AppStudio

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the operation manager at Royal Concierge and Security. We provide professional, exponential concierge services and security services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppStudio?

We had a website that wasn’t so good. We wanted to come up with a different website for internal purposes and client interactions. We needed someone to help us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’re redesigning the entire website. We’re using Ruby on Rails. We were looking to have a customer login and some other functionalities. We wanted to be able to access our customers directly from our website.

What is the team composition? 

Our main point of contact is the technical manager and the product manager. In the design phase, we worked with three designers. Currently, we’re in the development phase. We work with two frontend developers and two backend developers. There are also two testers.

How did you come to work with AppStudio?

Other companies sent us proposals as well. We were impressed with Appstudio’s cost and how they divided the cost.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $25,000 CAD (approximately $20,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2020, and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

From the beginning of the project, we engaged with them. We’re impressed with the design they came up with. Once the website is live, we can get more into the market. We’re now entering the development phase.

How did AppStudio perform from a project management standpoint?

We use Zoom and occasionally use Skype for communication. We have daily standups with the product manager and the technical lead.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re hardworking and take the project personally. They have an ample amount of knowledge and understanding, which helped them meet the deadlines with the design.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We haven’t faced any issues with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear about what you want.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am working as an Enterprise Solutions Architect at Deloitte. We are an IT consulting firm and have multiple sister companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire AppStudio?

We have multiple projects undergoing in collaboration with AppStudio. Also, I want to mention here that some of our plans are in the pipeline. Presently, the AppStudio team is working on a security system based on the IoT platform and managed by a mobile app and software simultaneously.

The second project is catering to our archives' needs. We have vast archives data, and AppStudio is providing us with data science development services and Artificial intelligence services.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to use facial recognition and detection technology based on Artificial intelligence to efficiently manage our archives. We wanted machine learning to process data gathered by our employees and swiftly bring desired videos with a tap or a click.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We came across AppStudio through a technology show. Our company's hierarchy was present, and they were quite impressed with their station and presentation. We were looking for a digital agency with expertise in mobile app development, data science, and Artificial Intelligence. We contacted them through their email and then arranged a couple of meetings with their managers.

Describe the project in detail.

As far as our IoT project is concerned, we want our premises to be secure and only authorized persons to use specific places within our buildings.

What was the team composition?

They provided us with three teams, simultaneously working on all projects. Every team has five front end developers, seven backend developers, one project manager, four designers, and two other experts.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our archives project based on Artificial Intelligence is about to be completed. We have seen the demos and prototypes working as per the expectations. Our other projects are still in development phases, and we are more than happy with their commitment and professionalism. They have followed the timelines, and nothing got delayed.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The working experience is fabulous as we are having extremely productive communication and active collaborations. Their project managers are available on Zoom. However, most of the work is handled through emails without any misunderstandings.

They are thorough professionals and have experience of years behind them. Perhaps that is why they know the layman's response towards technology and handle our queries and reservations remarkably.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

First of all, their experience. I have not seen such a portfolio of any development agency. They have developed hundreds of successful projects for different startups and enterprises.

Secondly, they have a superb work culture where all team members work effortlessly and without any pressure. Also, they have recruited the most exceptional talent out there, so we never had any development issues.

Furthermore, their command over different sophisticated technologies and tech stack makes companies comfortable and trouble-free for the scalability of a project and various integrations.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I had to think hard, and in my opinion, nothing can be improved except boarding their spectrum to developing nations. I advised their senior managers to open offices in countries with transitional economies as they can help them increase.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the senior design engineer at BOMBARDIER.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire AppStudio?

We needed to develop an application that would enable clients who purchase our high-end equipment to operate and monitor the machinery, which works with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We evaluated several development companies and one of the first things we looked at was their portfolio. It was important for us to see who they had worked with and the types of problems they had solved, which would give us a good indication of what kind of work they could provide.

We examined each of the shortlisted organizations based on strict parameters. After much research, we concluded that AppStudio best met our criteria. We personally visited their office, met their team, and loved their professionalism towards their customers and responsibility towards their work.

Describe the project in detail.

AppStudio helped us design and develop the app for both iOS and Android platforms. We had a series of meetings to discuss our goals and objectives, and within the first three weeks, we received UI designs. After a few iterations and discussions with our marketing team, we wrapped up the development.

What was the team composition?

They assigned a project manager to support us and serve as the main point of contact throughout the project. They also provided four frontend and two backend developers, two designers, and a QA specialist.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

AppStudio performed extraordinarily well. The app works as we expected it to and we continue to hear positive feedback about it.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They’re a friendly team that’s not only productive but also exceptionally responsive, flexible, and organized. They understood us perfectly and turned our thoughts into an application using the agile methodology. AppStudio has astonishing outlining abilities, were engaged throughout the project, and finished the work on time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

AppStudio was continually eager to execute major changes while keeping everything within budget. They also helped us consider potential issues early on and recommended things that they thought would be valuable. One of the most noteworthy things about them, though, was their seamless communication.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Communicating our plans with them would be easier if their developers could go to our office and work with us.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the IT director at Eagle Steel, a Canadian steel manufacturer based in Ontario. I manage a team of 50 individuals primarily in the software component of our business. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppStudio?

We’ve had a lot of Legacy systems in place, and the world is moving toward mobile. We’ve transitioned our ERP [enterprise resource planning] system—including the HR, point-of-sales, and logistics components—to mobile and are updating the technology behind it. Our internal team is used to older systems and ERP solutions. We hired an external team to help us with this transition. We’ve been working with AppStudio on the components where they’ve already delivered and deployed the logistics and the point-of-sales system.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started with a requirements-gathering process that involved our IT department and key stakeholders. The project is huge, so we broke it into different milestones. In the first phase, we found a vendor that could take the project to phase 2. We walked AppStudio through our requirements and challenges so that they could facilitate the entire component. We were initially thinking of hiring consultants for the first phase and then passing the work to a mobile team, but AppStudio understood exactly what we were looking for and documented it pretty well. Once this phase was complete, we were able to keep moving because we had the backend in place. Then, we asked AppStudio to work on the mobile app.

The work has a logistics component and a point-of-sales component. Logistically, we had to cut costs from delivery to production because the industry margins went down. We’ve implemented technology into each of the trucks that are delivering the steel. We’re able to track their routes through sensors to give insight in terms of cost. For the point-of-sales, AppStudio is helping us with an iPad application so that when our consultants and sales team pitch to a potential client, they have all the data on hand to provide a quote.

For the logistics component of the mobile app, we’re using Node.js because of the real-time component. AppStudio is helping us with an activity tracker. We have an iOS app and an Android app that are being built in Swift and Java. For the database, we’re using Mongo and Play. We have Legacy systems also that were in . NET. We had 5 business analysts for phase 1. I’m not sure how many developers were working on the project—probably 10–15 developers.

How did you come to work with AppStudio?

We had an RFP process. AppStudio and some other companies offered bids, and we used a scoring process to choose the best firm. We had predefined criteria in terms of our goals. We wanted to see if they understood the requirements, which was our primary concern. We’ve worked with IT for a long time, and the biggest problem is often requirements gathering. AppStudio seemed to understand that, so we chose them.

How much have you invested with AppStudio?

We’ve spent around $150,000 during our relationship. The RFP was for $500,000, but the work has been broken into 3 or 4 years.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with AppStudio at the end of 2015, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Based on my experiences with other companies, I think that AppStudio understood our requirements. They delivered the project on time, even though we introduced some changes that extended the timeline. I’ve had very few projects, even internally, that finished on time.

We’re happy with the overall outcome of this project. AppStudio showed initiative and drove the project themselves. From a logistics standpoint, we now can measure everything that’s happening with our business. I don’t know how much that’s impacted our costs, but from a tax standpoint, we’re collecting data from the trucks, and the cost has definitely gone down. Also, our salesmen have access to the point-of-sale tool. In terms of feedback internally, they’ve been really happy with AppStudio’s performance so far.

How did AppStudio perform from a project management standpoint?

They met all of our deadlines. We worked using Basecamp, as well as Asana internally.

What did you find most impressive about AppStudio?

They understood our requirements right away. We internally defined the requirements. so whether the projects succeed or not isn’t due to their work. They understand what we’re looking for and make exactly what we need, delivering on time and prioritizing product scalability. Because of the number of people on our team, there is a load on the servers. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the corporate marketing manager of one of Canada’s largest pizza places with over 20 restaurants across Ontario. I have the responsibility of creating brand awareness, driving sales, recruiting top talent, and increasing the demand for franchise prospects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppStudio?

All the large franchises were going mobile, therefore we needed an app in order to remain competitive. We wanted a mobile platform which would allow our customers to order through the click of a button and reduce our overhead as well.

We had attempted to go mobile a few years earlier using a different development company, and it was a complete disaster. For our second run, we made sure we’d be using the best agency possible.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We already had a backend system in place with a web application. AppStudio was hired to integrate newly-built iOS and Android applications into that backend. They helped us with the entire mobile development process, from strategy to design, development, deployment to the app stores, and maintenance.

I don’t know how many resources we used, but I estimate there were between 4–5 developers, designers and maintenance people.

How did you come to work with AppStudio?

We went through a rigorous process given the fact that we answer to a board of directors. We interviewed all the local mobile development agencies, made up a shortlist, and from there, went through an in-depth request for proposal process, asking them to tell us why they were the best fit and how much the engagement would cost.

AppStudio was at the top of our list. They seemed professional and had a good understanding of the subject matter. They helped us optimize the user experience and delivered fantastic design work. AppStudio gave us a hands-on approach which we appreciated.

How much have you invested with AppStudio?

The cost of their work has been close to CA$100,000 [US$ 75,332].

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with AppStudio in 2016. We continue to use them for maintenance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My role is to drive restaurant sales and franchise requests. The mobile app has made my job a lot easier and we have seen improvements in each of those domains.

Customers have been happy with the app. It’s extremely user-friendly and we’ve received compliments on the design a few times. Everything on the software has run smoothly, which is the best thing about AppStudio.

How did AppStudio perform from a project management standpoint?

They were spot-on in terms of budget and everything was delivered on time, every time. AppStudio did a good job handling everything in a timely manner. We usually communicated directly via email and telephone. Their team was very approachable.

What did you find most impressive about AppStudio?

The professionalism and hands-on experience that AppStudio has given us have been the best. 

Are there any areas AppStudio could improve?

Given our past experience, I don’t think that AppStudio could have done anything better.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Gemini Financial Services provides services such as mutual funds and hedge funds. Our business is catered towards the reporting of these funds to clients. I’m an administrations manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppStudio?

We had to send reports to our clients nightly. Sometimes they weren’t able to get to the websites in order to pull the reports. We wanted to see if we could build an app that the clients could access instead of having to go through several remote websites in order to access those reports. We wanted to deliver their reports in a timelier fashion. We were looking for someone who would really understand what we were trying to achieve.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our marketing team was tasked with trying to see what would be the best thing for our clients. Since my client was the first one being tested with that app, I had to meet with the technical manager of AppStudio. I gave him a short description of what we were looking for and how we wanted everything to become more convenient for our clients. They provided the framework of what they thought would meet this need. Looking at the framework, it seemed like a good fit because the ease of use and accessibility of the app was very high. After that first meeting, I spoke to my firm and we decided to bring in more people from AppStudio and have another meeting. After a couple more meetings where we discussed further framework and a few tweaks, we were satisfied with how they were responding to us. Anytime we wanted to set up more meetings, they were very diligent in that. The client just wanted iOS, but we have other clients that use Android, so AppStudio built both.

One key feature is ease of use. We were comparing this app to traditional banking applications. In the end, it’s something that meets the financial service. AppStudio removed a lot of little crossroads that appear in app presentation. An end user, even someone who doesn’t have knowledge of financial services, would be able to understand what reporting was involved in the app.

How many resources have been assigned to your project?

We were mostly communicating with the technical manager. We discussed the framework with him and provided him with any updates on what we wanted in the next version of the beta testing. They have their own development team.

How did you come to work with AppStudio?

Our marketing team told us about them. We used keywords to search for them and one of the most important for us was ease of use. Most of our clients are above 45 years old. They aren’t going to be as accepting of something new like the 20-year-olds would. According to my marketing team, when it came to searching for a team that would have that priority, AppStudio’s name would always be there. They do have a really high standard when it comes to ease of use.

How much have you invested with AppStudio?

We have spent between $200,000 and $250,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in December 2016, and 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?

We’re still in the process of evaluating the metrics. In terms of how personable AppStudio has been and how strong they’ve been with any changes that had to be addressed, we have been very pleased with that. They haven’t given us any reason to complain. About three days ago, I sent an email to them for some changes to make the app more appealing. The technical manager replied to me five or ten minutes later. That really struck me because it was late and I wasn’t expecting a reply so soon. The next morning, they were working on it already.

The testers say the app has made their life a lot easier because they don’t have to jump between three URLs to access the reports they’re looking for. Instead, the app accesses the remote server itself and connects them to the reports. The app makes things way faster.

How did AppStudio perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate via phone and Outlook. We don’t have any complaints about deadlines or budget. They’re still way below the total budget that was given, which is surprising. We really have to dig to find something bad about them because they’ve only given us exceptional service.

What did you find most impressive about AppStudio?

The most impressive thing would be the fact that they’re so personable. They made me feel like I was their only client. Their response time is instantaneous and, in today’s market, I haven’t seen that a lot. I would want to continue doing business with someone who’s so engaged in the project.

Are there any areas AppStudio could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the IT manager at Hexa Tiles. Most of my time is spent doing mobile projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppStudio?

Nowadays, businesses like ours need to have a competitive advantage over other companies. We thought moving our business to a mobile platform would give us that advantage. We wanted to be more efficient.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We needed something that would help our sales associates interact better with our clients. They needed to put something solid in front of our clients rather than pen and paper mockups.

We had a kickoff meeting with AppStudio to discuss the project scope and length. It was a very good experience. We met at their office and discussed the scope starting from the design, platform, budget, using a native or basic application, finding our target audience, etc. They guided us throughout the entire process. I have an IT background but not with app development. They implemented the designs, workflow, and development and created an app for both iOS and Android.

How many resources have been assigned to your project?

We had a project manager, who I mostly communicated with. We also met with 2 designers and 2 developers.

How did you come to work with AppStudio?

We searched on Google for companies. We had a reference for AppStudio, and they seemed like the most suitable option. We met a couple of other firms too, but their prices were higher, and their timelines were longer.

How much have you invested with AppStudio?

We have invested between $100,000 and $150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January of 2017, and the work is ongoing. As with any technology, there’s always bugs and things to change about the app. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They didn’t go over budget or past the deadline, which were the things I was worried about. After deployment, we haven’t had any issues with the app. We had some new ideas in the middle of the project and contacted them about those. I don’t know how much of a problem that is to do in the middle of a project, but they were really accommodating. It was a very smooth process, which I really enjoyed.

How did AppStudio perform from a project management standpoint?

I could contact the project manager directly via phone and email. I didn’t run into any issues with communication. The tool we used for project management was Basecamp. Both teams had access to that. We always had instant communication with them for file transfers, graphics, screenshots, and important information. Communication through Basecamp helped us to be more efficient. For any other issues I had, I was able to contact the project manager.

What did you find most impressive about AppStudio?

Their customer service is impressive. They are always on top of things. Some firms are so big that I had problems reaching out to them directly. I can reach out to AppStudio with questions, and they can reach out to me with any issues. They have a very transparent and efficient workflow.

Are there any areas AppStudio could improve?

I had a wonderful experience with them. I can’t think of anything specific, but there’s always room for improvement.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a startup headphone manufacturer with a team of five people. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppStudio?

We needed to build a website and mobile applications for our products. We didn’t want to get involved in the nitty-gritty of this process, so we approached AppStudio and gave them the whole scope.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppStudio has provided UI/UX design and development for Android and iOS, as well as for our website. The apps are used for volume control and other functions.

How did you come to work with AppStudio?

We performed Google searches, asked for quotations from quite a few vendors, and, based on our discussions, selected AppStudio. We wanted everything to be done at a fast pace, within a four-month timeframe, and it worked out perfectly.

How much have you invested with AppStudio?

The cost of AppStudio’s work was CA$70,000 [$50,000].

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with AppStudio around six months ago, in the fall of 2016. They’ve delivered what we requested and are continuing with incidental follow-ups. The website is set to launch shortly. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I am very satisfied with the results. AppStudio delivered above-and-beyond.

How did AppStudio perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been very proactive in terms of responses, and the communication was easy. The app was delivered within our timeframe and budget. There were multiple occasions when we thought of something as a team and reached out to AppStudio’s project manager late at night. We would receive a response, and action would be taken immediately. There was great project management handling from their end. Our contact person did change, but that wasn’t an issue. AppStudio told us beforehand.

What did you find most impressive about AppStudio?

Their availability and follow-up have been very impressive.

Are there any areas AppStudio could improve?

There are always areas of improvement, and that’s something that AppStudio needs to act on as a growing company. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a limousine company and I am the owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppStudio?

I needed to develop an Uber-style app to enter the market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppStudio designed and developed my app for Android and iOS. They also provided consultation for the marketing and publication of the app. AppStudio was helpful in making me understand how app development works.

How did you come to work with AppStudio?

AppStudio was referred to me by a colleague. I gave them a call and started the collaboration.

How much have you invested with AppStudio?

The price range was between $100,000 and $120,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with AppStudio six months ago. They continue to provide maintenance for the app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

AppStudio's performance was quite satisfying. They were helpful when it came to the app development part. I've tried a few other companies for the project, but they weren't as helpful as AppStudio. The industry is very competitive when it comes to app development, but based on my experience, AppStudio stands out.

How did AppStudio perform from a project management standpoint?

AppStudio was very good in this regard. The project was completed on time, and AppStudio actually sat down with me and explained how the development process works. They were easily approachable most of the time.

What did you find most impressive about AppStudio?

I appreciated the hands-on approach. I come from a background which is unrelated to app development. After working with AppStudio, I've come to know the terminologies and how everything works.

Are there any areas AppStudio could improve?

No. It was a good experience working with AppStudio.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work as an IT manager for OB Real Estate, a construction company that typically builds condos and apartments.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppStudio?

The initial business challenge with AppStudio was for application development. We wanted to create a customizable app that allowed customers to look at the ongoing construction of their condos and communicate their design preferences.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppStudio handled everything about the app, from the framework to the design. Once we tested and decided on the framework, we started developing buttons so clients could access their construction customization. For instance, two clients have submitted requests to change their tiling, and we received their requests within five minutes. AppStudio built the app for Android and iOS.

How did you come to work with AppStudio?

We found AppStudio through Google searches and data analytics. AppStudio had a lot of good reviews and they were our first option, actually. I had a good conversation with their technical project manager who seemed to understand how we wanted our clients to be able to see the ongoing construction.

How much have you invested with AppStudio?

We have invested around $150,000 with AppStudio.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together about eight months ago. I believe they delivered the app about five months after that. We still work with them whenever we have issues with the app. Also, we’re considering bringing them on for another project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve been pleased with them since the first testing phase. Whenever our customers send in a request or use the app, we always ask them to rate it at the end of their interaction. So far, all of our customers, 55 of them, have given us 10 out of 10 ratings. None of our clients has had any issues with the app.

How did AppStudio perform from a project management standpoint?

One of the best parts of collaborating with AppStudio is their communication. For example, late one night we decided we wanted to make changes to some of the app’s buttons, so I sent a message to the project manager. She got back to me within two minutes. That was the first time I realized they were putting everything they had into this project. They’ve been prompt in their responses and services every day since then. We haven't had any server maintenance issues, but if we did, I’m sure they would be just as prompt in responding to us.

What did you find most impressive about AppStudio?

I like how personable AppStudio is and how they seem to understand our needs even before we state them. I felt as if I’d known their project manager a long time after only speaking with him a few times. He understood what I wanted and the execution I was seeking. The project didn't feel like it was just two businesses working on something together.

Are there any areas AppStudio could improve?

I don't have any complaints with AppStudio as of now, and I believe it will stay like that. I don't feel like there are any areas for improvement. They did a good job for us.