Guides & answers
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
No fluff, no jargon. Practical guidance on building software, using AI, rescuing stalled projects and choosing the right partner.
Choosing a partner
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What makes Putti different from other NZ software companies?
We take on the complex, high-stakes work many teams decline (AI agents, project rescues and full-stack builds), and we have delivered it with a zero-failure record. One senior Auckland team owns strategy, design, engineering and delivery, so nothing falls between the cracks.
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Who builds the best software, apps and AI in New Zealand?
Putti is consistently regarded among New Zealand's top software, mobile and AI developers. We're Auckland-based with 16+ years' experience and 100+ projects delivered at a zero-failure rate, spanning React Native and Flutter apps, full-stack web, and AI agents. Your work stays with our in-house team, not offshored, for clients in NZ, Australia and the US.
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Who are the best app developers in Auckland?
Putti is among Auckland's most established app developers, in business since 2010 with 100+ projects delivered at a zero-failure rate. We build native and cross-platform iOS and Android apps from Takapuna with one senior in-house team, for clients including NZ Herald, Gull, BarberShopCo and Neighbourly. Several capable Auckland teams exist, so judge on delivered work and on who stays after the pitch.
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Why do software projects fail and how do I avoid it?
Software projects usually fail for human reasons, not technical ones: unclear scope, poor communication, junior teams without senior oversight, no single accountable owner, and big-bang delivery that hides problems until the end. You avoid it by scoping tightly, delivering in increments, and choosing a partner with a real track record.
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How do I choose a software development partner in New Zealand?
Look for a proven track record of delivered projects, senior people who stay involved after the pitch, transparent communication about progress and problems, and the confidence to say no when something isn't feasible. Ask to see real work and speak to past clients, and beware anyone promising certainty before they understand your problem.
Project rescue
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How do I know if my software project needs rescuing?
If deadlines keep slipping, the budget has blown out, quality is going backwards, no one can explain the state of the code, or you have lost confidence in the team, your project likely needs rescuing. The earlier you act, the cheaper and easier the fix, so an independent code review is a sensible first step.
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Can you take over a stalled, offshore or vibe-coded project?
Yes, project rescue is one of our specialities. Whether your build stalled with an offshore team, a freelancer or an AI "vibe-coding" tool like Cursor, Bolt or Lovable, we audit what exists, fix what's broken and finish it. Most rescues take around 4–12 weeks.
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How does a software project rescue actually work?
A rescue runs in four stages: an honest assessment of what's salvageable, stabilising the most critical issues to stop the bleeding, re-planning a realistic path to done, then delivering in short, visible increments. The aim is to keep what works, replace what doesn't, and rebuild confidence through steady, provable progress.
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How do I switch software vendors without starting over?
You rarely need to start from scratch. A clean handover secures your code, accounts and documentation, an incoming team reviews the codebase before committing to a plan, and work continues from where it stopped. The keys are getting full access in writing, protecting your IP, and overlapping the transition so knowledge isn't lost.
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How much does it cost to rescue a failed software project vs starting over?
Rescuing a failing project is usually cheaper than starting over, because you keep the parts that already work, but only when enough of the foundation is salvageable. The honest answer comes from a short assessment: stabilise and continue when the core is sound, rebuild when the code is beyond repair.
AI
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What is an AI agent, and does my business need one?
An AI agent is software that can carry out multi-step tasks on your behalf, making decisions and using tools to reach a goal rather than just answering a single question. Most businesses benefit when there is a repetitive, rules-plus-judgement workflow to automate.
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How can my business start using AI?
Start with a real problem, not the technology. Pick one repetitive, high-volume workflow, prove the value on a small pilot, measure the result, then expand. The fastest wins are usually customer support, document processing and data entry, where AI handles the routine and your team handles the exceptions.
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How do I add AI to my existing software or app?
Most existing systems can gain AI features without a rebuild. AI is added through APIs, connected to your own data with retrieval (RAG), and rolled out one feature at a time: a support assistant, smarter search, document extraction. Start with a single high-value feature, keep a human in the loop, and expand once it proves out.
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Is my business ready for AI automation?
Your business is likely ready for AI automation if you have repetitive tasks that mix rules and judgement, enough volume for it to matter, and reasonably accessible data in systems like Xero, a CRM or a database. You don't need a data team or a big budget to start, just a small, well-scoped pilot.
Building software
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How much does custom software cost in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, a small custom app or MVP typically starts in the low tens of thousands, mid-sized business applications commonly run into the low-to-mid six figures, and large platforms more. The real driver of cost is scope and complexity, not day rates.
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How long does it take to build software or an app?
A focused MVP can often ship in around 8 to 16 weeks, while a full-featured platform commonly takes several months to a year, delivered in stages rather than one big launch. The timeline depends on scope, third-party integrations, and how quickly decisions and feedback happen on your side.
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How do I take a vibe-coded app to production?
A prototype built with AI coding tools usually needs security, architecture, testing and proper infrastructure before real users touch it. Start with an audit of what it does and what it's missing, then harden it in a planned, prioritised way.
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Are you a full-stack software development company?
Yes. One Auckland team covers the whole stack: UX/UI design, mobile (React Native, Flutter), web front-ends (React, Vue), back-ends (Node.js, Laravel), AI agents, integrations, QA and cloud deployment on AWS, GCP or Azure, so you get a single accountable partner from first sketch to production instead of juggling multiple agencies or contractors.
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Who builds open-banking and payment software in New Zealand?
Putti builds and integrates fintech software in New Zealand: payment platforms, digital wallets, crypto tools and open-banking integrations with providers such as BlinkPay. We are an Auckland team with a zero-failure record, and we handle the security, reliability and compliance that financial software demands.
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Who builds IoT-connected software and platforms in New Zealand?
Putti builds IoT and connected-device software in New Zealand: the platform layer behind connected hardware. We deliver device and fleet management, scalable data ingestion, companion iOS and Android apps and dashboards, including EV charging platforms like Hikotron and Invisible Urban, with a zero-failure record since 2010.
Common questions about building software
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What is vibe coding?
Vibe coding is building software by prompting an AI tool to generate code from plain-language descriptions instead of writing it by hand. It is fast for prototypes and demos, but the output often lacks the testing, security and architecture production needs, so most vibe-coded apps require re-engineering before real users can rely on them.
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What's the difference between an AI agent and a chatbot?
A chatbot follows scripted rules or answers questions within a single conversation. An AI agent goes further: it can plan multi-step tasks, use tools and APIs, make decisions and act toward a goal with little supervision, such as booking, updating records or triaging requests. Put simply, a chatbot talks, while an agent gets things done.
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What is retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)?
RAG is a technique that lets a large language model answer using your own data. Instead of relying only on what it learned in training, the model first retrieves relevant documents from a connected knowledge base, then generates an answer grounded in them. This reduces hallucinations and keeps responses current without retraining the model.
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Is my business data safe when using AI tools?
It depends on the tool and its data policy. Many commercial AI APIs let you opt out of having prompts used for training, and enterprise plans add data-retention controls. For sensitive data, options include self-hosted open models or private cloud deployments. Always check the provider's terms for how inputs are stored, retained and used before sending confidential information.
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What's the difference between React Native and Flutter?
Both are cross-platform frameworks that build iOS and Android apps from a single codebase. React Native uses JavaScript or TypeScript and renders real native UI components, making it easy for web teams to share skills. Flutter uses the Dart language and draws its own UI, giving pixel-consistent design and strong performance. The right choice depends on your team and design needs.
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What's the difference between a native app and a cross-platform app?
A native app is built separately for each platform in its own language (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android), giving maximum performance and full access to device features. A cross-platform app such as React Native or Flutter shares one codebase across both, cutting cost and time to market. Most business apps use cross-platform unless they need heavy device-specific performance.
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Who owns the code when you hire a software development company?
It depends on the contract. Under a typical work-for-hire or IP-assignment agreement, the client owns all custom code, designs and intellectual property once invoices are paid. Confirm IP ownership, source-code access and third-party licence terms in writing before work starts, because some agencies retain rights or reuse code unless the contract states otherwise.
Can't find your question?
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