How we build bespoke energy software

Our process and philosophy

 

  • Discover

    The most important part is problem definition. We bring pragmatism and curiosity over theatre and flashy tenders.

  • Prototype

    We pressure-test assumptions and show early models so that scope emerges from reality and not guesswork.

  • Deliver

    We walk with your people. Our delivery discipline is plain on purpose with honest communication.

  • Support

    We can be an extension of the team, able to drop-in when necessary.

 

Discover

In our experience, the hardest part of these projects isn’t code, it’s problem definition.

We begin with curiosity, ask the uncomfortable questions, pressure-test assumptions with prototypes, and show early models so scope emerges from reality, not guesswork. Our focus on pragmatic discovery without theatre is what

The statement of work sets a clear course, but always leaves space to adapt.

Prototype

We create early prototypes that surface edge cases and pressure-test ideas.

This approach reduces risks and unexpected costs, tailoring the solution to your team.

Deliver

We embed alongside traders, analysts, engineers, and product owners.

Our Agile and hybrid approach makes you a partner in the development process, reviewing and testing features every few weeks.

Your team becomes an expert in a solution that you own, significantly reducing training and ramp time.

Support

Launch is just the starting point.

In New Zealand’s energy market, shifting compliance rules, changing wholesale prices, and the push to integrate more renewables mean your software needs to adapt to the market’s every move.

 

The impact of bespoke software and our approach

YouDo brings deep expertise across generation, distribution, wholesale trading, DER, and retail. We combine Agile delivery, industry knowledge, and close collaboration to get projects over the line on time and on budget. 

We upgraded a 30-year-old dam monitoring system with Contact Energy

When Contact Energy needed to replace the legacy monitoring system at Clyde Dam, they turned to us for a modern, future-proof solution. 

We ran eight Agile sprints to capture decades of knowledge, integrate with systems, and deliver an early prototype for real-world testing.

The result is a state-of-the-art Dam Assurance Monitoring System that improves safety, streamlines monitoring, and can handle future demand.

  • “It was a golden example of what Agile can do. Throughout the project, we would have more ideas and requirements for the system. YouDo met and adapted to these requirements effortlessly – they even brought the creativity to develop our ideas further.”
    Joe Wheeler
    Engineer – Civil & Dam Safety

    Read case study
    Contact Energy
 

We built the emsTradepoint carbon trading platform

We built emsTradepoint’s proprietary trading platform in 2013, which enabled the country’s first exchange-traded natural gas contracts.

In 2019, they came back to expand the system for trading NZUs. 

With the help of the emsTradepoint team, we took proven ideas from global markets and shaped them for New Zealand. 

The result was a secure, anonymous, data-rich exchange that made trading more transparent – delivered in just six months.

  • "YouDo has outstanding project management on their side, leading software developers, and their team coordinated with ours perfectly. The project was delivered bang on time, on budget to the dollar, and exactly to our requirements.”
    Quintin Tahau
    General Manager

    Read case study
    Contact Energy
 

Our philosophy

People ask and, no, there’s no secret sauce at YouDo. It’s just asking the right questions, the hard work and discipline of good engineering, and the curiosity to solve challenging problems.

Customers describe us as “small enough to care but big enough to deliver” and explicitly reference on-time and on-budget delivery. 

If off-the-shelf fits, we’ll say so. 

But when it doesn’t, we’ll co-design the leanest tool that does and build it with you so your capability grows as software takes shape.

That’s why the systems we deliver become part of everyday decision-making across trading,

operations, and market participation, not just another platform to maintain.

If the last mile is where your outcomes are decided, that’s where we walk.

 

Start your bespoke project

Reach out to Steve for an honest chat about how a bespoke solution can help.

Mobile: +64 21 160 4439
Email: sales@youdo.co.nz
LinkedIn: Steve Chevallier-Boutell