Custom Pod
Your Needs, Your Team.
Sometimes standard configurations don't fit. Custom Pods are tailored to your specific technology stack, domain requirements, and project complexity. We work with you to design exactly the right team—mixing specialists from multiple domains into one cohesive unit.
When to Choose
Is a Custom Pod Right for You?
Custom Pods are ideal when standard configurations don't fit. Here are signs you might need a tailored team.
Mixed Skill Requirements
You need a team that combines skills from multiple disciplines—frontend + data engineering, backend + ML, or platform + security.
Specialized Domain Expertise
Your project requires deep domain knowledge—healthcare compliance, financial regulations, manufacturing systems, or government standards.
Niche or Legacy Technologies
You're working with technologies that don't fit standard stacks—COBOL, mainframe, SAP, Salesforce, or proprietary systems.
Multi-Domain Initiatives
Your project spans multiple domains—a product that needs backend, data pipeline, and mobile expertise all working together.
Legacy Modernization
You're modernizing legacy systems and need engineers who understand both old and new technologies to bridge the gap.
Unique Engagement Needs
Standard engagement models don't fit—you need part-time specialists, rotating expertise, or phased team scaling.
Team Composition
Mix and Match Expertise
Custom Pods can include specialists from any of our standard Pod types, plus domain experts and niche technology specialists.
Full-Stack Engineers
Frontend, backend, and API development. React, Node.js, Python, Java, and more.
Platform & DevOps Engineers
Cloud infrastructure, CI/CD, Kubernetes, and reliability engineering.
Data & ML Engineers
Data pipelines, warehouses, ML models, and analytics platforms.
QA & Automation Engineers
Test automation, performance testing, and quality engineering.
Security Engineers
Application security, compliance, penetration testing, and security architecture.
Domain Specialists
Healthcare, fintech, e-commerce, logistics, or industry-specific expertise.
Team size: Flexible — Custom Pods range from 3 specialists to 10+ engineers depending on your project scope.
Example Configurations
Custom Pods in Action
Here are real-world examples of Custom Pod configurations we've built for clients with unique requirements.
Healthcare Platform Modernization
A Custom Pod with full-stack engineers familiar with HIPAA, integration specialists for HL7/FHIR, and security engineers for compliance.
Fintech Data Platform
Data engineers for real-time pipelines, ML engineers for fraud detection, and backend engineers for API development—all with financial domain experience.
Legacy System Migration
Engineers who understand COBOL/mainframe alongside modern cloud-native developers. A bridge team that can read legacy code and build modern replacements.
E-commerce + Analytics
Full-stack engineers for the storefront, data engineers for analytics pipelines, and performance specialists to handle traffic spikes.
Have a unique requirement? Let's design your Custom Pod
Why Custom Pods
Benefits of a Tailored Team
Custom Pods give you the flexibility standard configurations can't, while maintaining our proven delivery practices.
Exact Fit
Get exactly the skills you need, not a pre-packaged team that's close but not quite right. Every role is intentional.
Cross-Domain Expertise
Combine specialists from multiple domains in one cohesive team. No coordination overhead across separate vendors.
Flexible Scaling
Start small and grow, or start large and optimize. Custom Pods adapt as your project evolves and requirements change.
Domain Knowledge Included
For specialized industries, we find engineers with relevant domain experience—not just technical skills.
SPARK™ Framework
Even custom configurations operate under our proven delivery framework with quality gates, demos, and accountability.
Continuous Optimization
Regular reviews ensure your team composition stays aligned with evolving project needs. Adjust as you learn.
How It Works
Designing Your Custom Pod
We take a collaborative approach to designing Custom Pods. Here's what the process looks like.
Discovery Session
We explore your project in depth—goals, challenges, technology landscape, domain requirements, and team dynamics. No sales pitch, just understanding.
Configuration Design
Based on discovery, we propose a team configuration with specific roles, skills, seniority levels, and engagement model. We iterate until it's right.
Talent Matching
We identify engineers from our talent pool who match your requirements. For specialized skills, we may recruit specifically for your needs.
Team Introduction
You meet the proposed team, review backgrounds, and conduct interviews if desired. You approve the final team composition.
Kickoff & Delivery
Your Custom Pod onboards, integrates with your systems, and starts delivery using SPARK™ framework. Regular check-ins ensure alignment.
Compare Options
Custom Pod vs. Standard Pod Types
Not sure if you need a Custom Pod? Here's how it compares to our standard configurations.
Feature Pod
Full-stack product development
Best for: New products, features, MVPs
Platform & SRE Pod
Infrastructure & DevOps
Best for: Cloud, CI/CD, reliability
Data & AI Pod
Data platforms & ML
Best for: Pipelines, models, analytics
QA & SET Pod
Test automation & quality
Best for: Testing, automation, quality
Custom Pod
When standard Pods don't fit, we design a team specifically for your requirements. Mix specialists, add domain expertise, or work with niche technologies.
3-10+
Team size range
2-4
Weeks to assemble
50+
Technologies supported
100%
Configuration flexibility
Let's Design Your Custom Pod
Tell us about your project, technology requirements, and domain challenges. We'll work together to design a team configuration that's exactly right for your needs.
Not sure what you need? Compare all Pod types
FAQs
Custom Pod: Common Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about Custom Pods and how they work.
What is a Custom Pod?
A Custom Pod is a tailored team configuration designed for your specific requirements. When standard Pod types (Feature, Platform, Data, QA) don't fit your needs, we work with you to design the right team composition, skill mix, and engagement model. Custom Pods can combine specialists from multiple domains or focus on niche technologies.
When should I choose a Custom Pod over a standard Pod type?
Choose a Custom Pod when: you need a mix of skills that doesn't fit standard configurations (e.g., 50% frontend, 50% data engineering); you have specialized domain requirements (healthcare compliance, fintech regulations); you're working with niche or legacy technologies; or you need a hybrid team that spans multiple disciplines.
How do you design a Custom Pod configuration?
We start with a discovery session to understand your project, technology stack, domain requirements, and team dynamics. Based on this, we propose a team composition with specific roles, skills, and experience levels. You review and refine until we have the right configuration. The process typically takes 1-2 weeks.
What technologies can Custom Pods work with?
Custom Pods can work with virtually any technology stack—mainstream or niche. This includes legacy systems (COBOL, mainframe), specialized frameworks (SAP, Salesforce), emerging technologies (blockchain, AR/VR), industry-specific platforms (healthcare EHRs, financial trading systems), and any combination of modern and legacy tech.
Can Custom Pods include specialists from different Pod types?
Yes, that's a common configuration. You might need a team that combines full-stack engineers (Feature Pod skills) with data engineers (Data Pod skills) and DevOps specialists (Platform Pod skills). Custom Pods let you create exactly the skill mix your project requires.
How is pricing determined for Custom Pods?
Custom Pod pricing is based on team composition, seniority levels, and engagement duration. We provide transparent pricing once we finalize the team configuration. While Custom Pods may cost differently than standard Pods due to specialized skills, we ensure value alignment with your project goals.
How long does it take to assemble a Custom Pod?
Custom Pods typically take 2-4 weeks to assemble, depending on how specialized the requirements are. Week 1-2 covers discovery and team design. Week 2-4 involves talent matching and team formation. For highly specialized skills, we may need additional time to find the right fit.
Can a Custom Pod evolve over time?
Absolutely. Custom Pods are designed to be flexible. As your project evolves, we can adjust the team composition—adding new skills, scaling up or down, or pivoting focus areas. Regular check-ins ensure the Pod configuration stays aligned with your changing needs.
Do Custom Pods follow the same SPARK framework?
Yes. Regardless of configuration, all Pods operate under our SPARK™ framework—with clear sprint cadences, quality gates, demos, and retrospectives. The framework adapts to your specific delivery needs while maintaining consistent process rigor.
What if we're not sure what configuration we need?
That's common and we're here to help. Start with a discovery call where we'll explore your project, challenges, and goals. We often recommend starting with a Velocity Audit or Pilot Pod to clarify requirements before committing to a larger Custom Pod engagement.
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