# BRACKETS

> Clarity in what to build. Quality in what we ship.

*Full content of every page is available at [https://meetbrackets.com/llms-full.txt](https://meetbrackets.com/llms-full.txt).*

## About

BRACKETS is a digital product studio based in Bratislava, Slovakia. We help companies find clarity in what to build and deliver it as high-quality digital products through product discovery, design, engineering, and AI integration. We work with clients across healthcare, fintech, e-commerce and enterprise — from early-stage discovery and MVPs through long-term ownership of mission-critical software. Our model combines hands-on delivery with fractional technical leadership.

### Key facts

- Name: BRACKETS
- Legal name: BRACKETS by TRIAD s.r.o.
- Headquarters: Brigadnicka 27, 841 10, Bratislava, SK
- Area served: Worldwide
- Areas of expertise: Product discovery, Product design, UX and UI design, Web and mobile engineering, AI integration, Fractional CTO, Software ownership and SLA, Workflow and process digitization
- Email: connect@meetbrackets.com
- Phone: +421910120009
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brackets-by-triad
- Website: https://meetbrackets.com

## Services

BRACKETS organizes its work into the following pillars. Each pillar is a distinct service offering with its own dedicated page.

### AI & Agentic Engineering

URL: https://meetbrackets.com/accelerate

AI is both how we build and what we build. We use agents in delivery, with senior engineers owning architecture and review. And we build AI into the products we ship for clients: assistants, [computer vision](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/ai-running-technique-analysis), intelligent workflows.

### Build and Delivery

URL: https://meetbrackets.com/build

You get a team that owns the outcome. Not a collection of contractors who write code and disappear. Every project gets a PM, designer, architect, and senior engineers.

### Fractional Leadership

URL: https://meetbrackets.com/lead

Not every company needs a full-time CTO. But every company making technology decisions needs someone who's done it before. We provide senior technical leadership on a fractional basis.

### Own Your Software

URL: https://meetbrackets.com/own

Juggling spreadsheets and tools that don't quite fit your business? At some point, building your own becomes the smarter investment. We help you figure out when, and then we build it.

### Product and Discovery

URL: https://meetbrackets.com/think

Most failed projects fail not because the code is bad, but because the scope was wrong. We help you figure out what to build before a single line of code is written.

## Frequently asked questions

### What's agentic engineering, and how is it different from vibe coding?

Vibe coding is generating code with an AI and hoping it works. [Agentic engineering is using AI agents as serious engineering tools](https://meetbrackets.com/thinking/vibe-coding-vs-agentic-engineering-what-actually-changes-when-you-ship), with senior review, architecture decisions, and quality controls. The first is fast and brittle. The second is fast, production-ready and stays sustainable for years. We do the second.

*Source: AI & Agentic Engineering*

### Do you build AI products or use AI internally?

Both. We use AI tools daily in our engineering workflow, and we build AI-powered features into client products: chatbots, assistants, recommendation engines, document processing, workflow automations, and more.

*Source: AI & Agentic Engineering*

### What models and tools do you use?

We use models from Anthropic, OpenAI, ElevenLabs, and open-source providers. For orchestration and automation: n8n, Claude Agents and custom integrations. Whatever fits the use case. We're model-agnostic and tool-pragmatic.

*Source: AI & Agentic Engineering*

### Can you work with our existing data?

Yes. We typically start with your existing data and build AI features on top of it. We focus on practical applications, not moonshot R&D.

*Source: AI & Agentic Engineering*

### Is it EU-compliant?

We design for GDPR and the EU AI Act from the start. Data stays in EU-hosted infrastructure unless you explicitly decide otherwise.

*Source: AI & Agentic Engineering*

### What if AI isn't the right solution?

We'll tell you. Honestly, most problems don't need AI. They need better processes or simpler automation. We recommend AI only when it genuinely earns its complexity.

*Source: AI & Agentic Engineering*

### What technologies do you use?

React, Next.js, Laravel, React Native. Chosen per project, not per hype cycle. AI-writes code, humans architect and review.

*Source: Build and Delivery*

### How large are your teams?

Typically 3–8 people: PM, designer, architect, 2–4 developers, and QA. Scaled to the project, not to the budget.

*Source: Build and Delivery*

### Can you take over an existing codebase?

Yes, but we'll audit it first. We need to understand what we're inheriting before we commit to it.

*Source: Build and Delivery*

### How do you handle communication?

Weekly demos, async updates, direct access to your team. No layers of account managers between you and the people doing the work.

*Source: Build and Delivery*

### What does ongoing support look like?

We offer retainer-based support for launched products — monitoring, bug fixes, incremental improvements, and scaling.

*Source: Build and Delivery*

### What's the difference between fractional CTO and consulting?

A consultant gives advice and leaves. A fractional CTO is embedded — attending your standups, reviewing your architecture, mentoring your team. We own outcomes, not just recommendations.

*Source: Fractional Leadership*

### How much time does a fractional CTO spend with us?

Typically 1–2 days per week, depending on the engagement. Enough to drive decisions, not so much that it replaces a full-time hire.

*Source: Fractional Leadership*

### When should we hire a real CTO instead?

When you've validated your product-market fit, have 5+ engineers, and need someone full-time. Until then, fractional makes more sense financially and strategically.

*Source: Fractional Leadership*

### Can you help us hire a permanent CTO?

Yes. We often help define the role, interview candidates, and ensure a smooth transition. We'd rather help you outgrow us than create dependency.

*Source: Fractional Leadership*

### Do you also build, or just advise?

We can do both. Some engagements are advisory only. Others combine leadership with hands-on delivery through our team.

*Source: Fractional Leadership*

### How do I know if custom software is worth it for us?

Two questions to start with. First, how much of your day is spent working around a tool? If the answer is "a lot," the fit conversation is worth having regardless of price. Second, are you spending €10k+/year on SaaS that covers less than 70% of your needs? If yes, the cost math is probably already in your favor.

*Source: Own Your Software*

### How does a SaaS replacement actually work in practice?

It's almost never a big-bang switch. We start by mapping which parts of the SaaS you actually use, which parts you work around, and which parts the tool does that nobody on your team relies on anymore. Then we build the highest-impact module first, usually the workflow costing you the most in time or workarounds, and run it alongside the old tool. Then we continue in phases.

*Source: Own Your Software*

### How long does this take?

A typical SaaS replacement runs 2–6 months depending on complexity. We start with the highest-impact module rather than rewriting everything at once. You see real value inside the first quarter.

*Source: Own Your Software*

### Isn't custom software expensive to maintain?

You own the code. We offer ongoing support retainers, or you can bring it in-house. Either way, you're not locked in.

*Source: Own Your Software*

### Can you migrate our existing data?

Yes. Data migration is part of every replacement project. We plan it early and test it thoroughly.

*Source: Own Your Software*

### What if we only need to replace part of our stack?

That's actually the most common scenario. We build the custom piece and integrate it with the SaaS tools you want to keep.

*Source: Own Your Software*

### How long does a discovery sprint take?

Typically 2–4 weeks depending on complexity. We'll shape the timeline during our initial conversation.

*Source: Product and Discovery*

### What do we get at the end?

A clear product brief, validated scope, technical architecture, and a realistic plan to move forward. Or a clear reason not to.

*Source: Product and Discovery*

### Do we need a technical team?

No. We bring the technical expertise. You bring the domain knowledge and business context.

*Source: Product and Discovery*

### Can you also build what we discover?

Yes. Most of our discovery engagements evolve into full build partnerships.

*Source: Product and Discovery*

### What if we already have a product that's stuck?

We run the same clarity process. Often the product isn't stuck, the scope is.

*Source: Product and Discovery*

## Authors

### Pavol Perdík

URL: https://meetbrackets.com/author/pavol-perdik

CEO at Brackets.
CEO and founder of BRACKETS, a 20-person digital product studio in Bratislava. 15+ years in tech: started as a developer, grew into technical leadership, now runs the business. Helps clients translate business problems into shippable software, from the first discovery conversation to production.

### Samuel Trstenský

URL: https://meetbrackets.com/author/samuel-trstensky

Solution Architect & Tech Lead at Brackets.
Solution Architect & Tech Lead at BRACKETS with 8+ years in software engineering. Leads projects from first discovery call to production, bridging what clients need with what the architecture can sustain. BRACKETS' go-to person for AI-driven solutions, both for clients and internal tooling.

## Case studies

Selected client work. Each case study documents the situation, the decisions, and the outcome.

- [Digitalization and Optimization of Core Sales Process](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/digitalization-and-optimization-of-core-sales-process)
- [Mobile Platform for Financial Services Across Six Countries](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/iwinners-client-application)
- [How we combined digital innovation with better health services](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/how-we-combined-digital-innovation-with-better-health-services)
- [Next-Gen LMS for Nuclear Medicine Education](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/next-gen-lms-for-nuclear-medicine-education)
- [Digitalization and Optimization of International Team Workflow](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/ikea-production-tool)
- [Unified Healthcare Ecosystem for Mothers & Babies](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/unified-healthcare-ecosystem-for-mothers-babies)
- [From Reporting Tool to Broker Community Hub Across Six Countries](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/business-partners-mobile-application)
- [Shaping the Future of Nuclear Medicine Workforce](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/inspire-by-eanm): Turning a technical field into an engaging, playful platform to attract the next generation.
- [Exceptional customer experience turned into e-commerce](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/exceptional-customer-experience-turned-into-e-commerce)
- [A joyful digital home for the little ones' eyes](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/joyful-digital-home-for-little-ones-eyes)
- [AI-Powered Running Technique Analysis](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/ai-running-technique-analysis)
- [Mobile App for Workspace Management Platform](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/desk-ly-mobile-app-for-workspace-management)
- [Driving Growth in Logistics: Mobile App for BOX ID Systems](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/driving-growth-in-logistics-mobile-app-for-boxid)
- [Revolutionizing Agency Management](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/revolutionizing-agency-management)
- [Create Beautiful Admin Panel Quickly](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/create-beautiful-admin-panel-quickly)
- [Boosting sales efficiency with a custom opportunity management system](https://meetbrackets.com/case-studies/boosting-sales-efficiency-alef-nula-opportunity-management)

## Articles

Long-form thinking on product strategy, engineering, and AI.

- [The Boring End of SaaS](https://meetbrackets.com/thinking/the-boring-end-of-saas): Everyone predicts SaaS is dead. I think the truth is more boring: it splits in two. Here is the build-vs-buy math that flipped, and what it means for your next renewal. (by [Pavol Perdík](https://meetbrackets.com/author/pavol-perdik))
- [Vibe Coding Is for Thinking. Agentic Engineering Is for Shipping.](https://meetbrackets.com/thinking/vibe-coding-vs-agentic-engineering-what-actually-changes-when-you-ship): For months I used the two terms interchangeably. Most people still do. They are not the same activity, and the difference shows up the moment you put either one into production. (by [Pavol Perdík](https://meetbrackets.com/author/pavol-perdik))
- [From hero to zero: why we're replacing every SaaS tool we built on top of](https://meetbrackets.com/thinking/from-hero-to-zero-why-we-re-replacing-every-saa-s-tool-we-built-on-top-of): We spent 18 months building on SaaS tools. Now we're ripping them out. Here's what broke and why I'd do it differently today. (by [Samuel Trstenský](https://meetbrackets.com/author/samuel-trstensky))
- [Your Business Is Unique. Your Software Should Be Too.](https://meetbrackets.com/thinking/your-business-is-unique-your-software-should-be-too): For decades, businesses had to adapt their unique workflows to fit the rigid boxes of off-the-shelf SaaS because custom software was a luxury reserved for tech giants. In 2026, AI has permanently bent the software development cost curve. Here is why the old compromises no longer make sense for your operations. (by [Pavol Perdík](https://meetbrackets.com/author/pavol-perdik))
- [I Don't Write Code Anymore. So What Do I Actually Do?](https://meetbrackets.com/thinking/i-dont-write-code-anymore): I uninstalled my code editor. AI agents handle the typing now. Here's what my day actually looks like and why the thinking part matters more than ever. (by [Samuel Trstenský](https://meetbrackets.com/author/samuel-trstensky))
- [When Everyone Can Code, What Do You Pay For?](https://meetbrackets.com/thinking/when-everyone-can-code-what-do-you-pay-for): AI made code cheap. But the code was never where the value lived. Here's what actually matters when the typing is automated. (by [Pavol Perdík](https://meetbrackets.com/author/pavol-perdik))

## Other pages

- [Who we are](https://meetbrackets.com/about): 20-person digital product studio from Bratislava. Senior engineers, pragmatic AI, zero drama. Building software that matters since 2015.
- [How we think](https://meetbrackets.com/approach): Principles that guide every project: product discovery, build and delivery, software ownership, AI-powered acceleration, and fractional leadership.
- [We hire right](https://meetbrackets.com/careers): Careers at BRACKETS — a 20-person product studio from Bratislava building digital products across Europe. See open roles, our culture, and what it's like to work here.
- [Get in touch](https://meetbrackets.com/contact): Get in touch with BRACKETS — a digital product studio from Bratislava. Email, phone, or book a call. Visit us at Innovators Hub.
- [Talk to us right
from your Claude](https://meetbrackets.com/mcp): Talk to BRACKETS directly from Claude. Book meetings, send messages, ask questions through our public MCP server. No login required.

## Optional

- [Sitemap](https://meetbrackets.com/sitemap-index.xml): full URL index with last-modified dates
- [Robots](https://meetbrackets.com/robots.txt): crawler policy