JatApp

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the COO of a company that utilizes an iOS app to help users find and connect with local businesses and services in a fast, easy way.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JatApp?

We needed help designing and developing our app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Before beginning app development, they assisted us with app design using a landing page concept we had created. They created the app's design concept for us. After a couple months of trading design ideas and having discussions about the app, we moved on to the development phase of the project.  

First, they created and wrote the backend from scratch. Next, they developed the iOS application itself and the admin panel for small businesses. With this function, when businesses created their company profile, it would automatically appear in the app. They implemented a geolocation feature using Google maps to indicate business locations so that users can see all the new businesses and services within a 10-mile radius around them. Users filter and search the types of services they are looking for to see which businesses best match their requirements, which are the closest, and which have the highest rating. The app also navigates the closest route to their desired location.

We try to involve as many new businesses as possible. This is partly to encourage student involvement and participation. The app is currently free to use since seed investment covered our development and some marketing. We would eventually like to redevelop our app into a white label solution and sell it to different governing entities to promote new businesses in their area. We do not work with JatApp anymore since we launched our iOS app, but instead, our own team handles development. They left us with the source code and a finished, well-done landing page. They also offered us support for around a month after launch.

What is the team composition?

One of their designers helped us with our preliminary task. When development started we worked with two of their developers. Throughout our collaboration, we also worked with a project manager from their team.

How did you come to work with JatApp?

I conducted an online search and posted our project description. At first, I was looking for freelancers. However, I ended up hiring a team, which worked out for the best because, unlike freelancers, they already knew each other and had worked together. I collected bids from various companies, and JatApp was among those who applied for our project. They offered us an estimation and showed us their previous work. We had already done the wireframes, so we decided to move forward with a trial run by using them for design. They successfully completed design work for us, so we decided to hire them for development as well.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2017, and we finished collaborating June 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app still has users testing it out despite a period of stagnation where we almost had no users or interest. We tripled the number of users over the past six months without heavily promoting the app. I thought we would have to spend more on marketing, but news of the app spread by word of mouth. We spent some time working on another project, but now we are getting ready to implement our white labeling strategy for the app. It’s hard to measure their work’s impact through the number of users, but it may be more accurate to measure its success in changing our entire company philosophy in order to make the app a totally different product this year.

How did JatApp perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great. We communicated mostly through Skype because that was our preference. We never had any trouble during development, which we left completely in their hands. I didn't any suggestions or requests during the development process because I’m not an expert in that area. Our strategy was to let them completely develop the app and determine which technologies to apply and what it should look like, then offer feedback based on user experience. We mostly agreed on everything throughout our collaboration. They worked well, and we are still using the version of the app they developed. Any bugs the app had were all fixed during the first month.

They made me feel confident about the project, and I didn’t worry about their process. I received timely reports, so I knew how much time they worked and how much I would have to pay them. We never had issues regarding payment because they made their reporting transparent and friendly, so always knew where the money we spent was going.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They develop software well. We didn’t require complicated development work; we expected a good iOS app with solid backend work, which is what they delivered. I’m not sure if our collaboration or their work would have run differently for a more complicated process, but in our case, they did their job extremely well.

One added benefit in working with their team was that they wrote down each and every word that we discussed throughout our collaboration. Whenever they had a question, or a contradiction came up, there was always a script of our discussion to refer to.  At certain points, they even helped us identify and keep track of our own business ideas. I’ve already recommended them to other, and I have a friend who is now working with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything was okay.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure that you have all of your requirements in place. If you have your project written down and have a pretty clear idea of your desired end product, then they’ll help you bring your idea to life. If you have more questions than answers, don’t expect a miracle to happen. In the end, you have to be well prepared in order to have a good development team.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our service allows people to upload photos of themselves and analyze which one looks best. I'm the chief operating officer of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JatApp?

We were looking for a vendor that could create a great design and develop our app without any delays or problems. We had strict deadlines and wanted to show it to investors.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We shared feedback on our original idea, and they compared our app with others in the market. We discussed both set tasks and general items.

They developed our native application for iOS and Android, building the main prototypes and designs based on sketches we provided. Their project manager wrote the technical specs.

What is the team composition?

We worked with one project manager, one developer for each platform, and one backend developer. We also had one UI and one UX designer, as well as a salesperson.

How did you come to work with JatApp?

We researched and sent requests to different companies. We scheduled a call with JatApp, asked for an estimate, and went through several sessions. They were one of the best candidates, and we decided to proceed.

How much have you invested with them?

The project cost was around $51,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

I believe that JatApp started working with my company around November 2015. I joined the company in January 2016, after the project had started. By the end of April, we had finished the working app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We presented the app at a conference. People liked it and we’ve gained active users. Everything's been good. Currently, our users are in the hundreds, not thousands, but we're working on this.

How did JatApp perform from a project management standpoint?

They sent us files listing our milestones, spent hours, and budget. We discussed upcoming milestones and had access to an internal documentation system. We used Trello, Slack, and Skype for communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were always ready for a discussion and brought their own opinions. I also liked their design, and everything was delivered according to our timelines. The technical and sales teams were made up of pleasant people to work with.

We've referred JatApp to partners for their startup.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I liked their approach and have no additional comments.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of a small startup in Slovakia. We currently have three employees, including myself.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JatApp?

We needed developers to deliver our product.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They are fully responsible for developing an iOS and Android application, including the backend.

What is the team composition?

I communicate with their project manager who manages the team.

How did you come to work with JatApp?

We did an internet search and had a pool of candidates. We decided to go with JatApp because of our initial meetings and due to their expertise. They prepared a detailed plan for us with key milestones, a video of the whole process, how much it would cost, and what the successions and risks were. They were well prepared.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2017, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m happy with their developers. We use GitHub where I’m able to see the iOS and Android code architecture. They’ve also applied for key architecture patents, so if we need to make changes to the code, it’ll be easy to implement. The code is flexible. They follow key engineering principles.

How did JatApp perform from a project management standpoint?

We use three-week iterations in our approach after which we use incremental functionality. We decided to go with a modified version of Scrum.

In regards to communication, we have one person who contacts us and provides status updates for each iteration. They also inform us if there are any problems or if they have questions. We use Slack with dedicated channels.

We can normally reach the project manager within a few minutes. Sometimes, we generate new ideas when we receive new product builds. These ideas may even come during the middle of an iteration. We discuss all of this on Slack and receive quick responses from their team. We also have occasional Skype meetings. We don’t use a project management tool on our side, but they use Redmine as a task and bug tracker on their side.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The most important things are code and engineering quality, and both are pretty good. They fulfill the estimations they make. There are no major dropouts. Sometimes, developers create an estimation and fail to fulfill it, but JatApp delivers good code and is transparent about timing. If they can’t deliver something within the expected timeframe, they communicate it with us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m happy with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re a flexible team who can work on different projects. We’re a startup, but their approach is versatile and allows them to adjust to different challenges, especially in the mobile domain. Future clients need to share their problems and expectations. The JatApp team is quite proactive. They will ask questions if they need clarification on anything. They might say “no” to some things, but they have a good approach.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of a medical communications app company that collaborates with medical organizations and establishments within Portugal. The application was built to help doctors to communicate among themselves, retain patients, and exchange professional opinions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JatApp?

We needed to develop a professional application for iOS and Android.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built native apps for iOS and Android, along with a new landing page for us to promote. When we started working together, we presented them with a technical document. They reviewed it and shared some opinions and estimates so that we could implement a plan that suited us. Then we started working on the app’s architecture, design, and coding.

They were fully involved with the project, from backend development to release. We didn't deal much with the technical aspects; that was JatApp’s responsibility.

The app enables our target audience, doctors from medical institutions and clinics, to create their own profiles. There’s a section where they can attach their credentials, licenses, and documents proving their experience. They can chat with other doctors to refer clients or receive advice on their cases, and can also invite clients to use the application We use end-to-end encryption to guarantee 3-D security. It facilitates communication between doctors, as well as between the doctor and the patient.

What is the team composition?

They provided one iOS developer, one backend developer, one Android developer, two QA technicians, one designer, and one project manager.

How did you come to work with JatApp?

Our partner, who had worked with JatApp, recommended them to us.

How much have you invested with them?

More than $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together during 2015 and 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Both apps have been launched. The first release was in January 2016. We’ve released updates since. We presented the applications to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last year, where they were hugely successful and attracted many new clients and partners. Now we are collaborating with partners from Spain and Mexico, and we have 500 active monthly users. That’s a great achievement after just one year.

We had some critical bugs on the first releases, but we fixed them quickly. The security guarantee was our main focus, which is why we used end-to-end encryption.

On the next stage of the prototype application, we implemented a cool idea that we got from our potential users. Now we’re just gathering some recommendations for new functionalities as we prepare to build another application for patients. Rather than including both patient and doctor sides in one app, we’re going to divide those functions across two apps. Right now, we only have the app for doctors.

How did JatApp perform from a project management standpoint?

Our team has some problems with English, but the dedicated project manager was very proactive and productive. We used Slack and Skype to chat about requirements and provide feedback on new builds.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Our team and the JatApp experts were a great match. They were inspired by our ideas, patient with our delays, and interested in developing a great product.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would nice if they could relocate to Portugal and lower their prices.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the creative director and co-founder of a startup working on a grocery delivery app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with JatApp?

We were developing a delivery app featuring multiple stores and brands. We needed help building the Android and iOS versions.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We worked with JatApp on an outsourced basis. We provided technical specifications, along with our design vision. They developed the two native mobile apps, integrated our services, and connected the apps to our existing website.

What is the team composition?

JatApp assigned four people to our project: two Android and two iOS developers. The project manager was on our side and communicated technical specifications directly to the developers.

How did you come to work with JatApp?

We were looking for a respectful and trustworthy team to work on our apps. We met with JatApp's business development manager at the 2015 Web Summit conference in Dublin. After a detailed analysis of our project and a Skype interview with their developers, we hired them.

How much have you invested with them?

Our budget was around $80,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with JatApp in 2015. The apps have been delivered to Google Play and Apple Store, but we're still in touch with project maintenance and support. The last update was done in December 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

User numbers are increasing every day. We're launching the app in new locations and planning localized versions for other countries.

How did JatApp perform from a project management standpoint?

The work was delivered within the deadlines. We had a direct communication channel with their developers, for an interchange of information and opinions. It was fast and we didn’t face any problems.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We mentioned in the beginning that we needed the code to be clear since the team could be changed at any time. If we brought in other developers, they would need to understand everything quickly. JatApp addressed this concern.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their cost and involvement were satisfactory, so I don’t think there’s anything that could be changed.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Since we used them for outstaffing services, we don’t know if they can provide dedicated teams. I would suggest having a transparent approach and paying attention to management issues. There needs to be a good match with the team the client is working with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the project manager for a reading platform that allows users to read rare art books. Several organizations and designers provided the books. It was quite a long process from idea to realization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JatApp?

After deciding to make a mobile application, we spent a lot of time thinking about what it should look like, how it should work, and which platform it should use. We needed a development company to help us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Using Objective C, they developed mobile applications for both iOS and Android. We asked them to focus on design, then move to development.

The app is quite simple. It allows people to read books and purchase more specific books during a free trial period. If the user has authorization, we provide access through a promo code.

What is the team composition?

I worked with their manager, Mariia [Business Engagement Manager, JatApp]. We also communicated with Anna [Customer Engagement Manager, JatApp] and their CTO. Altogether, we worked with 5-6 people.

How did you come to work with JatApp?

I’m from Prague and had a friend who had worked with them. We sent out project descriptions to several companies, including JatApp. Originally, we were less concerned with money and deadlines than with involvement. We wanted to know that they would share our ideas and interest in making the product user-friendly.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested $54,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2016 until February 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The apps are stable and well-designed, and they have not received any negative feedback from users. We finished one week before the deadline, which allowed us to meet with an investment coordinator.

How did JatApp perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated on a Slack channel and had weekly standup meetings to discuss what had been and what needed to be done. We also used a Gantt Chart to see what they were doing, the number of hours they had worked, and the results.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were more involved and prepared than other companies. When we began discussing the project, they prepared thoroughly and showed us multiple ideas. They used features from our other project to show how this one could be designed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I understand that the project managers have other projects, but they could have talked to us more often. We still received daily reports and had weekly standup meetings, though, so our workflow was quite good.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have discussions and get their feedback on your ideas. They always shared their own opinions about what could be done better and how the user experience could be improved. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a startup with a mobile platform for concert organizers and ticket buyers. We’re in our early stage of investment. Our aim in creating this product was to make a fast and unique way to buy tickets via mobile app. It would be much faster and more reliable than all single app solutions that are already existing in the market. I’m in charge of marketing. I’m also in charge of our cooperation with JatApp.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JatApp?

We had two in-house developers. We were looking for iOS and Android developers to join the team remotely. We had a working solution, but we decided to perfect it from scratch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our teams worked together to develop our iOS and Android apps. Their developers had to integrate with our existing API. Our target audiences are concert organizers and regular ticket buyers. Concert organizers have profiles where they can post events, set up dates, and sell the tickets via the payment system that is integrated into the cloud. As an app, we have our fee, but it’s minimal, which benefits concert organizers because they don’t have to share profit with cross-party apps which take a much larger fee than we do.

Concert organizers have a direct channel to distribute tickets to potential buyers. At the same time, users receive updates about upcoming concerts. They can get the tickets for the lowest price and never overpay.

Right now, they’re doing bug fixing. We already have the plans for the second release this year. We’re also looking for investments to move on with development with new features.

What is the team composition?

We had two iOS and two Android developers on JatApp’s side. We had our two developers, and we did the management and design as well. We made sure that everything was done and prepared for the mobile apps to be developed successfully. We were also in contact with their account manager and also some lawyers. Once everything was set up, we were in touch with only the developers.

How did you come to work with JatApp?

We met in person when we were exhibiting at the Web Summit. We met their representatives there, got acquainted, and exchanged business cards. A year later, we got in touch again. We received CVs of developers who might meet our requirements. Since we had met face-to-face before, it was easier to make a decision. After a trial period of working with JatApp for one month, they proved to be a good and reliable team.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $70,000–$80,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2017 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The mobile apps are live and being used. We’re now tracking the activity and gathering feedback about the overall app functioning. The code is well-documented according to our in-house team after analysis. The app is fast. It’s almost bug-free. It works well. Since we were providing the design initially, it looks exactly the way we wanted it to, and now it works the way we wanted it to.

How did JatApp perform from a project management standpoint?

We managed the process, and we worked together every day. There was nothing that went beyond our control in this collaboration. Their scope of work was to be fully dedicated to our web project. They were managed by our project manager who kept an eye on them all the time to make sure that they’re not engaged in two projects. I was happy to see they were fully dedicated to us. On JatApp’s side, we were in touch only with the account manager who was in charge of financial questions. Even though the project and developers were managed by our project manager, it’s a typical group model for a distributed team. Everything ran very smoothly because they were responsible with their time management. They were always on time and online. They stayed longer if needed. Time is tracked very carefully. We never overpaid for anything. We always knew what we were paying for. I’m more than satisfied with the work that they did.

We never met the developers personally; we only see each other through Slack video chat.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Both iOS and Android developers are experienced and fun to work with. They have a good sense of humor and we really appreciate that. They do their work well. It’s nice and easy to work with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything is good so far. We are satisfied with the pricing and with the quality of work. I wouldn’t change anything. We will continue working with JatApp as long as needed.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’d recommend them to those who are looking for a dedicated team.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for a startup located in Tennessee. During our eight years on the market, we’ve completed three successful social projects; two mobile apps and a web platform. I'm the marketing director of our latest project, a dating app called “weSpark.”

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JatApp?

When dating apps were at a high point in the market, our initial idea was to create a fancy, simple, social networking platform. We needed a trusted and professional team to help us with the design and development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

JatApp developed the final version of our iOS-only app. We explained our vision for the final product we wanted, and the whole team gave recommendations for improvement. Their input helped simplify the user experience and make the design more attractive. As a basic dating application, facets of work included user profile creation, login, and data storage. GPS location lets users limit search results to “future friends” who are available nearby. The chat feature allows users to connect and communicate.

The team was very product-oriented, and efficiently completed the product planning, UI/UX, design, and testing. The team used Objective C programming language to yield a native solution. A simple admin panel resolved a management issue we were experiencing, by organizing user data and deleting unnecessary information. During the launch stage, they helped us deliver the app to stores for release and purchase.

What is the team composition?

We worked primarily with four staff, namely, the UX senior developer, QA engineer, designer, and project manager. When we needed to create an admin panel, they provided additional support for backend development.

How did you come to work with JatApp?

We got a referral from one of our partners, who is JatApp’s international representative. Reading reviews by current experts helped solidify our decision to use their team. We held a couple of meetings with the lead via Skype and found we were nicely matched. They seemed talented and trustworthy, and we didn't want to spend excess time searching for a vendor. As a bonus, they offered great rates.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $50,000 for their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in September 2015 and had released the app by the end of the year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

JetApp's team carefully considered all our suggestions, and implemented our detailed specifications. All the metrics for the app were perfect. The team was impressively product oriented and gave us extensive and useful suggestions, rather than blindly following the specs. The app is user-friendly and looks professional with its fancy and elegant design. We had 5,000 downloads within the first month. Our number of users is increasing every day, and we’ve gotten many good reviews in the stores.

The market is very competitive right now, so we need to make some improvements to the design and functionality. Right now, we're considering refactoring and updating the app from the conditionality point of view. We're going to come back to the same team because we have great confidence in them.

How did JatApp perform from a project management standpoint?

Our daily communication was transparent and effective. We used Slack and had a special channel to contact the team directly. They’d always reply within five minutes, which was an impressive speed. Our PM spearheaded all facets of the project. He delegated effectively while managing his entire team, and they worked within deadlines. We divided the entire project into sprints and touched base with a developer after completing each one. Smooth collaboration helped them meet all our requirements for user experience and efficiency.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team has excellent project focus. I would work with them again because the majority of the team is fantastic at completing the job. JatApp’s developers were dedicated, creative, and product-oriented.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There's always something to improve. They could optimize all the work to meet their standards and consistently raise the bar. The tech field requires being on top of market trends as they emerge. JatApp could work on following and implementing newly available tools.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Arrange some meetings before starting work, and visit their office if possible. It's really important to be well-matched with your development team. Strong communication that conveys a solid understanding of your idea will help you achieve the best results possible.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the project manager for a mobile app startup that aims to simplify the laundry needs of college students, and I have been with the company since its foundation. I manage our small, in-house development team, as well as our relationship with our contractor, JatApp.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JatApp?

We needed to develop the solution to our audience’s problem from scratch. As a new startup, we had a well-formed idea and a clear understanding of our target audience, but we were on a limited budget. Our goal was to hire a contractor to develop a successful minimum viable product on the first try because we had neither the capital nor the time to make mistakes. We needed the MVP in order to secure investors. Ideally, we wanted a development shop that could provide us everything we needed from beginning to end, from design to prototyping to app development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

JatApp was in charge of the backend development for both our iOS and Android applications, both of which are already available in-store. Prior to engaging their services, we went through a month-long process of in-depth business analysis. After that, we passed along our research to JatApp and they took care of both the design and the prototyping of the iOS application. During that time, we reimagined our concept of the app with their assistance, since we had initially conceived of something quite different from their end prototype. It ended up being much better than we had expected.

Once all of that initial work was complete, they took care of developing the backend, as well as creating a very good admin panel before the first iOS app release. After that, they moved onto improving a second version of the iOS app and began work on developing the first Android version.

Both versions of the app are native to each respective system. Some key features that we needed them to incorporate were profile creation, a subscription model for payment, an internal rating system, and a progress update capability, among other things.

What is the team composition?

On JatApp’s side, we had one project manager, two iOS developers, two backend developers, the UI/UX designer, and one quality assessor.

How did you come to work with JatApp?

I found them initially through a Google search for companies that would fill our needs. I sent a request through the contact form on their website, and they got in touch with us to begin discussing our project.

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent around US$60,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with JatApp in February 2017, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

So far, we have essentially been in beta testing mode. Our goals at the moment are finding more investors and perfecting our end products. The people who have been testing it for us, however, have given us a lot of positive feedback about the apps, and we have engaged a number of potential of investors based on our current MVPs. Any bugs that were identified during the testing stage, JatApp fixed free of charge, and the current versions are functional and bug-free.

How did JatApp perform from a project management standpoint?

Anytime that there were issues with the apps’ functionality, we would get in touch with our project manager at JatApp. Within one or two business days, the problem would be fixed. About once a week, we would have a quick phone call to check in on their status and progress. Otherwise, our primary communication was conducted through Slack, within which we expected both our and their teams to hold regular office hours and have a set amount of availability (usually between two to three hours a day).

What did you find most impressive about them?

What stood out upon our first contact with them was their friendly demeanor; I immediately liked the people with whom I was interacting. I also appreciated that they were always available to help assuage my concerns, which was aided by their pleasantness. The above was particularly impressive because of the physical distance between our two companies. We established a level of trust and an effective working relationship despite the fact that we have never met in person. Knowing that they would not simply disappear on us halfway through the project helped to create a flourishing working environment.

Also, at the earliest stage of our collaboration, they provided us with a number of initial services at no charge—such as business analysis and a few specific parts of design and prototyping—for which other companies would have billed us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be beneficial for them to be more attentive to final testing before an app goes live. We had a few challenging moments when there was negative feedback from the very first users about some basic features of the app, or when the whole thing would crash altogether. JatApp should insist on taking as long as necessary to conduct final testing on any app, no matter how hard their client is pushing to be done as quickly as possible. Polish everything until there is nothing else that can be improved, and only then should the app go live.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Consider whether or not the development company is optimistic enough about your project. If they are optimistic, there’s a good chance that the development process will be productive and effective. It also helps if the company itself feels fresh and spirited. After having a few interactions with a company, you will be able to feel whether or not it will be the right working relationship for you and your company’s needs. At that point, you should commit to that particular collaboration – not because of the price or their expertise, but because of the personal relationship that you develop with those people.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CTO of a VPN startup located in Nicosia, Cyprus. We have a 7-person team, including regional employees. Our product is aimed at enabling customers to always access internet pages or applications which may be prohibited in their region. We have focused on making the platform simple and stable so that people from all regions can use it without difficulty.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JatApp?

Their team helped us develop our project. It was my first project of this kind, and I had no experience in the area.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

JatApp developed an Android and iOS application for us, as well as the web page which leads to the app store of each operating system. They handled everything from architecture to design improvements and backend development. They also helped improve our business strategy.

After deploying the first version of the app, JatApp has assigned an employee for support and for answering user questions. There is also an option for sending log files after being unable to connect to the VPN; the JatApp team can review those and find the cause of the problem.

How did you come to work with JatApp?

We had up to 10 interviews with different teams from Russia and India, sourced by the friends of our team members. We also received a reference from some friends based in Cyprus who had previously worked with JatApp on their product from the ground up. We understood that we could rely on JatApp since our friends had already launched their business.

How much have you invested with them?

The total cost was around $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with JatApp in May 2015. Developing both applications took around two months. There is a dedicated person helping with support, and we plan to continue the collaboration with JatApp. I have no intentions to change the team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have recently launched the project, but people have been downloading our applications and we are growing. Most of the feedback on Google Play has been positive.

How did JatApp perform from a project management standpoint?

We mainly communicate through Slack. JatApp used a bug-tracking application internally during development.

They helped us a lot in terms of improving the application. We were always in contact, so, if one of our team members had a question, we could address it in a few hours. There were no significant problems, and we finished three or four days before the deadline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their fast response time was important. We didn’t have any conflicts, and the process was smooth.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Constant development is the key to success. JatApp has a great team which does its job, and they understand how fast things change in this area.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

The internet is expanding all the time, so everyone needs to continue studying and improve their skills, in order to provide a better service.