--- title: "How to move AI-generated code into professional continued development. | Vertics" url: https://vertics.co/en/blogi/nain-siirrat-tekoalylla-luodun-koodin-ammattimaiseen-jatkokehitykseen/ lang: en --- News # Näin siirrät tekoälyllä luodun koodin ammattimaiseen jatkokehitykseen. Vertics 5.8.2026 · Reading time 7 min AI models and coding assistants make building the first versions of software exceptionally fast. A quick experiment or a first working prototype is often created in a few hours, directly in the browser or in a local development environment. When the app is meant to be used in real business, code that merely works is no longer enough. An application running in production needs strong security, scalability and reliability. This is where systematic software maintenance comes in. Without a professional approach, an AI-generated code base can become a heavy burden that quickly becomes very difficult to extend and secure. AI-generated code must be brought into a controlled, sustainable life cycle. ## Why AI-generated code needs professional maintenance AI is an excellent tool for writing individual snippets of code and small, well-defined functions. It solves logical problems in seconds. Large language models, however, lack the ability to grasp the system's overall architecture, long-term maintainability and the service's life cycle as part of a wider infrastructure. Software created with the help of AI often shows typical problems that make professional maintenance essential: Architecture #### Fragmented and inconsistent structure Because the AI generates code one answer at a time, different features may be based on conflicting design patterns. This easily produces a spaghetti structure that is hard to fix, where even a small change in one place can break another, completely separate feature. Security #### Hidden technical debt and code hallucination AI models tend to suggest outdated libraries or even packages that do not exist at all. If the developer does not check these dependencies carefully, the application ends up with security holes or dependencies that prevent the system from being updated in the future. When an experienced specialist audits and refactors the software architecture, unnecessary complexity is removed from the code. As a result, the application copes better with growing user numbers without crashing, and new features can be developed in days instead of weeks. ## How taking over software developed by someone else works in practice When a code base built by a previous developer or by AI is handed over to a new maintenance partner, the process needs planning. An uncontrolled handover can cause service outages or leave important security issues unaddressed. A controlled technical takeover proceeds step by step: 1. Code and architecture audit The quality of the existing software, the libraries used and any security gaps are reviewed. 2. Mapping dependencies and integrations We find out which external services and APIs the app depends on, so that the service keeps working reliably when those external parts change. 3. Taking over the CI/CD pipelines Automated continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) is set up. With it, every fix or addition to the code is tested automatically before it goes to the server, which effectively prevents human error in releases. 4. Filling in missing documentation The most important operating principles of the system are written down, so that any developer on the team can react quickly when something goes wrong. A smooth, documented takeover process prevents unexpected outages and security risks, which are often linked to poorly documented integrations or outdated libraries. Once the whole infrastructure has been mapped, you can move to continuous, preventive maintenance. ## What an ongoing maintenance service includes Professional, ongoing software maintenance goes well beyond reactive bug fixing. It means looking after the whole product so that it stays secure, performs well and keeps up with a changing technology environment. High-quality [software maintenance services](https://vertics.co/en/palvelut/first-line/#palvelimet) fall into three main areas: **1. Reactive maintenance (bug fixes)** When an error or disruption is detected in the application, it is fixed within the agreed response time. This ensures that any problems are resolved quickly and the impact on the business is kept to a minimum. **2. Preventive maintenance** The system is monitored continuously with automated monitoring tools. Server load, database health and application response times are tracked so that problems can be detected and fixed before end users notice them. Third-party libraries and security updates are also applied regularly, which keeps the application protected against new security threats. **3. Adaptive maintenance (environment changes)** The external operating environment changes constantly. Browsers are updated, mobile operating systems (iOS and Android) get new requirements, and API providers make changes to their own services. Adaptive maintenance ensures that the software adapts to these external changes and keeps working year after year. Vertics partnership #### Professional software maintenance without bureaucracy Do you want to make sure that an app started with AI or developed by a previous partner stays stable and secure? Vertics offers a clear partnership model that combines continuous monitoring, security updates and direct development support with no middlemen. [Read about our maintenance service](https://vertics.co/en/palvelut/first-line/#palvelimet) ## How the EU's new security regulation affects app maintenance The European Union's new Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) sets new requirements for the security of digital products and software. The aim of the regulation is to ensure that software products offered to consumers and businesses are protected throughout their life cycle. With the new rules, regular monitoring and maintenance of software change from a voluntary good practice into a legal obligation. The new regulation brings two key requirements that every application owner must take into account: Regulations SBOM #### Software bill of materials (Software Bill of Materials) Developers must maintain an accurate, up-to-date list of all third-party libraries and components used in the application. The list makes it easy to locate vulnerabilities quickly: if a security hole is found in a widely used library, you know immediately whether it affects your own application. Corrective action can then be taken without delay. Processes #### Active duty to report and fix Detected security vulnerabilities and active attacks must be reported to the authorities and users within strict deadlines. Software maintenance can no longer be a matter of passively waiting. The application needs a working, documented process for getting corrective security updates into production quickly. The first official reporting obligations under the Cyber Resilience Act take effect in September 2026. This gives companies a clear deadline: every business-critical application must be covered by a monitored maintenance process. Neglecting security can lead to significant administrative penalties and, above all, to a loss of trust among customers and partners. ## How much does software maintenance cost per month Maintenance costs vary with the scope of the software, the number of users and the service level required. When estimating costs, it is important to separate basic server maintenance, infrastructure monitoring and active further development. Depending on the app's requirements, monthly costs typically fall into the following tiers: #### Light maintenance This tier suits lightweight apps, internal tools or early-stage prototypes. The service scales with visitor numbers and keeps the basics in order without heavy ongoing costs. #### First Line maintenance: from 299 €/month Intended for production web services and mobile apps whose malfunctions directly affect the business. The First Line service includes preventive monitoring, automated DependaPro code analysis, infrastructure support and a direct line to our specialists. #### Large systems: project-based pricing Large systems serving thousands of concurrent users, or international services. Maintenance costs are typically 15 to 20 % of the original development investment per year. This covers extensive incident management and optimisation of the cloud infrastructure. Maintenance costs are determined primarily by the required response time (SLA), the scope of the infrastructure being monitored and the number of development hours per month. Investing in systematic maintenance saves money in the long run, because an emergency fix at the weekend is always considerably more expensive than preventive, controlled quality assurance. ## How to scale an AI-based MVP safely into continuous development When an AI-assisted MVP (Minimum Viable Product), a stripped-down product version, is to be turned into a robust and scalable production application, you need a clear technical roadmap. Taking a prototype straight to production without thorough refactoring and a professional maintenance structure easily leads to unexpected errors and uncontrolled cloud bills. Scaling requires the following development steps, carried out by a specialist: #### Refactoring the architecture The code base is cleaned up and its structures are made consistent. Duplicate functions generated by the AI are removed and the application is divided into logical modules. As a result, the code is easy to read for new developers too, and new features can be added flexibly without the risk of breaking existing parts. #### Building automated tests AI typically cannot build a comprehensive testing structure automatically. Automated tests are therefore written around the software to make sure the code's core functions keep working with every new update. This reduces the need for manual testing in routine cases and speeds up the release of new versions. #### Optimising cloud costs and APIs AI applications often rely on external language models and APIs. Poorly designed code can create unnecessary query loops, which multiplies cloud service bills. Optimising the code and caching properly keep the amount of data transferred small and server costs under control. AI is a great help for trying out ideas quickly and getting product development started fast. A successful, growing digital service, however, always rests on stable maintenance and a professional software architecture. When a lightweight prototype is handed over to specialists in a controlled way, the development work done will pay off in the long run too, without the limitations caused by technical debt. When code is maintained and improved systematically, the company avoids a situation where the app has to be rebuilt from scratch after a few months of use. Keeping technical debt under control and updating regularly create a secure foundation on which new features serving business needs can be built reliably and cost-effectively. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why does AI-generated code need professional maintenance? AI generates code one answer at a time without understanding the system's overall architecture or long-term maintainability. The result is often an inconsistent spaghetti structure, outdated or non-existent library dependencies (”code hallucination”) and hidden technical debt that prevents the application from being scaled and secured. ### What are the steps in taking over software developed by someone else? A controlled technical takeover proceeds in four phases: 1) code and architecture audit, 2) mapping dependencies and integrations, 3) taking over the automated CI/CD release pipelines and 4) filling in missing system and operating documentation. ### How does the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) affect software maintenance? The CRA makes regular monitoring and maintenance of software a legal obligation. It requires organisations to maintain an up-to-date software bill of materials (SBOM) and to have an active process for reporting and fixing security vulnerabilities and attacks within strict deadlines. ### How much does software maintenance cost per month? First Line maintenance for production applications, including preventive monitoring, security updates and support staff, starts at 299 €/month. Maintenance of large systems is priced case by case and is typically 15 to 20 % of the original development investment per year. ### How do you scale an AI-built MVP prototype into a production-ready application? Scaling requires refactoring and unifying the code base architecture, building comprehensive automated tests, and optimising cloud costs and API requests before a wide release. Related service [First Line maintenance](https://vertics.co/en/palvelut/first-line/). Tell us what you need. [Tell us what you need](https://vertics.co/en/#first-line) ## More on the blog - [All posts](https://vertics.co/en/blogi/) ## Ask us - **Atte Pohjanmaa**CEO, Board member [atte@vertics.co](mailto:atte@vertics.co) [044 282 0291](tel:+358442820291) - **Timo Moilanen**Operating Partner, Board member [timo@vertics.co](mailto:timo@vertics.co) [050 363 7323](tel:+358503637323)