Appinventiv

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

The company is a social network food app for iOS. I am one of the co-founders. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppInventiv?

We needed to engage an agency with the ability to scale quickly. Like most startups, we have to play the cash-flow game. We’ve been basically bootstrapping this business as more of a side project. We’ve been self-funding, and my co-founder was able to build the backend very quickly—the database and APIs. We were slower in getting the frontend developed. It wasn’t our area of expertise, and we also both have full-time jobs, so it’s been difficult to juggle the two. We started reaching out to offshore dev shops to find one that could help us take the project to completion. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve done all the UI/UX on our side, and we also built all the APIs, which are custom to our app. AppInventiv has been building the frontend. We’re building a pretty integrated, high-touch social network for food and restaurants, and I know they’ve integrated with several maps. We have a calendar booking request in it as well. Users will be able to share the app via text message and log in only via Facebook, which is one of the APIs they had to build in.

How did you come to work with AppInventiv?

We went on a site called AppFutura and posted our project. We received 50–60 inquiries from companies, and then we reviewed their past clientele and the verticals on which they focused. We wanted to see whether they had a SaaS [software as a service] focus, or e-commerce, or lifestyle. AppInventiv seemed to have a lot of experience in the space we’re playing in.

We interviewed seven dev shops in half-hour increments. In the interview, we were looking at their ability to understand our vision and what we were trying to do. Since they’re so far away, that was a very big point for us. A second aspect we reviewed was the extent to which they’re detail-oriented. Given the communication barrier and the time zone difference, communication would be key. So, we looked at how well we could communicate and understand each other. The last point was the price. We weren’t looking for the cheapest, but we wanted a competitive shop.

We ended up sending an RFP to two firms, including AppInventiv. We chose AppInventiv due to the attention to detail in their proposal. They took the time to dissect all the information we gave them and created a feature list within the proposal. It had every single feature that we thought we wanted to be included in our app—every page, design, and function. That really showed that they understood what we were doing.

They also pushed back on a few of our ideas, saying something wasn’t feasible, which I think is a big deal when choosing an offshore dev shop. Most of them say they can do everything, but they’re not able to do it, and you have a bad product or something that takes forever to make. We chose them due to the combination of those features that we saw through the RFP process.

How much have you invested with AppInventiv?

We’ve invested around $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in late January of 2017, and the relationship is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

There was a learning curve in the beginning as they adapted to how we work, as we learned to understand their schedule. We have the usual communication and time zone challenges. A lot of our Skype calls would drop because they didn’t have a good internet connection, or their power went out during a storm, or they were in five hours of traffic. That was definitely a learning curve. I’m very detail-oriented, so I like having a lot of detail in communication. That’s one thing I had to work with them on to ensure we were getting the information we needed while not impeding on their ability to do the job.

Overall, I don’t think we could find better quality for what we’re paying. The time they’ve invested and the work they’ve done is well worth the money we’ve paid. I wish we could have had more releases so we could QA on our side more frequently. We’ve found some bugs and also some errors due to poor communication in terms of what we wanted. I guess that’s inevitable in a working relationship like this. I think having more releases could have caught some of these errors earlier and saved time. It might have been my fault for not breaking down the project into more milestones in the beginning.

We are behind schedule. Part of that is just not understanding the scope of work on their side, and part is that we’ve been too busy on our side to put in the time we should have to get everything done quickly. They spend the most time in the beginning understanding your scope of work, the features, and what needs to be done. Then, they spend proportionately a lot less time on the actual development and coding.

We thought we were extremely behind schedule because it took us so long to get to the part where we started product development, but that’s just their process. They’re obviously very good and efficient programmers. Once they understand the project, they hit the ground running. Getting that knowledge transfer in the beginning takes significantly longer than it would with a US dev shop.

How did AppInventiv perform from a project management standpoint?

We share the project management duties. Their team includes one QA person, one senior developer, one junior developer, a graphic designer, a UI/UX designer as needed, a delivery lead, a project cop, and two project managers. We communicate with the project managers twice a week when their Skype permits. Their delivery lead is someone we can go to for issues with the coding or the technical side. The project cop is someone we can email if we have any problems with the team or if they aren’t meeting expectations. I really like having that extra layer of support and being able to activate things as needed.

What did you find most impressive about AppInventiv?

I think the RFP process was amazing. Having gone through it with another agency and after interviewing a number of companies, I think that process was unique to them. They put in significant time to understand our scope of work and our project. They’re not afraid to push back and give you suggestions on design or say you should reconsider your design. I think that’s very good. I like that they have a project cop; I don’t think most places have that.

Are there any areas AppInventiv could improve?

I would improve the ongoing communication with project status, having more check-ins and releases.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Tingisha is a company developing a social application aimed at the East-African market. We also plan to launch it worldwide.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Appinventiv?

We needed to find a developer who would be a good fit for our project. We initially tried a company in Dubai, but we didn’t get what we were looking for.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We are working with Appinventiv on developing our web and mobile apps. They were also in charge of design. We work with Appinventiv’s team weekly, during our scheduled meetings via an online platform. Appinventiv has been very flexible in terms of resources. Last month, we were using four developers, but we were able to add more in order to have a pre-launch by the end of May 2017. They have divided the work into stages, which are handled by different teams.

How did you come to work with Appinventiv?

We were struggling to find a partner who could help us launch the product. I tried companies in Dubai and India before we eventually found Appinventiv. After doing my homework, I found that they were a good fit for us.

How much have you invested with Appinventiv?

The total cost of Appinventiv’s work has been $650,000, divided into three phases.

What is the status of this engagement?

We have been working with Appinventiv for seven months, since October 2016. We plan to launch phase one in two months. After that, we will start work on a second and third phase. We just negotiated two other projects with Appinventiv last week.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The feedback has been quite good, which is why we’re trying to push the work to the end of May. Appinventiv has delivered two stages of the work. I’ve shared these with my counterpart in Kenya, who has responded well to it. We feel that we are going to hit our target culture in Africa. This is the main aim, largely because we want to differentiate our platform from other social networks.

How did Appinventiv perform from a project management standpoint?

A team leader from Appinventiv is on top of everything. We are using Basecamp for all the issues pertaining to the technical team. We can communicate anything at any time, and we receive a fast response. We also have a weekly Skype session with Appinventiv’s top management and team. They discuss issues on our level in a professional manner. I haven’t seen any communication problems so far. So far, everything has been good.

What did you find most impressive about Appinventiv?

Appinventiv is very flexible.

Are there any areas Appinventiv could improve?

Because Appinventiv is based in India, and they’re developing a product aimed at the African market, there has been a cultural barrier. Adding people from various parts of the world to the team would make it much easier for Appinventiv to understand multiple challenges. They have been quick to adapt any parts that would not have worked with African users.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

ROVO, Inc. is helping provide opportunities for users to meet based on mutually interesting events. We are planning to leverage the social motivation factor in order to increase event turnouts, providing a service for both the guests and the event hosts. Users who would be less likely to attend an event by themselves can hopefully use our app to find friends to take along.

I am the founder and sole member of the company. I am in charge of the relationship with AppInventiv — monitoring our product as well as the timing, process, and quality of the work.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppInventiv?

I needed help developing my app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppInventiv is developing and designing my iOS app. They have Android capabilities, but I haven't decided to take that direction yet. AppInventiv has different departments for design, project management, and sales. I've been able to get everything done through them, and I haven't looked at other designers.

[Project update: A lot has changed within the application since our last interview. Since I felt that our current the logo no longer represents the application, I asked AppInventiv for more revisions on it. After many revisions, I’ve decided to work with a few outside freelancers instead. I’ve also changed the UI designs myself.]

How did you come to work with AppInventiv?

I did some research on Upwork, looking at the design samples on each contractor's profile and their past clients. From my research on Upwork, AppInventiv's design was the highest quality I've seen. Communication was also a priority, so I looked at how promptly each candidate responded to my emails and messages. With everything considered, I decided to go with AppInventiv.

How much have you invested with AppInventiv?

The cost of AppInventiv's work has been $14,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with AppInventiv in April 2016. The work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Because AppInventiv is a growing company, there has been a difference in communication since the start of the project. Everyone was quick to respond to my emails and questions in the beginning. Back then, the time needed for developing the product was reasonable.

Lately, though, AppInventiv could do better in organizing and delegating tasks. They should let clients know who the contact persons are for new features and other issues. I've had many random employees reach out to me outside of my usual 3 contacts, and this has caused confusion and miscommunication.

Other than this, AppInventiv has been good at advocating my ideas. I don't have a lot of coding experience, but I can describe something to them and have AppInventiv's engineers provide expertise on how things should be implemented.

The design team is good regarding communication, giving drafts, and working around any edits and changes I need. The production side has been good too, but they need to improve their communication.

I would also like to note that the designer was very patient with me and did not mind going through many trials to reach to the logo and color scheme that we have now. She was also very quick to send me the designs of the application. Overall, this part of the project was completed before the time that I had anticipated for it to take. I am very satisfied with the results.

How did AppInventiv perform from a project management standpoint?

The project manager I've worked with has been strict in meeting my deadlines. Everything is divided into milestones. She makes sure that everything is accomplished on or before the deadline. She also holds me accountable and presses me on issues she needs from my end, allowing us to move along.

I found some difficulty in explaining my ideas over the phone because of the language barrier. I've had had to make an effort in reaching a common understanding around how my ideas could be executed. The time difference was another challenge. I am working on Pacific Standard Time, while AppInventiv is in the India time zone.

[Project update: My main contacts have been very consistent since we last spoke. However, they need to work on internal communication. I found myself explaining the same things to the production side and the accounts side over and over again.

The way they organize and delegate tasks still needs work. You’ll also need to test and check every detail of each deliverable thoroughly. The poor service and quality come from the production/development team and the accounts team delivery head. Not only were they very late in their delivery of the website, but the quality of the recent build was extremely poor. The build was missing features that were essentially the reason for phase 2 of the project; it was even missing functionalities we built during phase 1. Keep in mind that they had nearly 4 months to work on this build — I sent the first payment for this project on January 11th — and they were the ones who provided me the timeline and delivery date. In other words, this was not a rushed order. I gave them all the time they felt was necessary to complete the project.]

What did you find most impressive about AppInventiv?

I was very pleased with the initial communication. Despite the time difference, things were getting done. Even if we only communicated once per day, my project manager accomplished everything within our timeframes.

Are there any areas AppInventiv could improve?

Recently, AppInventiv has become more disorganized. It would be great if they could work on that.

[Project update: Given all the recent troubles I had with the company, I would give them a 1-star rating for the quality of service and 2 stars for the quality of deliverables. However, the project manager was shocked to learn of the terrible quality of the recent build and has been working very hard to fix it. Therefore, I bumped the overall score to a 3 for her efforts in fixing the terrible build. She’s worked on it even while she was sick at home. I appreciate her respect for me and my time — she’s never missed our scheduled calls and responds to my messages within 24 hours. I also liked her transparent communication. She’s always updating me on the status of the project, whether the news is good or bad.

Even with the persistent check-ins and follow-ups, the production team have not adhered to schedule and delivered poor quality work. To this day (June 27, 2017), they are working on the incomplete build that was delivered to me on April 6th. Once again, I never set the delivery date, and they provided the timeline.

I was asked to pay off an invoice — which will henceforth be referred to as invoice 1 — on February 28th, when the things listed on the invoice were not complete. The invoice consisted of 3 things: a website and 2 additional features on the mobile app. The website was approved and published on May 23rd, and a build that included the 2 features was delivered to me on April 6th. There was a delay in the delivery of the build because of the above-mentioned issue regarding pricing. I’d like to note that the first half of invoice 1 was paid on January 11th, so I have no idea why it took them 4 months to produce and publish a simple website.

I requested for a feature that was included in invoice 1 that was not fully understood by the sales team, who quoted an x amount. As I was talking with the project manager and the senior engineer to further elaborate on and clarify my request, I received an unjustified charge from AppInventiv’s accounts team that requested an additional 1.5 times the x amount. This was the issue regarding pricing that I mentioned during my previous interview. When I brought this to the delivery head’s attention, his attempt to resolve the issue was offering me an unjustified revision of the estimate followed by a discount: he offered to deduct an arbitrary amount from the requested price without any reasoning.

The frustration here was not the change in the estimate; I understood that there was a misunderstanding and that a change to the estimate was expected. What baffles me is the fact that a price was proposed without a complete understanding of my request. How did AppInventiv determine that price when the conversation about how my idea could be executed was ongoing? I thought it was wrong to request this additional amount before everything was clarified and well understood by the production team. I asked the delivery head for an explanation of how the company estimated the initial price, the revised price, and the amount of the discount. His response was that I discuss everything with the project manager and senior engineer. Keep in mind that the delivery head told me not to share the cost of any project to them; they were not supposed to know how much was being charged for their efforts. I reminded him of that and tried to discuss the issue directly with him, but he neglected to attend to my messages. After 5 days of trying to get in touch with him, I filed a grievance to the co-founder of AppInventiv. I explained the issue and expressed that I felt the company was disrespecting me and my time by dismissing my concerns. About 3 hours after sending the grievance, the delivery head contacted me. He apologized for the issue and asked if he could connect with me over Skype. Long story short, after much discussion, we agreed upon a price for this functionality. However, this issue took about 4 weeks to resolve and therefore, delayed the progress of my project significantly.

The build that they delivered on April 6th was supposed to include everything listed on invoice 1 and invoice 2, based on a promise made by the delivery head. Invoice 2 consists of the additional cost to complete the functionality that was discussed lengthily, as well as 2 additional features. However, these 2 features were missing as well as a few features from phase 1 in 2016. When I brought this to the project manager’s attention, she informed me that 1 feature was completed but was added to the build, and the other was never worked on. She promised to deliver the updated build on April 11th. However, it appears the production team did not understand that forgotten feature — the project manager even reached out on April 13th and asked me to further explain what I requested on the week of February 23rd. Since it was never worked on, I asked them to pause working on that feature. From there, we discussed on taking a new direction that required the team to completely disregard this forgotten feature and start a new project, which was listed in invoice 3.

After coming to an agreement on the new project, I asked them around mid-May to remove the price of the forgotten feature from invoice 2. I believe that I rightfully did not have to pay for something that was never worked on and never delivered. The delivery head offered me a “discount” of invoice 3 instead. I stood my ground and refused to pay any part of that feature. He then had the senior engineer talk with me. During our conversation on May 25th, the senior engineer informed me that they had indeed begun working on the forgotten feature. I pointed out that I did not believe this story because the project manager informed me on April 6th that it was never worked on and even asked me for more explanations about the feature on April 13th. I repeated to the senior engineer that I was not going to pay for this feature and will only pay the remainder of invoice 2 that was rightfully due.

A few hours after this conversation, I received an email from the Accounts team that informed me that I had a due balance that was 4 times more than what I actually owed them. They were reneging on an agreement we had regarding invoice 1, a transaction was closed on March 26th. The email asked for the remaining balance of the old unjustified price. Fortunately, I kept all of our emails, transaction history, and receipts. I attached all the relevant files to prove that their reported due balance was very incorrect. The accounts team responded to my email that they would discuss this issue with the delivery head and get back to me. The accounts team informed me 3 days later that the delivery head provided a false story to justify the amount. I’d rather not go into details of this false story, but if you need this information, I can provide you the emails and another detailed narrative. After further discussion with the accounts team — once again providing them with facts and quoting their own words from past messages and emails —  they agreed that I was right and respected the balance that I actually owe.

Before our previous interview, the delivery head contacted me to ask if he could write the review on my behalf. I said that I was not comfortable with that. He then tried to convince me to give a high rating by calling me his trusted friend and offering a good deal on future projects. I told him that I would not lie in the review and that I would be true to my experiences. After the publication of the review, the delivery head reached out to me and expressed his disappointment: he had expected a perfect rating from me. I felt extremely uncomfortable throughout this entire conversation. I explained to him the specific reasons for my dissatisfaction with AppInventiv. He never responded to that message, which was no surprise. Frankly, if I did not have any interaction with this person, I think I would have had a much pleasant experience with the company. Previously, he’s missed many of our Skype meetings, then tried to connect with me 2–3 hours after the scheduled time. The delivery head’s lack of professionalism and blatant disrespect made my experience with AppInventiv extremely sour.]

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a networking company for people and organizations. I am the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppInventiv?

We wanted to create an app in which users can share their personal and organizational cards with ease of time. We also needed promotional strategies for the app. We didn't have any expertise in mobile app development, so we were looking for a professional app development company who had a chunk of experience and was at the same time cost effective.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppInventiv has a very transparent working policy. Firstly, I was introduced to every person working on my project. They penned my idea onto paper and suggested some good points. The budget was limited but the idea was big. There was no communication gap as they were constantly in touch with us for every detail of the project.

How did you come to work with AppInventiv?

We researched and made a list of top 10–15 app development companies, and screened each one of them. At the end, we were left with three companies to choose from. Taking into consideration our budget and time, we chose AppInventiv. They have hefty experience in app development and have also worked on similar apps.

How much have you invested with AppInventiv?

The total project cost is of about $800,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in December 2016 and the project is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app is still under a completion stage, so we can’t share any statistics or metrics at the moment.

How did AppInventiv perform from a project management standpoint?

AppInventiv has a team of experts in their fields. They helped me at every stage. They have the best team of app developers, user interface/user experience designers, and project managers who manage every stage of the project efficiently. Their work and transparency are just amazing; we know what is going on with our project and what’s the status at all times.

What did you find most impressive about AppInventiv?

The most impressive things about AppInventiv are their communications skills and understanding. They are easy to work with, even despite the time difference between both countries. They can answer the phone at any time and can provide a status update. Their transparency in their work is something to consider.

Are there any areas AppInventiv could improve?

They understood my idea very well and worked according to what I imagined my app would be.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with AppInventiv?

I would strongly recommend others to work with AppInventiv as they are brilliant in their work and they are very generous in their approach.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our app brings back the art of shopping while keeping up with today’s technology. Users can enjoy the latest campaigns and vouchers by their favorite brands, and discover new ones when they are near them! Our features include location-based shopping, campaigns in the vicinity in real time, vouchers and exclusive deals, and the ability to socialize.

I am the owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppInventiv?

We wanted to make sure that our retail app was able to reach the customers at the right place and right time, with effective promotions while in the store or nearby the store. The moments in which customers use their mobile devices while shopping needed to be understood. We ensured that we understood the driving factors and designed the apps based on the above factors.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppInventiv participated in the entire design and development of the app. There were many brainstorming sessions by AppInventiv for developing the business idea. The app was developed using both Android as well as iOS platforms. They are expected to develop the website version very soon.

AppInventiv provided us with an entire team of consultants, mobile analysts, domain experts, technical architects, designers, app and web developers, quality assurances specialists, and a project manager.

How did you come to work with AppInventiv?

We explored the internet to draw up a list of mobile app development companies. We made it a point to go through the online reviews of each company, and found that AppInventiv was top ranked among similar companies. We went through their credentials and the types of apps developed by them so far, seeking interactive yet easy to use apps. Next, we spoke to these companies and encouraged them to submit proposals. AppInventiv was chosen from this final list, but they definitely weren’t the cheapest option. What impressed us most was the way they communicated and their professional behavior. The most critical factor in our decision making was the quality of the app that was previously developed by AppInventiv. We also spoke to their clients, who gave positive feedback. These indicators are what made them all the more trustworthy for us.

How much have you invested with AppInventiv?

The complete engagement is worth $1.2 million spread across a duration of two years.

What is the status of this engagement?

There are already two versions of the retail-based app which are free, and we are expecting a premium paid version of the same sometime in June 2017. We are still working on making the app more intelligent and we’re driving a lot of analytics and user behavior data.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We always have positive reviews on the app from the merchants and the customers. We are about to proceed to our next phase of development for the premium paid version.

How did AppInventiv perform from a project management standpoint?

AppInventiv made us work in a collaborative way. They use Basecamp as a project management tool, increasing productivity to a new level. They maintained a regular communication channel with us, ensuring that the different phases of the project were completed on time, every time and within the budget constraints.

What did you find most impressive about AppInventiv?

AppInventiv has a team of highly skilled and trained designers and developers who are very passionate about their work. Not only do they have the ability to deploy their resources at a rapid pace, they also deliver outstanding user experience for their clients. However, they may be expensive, but highly appreciable with the quality apps that they develop.

Are there any areas AppInventiv could improve?

Not really. Although it was slow at the time of understanding the stakeholder’s requirements, the first two versions which are already released were all on track and delivered on schedule. They are really meticulous in their work.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with AppInventiv?

We would highly recommend AppInventiv solely due to their extensive knowledge base and also the quality of the services rendered to their clients. They have been exceptional in their work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a small startup offering consulting and advocacy work for people with hearing loss. One of our tools is a mobile app. I am the founder of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppInventiv?

We wanted to build an app which could be easily managed by older end-users, making the experience not only simple but also enjoyable and non-intimidating. We needed to manage stored data, allowing it to be used by and shared among fellow users.

I had looked at a number of options. The purpose of our app wasn't always relatable to the potential developers, making it hard for them to grasp the end-users in terms of design. In terms of coders, I needed someone who could visualize what I was trying to achieve.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppInventiv has developed a mobile app with GPS capabilities.

How did you come to work with AppInventiv?

I looked online and reached out within my own circles, asking for a company that would be able to build our product. I approached several potential resources, scoping out the mission, and found that AppInventiv's connection, eagerness, and passion was best. They were willing and available to provide suggestions, narrowing our choices down to a few options I could choose from. AppInventiv was also competitively-priced among the local and international companies I interviewed.

How much have you invested with AppInventiv?

This is confidential.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with AppInventiv 9 months ago. The project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

AppInventiv was very responsive to feedback, adapting the code as-needed and fixing bugs. I was given a number of builds and betas to test.

What did you find most impressive about AppInventiv?

I appreciated AppInventiv's customer relations.

Are there any areas AppInventiv could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our company is a platform where we showcase the growth rate of India under the governance of the current union government of India. The website highlights various other issues relevant to Indian society and it also throws light on the rich history of India and its scriptures. Any issue or move by the political body is analyzed and praised or criticized, depending upon the case.

I am the product head on this platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppInventiv?

Since the ideation of this site, we had only one thing in mind and that was that we have to make people aware of what is going on around them in an entirely different way, and at the same time, we also took a vow to make the Indian youth aware of their rich heritage and culture. When we approached AppInventiv, we were crystal clear on the objectives and we communicated the same to them as well.

Since this site is totally dedicated to public service, there were not really any profit-oriented business goals. We never created this product to generate revenues in the first place. We are keen to provide all the information that directly or indirectly affects India and that is the primary goal of this project: the greater good of India.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

My team had a solid idea about what the product would be like. However, for this purpose, we needed a solid group of developers and designers who could give shape to our ideas. AppInventiv actually had a big task to accomplish because this website was not just another product developed to earn profits. Though the idea looked simple, a lot of effort was required to make the site what it is today.

How did you come to work with AppInventiv?

Being based in India, we heard a lot about AppInventiv Technologies through various portals. In addition to this, one of my friends worked with them and was very satisfied with their work. I personally looked at the product and found it to be awesome. Therefore I decided to meet them once and asked my friend to arrange a meeting. Frankly speaking, in the first meeting itself, I was quite sure that these guys would be the perfect choice for building this product. The first meeting was with one of their managers and we explained our ideas to them. They listened to us with great patience and enthusiasm. It took only one more meeting to get started with the project.

How much have you invested with AppInventiv?

The project development cost was over $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project was started in the month of June and was completed in August. We are still making enhancements with the help of AppInventiv.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project was delivered by the stipulated deadline and within a very short amount of time. The site is receiving more than 50,000 hits on a daily basis, which is great. I am extremely thankful to AppInventiv for creating such an awesome product that has gained this level of traction in such a short time frame.

How did AppInventiv perform from a project management standpoint?

AppInventiv’s performance was extremely appreciated. We were extremely bullish on this idea and quite certain about our parameters. AppInventiv did grasp our points very well and started with designing tasks. Though the project was short, they dedicated considerable time to it and took care of all the subtleties. We got the project delivered on time with all of our needs fulfilled. In fact, the end product was 10 times better than what we expected. From theme to segmentation of categories, everything was just perfect. Fifty thousand hits on a daily basis is surely not a cakewalk and it’s all because of the hard work and dedication of AppInventiv Technologies.

What did you find most impressive about AppInventiv?

In the past, I have worked with many service companies, but very few of them match the level of professionalism that AppInventiv has. Whether it is the timely completion of decided milestones, transparent communication, or adaptability to the changes, AppInventiv excelled. I never found it difficult to convey my thoughts to them because they always welcomed suggestions and changes in the concept and designs. The site contains many different categories, and differentiating each category from the other one was a tough task, but AppInventiv handled it very well.

Are there any areas AppInventiv could improve?

As of now, I cannot think of anything. I hope they maintain the same rhythm in the future as well, and continue to rock.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with AppInventiv?

Go ahead and crack a deal with AppInventiv. They are one of the best service companies I have ever come across and their professionalism level is just great. They have set new standards for many other such firms.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a cannabis directory for industry products in the California space. We also work with dispensaries and strive to create more accessibility for product information. Our users can learn about different processes and what products are best for them. I am the Chief Executive Officer and founder of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppInventiv?

We wanted to find a cost-efficient development source. Most companies in the Bay Area are well-established and have a higher cost than ones in other places of the world.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppInventiv developed our website and mobile applications for iOS and Android.

How did you come to work with AppInventiv?

I looked at a number of companies in the US, and also spoke to a friend who had recently developed an app in Argentina. I came to branch out there and started looking for outsourcing companies which could handle the work. I eventually posted a request on AppFutura and received over 30 bids. I sorted them and talked to different companies over the course of a month. AppInventiv ended up being the best choice. They were the most transparent in terms of communication, and I could tell that they were very genuine. Communication was essential to me, especially when working with a group on the other side of the world. Not only was AppInventiv good at communication, but they also gave me the best price and had an extensive portfolio. Since the beginning, AppInventiv has been able to help us maintain our budget and progress the project quickly and with good quality.

How much have you invested with AppInventiv?

The total cost of my project with AppInventiv has been between $50,000 and $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with AppInventiv at the beginning of August 2016. The work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The apps haven't been launched yet, so it's hard to give an answer. As far as the quality of their development, AppInventiv has allowed me to turn my ideas into a clear-cut blueprint. AppInventiv has a transparent work process, they've moved diligently through the process, and have been accurate in terms of delivering what I wanted.

How did AppInventiv perform from a project management standpoint?

I am able to talk to AppInventiv's team as soon as I wake up, up until I go to sleep, and they will continue working through the night. There's always something being done, and I have been kept informed on how things are going through daily updates.

What did you find most impressive about AppInventiv?

Transparency is one of AppInventiv's distinguishing features. I've worked with some other companies, but they didn't even come close in terms of translating my ideas into something that could be developed.

Are there any areas AppInventiv could improve?

Even though AppInventiv has been transparent for most of the time, there were moments when their project manager promised to get back to me but kept a silent period of a few days. Overall, though, I don't have any criticisms for AppInventiv.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are an India based socio-political smartphone application. The app provides a totally different approach towards good governance. Democracy can’t function properly without paying heed to the voices and needs of its citizens. Therefore, keeping in mind the growing prominence of smartphones, we decided to come up with a mobile application that would listen to the voice of Indians.

I am the product head of this mobile application.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppInventiv?

The Political Hub app was created with the sole aim of helping all the citizens. This app is created to connect citizens to the local government or semi-government authorities so that their grievances can be addressed with immediate effect. In addition to this, we witnessed a communication gap between political representatives and the public. Hence, to bridge the gap, we came forward with this idea.

What were your company’s business goals for the project?

This mobile application is created for a social cause, so there is no question of generating any revenues from it. Since the first day, we never ever thought of earning a single penny from this app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The project was quite big and we never wanted a half-baked product. Therefore, in the first meeting itself, we made it clear to them that we are very particular about the product and we don’t want any lag whatsoever. AppInventiv grasped our points very well and always came up with great ideas. The biggest challenge of the product was its backend, because we had a huge database of government bodies and officials that have to be managed through the app. However, AppInventiv did great work and we never ever faced a delay in the process.

How did you come to work with AppInventiv?

Being located in the Delhi NCR [National Capital Region], we had to choose from a variety of mobile app development service companies. Frankly speaking, it wasn’t a very tough choice to make, since we knew that our friends and acquaintances who have worked with AppInventiv had great experiences. We contacted AppInventiv through their contact form and one of their sales manager got in touch with us on the same day. The first conversation was quite formal in nature and we told them our requirements. After this, they returned to us with their price quotations which we found quite reasonable. I personally paid a visit to their office and met the team, and the experience was quite good. Therefore, I decided to proceed with AppInventiv.

How much have you invested with AppInventiv?

The project development cost was around $50,000-$70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

After the successful completion of the first project, several other politicians followed in our footsteps and AppInventiv is working on those projects as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

AppInventiv delivered the project quite smoothly and the end product was exactly according to our expectations. As I said, after seeing the success of this product, several other politicians also came forward and got their apps developed following the same concept.

How did AppInventiv perform from a project management standpoint?

AppInventiv hit just the right chords! They performed extremely well and the best thing was that we were informed at each and every step of the development of the project. When this app was in the idea stage, we had many questions on our mind that we were unable to answer. We raised this concern with the business analysts and developers at AppInventiv and were surprised to see that within a few sessions of brainstorming, they were ready with all the answers. I was quite impressed to see that they had the answers to all of my questions.

What did you find most impressive about AppInventiv?

One of the things I have noticed with service companies is that they are very less adaptive to our changes. But in the case of AppInventiv, they embrace changes with open arms. My team had many ideas during the development cycle, and we never hesitated to convey them to our project manager because we knew that they would welcome our suggestions, and sometimes they would come up with something even better.

Are there any areas AppInventiv could improve?

AppInventiv does their work flawlessly, and as of right now, I can’t find anything that they need to improve.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with AppInventiv?

Just work with AppInventiv once and I bet you would become a fan of theirs. The level of professionalism is very high and they know how to satisfy their clients. I loved the way they communicate with us as a client and how they always deliver the work ahead of schedule.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a media streaming company. Our app is available on Android/iOS and revolutionizes the way people look at television. Our users can enjoy all their favorite TV shows on their smartphones without any interruption. We are streaming TV channels, Hollywood and Bollywood movies, and various regional movies and TV shows. In addition to this, users can also enjoy their favorite sports live. This app has taken the online video viewing experience to the next level.

I work as the product head of this application.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppInventiv?

Since the first day, we had a clear vision about this product. Our one and only vision is to provide hassle free entertainment anytime, and we can see it happening. You can’t carry a TV everywhere, but your smartphone is always with you. We wanted to bring different elements of entertainment like sports, movies, TV shows, music, and more into a single platform. Different TV channels like Zee, Sony, and Times Now came forward to join us in our journey, as they found potential in the idea and they saw an opportunity to earn a good deal of revenue with us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The scope of the project was very wide, since we had content related to various genres like news, sports, music, regional content, etc. We had set a very high bar and we never wanted to compromise the user experience of our app. We wanted our app to function absolutely flawlessly, as any obstacles could prevent the user from using the app.

AppInventiv grasped our idea very quickly in the first few meetings. They understood our vision and mission, and started working on it as if it was their own product. They came with brilliant designs and made the flow of our app so easy that even a layman can understand it at a glance.

How did you come to work with AppInventiv?

Frankly speaking, our marketing team put a great amount of research into finding an app development company to give shape to our dreams. They created a list of almost 20-25 service companies. Then began the process of scrutinizing them to find the best one. We started conversations with these companies and found that only 10 companies could make it to the next round. Out of these 10, only 3 were able to impress our product team. Then came one of the most important factors, pricing. We found that AppInventiv had a flexible pricing module which best suited our budget.

AppInventiv invited us to their workplace and I must say the experience was marvelous. Managers at their company understand the need of the client, which is the best thing. We also had one on one interactions with their developers, who possessed a great deal of knowledge.

What did you find most impressive about AppInventiv?

The project development cost was around $450,000 for the complete engagement.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project was started in mid-January 2016 and is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

At this stage it would be tough for us to mention any figure, but the approach of AppInventiv was very professional. At times, we were stuck for ideas but AppInventiv always came up with something out of the box which solved our problems. Not once did they breach delivery deadlines, while always keeping in mind the quality of milestones. All in all, I can say that it was a pleasure to work with this team.

How did AppInventiv perform from a project management standpoint?

The performance of AppInventiv was flawless. They have one of the best teams of developers, managers, and designers in India. We started with wireframing, and in no time, they were ready with the designs. The level of transparency among the team, as well as with the client, is surely something to note. We called them multiple times, round the clock, and their managers were ready to help us out. Their design team is very efficient and they hold a deep and thorough knowledge of UI/UX. The developers at AppInventiv know what a client wants, whether for Android or for iOS. They were able to live up to our expectations.

What did you find most impressive about AppInventiv?

One of the best qualities of AppInventiv is that they love challenges and are always open for last minute changes, if required. At several instances, we decided to do things differently and they were always ready to make changes. One thing which is not found in most other companies is an emphasis on learning. AppInventiv invests a lot to increase the knowledge base of their team members, and that can be seen in their work too.

Are there any areas AppInventiv could improve?

No. AppInventiv continues to grow and evolve. When new things pop up, they easily adapt.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with AppInventiv?

AppInventiv deserves a standing ovation from our end as they kept their promise, and at every milestone, they surprised us with their great work. For any enthusiastic entrepreneur, I would surely recommend this app development company over others because of their transparency and work ethic.