Small Business: App creators

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This week, you will hear from a real mix of companies - those who have created apps for themselves, those creating apps for others on a professional basis and companies that are apps and that's all they do, such as SmartShow an app purely for events. I've also included a column from a large corporate, Westpac because their app is for small businesses as is Business.govt.nz's.

From Sush Mobile, which develops apps for businesses including the Herald, they say an app is not a strategy - companies need to work out the their weaknesses and where value can be gained.

Interesting hearing stories of companies creating their own apps for staff and customers. Wallace Cotton says there may come a time where the app becomes their catalogue.
Stellar Consulting's Grant Broadbent reckons his staff productivity app could be used by others and he's found it has increased the business's profitability and staff satisfaction.

SmartShow looks like an app business with a good future targeting the niche of events very successfully. And with events being an international business, the field is wide open for the Wellington business. InfluxHQ, An app developed for gyms is also well worth a look too.

App developers Dan Too and John Ballinger, meanwhile, give us the lowdown on how businesses should go about building apps and what to think about. Ballinger says an app will cost approximately the cost of a small car, so that's a good guide for you.

Next week: New Zealand has a vast number of one man/woman bands - people happiest working on their own, doing what they do best - piano tuners, software developers, electricians, plumbers, artists. They don't have staff to hand over to during the year so they tend to soldier on for the greater part of it without a break. Most of them at this time are counting down the days to the summer holiday when they get to relax for a change. Tell me your stories, how do you cope with up to a month of no invoices coming in?