Atomic Object

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a manager at Family Promise, Inc. We're a national nonprofit organization that seeks to help families experiencing homelessness. We help to prevent those incidences and provide shelter and services for families that wind up homeless. My team works with the 200 locations we have across the country, providing these services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Atomic Object?

Our community of locations was in need of a software solution that could help the case managers track and record all of their interactions with families. We also wanted the data to roll up into a national platform so my team could see what was happening on an affiliate level at each location. We also required the solution to roll up outcomes and output data about the work we do across the country that helps advocate for families in crisis and bring more funding into our line of work.

We hired Atomic Object to do a discovery phase with us to determine the best solution for building that tool.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Atomic Object conducted a discovery phase and helped us create the stakeholder personas of our solution. The team has done surveys across our different-size affiliates and different roles. Atomic Object has worked with the national team to find out which metrics we needed to capture, what was working and not working in the field, what the best solution would be, what our pain points were, and what the reports would look like.

Atomic Object has made a discovery to see if AppSheets could be a feasible technological solution and also explored doing a more custom code solution, helping us understand the pros and cons of those two pathways, including what our budget would look like to build and maintain the tool and what we needed for staffing. Atomic Object has helped us create a project plan. 

After the discovery phase, we decided to work with a company specializing in AppSheets development, a Google no-code platform. We’ve retained a member of Atomic Object’s team to help us with project management.

What is the team composition?

We've worked with about six teammates from Atomic Object, including a technical person, a UI/UX designer, a project manager, and a few other roles. I mainly worked with Megan (Software Consultant & Delivery Lead).

How did you come to work with Atomic Object?

Our CEO had a relationship with a manager at Atomic Object because they had worked together in the community. We considered four other firms, but we chose Atomic Object because we knew the team understood our model and our mission. We also knew about their work in the community with other partners, which gave us a higher level of trust in them.

Atomic Object also came in right where we were looking to spend budget-wise. The team had answers to everything we wanted to do, and we really liked their partners and team members that we met through the process of deciding if we wanted to work with them. Atomic Object had years of experience, which was another thing that gave us peace of mind when selecting them. Atomic Object had done this type of work before.

How much have you invested in them?

We've spent over $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started talking to Atomic Object in the fall of 2023 but didn't formally hire the team until the project took place in May–June 2024. The discovery phase lasted 4–6 weeks, and we continued to work with Megan on project management. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Atomic Object is fabulous to work with. The team has made the process easy and always has the answers to our questions or finds them out. Atomic Object is positive and upbeat and a joy to work with. I'm thrilled that we can continue to work with them in a project management capacity, even though we've found a more nimble solution to help us save money. If we hadn't found that solution, we'd continue working with them for a complete code build. Atomic Object is excellent, and I'd recommend them to anybody. 

Atomic Object doesn't usually work this way, and we're happy about their flexibility in letting us continue to work with Megan. She has learned so much during our interactions and didn't want to lose that knowledge or go through the whole discovery process again with the other company. 

We wouldn't be able to build as quickly as we are if Atomic Object hadn't validated that the prototype would work for the case managers in the field and that it was technologically scalable. We had a prototype in use in one location, and Atomic Object validated that it could be built to accommodate hundreds of locations. The team has also validated that other locations' case management staff would be able to use the tool.

The team collaborated with us to help us decide whether to work with them in the first place. Atomic Object has helped us define the questions we should ask if we were to use a different firm and has been a super helpful partner. 

How did Atomic Object perform from a project management standpoint?

Atomic Object is excellent to work with. The team is always on time and always has the answers to our questions. Megan manages our development backlog, what gets done when, and pulls in any additional members or resources that we need to keep the project moving on time. She's working with me to find out what the reports look like that we need for this new system and the forms that the case managers will need to fill out.

We have many video meetings and also use Google Suite to communicate, including Google Chat. We've also communicated via phone and had one in-person meeting at the kickoff.
Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

Megan is the person we've contracted to continue managing our project and work with regularly. She has an incredible skill set for project management. She's always looking 10 steps ahead of what’s coming next to ensure we have everything we need to meet the deadlines. She does a great job.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Atomic Object has a general and authentic interest in the projects and the people they work with. The team makes relationships flow easily, and working with them is easy.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything Atomic Object can improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Outline all the project's criteria ahead of time, and be honest and upfront about any challenges you may encounter or limitations of your project, whether it's budget or timing. This way, Atomic Object can manage the project appropriately on their side.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the product owner at Shoshana Technologies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Atomic Object?

We had legacy software that had been around for about 30 years. We wanted to move it into a new phase of existence, and one of the things we wanted to do was design the UI/UX of our software’s new version. We engaged Atomic Object for this. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We laid out an MVP that included scheduling management reports and a dashboard, and Atomic Object worked on them. We also gave them additional designs for the software’s frontend. Scheduling was at the product's core, so we had many scheduling-related screens, including a calendar and a planner view. We asked the team to modernize these using tools like Figma and Miro. Moreover, Atomic Object did some research to figure out the best way to modernize our server stack. 

What is the team composition?

I mainly worked with Ian (Software Consultant & Designer), and around 3–4 other teammates rotated in and out of the project. 

How did you come to work with Atomic Object?

We did nationwide research and interviewed many companies to do the project for us. Atomic Object was the most communicative among them and had a clear vision of what we were trying to accomplish, so we ultimately decided to go with them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We invested around $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from March–July 2024. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We received all the completed design work we requested. Atomic Object even delivered a bit of extra work, which was wonderful. The amount of work and thoughtfulness they put into how users would interact with the product was better than expected. The team took the time to learn about our specific niche and market, which had many legislations and intricacies. They came up with great ideas and took our feedback while considering the bigger picture. 

How did Atomic Object perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is wonderful. Our engagement was the best interaction I’d ever had with a vendor. When I asked him for details, Ian provided me with updated budgets and charts. I could present these to our executive team to ensure the project was on track. Moreover, they delivered deliverables when they said they would be done. 

Everything was beautifully communicated and organized. I never felt confused about where we were in the process, and we always hit every single deadline we laid out. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their partnership-centric approach was impressive. They truly viewed us as partners instead of customers they wanted to please. They seemed to care about our business and wanted to help us invest in our future and think critically about the best way to do that. They not only gave us what we asked for but also offered incredibly helpful suggestions. Overall, they truly partnered with us; we weren’t just a customer to them. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Come with a clear picture of what you’re trying to accomplish and include Atomic Object in the bigger conversation. Don’t just tell them what you want to design but also talk about your goals. That way, they can truly help you get there.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a visionary at Awayster, a startup that offers a travel-planning app that allows users to collaborate and plan their trips in ways they haven’t been able to in other apps. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Atomic Object?

We hired them to create our custom app. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Atomic Object developed the first iteration of our custom app. We had 5–6 initial meetings before the project started. The team found a product fit on a nationally listed website, and then our company pivoted and acquired that existing app. The app hadn’t been appropriately maintained for three years, so Atomic Object made improvements, changes, and fixes. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with five teammates from Atomic Object, including Meg (Software Consultant & Delivery Lead) and Kyle (Software Consultant & Designer). 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $260,000.

How did you come to work with Atomic Object?

We were referred to them by a mutual acquaintance who had worked with Atomic Object extensively over several years. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The first phase of development lasted from October 2023–May 2024. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Atomic Object had a positive impact on driving our business’s pivot. They were instrumental in providing subject matter expertise and finding a good product fit. They partnered with me regarding vision casting and product market fit. Our success would have been more difficult without the pivot they helped us make. Although we’re pre-launch, based on that pivot, I feel confident in our company. 

The app they found was a good acquisition for us, even though some parts made it harder for Atomic Object to work on. The team shined through and delivered the product we wanted despite those challenges. They provided us with a world-class quality product that put us head and shoulders above the competition. We’ll be launching our product soon. 

Ultimately, we were so thankful to have been referred to Atomic Object. Every person on their team was phenomenal. 

How did the company perform from a project management standpoint?

Meg was our amazing project manager; I would hire her at my company in a minute. Atomic Object delivered the project under the budget. 

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I want to give a shout-out to Kyle. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

This isn’t my first software development project, and Atomic Object was by far the best provider I’ve had. From their project management to their developer to the designer, the whole team was extraordinary. If I had to pick a team to hire at my company, I’d hire every single team member from Atomic Object. They delivered what they said they would when they said they would. 

Beyond the product, their updates, invoices, and expectation communication were outstanding. They went above and beyond asking what else they could do to help us, even asking if we needed referrals to ensure we were successful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

If there’s an area for Atomic Object to improve, I can’t think of it. Anything I could say about areas of improvement would be nitpicky. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Have those initial conversations and build a relationship with Atomic Object before the engagement starts. We had 5–6 critical conversations with Atomic Object before signing an engagement letter; I quickly learned I could trust the team. 

There were times during the process when there wasn’t a right or wrong decision, but one had to be made. Although I may have had a different opinion initially, if the Atomic Object team had a different point of view, they weren’t bashful about vocalizing that. They were the experts, and their opinions didn’t change our company’s vision, so I trusted them. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CFO of Champion Force Athletics.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Atomic Object?

We needed help with custom software development. We wanted to create a more aesthetically pleasing parent portal for the customer-facing side of our business. In addition to that, we wanted to implement a shopping cart checkout. Given that we provide both services and goods, that feature was complicated. Overall, we wanted to improve our customer experience.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Atomic Object provides us with custom software development services. We have an existing parent portal, which we've broken into three different customer journeys. Parents need to go through three different checkouts in order to get our three different goods and services, which makes it complicated. Therefore, Atomic Object has helped us rewrite our software. Their work has also included design, as their team has helped us rearrange our idea to make the product look the way we wanted it.

The project started with the design process first, as we wanted to change our portal's look to match our branding. Our branding was already implemented on our website, but the customer-facing side of our business didn't look like our website. It looked more like a developer database rather than a modern UI. Kimberly (Design Practice Lead) used Figma to redesign the website.

During the development phase, Atomic Object realized that they wouldn't be able to leverage the existing code due to the infrastructure and the way it was written. Therefore, we had to rewrite the code. The project is now around 99% completed, and Atomic Object has been providing continuous maintenance as well.

What is the team composition?

In addition to Kimberly, we've worked with Dre and Kendra (Software Developers & Consultants). During the software rewriting process, Atomic Object also brought Drew (Software Development Practice Lead). Moreover, Meg (Software Consultant & Delivery Lead) has worked with us as the project administrator. Occasionally, other team members have been brought in due to their expertise in backend development and testing, but the people mentioned are the core team.

How did you come to work with Atomic Object?

Our internal developer referred us to a few local companies, and Atomic Object was one of them.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent between $400,000–$450,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around August 2023. The project started with the design and project scoping, but we've added things to the initial scope as things developed along the way. Since things have gotten expensive in general, we're facing a financial constraint.

Since March 2024, Atomic Object has provided us with continuous maintenance, and in April 2024, we will continue with that agreement. Unless something happens that pushes us in another direction, we'll enter on an on-demand maintenance agreement after that. Still, there are other things we might do as well if financially possible, so we will definitely continue working with Atomic Object.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When we started this project, we didn't go to Atomic Object to generate new business nor we had the intention of saving money. This project was an investment for our company to bring our UI to nowadays, make the customer experience better, and provide our customers with the opportunity to check out goods and services for multiple students at a time.

Although it's still early to see results, any benefit we get down the road from doing this redevelopment work will be ancillary, as we didn't do the project with any other intention than to make our company better. As we continue to grow as a company, we suspect that our phone administrators won't get as many calls from users to get support on how to get around our site, check out, or reset their passwords.

How did Atomic Object perform from a project management standpoint?

Atomic Object has met and exceeded our expectations regarding their professionalism, communication, and end-result work. Still, we've had a few changes along the way, including the budget. Although I wouldn't say that they haven't met the budget, we could have done better in that area during the project scoping. However, what we've asked them to do has been a bit challenging. Both of us have learned from what we've done because our business model isn't common.

As for collaboration tools, we've used a lot of those, depending on what makes more sense at a time. For example, they use Pivotal Tracker for project management, on which they break down user stories and all the different project stages. We've also used Google Docs, email, Slack, and text messages when appropriate. Atomic Object is open to all lines of communication as needed, which is very helpful.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I would like to congratulate Atomic Object's whole team. We've gotten exactly what we wanted from our portal's design and functionality. Both sides aren't mutually exclusive; they rather go hand in hand, and it has taken the whole team to get us where we wanted to be.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There isn't anything specific on which Atomic Object could improve. The only challenging part of our project has been the budgeting. Still, we've dialed our budget in, and their team has made some accommodations, which we really appreciate. The scoping of the original project could have been better, but in the end, we all made it work and made the accommodations to finish the project.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Atomic Object did a good job accommodating how we wanted to communicate. Initially, we experienced a bit of overcommunication and too many meetings, so we dialed that in a little bit better to suit our needs and allow them to keep moving efficiently.

If you're building custom software and working with a service provider, it's important to be able to shift and pivot to accommodate your needs to the point that it makes sense. You don't want to change things in a way that creates inefficiencies. Atomic Object did a good job accommodating our needs, but we also had to push back. Both teams need to be open to adjusting communication.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of a national provider of commercial cleaning services. We're a franchise.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Atomic Object?

We were trying to solve what we call a revenue program, which helps with our accounts receivables and also ensures that our franchisees are being paid correctly. We had around 20 markets to address, and Atomic Object helped us create custom software. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Atomic Object designed and developed custom software from scratch for our business accountability for our receivable and payable sides. Initially, we shared the system we had with the team, and Atomic Object built the new software based on it using Heroku. We shared information about what we were trying to achieve and built the software collaboratively with Atomic Object. 

Atomic Object's project manager addressed the project's technical side, and I oversaw the program's structure. The team gave me access as a user, and I was focused on the software's usability rather than on the backend development. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with 5–6 teammates, including Joe (Accelerator Manager), Jeff (Manager Partner), and Justin (Software Consultant & Designer).

How did you come to work with Atomic Object?

We searched for service providers online and had interview calls with several different companies. We chose Atomic Object because their structure, company culture, and presentation seemed the best fit for our business.
How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $1.2 million on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Atomic Object from October 2021–January 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Atomic Object's work was fantastic, and we were incredibly happy with the software delivered. The new program streamlined our company's operations, and the team made it easier for users to use the platform. 

Our previous system was antiquated and only allowed specific teammates to handle the bulk of the work. With Atomic Object's new software, we can focus on revenue-generating activities with the ability to bring more teammates into the fold. We had multiple users who could use it. Our new system was more time-effective and cost-effective, giving us visibility into our work. 

How did Atomic Object perform from a project management standpoint?

Although the project timeline and budget were more than expected, this was due to our requests to add functionalities and benefits. We decided to add features we initially set out to have a better final product. We understood why the project's budget increased by 30%, and Atomic Object discussed with us throughout the course of the project, letting us know what would happen.

I used the analogy of building a house because construction projects usually take longer than anticipated. We added more benefits to have a nicer range; for instance, it was like choosing marble over quartz.

Atomic Object also looked for ways to save up costs regarding staffing, for instance, having a developer take a break here and there. We maintained structured communication and transparency on both sides via Miro and Zoom, resulting in a good partnership. Atomic Object's communication was solid and impressive. We had a good cadence of stand-up calls.
Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I want to highlight Joe, our lead developer, who did a wonderful job. Jeff came in on the management side towards the end and was fantastic, too. Lastly, we were delighted with Justin's work.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I liked understanding how the team worked through Miro boards. Atomic Object had a good onboarding process, and we built a good relationship, which is usually hard to do with teams that never meet in person. A cost was associated with that, but it was the right thing to do. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

The design was a tad heavy at times, and I think we could've expedited and probably saved some cost on that. Overall, the actual software development was excellent. The team built a complex system, and we were happy with the finished product. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I suggest having a dedicated project manager on your team who is capable and tech-savvy because it's important to understand the product Atomic Object's team is developing. The project manager needs to be present on all the calls with Atomic Object, and I recommend ensuring you invest in that. For us, it was very helpful that we singled out a teammate who had technical ability on the backside and was the lead project manager. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the president of Brainspring, an education management company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Atomic Object?

We hired Atomic Object for software development services. Our goal was to develop a platform where past participants of our courses could grab assets and other things they needed to support their program. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We relied heavily on Atomic Object to help us develop the scope package, and we had a series of meetings with them to help us figure out what we needed. The platform they built allows us to upload documents, videos, and recordings to one central hub. The platform also has search and filter features. Atomic Object’s work helped us further categorize assets between courses that users have taken. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, a UX/UI designer, and two developers. 

How did you come to work with Atomic Object?

We found them through a Google search. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $350,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together between June 2022–June 2023. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After we completed the project, we saw an increase in engagement with past participants. Overall, we felt Atomic Object met our expectations.

How did Atomic Object perform from a project management standpoint?

Atomic Object made a real effort to deliver everything on time, and they communicated effectively. We used Zoom, phone calls, Slack, and email to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed with their ability to determine what we needed and how to get us there. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing we can come up with. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be prepared to work with one point person from Atomic Object. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a professor at the University of Michigan, and I'm also the founder of a software startup company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Atomic Object?

I've worked with Atomic Object in my capacity as a researcher and as a founder of a startup company. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We were in the process of transferring our IT from the university to the company, and Atomic Object has conducted a technical due diligence review of our existing software stack. This diagnosis has allowed me to present a detailed explanation and evaluation of the software stack to potential investors and employees. Our software was built in Python and Django, and Atomic Object makes improvements in the existing stack using those two languages. 

Subsequent to that initial interaction, we've contracted Atomic Object to do additional development on the software stack we have as a free-standing company outside of the university. We manage hosting in AWS servers, and Atomic Object continues to work with us on software improvements.

What is the team composition?

We work with four developers from Atomic Object and with John (Managing Partner) and Jonah (Managing Partner). 

How did you come to work with Atomic Object?

Atomic Object was referred to me by colleagues from the university.
How much have you invested with them?

We've spent around $20,000–$25,000 on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with Atomic Object since September 2022, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Atomic Object has successfully identified the source of bugs and fixed several existing issues in our software. I chose Atomic Object because they have an extremely positive reputation in our local community, and the quality of their work is consistent with that reputation. Atomic Object is a customer service-oriented company that takes the time to listen to their client's needs, offering different opportunities and options on how to proceed with the project. 

All of Atomic Object's staff has been amazing, and I'm happy with every teammate I've interacted with and the products they've produced for us.

How did Atomic Object perform from a project management standpoint?

Atomic Object meets deadlines and stays on budget. We communicate primarily through in-person meetings and via email with the developer. My company's CEO manages ongoing development, and I'm unsure how they communicate. Atomic Object is good at keeping us informed about the work, which doesn't happen with all software development companies. 

Atomic Object's regular communication with us as they learn about our software stack has been a wonderful aspect of working with them. The team is really good at communicating with us and ensuring we understand their work and make good decisions about how we deploy our resources in software development. Atomic Object's customer service is outstanding.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Atomic Object is highly responsive. I'm not a developer, and the team has been exemplary in providing appropriate information for me to understand their work. I work effectively with the team in planning and making decisions about the project without overwhelming me with technical details or information that isn't useful. Atomic Object has a special knack for working with non-developers and involving us in an informed way in the project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything Atomic Object can improve on — I'm impressed with every aspect of the company. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I recommend spending time at the beginning of the project with the Atomic Object's principals and learning from them so you're prepared when you go into meetings. Know your software as well as possible and be open to the team's advice, guidance, and suggestions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the operations manager for a mortgage company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Atomic Object?

We engaged Atomic Object because we were trying to rebuild our customer-facing website. Our business is primarily handled digitally, so we wanted to overhaul the entire website to make it more user-friendly and modern. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

When we first met with Atomic Object, we had a rough outline of what we wanted to do, so we didn’t have to spend much time on the design. However, they did assist with the design process once we started building. Their team used various tools to develop an entire platform and backend database.

Atomic Object spent the first few weeks of our engagement building on the existing infrastructure. Their team took the time to understand our business and how it worked during this period. Atomic Object added many features to the site, and we did this step-by-step. 

Website functionalities include the ability for our users to get direct interest rates from the website, and to register accounts and submit applications online. The basic idea of these functionalities was already there, but Atomic Object was able to enhance them. 

All of the design work was completed through Figma, and if there were any issues our in-house team could not resolve, they took that on. 

What is the team composition?

Our team varied throughout the engagement, but we primarily worked with seven people. This included a project manager, a tech lead, software developers, and one individual responsible for testing. 

How did you come to work with Atomic Object?

Atomic Object was a referral; they were recommended to us through a prior design company we worked with. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent more than $2.4 million. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together between November 2020–July 2022. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website works well, and their team added a lot of automation to make our processes faster. Our applications go through much quicker; previously, an application would take 1–2 business days, and now it takes about two hours. They achieved everything we wanted, so we’re satisfied with the engagement. We set high expectations, and Atomic Object’s work met them. 

How did Atomic Object perform from a project management standpoint?

We used Pivotal Tracker for project management, allowing us to track progress easily. We met with Atomic Object biweekly, and their team updated us on all the progress. Our project manager did a great job building communication between their development team and ours, so we understood everyone’s needs. 

Everything was delivered on time and within budget. There were a few changes throughout the project, but they ensured everything was clear, and we knew when something came up. 

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

We’d like to shout out Jake (Software Consultant & Developer); he was incredibly professional and responsive throughout the engagement. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are extremely capable in terms of development. Everything they presented to us was completed, and the work was free of bugs for the most part. Atomic Object’s team was knowledgeable, eager to learn about our business needs, and easy to communicate with. Their internal procedures regarding development were also very impressive. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

We didn’t have many complaints, but Atomic Object could have done better on the design front. However, they didn’t have much of an opportunity to design, so this wasn’t entirely their fault. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Software development is a joint effort between the client and the vendor, so the better the communication and goals, the more successful the project will be. As long as you clearly lay out your goals, they’ll be able to accomplish them. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the chief strategy officer (CSO) for Northern Initiatives, a Michigan nonprofit community development financial institution. We provide loans and know-how to businesses looking to start and grow.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Atomic Object?

We created an online platform called Initiate in 2017 that contained the know-how of what we do. The platform had resources about starting a business, money, marketing, and management. Once we outgrew the platform, we needed a provider who could help us develop the next version of Initiate in the latest technology so that it could scale and grow with us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Atomic Object has developed our new online platform. Initially, we provided them with a list of functions and research we had conducted with the help of third parties about what entrepreneurs and trainers needed. We wanted something easy for entrepreneurs and trainers to use, interact with, and guide learning. 

Additionally, Atomic Object has helped do additional research and conducted interviews with advisors and business owners to confirm our work. The team has designed the platform and done a round of testing with the advisors and business owners. 

We use GitHub as our code repository, and Atomic Object has used TypeScript, Next.js, PostgreSQL, Auth0, and Contentful to build the platform. They’ve also used Storybook for all of the styling. 

Atomic Object is almost done with development. After that, we’ll move into a continuous improvement engagement. The team will keep the platform up to date and work through minor updates in our backlog. 

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with up to five teammates from Atomic Object: Taylor (Managing Partner), Louie (Software Consultant & Developer), Dre (Software Consultant & Developer), another developer, and Ryan (Managing Partner), who is our lead and relationship manager.

How did you come to work with Atomic Object?

I was searching for providers located in Michigan that weren’t outsourcing labor. Initially, I found Atomic Object through an online search and then talked to coworkers who knew the company through other projects. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $400,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in October 2022, and the engagement is ongoing. The continuous improvement engagement will begin next week. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Although we haven’t launched the new platform, there’s a lot of excitement around it. We’ll be getting four new subscribers who have been waiting for the update. There will also be anticipation about the new platform at a conference we’re attending in two weeks. 

Atomic Object’s work will help us grow our subscribers and help facilitate our blended learning process. This project aims to help build the capacity of other nonprofits, mission lenders, and organizations like us who want to support entrepreneurs. The new platform will make this process much more seamless because users will be able to track their progress and work together, which will also mean stronger small businesses and communities. 

How did Atomic Object perform from a project management standpoint?

We have check-ins and billing every other week at a minimum. We also get to look at Atomic Object’s backlog and make decisions, so we’re informed throughout the process. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Everyone on Atomic Object’s team is really good. Ryan has guided us along and ensured the process is smooth. He has gone above and beyond to help us outside of development by educating us and thinking about how to launch the platform smoothly. 

Taylor has been thoughtful in the design and has hit the nail on the head in making us feel comfortable about our chosen path. Our key developers have been very thoughtful about how we can do most of the platform’s management after launch instead of returning to them for everything. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There isn’t anything they need to improve at this time; I’ve been very happy with the process. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate, be upfront, and ask questions early — Atomic Object can’t read your mind. Initially, I didn’t know if I should bring certain things up, and Atomic Object assured me they appreciate the detail and having as much information as possible. The team is very supportive. 

Moreover, setting a strict budget and getting everything you want is hard. I recommend thinking about what exactly you need. Many small requests could add up, so going back to those core requirements is helpful. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior product manager at 86 Repairs, a repair and maintenance management platform for the restaurant industry. We’re part software and part service. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Atomic Object?

We wanted to build a mobile app for our customers. We needed a team with expertise in mobile app development to accelerate the process. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started off with a couple of weeks of design, where we went on-site and met with some of our customers. We got to know the industry and the problem spaces a little better. At the end of that initial design research phase, we got together with the Atomic Object design team and came up with the MVP version of our mobile app. 

We started with a rough idea of what we wanted the features to be. We wanted our customers to be able to create service requests which is the primary way that they engage with us. We also wanted them to be able to view all of the requests in our system and be able to drill down to each individual request and get more specific information.

We had a lot of data but needed to represent it and show it to our end users in a mobile-friendly way. We specced out the screens, detailed the interactions that we wanted, and worked with Atomic Object's engineering team to build the first version of the app. 

We built it using Expo Go with a React Native framework, and Atomic Object used Figma and Miro. Our team handled most of the backend work of the API integration. 

What is the team composition? 

They had a delivery lead, and we worked closely with the UX designer.

How did you come to work with Atomic Object?

They were a referral for us; I talked to seven different agencies before deciding to move forward with Atomic Object. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $180,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together between November 2022–February 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our success was being able to have a mobile app that we could launch to our customers by the end of the engagement. Since we finished our engagement with Atomic Object, the adoption of the app has been very strong.

I’m happy with the progress that we’ve made, and we give them a lot of credit for finding the right feature set and building something clean and functional that our end users find valuable.

How did Atomic Object perform from a project management standpoint?

The project management was great and we had stand-ups or check-ins a couple of times a week. We communicated via phone calls, texting, and Slack. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They brought a broad range of skills to the table. No matter what we threw at them, they had somebody who had the expertise we needed and was able to consult and give an informed opinion. Atomic Object became a part of our team really quickly, and they took a lot of pride and ownership in their work. 

It felt like we were working with people who cared about our business just as much as we do, which was really nice to see. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There were a couple of times when we had to go back and forth with the invoices to ensure the budget was trending on track. I had to watch that a little bit more than I would have liked, but we ended up delivering on time and everything went well in the end. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They really care about their craft and their work. They have a lot of good expertise to offer beyond the delivery of the product. Look to them as partners and subject matter experts, and you’ll get a lot of value out of your engagement.