Contact
DE
torck GmbH
Contact
DE

torck Blog

Answers to questions customers have asked us

Each entry is based on a question from a project. Our own figures are identified as such; external studies are cited with their source and date.

What inquiries usually start with

Six posts that we include most frequently in quotes and reply emails. The selection is reviewed at the beginning of each month.

Custom Software or Off-the-Shelf Software: A Decision-Making Guide Based on 12 CriteriaAn offer is on the table, but no comparison has been madeTwelve evaluative questions help you decide between custom software and off-the-shelf software, covering everything from the standardization level of processes to exit scenarios. Includes real-world cost estimates and a cautionary example from real-life practice.Software Project in Trouble: Decision Tree for the First 14 DaysThe date is up in the airA structured 14-day plan for projects in trouble, from the situation picture and stakeholder clarification to a reasoned decision to continue, rebuild or stop.CTO Suddenly Out: Filling a Leadership Vacancy in 72 HoursLack of technical leadershipA 72-Hour Plan for the Absence of Technical Leadership: Secure access, stabilize critical projects, and find the right interim solution.IT Skills Shortage: Nearshoring as a Capacity SolutionOur own people aren't enoughThere are 109,000 unfilled IT positions in Germany, and it takes an average of 7.7 months to fill them. How nearshoring works as a capacity solution, and where its limitations lie.Generative AI in Industry and Retail: Three Entry Projects with Measurable BenefitAI Pilot Set to Go LiveThree projects to get started with generative AI in your company: RAG document search, proposal support, and knowledge assistance for customer service, including costs and timelines based on recent studies.Predictive Maintenance: What It Can and Cannot DoThe plant is down more often than plannedPredictive Maintenance Explained: What predictive maintenance actually does, where its limitations lie, and at what level of downtime costs it becomes worthwhile to implement.

By Topic

If your question isn't listed here, please write it to us in two sentences. You'll receive a response within one business day, directly from a developer. Get in touch

How much VRAM a language model needs depends on quantisation, context length and concurrent requests. That calculation is handled by the LLM Finder for the GPU you intend to use.

Latest posts

November 11, 2026 · Schedule

Security Standards for External Developers: Access, Secrets, Audits

NIS2 makes access by external development partners subject to IAM compliance, with fines of up to 10 million euros. This article explains which measures are now essential.

November 11, 2026 · Schedule

2026 Industrial Electricity Price: Eligibility Requirements and Application Process

Starting in December 2026, electricity- and trade-intensive companies will be able to apply to the BAFA for the industrial electricity rate. Those who organize their data early will avoid having to do rework under time pressure.

11.11.2026

SAP PO Replacement: What Companies Need to Decide Before Java Support Ends in 2030

SAP will terminate support agreements for Java on NetWeaver AS Java 7.5 at the end of 2030; there will be no subsequent releases starting in 2031. This affects SAP PO and PI, as well as S/4HANA and SAP's own Java applications.

November 10, 2026 · Costs

Condition Monitoring ROI: The Calculation with a Case Study

A break-even formula, complete with calculation examples from the metalworking and food industries as well as a payback table, illustrates the return on investment from condition monitoring.

10.11.2026

Azure Price Increase in 2027: What IT Leaders Need to Decide About VMs and Storage Before February 1

Starting February 1, 2027, Microsoft will increase the prices of certain VMs and storage services by 9 percent in Western Europe and by 17 percent in Northern Europe. On the same day, the exchange rights for newly purchased reservations will expire.

10.11.2026

GPUStack Security Vulnerability: What Local AI Operators Need to Update, Check, or Rebuild Now

The GPUStack vulnerability CVE-2026-102895 grants attackers administrator privileges without requiring authentication; CISA has listed it as actively exploited since November 9, 2026. It has been fixed since version 2.2.0, released in June; a second critical vulnerability is not addressed until version 2.2.2.

November 9, 2026 · Basics

The AI Act in France: Regulatory Authorities, Deadlines, Penalties

For companies with locations in France, the changes will take effect on December 2, 2026. This article outlines the responsibilities, deadlines, and penalty framework under the Digital Omnibus.

November 9, 2026 · Schedule

Requirements Analysis: 75 percent of errors occur before the first line of code

Clients without their own IT department can precisely describe their requirements using the user story format. This article outlines the four-step process and explains the costs associated with later revisions.

09.11.2026

Switching Cloud Providers: What the Data Act Will Make Free Starting January 12, 2027, and What It Won't

Effective January 12, 2027, cloud and SaaS providers may no longer charge fees for switching providers, including fees for data transfer (Art. 29 of the Data Act). Recurring fees, penalties for early termination, and the migration of provider-specific services remain in effect.

09.11.2026

Product Liability for Software: What Machine Builders Need to Decide Before December 9 Regarding Updates

The new Product Liability Act takes effect on December 9, 2026, and explicitly defines software as a product. If the manufacturer can provide updates, it is also liable for defects resulting from a missing security update; Austria plans to include the same rule in the PHG 2026.

08.11.2026

.NET containers in a crash loop: Ubuntu 26.04, kernel 7.0.0-42 and AppArmor on k3s

On Ubuntu 26.04 with kernel 7.0.0-42, .NET containers in Kubernetes keep restarting without any error messages. The cause is stacked AppArmor, which blocks signals within the container. Here’s what we observed and did on our k3s cluster.

08.11.2026

VMware Alternative: How the Extension of vSphere 8 Through 2028 Will Change Things in the EU

Broadcom is selling vSphere Standard 8 and Enterprise Plus 8 in the EEA through October 31, 2027; Extended Support is available through October 31, 2028, at the latest. What options are available for clusters in manufacturing, warehousing, and retail, and what does a migration to Proxmox cost?

Before you turn the page

The list begins below. If you have a specific question, sending an email is faster than scrolling through the list. You'll receive a response within one business day. Get in touch

Directory

Category
Plant MonitoringEnergy ManagementSoftware DevelopmentInterim CTOAI ConsultingNearshoreRemote InfrastructureCompany
Type
CostsDecisionRoadmapBasicsWarning Signs
Tool
LLM Finder

  1. 11.11.2026Security Standards for External Developers: Access, Secrets, AuditsNearshore
  2. 11.11.20262026 Industrial Electricity Price: Eligibility Requirements and Application ProcessEnergy Management
  3. 11.11.2026SAP PO Replacement: What Companies Need to Decide Before Java Support Ends in 2030Software Development
  4. 10.11.2026Condition Monitoring ROI: The Calculation with a Case StudyPlant Monitoring
  5. 10.11.2026Azure Price Increase in 2027: What IT Leaders Need to Decide About VMs and Storage Before February 1Remote Infrastructure
  6. 10.11.2026GPUStack Security Vulnerability: What Local AI Operators Need to Update, Check, or Rebuild NowAI Consulting
  7. 09.11.2026The AI Act in France: Regulatory Authorities, Deadlines, PenaltiesAI Consulting
  8. 09.11.2026Requirements Analysis: 75 percent of errors occur before the first line of code is writtenInterim CTO
  9. 09.11.2026Switching Cloud Providers: What the Data Act Makes Free from January 12, 2027 and What It Does NotRemote Infrastructure
  10. 09.11.2026Product Liability for Software: What Machinery Manufacturers Need to Decide Regarding Updates Before December 9Software Development
  11. 08.11.2026.NET containers in a crash loop: Ubuntu 26.04, kernel 7.0.0-42 and AppArmor on k3sRemote Infrastructure
  12. 08.11.2026VMware Alternative: What the Extension of vSphere 8 Through 2028 Means for the EURemote Infrastructure
  13. 07.11.2026AI Builder Alternative: How Much Invoices and Delivery Slips Cost After Your Credits Run OutAI Consulting
  14. 06.11.20262027 Maintenance Budget: Using Data from MonitoringPlant Monitoring
  15. 06.11.2026SAP Clean Core: Which in-house developments will remain, be migrated, or be eliminated before the S/4HANA migrationSoftware Development
  16. 06.11.2026Power Apps Licensing Costs for 2027: What Companies Need to Decide Before the February Licensing ReviewSoftware Development
  17. 05.11.2026Evaluating Nearshoring Partners: A 10-Point Due Diligence ChecklistNearshore
  18. 05.11.2026Calculating TCO: The 5-Year Costs of a Software SolutionSoftware Development
  19. 05.11.2026Dynamics 365 Guides Alternative: Replace Work Instructions and Remote Assist by the End of the YearSoftware Development
  20. 04.11.2026IT Roadmap 2027: Reevaluating the Sourcing Strategy This FallNearshore
  21. 04.11.2026Backing Up the BMC Configuration: Backup and RecoveryRemote Infrastructure
  22. 04.11.2026Replacing SAP WM: EWM, Stock Room Management, or a Custom Warehouse System Before the End of Support in 2027Software Development
  23. 04.11.2026Node-RED Security Vulnerability: Which Gateways in Your Plant You Should Update, Secure, or Replace NowPlant Monitoring
  24. 03.11.2026JetBrains Update Following the eMudhra Incident: Why Operating System Patches Don't Protect the IDESoftware Development
  25. 03.11.2026Utilizing Waste Heat: Monitoring as the Foundation of Heat RecoveryPlant Monitoring
  26. 03.11.2026Flowise Alternative: Keep Running, Isolate, or Replace After End of SupportAI Consulting
  27. 02.11.20262027 Energy Budget: Load Data as a Basis for NegotiationsEnergy Management
  28. 02.11.2026AI Audit and Documentation Requirements: Working in a Verifiable MannerAI Consulting
  29. 02.11.2026Dynamics NAV End of Support: Upgrade, New Implementation or Extracting CustomizationsSoftware Development
  30. 01.11.2026Azure IoT Central Alternative: What Organizations Need to Decide Before IoT Edge 1.5 Reaches End of SupportPlant Monitoring
  31. 31.10.2026Mandatory E-Invoicing in 2027: Switching Outgoing Invoices from ERP and Secondary SystemsSoftware Development
  32. 31.10.2026GitLab Security Vulnerability: Which Servers You Should Update, Check, or Rebuild NowSoftware Development
  33. 30.10.2026Linux kernel security vulnerability, still no update for Ubuntu and Red HatRemote Infrastructure
  34. 30.10.2026IT Contingency Plan: Business Continuity for Manufacturing and RetailInterim CTO
  35. 30.10.2026UEFI Vulnerability in PXE Boot: Which Servers to Reconfigure, Isolate, or Replace NowRemote Infrastructure
  36. 29.10.2026AI Budget 2027: A Planning Guide for the FallAI Consulting
  37. 29.10.2026Digital Sovereignty: Why European Software Development Is Becoming a Strategic IssueNearshore
  38. 29.10.2026Windows Server 2016 End of Support: What Must Be Decided by January 12, 2027Software Development
  39. 29.10.2026Node2Shell and the End of .NET 8 Support: Which Applications to Rebuild NowSoftware Development
  40. 28.10.2026NIS2 and Custom Software: What Clients Need to Check NowSoftware Development
  41. 28.10.20262027 IT Budget: Planning Guide for Software Projects in the Fourth QuarterSoftware Development
  42. 28.10.2026PHP2Shell: Which PHP Systems to Patch, Isolate or Replace NowSoftware Development
  43. 27.10.2026BMC Vulnerabilities in Supermicro and Dell: What to Patch FirstRemote Infrastructure
  44. 27.10.2026AI Training for the Team: Build Competence Instead of Buying ItAI Consulting
  45. 26.10.2026Cloud Migration at a Standstill: An Architecture Review as a New Starting PointInterim CTO
  46. 26.10.2026Outsourcing Your Customer Requirements Specification: When Outside Help Pays Off and What It May DoSoftware Development
  47. 25.10.2026LiteLLM Compromised: What Operators of In-House AI Platforms Should Check NowAI Consulting
  48. 24.10.2026Mixed AGV Fleets: Who Controls Robots from Different Manufacturers?Software Development
  49. 23.10.2026China's AI Export Controls: What They Mean for Running Qwen and DeepSeek In-HouseAI Consulting
  50. 23.10.2026HPE iLO Vulnerabilities: Which Servers to Patch, Isolate, or Replace NowRemote Infrastructure

Do you have a question about any of these topics?

Send us a brief message explaining what it's about. You'll receive a response within one business day, directly from a developer. Get in touch

torck · code with torque