review (Ongoing)Monitor automation stability, incident response, and DSAR fulfilment performance. Feed lessons into your change management and periodicDPIA review cycle.Accountable: Operations & governance leadKPIs: DSAR response time under 30 days Deletion requests completed within SLA Audit findings closed within 14 daysDiscover how our AI-Powered Business Assistant helps you monitor privacy KPIs and automate compliance tasks end-to-end.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, companies are increasingly under pressure to modernize their legacy systems. The driving forces behind this shift include the need for greater cost-efficiency, resilience, and analytics capabilities, as well as ensuring AI-readiness for future technologies. However, the risks of delaying this process are substantial.The Risks of Waiting:Talent Scarcity – Legacy systems such as COBOL and AS400 are becoming more challenging to maintain due to a shrinking pool of skilled professionals.Security Exposure – Older systems often lack the necessary protections against emerging cybersecurity threats.Vendor End-of-Life (EOL) – Software vendors regularly phase out support for legacy platforms, leaving businesses vulnerable to outages and compliance failures.📈 Market Overview:The UK cloud migration services market is projected to experience substantial growth, from an estimated value of USD 596.6 million in 2024 to USD 2,378.2 million by 2030, marking a CAGR of 26.8% from 2025 to 2030, according to Grand View Research. This growth reflects an increasing demand for cloud migration as companies seek modernization and scalability.Deployment Trends:Adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud strategies is also on the rise, with an increase in adoption rates from 19% in 2024 to 26% in the coming three years, as per IMARC Group. This trend signifies a growing preference for cloud models that offer greater flexibility and resilience in business operations.Data Migration Experts UK: Typical Legacy Challenges to SolveLegacy technology presents a range of obstacles that must be addressed during modernization:Old ERPs and Custom Systems: Systems such as COBOL/AS400 and outdated ERPs often operate on bespoke SQL databases that are difficult to maintain and integrate with modern tools.Sprawling Data: Access databases and Excel spreadsheets create a chaotic, difficult-to-manage data landscape.Hidden Dependencies: Many systems rely on brittle integrations that make updates risky and time-consuming.Data Quality: Poor data quality, inconsistent formats, and undocumented schemas lead to errors that can affect the entire migration process.Data Migration Experts UK: Choosing the Right Migration StrategySelecting the correct migration strategy is crucial for a successful transition. Different systems require different approaches, and this decision must be guided by a risk, cost, and time-to-value matrix.Rehost – Lift and shift; simple but may not optimize the system.Replatform – Upgrade the platform without changing the architecture.Refactor – Rebuild parts of the system to take advantage of cloud-native features.Replace – Completely replace legacy systems with off-the-shelf solutions.Choosing the right strategy helps to balance performance improvements with operational risks.Data Migration Experts UK: A 7-Step Migration PlaybookDiscovery & Scoping: Identify systems, datasets, and dependencies.Profiling & Data Quality: Establish rules for completeness, accuracy, and timeliness.Target Design & Mapping: Design the target architecture, including Master Data Management (MDM) and a canonical model.Build & Transform: Use ETL/ELT processes, change data capture (CDC), and orchestration to transform data.Case Study: We executed a PL/SQL-to-microservices conversion with uninterrupted functionality.Testing & Reconciliation: Verify row counts, checksums, and sampling to ensure data integrity.Cutover Planning: Plan for downtime minimization with rollback options and post-migration support.Blue-Green Deployment: A technique used to achieve zero-downtime transitions in production.Operate & Optimize: Continuously monitor the system for performance, data lineage, and cost control.Data Migration Experts UK: Data Quality Rules and GovernanceEffective data governance ensures that the migrated data meets all quality dimensions:Completeness, Accuracy, Uniqueness, Timeliness, ConsistencyUse of Golden-Record/MDM and stewardship RACI models helps in maintaining a high standard of data quality.Data Migration Experts UK: Security, GDPR, and Data ResidencyWhen dealing with sensitive data, compliance with GDPR and data residency requirements is crucial:Ensure a lawful basis for data processing and perform Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).Manage data retention policies and ensure data minimization practices are followed.Data Residency: Ensure the migration complies with UK/EU residency regulations and select the appropriate transfer mechanisms and vendor DPAs.Data Migration Experts UK: Cloud Targets and Reference ArchitecturesCloud solutions like Azure, AWS, and GCP provide versatile migration options. Choosing the correct architecture for your business needs is essential:Lakehouse vs. Warehouse Patterns: Understanding which approach fits your data needs.Event-Driven Pipelines: Implementing CDC (Change Data Capture), metadata management, and ensuring schema evolution.Data Migration Experts UK: Tooling Selection CriteriaSelecting the right tools is critical for a successful migration. Some of the key factors include:ELT/ETL Platforms: These tools will automate the extraction, transformation, and loading of data.CDC Tools: For real-time data transfer.iPaaS: Cloud integration platforms.Must-have features: Connectors, Scalability, Observability, and a favorable cost model.Data Migration Experts UK: Testing, Validation, and Sign-OffComprehensive testing and validation ensure the migration’s success:Functional vs. Reconciliation Tests: Confirm data integrity across all systems.UAT Playbook: Outline the testing procedures and set Go/No-Go criteria.Data Migration Experts UK: Timelines, Budgets, and Risk ManagementPlanning the migration timeline and budget involves:A 12-week sample plan: From pilot phase to full-scale deployment.Managing risks with a RAID log, change control processes, and regular stakeholder communications.Data Migration Experts UK: Success Metrics and ROITracking the ROI of the migration is vital:KPIs: Defect rate, reconciliation time, downtime avoided, and cost per GB moved.Before/After Dashboard: Compare pre- and post-migration performance.Data Migration Experts UK: Case Snapshot (Anonymized)A successful migration example:Legacy source to target cloud: Achieved 99.95% data parity and zero downtime.Key lessons learned and reusable patterns for future migrations.Data Migration Experts UK: Downloadable Checklist & TemplatesTo help guide your migration, we offer several useful resources:Migration Readiness Checklist: Ensure your systems are ready for the migration.Data-Mapping Sheet: Track all changes during migration.DQ Rule Library: Set rules for maintaining data quality.Cutover Runbook: Detailed plan for the final cutover phase.Rollback Plan: Always be prepared with a contingency plan.Data Migration Experts UK: FAQsWhat do data migration experts UK actually do vs. a systems integrator?Data migration experts specialize in moving data from one system to another, whereas systems integrators focus on the overall architecture and integration of new technologies.How do data migration experts UK minimize downtime?Through blue-green deployment, testing, and detailed cutover planning.Are data migration experts UK responsible for GDPR compliance or just tooling?They ensure that tools and processes comply with GDPR but may not directly manage compliance; this often falls to the company’s data protection team.What does a realistic budget/timeline look like for SMEs?Budgets and timelines vary depending on the scale, but SMEs should expect a 12-week plan for typical migrations.Which cloud is best—and does it matter for SMEs?The choice of cloud depends on the business needs, but AWS, Azure, and GCP are the top contenders.‍

ETL Pipeline Development in the UK: Building Data Foundations for an AI-Ready Future In 2025, ETL pipeline development in the UK has evolved from a back-office engineering task into a strategic business enabler. As organisations race to modernise their data estates and unlock AI-driven insights, the ability to move, transform, and govern data reliably has become a competitive advantage. Why ETL Still Matters — and Why It’s Changing ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) remains at the heart of every data ecosystem. But the tools and expectations around it have shifted dramatically. Across the UK, companies are: Migrating from legacy SSIS or Informatica setups to cloud-native ETL or ELT platforms such as Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Matillion, or Snowflake. Moving from nightly batch jobs to real-time data integration, using CDC (Change Data Capture) and streaming. Embedding data quality, lineage, and compliance directly into their pipelines to meet UK GDPR and FCA operational resilience requirements. In other words, the question is no longer “Do we have an ETL tool?” — it’s “Do we have a trusted, scalable ETL pipeline that supports analytics and AI safely?” UK Market Context The UK data-integration market is one of the most mature in Europe. Driven by cloud adoption, financial-sector regulation, and the rise of AI workloads, spending on data and analytics infrastructure continues to grow by more than 12% per year. Industries leading ETL modernisation include: Financial services and insurance, where auditability and data lineage are mandatory. Healthcare and life sciences, focused on secure patient-data integration. Retail and eCommerce, connecting customer and inventory data for real-time decision-making. Public sector, using G-Cloud frameworks to procure modern data-pipeline services. Modern ETL Pipeline Development: What It Looks Like A modern ETL pipeline development project in the UK typically involves: Discovery and audit – mapping data sources, data quality, and compliance gaps. Architecture design – selecting the right stack (Azure Synapse, Databricks, Matillion, or Fivetran + dbt). Implementation – building robust extract and load mechanisms, then applying transformations using SQL or Spark. Automation & orchestration – monitoring, alerting, and error-handling built in from day one. Governance layer – lineage, metadata, and access control to satisfy regulatory requirements. Testing & deployment – CI/CD pipelines, test datasets, and version control for transparency. The end result: a governed, AI-ready data platform that scales with the business. Compliance and Data Sovereignty When designing ETL pipelines in the UK, data compliance is never optional. Solutions must align with: UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, including lawful data transfer mechanisms. FCA and PRA operational-resilience frameworks, requiring defined RTO/RPO for critical services. NHS Digital DSP Toolkit (for healthcare providers), mandating data-handling standards. This means every pipeline should come with a clear processing role (controller vs processor), audit trail, and documented recovery procedure. From ETL to ELT and Beyond The shift from ETL (transform before loading) to ELT (transform after loading) is now mainstream. Cloud-native tools allow UK companies to load raw data quickly into scalable warehouses and apply transformations later — improving agility and reducing infrastructure cost. Modern pipelines increasingly combine: Batch and streaming data. iPaaS connectors for SaaS applications. DataOps monitoring to ensure continuous reliability. AI-readiness hooks, preparing datasets for analytics or machine-learning use cases. Choosing the Right Partner in the UK For most organisations, success depends less on the specific tool and more on the expertise behind its implementation. An experienced ETL pipeline development partner can help with: Migration from legacy ETL systems. Cloud-architecture design and best practices. Continuous support and monitoring. Compliance documentation and audits. Integration with BI, analytics, or AI layers. When evaluating providers, look for experience in your sector, cloud certifications (Azure, AWS, or Databricks), and proven delivery under UK compliance standards. The Road Ahead As the UK accelerates toward an AI-enabled economy, ETL pipeline development will remain a cornerstone of digital transformation. Reliable, transparent, and compliant data movement isn’t just an IT goal — it’s what empowers decision-makers to trust their insights and act faster. Whether you’re migrating legacy systems or building a new cloud data platform, the next generation of ETL pipelines is about more than data movement — it’s about enabling intelligence, innovation, and impact. About Sigli Sigli helps UK and European organisations modernise their data pipelines and prepare for the AI era. Our data engineers design, automate, and manage ETL and ELT pipelines with built-in governance, resilience, and transparency — so your teams can focus on insights, not infrastructure. Learn more about our data engineering services →

London’s businesses run on data — but without the right engineering backbone, volume turns into chaos. If you’re looking to hire data engineers in London, the goal isn’t just headcount; it’s building resilient pipelines, clean models, and a governed platform that leaders trust.This article explains why a robust data engineering strategy matters for London organisations and how partnering with a specialist (or augmenting your team) turns raw data into timely, actionable insight. We’ll cover pipelines, architecture, ETL, storage — and where Sigli’s Data Engineering Services London fit in.What is Data Engineering and Why London Businesses Need ItDefinition. Data engineering designs and builds the systems that collect, store, process, and prepare data for analytics — covering pipeline development, data architecture, ETL/ELT, and databases.Without dedicated data engineering:Poor data quality and low trust in metricsInefficient, manual data flowsPlatforms that don’t scale with growing dataMissed opportunities for revenue, efficiency, and CXWhy hire data engineers in London nowEfficient pipelines and a modern platform accelerate decision-making, reduce costs, and help you compete in London’s fast-moving markets (finance, retail, media, healthcare, and tech).Key Components of a Robust Data Engineering StrategyData Pipelines (Batch & Streaming)Build for scale and reliability. Ingest from SaaS, apps, legacy, and partners; validate and deliver consistent datasets to a warehouse or lakehouse with SLAs and observability.Sigli example. Sigli designs scalable, event-driven and batch pipelines with monitoring and alerting so stakeholders know when data is fresh and dependable — fuel for faster, better decisions.Data ArchitectureStructure that supports growth. Layered architectures (bronze/silver/gold) centralise data, separate ingestion from transformation, and simplify access for BI, product, and AI teams.Sigli example. Sigli’s reference architectures centralise and standardise datasets, improving discoverability and operational efficiency across London teams.ETL/ELT ProcessesClean, transform, enrich. Automate deduping, validation, and modelling; version your transformations; test business logic.Efficiency gains. Less time cleaning, more time shipping trusted metrics to stakeholders.Data Storage & CloudChoose the right foundation. Data warehouse, lake, or lakehouse — balance performance, cost, governance, and future AI workloads.Sigli example. Sigli advises on and implements cloud-based storage that scales seamlessly, with governance and cost controls built in.Benefits for London Businesses That Hire Data EngineersActionable InsightsUnified, well-modelled datasets expose real-time and historical views for accurate forecasting, personalisation, and faster experimentation.Efficiency & Cost SavingsStreamlined pipelines and standardised models reduce manual work, duplication, and infrastructure waste.Example. With an optimised pipeline, Sigli helps teams cut operational delays and shorten analytics lead times.Data-Driven InnovationA reliable platform frees product and analytics teams to prototype new features and launch data-enabled services with confidence.Security & ComplianceEmbed governance (access controls, lineage, audits, retention) to meet UK data protection obligations and strengthen trust.How Sigli’s Data Engineering Services London Help You ScaleOur approach. Sigli delivers tailored services for London organisations:Scalable, observable data pipelines (batch/streaming)Efficient ETL/ELT with automated testing and documentationModern warehouse/lakehouse architecturesCloud platform selection, cost optimisation, and governanceOngoing reliability engineering and platform supportImpact. Sigli has helped UK businesses design data systems that scale with demand, improving decision speed while reducing total cost of ownership.Real-life example (case study). A mid-market services company consolidated siloed reporting into a central lakehouse with automated ELT. Results: 70% faster report delivery, unified KPIs across departments, and a clear audit trail for compliance.Read more about how Sigli helped a client optimise their data architecture here. How to Hire Data Engineers in London (And Start Strong)Assess your data needsMap sources, critical metrics, latency, data volumes, and compliance constraints (e.g., PII handling).Design a scalable pipelineStart with high-value sources; prioritise reliability, observability, and schema/version management.Choose storage & tools wiselySelect warehouse/lakehouse platforms and a transformation framework that fit performance, governance, and cost goals.Implement ongoing supportAugment your team or partner with Sigli for monitoring, optimisation, and continuous delivery as your data grows.Tip: Whether you hire London-based data engineers or partner with a specialist, insist on clear SLAs, cost controls, and a roadmap that includes DataOps.The Future of Data Engineering in LondonDataOps becomes standard. CI/CD, testing, and observability for faster, safer data releases.Cloud & lakehouse adoption. Unifying analytics and AI workloads on elastic platforms.AI-powered engineering. Intelligent data quality, metadata enrichment, and adaptive workloads reduce toil and speed delivery.Sigli’s role. Sigli helps London businesses adopt DataOps and AI-driven engineering patterns so they can ship trusted data products faster and stay competitive.

In modern software development, certifications are more than badges — they’re signals of quality, expertise, and alignment with industry standards. When releases are frequent and user expectations are unforgiving, Quality Assurance (QA) becomes the safety net that protects functionality, security, and performance. This article explains why choosing a Certified QA Testing Company UK can materially improve delivery outcomes. We’ll unpack the most relevant certifications, show how they translate into better testing practices, and outline practical steps to verify a partner’s credentials. Whether you’re an SME seeking predictable releases or an enterprise with strict compliance needs, certifications help ensure your QA partner follows robust processes, documents evidence, and delivers reliable software — release after release.The Most Common Certifications for QA Testing Companies in the UKISO 9001 (Quality Management)What it means: ISO 9001 certifies that a company has a documented, continuously improving quality management system.Why it matters for testing: In QA, it promotes repeatable processes —test planning, execution, defect management, and retrospectives — so quality isn’t left to chance.ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board)What it means: ISTQB certifies individual QA professionals (Foundation, Advanced, Specialist levels).Why it matters: Teams staffed with ISTQB-certified testers share a common vocabulary and method, improving test design, coverage, and risk-based prioritisation. For a Certified QA Testing Company UK, high ISTQB density signals a mature testing culture.CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration)What it means: CMMI appraises organisational maturity (from Level 2 to 5) across engineering and management processes.Why it matters for QA: It drives disciplined planning, measurement, and continuous improvement—vital for regression, performance, and automation programmes at scale.Other Relevant Certifications & ComplianceITIL: Strengthens incident, change, and problem management around QA in CI/CD environments.PCI DSS: Essential for payment-touching apps; assures secure handling of cardholder data during testing.GDPR compliance: Protects personal data in test environments (masking, minimisation, retention).HIPAA: For health data, ensures privacy and security obligations in test design and data handling.Using the phrase Certified QA Testing Company UK isn’t just SEO—it reflects how these credentials align your partner with recognised industry standards.Why Choosing a Certified QA Testing Company UK Is Crucial for Software DevelopmentGuaranteed quality and reliability. Certified providers prove they follow audited processes, reducing post-launch defects, performance surprises, and security regressions.Access to expert professionals. Certifications like ISTQB indicate disciplined test design, risk-based coverage, and better automation strategy — accelerating feedback loops.Compliance with industry standards. A Certified QA Testing Company UK understands regulatory contexts (GDPR, PCI DSS, and where relevant HIPAA), ensuring your releases meet legal and contractual obligations.When selecting a QA testing partner, opting for a certified company ensures adherence to industry standards and best practices. A certified QA testing company UK not only meets regulatory requirements but also demonstrates a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.For instance, Sigli offers a QA on Demand service that provides flexible and immediate access to expert bug-fixing and testing services. This model allows businesses to scale their testing resources as needed, ensuring high-quality software without the overhead of maintaining a dedicated in-house QA team.How to Verify a Certified QA Testing Company UK1) Check the certifications.Confirm ISO 9001, CMMI appraisal level, and team ISTQB mix on the vendor’s site; verify via official directories when available.2) Review testimonials and case studies.Look for measurable outcomes tied to process maturity (defect leakage trends, cycle time, automation stability).Floral Supply Chain Tech — Sigli built an internal management platform for a floral supply company, improving logistics oversight and communication. QA involvement: focused manual testing to stabilise the application and improve usability.→ Floral Supply Chain TechERP Platform Enhancement — Sigli enhanced the ArkSuite ERP for a global automation leader, adding custom dashboards to improve UX and efficiency. QA involvement: comprehensive functional and performance testing for reliability.→ ERP Platform EnhancementInteractive E-Learning Solutions — Sigli delivered a feature-rich learning platform for expert-led courses. QA involvement: scalability and stability testing for peak usage.→ Interactive E-Learning Solutions3) Ensure they follow established frameworks.Ask how they run functional, regression, non-functional (performance, accessibility, security) suites; how they manage environments and test data; and how they evidence coverage and traceability.The Cost of Working with a Certified QA Testing Company UKIs it worth the premium?Certified partners may cost more upfront, but they pay back through structured delivery, fewer escaped defects, and smoother audits — especially critical for regulated or customer-facing apps.Long-term benefits.Lower rework and hot-fix overheadFaster, safer releases (predictable regression cycles, stable automation)Stronger compliance posture (less risk in privacy and security reviews)ROI of Quality Assurance.The upfront investment in a Certified QA Testing Company UK reduces bug-related delays, safeguards brand trust, and accelerates time-to-market. Over multiple releases, that compounds into a lower total cost of ownership and higher customer satisfaction.Want a reliable, certification-backed QA partner? Book a 30-minute call with Sigli to explore QA on Demand and see how certified practices improve release quality.Book a call

Launching an MVP is supposed to be the fastest way to validate demand. In financial services, the word “minimal” can be misleading: you are shipping into an environment shaped by SCA/PSD2, Open Banking, UK GDPR, and the FCA’s expectations for governance and resilience. This guide turns the usual checklist into a readable playbook — so you can hire the right team in London, make the right architectural calls, and keep momentum without stumbling over compliance.Why FinTech MVPs are different (and risky)Even a slim payments or onboarding flow touches multiple regulated surfaces at once. Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) dictates how you structure two‑factor experiences and when you can legitimately avoid them via exemptions such as merchant‑initiated transactions, low‑value payments, or transaction risk analysis. Know‑Your‑Customer and anti‑money‑laundering controls influence everything from what data you collect to how you handle false positives, sanctions matches, and suspicious activity reports. Data protection runs in parallel: your lawful basis, retention policies, DPIAs and DSAR handling determine whether your product is both usable and defensible.What happens if you under‑engineer these layers? Banks and PSPs may refuse to onboard you or shut you down after testing. The FCA can query your governance and operational resilience. Privacy missteps lead to audits and reputational damage. Worst of all, re‑architecting after a failed pilot can cost more than building it correctly the first time. The safe conclusion is not “move slowly,” but “design compliance into the product fabric from day one.”What a regulatory‑ready MVP looks likeA credible FinTech MVP treats authentication, onboarding, and privacy as product features, not as paperwork.SCA/PSD2. Map your payment scenarios — one‑off, recurring, merchant‑initiated — and implement two‑factor authentication with a measured step‑up. Exemptions should be evaluated by a server‑side policy engine and every decision should be recorded so you can explain why SCA was, or wasn’t, applied. Recovery and retry paths must avoid duplicate charges and preserve the authorisation context.KYC/AML. Choose providers for PEP and sanctions screening, decide when documentary evidence or non‑documentary checks are appropriate, and define thresholds that trigger manual review. Ongoing monitoring is not a later phase: set the cadence now, capture adverse media, and keep tamper‑evident evidence of what you checked and when.FCA expectations. Decide early whether you need your own permissions (EMI, AISP, PISP) or will operate as an agent. Build your policy stack — risk, complaints, financial promotions, incident management and outsourcing — alongside the product. Operational resilience is practical: who declares an incident, what your impact tolerances are, and how you communicate with customers and partners.Open Banking. Scope consent to the minimum necessary, explain purpose and duration in plain language, and implement token lifetimes, refresh, and revocation from the outset. Resist copying bank data you don’t need; minimise and expire.UK GDPR & privacy. Complete a DPIA where risk is high (for example, biometrics or credit‑related processing). Record lawful basis per activity, separate consent from your terms, automate retention and deletion, and honour user rights without a support backlog.PCI DSS (if you touch cards). Aim for zero PAN handling by pushing tokenisation and vaulting to your PSP. If card data ever crosses your boundary, scope tightly, segment networks, and keep evidence of scans and controls.Security and accessibility. Align builds with OWASP ASVS, manage secrets properly, enforce least privilege in cloud/IAM, and maintain an audit trail that links user actions to business decisions. Accessibility is not a nice‑to‑have: authentication and payments journeys must work for keyboard and screen‑reader users, with clear focus order, contrast, and time‑outs that can be extended.How to hire MVP developers in LondonLook for teams that have shipped into this reality before. References for SCA and KYC implementations are worth more than generic portfolios; ask to see sample architectures and test evidence. Probe for FCA awareness — have they collaborated with SMF holders or an MLRO, and can they show you the artefacts?On the engineering side, expect a secure SDLC with design reviews and threat modelling, CI gates for linting, tests and dependency checks, and an automated suite that regression‑tests authentication, onboarding, payments, and consent. Mature teams arrive with playbooks: incident response, rollback, fraud handling, and a plan for collecting evidence during the incident so audits aren’t guesswork later. Cadence matters too — short, focused iterations with a demo every one to two weeks, and explicit compliance checkpoints during discovery, build, and pre‑launch.When you run vendor due diligence, ask for real outputs rather than promises: exemption decision logs from a previous build, a DPIA template they actually used, a working audit trail, and a redacted incident post‑mortem. The right partner will be comfortable showing you how they work, not just what they say.Pitfalls to sidestepMost failures rhyme. Over‑collecting personal data creates GDPR exposure without improving conversion. Skipping exemption logic bloats your SCA prompts and crushes success rates. Storing or logging PANs — even unintentionally — explodes your PCI scope. Thin or immutable audit trails make it impossible to explain KYC and payment decisions. Ignoring accessibility excludes customers and draws scrutiny. And unclear permissions with your FCA status or PSP role can stall onboarding when you can least afford it.Timelines and cost, realisticallyDisclaimer: This guide is informational and not legal advice. Engage qualified compliance counsel and coordinate with your principal firm and PSP as needed.A typical path looks like two to four weeks of discovery and design to map data flows, choose providers, draft your DPIA and SCA policy; six to ten weeks of integration work across auth, KYC, payments, consent and logging; and a further two to four weeks for hardening—pen testing, accessibility review, game days and an evidence pack. Budget for PSP fees, KYC checks, sanctions data, fraud tooling, observability, penetration testing, accessibility audit, legal review and a contingency for iteration after PSP or FCA feedback. The secret to hitting dates is simple: tie each user story to a control or evidence item so you never scramble before launch.Ship faster without compliance re‑work. Get an evidence‑ready MVP team versed in SCA/PSD2, KYC/AML, FCA & GDPR.Book a 30‑minute call →Prefer email? Write to info@sigli.com.

If you need to move quickly without giving up product direction or intellectual property, IT team augmentation is usually the right call. You can add experienced engineers within days, keep your ceremonies and technical standards, and ensure that code, documentation, and know‑how remain inside your organisation. When your scope is clearly defined, outcomes are fixed, and the budget must be capped, outsourcing delivers best: treat it as a black‑box engagement with strong governance and acceptance criteria. Prefer a deeper dive? Compare models on the Team Augmentation page, and see how staff augmentation services for developers in the UK work in practice.The Decision Factors for IT Team Augmentation in the UK (Control, IP, Speed, Risk, Cost)Control is the clearest dividing line. With augmentation, you keep the steering wheel: your product and engineering managers decide the roadmap, architecture, tooling, and Definition of Done, while augmented engineers pair with your team and follow your sprint rituals. Outsourcing flips the operating model. You still set business goals and review outcomes, but the vendor runs delivery day to day, optimising for contractual milestones rather than your internal cadence.Intellectual property and knowledge transfer follow from this. Augmentation concentrates all assets in your systems — from source code and infrastructure‑as‑code to runbooks and architectural decision records—so practices like pairing, code reviews, and internal wikis steadily build your long‑term capability. Outsourcing can also transfer IP, but the tacit knowledge that makes systems maintainable often remains with the vendor unless you plan structured shadowing, joint incident drills, and a formal handover.Speed to impact tends to favour augmentation in the early weeks. Once access is granted, a small pod can start within days and aim for a first production‑ready pull request within ten business days. Outsourcing typically needs a period of discovery and a statement of work; once underway it can deliver large packages predictably, but that initial ramp is slower.Risk profiles differ. If your scope is evolving, augmentation lets you absorb volatility sprint by sprint and adjust priorities without change requests. Outsourcing excels where the scope is stable and risks are best handled through specification, acceptance tests, and change control. Neither model is inherently cheaper; cost outcomes depend on throughput, quality, and time‑to‑value. A senior augmented pod that ships the right thing faster will often outperform lower day rates that lead to rework. Fixed‑price outsourcing can be highly efficient for a well‑bounded scope, but chasing the lowest rate can increase total cost of ownership when quality and integration suffer.When to Choose IT Team AugmentationChoose augmentation when scope is fluid and learning can’t pause, when you want to upskill your existing team through pairing and rigorous code reviews, and when you need specialist capability now without adding permanent headcount. The goal is early and visible impact — first PR in ten business days, then steady ownership of a defined slice of the backlog—while all IP and operational knowledge remain in your repositories. See it in action in Implementing AI on one of the UK’s most popular property data tools: an embedded data/ML pod worked within the client’s rituals and infrastructure, delivering production value quickly while keeping code and know‑how in the client’s repos. Curious how this looks end‑to‑end? Explore a pilot plan on the Team Augmentation page and see how staff augmentation services for developers in the UK are run in practice.When to Choose OutsourcingOpt for outsourcing when requirements are stable, outcomes are easy to measure, and the budget must be capped. It works well for non‑core modules and integrations that can be delivered as a black box with a clear interface and strong acceptance criteria. Your governance should emphasise discovery, traceability to acceptance tests, performance gates, and a structured handover so that maintenance is predictable once the engagement ends.Hybrid ModelsMany UK organisations blend the two. Keep core, domain‑heavy work close — either fully in‑house or with augmented engineers embedded in your team — while outsourcing peripheral modules such as adapters, migrations, or dashboards. Make the hybrid model safe with shared repositories, agreed integration patterns, common CI gates, a unified Definition of Done, and scheduled handovers. The result is scale without fragmentation: the centre of the product remains coherent, while specialist work streams progress in parallel.Decision MatrixImagine a simple 2×2. The horizontal axis represents scope clarity from low to high; the vertical axis represents the need for control and IP retention from low to high. High control and low clarity points to augmentation: run a short discovery sprint, fix access on day one, and target an early PR. Low control and high clarity favours outsourcing: lock the scope, codify acceptance tests, and budget a buffer for edge cases. If both clarity and the need for control are high, use a hybrid: keep the kernel of the system in‑house and contract peripheral work with tight integration checks. When both are low, resist committing to a delivery model; re‑scope first and use two to four weeks of discovery to de‑risk assumptions. Typical pitfalls include onboarding delays, hidden edge cases, integration drift, and premature commitment to fixed price.Implementation PlaybooksFor augmentation, think in a fourteen‑day arc. Day zero to one cover access, security briefings, and IR35/GDPR paperwork. Days two to three focus on pairing to set up environments and smoke tests. By the end of the first week the team should have selected and delivered a scoped starter ticket and opened a production‑ready pull request with tests and documentation. The second week is about incorporating review feedback, releasing safely—feature flags help—and then independently owning a small backlog slice. Define KPIs such as lead time, PR cycle time, and escaped defects so value is visible.For outsourcing, sequence the engagement from discovery to delivery to handover. Discovery clarifies goals, constraints, non‑functional requirements, data flows, and security and accessibility needs. The statement of work then fixes scope, milestones, acceptance tests, change control, IP transfer, and residency and audit rights. Delivery proceeds in iterations with regular demos and traceability to acceptance tests. Handover closes the loop with code, documentation, runbooks, test suites, and a joint production‑readiness review so operations do not inherit surprises.Use augmentation when you must move fast without losing control or IP; use outsourcing when your scope is stable and outcomes and budget are fixed; use a hybrid when you want core knowledge to remain in‑house while peripheral work streams scale externally. To see how this plays out in delivery, compare models on the Team Augmentation page or review how staff augmentation services for developers in the UK operate in practice.

In today’s digital-first business environment, functional and regression testing is essential for UK SMEs seeking to protect revenue, reduce churn, and improve operational efficiency. Functional testing ensures that every feature works as intended, covering both happy paths and key negative scenarios. Regression testing acts as a repeatable safety net, confirming that recent changes haven’t broken previously working functionality. Together, these approaches safeguard your product, protect revenue, and provide measurable ROI.Functional vs Regression Testing — Executive DefinitionsFunctional testing evaluates whether individual features work correctly, covering both positive scenarios (happy paths) and negative edge cases. It ensures users can complete their core tasks without friction.Regression testing focuses on stability after changes. Every new release or code update risks breaking previously functional workflows, and regression testing acts as an automated safety net. Together, functional and regression testing give UK SMEs confidence that releases are reliable, errors are caught early, and revenue-critical paths remain intact.By combining both, UK SMEs gain confidence in product stability while reducing manual QA effort and incidents.The 7 High-ROI User Journeys to Automate FirstTo maximize ROI, focus on flows that directly impact revenue, retention, or support costs.1. Authentication & Account Access (including SSO/MFA)Login friction is a key driver of churn, and account lockouts generate costly support tickets. Automation should cover signup, login, password reset, MFA, SSO, and role checks. This ensures that new account flows are stable and that any changes to authentication logic don’t introduce errors. Case Study: Permissions and Onboarding Stability2. Checkout & Payments (SCA/3DS)Revenue depends on smooth payment flows. Automation should validate the entire checkout process, including cart, address entry, shipping, Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) challenges, and receipt/refund handling. Testing edge cases such as failed 3DS challenges or interrupted sessions ensures fewer chargebacks and lost sales.Case Study: Ecommerce portal/booking flow QA3. Billing & SubscriptionsBilling errors directly impact retention and create disputes that escalate to legal or customer support costs. Automated tests should cover plan changes, proration, VAT, credit notes, and subscription cancellations. Validating billing calculations and invoicing logic protects revenue integrity and customer trust. Case Study: Finance logic regression coverage in platform upgrade4. Core Transaction / Order or Booking LifecycleYour money path must be flawless. Automation should verify all stages: create → update → cancel → state transitions → notifications → audit trails. End-to-end testing ensures that orders, bookings, or transactions remain consistent even as business logic evolves.Case Study: Manufacturing & Industrial Monitoring Case Study 5. Search & Filters (with Sorting/Pagination)Discoverability drives conversion. Automated tests should validate search relevance, empty states, boundary conditions, and sort stability across datasets. Silent failures here can quietly reduce sales or frustrate users, especially in complex marketplaces or content-heavy platforms.Case Study: Data-heavy UX correctness6. Data Import/Export & IntegrationsData corruption or failed integrations can be catastrophic. Automation should handle CSV templates, validation rules, large file handling, webhook events, retries, and contract tests for APIs. Automated coverage ensures onboarding and data migration processes remain smooth, saving both time and support costs.Case Study: Modern integration surface7. Settings & Permissions (RBAC, Tenant Isolation)Security and compliance are non-negotiable. Automated tests should validate the allow/deny matrix, audit logs, and multi-tenant isolation. This prevents costly access leaks or accidental data exposure in SaaS or enterprise platforms.Case Study: Role-heavy ERP or B2B platformFor teams looking to get started, Sigli’s QA on Demand can help set up a lean regression suite for your top journeys, making testing efficient and scalable.