Apadmi

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a digital project consultant at Charles Stanley, a UK wealth management firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Apadmi?

We had been working with a different development team, but the quality of their work had been significantly going down. We needed to find a new agency to remedy our current app and help with our list of future functionalities and tasks. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

To start the engagement, we had a remediation plan to fix the existing bugs, improve the coding, and essentially reset the foundation of the application. Now, we’re building functionalities into the app, starting with share-trading capabilities to allow users to initiate trades without having to use the site. We’re also working on a payment system to enable debit card use on the app. 

They’re also supporting a full UX redesign of both of our apps, one of which is a read-only platform. Both are native apps for iOS and Android. 

What is the team composition?

Around 10 people from their team had been working with us, depending on our needs. There are UX designers, a lead relationship manager, and a project manager as well. 

How did you come to work with Apadmi?

The contract with Apadmi was signed before I came on, but they are a leading agency in the UK. They’d worked with big clients before in other industries, so they seemed like a good fit for us. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between £100,000–£150,000 (approximately $124,800–$187,300 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve had an ongoing engagement since October 2018. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

It’s a bit difficult to measure the impact of the share-trading feature because we haven’t rolled out the ability for users to use their debit cards yet, which is needed for ultimate usability. However, people are still using the tool and we’ve had zero bugs, so far. The adoption of this new version has gone well and the app is working absolutely fine. It works much better than the previous version, so we’re happy.   

How did Apadmi perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great. We have weekly catch-up sessions to give and receive updates, which are helpful. Our teams use Basecamp to communicate and keep our dialogue continuously going. Our communication primarily takes place through messages and phone calls, but they’ve come for in-person workshops and sessions. 

We have a very smooth relationship. Their team is highly engaged and flexible enough for us. If we can’t make up our minds, they steer us in the right direction without being pushy. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The main thing I like about them is how easy they are to work with; we can always bounce ideas off them. Their flexibility with the requirements is also great. They don’t just hold us to the original scope, so we can expand outside of that if we need to. It is very much a joint partnership between us, not just a supplier and customer. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I honestly can’t think of anything for them to improve. Any problems have been on our side while we adjusted to the engagement. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Sitting down and talking to their team will help. They have a wide range of skills and are leaders in their industry, so be collaborative with them to get the most out of it. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the head of health informatics at NHS Blood and Transplant. We manage the NHS Organ Donor Register and National Transplant Register in the UK. We aim to reduce the number of people who die on the organ transplant waiting list.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Apadmi?

We needed someone to develop an iOS application into which specialist nurses could input data, even without network connectivity, that could then be uploaded to a database.

What were your goals for this project?

The key aims for this project were to: minimize data-collection on paper, minimize data duplication and transcription, enable data-gathering in the clinical environment without connectivity, and streamline the organ donor registration process.

SOLUTION

Describe the project in detail?

Apadmi created an iOS application and a corresponding web app (for our administrative team), taking user feedback into account during both the design and development processes. The mobile application allows nurses to document data on their iPads regardless of connectivity and utilizes conflict management functionality that enables multiple nurses to interact with the same patient record simultaneously.

We’ve continued to work with Apadmi after delivery to support and enhance DonorPath, most recently developing decision making support for nurses when assessing a potential organ donor.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, a lead designer, two developers, and a quality assessment lead.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The app revolutionized the organ donation process from the specialist nurse perspective, reducing paper-use by 75 pages per donation process, reducing data duplication by 25%, and saving 3-5 hours per process. It also improved patient safety by eliminating the data transcription process and empowering real-time data-sharing amongst team members. Further, the app itself has won a number of industry rewards and received excellent feedback from users.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

There’s been little change in Apadmi’s core team, helping them develop a nuanced understanding of our operations.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Apadmi has a dynamic and responsive team.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, there aren’t.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the VP Engineering at Linius Technologies, an IT services company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Apadmi?

We wanted an iOS application for our virtual video technology.

What were your goals for this project?

We expected a functional app that would delight App Store customers.

SOLUTION

Describe the project in detail.

We collaborated with the vendor to produce a statement of work and prioritized features to manage scope against a fixed delivery date. They then used an R&D spike to identify and mitigate technology risks. The team also did an early integration with our software development kit and web services.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, a developer, a designer, and a QA team.

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

They delivered the application on time.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The team created a seamless experience by being exceptionally calm and focused. We used Basecamp and daily check-in calls.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They delivered a great solution while managing risk and integrations in a timely and effective manner. The team also balanced equally great design and engineering. Apadmi even accommodated an urgent update after the engagement formally ended.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I would like to see a better visualization of work in progress, perhaps in Kanban. At times, Basecamp was too hard to comprehend.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the Head of Marketing for Morson Group, a technical recruitment company that operates globally and throughout the UK. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Apadmi?

We required a quick and easy way for our rail contractors to report workplace safety infringements.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed a simple UI and the ability to add media to increase the amount and accuracy of reports.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were impressed by their quality of work, ingenuity, and prestigious client list.

Describe the project in detail.

We required design, development, and support in activating the app on the App and Play stores. We provided the initial form and design requirements i.e. app icon and home screen, but they enhanced it with photo upload options and a clean, simple UI. They also helped us launch the app.

What was the team composition?

We worked with the same account manager and developer for the whole project. They were both excellent, and they couldn’t have been more helpful when we were going live.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We’re still in the soft launch phase, but so far, it’s working exactly as expected. We’ve had hundreds of submissions and have gotten good feedback on its functionality.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was excellent. The only hold-ups have been on our side.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Even though they were faced with quite a dry project, they were still innovative. The quality of the product was excellent.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm one of the founders of Bidooh Limited, an app tech company. Our end to end, turnkey advertising platform allows businesses to easily advertise on a network of screens in real time.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Adapmi?

Our main goal was making the advertising market more accessible for smaller media agencies Right now, small companies find it too difficult and expensive to advertise on the big screens.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We laid out a vision for this new piece of software, which is a greenfield project. After we recreated the project description, they were responsible for writing the project requirements and definition document. They developed the system over 8-9 months, and are continuing to add improved features. Their most important contribution has been web and mobile technologies.

How did you come to work with Adapmi?

We've had a good relationship with the company's founders over several few years. We found them via Apadmi’s venture program, which they use to invest in innovative companies.

How much have you invested with them?

1,000,000 pounds sterling.

What is the status of this engagement?

The status engagement began in January 2017. As we continue working with them, they’re developing against our product roadmap.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We launched our product in September 2017, and already have four clients with two installations over two screens. We’re generated significant revenue from their work. Internally, the feedback has been very positive from our team.

Our clients are really happy with the product and are using it daily. Using our system, smaller companies can run ads on the big screen for as little as one penny. Rather than having to go through an agencies or middleman, they can access our platform outline.

How did Adapmi perform from a project management standpoint?

The team was responsive and on top of the project. All the work come back on time and under budget.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I really appreciate their dedication to our vision. The team was really on board with the success of our project.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be as open as possible with your requirements. Engage them, and ask them to actually advise you. They're great at introducing new concepts and ideas to improve your business.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the founder of FLYT, an online booking platform for helicopter flights.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Apadmi?

Our startup had developed an MVP [minimum viable product] of our helicopter booking platform. But, the site wasn’t mobile-responsive and had a clunky UI/UX. We want to simplify helicopter bookings, so having a contemporary consumer experience is really important.

What were your goals for this project?

In the past, booking a helicopter was a complicated process, and quotes were generated by an operator or a broker by using a map and a piece of string. We wanted to make the booking process as streamlined as possible, just like reserving a taxi ride or a train ticket. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Apadmi has a great reputation for creating modern mobile UI/UX designs. Our customers expect a great experience. As a digital intermediary, our website needs to offer engaging online and mobile interactions.

Describe the project in detail.

We had a full-day consultation with a senior UX designer from Apadmi, who really addressed our project in detail. The designer researched our industry thoroughly and delivered a detailed set of wireframes for desktop, tablet, and mobile.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a single UI/UX designer. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Apadmi dramatically improved our website. The old site was basically a prototype, but now we have a powerful digital platform.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were communicative and explained every decision in great detail. Apadmi’s meticulous approach really improved the site’s UX.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I appreciate their attention to detail and creativity.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the company director of The Selfie Guide, which is a new travel app that shows you some of the best tourist destinations in the world, how to get there, and once there, how to take the optimum selfie.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what reason(s) did your company hire Apadmi?

We hired them for various reasons. As a brand new startup company and fresh into the world of app development, Apadmi offered us an end-to-end solution that included design and launching the app in the respective iOS and Android stores.

What were your goals for this project?

Our aim was to get our app to market as smoothly as possible, staying within our budget and time frames.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We visited various app developers around the UK. Apadmi was the most helpful and enthusiastic company, offering us a cost-effective and productive solution.

Describe the project in detail.

We needed to build our app from scratch. There isn't an app on the market like ours, so it truly went from a basic idea to an end product. Apadmi helped us design the whole concept and assisted at every stage of the project.

What was the team composition?

They offered a complete design service plus an Android and iOS specialist development team for the app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Just the fact that our initial concept is now a working app that is launched in the market for both platforms is progress and ultimately success.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Apadmi kept us involved and worked closely with us through every step of the way with dedicated professionals giving us advice, ideas, and technical support.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Everyone there is so committed to their work. We felt supported and as if our entire project was part of Apadmi's business rather than them being a contractor or an employee. They supported our ideas throughout the project, as well as our concerns. Each member of the team ultimately believed in our final goal.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not really—they were incredible.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the channel manager for Argos Financial Services, a specialist division of the Sainsbury's Group. I’m responsible for the commercial development of the My Argos Card mobile app. The Argos Card is a store card that allows customers to purchase Argos products with an associated credit deal. It is used in Argos stores and across Argos channels. Meanwhile, the app allows our customers to manage their accounts and make payments with maximum flexibility. It is available for iOS and Android devices.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Apadmi?

At that time, Argos Financial Services did not have a mobile app, which meant that customers had limited options. The lack of a mobile app was also seen as an inhibitor for growth. We wanted to give customers a self-serve digital channel for managing their card accounts. We wanted to develop a mobile app that would improve customer experience, drive customer engagement, increase customer loyalty, and improve our operational efficiency.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Apadmi did technical development for the app, including UX/CX [user experience/customer experience] design and testing. They showed incredible skill and flexibility, which has led to a highly productive working relationship.

Currently, we benefit from their support and expertise in a number of areas, including market insights, project and change management, and new opportunities. They also give technical support, resolving incidents and helping determine feasibility.

What is the team dynamic?

We have a collaborative relationship. As a supplier, they would do what we ask, but we try to listen to them because they are the mobile app experts. When they push back, I know it’s a bad idea. We never make decisions blindly because they give us good advice. Plus, the team is friendly and provide great quality. They’re a really nice company to work with.

How did you come to work with Apadmi?

I joined the team after the project was started, so I’m not familiar with the selection process. The people who were involved say that they represented the most value for money without compromising quality. They’re also based in Manchester, which is a positive for us since they’re much cheaper than the London alternative.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2017, and the app was launched in March. The engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The app has been a phenomenal success, becoming the biggest payment channel within our company a month after its launch. It has an exceptionally low crash rate and exceptionally high customer volumes. Not only that, we are also up for 3 retailer awards next week.

How did Apadmi perform from a project management standpoint?

They are consistent. We have a dedicated project manager, and he handles everything for us. We use JIRA and Confluence for managing the development. We communicate via Basecamp and email, along with weekly conference calls at the start of the week. Every Monday, we agree on what to do for the week ahead. Every Friday, they issue a project report that summarizes what they’ve done in the past week, including budgets and timelines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

There’s no doubt that they are experts in the field. They also help us think outside the box since they dabble in all sorts of technology and new ventures outside of mobile app development. For example, they prototyped an Elixir integration for us. While we’re not planning to launch it to market any time soon, this shows that they have the ability do that. It would be short-sighted to ditch them now that they’ve done the mobile app.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything to change. A lot of the failings were because we didn’t listen to them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

PropertyPal.com is the largest property portal in Northern Ireland and beyond. We manage adverts for property across 650 estate agents and property developers from residential, commercial, agricultural, auctions, new developments, land, and sites for buying or renting.

My role is as project manager and I’m responsible for third party provider relationships and projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Apadmi?

PropertyPal previously had an iPhone app available in the App Store. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the previous company was not able to continue to develop and maintain the app to a standard that was expected. The reviews of the old app were on a downward slide since the introduction of iOS 7, so the decision was made to remove the app from the App Store. PropertyPal needed a development partner to create a new iPhone app and subsequently an Android app, and continue to maintain these into the future.

The objective of this project was to create an aesthetically and functionally pleasing iPhone app that provides users with the ability to quickly and easily find properties and contact estate agents with regards to property listings. We wanted to drive more users to the mobile app. Traffic to the website had moved steadily more towards mobile and therefore the new app had to retain that customer base and be of exceptional quality, which would further increase the users.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The scope of work was for Apadmi to create an iPhone app. They developed the frontend based on the APIs that we provided. When we found their work to be satisfactory on the iPhone app, we asked them to develop the Android application for us as well. The functionality is based on the services that we provide from our website. We are similar to Trulia but based in Northern Ireland. We have an interactive draw search feature which allows users to see searches and save properties as favorites. They can also contact agents directly. The apps also have a Facebook signup login integration.

Apadmi put us in contact with some marketing agencies. They worked with us to put out some press material and some industry publications. Apadmi also managed the project timeline for developing the UI [user interface] of the iPhone and Android apps as two separate projects.

How did you come to work with Apadmi?

We discovered Apadmi after searching for the UK's top mobile app developers. We invited Apadmi along with 12 other companies to submit a proposal based on an RFP [request for proposal]. Apadmi's presentation was selected for a shortlist based on many factors, including but not limited to cost, quality of work, and ability to deliver. Once shortlisted, further meetings were scheduled to discuss the project in more depth and to ask questions to their development team in order to judge their suitability as a long term partner. Apadmi’s team's attitude, knowledge, and personalities gave us the feeling that they were the right company to work with. They have not failed in this aspect.

What is the status of the engagement?

The initial project duration was 11 months, in which both iPhone and Android apps were successfully launched.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

The iPhone app store ratings immediately increased based on the quality work. Feedback from users and estate agents alike had all been very positive. The impact of the iPhone project resulted in PropertyPal almost instantly requesting Apadmi to continue with the development of the Android app. The apps stability continues to provide PropertyPal with a solid foundation and presence in the mobile app space.

How did Apadmi perform from a project management standpoint?

Apadmi delivered on time, on budget, and matched the expected KPIs [key performance indicators] set out by PropertyPal during the RFP creation. Apadmi covered the agreed deliverables, and within the budget, they managed to deliver beyond the scope. Some change requests were absorbed into the project schedule/cost, which is unique for any development agency.

The projects ran very smoothly. Apadmi never missed any delivery dates throughout and exceeded quality expectations. The subsequent Android project required very little interaction as Apadmi was able to shorten delivery dates and again deliver beyond expectations.

What did you find most impressive about Apadmi?

They seem to be on the same level as we are. They’re able to work hard and laugh at the same time. They’ve very pleasurable to work with. They never seem to come back with any reasons why they couldn’t deliver. They were able to take on any challenges we gave them. As we progressed through the Android development, we could joke that our team meetings had become slightly boring as we had no issues to resolve, which is unusual for most projects. We had a good relationship and there was a good execution of the two apps, which were developed to a high standard. They were able to deliver the Android app ahead of schedule, so we were pleased with that.

Apadmi's team was a pleasure to work with; everyone from sales, project management, development, and testing were great. Although the design team was not officially engaged in the project, they helped review user flows and assisted in the transformation of the iPhone design to Android. We could not have asked for more from a dedicated delivery partner.

As the apps continue to require maintenance, Apadmi never fails to impress and has never had any issue with providing a great service.

Are there any areas Apadmi could improve?

No. Everyone is happy with how the project finished.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

I know Apadmi through Nuggets. Nuggets will serve as loyalty card application for professional football [soccer] clubs.

What is your position?

I'm a small shareholder in Nuggets.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Apadmi?

We had a lot of pressure related to turnaround time so we needed somebody who was going to deliver a loyalty mobile application on time, in budget, and basically to the highest possible standards. We were targeting clubs in the English Premier League and in the top divisions in Europe, so we had to be absolutely certain that when we went to market, we had a technical solution that was going to work.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

Apadmi’s role was very critical from Nuggets' point of view. Essentially we had designed the concept. We knew what we were trying to achieve in terms of the business goal, but what we needed was a partner who could actually come in and make the technology work, and make sure it was robust. We needed a partner that could do that under pressure.

How did you come to work with Apadmi?

We probably spoke to about half a dozen different companies and then shortlisted three. We're a Manchester-based company, as are Apadmi, and Apadmi had a very good reputation locally in terms of the work that they'd done for the BBC and The Guardian newspaper.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

This cost over £200,000 [$257,600].

What is the status of this engagement?

The project is still in a relatively early stage because we're still going to market. We're still in the process of negotiating with clubs.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

The demonstrations we've been able to do using the Apadmi app have been absolutely pivotal in helping us to gain the contracts that we have so far.

What makes Apadmi an overall good business partner?

I think that there are a number of aspects. One is that they are outstanding at what they do in terms of their ability to produce a creative solution that met our needs. There were no issues in terms of their technical capability; it was right up to our expectations, on time, and essentially within budget.

In terms of the interpersonal relationships, given that we were up against some fairly tight deadlines, things can get a little bit fractious, the Apadmi team are fantastic people to work with. We had a great working relationship. It was very much a two-way street. Apadmi very much has a can-do attitude, if there's a problem to be solved, they solved it. They became fully integrated as part of our team.

Apadmi was always open minded and very creative when it came to resolving issues and solving problems but never compromised on quality standards. They're absolutely rigid in terms of quality – they will not drop below standards. Everything has to be tested and tested and tested. No corners are cut, which is fantastic in the long run. As I said, no compromise on quality, a great deal of flexibility, willingness to work alongside, you feel – it's like you have an in-house team. They feel very much part of us and have been really an integral part of our offering.

Is there anything Apadmi could have improved or done differently?

I genuinely don't think there is anything so far. I've worked over the years with contractors in IT and in other areas, project management, and Apadmi is pretty rare in terms of the contribution that they've made so far. It's been outstanding in every aspect.