Mercury Development

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the corporate marketing director at Flatiron Media.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mercury Development?

We wanted to develop an app to supplement our existing online business, looking for a simple, straightforward solution with analytics reporting and data management capabilities. The development was for our gaming app connected to the sweepstakes we run. The end product was intended to allow users to enter the sweepstakes from their mobile phones, in addition to existing avenues.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

This was our first mobile app development project. We started the process with a discovery phase to scope out the budget and various aspects of their work. That gave us the opportunity to evaluate workflows and documentation. We provided concepts and ideas in our initial planning meetings.

Then, they built the entirely of the front- and backend in React Native for both iOS and Android. The team guided our decision after talking through a few options with us. This seemed to be the most cost-effective solution that would be easy to maintain. In addition to the development, they also designed the interface using our logo and brand book. The app launched about a month ago, but they still support and maintain it.

What is the team composition?

We had two separate project managers. One took over after the other went on maternity leave. There was an additioanl point of contact, a development team, and a graphic designer behind them, too.

How did you come to work with Mercury Development?

Originally, I found them through a Google search. We did discovery phases with three companies because we thought it would give us the best idea of how well we’d work with our partner. In that process, we weaned out the other two companies pretty quickly, ending up with Mercury Development. Their communication stood out, and we felt like we could potentially have a long-term relationship with them. 

How much have you invested with them?

The discovery phase was about $6,000, and the full execution of the project cost approximately $150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2018, and they still help us in a support capacity.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

In the first week of the launch, our internal team was happy with the app. Our user metrics and revenue are both going up and to the right, which is an early indicator of success. We’ve only been up for about a week and a half, so it’s also still a little early to tell.

But, the app is more convenient. Users can use it to play games to get more entries into the sweepstakes. Retention numbers are solid, the artwork is fun, and everything is suitable for our demographic. 

We’d been struggling with Google penalties at the time, and my consultant helping me with the issue said he was impressed that we made as much financial headway with the app as we had.

How did Mercury Development perform from a project management standpoint?

We used Google Docs, Dropbox, and other basic communication tools. I also used OneNote internally. They really led the charge on the communication end, which was solid. We always had our timelines laid out. Eugenia, in particular, was very methodical. Their team read all my emails and retained the information, which was refreshing. We were always on the same page because of that. She was very detailed, prompt, and linear.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were steady, consistent workhorses, setting a nice pace for the effort. We had a dedicated team, and the resource management was great. Their price point wasn’t the most or least expensive—it was fair.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They didn’t have as much business intelligence as we would have liked. That could’ve helped us with the Google penalties. Sometimes, communicating with some of their programmers was difficult because their offshore and in different timezones.

We were also trying to stay on the lower end of our budget and ended up on the upper end. I wasn’t gravely disappointed about that, but there were some features that we assumed were standard that we ended up being charged for. Most minor hiccups like that were accounted for and solved by project managers, though.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Think through their questions, providing detailed answers in the beginning. Outline your needs, and ask them to volunteer information about their processes and pricing. They’ll give you a direct answer as long as you think to ask.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a controller for a biweekly financial periodical.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mercury Development?

We wanted to create a whole new branding strategy and needed resources to redesign our existing app to support that. Our goal was not to just update the app but rather to look at it from a new approach.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The process consisted of two major phases: design and development. Initially, Mercury Development went over our app and created a sketch of the redesign on pen and paper. We wanted a look that was fresh, innovative, and intuitive to use. Once we approved their work, they proceeded to development.

They created a native app for iOS and Android that allows users to read our publication on mobile devices. The app mimics various features on our website, including an archive of past issues and a full view of the newsletter. Currently, we’re at the beta stage and are wrapping up the last 10% of development. They’re using TestFlight to test the app for error states.

What is the team composition?

I primarily worked with about three contacts, but there were other developers and designers working behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with Mercury Development?

When we first started looking for developers, we knew that we wanted an agency that was creative and easy to work with. That is to say, we wanted a firm that was within our time zone to facilitate communication.

We eventually found Mercury Development online. They said the right things and seemed to know what they were doing. We also liked their past work and felt that they could accomplish what we wanted to do with our app.

What is the status of this engagement?

Their work started in August 2017 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Internally, everyone liked the overall functionality as well as the look and feel. We’ve already had releases but are waiting for a few more changes before we go live. Once we have live users, we’ll see more quantitative feedback.

How did Mercury Development perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very timely and keep on top of everything. If they can’t meet a deadline, they make sure to inform us, but we haven’t had any noticeable delays.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Not only have they delivered what they said they would, they’re easy to communicate with. It’s hard to predict what kind of challenges you’ll face with a global company, but we’ve had a positive experience so far.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Chief Operating Officer at Neuxpower, an international software development company based in London. I am responsible for the recruitment and management of the various internal teams and for any relationships with external sales or development partners.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Mercury Development?

We first hired Mercury Development to develop a Mac equivalent of our Windows Desktop software, NXPowerLite. We wanted to support only PowerPoint files initially to test the market and keep the scope tight. Due to the small size of our internal development team and the lack of resources, we could not develop this product in a timeframe the business demanded. We approached Mercury and asked them to investigate if they could complete the project within the budget and timeframe.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to produce Mac software that could be installed on the latest operating system. Once installed, it would allow users to select or drag and drop PowerPoint files and for the software to optimize the files. The requirement included porting our underlying engine processing Windows code to be able to work on a Mac. The code was written in C++ but included many third-party libraries where alternative solutions needed to be sourced. Our specifications were clear on how we would like the application to look and behave and integrate seamlessly with Mac's finder tool. If executed correctly, we anticipate using this application to test whether a full-featured Mac application would be required or whether the Mac users did not need this type of application.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We reviewed their website and reviews online before contacting them to start initial conversations. We asked to talk to previous customers to find out if they were a reliable development partner. We decided to go with Mercury because their references we very good and they were by far the most responsive and professional company out of all being considered. The decision to hire Mercury was made between myself and the CEO.

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

Because we are a software development company, we supplied them with a very detailed scope. This contained screen mockups and desired behaviors. We supplied the underlying file processing engine with regression test files to ensure identical results on Mac to those achieved on Windows machines. We also supplied Apple versions of the third-party libraries that we used inside our code. Most of the behavior and processing could be seen in our Windows application, so that was always our first point of reference.

What was the team composition?

Mercury supplied a project manager and development team for our project. I only ever dealt with the project manager. On my end, I served as the project manager and supplied one developer who could work with Mercury when technical questions arose. We were never inconvenienced by team composition changes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

From a business perspective, the addition of the Mac software enabled us to round out our software suite. Customers were delighted that they could now use NXPowerLite on both Windows and Mac. They were equally impressed that files were compressed exactly the same. It allowed us to expand our reach of technology sales partners and reach some Mac-only service providers. We are now into the fourth iteration of the Mac software with Mercury. We added many new features and file formats so that it is almost the same as the Windows version. The results exceeded our initial goals and expectations and we ended up with a solid development partner with whom we are expanding our partnership each year.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management was exemplary. The initial research that Mercury performed prior to starting development was effective. It allowed us to be very specific about the scope of the project and clarify any unsuitable specified areas of the project. The report they gave us at the end of the research phase helped clearly identify each area of the project including costs and deadlines. Despite giving them detailed specifications, their team clarified several points of the project. When a project is underway their team is excellent at keeping their clients updated on the progress. Every week, a PDF with a rough progress briefing is sent. This allowed us to clearly see their progress and helped us plan our resources when they need our input. The communication was mostly done via email and more recently Google Docs. We also shared files and code using their secure FTP server. Although we were working in a different time zone, it did not adversely affect the timeframe of the project.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are very precise, and their detailed focus means they deliver exactly what is asked of them. They are also very adaptable. Projects always change as the feature set increases or decreases. We always found them accommodating and discussions around changing scope were always handled with clarity and fairness, which is unusual in my previous experience.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and director of a software company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Mercury Development?

We needed a team of experienced iOS engineers that could integrate with our existing code and drive projects forward with a minimal learning curve.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to further enhance an existing video playback platform with new features, improvements, and fixes.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We initially reached out to several different vendors when we began searching. Mercury offered thorough, in-depth analysis and advice before we even agreed to hire them, which was very impressive. 

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

Mercury provided a group of experienced development, QA, and management specialists who implement features and improvements designed to support UX, reliability, and performance. The overall plan included integrating a combination of open source and proprietary code to deliver a professional and polished final product that would delight our users.

What was the team composition?

This is an ongoing project, and the team's size has fluctuated between three and 12 members.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

With their involvement, the platform's user base has grown from the tens of thousands to millions in just a few short years.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management was excellent throughout. Our project manager continually provides invaluable feedback regarding task prioritization and scheduling; this keeps the project moving at a rapid pace.  

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Mercury's skill and attention to detail are exceptional and second to none. Moreover, they have a large talent pool from which to draw that enables them to maintain forward progress if and when challenges arise. 

Are there any areas where they can improve?

They continue to exceed expectations in all areas, and I am excited to watch them to grow.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CTO of a software development company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mercury Development?

We essentially wanted to create a SaaS extension for one of our existing products.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We explained our concept in a five-page document and sent it to their product managers. They typically get started as soon as we forward the project specifications, but we were already collaborating on several projects. Two years passed before we were able to revisit the complex task.

We held our first meeting in April 2018.  A couple of their project managers were in attendance, as well as some of our in-house product managers, business analysts, and other stakeholders. They established their roles in the development, design, and user experience processes.

The goal is to create a minimum viable product (MVP). We use Amazon Web Services for the backend, which includes database and storage services and QServers. We're currently in the design stage, but we plan to start developing the AI and machine features in three weeks.

We continuously build cutting-edge web applications with high-performance, low-latency driver code.  Our diverse portfolio includes cloud computing, file systems, kernel, and client software for Linux, Mac, Windows, and various web browsers.

What is the team composition?

Their team consists of 15 individuals.

How did you come to work with Mercury Development?

Our former development partner was no longer performing to our standards, so we started looking for a company that had experience in building software similar to ours.  Mercury's proximity to our headquarters was a contributing factor to our hiring decision.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent under $10 million on their development services. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve worked with Mercury for more 10 years, so we consider their team to be an extension of our own company.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve had an excellent success rate in past decade that we’ve worked together. The products that we co-develop have reached hundreds of thousands of customers in more than 100 countries. Our company's steady growth and unmarked reputation is a clear indicator of their accomplishments.

How did Mercury Development perform from a project management standpoint?

We discuss the project's progression during the weekly meetings, but we stay in contact throughout the week using Jira. Supplemental documents are sent via email or stored on the shared Google Drive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ability to quickly overcome the most complicated technical obstacles is a rare talent. They prioritize essential features and waste no time eliminating elements that hinder efficiency.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They are always learning about new languages and methodologies, but they never proactively share that information with us. Hosting a quarterly briefing would be the best way to introduce us to the latest technology and in turn, give us more options. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Project management tools like Jira are more useful than email and phone correspondence. Preserving everything in writing allows you to revisit appropriate material and process the information effectively.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the technical director of a software company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mercury Development?

We invent new software processes and executables. We brought them on initially to help with development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed a complex Windows and Mac executable software that integrated into our own protocol. They built low-level libraries that worked with our systems and were very helpful research partners.

In the beginning, we had about a month of conversation back and forth before they built a prototype. We wanted to make sure our idea was feasible, so they capped the budget and delivered a successful first version. Once we were sure it would work, we agreed on milestones and reasonable costs. We were a startup at the time, and they were good at managing the budget and making us feel comfortable.

What is the team composition?

We have a dedicated project manager who is contracted for as many hours as we need. We also had a couple of dedicated programmers at the beginning.

How did you come to work with Mercury Development?

We did a Google search for C++ developers and found them through that effort.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $1 million so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2003 and the original product launched in March 2005. We still work together on other projects on a regular basis.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their deliverables are very reliable. They do vigorous QA tests, so all we have to do is integration testing before each launch. They find expert solutions to hard problems and do complex research. Our interactions are very successful.

How did Mercury Development perform from a project management standpoint?

We got to know each other well through regular chats, email, GitHub, and Jira. We’ve worked together for a long time, so now most of our interaction is through regular weekly meetings. We have a really good flow of productivity.

We have very open, immediate communication. Everything is upfront and we never run into longstanding problems. They’re accessible and open to upgrading communications systems as needed. Before Jira, we worked from Word documents. They’re always willing to adjust to our workflow.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re experts at turning research into actual products. Their costs and time frames are very reasonable and I’d recommend them to anyone.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wish we could clone them. They do great work and I would love see their team grow.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Focus on your prototype and don’t go overboard with future ideas. They will give you exactly what you ask for, so make sure you know what you need.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CTO for MiMedia, a personal media cloud software company based in New York.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mercury Development?

We needed help designing and developing a mobile app alongside our internal server development resources.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our server infrastructure and APIs were already mapped out, but Mercury helped with the designs and business requirements for the app that they then developed for both iOS and Android. After working with their business analysts and project manager on defining the overall look of the app, their designers created mockups. Our team assisted in writing cases that we were trying to support and they provided development and QA.

The app they helped create includes features that allow users to store and sort personal photos and videos in a more engaging way than other generic cloud storage solutions. Users can curate collections and share content with others outside of the app ecosystem entirely. Mercury helped incorporate the technologies for video playback within the app and eventually helped with a desktop version of the app as well for both PC and Mac.

What is the team composition?

It depends on the stage of the project. We work with as few as four people to as many as two dozen at a time, including a project manager.

How did you come to work with Mercury Development?

I'm not sure, because we had worked with them on the first version of the app about seven years ago and they were rehired to work on the second version based on that experience.

How much have you invested with them?

It's hard to say—I'd guess it's in the seven digit range, but under $10 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with Mercury about four and a half years ago for the second version of the app. Although it's launched, they continue to provide ongoing services and develop new features.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It's hard to measure, but the product is where we need it to be. Our defect rate is exceedingly low and they're able to respond to emerging new requirements very rapidly. There are a lot of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements coming down the pipeline, for example, that they've been highly engaged in.

How did Mercury Development perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is one of their strongpoints, but they operate within a specific model. They don't operate like a development shop; they expect that their project manager is allotted a total number of hours for QA and development. During our biggest engagement with them, there were several people taking on project management tasks, which helped keep things moving smoothly. We were able to communicate directly with developers through our management and issue tracking systems, meeting with them through virtual conference calls quite often.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Unlike a mere development shop, they're able to provide business analysis and design. I'm also impressed by their ability to be flexible. As our business progresses and our needs evolve, they've adjusted to the capacity of development and specific technologies we've needed to incorporate. By supporting our needs with the flexibility to sideline projects when necessary, they've been able to grow and shrink with us without a lot of friction.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure your organization is capable of supporting the time zone difference. While they are responsive and work on many different channels through various ticketing and messaging systems, plan properly to work with the time difference from their office in Russia.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of a Virginia-based manufacturer called Mill Mountain Capital. We engineered a distraction management system that prevents drivers from using their wireless devices manually while the vehicle is in motion.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mercury Development?

When we conceptualized our idea, we tried to leverage our 11-person internal team to develop the solution. However, we realized that we lacked the bandwidth to complete the project, so we sought resources to augment our engineer team and develop our app for iOS and Android.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, we conducted a knowledge transfer to provide details and specifications about our system. Because we lacked strong documentation, they developed a comprehensive archive of notes, including the use cases and functionality requirements. Once we reviewed their notes, we established a ticket repository to define and prioritize the tasks before proceeding to the development stage.

While we developed the software installed in the vehicle, they built the iOS and Android apps from scratch, including all functionalities and UX/UI work. Once connected to our system, the app rendered mobile devices useless while the vehicle moved. They also developed a Bluetooth simulator to facilitate software tests.

Beyond app development, they managed our Google Play Store and App Store accounts as well as our Apple Developer accounts to anticipate potential issues. In terms of marketing, they prepared an animated loop that demonstrated the app’s interface and functionalities.

What is the team composition?

We worked primarily with their project manager, their graphics specialist, and a consultant who helped us identify the app’s key functionalities. We also know that iOS and Android developers worked on the project, but we didn’t interact with them.

How did you come to work with Mercury Development?

We researched development agencies online before considering six candidates. We interviewed their VP of product development, who gave us confidence in their technical abilities and commitment. Their cost-efficient pricing also factored into our final decision.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $325,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work lasted from July 2016–November 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app fulfilled all of our design and functionality specs; in particular, we praise their graphics department’s ability to capture our desired look and feel. Currently, the app boasts a considerable number of North American users and saves lives every day.

With regards to their services, we were impressed by their fast turnarounds and high-quality work. Not only did they expedite delivery, they performed thorough internal tests to ensure accuracy and functionality before releasing a build to us. Their Bluetooth simulator also significantly reduced development time and improved testing. As a result, they set the pace for the whole project and motivated us to work harder, faster, and better.

We appreciated their holistic approach to developing the app. In addition to completing the project tasks, they maintained a broad perspective to proactively ensure our success. Over time, we developed interpersonal relationships and considered them part of our team.

How did Mercury Development perform from a project management standpoint?

Between our three contacts, we talked to them nearly every day. Their project manager was extremely conscientious to our goals and functioned as a trusted advisor. He helped establish a time line in Jira, which allowed us to see task progress/completion. They also provided a weekly report explaining how they divvied their time on tasks, which facilitated transparency throughout the engagement. Although they were based in Central Russia, they conducted all communications in English.

What did you find most impressive about them?

With such a technically diverse team, they were well-equipped to tackle any project, whether it required a different programming language or a new platform. Mercury Development could quickly analyze potential ideas to understand whether they were feasible or not as well as devise a roadmap for the engagement.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Because their team has high standards for development, customers should have strong project management protocols. Without them, the customer compromises the project’s success rate and increases inefficiency. Mercury Development’s insistence on professionalism saves money, time, and increases the likelihood of success.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the IT manager of a children's hospital in Miami, Florida.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Mercury Development?

We needed a mobile app that would track inventory and do other relevant administrative tasks.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to provide an iPhone mobile app to our customers.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Mercury has worked with us before and we know that they are very affordable and provide great quality work. 

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

They first listened to our requirements for features and functions through phone meetings. Then, they took our input and showed us the specifications they wanted to use. Their team developed multiple versions of the apps throughout the development cycle using our feedback. Finally, Mercury launched both apps. 

What was the team composition?

We worked mostly with a technical lead, but assumed they had a team working in the background. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are currently using both mobile apps for our business. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their savvy technical lead was our main point of contact and she was very skilled in project management and delivery. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their high-quality work and how flexible they are with our requests impressed us. They delivered a product that fully meets our needs. Their team was very accommodating to additional features and changes we wanted. 

Are there any areas where they can improve?

No, I can't think of anything they could improve.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Managing Director of a manufacturing company. We manufacture and sell bath and beauty products, as well as develop personal care products for third-party affiliates.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Mercury Development?

We needed to update our website and do a full redesign.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to have a sleek and sophisticated design, and to make purchasing products on our online store easier. The site also needed to be mobile responsive.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We interviewed several web firms during the process, but ultimately decided on Mercury because of their design portfolio and extensive web and mobile development experience.

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

We put together a brief outlining the main changes we wanted for the website. After an initial call, Mercury came back with three concepts based on our discussion. We selected one that best fit our brand. We made slight adjustments over the subsequent weeks as needed via email.

What was the team composition?

We had a project manager, but we also worked with a designer and a developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Abandoned carts decreased 30% and average cart value per customer increased 17%. We’ve received positive feedback as a result of the simplified UX.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Communication was easy. We had weekly calls and all changes were clearly outlined in emails, so we could track updates and completed tasks. If I had questions regarding the project, my project manager was easy to reach and quick to respond.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was extremely impressed with the design staff. They have a great eye for color and brand image. Additionally, the team was able to turn around our design promptly. I recently worked on another brand site with a different company who took twice the time to do a similar revamp. Not only did Mercury clearly understand our goals, they went out of their way to make suggestions that would enhance user experience and increase sales. The final work product was executed perfectly. We didn't waste time fixing broken links or typos.

I was particularly impressed with their e-commerce suggestions. They understood my requirements, but went above and beyond to suggest ways of streamlining the purchasing process.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

There’s no room for improvement from my perspective. Our project was fairly simple, and the team did a faster, more in-depth job than expected.