Punching above its weight

Pictured above: John Halvorsen-Jones.

With its groundbreaking low-code platform called Hypercode, and a culture that empowers a small team of innovators, Applicable is redefining software development and driving innovation in New Zealand’s tech space.

Mid-market software development agency, Applicable, has been awarded the title of Most Innovative Business at The David Awards 2024. The award highlights the extraordinary contributions of small Kiwi businesses, and Applicable, the judges say, exemplifies the spirit of innovation that the awards celebrate.

Founded by John Halvorsen-Jones, who brings over 30 years of diverse experience in technology, Applicable has carved a niche in creating web-based and mobile applications. The agency specialises in crafting unique customer experiences and internal business efficiencies, as well as developing Software as a Service (SaaS) products for start-ups.

“We accelerate innovation through low-code and AI driven software development, producing custom web, mobile and AI applications,” John explains.

John’s passion lies in uncovering pockets of Kiwi innovation, collaborating with businesses to refine their ideas, and designing intuitive digital products that bring visions to life. “Over the past 16 years, my appreciation of the challenges that go with software design, development, and ongoing operation has grown and grown,” John explains. “It’s hugely challenging to do to a world-class level, and my passion is to spend the next 16 years innovating solutions to the myriad of industry problems I’ve come to deeply understand.”

Hypercode: A game-changer in development

One of the key factors that contributed to Applicable’s recognition is its innovative low-code system, Hypercode. This code generator has been a game-changer for the business and its software development process by significantly reducing costs without the burden of licensing fees. Unlike other low-code platforms that often come with various limitations – such as being locked into a vendor’s infrastructure or facing scalability issues – Hypercode combines traditional code generation techniques with artificial intelligence to offer unparalleled flexibility and ownership.

“Our code generator combines the best of traditional code generation techniques and AI to 10X development,” John says. “The generated software can be deployed anywhere, is fully owned by the client, and does not encumber them with license fees.”

Fostering a culture of innovation

At the heart of Applicable’s success is a company culture that promotes innovation at every level. “The culture that fuels innovation within Applicable is that every developer has a voice. We’re always open as a team to new ways of doing things and ideas from any team member, no matter how junior.” This inclusive environment encourages team members to experiment with new tools and concepts, creating a natural inclination towards innovation.

In the fast-evolving tech landscape, Applicable stays ahead of the curve by actively incorporating AI into its processes. The team utilises AI for aspects of code generation, such as predictive coding with GitHub Copilot, and specialises in integrating off-the-shelf AI solutions into custom software. “Last year, we probably spent about 20 percent of all team time trialling AI solutions and working out where our services best aligned with this emerging field. This has settled somewhat this year, however we continue to try out new tools as we hear of them.”

This commitment to embracing new technologies enables Applicable to provide cutting-edge solutions that meet the diverse needs of its clients.

Crafting exceptional user experiences

A cornerstone of Applicable’s approach is its dedication to creating outstanding user experiences. “Our ethos for creating great User Experience is ‘elegant simplicity,’” John says. He draws inspiration from the wisdom of Steve Jobs, who famously stated: “Simple can be harder than complex… But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” This philosophy drives Applicable’s design process, ensuring that applications are functional, intuitive and user-friendly.

Despite being a small team of just eight, Applicable has successfully delivered high-profile projects, including several seven-figure contracts for crown entities and large corporates such as Wendy’s, LJ Hooker, Sport New Zealand and University of Otago. This impressive track record speaks volumes about the agency’s capability to deliver high-quality results, even in a highly competitive landscape.

Looking ahead, John envisions continuing to innovate and address industry challenges through technology. His commitment to pushing boundaries in software development and digital transformation is unwavering, as he aims to enhance the capabilities of mid-market companies in New Zealand and beyond.

“My desire to help people go further, rather than just being focused on tech for tech’s sake, has ended up baked into the highly client-centric approach I take to everything. This, combined with our focus on delivering unique quality-to-value, means I’m the most excited I’ve ever been about what we can achieve for clients.”

The David Awards 2024 winner

Category: Most innovative Business

Company: Applicable

Judges’ comments: “Applicable is the perfect name for this business. Its unique code-generating technology is a game-changer designed for the wider software development community. The custom software is more cost-effective for small businesses.”

Finalists: My Wonderland; Stone Arrow; Sunset Society; Tether

This article was originally published in the October 2024 issue of NZBusiness magazine. To read the issue, click here.