A software factory (or software house) is a company that builds systems on demand for other companies, applying process, standards and scale, like a production line. The difference from a lone freelancer is precisely the method: a team, defined stages, quality control and predictable timelines.
Why the model exists
Building software is risky: deadlines slip, quality varies and maintenance weighs. The factory reduces that risk by repeating a reliable process instead of depending on one person's talent. In exchange, it usually costs more than hiring a one-off freelancer.
How AI is changing it
The new generation of factories uses AI agents in engineering roles (PM, dev, QA, DevOps) to get a freelancer's speed with a senior production line's consistency. The real gain is not replacing people with AI, but keeping quality gates and human oversight while AI accelerates the repetitive work. That is the model Reche operates with RecheOS.