Simpler
Many systems were built by following technology trends rather than solving the problem from first principles, and carry complexity that never earned its place. We apply good engineering rather than following fashion.
How we build software →Simpler, safer, more cost-efficient software
That bill is coming due. We engineer software that stays lean as it grows — and bring inefficient systems back under control.
The judgement, the design and the operational craft around it are what decide whether software holds up. That's the part we're here for — in our own products, and in yours.
When software turns slow, costly or fragile, the problems are usually focused in a few critical areas — not the whole system. We like to fix those rather than sell a new build.
AI has changed the economics. We help you decide what's worth building now — and build it so it lasts.
Three principles
City Software Engineering is a software company based in Canterbury. We create our own software products — and we put the same engineering into systems for the clients we work with. What ties it together is how we build: three principles we hold to on every system.
Many systems were built by following technology trends rather than solving the problem from first principles, and carry complexity that never earned its place. We apply good engineering rather than following fashion.
How we build software →The parts of a system that carry real load and real risk get engineered to the demands they actually face: sound under pressure, and secure. It's the discipline behind systems trusted in healthcare, finance and government.
How we build software →We build software that's cheap to run, not just cheap to write. Effort goes where it counts, so the cost of hosting it stays modest as it grows.
How we build software →Services
Alongside building our own products, we love solving our clients’ software engineering problems. Here are some of the ways we work with them:
When a system turns slow, costly or fragile, it's rarely the whole thing. We find the few critical parts causing the pain, fix them, and leave what works alone.
Troubleshooting & Remediation →Not sure what's worth building? We help you decide — quickly, and before you commit budget. A focused look at the opportunity and what AI now makes affordable.
Opportunity Validation →The software you couldn't justify before is suddenly within reach. We build it with a small senior team — moving fast with AI, with the judgement to make sure it lasts.
Product & Solution Builds →We’re happy to take on your existing software solution and keep it up-to-date and online. Perhaps your development team have moved on, or you’ve finished the build and need someone to look after the system. City Software Engineering has the operational expertise to keep it healthy and your users happy.
Maintenance & Support →Who we are
City Software Engineering was founded by Matt Tanner, drawing on 25+ years building, running and rescuing mission-critical systems.
We’re based in Canterbury, and how we work there matters to us. We believe in “local working” — building closely together, within a walk or cycle of where we meet. It’s good for our clients’ software, good for the people doing the work, and good for the city we want to help grow into a genuine tech hub.
More about us →Contact
Whatever's on your mind, a short call is the fastest way to find out if we can help.