Aptera Software, Inc.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I’m the e-commerce manager for Messenger LLC, which is a supplier to the funeral industry. We produce printed products (e.g., register books, memorial folders, thank you notes, prayer cards) that are used in funeral services, mostly in North America. We've been in business since for over 100 years, and we're located in Indiana.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Aptera Software, Inc.?

We've hired Aptera Software, Inc. to do several projects for us over the years. The main project is a web application that allows funeral directors to fill out and personalize our stationery products.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Aptera Software, Inc. developed a standalone web application from scratch. We met with them to tell them what we wanted it to do, and they made it happen. The web app is a combination of photo editor, page layout program, and database. It was a multi-phase, multi-year project. They started development back in 2010 and released the first version in 2012. Four years later, they gave it a complete overhaul. They originally wrote it in Silverlight, and it needed to be updated to HTML5 for version 2.0. 

What is the team composition? 

At various times, we’ve worked with anywhere from 2–3 to a half dozen people. They work in sprints, so the team size depended on the phase of the project. Usually, there were a couple of developers, along with experts on user acceptance criteria. 

How did you come to work with Aptera Software, Inc.? 

When we first embarked on this project, we talked to a few developers in the Midwest. Aptera Software, Inc. had previously done a website for us, so we asked them if they were interested in submitting a bid. They’re located only about 25 miles away, so their proximity gave them an edge. More importantly, they knew our business and our concerns. We connected well on a personal level, and they were competitive with their pricing, so it was just a good fit. 

How much have you invested with them?

The second version of the project was close to $150,000. 

What is the status of this engagement? 

The most recent iteration started in November 2016 and finished in September 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have about 9,000 customers. Before Aptera Software, Inc. created the first version of the web app, we had a couple hundred customers using a less sophisticated tool. We now have about 2,800 customers using the new web app daily. In addition, customers are using the updated version for more tasks within their operations. So we do not only see a significant increase in users, but customers are increasing their use of the program because it’s much improved. 

How did Aptera Software, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint? 

Aptera Software, Inc. was quite active in project management. They know that's important to me. I had a dedicated project manager that I could contact easily. I had a number of different project managers over the years, and they were always available to give feedback or listen to my concerns or questions. I would work with any one of them again.

They used a portal as a clearinghouse for us to send and request information. They did daily standups by phone, and we met in person several times during the project. We went to their location, or they would come to our place so we could look at ideas together on a whiteboard. Our proximity allowed us to go over things in person, which worked great for us. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Aptera Software, Inc. is certainly a leader in the industry, with a highly-intelligent staff. They were up on the latest technologies, frameworks, and methodologies. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

There's always room for improvement. The main issue, however, was more on our side. We don't have a huge staff, so it was just a couple of people and me working on this project. That made it hard for us to be as responsive as we should have been. Aptera Software, Inc. was often waiting for us to look at and approve some part of the web app. 

In addition, sometimes, when they fixed one feature, it negatively affected some other aspect of the web app. It's important to catch issues early on, so they don’t come back as bugs later. While they had testers, it’s hard to get all the kinks worked out in a timely fashion. There just wasn’t enough people to do it. That’s not a knock on Aptera Software, Inc. because I think it’s inherent in this kind of development project. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a person on your team who can focus on this project. Depending on the size of the project and the size of your company, consider restricting that person’s workload so that they can give it their full attention. I was wearing a lot of hats, and so there were times when I might go a few days without being able to weigh in. That's hard when you're making a significant investment. Keep that in mind and be prepared to put in some extra hours.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the digital brand specialist in marketing for a canned tomato products manufacturer. We work with private brands, foodservice companies, and multiple retail brands.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Aptera Software, Inc.?

We were looking for a Sitefinity partner to help us with a website redesign project for two of our retail brands.

What were your goals for this project?

We were looking for a partner who was willing to create a site that didn't require a lot of customization and allowed us to maintain the site content on our own.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We did an RFP with four vendors and Aptera was chosen as the best. They were qualified based on cost, experience, and location.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They offered web site design and development for the new sites. We have used them since the original project to develop a new site for our Redpack brand, our Corporate site, and continued improvement projects on our redesigned sites.

What was the team composition?

We had a team of developers and a project manager who made sure the project was completed on time and within our budget.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our site traffic and usage have increased with the new sites. We continue to work together to offer visitors more reasons to come to our sites and browse.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management from Aptera is always top-notch. They are very transparent, accommodating, and helpful. They always stay within budget and completing projects on time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They have grown quite a bit over the last five years, since our initial project. The growth may have been painful for them, but they haven't allowed that to affect the work they do. In fact, we have seen the benefits of the growth in their team with SEO, site design, and more.

Are there any areas for improvement?

As with any partnership, there are always ways to improve. I have an open communication relationship with both the project manager and the sales rep, so if any issues arise, they are addressed immediately.