As the demands on development teams continue to grow, the need for reliable, high-performance tools has never been greater. In response, SDS launched its cloud-hosted service back in early 2023 – a move that transformed how teams access, update, and use essential appraisal tools. But what sparked this shift? And what does it mean for development teams as the service transitions to AWS?
We spoke with Ricky Prota, Head of Business Services at SDS, to explore the thinking behind the solution, how it’s impacted teams on the ground, and why the move to AWS marks a new chapter in productivity and performance.
Can you take us back to why SDS launched this solution in the first place?
The primary reason was the pressure our customers’ IT departments were under. They were managing multiple priorities — infrastructure, security, day-to-day support — and as a result, development teams were often left waiting for the resources they needed. This was especially problematic for our appraisal tools, which require regular updates and high-performance environments. By stepping in with a cloud-hosted model, we gave development teams immediate, stable access to the tools they rely on — without waiting in the IT queue.
So, this wasn’t just an IT workaround — it directly benefited development?
Exactly. This was about empowering development teams. When you're building business cases, running viability assessments, or planning schemes, version accuracy is non-negotiable. One example we had was a call from Homes England after an audit flagged a discrepancy. It turned out the customer had been using a version of ProVal that hadn’t been updated in seven years. That’s not just a technical oversight — it directly affects decision-making and credibility. With the hosted service, version control was centralised and consistent, removing that risk entirely.
That must have changed how development teams worked day-to-day?
It did. They could get on with their work without constantly involving IT to install updates or resolve performance issues. And because SDS was managing the environment, our support team could often fix things before the customer even knew something was wrong. That kind of responsiveness meant less time firefighting and more time focusing on actual development and delivery.
With the hosted service being capped, what should development teams know about the transition?
We’re in the final few months for customers to adopt our new AWS cloud-hosting model. This isn’t just a technical switch — it’s a strategic upgrade. We chose Amazon Web Services because it offers unmatched security and reliability, while still being cost-effective. For development teams, it means working in a best-in-class environment where performance, uptime, and security are handled — allowing them to focus on delivering accurate, defensible appraisals and making data-driven decisions without distractions.
So development teams should see this as a boost to their productivity?
Absolutely. This is about giving them control — ensuring the tools work when they need them, in the right version, with minimal friction. It removes IT as a bottleneck. When your role involves making critical investment decisions, the last thing you want is an unstable tool or inaccurate data. AWS helps us keep the environment sharp, secure, and ready.
Why is it important for development teams to take the lead on this transition?
Because this isn’t just an IT project – it's about the tools development teams rely on every day to make critical decisions. If you’re responsible for appraisals, planning, or delivering schemes, you need to be confident that your environment is accurate, up-to-date, and dependable. Waiting for IT to drive the change could delay that certainty. Taking ownership means you can ensure your team is working in the right version, with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency. The transition to AWS only takes half a day – and we’re here to support every step.
Closing thoughts
The shift to cloud hosting at SDS wasn’t just about modernising infrastructure – it was about rethinking how development teams interact with their tools. From improved performance and version control to enhanced support and reduced IT dependency, the impact has been significant. As the service transitions to AWS, the message is clear: this is a strategic move designed to empower development teams to work faster, smarter, and with greater confidence. The tools are ready. Now’s the time to take full advantage.