In late May, teams from seven of our Business Units came together for two days to explore a simple idea: AI is not just a faster way to write code, but a different way to design, build and deliver software.
At Vesta, we are exploring how AI can support the entire software development process, from defining requirements and designing solutions through to development, testing and delivery. While AI can help teams move faster, people remain responsible for the decisions, quality and expertise that create great software.
These workshops are deliberately hands-on. Each team brings a real business challenge, not a hypothetical example, and works through it from start to finish over two days, supported by experts and AI champions throughout. The goal is to understand what works in practice, where challenges arise, and how teams can apply these new ways of working successfully.
Ultimately, this is not about technology for technology’s sake. It is about helping our businesses build better products, solve customer problems more effectively and deliver value faster.
What teams set out to achieve
The projects covered a wide range of use cases, from new product development and customer-facing experiences to the modernisation of long-standing systems:
- A natural language reporting tool that allows non-technical users to query their data in plain language, including multiple languages, without specialist knowledge.
- A website builder designed to make it faster and easier for customers to create, preview and manage their online storefronts.
- A self-service customer registration and loyalty portal to replace a manual sign-up process.
- A QR code table-ordering system for hospitality venues, covering everything from menu and allergen filtering to live orders reaching the point-of-sale.
- The migration of a decades-old reporting module to a modern web-based platform.
- A machine learning approach to classifying products against a global standard, creating opportunities for richer benchmarking and customer insight.
What teams achieved
Over just two days, teams produced working demonstrations, reusable components and, in several cases, features they expect to develop further for customers in the near future. Some teams estimated that the progress made during the workshop would previously have taken weeks using more traditional development approaches.
Importantly, these results were not limited to brand-new projects. Teams also applied these approaches to complex legacy systems, including codebases more than two decades old. With the right preparation and expertise, they were able to understand existing systems more quickly, develop stronger solutions and move from concept to working software more efficiently.
The feedback reflected this positive experience. Across the group, the workshop received an average score of 4.4 out of 5 for usefulness, while teams rated their likelihood of applying the approach in day-to-day delivery at 4.6 out of 5.
Why it matters
One of the most valuable lessons was that the biggest gains often came before any code was written. Teams consistently found value in clarifying goals, refining requirements, identifying potential challenges and improving project scope from the outset.
The workshops also reinforced an important point: AI can accelerate delivery, but it does not replace human expertise. Technical decision-making, code review, testing and business validation remain essential responsibilities for people.
What became clear throughout the workshop was that these ways of working can deliver meaningful results across a wide range of projects. The focus now is on applying them consistently and sustainably, with the right level of governance, collaboration and quality assurance for each team.
For our customers, this has the potential to mean better products, faster delivery and improved user experiences across both new and long-established software platforms.
What’s next
This was not a one-off event. We are continuing to share practical guidance through our internal AI Champions network, refining how teams adopt these approaches and supporting workshop participants as their solutions progress towards production.
It is an exciting time to be building software, and our teams are continuing to explore how AI can help them innovate, improve efficiency and create even more value for customers.
Interested in learning more about Vesta Software Group?
Across Vesta Software Group, our businesses are continually investing in their products, people and processes to better serve customers and support long-term growth.
Whether you are a software professional looking for your next opportunity or a software business owner considering the future of your company, we would love to start a conversation.
Explore career opportunities across our portfolio or get in touch to learn more about partnering with Vesta Software Group.
