Evaluates software associated with lifts (9)
I believe the answer is:
appraises
'evaluates' is the definition.
('appraise' can be a synonym of 'evaluate')
'software associated with lifts' is the wordplay.
'software' becomes 'app' (software application).
'associated with' says to put letters next to each other.
'lifts' becomes 'raises' ('raise' can be a synonym of 'lift').
'app'+'raises'='APPRAISES'
(Other definitions for appraises that I've seen before include "Assesses" , "Rates" .)