DevTalents

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the co-founder of a Race Hunt - iOS mobile app for the local racing community. You can search for fast and exotic cars nearby and invite them for a meeting or a ride. Some people laugh that we are like Tinder for petrolheads.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire United Ideas?

I hired United Ideas to replace an iOS freelancer that I’ve worked before. I needed skilled mobile developers to revamp what was done by him in the past.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to find a company to successfully deliver and launch my ideal app within a limited budget and narrow time constraints. Design and UX work was already done, but there was a lot ahead of us.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We’d previously worked with an iOS freelancer, but he wasn’t performing at the level that was expected. I originally heard about United Ideas through a mutual contact. My friend suggested to me that I should talk to their team.

I interviewed them, along with a few other recommended companies. That went really well, so it was an obvious choice to keep working with them. The fact that they took over similar mobile projects in the past helped me with the decision as well. A couple of days after I shared the source code, we signed the deal and started working together.

Describe the project in detail.

United Ideas has provided coding for iOS, based on my requirements and mock-ups. It needed bug fixing, integrations, and new features: user profile with virtual garage, live updated list of cars and motorbikes nearby, easy swipe based vehicles browser, range selection, and chat.

What was the team composition?

At the time when I approached United Ideas luckily, one of their iOS developers was available and could step in to take over the project. We didn’t need more manpower to finish the job and it took him less than three months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s hard to call Race Hunt a business; it’s not a commercial app. The whole thing started as a side project, and so it is up to now. We didn’t promote the app, but it gained some publicity and managed to build an active community of users (30 000 on FB). Other than that, I don’t recall any specific numbers. They’ve developed an innovative, clean, high-performing platform that’s on par with some of the more prominent apps on the market.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The team was trustworthy, considerate, and flexible with me. They followed a transparent methodology and managed the project well from start to finish. We used Trello, Github and RocketChat to communicate and Zoom to host online meetings.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by their project management and ability to address any of my needs. They were flexible and accommodating throughout the entire engagement, and the whole team was friendly. They foster a collaborative environment and genuinely contribute with suggestions that are relevant to our business. United Ideas understands that app development is a creative process and requires an agile, iterative manner of implementation, which they execute beautifully.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not that I can think of. I tend to be very involved, so there’s not much room to leave anything out. We reached out to United Ideas about issues, and they fixed them immediately.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the marketing manager responsible for mobile projects at an advertising agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire United Ideas?

We were working with a popular beer brand and they decided to run a contest with the opportunity to win tickets for upcoming game tournaments.

The main idea was to run it through the mobile app. I was hunting for a suitable, capable partner to help us develop the apps’ backend infrastructure.

What were your goals for this project?

Ultimately, we wanted to build a mobile app to host a contest as part of our client's marketing campaign. As a result, we needed to build a valuable mobile feature that would allow us to communicate with customers through the apps. We had a concept in place and came with a good idea, but United Ideas definitely helped us narrow down the focus and create a good product.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I knew United Ideas had experience in similar types of projects since they already helped to support a few marketing campaigns in Poland with mobile apps.

Describe the project in detail.

United Ideas was involved in the entire backend architecture and mobile development. This included project design, project management, delivery, and managing the release process. The app was built for both Android and iOS with React Native.

What was the team composition?

Besides our project manager, a couple of React Native developers were also involved.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

United Ideas built an intuitive design and developed iOS/Android app for our client. Everything went as planned. I don't remember the exact numbers when it comes to downloads or users, but at the end of the day, almost 500 game tickets for the Men's European Volleyball Championship were distributed via the app. United Ideas were undoubtedly integral in helping us create the product. They remained accessible to provide any troubleshooting or updates as needed throughout the course of the marketing campaign as well.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I had a direct line of communication to our project manager, as well as their CEO. They worked in two-week sprints and delivered a new build at the end of each one. They were very communicative about where they were along the way. It was much more efficient than just speaking from one project manager to another about timelines and delivery.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They don't take themselves seriously, but they take their work seriously. It creates a friendly and united working relationship that our company highly appreciates. They're very knowledgeable from a technological standpoint, but they always received my ideas with kindness and positivity. They never belittled me; instead, they patiently guided me through the process.

Are there any areas for improvement?

This engagement was a couple of years ago, and there is room for improvement in every cooperation between the two parties. However, I don't recall anything specific that United Ideas could do better. They delivered exactly what they promised.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the co-founder & COO of a Tokyo based start-up. We work with publishers of fashion magazines and catalogs. We distribute a mobile application as a market place that allows readers to shop directly from magazines and catalog pages. You simply scan any page and buy all of the products you like. I am directly involved in the cooperation as a point of contact with the United Ideas team during the development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire United Ideas?

We were in search of a new mobile development vendor. Without a doubt, the biggest challenge for both sides was the fact that we had worked on this project with two other external development companies. United Ideas had to take over the previous work, which are unfavorable circumstances in software development.

What were your goals for this project?

There was a need to restructure the way that the app was storing and synchronizing data. We realized that we should move content that was stored initially on the mobile app to the server side. It also required some code optimization and framework standardization. Further, we had a huge backlog of features and extensions to be implemented.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A friendly marketing agency introduced United Ideas as a trusted partner in the area of mobile development. They did collaborations together in the past, and, once they heard about our challenges, they suggested that we talk to United Ideas. We touched base, and United Ideas proved to have expertise with solid references. We started our collaboration after a few meetings.

Describe the project in detail.

The partnership started in December 2017. We didn’t have a technical background, so their scope of involvement was strong from day one. They have been engaged with us in a wide variety of projects and tasks.

They’ve provided technology consulting as well as design and development work. They advised us to change storage from local database to on-demand cloud system. United Ideas also implemented new solutions and technologies. For example, we switched to programming the application in Kotlin.

What was the team composition?

A dedicated account manager is our main point of contact. We also have regular calls with the Android and iOS developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

First, they’ve polished the MVP version of the app. Thanks to a major change in our data storage approach, we reduced the time needed to open the app. Long loading times hurt user activation, so we worked side by side to implement a new onboarding.

We acquired our first B2B client and verified proof of concept to stakeholders. Now, we continue to grow our product, building new features to scale and establish a product-market fit.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We mainly communicated with the team via Rocket Chat and Zoom. This includes planning and demo sessions. We’ve worked using the Scrum methodology in bi-weekly sprints. There were no issues with tracking time and making sure that everything was completed. We are satisfied with the project management process.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They helped narrow down the focus and committed themselves to a timeline that they delivered. We used other service providers in the past that were not able to provide this. For us, that’s what distinguishes United Ideas. Also, we appreciate the fact that their engineers have past experiences working for other white label and marketplace mobile apps.

Are there any areas for improvement?

To improve work efficiency, they should spend more time on an in-depth analysis of the scope of existing features that have been implemented by previous vendors. Of course, this is not always an easy task when other vendors wrote the code.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder of a mobile application that connects corporations looking for temporary personnel with people seeking employment or internships.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire United Ideas?

We're a marketplace startup, so we needed market validation on the supply and the demand sides. We wanted a software studio to develop our mobile platform.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to build a functional, stable prototype to help us gain traction and secure funding for a full-scale launch. The project included design and development.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I met United Ideas at a startup accelerator, where their CEO was one of the consultants. We stayed in contact and met from time to time. As my idea matured, they agreed to build an inexpensive MVP so I could test my business model. Meeting them so early was a huge help. 

Describe the project in detail.

When recruiters list a new position, our system instantly searches the database for users with the required qualifications. United Ideas helped us address our questions, create the design, and get our idea off the ground.

What was the team composition?

I mostly worked with a newly hired designer and mobile developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The prototype looks amazing, and we’re currently trying to establish a market fit. This is still a side project, but key decision makers are impressed with its quality. They see its potential and want to hear more when our user base grows. After establishing the app as a reliable and successful resource, we hope to add full-time employment to the product mix.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I've served as the project manager throughout the entire process. United Ideas allows me to use their tools, share their office, and work with their team. When we discussed our needs, they knew what we needed instead of telling us what we wanted to hear.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

United Ideas has delivered a better prototype than I imagined. I've learned a lot from them. They expand on my ideas and deliver functional products with creative branding. They are truly invested and passionate. I never feel like this is just another project to them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Their testing and QA environment could have been better. I cut QA spending because of our small budget, though, so that's understandable.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a SaaS analyst for a social media monitoring company. We help brands measure the buzz around their name, service, or product.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire United Ideas?

Our crawlers have collected over 20 billion mentions worldwide. However, our sentiment detection algorithm at the time was lacking. Our clients wanted to be able to recognize if someone is sharing a positive or negative experience related to their brand with just one click. The algorithm could only categorize approximately 30% mentions based on their emotional tone. We decided to upgrade the algorithm with the help of the external provider.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to start successfully analyzing online pieces of writing to determine their emotional tone. We were looking for a solution that delivers maximum efficiency with minimum effort. We planned to continue R&D when we achieve 50% accuracy for sentiment analysis and opinion mining after 60 days.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our investors pointed to United Ideas as a trusted partner. Ultimately, we chose them because the quality of their portfolio was equal to if not better than other companies' work. The price and timeline they quoted were much more reasonable as well.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Sentiment analysis is based on algorithms using natural language processing to categorize pieces of writing as positive, neutral, or negative.

United Ideas came up with an effective solution to improve our algorithms. First, they exported a large sample of data. They then introduced semi-automated tagging of the collected mentions. After that, the team built machine learning scripts to deal with the rest data we collected. They also manually corrected everything when it was necessary.

Throughout the process, United Ideas found creative ways to accomplish our goals within our constraints, which I appreciated.

What was the team composition?

I worked with a project manager and two Ruby on Rails developers with backgrounds in big data.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After a few rounds of iterations, United Ideas developed a prototype solution that we tested on real users. The team incorporated feedback and started creating higher-fidelity algorithms. United Ideas has taken every goal we've had and delivered above and beyond our expectations. They beat our requirement of achieving a 50% accuracy rating; the software is now over 80% accurate. Ultimately, we implemented the feature within our tool. We currently are focused on improving accuracy results even further, which won’t be easy.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We communicated through a combination of in-person discussion, Skype calls, and online interaction. United Ideas was very easy to work with. We had a limited budget, so they outlined their costs and the total number of hours very carefully at each step in the process.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

United Ideas overcommunicated everything, saving us a lot of time and money. We didn't think we could afford their services, but they adjusted to accommodate us. Our teams clicked from the start. It was easy to work with them, and their company's culture was similar to our own. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

Due to language complexity, the algorithms still run into issues, such as failing to detect sarcasm and context nuances. However, United Ideas remained accessible to provide updates as needed throughout the project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I worked as a Creative Director at the Polish branch of DDB, a marketing and advertising company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire United Ideas?

We hired the team to help develop and reimagine a mobile app for a client. We wanted to establish a new framework and integrate some additional features.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted the renewed app to allow customers to match with their friends based on restaurant menu choices. The overarching internal goal was to build a viral marketing campaign, boosting customer engagement and loyalty.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Someone in our organization referred them, as we had successfully collaborated in the past on mobile development projects. After vetting other companies, we felt the most comfortable with United Ideas because they understood our challenges and had the required skill set.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Once we came to an agreement on the budget and features, they immediately started working to meet the tight deadline. They began with a deep dive into our company, coming on site to collaborate with us. My team provided user data, and they developed the code and helped with the QA.

Due to the high privacy of the project, I can't share many technical details. However, it required innovative development, including AI and matching patterns. They wrote the necessary machine learning algorithms, determining which data points to include. The team also offered guidance to stakeholders on how to navigate third-party protocols.

What was the team composition?

My team interfaced with a project manager and Lukasz (CEO, United Ideas), and we also met with a couple of other team members. The team included design and development specialists.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

With technical expertise from United Ideas, our team could advance our creative ideas. Their work has allowed us to offer more value to our clients and move beyond prior development limits.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

They had excellent project management. United Ideas held weekly meetings with their team either in-person or over Zoom to go over milestones. They were also very communicative with internal stakeholders as they progressed through each stage.  

They worked on two-week sprints and delivered an updated product at the end of each one. They never fell short of meeting our goals, and they always gave me a variety of options about how to arrange the timeline.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

United Ideas always delivered on their promises — that was was a big plus. They’re a small, talented team that offers a comprehensive list of services and capabilities. Accountable and professional, they worked by our side to create the best product possible. We also appreciated their eager approach to solving problems.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There are bugs with every project, but they made sure the finished product worked properly. The team was readily available if we ever encountered an issue. They were good listeners, and they ensured we received what our client required.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

At the time of our cooperation, I was a project manager at a software development agency. I was responsible for an account belonging to an herbal spirit brand we worked with.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire United Ideas?

We engaged United Ideas to build native mobile apps for iOS and Android for our client, the herbal spirit brand. The mobile app was going to be an integral part of a more substantial marketing campaign that was going to launch shortly after the engagement.  

What were your goals for this project?

Our client hoped to appeal to a younger audience through the development of a mobile application. We received some very complex technical requirements, but because we lacked the mobile development resources in-house, we hired United Ideas.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

My agency learned of United Ideas through a former client of theirs that had a positive experience with their team. Throughout the interview and decision processes, United Ideas was never pushy about working together. I felt genuinely comfortable hiring them.

Describe the project in detail.

They were involved at each stage of the project: generating ideas, designing interfaces, project management, and the final development. We received a tremendous app that includes a Ruby on Rails backend panel. The app contains integrations with Facebook and WhatsApp and allows users to create a custom party and event invitations, capture photos, and relive the fun in an after-party video.

What was the team composition?

I had two primary contacts—a product designer/UX specialist and an account manager. They utilized other resources, but I am unsure of their exact roles.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The application was a critical element of the overall marketing initiative. Our client was very pleased with the finished product.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

United Ideas capably managed and organized all elements of the project. We primarily communicated via phone and email but later joined their team’s internal communication channels and tools, which made our cooperation more transparent. They took the appropriate amount of time to build the best possible product before we introduced it to customers.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

United Ideas featured a mature process, and they were professional in every way. I knew that we were in good hands.

Are there any areas for improvement?

United Ideas did an excellent job of recommending simplicity with app development. However, I think their team could collect more information about the project upfront.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of Arrinera Technology and a co-founder of Arrinera Racing Ltd, a supercar manufacturer in the high-end automotive market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire United Ideas?

We needed help with developing a mobile app.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to enable our customers to control certain vehicle features and functions through an iOS and Android app.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

United Ideas reached out to my company offering their mobile development services.

Describe the project in detail.

The United Ideas team held preliminary interviews and acquainted themselves with our company before they started writing code. We outlined the blueprint process and our goals. From there, United Ideas began developing our car multimedia system. They executed a complex development and creation pipeline. The team designed the UX/UI and collaborated on QA. 

The app controls the car's power and locks. It can also check tire pressure and locate the vehicle. The app also provides real-time analytics.

What was the team composition?

We interfaced with a project manager, a UI designer, and a QA engineer. We occasionally worked with a team of four Ruby on Rails developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The completed iOS and Android apps were different from our preliminary product specifications. United Ideas had strategically narrowed the scope of the project to address user impact and lean development.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project was well-planned and the project manager was responsive. United Ideas was thorough in gathering information and understanding the project objectives. The vendor organized the project into two-week sprints based on an Agile methodology. They performed sprints as scheduled and provided daily project updates. The team also held bi-weekly webinars to discuss progress and set updated goals for upcoming sprints. The developers were particularly proactive and regularly sought our feedback, in turn proposing suggestions and solutions.  

What did you find most impressive about this company?

United Ideas maintained a deep understanding of the mobile app development process. Although their team was small, it comprised talented and accommodating developers. They provided exceptional service and ensured our satisfaction with the work. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

I don’t know what they could have done better. All projects have technical challenges and roadblocks. We did not have any significant delays or setbacks. They are a little more expensive than other companies, but the quality of the final product offset the cost.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder of tookapic sp. z o.o. We provide a photo sharing platform that encourages users to develop a habit of daily photo journaling.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire United Ideas?

We brought in United Ideas to develop an iOS application.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to provide a mobile version of our platform. It would streamline the user experience of taking and uploading an image to the platform.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A mutual colleague who’d worked with United Ideas and was pleased with their quality of work and customer support introduced Lukasz (CEO, United Ideas) to us. Our first call convinced us that they were the right fit for our needs. They took over where our previous developer left off.

Describe the project in detail.

I’m a product designer myself, so I came up with my wireframes and mockups. United Ideas then built a native iOS app based on what I prepared. Key features include simple image editing, location tagging, private messaging, comment sections, discussion areas, @mentions, tags, push notifications, and user profiles.

What was the team composition?

I worked largely with Lukasz; he, in turn, coordinated a larger team of developers

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since the app’s launch, our userbase growth rate has increased fourfold. Over 10,000 users have joined the platform and uploaded over 700,000 photos. 90% of users who complete a challenge start another the next day, showing clear retention. United Ideas created an app that met all technical requirements and received a positive response from users and recognition from the broader tech community.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project ran smoothly from start to finish. United Ideas was highly responsive and receptive to ideas and feedback. They came up with solutions to our challenges as we needed them. We communicated almost daily.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

United Ideas successfully took over from a previous developer’s work and delivered a high-quality product on time. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can’t think of anything. Everything went as I expected. United Ideas is an excellent vendor for any startup founder who wants to work directly with developers.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the technical co-founder of Billin, a subscription sales support solution. At the time of our cooperation, I worked as a project manager helping a client build a storage platform similar to Dropbox.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire United Ideas?

We were charged with delivering a cloud-based storage and file-sharing platform. The project was so large that we weren’t equipped to handle its backend and mobile support aspects entirely in-house. Therefore, we reached out to United Ideas.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted users to be able to download a mobile app on their preferred device, create an account, and start sharing content within minutes. Changes from one device would automatically sync across all your devices.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A previous partner recommended them to us based on familiarity with their work. We put them through a vetting process along with several other possible vendors. I found United Ideas to be incredibly responsive and warm from the very beginning. We connected in those initial conversations and they understood what we were trying to accomplish.

Describe the project in detail.

While United Ideas wasn’t involved in design, they provided developers who coded, tested, and implemented all requested features. We brought them on late in the game but they helped us get back on track. The application was built for iOS, Android, and web, and they worked on everything simultaneously, finishing the whole backend in less than six months.

What was the team composition?

I mostly worked with their tech lead, who managed the team very well, but I also interacted with higher-level employees when necessary. The size of their team varied during the development process. At any given time, there were around four developers assigned to our project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The results were absolutely outstanding, and they were incredibly detailed with their process. They delivered their work 15% under budget and a week ahead of schedule. Unfortunately, our client couldn't support the platform, and we ended up having to shut it down, but that had nothing to do with United Ideas’ quality of work. We were delighted with their deliverables and the time it took for them to complete the project.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Things were fluid and flexible with us. They had project management tools they wanted to use initially, but we were already using our own tools, so they adapted. This greatly contributed to our success. We communicated via email and Slack, and they were highly responsive, even though they were working remotely. Daily collaboration helped us create and finish development tasks in record time. Their meticulous process ensured nothing was lost in translation, even though we brought them on with two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were able to marshal talented resources to tackle any new needs that arose. Our in-house developers loved working with them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The project manager should communicate daily with the team leader so they won’t be surprised by any questions. If we say something is wrong, they should be aware of its potential issues.