EL Passion

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive of a video platform. We’re shooting and distributing our own content for the French market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EL Passion?

We needed to design and develop our platforms.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

EL Passion designed our entire web platform. Their team currently works to develop the product using React. They’re building features that allow users to log in, sign up, and buy a program. Their team’s working on a logic that would allow a user to download a PDF for each program after purchase. They’ll also integrate the web product with our CMS, which was built in Java and PHP. They’re also creating a feature that would allow users to view content without an internet connection.

Later, their team will design and develop our iOS and Android apps. All of the platforms will have the same features.

What is the team composition?

We work with two designers, two iOS developers, two Android developers, and two web developers. We also communicate with an account manager.

How did you come to work with EL Passion?

I sought a company that had experience with video platforms and found two companies through a design platform. I looked at their portfolios and spoke to both of them but decided to work with EL Passion based on their previous projects.

How much have you invested with them?

The whole project will cost around €40,000 (approximately $46,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We initially spoke in January 2020 but started the work in April, which is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They did well on the web design, which was as I expected. I’m happy that I chose EL Passion for this project. Their team delivers quality work fast, and the partnership’s going well.

How did EL Passion perform from a project management standpoint?

We used Figma to collaborate on the design. Their team also uses a custom solution that allows us to check how much time each person spent on a task. They’re accessible via Slack and available for a quick call via Google when needed. Their communication’s great.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m really happy with EL Passion. So far, it’s been perfect.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve the availability of their teammates when a project starts. We had to wait for a teammate to begin work on our project. However, it wasn’t their fault. They had other work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’s important to be as detailed as possible about your project. You should do your homework to understand what is and isn’t possible. I sent them many documents about our vision and ideas for different elements. With a detailed plan, EL Passion will do a great job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the Financial Director at Mednavi sp. z o. o., the owner of the Mednavi.pl platform, created in November, 2018. The main Mednavi creator is a cancer survivor herself, and she helped us realize the market is lacking a solution that could unite cancer diagnosed patients with institutions and doctors that can help with their particular type of cancer.

To ensure a full scope of information on cancer treatment possibilities, we continually cooperate with doctors, industry specialists and health journalists. The platform mednavi.pl is an innovation from the tech perspective; offering patients clear and easy to read treatment paths, interconnected with treatment descriptions and applicable institutions’ cards.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire EL Passion?

EL Passion is with us from the very beginning of our project. Their team helped us transform our raw vision into a fully responsive Progressive Web App. We cooperated with them on all stages of the project: from UX and UI design, through Branding up to the development of the app (both Frontend and Backend), testing and production.

What were your goals for this project?

Our main goal was to deliver a tool that would give cancer patients and their loved ones a source of accurate information on the cancer disease and possible treatment solutions (including specific institutions that offer particular type of treatment).

From the technical perspective, the tool needed to be mobile-first and lightweight, to load all the needed information in real-time, even if the user’s Internet connection is not the best.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

EL Passion was recommended to us by their former client, who was extremely pleased with the end-results. After a Product Design Workshop with them, we were reassured of their professionalism and that they were the right fit for our product.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

With EL Passion, we were able to create a complete user interface (preceded with a UX design phase), but also our company’s logo with the entire brand system and brand guidelines. We developed a fully responsive Progressive Web Application, because this solution answered all of the project’s goals: it was lightweight, mobile-first and relatively cost-effective.

Custom treatment path diagrams are the core of our web app. The team built a custom diagram creator totally from scratch, so we can adjust every segment from the CMS level, without getting back into code.

What was the team composition?

3 UX/UI Designers, 2 Front-end Developers, 3 Back-end Developers during the project; 1 Back-end developer for Maintenance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Mednavi is a company at the beginning of business activity. So the realisation of this project was the most important step for us to enter the market, and start communication with our clients.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We’re very happy with the EL Passion’s team professionalism and effectiveness. The Mednavi team is small, so beside sharing our own ideas, we were collectively supervising their efforts and clashing them with our own product vision.

A few times we asked the EL Passion team to redesign some elements, but the changes were applied almost instantly and exactly how we wanted them. The cooperation was very effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed with their developers’ open approach to all of our ideas. At times, some of them interfered with the already-made code components. But the team, knowing the change is necessary, was always ready to creatively approach the task and deliver astounding results. As the project moved forward, the EL Passion team began to be its core element.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The miscommunication between the Design Team and the Developers team resulted in a couple of issues we needed to address and resolve on the go.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Our product focuses on indoor localisation and tracking solutions. Through our products, we help to navigate and analyse traffic in buildings. I am the COO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire EL Passion?

We collaborated with EL Passion on our early product which was an indoor navigation system using our localisation technology. We chose them to design and build native apps for iOS and Android and proof of concept of the backend in Ruby on Rails.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted easy-to-use apps that would engage users and help them navigate in big commercial and public buildings. It was crucial for us that apps worked seamlessly with our custom-developed technology of localisation.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

EL Passion was recommended to us by another business from our network. After additional research online and their workshop with a scoping session, we decided to pursue the project with this provider.

Describe the project in detail.

The project started with the design discovery phase where we established what are the needs of users and key features of the app. It was very helpful to understand our product better.

After that, the UX designer started wireframing the app. The team presented the idea of the app and how crucial features would work. They based it on the previous study on our users’ needs. Then, they started the UI design phase during which they prepared a clean and simple look for the apps.

During the UX&UI phase, backend developers already started working on integration with our external devices enabling localisation indoors. When the design was finishing up, iOS and Android developers started translating app designs into code for both, iOS and Android. The team worked closely for the whole time and I think it helped to develop the app quickly and without any problems.

After the development phase, they delivered apps for both platforms based on the prepared designs. They also offered us help with launching the apps in respective stores.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of UX designer, UI designer, 2 Backend developers, 3 Android developers, and 3 iOS developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

EL Passion team was able to deliver native mobile apps with complex integration of our custom localisation devices to enable our users to navigate through buildings.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We enjoyed the way EL Passion’s team works. We found it very well-organized and informative. They are great people and experts in their field. We always knew what’s going on in the project and what designers and developers are currently working on.

Every time we had some questions we could quickly jump on the call with them and discuss. It was clear they weren’t doing it for the first time and have experience and the process for projects they do.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

EL Passion designers and developers are highly-skilled experts in UX/UI design and software development. We had a great time working with them. They’re people to go with especially if you’re having a mobile project in mind.

Are there any areas for improvement?

It’s hard to think of any problems we had along the way.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We've created an “uber-like” platform that matches truck drivers in need of breakdown maintenance with mobile-mechanics, in real time. I am the founder & CEO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire EL Passion?

Initially el Passion was hired to complete a public facing website for our company. After successfully doing so we continued working with el Passion to develop an iOS app.

What were your goals for this project?

SEO and mobile-first design were very important for us, while not sacrificing UI/UX. The design was very impressive and equally so was the programming. Typically design doesn't translate into technical requirements without some distortion, but this team proved to me on-point!

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Extensive research was completed, with a strong focus on UI/UX and branding. Several companies were considered and we made contact with 3 separate ones.

El Passion was very responsive and had the resources and staff to scale with us as it was our intent to build a mobile application after completing the website.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

El Passion provided all the resources necessary for a successful project. Project manager, customer support, front-end developers, back-end developers, UI/UX designers, etc.

I contributed as much or as little as needed with the staff at El Passion filling in the details. They can follow specific guidelines while also offering creative solutions for an even better end result.

What was the team composition?

The team was composed of a project manager, UI/UX designer, front-end dev, back-end dev, senior support, etc. El Passion can scale to as little or as large as you need them. Budgets are very accurate and reporting is completed weekly so there are no surprises.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are still pre-launch, but so far I am very impressed with the technical stats we are hitting with the website. SEO and performance audits are very good at the moment and I'm excited to launch soon. I am very pleased and I would say El Passion has exceeded expectations.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Communication is never lacking with this team. Jira serves as a place for user stories to drive requirements and weekly team meetings on slack and google meet are a great time to review progress and next steps. Every weeks I was notified of budget, timelines, availability of staff, etc.—very thorough and proactive in ensuring there are no surprises.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Overall, El Passion is a team that is passionate and takes ownership of the project. Everyone is very skilled for the task at hand and works hard to see it through. This has been some of the best communication and one of the most friendly teams I have worked with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I cannot give enough praise to this company. They have exceeded my expectations time and time again!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Skriware is a 3D printing startup focusing on educational technology solutions. The company has developed a fully integrated educational ecosystem consisting of robots, an intuitive and easy-to-use 3D printer, an online 3D model library, a virtual 3D playground, and an e-learning platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire EL Passion?

We decided to choose EL Passion for building a PWA app which we were developing in cooperation with Coca-Cola Poland for children to help them learn the basics of coding and robotics in the form of a game.

What were your goals for this project?

To build an easy-to-use and accessible PWA app for children.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were short of frontend developers in our own team and needed to get proficient developers on board very quickly, to meet a tight delivery deadline. Based on a recommendation from our network we decided to work with EL Passion. We really liked their flexibility and ability to get started quickly.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

The project was focused on implementing a game design. EL Passion’s frontend developers quickly created a PWA app that met all of the requirements we provided. The game works on various platforms, is fast and reliable. Also, it is easy for children to play with.

What was the team composition?

The team was composed of one frontend developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After the project finished we received a final product ready for implementation. The app looked just as we imagined it, they did a great job implementing the design. EL Passion was also happy to help us with the launch if we encountered any difficulties.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Communication with EL Passion was very good. They were always there to answer our questions over a call. We were in constant contact through Slack, so they could update us on the progress. Thanks to that we always felt in control of the project.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were impressed by their open-minded approach and enthusiasm about the project. They not only delivered frontend implementation of the game but also the best advice based on their expertise and knowledge.

Are there any areas for improvement?

It was a short project, so it's hard to think of any major issues. They did a great job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The company is a startup that offers a platform for gym chain management. It helps gym owners to manage payments, memberships, sales, marketing and fitness class bookings. I am the CEO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire EL Passion?

We chose EL Passion to build our mobile apps (iOS and Android) for members of the gyms.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal of the app was to engage users and encourage them to use the services of the gym more often through easy access to in-app fitness class offers and marketing activations such as promos.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We researched Polish custom software development companies and sent out the RFP to chosen agencies. EL Passion’s offer was the most favourable one so we chose them. Also, we knew them from the recommendations of their previous clients from our network.

Describe the project in detail.

The project started with an UX phase where EL Passion’s designers analysed the requirements of our EU grant to match the features of the app with them. The design team then prepared wireframes and visual designs (UI).

Meanwhile, the iOS and Android developers started working on implementing the features by closely cooperating with the design and the backend teams. A particularly challenging aspect was to find an easy solution to logging in with credentials from databases of different gym chains. It required the work of both, design and development teams, to figure out the best solution.

Together with the main app EL Passion delivered a white-label version which allowed the app to be adjusted to the brand requirements of different gym chains. EL Passion prepared and supported us for the app’s launch. The team was committed to working together to meet our strict delivery and launch deadline.

What was the team composition?

We were working with several developers and designers from the company. First, we started the work with UX and UI designers. After the design phase, 3 iOS developers, 3 Android developers and 2 Backend developers worked on building the apps for two platforms.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team was able to deliver a very complex app with various features that met our expectations as well as comply with the regulations imposed by the EU grant, which was partly funding our project.

It was one of the key requirements, and thanks to meeting the regulations we were able to obtain the funding we expected. The developed app was written in a way that it was easy for our in-house development team to take over the maintenance and adding new features after we finished the cooperation.

It was also very well prepared for launching white-label apps based on the same code built by EL Passion.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

During the kick-off, EL Passion’s team was very helpful in understanding how the work on the project will look like. They asked how we’re used to work and based on that prepared a solution to suit us. They explained all the processes that later on streamlined the work.

During the design and development process communication was smooth. iOS, Android and Backend developers from EL Passion were in constant communication with our team to ensure the best quality of the delivered project. They were always there to help us and understand the process.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were impressed with the quality of code and ease in working with it later on after the launch when our in-house team took over the maintenance and development of new features. They were very helpful and focused on the success of our product and meeting the requirements. The communication and flow of information were good so I always felt that I knew what’s going on with the project.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The collaboration was great, and it was a pleasure to work with these experts

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re in the process of developing an e-commerce platform. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with El Passion?

We were developing our MVP with them. It was important for us to have a team that could develop both the product and interface of the solution.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They had key inputs regarding how to make our business plan most effective. The team provided strategy, UI/UX, and development services for us. For design, we came in with sketches and mockups that showcased we wanted, but they worked with us to make sure those plans matched up with user expectations for us. They have a refined design process.

The project involved a complete platform design, and our MVP was only a partial portion of that. We’re looking to make changes and integrations for far off into the future as well. They helped us determine a roadmap for the future by building the product for scaling. 

Their team used Ruby on Heroku as well as Ember. We were running on Amazon for a while, but we just transitioned to Netlify as we were trying to optimize the page. One of their developers suggested that. 

What is the team composition?

At one point, we had 3–4 working on the project. Due to our agile development style, we’ve had a consistent team lead throughout the project. We were working with the same designer and project lead the entire time.

How did you come to work with El Passion?

We were following them on Dribbble and liked their work. When the opportunity came up, we wanted to collaborate with them on our own project. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $130,000 at this point.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from February 2018, and our collaboration is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their design process was impressive, and we were happy with the result. It’s both forward-thinking and user-centric. That was a very smooth process, resulting in a beautiful end product. We’ve received tons of positive feedback because people are impressed with the speed and performance of the UI/UX. People are finding our product different and special within our market.

How did El Passion perform from a project management standpoint?

They made sure that they had a strong, consistent sense of project management on their end. Their project lead scoped out tasks and set up sprints. Communication was exceptional because of how transparent we were throughout. Whenever we ran into questions or issues, we would get together and hash things out. We were pretty good at coming together to find the best path forward. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

At this point, we see them as our technology partner. Because we’ve been so satisfied with their work, this is a relationship that we want to keep up. From start to finish, everything was very personalized, and we got to know several of their team members. That helped with team cohesion. It was exciting to see their passion for our product.

There was a strong sense of product ownership on their part, always concerned about the scalability of the final result. They came up with ideas we didn’t have during the development. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. We’re generally happy with our experience.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Listen to their feedback and trust their judgment on design. They have experience with many different products, so it’s interesting to hear their insight on what works and what doesn’t.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Varner is one of Northern Europas biggest fashion retailers with more than 1400 stores, mainy in Scandinavia. I work as a Product Manager in Varner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire EL Passion?

ElPassion was hired to build a custom made Price and Campaign engine for Varner - to enable Varner to have one common campaign engine across online and offline channels.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to create a smart, AI, based price and campaign engine - to enable Varner to track all price changes, dynamically change the price to optimize sales and margins and be able to create campaigns based on stock status. From a customer perspective, we wanted to be able to give the customer better overview and insight in available campaigns and eventually offer individual prices.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

ElPassion was selected based on previous experience from other projects within Varner`s former partners.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Varner decided to build a new retail stack, where Price and Campaign, in the first phase should have full ownership of prices and all changes in prices, together with campaigns. This was integrated with the new e-commerce platform that was build at the same time.

The key features with be, prices and all possible campaigns. In addition to this, we built Markdown, an AI controlled price optimization application for end of season sales.

What was the team composition?

The team was, for most of the time that follows:

• Backend Developers
• 2 ElPassion Fullstack Developers
• 1 ElPassion Frontend Developers
• 1 Elpassion UX designer
• 1 Varner

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The Price and Campaign engine replaced old functionallity and cannot demonstrate prowen impact at this point. But it enables us to track campaigns and price changes better and are built in a way that we easily can add features in comparison to old 3 party applications. Markdown has proven to additional upsale of old products, in end of season sale, between 65 and 100 MNOK, and have huge impact on Varners long term margins.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project Management was my responsibility and everything that was ineffective was based on my lack of experience. The ElPassion team was very helpful and great partners to set up a project managment to secure efficiency.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I would say the most impressive strengths of the team from ElPassion would be their ownership to the product we built. They are knowledgeable and efficiently figure out solutions to roadblocks and problems.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There could be more flexibility to have more on site workdays, but I did not require this and we maintained good communcation even we worked from different countries.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for entrafin GmbH, a trading platform that does digital trade finance. I’m the head of sales for Cologne, Germany.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EL Passion?

We wanted to upgrade our app. We don’t have our own technical person, so we need to have good people taking care of our app, as all of our business is on it. We need to be able to get quick answers and help when needed, especially with maintenance.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

EL Passion has helped us develop our app for international business trading. They changed our UI/UX and enabled partial billing. Because we are a digital trading platform, we have to go through a lot of steps to adhere to regulations.

What is the team composition?

We have two developers and one account manager.

How did you come to work with EL Passion?

They were recommended to us by another company who had worked with them before. Communication is easygoing, which is why it is a perfect fit.

How much have you invested in them?

We will have spent $30,000–$40,000 this year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in 2016, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Adding the partial billing and international trading capabilities was a huge step in improving our business. EL Passion is able to book new options for our development needs quickly, and they are really flexible. If there is a specific developer we want to work with because we worked with them before, it is easier, because they know the project.

How did EL Passion perform from a project management standpoint?

It has been really easy to book and plan sprints. EL Passion has also easily switched between doing huge development tasks and normal maintenance. We can get help quickly. 

Communication is great, but it might be better to meet up in person before doing a big project instead of doing so via Skype. All other communication has been easy and quick, even if we’re in two different countries.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team’s skill level and ability to communicate have been impressive. Even if we don’t understand the questions, or if they don’t understand what we mean, it is always smooth to talk to them, and they are easy to work with. We never hesitate to call them and ask questions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be good to have some advice when it comes to what is best for the app, but that is a very small thing.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the COO of Gignative, which connects clients with high tech suppliers side. We connect mostly US/ UK clients with Polish market due to one of the best competencies in the world in software development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire EL Passion?

One of our clients was interested in creating a new software for financial services from the scratch. The idea was to check first how it can look like so the business side can do the user experience tests first and check the results. We decided to cooperate with El Passion's UX and UI designers.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to check the first reaction of users and check what the biggest benefits so it was very important to have a clickable version of designs

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We have already seen previously the work done by El Passion's designers so we decided to do the project with them this time without even looking for alternatives. We had a chance to talk first to the UX senior designer to understand their ways of working and what do they pay attention to. After the first meeting we already knew how good the UX designer is.

Describe the project in detail.

We decided to start with a couple hour's session to understand the goal of the project, the industry and the final user's expectations. We draw the whole process of user's journey and we had a brainstorm together to eliminate non added values.

After the session we started to produce and discuss in details the first mockups. Once we were at the point that the first mockups were accepted by all stakeholders, we went further to produce the rest of it.

What was the team composition?

UX designers UI designers Product Owner Frontend developer

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were able to deliver the package of mockups (including UI) for the first stage of the project within a month, which was expected by the client and the feedback from end users was great.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was very important the the communication from the designers was so clear. The product owner knew exactly what and when is required from him, the process was set up in an easy way so you could always take an action or check what the status is.

It was super clear and super fast delivery mostly to the fact, that both sides (product owner and the designers) were very responsive and they responded very fast to their awaiting actions

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was blown away by how detail-oriented they were. They went so much into the details that I have never expected that such case corners can arise that I would have never think of. At the end of the day it saved my time on development

Are there any areas for improvement?

None