GeekyAnts

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of a real estate tech startup based in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire GeekyAnts?

GeekyAnts provides full-time engineers to work with us on ongoing initiatives across our tech stack.

What were your goals for this project?

We are consistently building new features, and we hired GeekyAnts to help us rapidly accelerate our pace.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We had long used the NativeBase UI library, which GeekyAnts built internally. We felt they’d be a great option, considering that they had built such a popular framework.

Describe the project in detail.

Providing engineers to work alongside us on an ongoing basis.

What was the team composition?

Initially 2 full-time full stack engineers, and 1 part-time team lead. The team lead no longer works directly with us, as the 2 engineers integrated well on their own, and we work directly with them on code reviews and prioritization.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve gotten a substantial amount of positive feedback about all of the work we’ve done with the GeekyAnts team.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We work very well with the team. It took very little time for them to contribute significantly, and despite a significant time difference, our output and pace with them is quite high.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were very impressed with the professionalism of the entire team. It took them just a short amount of time to get up to speed.

Are there any areas for improvement?

It took us a bit of time to make sure we were writing tasks in a detailed-enough way to be effective, but I think that was really an internal issue. Before that, we would have more back and forth about specific features, but that is going quite well at this point.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Founder of Chant, an app for soccer supporters groups.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire GeekyAnts?

MVP app development to launch the business

What were your goals for this project?

Build and launch the MVP and find a partner for ongoing app development

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After selecting the tech stack (Flutter + Firebase) I interviewed 8 off-shore partners with each completing a proposal, a questionnaire (to confirm skillset, billable experience of the team, development approach, etc) and an interview with the team members.

Describe the project in detail.

The project began with my delivery of a very detailed requirements document and the graphic design elements. The Geekyants team digested the requirements and asked a wide range of questions to ensure alignment. After daily check-ins to build a rapport and validate the requirements, we used a combination of Slack and video chat to communicate as needed. Private test builds were delivered, and together we explored solutions for navigating the many refinements associated with building any application. Geekyants was always eager to build the best possible product, kept the end customer in mind, was conscious of budget and timeline, and quickly turned into trusted partners.

What was the team composition?

A senior technical architect, Flutter/Firebase app developers, React developers and quality assurance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app is now in the hands of the leadership of Chant's first customers and has received a great response for hitting the mark.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The combination of Hangouts, Slack, Trello and Google Docs was an effective combination. The team checked in each morning when I came online with a status update, insightful questions, and thoughtful recommendations. The distance and time difference had minimal impact on the project efficiency and quality.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Having run delivery for a US digital consultancy, I was confident from my first encounter that Geekyants had a quality culture and a quality team that takes pride in their work. Their dedication to the project and always doing the right thing was exceptional.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing beyond the normal, daily idiosyncrasies that every project team encounters and works through (learning each others style, communications preferences, establishing priorities, etc). The company culture appears solid so my belief is that each project team would be very consistent.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Geekee Company Limited has over 10 years of experience in developing and maintaining dating related websites and mobile applications. I am the Chief Executive Officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire GeekyAnts?

We hired GeekyAnts to build our dating application from scratch.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to offer a platform for our members that prefer mobile applications over our mobile websites.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We have searched for the best Flutter Developers and therefore ended up with GeekyAnts.

Describe the project in detail.

We needed a mobile application besides our web application. The mobile application consists of features such as browsing through members, searching using filters, tinder-like swiping and instant messaging.

What was the team composition?

I have been in contact with the project manager(s), UI and several developers. They have been great in communication with me as well as my own team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Within a few days we had over 1000 downloads, without advertising our application. Soon we will market the application to the masses. Stress tests were successful and the application is ready.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communication was easy. Usually via Skype by text or phone call, other times by e-mail.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

GeekyAnts is well organized and very patient. A lot of requirements changed in the process and they have been very understanding.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The initial estimation of the cost of development was significantly lower than what we ended up with, however, this was partly due new requirements. Still, the initial quotation could have been a little more realistic.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder and CEO of PopSmartKids Inc, an edtech company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire GeekyAnts?

I needed to hire an external resource to lead mobile app development. 

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to develop a prototype of my digital storytelling app, and get it ready for a subscription price model.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found Geeky Ants through a Google search for experts in the React Native development space. I liked that their CEO and other members of the team have some cool content out there on React Native, including videos.

Describe the project in detail.

GeekyAnts first created a prototype of my mobile app. Subsequently, they added additional features and are currently implementing a subscription pricing model.

What was the team composition?

We work with a program manager and a software engineer on a daily basis. We were also assigned an account manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team at GeekyAnts is highly responsive and collaborative. The quality of their work is superb. They work closely with us to make sure that the product adheres to our requirements. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We have a wonderful understanding and flow of information between our teams. GeekyAnts always does a good job of communicating with us, and their estimates are always on point.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their quality of work is most impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, there are no areas for improvement that jump out.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO at an aeronautical tech startup. I’m generally in charge of designing the technical aspects of our projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with GeekyAnts?

We had a backend system designed for our mobile application, but what we were lacking was a robust client-facing frontend. We wanted people to finish the project relatively quickly. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We brought our ideas to the team, without knowing whether any of it was actually possible. They sat us down with a UI/UX designer and he took the data we wanted to show and put it into a coherent form that the user would be able to absorb. Their team also designed the enrollment and login flow for our platform.

We did the work in two phases. The first phase was for the major project, which was followed by testing. Then we came back for a second phase to finish the app and work out the final iteration.

What is the team composition?

We worked with four members of their team. I mainly worked with one project lead and one developer.

How did you come to work with GeekyAnts?

We found GeekyAnts through a web search and performed some research and due diligence. They hit all the right notes in our discovery call and we decided to go with them from that assessment.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested $18,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in December 2018 and our work ended in May 2019. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were very happy that they could complete our code requests very quickly. We would always have the next iteration in front of us the following day, which was what we needed for testing purposes.

How did GeekyAnts perform from a project management standpoint?

The only annoying part about working with their team was that they didn’t have a fixed medium for project management communication. We were constantly having to sign-up for things like Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Skype. We would’ve preferred just one standardized method. We used Trello, Slack, and Github in the process of managing the project as well.

The five-hour time difference actually worked in our favor, and when we woke up in the morning we’d see their latest edit. They were really great about changing their schedule to fit our needs.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

We really got great value for our money. We weren’t paying top dollar, but we were getting top-notch service. Additionally, they were really good about fixing any errors and delivering revisions the next day.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We almost dropped them on day one because a bug in a web form dropped our request information. It was a minor inconvenience but I’m glad we persevered. They’ve been really excellent to work with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would advise potential customers to iron out all of the documentation and negotiate what’s included within the deliverables, just to avoid surcharges for extra work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the head of product development for PayPoint a UK & Romanian based FinTech company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire GeekyAnts?

We were looking for someone to build out a new parcel delivery service in React Native.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to get a new app into our retail network quickly and efficiently.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I did some research and spoke to one of their Dutch clients as a reference call.

Describe the project in detail.

The project was quick and easy to get off the ground. We provided some initial wireframes and asked them to provide UX options, which were turned around swiftly by their team in Bangalore. Once we signed off on those and had our API ready to go, we had a developer assigned and worked with him to get the product into the market for testing in less than 10 weeks.

What was the team composition?

We had an account manager assigned, who I met in London before we committed to hiring them. We used a UX design resource and a development resource, who was 100% dedicated to our work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

There have been nearly 2,000 downloads of the retailer app across iOS and Android, and we have a four-star rating. We're pleased with how the app is performing and helping our retailers.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was excellent. They were always available when I needed them on an account level, and the team working on the product was available pretty much at any time over Slack or Skype. The collaboration over Jira for work assignments was great.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They committed to delivering a new product for me and did just that. Their code is clean and easy to implement. This is the main reason why I want to continue to work with them on this project, enhancing the app further as well as exploring new work with the team.

Are there any areas for improvement?

It's fair to say that we're a happy client. Every development team can do things better or quicker, or just differently. However, I have no call outs on any issues during our 12 months of working together.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a co-founder of a people analytics firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire GeekyAnts?

We needed to convert our web-based application into an app.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to provide our users with a more seamless UX on mobile.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We’re connected to the tech community and had heard very good things about GeekyAnts.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

They implemented the conversion of our existing web-based application into an iOS and Android app. We continue to rely on their team for tech development support.

What was the team composition?

A full-stack developer, technical project manager, and account representative.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’re responsive to our ever-increasing user demands for new features. We’re really happy with the quality of their work and highly recommend them. They’re very skilled at custom software development.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We use a variety of tools to manage outstanding development projects, including Slack and Trello. The communication process is very streamlined and efficient.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’re responsive, work quickly and thoroughly and are extremely customer-service oriented.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

None come to mind.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the co-founder of Neural Frame, a company that currently focuses on oncology healthcare technologies towards the summarization of unstructured medical text into structured field codes.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Geekyants?

We wanted to create a web solution but lacked the resources and expertise.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Geekyants developed our backend servers using Node.JS, created a web framework using Meteor JS, designed UX/UI using React, and refractured the code to clean errors. They are currently working to create a machine-learning implementation feature, a training module, an end-user interface, and are also providing technical advice.

What is the team composition?

Their team consists of three project managers, 3-4 backend developers, and two frontend developers.

How did you come to work with Geekyants?

We found a web template Geekyants were advertising and contacted them for assistance.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested $60,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started with them in October 2017 and the engagements are ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We do not yet have any measurable metrics, but so far there has been significant improvements to our UI, and our interfaces are much more user-friendly. Their backend development has also helped us better understand how to present data to our users and collect user feedback.

How did Geekyants perform from a project management standpoint?

We used Skype for our first two engagements but currently use Slack. They assigned project managers for each project. Our current manager outlines our tasks and works with our development team to convey the schemas and UX/UI functionalities.

Geekyants also schedule stand-up calls every day to make sure we’re updated. They use Trello for project management which organizes our activities, resources, expectations, and deliveries. Their team coordinates scrum sprints with us to decide what needs to be passed or worked on. They present a clear vision of what we’re doing, what their/our expectations are, and are always on top of deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We never have any communication issues and they always notify us of coming deadlines and issues. They kept the same team intact between projects to avoid re-training and smooth out future engagements. We are also extremely happy with the cost of their services.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Our company was confident in the Meteor framework and pushed to use the framework, but it does not allow for larger scalability. It was a mutual mistake because they were a little too lenient with our decision to stick with Meteor as we can move to a bigger stack.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Build a strong wireframe before meeting up with them and really take the time to understand the functions you want the solution to have. It will save a lot of time and help them better understand what you’re looking for.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

SIVECO Romania is one of the largest software houses in Central and Eastern Europe, with projects in 28 countries across three continents.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire GeekyAnts?

We hired them to help develop an eLearning platform.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to build a pilot product of the platform’s authoring tool in just one and a half months.  

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We initially hired them as a freelance company, but they have now been a trusted partner for many years now. 

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

Part of the product roadmap included a teacher assessment on the impact of using digital rather than printed worksheets. Because we only had one and a half months to deliver a very complex software platform, many companies rejected the project. Sanket (Founder, GeekyAnts) and his team managed to do the impossible: deliver the perfect pilot product. 

What was the team composition?

They provided frontend, backend, interface, and UX designers and a QA specialist.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We managed to pilot an add-on for our main product, which was a major success for our company and would not have been possible without GeekyAnts.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management was outstanding, especially given our short timeframe.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They simply deliver what is requested of them.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

They may want to accept fewer projects like ours with nearly impossible deadlines. We are looking forward to working with them again!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and CEO of a startup that is creating a new platform for the hospitality industry. Our vision is to transform a certain part of the sector.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire GeekyAnts?

We hired GeekyAnts to design the UX and UI of our mobile app and web app.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After evaluating a few vendors, what drew us to GeekyAnts was their great design portfolio on the App Store. Our interactions with their business development and management people gave us confidence about our choice, as they were quick to respond to queries and provide client references.

Describe the project in detail.

We gave them a four-page high-level document with user stories, which they transformed into a functional design, including the information architecture and wireframes. After we approved the wireframes, the team embarked upon visual design. We were so impressed with their aesthetic sense in the mobile app project that we gave them the web app design project.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a UX/UI design lead and a UX/UI designer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are very happy with the designs they delivered, which laid a strong foundation for our platform’s success. Their designers had the ability to quickly grasp a concept and take ownership of the product. They matched our expectations for visual appeal, color schemes, typography, and layout. In addition, the wireframe process helped us discover scenarios we hadn't considered.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was very effective. We usually communicated via Slack and Google Docs. GeekyAnts also recommended InVision and Zeplin, allowing us to provide detailed design feedback during our daily stand-up meetings.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were impressed with the quality of their staff and the responsiveness of the management team. They were genuinely interested in our project.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not really. We have been able to get what we want, as they were very responsive to any feedback.