BlueLabel

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We are an iOS mobile app that connects travelers to like-minded local people in different cities so that they are able to get recommendations for things to do. 

What is your position?

I am CEO and founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Blue Label Labs?

At the time we started working with Blue Label Labs, we didn't have an in-house developer. I had originally hired a freelance developer to build a prototype of the product for us. It wasn't the best quality. So, instead of trying to find another freelancer, I wanted to find a more reputable development firm. We came to them with existing code base and prototype.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

Initially, we were just trying get something out [a minimum viable product] to get feedback on. It wasn't the easiest project in the world because we asked them to take over an existing code base that wasn't built that well. We needed Blue Label's help to stabilize it. The product BLL delivered wasn't completely built from scratch, but it required them to get up to speed on the existing code base quickly. We did have them implement some new features.

How did you come to work with Blue Label Labs?

I talked to a few other agencies. I had met with Blue Label's leadership to talk about the project, and I liked working with them. They're very technical, but they also seemed to understand the business side of things. They had perspective on SEO [search engine optimization] as well. For me, it was wanting to partner with somebody that wasn't just offering the technical side, but also offering inside information like technology strategy and how to think about the app in terms of an overall business.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

For Blue Label's services, we are spending in the range of $10,000 to $50,000. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We've gotten a bunch of feedback on the overall concept and how that product reflects the concept and what we're trying to turn into an actual business. We first released an MVP version in October [2015] and, based on that, we implemented a new feature to it in February. Since then, we have brought on an in-house developer, so we redesigned the product, and we're just finishing up some usability tests on that. We're rebuilding the app from scratch because we don't want to continue to deal with the buggy legacy code from the first freelancer.

How did Blue Label Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

Most development firms will have project managers who facilitate between you and the developers. If you want to be involved in the development, project management adds a layer of complexity. I liked working with Blue Label because I was able to interact directly with my developers. From a communication perspective, that was awesome.

What distinguishes Blue Label Labs from other providers?

For me, coming from a nontechnical background, the most important thing was being able to understand the rationale on why we were doing certain things in terms of development and the full implications of new features and Apple system updates. Being actually able to talk to somebody who could communicate business rationale for certain things as opposed to just a pure technology perspective was important. 

Is there anything Blue Label Labs could have improved or done differently?

There were occasions where I would have loved to do certain things to make the app perform better, but then I'd rely on them to say it might be more cost-effective to do it a different way. There were spots where they saved us money for sure. When we first gave them the project, the previous freelancer was costing us $1,000 a month for servers. I didn't have any perspective on whether that was a lot or a little. Once we got Blue Label involved, they changed that right away and saved us hundreds of dollars a month. Having technical advisors was so helpful for me.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

My company is an insurance brokerage firm. We insure fleets of vehicles whether they be school buses, oil tankers, etc.

What is your position?

I’m the Chief Technology Officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Blue Label Labs?

We were giving our clients a paper trifold of information that they would have to collect in the event of an accident so that we could handle the claim. We were looking to make that electronic, and since everybody has cell phones today, we thought about making it an app. I started a process of looking for someone who could help us develop an app and get it in the app stores for our clients’ use.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

Blue Label delivered an Android and Apple app. The app is an accident reporting app.

How did you come to work with Blue Label Labs?

I was new to the app development world. I had never developed one. I started researching who to go to on Google and asking colleagues. They recommended me to some places. Every place that I went to basically told me that the cost for the app would be way too expensive for the app we were going to get. One of the companies that I talked with was very helpful. They recommended Blue Label Labs. They said this company would fit my needs more. I reached out to Blue Label and we hit it off.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

Our project fell between $10,000 and $20,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

One of the issues we were experiencing with the trifold was that it was just a piece of paper with all the questions. The users would write down the information, and you can imagine that some people’s handwriting is very atrocious, and we would get it via mail. Our new process is all digital, takes all the information into the app, and electronically sends it in PDF form to my claims team. Now, because of the app, we’re getting the claim information much quicker and legible with all the required fields filled out.

What distinguishes Blue Label Labs from other providers?

The thing that stuck out to me about Blue Label Labs is when we negotiated the project, they said it was going to be done by a certain date. To be able to do that do that, their project management team kept reminding me to keep my side of the agreement as far as delivering all the information they needed from me. That effort kept the project online and I really appreciated that. Blue Label came in on time and under budget, and I believe we got the app two weeks ahead of schedule. Their team is top notch.

There were slight adjustments that we needed after the project was officially completely, and I figured I’d have to reengage them, but they just took care of them at no cost which was really nice. We still maintain communication because there are going to be some future projects we’re going to work on with Blue Label. They were very good.

Is there anything Blue Label Labs could have improved or done differently?

I didn’t have any issues at all. They were very helpful.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We are a beauty company that provides on-demand hair and makeup services in the New York and Los Angeles area.

What is your position?

I'm the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Blue Label Labs?

We were looking to streamline our logistics and operations process by using an app to facilitate scheduling of our artists.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

Our app is currently on iOS only.

How did you come to work with Blue Label Labs?

I was considering Blue Label Labs and a few others. I went with them because of a very strong recommendation from an SEO [search engine optimization] expert that I trusted. He told me the top app development companies that he had worked with. Blue Label was the best value for the quality.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

This project is in the range of $50,000 to $200,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

Before we launched the app, I went to investors to get their feedback to raise money to launch the app with my company, and the feedback was so strong that they just wanted to invest in the app technology. 

Now, I've created a whole new company around just that app technology. The extra knowledge and skills that Blue Label Labs lent to me in coaching me and guiding me through the app process was invaluable. We were able to get to a place that was much bigger than I had expected, and now we have such a scalable product, and will be able to scale our offering around the base of this technology.

What distinguishes Blue Label Labs from other providers?

Blue Label Labs is very responsive. If you send an email, you get a response back in the next five to 10 minutes. The customer service is great. Their business development team is amazing. They're smart. They know a lot and they can figure things out. They add a lot of value that you're not paying for.

Is there anything Blue Label Labs could have improved or done differently?

There's a lot of underlying cost not associated directly with their development of the app. There's a lot of ancillary costs like Apple fees and things like that that could have been more transparent because that can drive up the cost of an app. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

I am the co-founder of the Sploops app, a new sports conversation app for fans.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Blue Label Labs?

We had a partner do some preliminary design work for us, but we needed a separate company to build the app itself.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

Blue Label essentially built our app from the ground up, all the way through to our first launch in November. We used them for everything, including front-end and back-end development, video streaming, integrating Amazon Web Services, and quality testing.

How did you come to work with Blue Label Labs?

They were referred to us through a partner, which we're very happy about because we would not have built as great of an app without their services. Blue Label made the process very simple and easy. It was a great experience for sure.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

The cost falls between $50,000 and $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The first launch of the app was in November 2015 and the second launch was March of this year [2016]. We work with them on an ongoing basis. When we have ideas for the app, we'll pitch it to them, and they'll come back to us with a plan for us to approve before they start working.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

Since the first version was launched in the App Store, we've seen nothing but positive reviews. It's been excellent. Since the second version was released on March 8, we've had almost 2,000 downloads [in approximately two months], which we're also very excited about. The feedback from customers and users has been overall positive. We built an app that has a very smooth navigation, clean interface, and well-functioning technology. Blue Label did an excellent job.

How did Blue Label Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

Blue Label performed very well. If we wanted to add more features to the app, we would have a general phone call with either our project manager or one of the two co-founders, Jordan [Gurrieri] or Bobby [Gill]. They were very clear with us throughout the whole process. They provided a timetable and pricing for every project, which is very important for the client.

The testing cycle was very easy as well. We were able to go back and forth with questions and suggestions for our project manager on a daily basis. At the end of the process, Blue Label would make sure that we were satisfied with the outcome and everything was buttoned up, and then we would get a bill that we could pay through PayPal. It was all a very smooth process.

What distinguishes Blue Label Labs from other providers?

Blue Label gave us the freedom to be creative while also offering their input, which was a perfect mix for us. We were able to get their professional experience and opinion while also incorporating our ideas. Another thing they are excellent at is keeping you updated throughout the process. It's important for customer satisfaction to be reassured that things are working and moving along smoothly.

Their technical expertise is also something that really sets them apart. There was never a time that they couldn't do something that we suggested. We love being creative, so it was great for us that Blue Label was able to make anything possible. They told us that the sky is the limit, and they proved it. It was unbelievable working with them, and we are going to continue the relationship through the life of our app and any apps going forward.

Is there anything Blue Label Labs could have improved or done differently?

We haven't had any complaints through this entire process. There is nothing negative to say from our end. It was very smooth the entire way.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We have a website that takes care of women who are trying to get pregnant. We use Blue Label to do the website for us.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I am the founder of the company. I am also a physician, the director of obstetrics at a hospital.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Blue Label Labs?

We previously had an app and showed it to Blue Label. We wanted to update and modernize it. Our schedule was to start with a basic app and add modules to it to make it grow. It is for iOS, iPhone.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

The scope was to meet with Blue Label to give them the outline for the app. I gave them mathematical formulas and outlines on how to develop the app. They came up with some recommendations, which we discussed and implemented. Then, they designed the app from the bottom up.

What was your process for selecting Blue Label Labs to work with?

We looked online for a small-sized company that already had developed some apps, but not a huge company where I wouldn’t know whom I was talking to. I wanted to be able to talk to somebody in real time since we’re located in New York.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

The project was performed in phases. The initial expense was in the $10,000 to $20,000 range. It was initially a small project, and when we added pieces, they charged us by the addition. It was very reasonable.

When was the latest milestone completed for that work?

The project is still ongoing. It’s a never-ending story. They completed the initial project in time. We started with putting the app in the App Store in October of 2013. They were done within the deadline, upgraded it, and we’ve continued to upgrade it with add ons.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

We received very good recommendations online, and the reviews were excellent. Blue Label were very receptive to reviews and made changes to improve it even more.

How did Blue Label Labs perform?

Blue Label performed beyond expectations. They are very smart. They understand what is going on, and they are extremely professional. They are professional beyond what I have seen in anybody else.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

They are very smart, and they can come up with their own ideas. They think independently for people who do this kind of development. I’ve been doing this for more than 10 years. If I ask them to do something, and it won’t work, they will tell me before they do it. They are wonderful. They deserve any success that they can get and want.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

Not at all. They’re as good as I want them to be.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are a social network called Skycheckin Team. We used Blue Label Labs to do the frontend development.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I am the co-founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Blue Label Labs?

We briefed them on what we needed, and they gave us some screen shots of what the app could be. We continued talking about it until we found something we both agreed on. Our main concerns were how fast and efficient it would be.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

My partner developed the whole backend that communicates with the app, and Blue Label developed the front end and the design of the app.

What was your process for selecting Blue Label Labs to work with?

It was random. I was looking for a company online and wanted someone who wasn’t too expensive or too cheap, either. Blue Label was in the middle, and I decided to contact them.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

From the time we started the project until it was available on the App Store was about six months. We adapted some features, too. When they gave us the first shot of the app, we thought there were some options we should change. In terms of money, it was about $15,000.

When was the latest milestone completed for that work?

The soft launch was this week so February of 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

Not yet. It's too early. We're very happy with the work. The two teams worked very well together.

How did they perform overall?

We're very satisfied. They understood our project and the purpose of our app. We met some other people who submitted proposals for the app, but they didn’t really get the feeling of what we wanted. They were very involved and fixed the bugs by themselves without us needing to tell them all the bugs. They gave us updated versions of the app, and they worked from that. It was very professional.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

This was my first app, so I can’t compare them to other firms. We had a good relationship. We met the whole team and had a soft launch party. If we need to do more, we will go through them.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

I would say the time frame could improve. We are happy the way it is, but perhaps it could have taken a month less overall.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

Fest is a holding company that I incorporated several months ago. We have produced one app so far. We're an app startup.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I’m the founder and CEO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Blue Label Labs?

We were looking for the technical proficiency that we were lacking. We're mostly humanities- and business-based, but not as technically savvy. Blue Label Labs was great about the technical side. I had seen some of their previous work, and it seemed like it was compatible. I thought there were a lot of features that translated well into what I was trying to build. That held true throughout the process; they had a good grasp on the area and they were very insightful. I had a complicated vision going into the project, and they helped me simplify a lot of things, based on their experience in the field.

Which platform did you use to develop the platform?

The app was developed on iOS. We're in the process of talking about converting it for Android. If I do that, I think I'll go back and do it with Blue Label Labs since it's much easier.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

In addition to app development, Blue Label Labs has been very helpful in support. I didn’t do any tech training through them. I’m taking classes right now. They were completely in charge of the design element, from creating the basic templates and logos for the business, which we're still using, to designing the app, the color scheme, and so on. We've been through several iterations, and they’ve been very helpful.

What was your process for selecting Blue Label Labs to work with?

My personal process is long and drawn out, looking for the right technical partner who can be supportive and insightful. I found them by going to a few tech startup meetings around the city. One day, I found a huge roster of people who were attending them, what their titles were, and so on. That’s how I found Blue Label Labs. I made a list and narrowed it down based on what they had done before in conversations that I had with them. They were the best, they were nearby, they were relatively well-priced, and they had good experience in the field.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

The cost was between $10,000 and $20,000.

When was the latest milestone completed for that work?

The app was launched in late 2013, but we updated it a few times based on bug fixes. That work is ongoing, and they’ve been helpful about maintaining the app and fixing any problems that we’ve had with it. It's been great so far.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project?

I’m very happy with the outcome of the project and with the product itself. It's very clean, simple, and well designed. Functionally, it's very sound. I think they were very professional and helpful along the way. They offered a lot of insights about things I wouldn’t have seen myself from different perspectives from design, programming, marketing, across the board. They performed above and beyond. I can’t say enough about how happy I was with Blue Label Labs.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

I was especially impressed with how their people on the technical side of things are normally personality-deficient. Their group was definitely the opposite. My project manager was very outgoing, easy to talk to, very responsive in terms of email, communication, and text messaging. That sealed the deal since he was someone that I could talk to who could talk to me beyond the technical issues.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

There were some normal time issues, and there were additional costs, which always happens, so I can’t hold that against them. Most of that was my doing or hesitancy.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Manager of RK Ventures

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Real estate analytics

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire BlueLabel to accomplish?

• Streamline the real estate due diligence process
• Develop figma prototype encompassing key user features
• Initial proof of concept of the due diligence process

SOLUTION

How did you find BlueLabel?

• Online Search
• Referral
• Clutch Site

Why did you select BlueLabel over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me

How many teammates from BlueLabel were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Describe the specific goals or objectives of this project: Our engagement started with the product strategy. This was done through the following objectives:

1. Identify and validate the initial concept of a Real Estate application through the lens of market and user needs.
2. Conduct user testing with target user groups to receive feedback and assess if the proposed product and its features would be valuable.
3. Perform stakeholder interviews with brokers, builders, developers, and zoning officials.
4. Complete an interactive Figma prototype encompassing key user validated feature flows
5. Develop an initial proof of concept to determine if development of the proposed product is feasible.

On completion of the above objectives, we went a step further on the proof of concept in the next phase of our engagement. The goal of this portion of the project is to understand the level of effort required to create the MVP of this product. This was done through the following objectives:

1. Validate the proof of concept utilizing ArcGIS for a single municipality.
2. Create a high-level roadmap and estimation to develop the MVP of this product.
3. Identify a feasible feature set to include in the MVP of this product.

Describe the scope of work performed in this project:

1. Execution of workshops to understand the Real Estate market, develop product and user hypotheses, establish goals and guardrails, and define the user journey for a potential product.
2. Performance of stakeholder interviews with target users to understand their current workflows and needs.
3. Complete an interactive Figma prototype encompassing key user validated feature flows.
4. Development of a user testing script and questionnaire.
5. Conduct user testing with three target user groups.
6. Research and document technical feasibility of potential product features
7. Creation of a high-level roadmap and estimation to develop the MVP of the

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

1. Complete an interactive Figma prototype encompassing key user validated feature flows 
2. Develop an initial proof of concept to determine if development of the proposed product is feasible.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They were able to deliver the project on time or within week. They were able to answer each question in depth and understand issues and solve problems as they arise. They were quick to respond to any concerns and provide feedback on how to proceed to solve issues.

What was your primary form of communication with BlueLabel?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The ability to take the information digest it and provide a well developed proof of concept. They were able to takeproof of concept and build an initial working mvp to prove the ability for the product to work.

Are there any areas for improvement or something BlueLabel could have done differently?

Overall, the team was responsive andprovided a high value product in a timely manner. I'm impressed with their ability to develop a proof of concept quickly with a high level of detail as well as build an mvp proof of concept taking into account the requirements of the products.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the Regional Director for a nonprofit dedicated to expanding the footprint and differentiating US soy in the interest of food security.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Blue Label Labs?

We wanted them to develop a simulation game that took the user through several layers of soy utilization and exposed them to various solutions that we offer.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We researched many developers, sent an RFP, interviewed the candidates and selected Blue Label

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

They created a world where the user built their soy empire and earned soy coin for rewards and challenges completed.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked with about 5 people, including a UI developer, a UX developer, an engineer, a business development manager and a PM

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app is currently under development

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The PM team has provided good feedback and they have been attentive to our needs and concerns.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their ability to understand the nuance of our industry and try to expand and develop the world to as real of a situation as possible.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Completed the project sooner