Impero IT Services

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the acting CEO and sole founder of Payfrit, a restaurant and hospitality app. We bring the table ordering capabilities of a tablet like Ziosk to the customer's mobile device. Our first live version is now set to launch after spending about two years on development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Impero IT Services?

I needed a company that could execute on my ideas and my vision for Payfrit. This included mobile app development, web development, and backend management.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I initially sent out an RFP to over 60 companies I personally sourced online and out of 15 suitable responses, Impero’s stood apart from the rest. They communicated very effectively right from the first email. Raza’s (Business Development Manager, Impero IT Services) understanding of and enthusiasm for the project actually led him to create a proof of concept (POC) demo on Android before they were even awarded the project. After seeing his initial response and how well he understood our long-term goals, it was immediately obvious that they were qualified to take on the project.

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

Impero oversaw frontend and backend development of two Android apps, one iOS app, and an ASP.NET web framework. They also integrated with various third-party APIs including AWS.

What was the team composition?

Raza led the team and a senior iOS developer served as second in command. There was also a team of about six developers that worked on the project. I communicated with all of them as needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve gotten great feedback on the App Store and the Google Play Store from both restaurant customers and end users alike. The layout is consistent with what we envisioned.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

I primarily communicated directly with Raza and he liaised with the rest of the team, as they weren't as well-versed in English. The engagement has been very smooth. Effective communication has been one of our strongest working points.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Despite a significant time difference, they’ve communicated effectively and worked collaboratively.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

I would love if they were to open a local office!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Cloud Pixel is a cloud-based digital signage provider. We give our customers a way to install and manage their digital signs directly from the cloud. They can have five or 200 different locations and they’ll be able to push content to those screens directly from the cloud. I’m one of the founders. I focus mainly on solutions architecture for new clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Impero?

We had a Windows and Android player, but we didn’t have a player that would work on iOS devices, yet. A lot of our customers want iPads by the register so that their customers can pay for the product, look at the other products that are available, and take surveys.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The interface of the application was pretty minimal. The on-screen display is managed by the control panel of our web-based app, which was pre-existing. It’s an empty screen and you push the content to it. Our main concern was that we didn’t want to make any changes in our existing system; we wanted the new player to work exactly like the old player. We wanted to run it as a background service that would make sure the application is open all the time. If it crashes, it automatically opens again.

It’s the same idea as the Android OS. The onscreen keyboard comes up automatically when you touch the screen. We’ve had problems in the past with different devices and different OSs but they addressed that. We want the iOS app to communicate with our servers the same way the other devices communicate and be able to get the updates within seconds. As soon as the content is downloaded, it’s cached so even if you lose Internet connection with the server, the player should continue to play the same way.

Impero was given the existing code, and they worked with our lead developer to complete the app.

What is the team dynamic?

I worked with Raza [Noorani, Owner, Impero IT Services] and one developer.

How did you come to work with Impero?

I found them online. I emailed 5–6 companies and Impero was the first to call us back and give us references. They did a lot of discovery to find out how the product needed to be made, and we liked what we saw.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $12,000–$15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in March 2016, and the project was completed in June 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had it in the App Store and then we pulled it out. We have one client that is currently using the product. The business we were going after was a major store chain, and we didn’t end up getting that business. We’re focusing on the healthcare industry now, and once we’re done with that, we’ll go back to the retailers to try to sell it to them. We have Windows, iOS, Android, and Chrome OS players available now.

How did Impero perform from a project management standpoint?

I really liked working with them. Raza gets things done. He was very professional, and I liked working with him. They were very good with the timelines. They are nine hours ahead of us. When I woke up in the morning, there was always something waiting for me. They were either asking questions or wanting my feedback. We used email to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What I liked was they were always a step ahead of us. I’ve worked with a lot of developers and usually, they get sidetracked. They’re thinking about new features that have nothing to do with the current requirements, but Impero was really focused. I also liked the fact that I would get up in the morning, and Raza would have communicated with me during the night to keep me updated.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wish they were a little cheaper from a business point of view.

I also wish they offered more services. I’ve asked them for new technologies, but they don’t have the right personnel to do other projects I’ve given them. I wish in the near future they would expand their team a little bit. We were looking for cross platform dev work similar to Electron (which includes JavaScript, HTML, CSS applications) that they can compile and run on Windows, Mac, and Linux. There are a lot of those cross-platform programs that they don’t have the personnel for.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a director in a forestry company that does remote, dirty, heavy-labor work. For example, we remove trees from the bush via helicopter during winter. Right now, we’re fighting forest fires and have a bunch of people out on the lines putting them out. We also do power line clearing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Impero IT?

We had an idea for an app for our workers who were cutting trees in the bush. They were trying to weigh what we call logs, or pieces of trees, that were being hooked up to helicopters. Air lifting logs that were too heavy would bring our productivity down and affect our overhead.

Our workers needed an app that they could quickly open on their phones. Because we work out in the bush and have very spotty service, the app couldn't rely on the Internet. Another challenge was the fact that searching for “log weight” or similar keywords online would yield results that were always related to dieting. Given that it’s a seasonal field, no one had ever done an app like this in our industry.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Impero IT designed and developed an Android and iOS app based on the idea I had on paper. It’s basically a log weight calculator. Once a worker inputs the bottom and top diameters of a tree, length, and the species, the app calculates the weight and volume of the log. I provided a few parameters and a basic overview of what I needed to accomplish. At the same time, Impero IT had some creative liberties.

I had to create a model for Impero IT based on a website I’d found. They couldn’t understand the math behind it, so I had to research this myself and describe how to make it work in detail. Calculating the volume of a graduated cylinder is learned in 12th-grade math — we take the diameter on one end and the one at the other, obtain a mean diameter, and calculate the volume. We have a conversion rate between volume and weight. Impero IT couldn’t put this in, so I had to explain it. I figured that IT people would know 12th-grade math, but they didn’t. However, that could have been because I was not able to explain it well to them.

I’ve always owned an iPhone, and my whole crew has them as well, so I initially specified to Impero IT that it had to be an Apple app. I also told them that I wanted an Android version later on. Once they heard this, it fast-tracked everything. Initially, we built the whole thing on Android and got it up and running. All Impero IT did was build an iOS app after they perfected it on the first platform. I bought 4 Android phones for my people while we waited for the iOS version.

How did you come to work with Impero IT?

My brother-in-law had a vision of what needed to be done. He found Impero IT. After he had researched and read a lot of reviews about the company, he told us they were the best option he found online. I was put in touch with them since I am more familiar with the actual work.

How much have you invested with them?

The total was probably $12,000–$14,000. Initially, I wanted to keep the app budget at the $6,000–$7,000 mark, but everyone has 2 types of phones so I had to get it built twice.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Impero IT in January 2017. We had contacted them 6 months previously, but, because we’re seasonal and busy, the work started later. They were patient with us. The project was wrapped up in March.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re running a Kaman K-MAX helicopter at $5,000 per hour. Given an 8-hour day, that comes to $40,000 per day. My helicopter costs alone are running at around $55,000 per day over the course of the winter. In terms of operating cost, I’ve increased my productivity by around 25% once we implemented the tool into our system. However, my return on investment didn’t necessarily increase by that much.

How did Impero IT perform from a project management standpoint?

The time difference was tough. I had to wake up at 5 o'clock every morning and go over our emails with Impero IT. I did have a bit of trouble with Raza Noorani, their business development manager. They weren’t moving as quickly as I expected since they figured that we were a one-shot deal and a smaller client. We weren’t looking for 10 million hits on the app or to sell it. My intention is to simply give it to my crew. It wasn’t a financial venture, but rather solving an internal problem within our company. This may have led him to make us a lower priority. It was also a challenge for Raza since I am not the tech guy he’s probably used to dealing with.

I was becoming frustrated, and I had to give him an ultimatum. There are 2 sides to every story, but, from an owner standpoint, I definitely had to tell them that I would not continue working with them unless he would take the project seriously and get it done now. Beyond this, I’m very glad I met him. I would definitely use him again, without looking anywhere else.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed and extremely happy with the design. I described the challenges of our working conditions, and Impero IT understood how to code the app to make it work. Our workers would have cold fingers since they were standing out in the rain or snow. We needed big buttons and easy changes.

Initially, my brother wanted a roll dial. But if you’re standing out there for 6 hours at 15 degrees below zero, using a roll dial on a phone is not a good idea. We had to have a huge button that we could just push. I told them what I wanted, and it was done fast. We could tell Impero IT what we need, and they would produce it. This was their strongest point. I will be bringing the app back to him and spending another $5,000 to $6,000 on it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

When we first started, I would have mentioned 6–8 different things they should improve. But, by the time we got the working relationship figured out, those were all solved.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I wouldn’t tell a friend to invest $10,000 or $20,000 dollars in an app, unless I first talked to him about the hiccups and the working relationship. We’re dealing with people from India, not with someone down the street. This presents some challenges. It’s worth overcoming them, but they do exist.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a small mobile app company. We are developing software to use in the fundraising industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Impero IT?

We were looking for someone to develop our vision of the software and get it out there in the market. The idea is when people are going out selling things for fundraisers, all of that data still has to be reconciled afterward. No one has any idea where the other guy is going. There’s the risk of duplication as people go to the same neighborhoods and hit up the same houses. Sometimes, that frustrates the homeowners or the consumer. Ultimately, this defeats the fundraiser.

Using GPS, our tool would work with mapping apps on phones to track where fundraisers are. We’re trying to get some information sharing so they can all view these results on a map. It’ll all be done in real time as the fundraisers are entering their sales. We wanted to provide visibility and use the data that’s collected to make fundraisers more efficient.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I had the vision, but I didn’t have a lot of experience in getting something like that developed. We had several technical challenges as we tried different things. Impero IT was willing to work with me to get a viable product out.

We wanted an iOS app and an Android app. We started with the iOS app, and the Android was developed after that. The first iOS version was delivered in February or March, and it was published on the App Store in April. This process took a couple of months. The Android one was much faster, taking about 4–6 weeks. As we continue to make enhancements and changes, they’re done in parallel on iOS and Android.

What is the team dynamic?

I only worked with their business analyst/project manager. Occasionally, I’d work directly with the developer if there’s a high priority issue and the project manager is not available. This has happened once or twice in the past 2 years. Almost always, I’ve contacted their analyst.

How did you come to work with Impero IT?

I found them on Google when I was searching for offshore developers. Impero IT came up in a list. I decided to work with them because of their references and their history. They had delivered other successful projects. I also checked their references, and they were all good. Their price was really competitive.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve paid $20,000 for their services. I don’t think they’ve overcharged.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2015, and the work is ongoing. We just continue to develop and enhance the tool.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The market is slow to adopt, not because of Impero IT’s performance, but more because it’s a drastic change in the industry. As a result, we’ve had a slower adoption rate.

How did Impero IT perform from a project management standpoint?

They perform pretty well. We use Trello to keep track of issues, and it has worked well. It allows us to manage priorities, bug fixes, and features. We also use email and Google Docs.

When working with Impero IT, it’s important to evaluate your timeline to see if it’s reasonable. In software work, things are never going to go as fast as you want. If it’s your product or you’re managing a project for a company, make sure you’re doing thorough testing on your end as well. You also need to have a thorough vision and guideline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve been really responsive, especially when I let them know there is a high-priority fix. They respond quickly if I tell them I’m going to do a presentation at a trade show or seminar since that means I would need to try and get a new feature in before I go to these events. They’ve always communicated well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

When we roll out some features, I always have to be sure to test the existing functionality to make sure it hasn’t been compromised or changed in any way. Sometimes, it seems like new stuff affects the existing stuff. I also work in software development, and so I know how things go. I have to double-check things more than I feel I should have to. They could do a little more thorough QA or testing.

The language barrier is sometimes a challenge, but I don’t expect it to be perfect. You just have to communicate back and forth and make sure you’re on the same page.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the developer of a mobile app called AppPropo, which teaches proper international business etiquette.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Impero IT Services?

This has been my second app project, with the first one having been developed in the U.S. for a completely different industry. I had a bit of experience in this field, as well as a concept. I started doing the research, and looked for a development team.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I described what information I wanted to impart on people to Impero’s team. It’s a text-heavy application, with the research and data being my responsibility. I wanted people to have quick access to the information, and didn’t want to recover any of their data.

Impero got a sense of this, and started working. They quickly came up with a blueprint for how the app would move. We made some tweaks along the way, but it was a very quick process. They listened well, and understood what I wanted.

I planned on hiring someone to develop my logo, but I loved the temporary one put in place by Impero so much that I ended up paying them for it. It was a very creative design.

Impero built everything from start to finish, based on what I wanted the app to do. It’s basically a condensed encyclopedia containing around 100 countries listed alphabetically. After users click on a country, they are brought to that country’s page with an overview and categories. The data is divided based on etiquette relating to meal times, shaking hands, what to expect in a business meeting, and so on. Clicking on a category opens mainly text along with some clipart.

It’s intended for business people going to new countries, or those who want to mentally refresh information.

The app is available on Android and iOS. There is a common admin panel for both of them, which is listed as compatible with Internet Explorer 9 and above, Mozilla Firefox, and Chrome. It was built using C#, with a Microsoft SQL backend server.

Impero also developed my website and currently hosts it. I don’t know what technology was used for it, but, since I can put my key in and run it, I don’t really care how it works.

How did you come to work with Impero IT Services?

Until I looked at the prices, I thought that I would revert back to using one in the U.S. do better. I started putting feelers out for Indian teams based on Google searches. I ultimately got in touch with 4 of them, and one of them didn’t get back to me for a long time, but the rest did. I spoke to each one at length, and, once I had a good feeling and followed up with the referrals supplied to me for past clients, I decided to choose Impero.

How much have you invested with Impero IT Services?

The initial quote for the app was $3,500, but after they created my logo and website, the total ended up being around $8,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with Impero IT Services in July 2016, and we had a 5-week initial build time. The app was released after 6 weeks, following some changes made by myself.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Impero was good at hitting the timeline and budget, which was important for me. The app has been up-and-running for almost a year, and there has only been one glitch. From the time I shot off an email, it took Impero’s team an hour and a half to get it fixed. Even then, it likely had more to do with an Apple upgrade. I’m a happy person.

How did Impero IT Services perform from a project management standpoint?

Their performance has been outstanding, both on its own, and relative to the first app I created. We had lots of back-and-forth emails, and they were attentive to everything I wanted. I have recommended Impero to every single person considering creating an app or website.

We have used Skype a few times, but because of the time difference and for my peace of mind, we mostly used email in order to have a log of the conversations.

Impero was always available and worked over weekends during crunch times, just so we could hit our marks. Except for 1-2 conversations, I worked exclusively with Raza Noorani, their business development manager. The rest of the team got brought in on a couple of occasions so that nothing would be lost in translation. Even though there was a language barrier, everyone would be listening to the same thing.

The impression I had was that the website was being done by different people than the apps, but I can’t say for sure. I don’t know if this was done because of the time factor, or because they have designated people working on different projects.

What did you find most impressive about Impero IT Services?

I have mentioned to other people that I developed the app offshore, and their first reaction was skeptical. I told them that it was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. I never felt like I was waiting in line for Impero to attend to me, or that they weren’t listening.  They hit the marks, and did everything I wanted them to do.

My husband is about to launch a new business, and will have Impero build the website. It will be a much bigger project than what I have going on.

Are there any areas Impero IT Services could improve?

I was comfortable working with a project manager and not talking with the team, but other people may want to communicate with the techies themselves. It’s also possible that I could have done this, if I had asked Impero for it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are located in Madrid, Spain, and are dedicated to creating content related to home goods. At Facilisimo we want people to live and enjoy their home and their free time, therefore we offer all the content one would need for it, from decorating to cooking, going through DIY and helping with your garden. We only operate in Spanish. We have more than 50 million followers on Facebook from across the globe. We also have other areas of focus in the company, including one related to mindfulness.

I am the CTO of the company. I am in charge of developers and technologies, both current and future ones. I lead our developer and operations teams, decide what technologies we use and am an active part of the definition of new projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Impero IT Services?

As part of our life vision we created a foundation to try to help society with what we do best. We thought that by joining mindfulness and technology we could help people to be happier, of course in Spanish, for all the people that want to have the opportunity to do so in their mother tongue. However, we didn’t have the knowledge needed to build an app and needed a partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They've been in charge of both Android and iOS development. Both apps are intended for self-guided meditation and psychological positivity exercises. Impero IT created the apps from scratch, although we wanted to make the design in house and have the control over the web based part of the project so we worked very closely with them from the beginning of the project. Both apps were developed natively. There is an admin panel for the applications, which was developed on our side. We didn’t have well-defined specifications and changed the application several times. They always adapted quickly.

All user data is stored in our database. We have built an API which communicates with the application internally. The data is also stored internally by the apps, but the APIs allow the data to be retrieved on multiple platforms.

As I said, the design of the app was our responsibility, but Impero always gave us suggestions for improvements.

How did you come to work with Impero IT Services?

The app was a secondary issue for us, so we didn't want to use our in-house resources. We decided to find a partner and we found Impero IT through LinkedIn, we contacted them and a few others providers, but chose Impero because they replied to us quickly and were professional, answering all of our questions and giving us a good project cost estimate. There were a great choice.

How much have you invested with Impero IT Services?

The cost of their work was around €14,000 [$16,000].

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Impero IT in August 2016 and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

We are planning to launch the app in September 2017, after some testing. We don’t have any statistics yet.

How did Impero IT Services perform from a project management standpoint?

The communication was fluid. They got in touch with me anytime I needed them, despite the time zone difference. We had direct contact with them all the time and they are always available for us. The communication overall has been great.

What did you find most impressive about Impero IT Services?

They stood out with quick communication around our issues. We are building the API part, while Impero is in charge of native app development. They always found solutions for our issues, and the communication was great.

I have to say that they are a fantastic partner, very skillful and comprehensive, and with unlimited patience. Through the duration of the project, we changed the scope 3 times, which required new estimates and we never received anything but good responses and good work. We've discussed all the parts of the project as a peer and always received their recommendation about the best way of doing things.

Are there any areas Impero IT Services could improve?

No. This was our first outsourcing project, and we’ve been very happy with the results.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am developing a comprehensive database of U.K. law case decisions in audio form. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Impero IT Services?

I needed to create an app for Android and iOS that would allow me to store law-related audio files in the cloud and give users the ability to answer test questions after going through a particular recording. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Impero developed my app. We’ve gone through a few builds during the MVP phase. We started with the Android version, reached a satisfactory point, and began work on iOS. There were a few issues with testing, but they were resolved. The requirements for the app haven’t changed in a significant way from the original plan.

The second part of the project came after identifying a possibility provided by the Amazon Polly text-to-speech service. This offers the possibility of generating audio files based on a maximum of 1,500 characters. We can send multiple requests to their servers in order to create audio versions of larger text files. Impero IT developed an affordable way of transforming a comprehensive database of court ruling narrations into audio and uploading it to the cloud via an admin panel. I can provide access to this database via the application.

The platform is meant for law students, especially for the U.K. legal system. From my understanding, this legal system is based on precedents, which require a lot of reading. I want to provide the option of listening to particular decisions while running, bicycling, or doing other activities.

How much have you invested with Impero IT Services?

Their work has cost $13,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with Impero in May 2016. The apps were delivered around March 2017. We’re continuing to explore additional opportunities, but I haven’t started a good marketing campaign for the product. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or impact of the engagement?

The platform turned out well, but I only have 75 active users on both app versions. We’ve still got to go through marketing, and I’m exploring possible channels of communication with law firms.

We had some problems in the beginning related to the app and my understanding of the development process. At first, the app only provided Facebook logins. After conducting a test while being logged into the app, I asked Impero to clear the cloud content. I should have logged out of the app myself. Because I didn’t, some metadata remained on the platform, and I had problems logging in again. This was resolved within 3–4 days.

The app is basically an audio player or podcast tool. Most players have the option of speeding up the audio, and we’ve spent time trying to figure out how to structure this functionality in a more visible way. We came to a conclusion, and I can’t say that there were major crashes or errors.

How did Impero IT Services perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via WhatsApp, Skype, and whatever other channel was appropriate.

What did you find most impressive about Impero IT Services?

They reached out to me and were open to various forms of communication. I also appreciated that Impero was eager to tackle a challenge.

During a certain phase of the project, we developed a special piece of software for use with Amazon Polly, which had only launched 4 months ago. I asked Impero if they could help me, and they were able to create a solution that fit my needs.

Are there any areas Impero IT Services could improve?

They could adapt their offering depending on the customer’s budget and goals. If I do scale up this project, I will probably hire people who can be more attentive to the interface of the application. The first version was acceptable and relatively cheap, and I would have been charged much higher prices by another freelance firm. I’m sure that Impero will improve this competency over time. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I have a background in IT. My company, Reward.uk and Reward.net, develops apps for private individuals and companies. I contacted Impero a little more than a year ago based on a recommendation from a colleague in India. After testing them with some small tasks, we started a partnership agreement. We work closely with a third partner, who is the IT director at another company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Impero IT Services?

I wanted to create my own app, RewardBoard. At that time, I didn’t know much about app development. I knew a lot of about offshore and IT development, but app development was a new area for me. Raza [Noorani, Business Development Manager] offered to work with us on some small tasks. If we worked well together, I agreed to entrust larger projects to his team. They did quite well and communicated professionally, even though it’s a small team. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

RewardBoard allows parents to create tasks for their kids with positive rewards. For example, a child needs to walk the dog, do his or her homework, and go to bed on time. The parent creates the tasks for the child, and when the child has performed the task, he or she earns a point. When the child achieves a certain number of points, he or she gets a reward, such as a trip to the playground, the cinema, or the zoo.

I decided to have the app built for iOS first. In Denmark, where I live, most users have an iPhone or an iPad. I thought that would give me the biggest market as possible. I wanted to learn about the users and their behaviors before I started developing for Android, so I didn’t waste too much money in the first phase. We always change some of the functions after the first phase. We actually released the Android version today, which Impero developed as well.

The app has a feature that calculates how many points are awarded to the child per task and collectively. We had many challenges with this feature due to some server issues. I was confident that Impero’s team would find the solution. They didn’t try to cover up any problems. They were honest in telling me when an issue came up that could be difficult to fix. I appreciate having a supplier who tells me the truth rather than just saying everything is fine.

How much have you invested with Impero IT Services?

I think I’ve spent about $10,000–$12,000 in total. The Android version was a bit cheaper than the iOS version because all of the designs were copied from the iOS version.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January of 2016, and the iOS app was released in May of that year. It was a soft launch because I wanted some users to test it before I offered it on a broader level. We put the product on the App Store in May of 2016. The Android version was released in June of 2017. I think that Impero could have created it within 2 months, but I’ve been quite busy at my day job, so I put this project to the side. I didn’t get the testing done quickly. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or impact of the engagement?

I haven’t created a website yet, and I’m only advertising through Facebook. Right now, I have almost 10,000 downloads and about 6,500 unique users. If I have doubts about a certain piece of UX, design, or anything, Impero always provides suggestions based on their experience. We have a partnership; we’re not just a customer and a supplier. That’s the best part of working with their team, I think.

What did you find most impressive about Impero IT Services?

Their service and quality are outstanding. I worked for a well-respected IT company for many years, and I see no difference in the service or quality when comparing both teams.

Are there any areas Impero IT Services could improve?

Compared to their usual projects, this app is quite small. Sometimes, when they did testing, they didn’t document everything. I asked them to start being more detailed in their reports because I and the end customer need an overview of what’s going on, even for small tasks. We talked about that issue, and they agreed to do a better job of documenting the work in the future. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of a wellness and fitness company. We help people feel good about themselves through an app, website, and monthly love letter that share purely positive words of love, light, and connection.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Impero IT Services?

We needed help creating our app, Pure Positive.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Impero IT Services took my existing project and completed the production of the Pure Positive app. They assisted with the design, function, and execution. The team helped with all aspects of development, design, testing, and production.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 2–5 teammates from Impero IT Services.

How did you come to work with Impero IT Services?

Someone referred Impero IT Services to us. We chose them over other options because they were a great culture fit.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together between March–August 2025.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Impero IT Services completed my Pure Positive app on time and within the promised budget. We received regular updates on the app, including visual designs and versions to test. The final version was beautiful and functioned seamlessly; we were thrilled with it.

How did Impero IT Services perform from a project management standpoint?

Impero IT Services' project management was spot on. They always delivered within the promised deadline, and their communication was excellent. We primarily communicated through virtual meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I loved the personal touch of Impero IT Services. I always felt listened to and cared for. The personal relationships were warm and responsive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I had zero complaints.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive at Rate My Horse Mobile app

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Western performance horse mobile app

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Impero IT Services to accomplish?

• Design and build the mobile app from beginning to end

SOLUTION

How did you find Impero IT Services?

Online Search

Why did you select Impero IT Services over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

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

They created a mobile app that allowed western horsemen to judge and rate the performance of their peers equine athletes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The quality of the app speaks for itself.

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

They were always on time and quick to respond to any questions I had.

What was your primary form of communication with Impero IT Services?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their willingness and patience with me.(I was completely ignorant to the whole process beforehand)

Are there any areas for improvement or something Impero IT Services could have done differently?

No