Canada now has a solid group of companies that build healthcare apps for clinics, hospitals, and patient-facing platforms. These companies work on things like appointment systems, remote monitoring tools, electronic records, and secure communication between providers and patients, all while staying inside the privacy and data rules that apply across the country.
The stronger companies on this list tend to combine clinical understanding with practical engineering, so the finished apps hold up in actual medical settings rather than just looking good in a demo. Interest in this kind of work keeps growing as more healthcare organizations look for custom software that fits Canadian standards and day-to-day workflows.
1. Itexus
Itexus builds custom, HIPAA-aligned healthcare software, and our work includes developing healthcare apps for care providers, insurers, device makers, and health startups, including companies in Canada that need patient tools, clinic systems, and connected records. Our work for Canada follows the same brief: less paperwork, clearer workflows, and products that can sit next to existing hospital and clinic software.
Our work joins siloed systems and devices so clinicians can gather PHI in one place. For us, delivery runs from consulting and design through build, integration, testing, documentation, training, and later features. Patient portals, scheduling, PHRs, mHealth, online consults, vital-sign tracking, and mental health apps are included in our patient catalog. Clinic work on our side covers EHR, EMR, medical CRM, e-prescribing, labs, billing, telehealth, remote monitoring, and analytics. We keep those products aligned with HIPAA, HL7, FHIR, and related health protocols for buyers in Canada and elsewhere.
Key Highlights:
- Healthcare app work also offered to companies in Canada
- HIPAA, HL7, and FHIR alignment on healthcare products
- Interoperability across siloed systems and devices
- Patient portals, mHealth, and clinic administration tools
Services:
- Software development for healthcare apps
- Healthcare application development
- Healthcare system integration
- Patient-facing healthcare apps and portals
- Clinic-facing EHR, EMR, and workflow software
- Telehealth and remote patient monitoring
- Health analytics software
Contact Information:
- Website: itexus.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 8, The Green, STE road, Dover, DE 19901, United States
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/itexus
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/itexus
- Twitter: x.com/ItexusSoft
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/itexus.soft
2. Guarana Technologies
Guarana Technologies builds custom healthcare mobile applications for patient care, data management, and compliance with HIPAA and PIPEDA. The company delivers telehealth platforms, remote monitoring systems, EHR integrations, hospital management software, and mental health apps. They create telemedicine tools with video conferencing, chat, appointment scheduling, and payment processing so providers can connect with patients in a compliant setting.
The agency produces remote monitoring applications that pull data from wearables and sensors and alert staff when readings need attention. They develop mobile apps that connect to existing electronic health record systems so clinicians can review data, update plans, and document encounters. The company builds clinical decision support applications that analyze medical data and surface evidence-based recommendations. They create medication management apps with reminders, dosage tracking, and caregiver alerts. Guarana Technologies also develops practice management applications for scheduling, bed management, billing, and day-to-day operations, plus wellness apps with therapy exercises, mood tracking, and crisis resources.
Key Highlights:
- Custom healthcare mobile applications with compliance built in
- Telemedicine platforms with video, chat, and scheduling
- Remote monitoring tied to wearables and alerts
- EHR-connected apps for clinicians in the field
Services:
- Telemedicine and telehealth applications
- Remote patient monitoring solutions
- EHR integration apps
- Clinical decision support applications
- Medication management apps
- Hospital and practice management systems
- Mental health and wellness apps
Contact Information:
- Website: guarana-technologies.com
- Phone: +1 (514) 613 6050
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 4060 Saint-Laurent, Suite 204, Montreal, QC, H2W 1Y8, Canada
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/guarana-technologies-inc-
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/guaranamobileapps
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/guaranatech
3. AppStudio
AppStudio builds regulated healthcare apps and software for telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, EHR-connected patient portals, and web applications. The company designs work for HIPAA and PHIPA and exchanges data over HL7 and FHIR so products can connect with systems such as Epic, Cerner, and OSCAR. They focus on apps that pass compliance review and fit clinical workflows for both providers and patients.
The agency delivers custom medical mobile applications shaped around existing care routines. They create telemedicine products with video visits, scheduling, e-prescribing, and encrypted messaging. The company handles EHR and EMR integration with bidirectional sync. They build patient engagement apps for booking, reminders, portals, and secure messaging. AppStudio also develops remote monitoring tools that collect device data and send clinician alerts, plus healthcare software for clinical and practice management, hospital and lab systems, and secure web platforms. The agency offers healthcare UI and UX design, AI features for decision support under clinician oversight, MVP builds, app modernization, and dedicated healthcare developers.
Key Highlights:
- Compliance designed into the architecture from the start
- Interoperability with HL7, FHIR, and major EHR systems
- Interfaces shaped around clinical and patient workflows
- Support that continues after launch with updates and monitoring
- Coverage of mobile apps, web platforms, and clinical software
Services:
- Telemedicine app development
- EHR and EMR integration
- Patient engagement apps
- Remote patient monitoring
- Healthcare software development
- Healthcare UI and UX design
- AI in healthcare
- Healthcare MVP development
- App modernization and migration
- Dedicated healthcare developers
Contact Information:
- Website: www.appstudio.ca
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +18003529138
- Address: 18 King St E, 14th Floor, Toronto, ON M5C 1C4, Canada
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/appstudiocanada
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Appstudio.ca
- Twitter: x.com/AppStudio_Inc
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/appstudio_inc
4. MindSea
MindSea is a healthcare app development company that designs and builds apps around how care is delivered and how patients and clinicians already use technology. The company works with healthcare providers, medical practices, HealthTech startups, university and hospital research teams, behavioral and mental health practices, fitness and wellness companies, and public health organizations. They create digital health apps for regulated environments, mobile apps for iOS and Android, custom healthcare software, wearable and sensor-connected apps, EHR and EMR integrations, and healthcare AI applications.
The agency also supports remote patient monitoring, patient engagement, clinical decision support, and telehealth. They plan for compliance early so architecture can support HIPAA, HITECH, PHIPA, FDA guidance where it applies, HL7 and FHIR, SOC principles, GDPR when needed, and data residency choices. The company keeps design and development involved through discovery, prototyping, build, and ongoing support. They stay with the product after launch to refine it as care programs change. MindSea is a Canada-based team with offices in Halifax and Toronto.
Key Highlights:
- Healthcare-focused team that stays involved after launch
- Compliance planning early in architecture and workflows
- Apps for providers, research groups, and digital health products
- Integrations with clinical systems using HL7 and FHIR
Services:
- Digital health apps
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Custom healthcare software
- Wearable and sensor-connected apps
- EHR and EMR integrations
- Healthcare AI applications
Contact Information:
- Website: mindsea.com
- Phone: 1 (833) 646-3732
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1701 Hollis St, Suite 800, Halifax, NS B3J 3M8, Canada
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mindsea-development-inc.
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/MindSea
- Twitter: x.com/mindsea
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mindsea
5. Sidekick Interactive
Sidekick Interactive partners with medical technology companies to design and build secure, compliant mobile applications that support patient outcomes, clinical workflows, and connected health products. The company focuses on MedTech constraints such as privacy rules, device connectivity, and users who may not be technical. They deliver patient-facing mobile applications for journaling, symptom tracking, remote monitoring, medication reminders, appointment scheduling, and care team communication.
The agency builds connected medical device apps with Bluetooth and IoT integration for wearables, sensors, and diagnostic tools, plus real-time data capture and secure cloud sync. They digitize clinical workflows with mobile tools that replace paper processes, including field data collection, reporting dashboards, and task management. The company also creates three-dimensional scanning and measurement experiences for prosthetics, orthotics, and surgical planning on standard mobile devices. Sidekick Interactive matches native or cross-platform development to regulatory and user needs and uses compliance-ready architecture with encryption, authentication, and audit trails.
Key Highlights:
- Mobile work aimed at MedTech products and connected devices
- Patient-facing apps for tracking, reminders, and communication
- Hardware-linked apps with stable device pairing and sync
- Clinical workflow tools for field collection and reporting
- Scanning and measurement features for treatment planning
- Architecture aligned with HIPAA, PIPEDA, and related rules
Services:
- Patient-facing mobile applications
- Connected medical device apps
- Clinical workflow digitization
- Three-dimensional scanning and measurement
Contact Information:
- Website: www.sidekickinteractive.com
- Phone: 1 (800) 965-1651
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 460 Rue Sainte-Catherine O #424, Montreal, Quebec H3B 1A7
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sidekick-interactive
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sidekickinteractive
- Twitter: x.com/SidekickInter
6. SyS Creations
SyS Creations focuses on healthcare technology projects and builds HIPAA and PHIPA compliant healthcare apps across categories such as telehealth, senior care, online pharmacy, and mental health. The company develops custom web applications to improve team coordination, data access, user engagement, and medication error reporting. They also work on AR and VR experiences that show devices and treatments in virtual settings and support remote guidance for field teams.
The agency offers compliance consulting around HIPAA, PHIPA, and PIPEDA to protect ePHI and plan for breach discovery. They provide EMR technology and application support for systems such as Allscripts, PointClickCare, and TELUS Health, including technical support and training. The company deploys point-of-care and eMAR setups so medication administration can be managed at the bedside. They support mobile computing so staff can share and record patient data in real time. SyS Creations also upgrades legacy fax to secure digital fax for medical documents and prescriptions.
Key Highlights:
- Healthcare-only focus on apps, web tools, and clinical systems
- Compliance consulting for Canadian and US privacy rules
- Support for EMR platforms used in care settings
- Point-of-care and eMAR tooling for medication workflows
Services:
- Healthcare web development
- AR and VR development
- Compliance consulting
- EMR technology and application support
- Point of care and eMAR
- Mobile computing
- Digital fax solution
- Healthcare app development
Contact Information:
- Website: www.syscreations.ca
- Phone: +1 905 635 7574
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1409-2093 Fairview St, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 0E6 Canada
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sys-creations-inc.
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SyStemCreations
- Twitter: x.com/syscreations
7. Pieoneers
Pieoneers is an AI, web, and mobile app development company that builds web and mobile applications, including work that ties into medical imaging and health data. The company created a patient portal and web platform for Bodycomp Imaging, a provider of DEXA scans that uses Hologic scanners for medical imaging. They deliver web development, mobile app development, and AI integration for data-driven products.
The agency offers AI development and integration, including machine learning, natural language processing, and data analytics inside applications. They build web apps and mobile apps and support rapid prototyping and MVP work. The company also provides brand identity and web design plus project planning and strategy covering roadmaps, user journeys, and testing. Pieoneers is based in Vancouver with a US office as well and works on products that need both health-data handling and everyday product polish.
Key Highlights:
- Web and mobile products that can connect to medical imaging and health data
- Patient portal work for imaging and scan workflows
- AI integration inside applications
- Planning support from roadmap through user flows
- Mix of product design and engineering on the same team
Services:
- AI development and integration
- Web app development
- Mobile app development
- Rapid prototyping and MVP
- Brand identity and web design
- Project planning and strategy
Contact Information:
- Website: pieoneers.com
- Phone: +1 (604) 305-1771
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 606 – 889 W Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3B2, Canada
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pieoneers
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/pieoneers
- Twitter: x.com/pieoneers
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pieoneerssoftware
8. Synetic Solutions
Synetic Solutions builds and connects healthcare technology for hospitals and health networks from its Toronto base. The company focuses on healthcare IT as its only vertical and handles HL7 and FHIR integrations plus custom full stack applications. They connect EHR, lab, and third-party systems with ADT feeds, results interfaces, and FHIR APIs, including provincial HIE and cross-site work.
The agency develops custom healthcare apps such as patient portals, scheduling tools, and clinical decision support. They design accessible, mobile-responsive sites for hospitals and health tech organizations. The company handles Office and Azure cloud work for healthcare with attention to data residency and privacy. They use Power Platform for workflow automation, custom apps, and analytics around onboarding, equipment tracking, and reporting. Synetic Solutions also provides training and long-term support so staff and systems keep running after go-live. Their work stays inside HIPAA, PHIPA, and provincial privacy rules from the start.
Key Highlights:
- Healthcare IT as the only vertical
- HL7 and FHIR connections across EHR, lab, and partner systems
- Custom apps for portals, scheduling, and clinical support
- Cloud and Power Platform work for healthcare operations
- Training and support after systems go live
Services:
- Full stack development
- Website design
- Office and Azure for healthcare
- Power Platform automation and apps
- Training and long-term support
- HL7 and FHIR integration
Contact Information:
- Website: syneticsolutions.ca
- Email: [email protected]
9. WorksDelight
WorksDelight builds HIPAA and PIPEDA compliant healthcare applications that aim to protect patient data while supporting care delivery and clinical workflows. The company designs clinician-centered interfaces and patient-facing tools for Canadian and US providers. They work with healthcare data standards such as HL7, FHIR, and DICOM and integrate with major EHR and EMR systems.
The agency develops patient engagement applications for scheduling, medication reminders, secure messaging, and record access. They create telemedicine platforms with video visits, scheduling, payments, and record access. The company builds clinical workflow applications for documentation and care coordination. They deliver healthcare data analytics platforms for outcomes and operational metrics. WorksDelight also produces remote patient monitoring that ties into devices and wearables, plus healthcare AI integration for diagnostic assistance, predictive analytics, and care recommendations. Their approach includes encryption, access controls, vulnerability testing, legal compliance checks, Canadian data residency options, and backup and recovery.
Key Highlights:
- Apps built to HIPAA, PIPEDA, and PHIPA expectations
- Clinician and patient interface work for real care settings
- EHR and EMR integration using common health data standards
- Canadian hosting options for data residency
- Mix of engagement, telemedicine, monitoring, and analytics products
Services:
- Patient engagement applications
- Telemedicine platforms
- Clinical workflow applications
- Healthcare data analytics
- Remote patient monitoring
- Healthcare AI integration
Contact Information:
- Website: www.worksdelight.com
- Phone: +1 (365)-806-5130
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 5-B Conestoga Dr, Brampton, ON L6Z 4N5
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/worksdelight
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/worksdelight
- Twitter: x.com/Worksdelight1
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/worksdelight1
10. iTechnolabs
iTechnolabs delivers healthcare app development for hospitals, clinics, startups, and healthcare enterprises, with an emphasis on secure, HIPAA-aligned products and patient-focused features. The company builds custom healthcare apps and HIPAA-compliant mobile and web apps that also address HL7, GDPR, and FHIR expectations. They create telemedicine platforms with video consultations, secure messaging, document sharing, and e-prescriptions.
The agency designs healthcare app interfaces for scheduling, medication tracking, results, and doctor-patient communication. They develop wearable apps that sync with watches, bands, and medical sensors. The company handles EMR and EHR integration and cloud-related data management. They add AI-powered features for diagnostics support, workflow automation, and personalized care. iTechnolabs also builds appointment booking apps, pharmacy and medicine delivery apps, remote patient monitoring, healthcare CRM tools, and mHealth apps for medications, symptoms, fitness, and wellness plans. Their feature set on the site includes alerts, in-app chat and video, geolocation for nearby clinics, multi-language support, role-based access, and cloud sync.
Key Highlights:
- Custom healthcare apps for hospitals, clinics, and health startups
- Telemedicine, booking, pharmacy, and monitoring products
- Wearable, EMR, and EHR connections
- AI features inside healthcare applications
- Interface work aimed at everyday clinical and patient tasks
Services:
- HIPAA-compliant healthcare app development
- Telemedicine app development
- Healthcare app interface development
- Healthcare wearable app development
- EMR and EHR integration services
- AI-powered healthcare app development
- Doctor appointment booking apps
- Pharmacy and medicine delivery apps
- Remote patient monitoring
- Healthcare CRM solutions
- mHealth solutions for patients
Contact Information:
- Website: itechnolabs.ca
- Phone: +1-825-901-9111
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1101 1 St Sw Suite 400 Calgary AB, Canada T2R 1J2
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/itechnolabs-ca
- Twitter: x.com/itechnolabsca
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/itechnolabsca
11. Emids
Emids runs a user experience practice aimed at healthcare software that clinicians and members will actually use. The company combines research, design strategy, and interaction and visual design so complex healthcare applications are clearer to work with. They look at fragmented screens, EHR-heavy workflows, and AI features that add cognitive load, then reshape how people move through those products.
The agency uses experience research with qualitative and quantitative methods, concept testing, and accessibility across the work. They apply design strategy, service design, visioning, and ecosystem mapping so design choices line up with organizational goals. The company turns that into experience design: flows, visual systems, design systems, and prototypes tested with real users before build. They also keep a wellness experience practice centered on behavioral design for whole-person health applications, covering accessibility, user-centered AI, and interoperability with tools people already use. Emids frames the work around clarity for decisions, engagement that lasts, and modernization of aging healthcare systems.
Key Highlights:
- UX practice built around healthcare software people have to live with
- Research that starts from real clinician and member behavior
- Service design and design systems for large healthcare products
- Wellness and behavioral design for health applications
Services:
- Experience research
- Design strategy
- Experience design
- Wellness experience and behavioral design
Contact Information:
- Website: www.emids.com
- Phone: 16158142143
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 343 Preston St. 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON, K1S 1N4
12. Vog App Developers
Vog App Developers builds custom software, apps, and websites, along with product strategy, branding, and consulting. The company designs customer-centric user experiences and then builds and supports mobile and web applications in-house. They cover design, build, and ongoing support so products can stay current as operating systems and browsers change.
The agency’s public site describes work for startups and established companies across industries rather than a dedicated healthcare app practice. They offer custom software, firmware, mobile apps, websites, ongoing support, and team augmentation. The company was founded to give entrepreneurs a local partner for mobile applications and later expanded into digital products for a wider mix of businesses. Vog App Developers states that apps are built by employees rather than outsourced teams. Their listed contact path is through Novus Tech Group channels on the site.
Key Highlights:
- In-house custom mobile and web application work
- Design, build, and support under one team
- Firmware and team augmentation alongside product builds
- Product strategy and branding offered with the engineering work
Services:
- Custom software
- Mobile apps
- Websites
- Firmware
- Ongoing support
- Team augmentation
- Product strategy
- Branding
- Consulting
Contact Information:
- Website: vogappdevelopers.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +1 (825) 425-4465
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/novustechgroup
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/NovusTechGroup
- Twitter: x.com/NovusTechGroup
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/novustechgroup
13. Osedea
Osedea builds software for the health industry, with work aimed at patient care, operations, and medical research. The company develops interoperable solutions so data can move across systems and providers. They put security protocols such as encryption, authentication, and access control around sensitive personal data.
The agency supports healthtech data-collection work so research-oriented products can stay inside regulatory standards. They use AI and analytics to review medical data, find patterns, and support decisions around predictive analytics, personalized medicine, and population health management. The company works with healthcare providers, payers, and technology partners and keeps compliance, privacy, and security in the product from the start. They design with patients in mind for usability, accessibility, and engagement. Osedea also brings in emerging tools such as AI, XR, and IoT when a health product needs them. Their public health work includes dental software using NLP and computer vision, plus virtual fertility care.
Key Highlights:
- Health-industry software for care, operations, and research
- Interoperability and data-exchange work across providers
- Security and compliance treated as core product requirements
- AI and analytics used on healthcare data
Services:
- Interoperable healthcare system integration
- Data security for health products
- Health data collection support
- AI and analytics for medical data
- Patient-centered health software design
Contact Information:
- Website: www.osedea.com
- Phone: (514) 800-6166
- Address: 4000 Rue Saint-Ambroise, Suite 270, Montréal, QC H4C 2C7
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/osedea
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/osedea
14. 247 Labs
247 Labs develops custom healthcare software for providers, clinics, health systems, digital health startups, and care networks. The company covers EHR and EMR software, telehealth platforms, healthcare CRM systems, hospital management solutions, and patient engagement tools. They build products meant to support care coordination, patient communication, clinical workflows, and secure data exchange.
The agency designs connected platforms with API-based integrations so information can move across systems and teams. They create apps and portals for access, scheduling, communication, and digital self-service. The company streamlines scheduling, documentation, reporting, care coordination, and admin work. They shape architecture around access control, privacy, and data governance for sensitive health information. 247 Labs also modernizes older healthcare platforms when the current stack no longer fits. Their listed solution areas include pharmacy software alongside EHR, CRM, engagement, hospital management, and telehealth. The agency has offices in Toronto and Richmond Hill.
Key Highlights:
- Custom software across EHR, telehealth, CRM, and hospital operations
- Interoperability and structured data exchange
- Patient apps and portals for scheduling and communication
- Security and privacy controls for health information
- Modernization of existing healthcare platforms
Services:
- EHR and EMR software development
- Healthcare CRM systems
- Patient engagement tools
- Hospital management solutions
- Pharmacy software
- Telehealth platforms
Contact Information:
- Website: 247labs.com
- Phone: 1-877-247-7421
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 600 – 170 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3B3
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/247-labs
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/247labs
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/247_labs
15. Cabot Solutions
Cabot Solutions develops custom healthcare software for hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and health tech startups. The company builds products around existing workflows rather than forcing a generic fit. They work on care delivery, operations, and patient-facing tools while staying aligned with HIPAA, HL7, FHIR, and GDPR expectations and audit-ready reporting.
The agency integrates with EHR and EMR platforms such as Epic and Cerner for notes, labs, medications, and related clinical data. They support health information exchanges and standards-based FHIR and HL7 interfaces. The company connects pharmacy systems and e-prescribing, including interaction checks. They build tools for post-acute, long-term, and managed-care transitions, plus telehealth and remote care that plug into current systems. Cabot Solutions also delivers clinical decision support, data and performance analytics, and broader integration across EHRs, HIEs, LIS, RIS, PACS, wearables, and revenue-cycle platforms. Their engagement options include fixed cost, time and material, or a dedicated team.
Key Highlights:
- Custom healthcare software shaped to each organization’s workflows
- EHR, HIE, and FHIR or HL7 integration
- Telehealth, transitions of care, and clinical decision support
- Analytics and revenue-cycle related tooling
Services:
- EHR and EMR integration
- Health information exchange support
- FHIR and HL7 interfaces
- Pharmacy systems and e-prescribing
- Care delivery and transition tools
- Telehealth and remote care platforms
- Clinical decision support
- Data and performance analytics
Contact Information:
- Website: www.cabotsolutions.com
- Phone: +1 512-999-5796
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Canada, 21 King St W 5th Floor, Hamilton, Ontario -L8P 4W7
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cabot-solutions
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cabotsolutions
- Twitter: x.com/cabotsolutions
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cabotsolutions
Conclusion
Picking a Canadian company for healthcare app work is less about a neat ranking and more about fit. Some shops live in hospital integrations and privacy rules. Others are stronger on patient-facing products, clinician workflows, or the design layer that decides whether anyone opens the app twice.
What shows up again and again is the same tension: care settings need software that talks to existing records, treats health information carefully, and still feels usable on a busy floor or at home. The companies in this space split along those lines. A few stay narrow on interoperability. A few cover telehealth, monitoring, and practice tools in one place. A few are general product studios that will take a health brief if the scope is clear.
None of that replaces a conversation about residency, audit trails, and what has to ship first. Needs differ between a clinic portal and a connected-care product. The useful next step is matching the brief to the kind of work each company actually publishes – not to a slogan, and not to a list that pretends every shop does the same job.