ArtfulBits

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder of Wesa. We offer a product that uses infrared wave technology to increase visibility for drivers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ArtfulBits?

We needed an Android application to operate our product. We lacked the resources to build the app in house, so we engaged ArtfulBits to provide mobile development and design services.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a professional application that works seamlessly with our device. We wanted our end users to find the app attractive and intuitive to use as well.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We search an online platform for freelancers and considered several teams, including ArtfulBits. One of our associates is based in the same city as ArtfulBits, so he visited their team and interviewed their management and technology team. They came across as experienced and reliable, so we chose to work with them. 

Describe the project in detail.

We already had a proof of concept app that we could demo to ArtfulBits. We also provided a software requirements document. Several days later, ArtfulBits sent us a UX diagram to test various user interaction scenarios. They then sent graphical designs for the application’s main screens. Once we approved them, ArtfulBits developed the Android system and tested the app on an external device. The team split the process into a few milestones at which point we could test and verify the updated version of the app.

What was the team composition?

We work with a project manager, android developer, UI/UX designer, and quality assurance/tester.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The first version of the mobile app arrived on time. We’re ready to deploy our complete product soon.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project has run smoothly from the beginning. We mainly communicate via Slack and track tasks using Asana. We also have voice calls periodically to check the project’s status and to discuss questions. ArtfulBits coordinates directly with other third-party vendors responsible for other parts of our solution and regularly problem-solves with them.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We expected just a professional developer, but we wound up with a team of advisers and consultants as well. ArtfulBits demonstrates in-depth knowledge and broad experience in their field. We’ve utilized their expertise in every stage of the project so far.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, we’re satisfied with the results. We intend to continue working with ArtfulBits.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Ultimately Essential sells essential oil products and accessories to help those with insomnia and other disorders.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ArtfulBits?

We wanted to create a sleep app with music, nature sounds, and white noise to relax the nervous system, invite sleep, and drown out ambient noise. 

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to create a sleep app that was different from others on the market.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I posted the project on Upwork and received numerous bids. I narrowed it down to three vendors, to whom I addressed in-depth questions about their capabilities and portfolios.

I was impressed with ArtfulBits' portfolio. I selected them because they used their vast experience to suggest how I could improve the app's appearance and functionality.

Describe the project in detail.

I told ArtfulBits how I wanted the interface to look and gave them the .mp3s I wanted to use. They were already looped but needed to play smoothly. They worked tirelessly to edit them so no one would know where they looped.

Following my direction, they made it possible to play several sounds and musical recordings at the same time and even manipulate each sound's volume. Users can create, save, and name custom mixes.

They built an internal alarm and a timer that can be set from one minute to continuous. If you select anything but continuous, the music fades without stopping abruptly. If you're listening on earbuds, no one else hears the alarm.

They also created a free trial so customers can try our premium features free for 14 days without having to enter a credit card or email address. 

What was the team composition?

I worked with the project manager. The team also included a graphic designer, a programmer, and testers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I've just started to market the app, but users seem to love it. So far, its average is five stars. We have over 3,000 downloads on Apple and several hundred on Android.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their communication was excellent and prompt. They always responded quickly, even after hours and on weekends. My project manager was courteous; he cared about the project and wanted the results to please me. When they discovered an issue with the free trial, they took care of it even though they had already been paid.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by their attention to detail and willingness to treat this project as their own. They kept me updated on their progress, sent me screenshots until a trial was ready, and let me test the product and give feedback every step of the way.

They went above and beyond my expectations. I'm so happy that I selected them. It was the right choice.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

On this project I worked as a contracted Software Engineer for a consumer electronics company. My job was to build the iOS side of the application and take on the role of Project Manager for the Android side of development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ArtfulBits?

We needed an Android application refactored and a few features added to our Android application.

What were your goals for this project?

To get a fully functioning application that provided a clean and simple UI/UX for our user base. Our average customer is a bit on the older side and not very familiar with technology, so we wanted to make the app as easy as possible to use for them.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them on Upwork. They were a very highly rated contractor on that platform.

Describe the project in detail.

We had an Android application that looked the way it was supposed to look but was functioning poorly. We needed ArtfulBits to refactor the application and make the source code much more robust and user friendly. We also needed them to add a few features to the application.

What was the team composition?

Myself, Roman (who was PM on their side), and Kostia (the Android developer).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had a pretty tight turnaround time for the first phase of the project, which was the refactoring. They passed this test with flying colors. Our app was released to the store shortly after we contacted ArtfulBits.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective. They were easy to get a hold of, even with the time difference between Ukraine and the west coast.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

How quickly they were able to respond to our request. I gave them minimal instruction and they took it away from there. They showed initiative and had a results based focus.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that I can think of, they did pretty great.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CTO of Green-Acres, the leading site for property listings of second residences in Europe. With more than 170,000 listings in 12 countries and 20 languages, we are the reference platform for buyers wishing to invest in property abroad.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ArtfulBits?

We wanted to fully renew our website’s design and needed frontend development resources. We also wanted to have a responsive mobile design and newsletters. With a pressing timeline, we couldn’t afford to do this in-house.

What were your goals for this project?

One of the main goals was to create a multi-device responsive design capable of supporting right-to-left languages such as Arabic and Hebrew.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them on a freelancer platform.

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

They developed the frontend part of the project and contributed to web design and user experience matters.

What was the team composition?

They had two people working on our project but our only point of contact was the project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our lead conversion rates increased once the project went live.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

They were impressive in this regard and provided many good ideas.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their communication and agility were remarkable.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Nothing that I can think of.