Question 1

How does your developer vetting process work?

Accepted Answer

Our rigorous 6-stage vetting process evaluates candidates across technical skills, problem-solving ability, communication proficiency, cultural fit, and professional history. Only the top 3% of applicants pass our assessment, which includes live coding challenges, system design interviews, English fluency evaluation, and reference verification. Each developer in our network has at least 5 years of professional experience.

Question 2

How quickly can you find a developer for my project?

Accepted Answer

We guarantee your first batch of matched candidates within 2 weeks. For urgent needs, we can often present pre-screened candidates within 3-5 business days. Our AI-powered matching system draws from a network of 500+ pre-vetted developers, allowing us to quickly identify candidates who match your specific technical requirements and team culture.

Question 3

What technologies do your developers specialize in?

Accepted Answer

Our talent network covers the full spectrum of modern development: Frontend (React, Vue, Angular, Svelte), Backend (Node.js, Python, Java, Go, .NET), Mobile (React Native, Flutter, iOS, Android), Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), DevOps (Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform), and Data/AI (ML, data engineering, LLM integration). We match specialists based on your specific stack requirements.

Question 4

What is your pricing model for developer placements?

Accepted Answer

We offer flexible engagement models: Staff Augmentation (hourly rates based on experience level, typically 40-60% below US market rates), Dedicated Teams (monthly retainer with volume discounts), and Project-Based (fixed scope pricing). All pricing is transparent with no hidden fees. Contact us for a custom quote based on your specific needs.

Question 5

What happens if a developer isn't a good fit?

Accepted Answer

We offer a risk-free trial period with every placement. If a developer doesn't meet your expectations during the first 2 weeks, we'll replace them at no additional cost. Our 98% client retention rate reflects our commitment to perfect matches, but we stand behind every placement with our replacement guarantee.

Question 6

Where are your developers located?

Accepted Answer

Our developers are primarily based in the EU (Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, Romania) with additional talent across global time zones. All developers have overlap with US and European business hours. We're headquartered in Latvia (EU member state), ensuring GDPR compliance and EU contract law protections.

Question 7

How do you handle time zone differences?

Accepted Answer

We match developers based on your time zone requirements. For European clients, we offer same-timezone developers. For US clients, we provide developers with 4-6 hours of daily overlap with EST/PST business hours. Our Virtual Teams product includes async communication protocols and overlap scheduling as standard practice.

Question 8

Do developers work exclusively with one client?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all our placements are full-time exclusive arrangements. Whether you engage individual developers or full teams, they work solely on your projects. This ensures focus, faster ramp-up, and deeper integration with your team and codebase.

Question 9

What's the difference between Sternit Talent, Virtual Teams, and Staff Augmentation?

Accepted Answer

Sternit Talent is our executive search service for permanent or long-term contract developers—ideal when you need 1-3 senior specialists. Virtual Teams provides fully managed development squads (2-8 people) with a tech lead, PM, and Agile processes included—best for ongoing product development. Staff Augmentation places individual developers under your direct management—perfect for filling specific skill gaps in existing teams.

Question 10

What's included in your Managed IT Services?

Accepted Answer

Our Managed IT Services include 24/7 infrastructure monitoring, cloud management (AWS/Azure/GCP), security operations (vulnerability scanning, patch management, compliance), backup and disaster recovery, helpdesk support, and vendor coordination. We provide dedicated account management and transparent reporting with 99.9% uptime SLA.

Question 11

How do your AI Consulting services work?

Accepted Answer

We guide organizations through AI adoption from strategy to production. Services include: AI opportunity assessment, custom ML model development, LLM integration (GPT, Claude, etc.), process automation, and production deployment with monitoring. We focus on measurable business outcomes—not AI for AI's sake. Typical engagements start with a discovery workshop to identify high-ROI opportunities.

Question 12

Can you handle both development and operations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many clients combine our Virtual Teams (development) with Managed IT Services (operations) for end-to-end coverage. This integrated approach ensures smooth handoffs between development and production, with consistent security and compliance standards throughout the software lifecycle.

Question 13

How do I apply to join the SternIT Fortem developer network?

Accepted Answer

Apply through our Join page at sternitfortem.com/join. The application takes about 10 minutes and covers your experience, technical skills, and work preferences. Qualified candidates are invited to our assessment process, which includes technical evaluation, English proficiency check, and cultural fit interview. We respond to all applications within 5 business days.

Question 14

What are the requirements to join your developer network?

Accepted Answer

We require: minimum 5 years of professional development experience, fluent English (B2+/C1), demonstrated expertise in at least one core technology area, strong communication skills, and reliable high-speed internet. We particularly value developers with experience in distributed teams and Agile methodologies. Location flexibility—we work with developers worldwide.

Question 15

What hourly rates do your developers typically earn?

Accepted Answer

Rates vary based on experience, specialization, and engagement type. Senior developers (5-7 years) typically earn $40-60/hour. Lead/Staff engineers (8+ years) typically earn $60-90/hour. Specialized experts (ML, security, architecture) may earn higher rates. We offer competitive, market-rate compensation with reliable payment and consistent project opportunities.

Question 16

What technologies are in highest demand right now?

Accepted Answer

Current high-demand skills include: React/TypeScript (consistently strong), Python (AI/ML projects), Node.js/Go (backend services), AWS/Kubernetes (cloud infrastructure), AI/ML engineering (LLM integration, RAG systems), and mobile development (React Native, Flutter). Full-stack developers with cloud experience are especially sought after.

Question 17

How does the client matching process work for developers?

Accepted Answer

When a client engagement matches your skills and preferences, our team reviews your profile and may schedule a brief call to discuss the opportunity. If you're interested, we present you to the client. You'll have a technical interview with the client team, and if mutual interest exists, you start the engagement. We handle all contracts, payments, and administrative aspects.

Question 18

How does the MSP partner program work?

Accepted Answer

Our partner program enables MSPs to offer developer services to their clients without building internal capacity. Three tiers available: Referral Partner (earn commission on referred deals), Reseller Partner (white-label our services at wholesale pricing), and Strategic Partner (custom arrangements for large MSPs). Partners receive dedicated account management, sales support, and co-branded marketing materials.

Question 19

What's the revenue share model for partners?

Accepted Answer

Referral Partners earn 10-15% commission on referred client revenue for the first 12 months. Reseller Partners receive wholesale pricing (typically 20-30% below retail) allowing you to set your own margins. Strategic Partners have custom arrangements based on volume commitments. All partner earnings are paid monthly with transparent reporting.

Question 20

Can I white-label your developer services?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Reseller and Strategic Partners can fully white-label our services. Developers work under your brand, use your email domain, and integrate with your project management tools. Your clients never need to know about SternIT Fortem unless you choose to disclose. We provide all the talent and operational support behind the scenes.

Question 21

What support do you provide to partners?

Accepted Answer

All partners receive: dedicated partner manager, co-branded marketing materials, sales training and enablement, technical pre-sales support, lead tracking portal, and quarterly business reviews (Strategic tier). We also provide client-ready proposal templates and competitive positioning guidance to help you win deals.

Question 22

Where is SternIT Fortem headquartered?

Accepted Answer

SternIT Fortem is headquartered in Latvia, a member state of the European Union. This provides our clients with EU legal protections, GDPR compliance by default, and access to the skilled Baltic tech talent pool. We serve clients globally, with particular focus on the EU, UK, and US markets.

Question 23

What does "Fortem" mean?

Accepted Answer

"Fortem" comes from Latin, meaning "strength." Combined with "Stern" (German for "star"), SternIT Fortem represents "Star-quality IT, delivered with strength." Our name reflects our commitment to providing elite talent and robust, reliable solutions that stand the test of time.

Question 24

How do you ensure quality and reliability?

Accepted Answer

Quality is ensured through our rigorous vetting process (only top 3% pass), ongoing performance monitoring, regular client feedback loops, and our replacement guarantee. For team engagements, we include dedicated project management and established Agile processes. Our 98% client retention rate is the ultimate proof of our quality commitment.

Question 25

Do you have client references or case studies?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can provide references from clients across various industries including SaaS, fintech, healthtech, and enterprise software. Due to NDA requirements, we share references on request during the sales process rather than publicly. Contact us to discuss your needs and we'll connect you with relevant clients who can speak to their experience.

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