Mobile App Dev & UX for Georgia Technology Firm
- Mobile App Development
- $1,000,000 to $9,999,999
- June 2016 - Sep. 2018
- Quality
- 5.0
- Schedule
- 5.0
- Cost
- 5.0
- Willing to Refer
- 5.0
“What most impressed us was the project ownership that Jelvix displays.”
- Other industries
- Atlanta, Georgia
- 1-10 Employees
- Phone Interview
- Verified
Jelvix was brought on to build an iOS and Android mobile app hosted on AWS. Currently, they’re developing a social network to host idea discussions supported by URLs, documents, and references. This review was updated by the client on September 3, 2019.
Users have found the social network engaging during usability tests and laud its modern design. Jelvix’ expertise with new technologies was a welcome addition to the project and represents their commitment to optimizing deliverables. They communicate consistently and have an eager work ethic. Their success has helped secure additional projects with the client.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the vice president of technology and product development for a small tech company owned by a real estate investment entrepreneur. My job is to oversee projects, find resources, coordinate them, and make everything happen.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Jelvix?
The company began with our owner’s idea for an app. They had little experience with computers, so it was my job to determine the technology direction, high-level design, and resources necessary to execute. We turned to Jelvix as our development arm.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
We came up with a detailed product spec with an analyst from Jelvix. From that, they developed resource and timeframe estimates and technology requirements. They were responsible for all the frontline development work. The app was for iOS and Android and had a web-based admin panel. They hosted it on AWS.
Currently, they’re working on a social network that facilitates issue-based communications and discussions. We want to encourage people to respond to questions about different issues with supporting documentation, references, and URLs in a well-mannered way. The system doesn’t generate user profiles as we want people to feel free to express themselves and their opinions without worrying they’re being turned into a product.
What is the team composition?
We started with a project manager and then added a couple of developers. There were front- and backend developers, database developers, a web developer, a part-time UI/UX designer, and a part-time QA resource. They were flexible and added other resources as needed.
How did you come to work with Jelvix?
Once I knew what we wanted to do and how we wanted to do it, I started looking for specific resources located relatively near Atlanta—a good-sized tech hub in the area. I wanted to find a consulting partner that could help me with the development and some of the design, but I didn’t want to recruit an entire company
Lots of companies were willing to recruit people for us, but they didn’t have anyone on staff to do the work themselves. I ended up being referred to Jelvix by a cloud services representative I was talking to about our problems.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent between $200,000–$300,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We worked together from June 2016 until September 2018. We’re tweaking things now, but all the functionality is there. We’ll start beta testing in the next month or so.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We’ve been getting great responses from our usability testing. One of the most important questions was whether users would find a set of tasks interesting or fun after going through them. Invariably, the feedback has been good. The graphic design, UI, and UX are cool and exciting thanks to what Jelvix brought to the table.
I’ve been working with computers for a long time and don’t have much experience with newer technology. Jelvix brought some of that current experience along with their relatively young perspective.
How did Jelvix perform from a project management standpoint?
I communicated with the project manager on a daily basis, and we periodically Skyped, either by ourselves or with the developers. I was concerned with how communication would work initially, but we talked over email and used Trello for document sharing.
The team mostly remained the same for the three years we worked together, and I only had one project manager. They have excellent English skills, so it’s not a problem that some of the developers don’t’ know it. I also had an outstanding experience with a designer they brought on.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They contributed new ideas and concepts to the table. Even when I had a decent idea of what I wanted to do, my project manager would email me after meeting with the developer or designer and share any ideas they had. I felt like they were true partners that took ownership of the project and weren’t just marching along to my orders. They provided not only knowledge, but enthusiasm, creativity, and ideas.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, there wasn’t anything.
UPDATED REVIEW
This review was updated on September 3rd, 2019, by the client. New content is below.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
We previously submitted a review of Jelvix based on our work with them on a specific project. Since that time, we have been working with them on another project and this review reflects that experience. Jelvix is really great to work with, and it’s easy to give them a terrific review!
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Jelvix?
We were asked by a client to develop a proprietary social network that included features and functionality not found in any commercial product. Our budget was 1.2 million dollars and we were required to hit periodic benchmarks. We had about 18 months to develop, test, refine, and go live with the product.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
We were already working with Jelvix on another project, so partnering with them on this engagement was the obvious choice. Having already established a productive working relationship with Jelvix, we could engage immediately with the project team that they assembled for us. As with our other project, Jelvix was deeply engaged in the entire life-cycle of development, from analysis to UI/UX design, from concept to coding.
What is the team composition?
As before, we had a dedicated project manager who was experienced in app- and web-based development work. Following the model we had established with our other project, we assembled a Ukraine-based team of frontend (iOS and Android) developers, a backend and database developer, a full-time QA tester, and graphic designers as required. We also had input and assistance from Jelvix’s chief architect, chief designer, as well as input from periodic focus groups.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We are planning to go live with this product in November. Fairly late in the game our client made changes to the product requirements, which they expected would set the development back by 6–9 months.
However, because of the modular nature of the product’s architecture, the effective use of agile Scrum methodology, and the high degree of motivation on the part of our development team, we were able to digest these changes and only add two months to the schedule.
How did Jelvix perform from a project management standpoint?
We have a dedicated Jelvix project manager, who deals directly with a dedicated US-based project manager. They communicate daily in English via email, Skype, and Trello.
To be clear, in the US we have executive oversight of the project, as well as a dedicated project manager. All other personnel are provided by Jelvix in Kharkov, Ukraine.
Whenever we needed some specialized expertise, for example in the area of data security, Jelvix was able to find an in-house or external expert who could provide the knowledge and direction that we required.
What did you find most impressive about them?
What most impressed us was the project ownership that Jelvix displays. Our developers are constantly giving us ideas and coming up with suggestions to improve the product. They are very highly motivated and excited to work on this project. Periodically, Jelvix assembles in-house and external focus groups to provide feedback on the design and functionality.
RATINGS
-
Quality
5.0Service & Deliverables
-
Schedule
5.0On time / deadlines
-
Cost
5.0Value / within estimates
-
Willing to Refer
5.0NPS