Writing from the Applicable team.https://www.applicable.co.nz/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/builder-vs-freelancer-vs-agency/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/builder-vs-freelancer-vs-agency/Builder, freelancer, agency or Applicable: the four ways an Auckland SME gets a website built, compared on cost, timeline, ownership and what breaks.Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/custom-vs-off-the-shelf-crm/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/custom-vs-off-the-shelf-crm/A generic CRM suits most NZ small businesses. When the real need is a client portal or a workflow tool, a web app built around how you work does better.Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/custom-vs-off-the-shelf-inventory-software/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/custom-vs-off-the-shelf-inventory-software/Off-the-shelf inventory software suits most NZ businesses. When multi-site stock, your own process or offline barcode capture breaks it, what to build.Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/custom-vs-off-the-shelf-job-management-software/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/custom-vs-off-the-shelf-job-management-software/When off-the-shelf job management software is the right buy for an NZ trades business, and when a custom field app built around your workflow pays off.Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/custom-vs-off-the-shelf-quoting-software/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/custom-vs-off-the-shelf-quoting-software/Off-the-shelf quoting software suits most NZ businesses. Here is when complex pricing rules, calculators and accounting integration justify a custom build.Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/hypercode-case-study/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/hypercode-case-study/Hypercode is Applicable's own low-code back-end accelerator: how it was built, what it generates and why clients get faster builds with no licence fees.Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/navigating-software-development-a-practical-guide-to-bringing-your-ideas-to-life/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/navigating-software-development-a-practical-guide-to-bringing-your-ideas-to-life/A start-up guide to the software journey: validating the idea, assembling the team, user-centred design, iterative development, quality assurance and life after launch.Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/intelligent-ai-integration-in-software-development/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/intelligent-ai-integration-in-software-development/Applicable's philosophy for adding AI to software: integrate it thoughtfully where it adds value, enhance existing systems, tailor it to the project and work collaboratively.Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/ai-software-and-app-development-pioneering-the-future-in-new-zealand/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/ai-software-and-app-development-pioneering-the-future-in-new-zealand/An overview of Applicable's approach to AI in software and app development: integration, machine learning, UX, data security, sustainability and the cloud.Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/developing-strategic-ai-to-drive-growth-amidst-uncertainty/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/developing-strategic-ai-to-drive-growth-amidst-uncertainty/What the EO New Zealand report says about entrepreneurs and AI, and five practical AI opportunities for Kiwi businesses in an uncertain economy.Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/security-in-custom-software/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/security-in-custom-software/What security means in custom software built in NZ, why it matters to a small business, the practices to expect and the questions to ask your developer.Fri, 25 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/embracing-the-power-of-ai-in-mobile-app-development/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/embracing-the-power-of-ai-in-mobile-app-development/How AI is changing mobile apps through natural language processing, predictive analytics and content generation, with business use cases and example apps.Thu, 20 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/app-development-whats-happening-in-2020/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/app-development-whats-happening-in-2020/Five app trends for 2023: accelerating AI, the Internet of Things, wearable devices, augmented reality and mobile wallets.Thu, 25 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/software-jargon-explained/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/software-jargon-explained/Plain-English definitions of the software jargon you will meet on a web project: web app, portal, API, integration, low-code, scoping, UAT and more.Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/why-you-should-choose-applicable-software-developers-for-your-project/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/why-you-should-choose-applicable-software-developers-for-your-project/What clients get from Applicable after 14+ years: technical expertise, quality assurance built into the development cycle, open communication and experienced project management.Wed, 08 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/ten-myths-about-going-digital/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/ten-myths-about-going-digital/Ten digital myths that stop NZ small businesses investing in better systems, from cost and job losses to "only for IT", and what is true instead.Fri, 27 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/developing-a-great-app-what-does-it-take/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/developing-a-great-app-what-does-it-take/The elements of a successful app project: concept, UX design, prototyping, honest advice, tech stack, back-end, automated testing, user feedback and marketing.Mon, 09 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/case-study-going-above-and-beyond-to-impact-kiwi-businesses/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/case-study-going-above-and-beyond-to-impact-kiwi-businesses/How Applicable worked with Advisory Works to design, build and iterate the Beyond business coaching platform, from MVP wireframes to a React front-end on a .NET back-end.Wed, 02 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/the-cost-of-disconnected-systems/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/the-cost-of-disconnected-systems/A car dealership's broken form, outsourced chat and re-keyed booking show what disconnected systems cost a small business and what to connect first.Thu, 27 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/mobile-app-developers-top-tips-for-a-stand-out-app/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/mobile-app-developers-top-tips-for-a-stand-out-app/Four things that make an app stand out: it is useful, it is intuitive, it is shaped by user feedback and its colour and design are chosen deliberately.Thu, 16 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/why-digital-strategies-can-fail/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/why-digital-strategies-can-fail/Four reasons digital strategies fail: buzzwords instead of meaning, unclear goals and budget, employees not on board and no clear measurement of return.Thu, 16 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/ux-ui-mobile-app-trends-in-2020/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/ux-ui-mobile-app-trends-in-2020/Four UX and UI trends in mobile app design in 2022: a human-centred approach, voice search, micro intentions and AI-driven chatbots.Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/choosing-a-mobile-app-development-company-5-things-to-consider/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/choosing-a-mobile-app-development-company-5-things-to-consider/Five factors to weigh when picking an app development company: location, expertise, platform coverage, security and ongoing maintenance and support.Thu, 16 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/disruption-revisited/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/disruption-revisited/Eighteen months into the pandemic, a look at what changed for NZ businesses and six likely disruptions to plan for, from inflation to supply chain and climate risk.Fri, 01 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/the-mckinsey-survey-urgent-insights-for-your-business/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/the-mckinsey-survey-urgent-insights-for-your-business/Key takeaways from McKinsey's "The new digital edge" survey: digital adoption jumped years in months, business models are being disrupted and digital leaders are outperforming.Thu, 01 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/case-study-carbon-natural/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/case-study-carbon-natural/How Applicable built the Carbon Natural tree replacement calculator for Urban Forest Solutions in React Native, from wireframes to a report generated from trunk diameter data.Thu, 11 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/digital-strategy-plan-for-your-success-today/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/digital-strategy-plan-for-your-success-today/Why a business needs a digital strategy now, how to evaluate new technology against the customer journey and why younger companies adapt faster.Thu, 27 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/building-an-app-for-your-business-ios-or-android/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/building-an-app-for-your-business-ios-or-android/How to choose between iOS and Android for a business app, and why Android suits internal apps that never need to go through an app store.Thu, 23 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/the-mobile-app-business-revolution/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/the-mobile-app-business-revolution/Why small and medium businesses are commissioning apps: efficiency, integration with existing systems, mobile staff, brand recognition and reaching a global market.Wed, 01 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/website-development/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/website-development/Five fundamentals for getting a new website ranking on the first page of Google: CMS choice, technical on-page SEO, keyword research, fresh content and backlinks.Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/uninstalled-how-to-avoid-this-fate-for-your-app/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/uninstalled-how-to-avoid-this-fate-for-your-app/Seven UX questions to ask before building an app, illustrated with screens from the Fire Report passive fire app and a truck driver workflow app.Tue, 19 May 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/mobile-app-development-product-market-fit/https://www.applicable.co.nz/blog/mobile-app-development-product-market-fit/Four steps to check whether an app idea fits its market: know the target customer, research their pain points, study competitors and measure against the total addressable market.Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT