Apiko

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CTO at a digital marketing platform for halal food and beverage companies. We also serve our users through a subscription-based loyalty program. I oversee our digital products and merchant-to-customer relationships.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Apiko?

Our mobile and web application was built a year ago but it was incomplete, unstable, and needed refactoring. After receiving a lot of complaints and a few bad reviews, we hired Apiko to fix the technical issues. We don't have any in-house engineers, so we needed to outsource the refactoring and bug fixing.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted bug-free mobile and web applications, which would increase user engagement and downloads while decreasing complaints and bad reviews.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We searched several freelance hiring platforms, then compiled a list of providers based on reviews and ratings. We read the company case studies on their websites, contacted each company, and narrowed it down to two contenders after receiving their initial solutions. We decided easily because of Apiko's genuine interest in solving our technical issues, their in-depth knowledge of our issues and solutions, and their fair price point. They even offered a free trial period to assure us that their team could solve our technical issues.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Once we selected Apiko, we had a series of meetings to discuss our goals and objectives. We gave them issues to rectify each week, and they always delivered on time. They produced demos on the completed tasks by end of the week. It was a smooth process, and communication on both ends was easy.

What was the team composition?

Initially, we worked with two developers. As we progressed further, they added a QA resource.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Three months after fixing the mobile and web application, we received fewer complaints, increased the number of downloads, and got more compliments from our users.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

It was easy to communicate with them. They provided daily updates and delivered results at the end of each week, which helped us keep track of their progress. We were impressed with their dedication, efficiency, and deep explanations of issues and solutions.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I learned a lot more from them than I thought possible. We appreciated their patience and kindness while we came up to speed. Working with Apiko was a pleasurable, positive experience. I will definitely engage them again!

Are there any areas for improvement?

Practicing the English language would add value to their company. Otherwise, we were satisfied with their excellent work and high commitment. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Let App Technologies. We’ve created a hiring platform for on-demand and part-time jobs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Apiko?

Apiko helped us with app development, and they continue to provide support.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have an internal technical lead that assembled the foundation for a hiring application for iOS and Android mobile devices. Then, we shared the wireframes and requirements with Apiko so they could support us in the actual development process. Using React Native, their team primarily worked on the frontend, but they assisted with some backend changes as well. They helped us refine our UI design, and put together a corresponding website for the app. As we test the platform, the Apiko team continues to help us make any changes or improvements.

What is the team composition?

We work with a total of six people, one of them is the CEO who is our main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Apiko?

We found them on Upwork. We only hired one resource at first, but we had such a great experience that we continued to add to the team. Since we first started working with Apiko, we’ve expanded their role to include additional services.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent approximately $100,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in November 2017, and it’s an ongoing relationship.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve completed the application, but we haven’t started marketing it yet. Before we fully launch the platform, we want it to be totally free of bugs. They’ve been extremely helpful in testing each function, then resolving any issues that arise. We’ve been delayed by about two months, but we want to be thorough. Most of the setbacks stem from changes requested on our end.

We’re also collecting user input from our initial users. Based on that information, we’ve decided to add some tips to guide the user through the application and flow. Apiko is currently helping us implement these updates. We expect to see improvements within the week.

How did Apiko perform from a project management standpoint?

Honestly, I was terrible in terms of project management at the beginning of the engagement. I didn’t provide them with any written requirements, so we weren’t on the same page for the scope of the project. We realized that was a problem, so we now have a weekly call, and I document my expectations. We’ve also started using Jira and Trello to track the workflow.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Compared to my previous experiences with outside vendors, Apiko is the most responsive. I can send them an email at any time of day, and they’ll address it immediately.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be nice if the Apiko team provided their own tracking board. Right now, we can see their progress through Upwork, but a customized weekly or monthly report that explains their work would add value to their services.

Any advice for potential customers?

Speaking from my own experience, I recommend clients lay out specific objectives and clear milestones. Also, both sides should agree on a project management method at the beginning of the engagement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the co-founder of a startup innovation company based out of Oslo, Norway.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Apiko?

We needed to develop our social media app for both iOS and Android platforms as well as a webpage to go with it.

What were your goals for this project?

We were mainly seeking to create an innovative, intuitive, and scalable app with an easy flow.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We started the process by inviting three companies to make a beta version of our app for a small fee. One company dropped out and the other delivered after six weeks with several delays. Apiko produced a stable and functional app within 36 hours.

After this, we used them for the concept development phase of the app. They drew up the process with mockups, which we used as part of the tender process. There was no doubt that we would choose Apiko based on their competitive prices, the project manager’s exceptional communication for the concept work, and the quality of the beta product they delivered in a remarkably short amount of time.

Describe the project in detail.

We had an in-house designer in charge of creating our brand identity and color scheme; Apiko handled everything else. Upon our request, the work was milestone based. They created a deliverable schedule that detailed everything that would be included. In the end, they delivered 1–3 weeks ahead of schedule and all deliverables were processed seamlessly.

What was the team composition?

We initially only worked with their project manager. When we officially hired them, we got a team of developers and a designer. After a month, they added another developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our app was just launched due to Facebook’s long approval process, but it has gotten nearly 700 downloads before even starting marketing.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The whole team was easy to communicate with through Slack and were usually always ahead of schedule. The only things that surprised us as a startup was the time that Facebook and Apple took for approving our app. Other than that, their work was exceptional.

In a process like this, we found that we also needed to be active because as the project progresses, it’s common to find how some features could be created differently than what was originally planned. So, even though we’re giving them an excellent review, clients should always be engaged.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The quality of the product, their positive approach to improvements, and their project manager’s excellent communication skills stood out. Also, their overall knowledge of web and app development, design, and servers is remarkable.  

Are there any areas for improvement?

We couldn't be more satisfied with our choice.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Experitix, a company that connects people to unique experiences through our online event and registration marketplace.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Apiko?

I hired Apiko to develop our web application.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I found them through an online website for hiring freelancers and agencies.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

Since I have a background in UI/UX design and project management, I worked with Apiko in a highly collaborative and agile fashion. They first developed an MVP for my web application, and then carried that through to a scalable, production-ready application. They also provide ongoing maintenance and support.

We have paused and resumed development a few times over the last several years. Each time I reconnect with them, they’re able to provide skilled developers to work directly with me.

What was the team composition?

The team has always been small, usually consisting of just one developer and myself. Sometimes, we would pull in a second developer if there was a lot of work for a certain milestone which could be easily be split across more resources.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Their help in developing a custom online ticketing and registration marketplace for local events really enabled me to have the business I envisioned. The application is the mechanism through which the company operates, so it is a key piece of the business.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management was minimal for these projects. Their CEO would have conversations with me to understand the work that needed to be done and assign the right resource. From there, I would work with the developer to create tasks, estimates, and plan sprints. We used Jira for tracking sprints and an agile approach for software development.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their JavaScript skills and desire to be proficient in newer frontend frameworks and technologies is what originally impressed me. They also excel in communication. For working halfway around the world with a seven-hour time difference, I was very pleased with how easy it was to communicate with them, both in understanding and frequency. They also really care about the success of their clients. Overall, they are a great company.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

I can't think of any major areas for improvement. They’ve done a fantastic job and it has been a pleasure to work with them. I've formed a great relationship with them and hope to continue to build upon it and work with them far into the future.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of engineering at Skin Analytics. We provide machine learning applications on skin cancer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Apiko?

We wanted to build a mobile app for our clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They did the design of the app screens based on some wireframes we provided them with. They also did the development of the mobile app, using React Native. The apps are for both iOS and Android.

What is the team composition?

We worked with one graphic designer for the design of the screens, and there were two backend developers.

How did you come to work with Apiko?

We found them on Upwork and chose them after speaking with their business development person.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $9,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from May­–June 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They delivered on time and the app works well.

How did Apiko perform from a project management standpoint?

We had regular points for check-ins during the project. They managed to provide me with clear communication around what the issues were and the work they’d been doing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’d be happy to work with them again if we have future needs around the mobile apps.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve the developers’ level of English which would improve communication. However, we did manage to communicate fine.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO of a company that develops software for the broadcasting industry, among other sectors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Apiko?

We've partnered with Apiko to work on many projects. These include server-side development with NodeJS, website development with Meteor or React, and mobile and TV app development.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed developers with JavaScript expertise to work closely with our in-house team.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We talked to different vendors to see which ones could support our company's needs. Apiko seemed like the best fit at the time, and we've continued to work with for nearly two years now. We initially talked to the owners and a project manager and then worked with one or two of their developers to test how they would work and communicate with our teams.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

Apiko provides software developers to work as an extension of our in-house technical teams when we need extra resources. They have specialized knowledge of sophisticated technologies like Meteor and GraphQL. Working in close collaboration with our internal engineers, they take part in our standups and communicate with us daily. All of the projects we work on together involve JavaScript. Specific ones feature technologies such as React, Preact, Meteor, GraphQL, Koa, NodeJS and MongoDB.

What was the team composition?

Apiko provides teams of developers to work with our in-house engineers, project managers, business analysts, and QA staff. Their teams usually work remotely, but we've also visited their offices to work together face-to-face.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Apiko has helped us deliver projects and gain more expertise within our company. They’ve taught us about skills we previous lacked, such as GraphQL.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We provided our own day-to-day project management.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Apiko has always assigned us skilled developers who have a thorough understanding of relevant technology. They work efficiently and communicate effectively with the rest of our team. If we find on the rare occasion that a developer isn't entirely suitable for our project, they quickly replace them with a more suitable one. The team’s flexibility concerning staffing is valuable for us.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

We're happy with our relationship with Apiko and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO of a new B2C communication and sales tool that enables brands of all sizes to connect with interested clients through SMS, voice, and video calls. Our product merges the convenience of online shopping with the personal touch of an in-store experience. Sales associates can show new products that are exclusive to in-store consumers and offer personalized advice to customers anywhere in the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Apiko?

We hired the Apiko team to build an e-commerce system within our platform. They also developed an application for iOS and Android devices.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to launch our minimum viable product (MVP).

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Apiko was recommended by a business colleague who had worked with them on numerous projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Thanks to the MVP, we now have contracts with two Fortune 500 companies.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

It was great. The team spoke clear English.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They excelled at meeting deadlines.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Director of Exhibit Media.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JSSolutions?

We needed to develop an online database of collection objects. We wanted to execute this project at a time when we didn't have capacity to do the work internally.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to build out the project quickly, but also experiment with a new technology, GraphQL.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them by searching blogs and tech websites for firms with expertise on the stack we wanted to implement.

Describe the project in detail.

It was creating an online database of objects.

Explain how the solution addressed your business challenge.

They developed out a code base that meets the project goals but also acts as an example of how we might use the technology stack on other projects.

What was the team composition?

JSSolutions selected the right people within their team to execute the work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What outcomes or results can you share that demonstrate progress and/or success?

The JSSolutions team was very professional and easy to work with. The delivered even more than I was hoping for. At each point in the project, they were proactive in asking for clarifying details.

How effective was the project management?

The project managers did a great job. They were flexible when our timeline shifted, but still met deadlines. They did a good job using GitLab Issue Tracker to track any tech issues with the development.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were very professional and quick to respond. Their language skills are excellent despite being in Ukraine. I appreciated the formal process that they brought to the design. It helped provide a good structure for the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for Canary Office, heading the whole organization. It's a small startup at this point.

We do a few things, including invoicing. We enable small contractors and small shops to run their businesses without having to worry about generating invoices. We also gather reviews for our clients into one place so that our clients can see all of their online reputation review rankings. When there are negative reviews or any issues that their customers are noting about them online, they see it in one place and react to it quickly.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JSSolutions?

We were trying to create an app that would take all of those reviews and centralize them so that our client can see their online reputation.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

JSSolutions provided the full development and testing for the application. The created a service-side for the solution that would gather the reviews into the central location. Then, they created a client-side which would interact with the server to pull data for a specific client and place it on their phone.

We decided to outsource the work to JSSolutions because of timing. They had the experience, the software, and the technology. The whole project flowed faster with them doing it instead of me doing it myself. I provided a complete set of requirements for them to follow which outlined all of the features I wanted.

From a high-level, we were looking to enable a user to set up links to their social media profiles through the app. They would put in the URL of the profile, and the app would pull all of the reviews from those pages. The app would then show all reviews and the user would be notified quickly of negative reviews.

JSSolutions used React Native for the development, and there were 3–4 team members working on the project. The composition of that team was consistent.

How did you come to work with JSSolutions?

I had a friend that knew them. I did consider an outsourced team, but the team I was considering was already working somewhere else full-time. I chose JSSolutions for timing reasons.

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent between $10,000 and $50,000 on the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in March of this year. It took about three months for the first beta version to come out. Now, we're in beta, so we're working through some of the bugs and things like that.

The engagement is ongoing, but the deliverables we agreed to have been met. However, as with any software project we have the maintenance. I think we're going to be engaged for the long run, either way.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Not yet, because we're in beta mode. It's not fully released. It's released, but just a few people know about it. Not everybody.

How did JSSolutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They did very well. I was able to work with their lead in terms of requirements and things I wanted, and they were able to give them to the team to develop.

What did you find most impressive about them?

For the most part, they're responsive. They follow through with their commitments. Those are the two things that come to the top of my mind.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything right now.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director of a web consulting agency in Melbourne, Australia. I have a few internal projects that I manage and I do development work for clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JSSolutions?

We had an MVP for a product idea, and we’ve used JSSolutions for a number of other projects. They’re the developers we go to when we have an interesting concept that needs work. I’ve also used other developers for myself and my clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They exclusively handle app development for us on the Media JS platform. They are very strategic thinkers. My lead developer really excels at thinking through business problems. Often, people who write code have little connection to the problem. I’ll come up with an idea of what I want to solve along with some mockups. My lead developer will change them and come back with suggestions. I appreciate that. The guy who runs JSSolutions is great at sharing ideas. I’ve worked with 8 developers over the years, 2 of whom work for me full-time. I’ve only worked with them on JavaScript projects.

How did you come to work with JSSolutions?

We hired them through Upwork. We slowly brought more work to them because they did well with smaller projects.

How much have you invested with JSSolutions?

We’ve spent $150,000 over the course of our relationship.

What is the status of this engagement?

They’ve been my primary developer for the past year and a half. They’re a core part of my business, and I continue to work with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I do a lot of consulting, and they help me map the process. I juggle multiple clients, but app development is more of a side interest compared to my consulting business. I don’t have any metrics. The quality of their deliverables is very high. The lead developer will often come up with ideas to make things work better and faster. With remote development firms, you often pay by the hour, and they often want to inflate the hours. I don’t get that feeling with JSSolutions. I feel like they try to save time.

How did JSSolutions perform from a project management standpoint?

I am in daily contact with them through Trello. They’re among the best I’ve worked with. They’ve very organized.

What did you find most impressive about JSSolutions?

The communication is great. I’ve never waited for more than an hour for a response.

Are there any areas JSSolutions could improve?

No, I wouldn’t have stayed with them for this long if something was wrong.