Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about how we work, what we charge, and what you get. If your question is not here, reach out directly.
General
What does TSTQ do?
We build production AI systems for enterprise teams and growth systems (websites, automation, CRM) for service businesses. We are also an IBM Business Partner and TD SYNNEX reseller, which means we can procure and deploy the full IBM and Red Hat stack at competitive pricing.
Who runs TSTQ?
Tyler McDaniel — solo AI engineer based in Phoenix, AZ. 8 IBM badges, 42 courses completed, AWS Solutions Architect certified, 10+ years in enterprise delivery. Every project is scoped, built, and delivered by Tyler directly.
What industries do you work with?
We serve 11 verticals: enterprise, education, health and wellness, real estate, trades and home services, retail and local business, community and membership organizations, events and experiences, internal B2B operations, agencies and freelancers, and creator businesses.
Where are you located?
Phoenix, Arizona. All work is done remotely. We work with clients across the US and internationally.
Process
How do engagements start?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. We will understand your situation, identify high-impact opportunities, scope a realistic timeline and investment range, and recommend next steps. No hard sell.
How long do projects take?
It depends on scope. SMB websites ship in 14 days. Automation sprints take 2-3 weeks. Enterprise AI deployments typically run 60-90 days. Every project has a fixed timeline stated before work begins.
Do you offer ongoing support?
Yes. After the build phase, you own the code and documentation. Optional retainer agreements cover ongoing optimization, monitoring, and iteration. Retainer terms are defined in the Statement of Work.
What is your build process?
Three steps: (1) Scoped assessment — we audit your current state and deliver prioritized recommendations. (2) Build sprint — focused sprints with weekly deliverables, working code every week. (3) Handoff or retainer — you own everything, with optional ongoing support.
Pricing
How is pricing structured?
Fixed pricing for defined scope. No hourly billing, no open-ended retainers unless you opt in. SMB packages start at $2,500. Enterprise engagements start at $4,500. Apps start at $3,000. Every project has a written Statement of Work with deliverables, timeline, and total cost before work begins.
What is the AI Readiness Report ($47)?
A personalized 15-page report covering infrastructure gaps, quick-win automations, and a 90-day implementation roadmap tailored to your business. Delivered within 48 hours. 7-day money-back guarantee.
What is the AI Readiness Audit ($497)?
A 60-minute diagnostic call plus a written action plan with prioritized fixes and clear recommendations on which package fits. The $497 fee applies toward any implementation package if you proceed.
Do you offer refunds?
The $47 AI Readiness Report has a 7-day money-back guarantee. For project engagements, refund terms are defined in the Statement of Work. We do not begin work until the SOW is signed by both parties.
IBM Partnership
What does IBM Business Partner mean?
TSTQ holds active IBM reseller and service agreements through TD SYNNEX distribution. We can procure, license, and deploy IBM products — watsonx.ai, watsonx.data, watsonx.governance, IBM Cloud, Red Hat OpenShift, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Apptio, and quantum-safe encryption — often at competitive pricing compared to going direct.
Can you handle IBM procurement?
Yes. We handle the full procurement process through TD SYNNEX: quoting, licensing, invoicing, and implementation. One point of contact for the entire IBM and Red Hat stack instead of managing multiple vendor relationships.
Do you only work with IBM?
No. We are vendor-neutral on the implementation side. If AWS, Azure, or open-source tools are a better fit for your use case, we will say so. The IBM partnership gives us access to their ecosystem, but we recommend what actually solves your problem.
Technical
What tech stack do you use?
It depends on the project. For web: Next.js, React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS. For AI: watsonx, LangGraph, LangChain, CrewAI, OpenAI, Anthropic. For infrastructure: Red Hat OpenShift, Kubernetes, Docker, IBM Cloud, AWS. For mobile: Swift, Kotlin. For 3D: Unreal Engine 5. For automation: n8n, Make, custom pipelines.
Do I own the code?
Yes. After the engagement, you own all source code, documentation, and infrastructure configurations. We do not hold code hostage or require ongoing contracts to access your own systems.
How do you handle security and compliance?
We have experience with HIPAA, SOC 2, and regulated industry requirements. Security is built into the architecture from day one, not bolted on after deployment. We also offer quantum-safe encryption migration for organizations preparing for post-quantum threats.
Still have questions?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call or send us a message.