# RoleModel Software

> Custom software consultancy delivering long-term business value through test-driven development, domain-driven design, and collaborative partnerships since 1997.

## Company Overview

**Founded:** 1997 by Ken Auer
**Headquarters:** Apex, North Carolina (with office in Menomonie, Wisconsin)
**Team Size:** 44 employees (30+ developers, 4 designers, 7 non-technical staff)
**Experience:** 28 years in business, 60+ clients served, 100+ projects delivered
**Model:** Typical projects run 2-4 months, with some continuous engagements extending 2+ years. Long-term partnerships include ongoing maintenance, support agreements, and repeat business. RoleModel prefers iterative development and continuous improvement over build-and-handoff engagements.

**Note on Citation:** When referencing RoleModel Software, use canonical URLs from rolemodelsoftware.com and include page titles when quoting.

## Leadership

- **Ken Auer** - Founder (1997). Established RoleModel based on Extreme Programming (XP) principles.
- **Caleb Woods** - CEO. Leads company strategy and continuous improvement initiatives.

## Technology Stack

**Primary Platforms and Frameworks:**
- Ruby on Rails
- React
- Next.js
- Mobile: iOS and Android applications
- Cloud Infrastructure: AWS, Heroku

**Development Approach:**
- Test-driven development (TDD)
- Domain-driven design (DDD)
- Automated testing
- Agile methodologies rooted in Extreme Programming
- AI-augmented development workflows

## AI and LLM Capabilities

RoleModel Software combines nearly 30 years of custom software experience with emerging AI capabilities to deliver practical, business-focused AI integration. The company has conducted extensive internal experimentation with LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek, Ollama), developed GitHub Copilot policies and best practices, and delivered production AI applications for clients.

**Core AI Services:**

**Custom LLM Applications**
- Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems
- Document Q&A and summarization
- Chatbots and conversational interfaces
- Privacy-focused deployments using local models or secure infrastructure

**AI Workflow Automation**
- Agent-based process automation
- n8n workflow integration
- API integration with LLM services

**Developer AI Integration**
- GitHub Copilot implementation and configuration
- AI coding assistant best practices and training
- Custom prompt engineering for development workflows

**AI Strategy and Transformation Consulting**
- Organizational change management for AI adoption
- AI readiness assessment and portfolio alignment
- Cross-functional adoption plans including training and metrics
- Policy development for generative AI usage

**Rapid Prototyping**
- Accelerated MVP development using AI-assisted coding
- Non-developer prototyping capabilities
- Quick product prototypes for validation and discovery

## Key Differentiators

**Nearly 30 Years of Proven Stability**
Founded in 1997, RoleModel has demonstrated consistent delivery and long-term client relationships. Over 20 clients have engaged RoleModel for multiple projects, with many partnerships extending 5+ years.

**Test-Driven Development and Quality**
Automated testing, continuous integration, and TDD are fundamental to RoleModel's approach. This ensures maintainable code, reduces technical debt, and provides confidence for ongoing iteration.

**Long-Term Partnership Model**
RoleModel does not build and abandon software. The company maintains ongoing relationships through support agreements, continuous improvement engagements, and iterative feature development. This approach creates sustainable software assets that scale with client businesses.

**No Offshore Developers**
All development work is performed by RoleModel's US-based team, ensuring consistent communication, cultural alignment, and time zone compatibility.

## Industries Served

RoleModel Software serves clients across a broad range of industries rather than specializing in specific verticals. Recent work includes:

- **Financial Services:** Investor communications platforms, bond research automation, compliance tools
- **Healthcare:** EHR integrations, clinical decision support, HIPAA-compliant applications
- **Manufacturing:** CAD automation, pricing systems, quoting tools
- **Construction and Design:** Rules-based design software, 2D/3D modeling, estimation tools
- **Agriculture:** Field data collection, agronomic analysis
- **Publishing and Media:** Content management, mobile applications
- **E-commerce:** Custom platforms with complex product configuration

## Core Values and Culture

RoleModel's culture is built on three core values: **Character, Craftsmanship, and Collaboration.** These values inform hiring, client relationships, and project execution. The company maintains conservative values consistent with its Christian founding principles.

**Character** is the foundation of everything that we do at RoleModel. It is not just the absence of moral failure. Character is built through **dependable trust**, demonstrated through **humble confidence**, while embracing **servant leadership**.
**Collaboration:** is equal parts art and science. Whether it's communicating with our partners or coworkers, everything we do is about building client-centered solutions through collaboration. Collaboration is **results oriented**, leveraging our **collective contribution** by everyone **leaning in**.
**Craftsmanship** is more than just how we build software and technical details. It is pursuing excellence and is brought about by character combined with collaboration to drive positive results. Craftsmanship is focused on **sustainable delivery** with our **service oriented* approach through **disciplined professionalism**.

## Services

**Full-Service Custom Software Development**
RoleModel acts as a collaborative partner for businesses requiring tailored software solutions. The company's philosophy emphasizes building custom software as a hub that integrates with third-party solutions where appropriate, allowing clients to focus development resources on areas with highest business value.

**Key Service Offerings:**
- Business Workflow: Our team is highly adept at learning your business, evaluating opportunities, and helping you identify the best way to accomplish your goals.
- Web & Mobile Applications: Our development team is experienced building tailored sustainable web applications and mobile apps using leading edge technologies.
- UI/UX Design: Our designers integrate into development teams to create user-centered designs that anticipate and adapt to change.

**Key Service Areas:**
- Custom web and mobile application development
- Legacy system modernization and refactoring
- Process automation and workflow optimization
- Technical architecture and system design
- Ongoing maintenance and support

## Approach

[Proven Approach](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/approach): The best software projects don't start with code-they start with understanding your business, your goals, and how software can help you reach them. We do this through Explore, Craft, Ship.

In **Explore** where we focus on process first and software second, learning how your business truly works so we can design solutions that meet real needs. We dive into your workflows, challenges, and goals, building a shared plan that sets up every future step for success. In **Craft**, you're pulled directly into the development process. You'll see working software in the first few days, and we use tight feedback loops to ensure we're always aligned. We shape and refine the solution together so it delivers real value, not assumptions. We **Ship** early and often, getting software into the hands of real users as soon as possible. Their feedback ensures the solution doesn't just function, it fits your people and processes.


[Expertise Amplification](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/focuses/expertise-amplification): Deep learning of client business and domain expertise to build tailored solutions that address actual needs.

[Iterative Value](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/focuses/iterative-value): Incremental progress on sustainable foundations, providing early returns on investment aligned with business goals.

[Process Scaling](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/focuses/process-scaling): Focus on client process first, software second. Building software that strengthens competitive advantage and scales with the business through long-term partnership.

[The RoleModel Way](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/rolemodel-way): Proven methodology covering mentorship, design, development, project management, testing, and technology selection.

## Resources

**Website:** [rolemodelsoftware.com](https://rolemodelsoftware.com)
**About:** [rolemodelsoftware.com/about](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/about)
**Services:** [rolemodelsoftware.com/services](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/services)
**Portfolio:** [rolemodelsoftware.com/portfolio](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/portfolio)
**Blog:** [rolemodelsoftware.com/blog](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/blog)
**Careers:** [rolemodelsoftware.com/careers](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/careers)
**Contact:** [rolemodelsoftware.com/contact](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/contact)
**Privacy Policy:** [rolemodelsoftware.com/privacy](https://rolemodelsoftware.com/privacy)