FAQs
General Questions
What makes FOIL different from traditional data consultancies?
We're the consultancy with an anti-consulting ethos. While traditional consultancies create dependency, we build independence. Our pioneering approach embeds knowledge into both your technology and your team, so when we step back, you move forward. We deliver with our experts as we build yours, making you self-sufficient rather than reliant on external support.
Who do you work with?
We partner with ambitious mid to large size enterprises who are serious about their data and AI evolution. Our clients are usually led by forward-thinking CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, and CEOs who recognize that relying on traditional consultancies isn't sustainable in today's fast-paced technology landscape.
What services does FOIL offer?
We do everything you'd expect from a technology consultancy, and more. We build enterprise data platforms, implement AI solutions, develop data strategies, and create modern data architectures. But our difference: we simultaneously build your internal capability through knowledge transfer and team development, ensuring lasting impact long after we've finished.
Building Internal Capability
How does FOIL help build internal data teams?
We believe your long-term success depends on self-sufficiency. As we deliver projects with our experts, we're actively training and developing your team members. Our approach embeds knowledge into your technology architecture and your people, creating a foundation that enables you to adapt and evolve independently. In addition to this, we have a unique offering; FOIL Talent. We hire, train and deploy into your organisation, high potential junior developers that are backed by our experts but deliver in your team. Find out more here.
What does "embedded knowledge" mean in practice?
Embedded knowledge means your technology is built to be understandable, maintainable, and adaptable by your team - not just ours. We document thoroughly within the technology, explain our decisions, train as we build, and ensure your people can confidently take ownership. It's technology designed for independence, not dependency.
Can FOIL help us reduce dependency on external consultants?
Absolutely. That's our entire philosophy. We're rewriting the consultancy playbook by building solutions and teams that last. Our goal is to make ourselves unnecessary—to equip you with the capability, confidence, and technology to own your data evolution independently.
AI & Data Strategy
How do you approach AI implementation for mid-size enterprises?
We focus on sustainable AI implementation that delivers tangible business impact. Rather than pursuing AI for its own sake, we help you identify opportunities where AI solves real problems and creates competitive advantage. Our approach supercharges your journey to enterprise AI by building adaptable technology foundations and the internal talent to manage them.
What is a "self-sufficient data strategy"?
A self-sufficient data strategy is one your organisation can execute and evolve independently. We help you build the technology infrastructure, develop the team capabilities, and establish the processes needed to adapt as your business and the technology landscape evolve - without requiring ongoing consultancy support.
How do you ensure AI projects deliver lasting value?
We look at your long haul, not ours. Our solutions are designed to remain valuable and adaptable through change. We avoid vendor lock-in, build with modern best practices, thoroughly document our work, and ensure your team understands how to maintain and evolve what we build together.
Technology & Approach
What does "technology that lasts" mean?
Technology that lasts is built for longevity, not just launch. We use proven, modern approaches that won't become technical debt. Our solutions are well-architected, thoroughly documented, and designed to be maintained and evolved by your team. It's technology that stands tall when we step back.
Do you create vendor lock-in?
Never. We actively work to prevent vendor lock-in, whether to specific tools or to FOIL itself. We believe in enterprise data transformation that gives you control and flexibility. Our job is to make you independent, not dependent.
How do you balance innovation with practical results?
We're all about innovation with impact. We play outside the box while keeping our feet firmly grounded in tangible results that businesses can feel. We explore cutting-edge possibilities, but only pursue them when they deliver real business value for your specific situation.
Working with FOIL
What does the typical engagement look like?
Every engagement is different because every organisation is unique. Typically, we start by understanding your challenges, ambitions, and current capabilities. Then we design an approach that delivers your technology objectives while building your team's skills. We deliver with our experts, as we build yours - creating both immediate results and lasting capability.
How long do FOIL engagements typically last?
Engagements vary based on scope and ambition, but we're focused on outcomes. Our goal is to make you self-sufficient as quickly as possible. Some clients need a few weeks or months to kickstart their data capability; others need longer to transform entire data capability. What matters is that when we finish, you're equipped to continue independently.
Can you work with our existing team and technology?
Absolutely. We meet you where you are. Whether you have an established data team that needs augmentation or you're starting from scratch, whether you have legacy systems to modernize or a clean slate, we adapt our approach to your reality. Human connection and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.
How do you transfer knowledge to our team?
Knowledge transfer isn't an afterthought - it's woven into everything we do. We work alongside your team members, explaining decisions as we make them. We document thoroughly, run training sessions, conduct code reviews together, and create runbooks and guides. By the time we wrap up, your team understands the work they inherit, own it, and can evolve it.
Data Transformation & Modernisation
What is enterprise data transformation?
Enterprise data transformation is the process of modernising how your organization collects, stores, processes, and uses data. It's about building modern data architecture that enables AI, analytics, and data-driven decision-making. More importantly, it's about building the organizational capability to sustain and evolve that architecture independently.
How do you approach data modernization projects?
We take a pragmatic, phased approach that delivers value incrementally while building toward a comprehensive modern data platform. We prioritise based on business impact, de-risk through early wins, and ensure your team is learning and growing throughout the journey for a sustainable evolution.
Can you help with cloud migration and modern data platforms?
Yes. We help organizations build modern, cloud-based data platforms that are scalable, secure, and cost-effective. But we don't just build and hand over. We will ensure your team understands cloud best practices, cost management, security considerations, and how to evolve the platform as your needs change.
Sector & Specialisation
Do you specialise in specific industries?
We work across sectors, bringing fresh perspectives and diverse thinking to every engagement. Whether you're in retail, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, or another sector, we combine our deep technical expertise with industry-specific understanding to deliver solutions that work for your unique challenges.
What size organizations do you typically work with?
We focus on mid-size to large enterprises, who are ambitious about their data and AI capabilities. These organisations are large enough to have significant data challenges but agile enough to benefit from our approach to building lasting capability.
Getting Started
How do we start working with FOIL?
Reach out. We'll have an honest conversation about your challenges, ambitions, and where you are on your data journey. We'll discuss whether we're the right fit for each other—because we believe in genuine partnerships, not just client relationships. If it makes sense for both of us, we'll design an approach that addresses your needs and builds your independence.
What happens after our initial conversation?
If we're aligned, we'll work together to understand your current state, define your objectives, and design an approach. We don’t like the cookite cutter answers, we will craft a solution and approach that fits your specific context, challenges, and ambitions. We're focused on lasting relationships and real impact.
Have a question we haven't answered? Get in touch - we'd love to hear from you.