Elegant Media

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We're a mining company. I'm the mine monitoring and control (MMC) superintendent. I oversee the dispatch system, our networking systems, and other boutique projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elegant Media?

We hired them to help us build an app to allow employees to self-manage their overtime.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built a web app. As our user base grows, we will expand to an iOS and Android platform as well. The app allows us to manage our 24/7 operations with four crews on rotation. We require regular overtime, which we previously managed through our mine dispatchers. It was a draw on time. The app allows us to upload overtime in advance, and allows employees to apply for available shifts. That way, we know who's coming, and they know what they're doing.

What is the team composition?

They had a frontend manager, a development manager, and a team leader. We interacted most with the team leader, and they had at least one other developer working on the project. We also spoke with a business manager about billing and contractual matters, and an elite developer oversaw the actual development.

How did you come to work with Elegant Media?

We did a Google search for app developers. They had good ratings, and their business seemed reputable.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $30,000 AUD (approximately $21,500 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together on early mockups around December 2018. We had a holiday break, but started back in earnest in early 2019. Our launch day was in early April 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've done some testing in-house, and everything looks exactly like we expected. I was impressed by how well it worked, and I couldn't find any bugs. It saves each of our dispatchers at least an hour a day.

How did Elegant Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very good project managers. They had a clear process from concept to finished product, and watching them work was quite instructive. They had a testing website where they posted the working model. We could log in, see their progress, and make changes. At any stage, we could see what was working and where the project stood.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The whole process was painless. We gave them the scope and had some early discussions up front. I've never had such an easy time with a developer. The cleanliness of the process and perfection of the final product really stood out. We never had any miscommunication or major changes. They scoped the whole project very well right from the start.

Are there any areas they could improve?

As helpful as a critique might be, I don't have anything they should improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a clear scope before you begin working. If you know exactly what you want and how it should look, it will make the development process run smoothly.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of a community lending platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elegant Media Australia?

I reached out to Elegant Media to develop our app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Elegant Media developed our platform from scratch, implementing features that allow lenders the ability to post their products and for borrowers to connect with them to rent them out. Essentially, the app provides advertising and messaging capabilities, but a payment feature has intentionally not yet been incorporated. 

What is the team composition? 

I mainly worked with Ray (Project Consultant, Elegant Media Australia), who managed the project, as well as Yawmini (Technical Account Manager, Elegant Media Australia), who did most of the development. 

How did you come to work with Elegant Media Australia?

I considered about 10 different developers and felt that Elegant Media offered the best value for the types of services we needed.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about AUS$17,000 (about $12,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from July 2018–April 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've received a lot of positive feedback from customers and stakeholders using the app thus far. The app has already helped some Instagram influencers, for example, rent out certain products easily. We've also received some interest from an overseas stakeholder. 

How did Elegant Media Australia perform from a project management standpoint?

We mostly communicated through email and by text messaging. They made it easy for me to make changes to the app and provide any feedback as iterations were made. I also met with them in person a couple of times; they're very personable and good about sitting down with clients to brainstorm as needed. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

It's my first time doing a project like this, but overall I'd say I'm impressed by their professionalism the most. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve their attention to detail, as there were a couple of instances when they entered some content in the app that I questioned. However, they were good about promptly addressing any concerns I had.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

We had one instance of miscommunication that was neither their fault nor mine, so I think it's essential to be diligent and very clear in communications.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of Kimicon Pty Ltd, a company in the process of developing a trivia gaming app. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elegant Media?

We reached out to Elegant Media to help us develop our app, walking us through the process for the first time.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided Elegant Media with most of the design work, and they've developed the app from scratch for iOS devices and will eventually build an Android version. They've incorporated features including multiplayer options, virtual currency, and messaging between players. They've designed some of the backdrops throughout the game and provided other design input as needed. 

What is the team composition? 

I mainly work with two people, including a project manager. 

How did you come to work with Elegant Media?

I researched a handful of developers online, but I wasn't impressed by most of them. Elegant Media, however, immediately made me feel very comfortable with their process and how they explained the technical aspect of the work.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested around $16,000 AUS (about $11,370 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in August 2018 and we're just wrapping up the project now. We originally thought the development would take about five months, but it ended up taking longer because we didn't realize how the scope of work was going to evolve. They've been extremely patient with us and even stopped charging for services to wrap up some of the final stages that extended beyond the original timeline.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their work has been very well received by everyone thus far. I'm blown away by their ability to take our ideas and bring them to life. 

How did Elegant Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communications are amazing. We held a lot of Skype meetings throughout the engagement. They've been great about reassuring and educating me about the process from the start. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their approachability and professionalism set them apart.

Are there any areas they could improve?

To be honest, I'd give them a perfect score on performance.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of a photo media app company called Visualize.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elegant Media?

We needed resources to create a mobile app that could identify objects within a photo and automatically correct the margins. While there are other apps with similar features, users can’t crop pictures as neatly because their fingers can’t draw a line around the margin.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially came up with the concept, and they developed the app. Once they came up with the design concepts, we would approve them and provide input about the required features. The app featured an algorithm that analyzed photos to identify objects. Users could then maximize the image and then crop it by tapping on the desired object.

What is the team composition?

They assigned a project manager who was also the tech lead.

How did you come to work with Elegant Media?

A friend who had worked with them before referred them to me. After three meetings with their project consultant, they came up with a prototype, and we asked them to move forward with the project.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent $110,000 AUD (approximately $75,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

Their work lasted from February–October 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since its launch, the app has gained several features in local publications. We’ve received really good reviews about the app, and people really like how it crops objects.

How did Elegant Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They worked using an agile methodology, providing updates every two weeks.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Compared to other products on the market, they developed the app with exceptionally high standards. The functionality runs smoothly and has never locked up.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a coordinator of a community organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elegant Media?

We needed app development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app was developed to facilitate interaction with the audience that participates in our community events. Our in-house design team provided some wireframes and layouts, which we passed on to Elegant Media. According to UX requirements, they came up with two changes.

The app has a GPS feature. We run about four events a year and can attract about 200 guests for one. When the audience arrives at the venue, the application sends them push notifications with more information about the event. The application also allows us to update our audience.

Initially, they developed the app for iOS. They worked on Android development the following year.

What is the team composition?

We were in contact with a project manager and a few business analysts.

How did you come to work with Elegant Media?

After we had already approached them, we found out that one of our committee members had worked with them. That referral helped us to choose Elegant Media. For the initial inquiry stage, however, we found them online.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent $28,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them in 2016 for iOS development and in 2017 for Android.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The application is really helpful. We still use it, and our audience is very happy with it. It's the primary way we engage with our audience. We wouldn’t have any engagement without the app, since we don’t do any email marketing.

How did Elegant Media perform from a project management standpoint?

There were no project management issues. Their communication was excellent, which was one of the things I appreciated most. They updated us every two weeks on their progress.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their designs were amazing, crystal clear, and modern. Their pricing was good, and everything went well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would like to see a minimum amount of testing rounds. It took about three rounds of testing, but I would’ve liked them to test properly before they sent anything to us.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing manager of a jewelry store.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elegant Media?

We needed an iOS and Android app to showcase our jewelry. Our current developer wasn’t working out, so we needed a new partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

When Elegant Media took over, we transferred the old agency’s work to them, which included wireframes and a design concept. They created three more concepts, though, and we decided to use theirs. The product is a promotional app, so customers can look at our products and send us an inquiry. I wanted to implement jewelry animation, and Elegant Media found a unique way to do that.

What is the team composition?

The account manager was my main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Elegant Media?

We spent about a year looking for an app developer. Elegant Media was our second choice. We originally selected a different company but weren’t happy, so we returned to Elegant Media.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them for almost all of 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m happy with the work they did. We participated in an annual jewelry conference and were specifically asked about our app. Our customers and independent network have all enjoyed the end product.

How did Elegant Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They met all of our deadlines, and their communication was amazing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were happy with the whole experience.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Hire them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Madface, an emoji app startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elegant Media?

I needed someone to develop my emoji app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I had a couple of meetings with them. They understood my concept and came back to me with the requirement document for me to confirm. After I signed the proposal, they did the wireframes. I approved the wireframes and then, they developed my emoji app for iOS and Android. It’s a paid app. It’s now live.

They also helped me with social media marketing to get an initial boost.

What is the team composition?

My main contacts were with a project manager and a QA engineer. They had 8–10 people working on the project.

How did you come to work with Elegant Media?

They were referred to me. There are only 2–3 other companies in Melbourne that are in the market for app development. Elegant Media is on the top of the list.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent $37,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from 2016 until 2017. It took about eight months from the time of the proposal until it was available in the App Store.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I have no complaints. I initially thought their pricing was high, but I've talked to other people who have developed apps and found that my price was reasonable. Users really like the UX and the design in terms of images and colors. It was a good outcome.

How did Elegant Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was brilliant. They gave updates every two weeks. We had access to the project management portal to keep track of what was going on and how many tasks were being done.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They created a really cool app.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We went through two QA rounds. I like that they reduced the number of revisions at the last stage.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I highly recommend anyone who wants to start a mobile app. They are the right people to go to.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a sports social network.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elegant Media?

We needed someone to develop our apps.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had the idea to develop an image-based social media app for active sports, like surfing. When people are out on the water, they can take photos and upload them onto the app. Elegant Media took our concept and came up with a plan to realize it for iOS and Android. They integrated a messaging function where people can comment on the image, so it’s like getting real time updates. They also helped us with a three-month marketing campaign to get the initial boost.

What is the team composition?

There was a project manager who dealt with the entire team, but we interacted with two people total.

How did you come to work with Elegant Media?

We found them through an online search and were impressed with their proposal.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $78,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together for six months between 2017 and 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The marketing campaign was helpful and we ranked in the top position in the active sports category. I get very positive feedback about how smart the app is. They did the engineering right and it performs really well.

How did Elegant Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Our communication was fantastic. We went one week past the design deadline, but were caught up by the time we finished.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their client services and communication were excellent. I’m really happy with the engineering they’ve done.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They're a great company that provides good value for your money. They have to work on advertising themselves more in order to make their services better known.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Director of a social media platform.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Social media app that helps bring people together based on activities 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Elegant Media to accomplish?

• Onboarding our idea and vision
• Create the app and develop landing page
• Ongoing upkeep and maintenance

SOLUTION

How did you find Elegant Media?

Online Search

Why did you select Elegant Media over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location

How many teammates from Elegant Media were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Project involved everything from the idea to getting the App Store on both platforms. We still hire Elegant media to bug fix and develop as we evolve. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It's been rather slow as our app has been quite complicated. 
it took a while at the start for them to get our idea and implement it properly which cost us a lot of money. 

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

At the beginning of the project, there has been a lot of back-and-forth and the creation of items we hadn't requested. A breakdown in communication.  
Our current project manager really understands our needs and has vision and goes above and beyond to deliver. 

What was your primary form of communication with Elegant Media?

Virtual Meeting

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

We we

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

We would have loved to know that we could have changed our project manager sooner. We wish that if they didn't understand something they could hold have contacted us and asked rather than wasting time and money creating something we didn't ask for. Especially in the wireframes scenario. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Financial Accountant of Ashgrove Cheese

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Ashgrove Cheese Produces specialty county cheeses, fresh milk, butter, and cheese snacks. Ashgrove is renowned for its authentic paddock-to-plate provenance.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Elegant Media to accomplish?

• I engaged Elegant Media with a vision to establish a connection among local farmers here in Australia. My objective was to create a platform where they could unite, exchange knowledge, foster collective growth, and sustainably leverage each other's resources. My aim was to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence for interpreting complex farming data. Beyond general farming information, I sought insights on crop rotation, weather patterns, and sustainable farming practices. I aimed for a unique blend of technological guidance and community spirit to nurture enduring relationships. Additionally, I wanted the platform to facilitate group purchasing, such as equipment or seeds, through community collaboration. I hoped this approach would empower our smaller farming communities, contributing to their prosperity and self-sufficiency.

SOLUTION

How did you find Elegant Media?

Online Search

Why did you select Elegant Media over others?

• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Elegant Media were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Our collaboration with Elegant Media revolved around the creation of the GrowerConnect platform. Essentially, this involved building a digital hub where local growers could congregate, sharing both resources and knowledge. The scope encompassed not only constructing a practical, user-friendly interface but also incorporating advanced AI capabilities to analyze critical farming data. This would yield comprehensive insights into crop rotation, weather forecasting, and sustainable farming methods. 

Key project deliverables included: 

1. Comprehensive Platform Development: Elegant Media was tasked with crafting a feature-rich and intuitive platform tailored to the specific needs of local farming communities. 
2. AI Integration: Incorporating artificial intelligence into the system to analyze and interpret extensive farming-related datasets. The resulting insights would offer valuable guidance on crop rotation, weather prediction, and sustainable farming practices.
3. Designing a Community Framework: This entailed creating mechanisms within the platform to support the growth of a vibrant and supportive farming community. 
4. Resource Pooling Feature: Developing features that enabled members to collaborate in purchasing supplies and necessary farming equipment. 

In summary, we expected Elegant Media not only to provide a technological solution but also to establish a virtual space that fosters community growth and encourages collaborative spirit.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

While we are still in the initial stages of testing and introducing GrowerConnect to our farming communities, we have already observed highly promising outcomes. Farmers are actively engaging with the platform, displaying a keen interest in its community-driven features. 

In terms of measurable achievements, we are evaluating the platform's success based on several key criteria: 

1. User Engagement: This serves as an early indicator of success, and the level of active participation from farmers has exceeded our initial expectations. 
2. AI Accuracy: The integrated artificial intelligence is performing impressively, delivering precise analysis and valuable insights on crop rotation, weather patterns, and sustainable farming. 
3. Resource-Sharing Actions: The resource pooling feature is steadily gaining traction, and it's exciting to witness our farmers utilizing it to share resources and collaborate. 
4. Testimonials: Initial feedback from our community of farmers is heartening. They have expressed how the digital platform is proving to be more useful than expected, particularly in terms of knowledge sharing and collaborative growth. 

Overall, we are delighted with the progress thus far. The true measure of success, of course, lies in how GrowerConnect continues to evolve in the hands of our farmers and contributes to the development of a connected and prosperous farming community. However, we are off to a promising start, without a doubt.

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

Elegant Media has exceeded our expectations in terms of project management. They display professionalism, organization, and exceptional proficiency in keeping the project on track as per the planned timeline. The team consistently delivered all key components within the agreed-upon deadlines without compromising the quality of their work. 

In instances of occasional setbacks, they proactively addressed the issues and communicated revised timelines, a gesture that was highly appreciated. Their responsiveness to our needs was prompt and thoughtful. They were always attentive to our queries, concerns, and suggestions. Whenever we requested changes or the incorporation of new features into the app, they collaborated closely with us to grasp our requirements and made sincere efforts to accommodate them. 

The Elegant Media team also excelled in providing regular updates to ensure transparency. They kept us informed about the project's progress, offering status reports that facilitated alignment between both parties and fostered a strong partnership. Observing such dedicated and professional project management instilled complete trust in Elegant Media, and I am extremely satisfied with our decision to collaborate with them.

What was your primary form of communication with Elegant Media?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What particularly stood out about Elegant Media was their profound grasp of creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). They recognized the importance of commencing with a basic, functional version of our platform before embarking on the development of all features. This pragmatic approach allowed us to test, refine, and enhance GrowerConnect in a risk-mitigated environment. 

Furthermore, their rigorous approach to Research & Development was evident in their work. The evidence-based strategies they employed and the insights gleaned from thorough research proved invaluable. By dedicating substantial time to this phase, they ensured that the platform would effectively serve our farmers' needs. 

Lastly, I must commend their proficiency in managing multiple stakeholders. Our project involved various interested parties, from farm consortiums to individual growers, each with their unique perspectives and ideas. They adeptly balanced these diverse voices, diplomatically handled varying viewpoints, and remained committed to the agreed-upon objectives.

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

Overall, our experience with Elegant Media was positive. The team demonstrated professionalism, responsiveness, and delivered high-quality work.