MOBIKASA

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the vice president of operations for Maiden Home. We make and sell custom furniture.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MOBIKASA?

We engaged MOBIKASA to build a custom Shopify application with integration with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a Shopify app to reflect our site, which is also built on the Shopify platform.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our 3PL recommended their team.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

MOBIKASA built the app’s backend in PHP and the database in MySQL. They successfully integrated our 3PL into the end product.

What was the team composition?

We had two primary points of contact.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

MOBIKASA delivered the app on time and met every requirement.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their team kept in constant contact and remained organized throughout the process.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We valued their excellent communication, timeliness, and diligence.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder and CEO of an urban social media chat forum.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MOBIKASA?

We wanted to build an online community of like-minded people who are conscientiously aware of events in their area. We wanted a forum where people could also make friends and personal connections online. I had contracted another app developer who wasn’t meeting my needs. The app was crashing and performing poorly, so I needed a new developer to help me.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I gave them control over whether we should try to salvage the existing app or start from scratch. They decided it would save time to start fresh, so I ended my contract with the previous company and sent MOBIKASA my ideas.

We started with an 8–10-week contract. They created an admin panel and set us up with helpful functionality. There is an option to block abusive users and a utility that flushes the chatroom every 24 hours to avoid overcrowding. They went through the whole backend to ensure compatibility with the AWS cloud and they secured all our online certificates. They helped create a domain name, solidified our logo, and obtained all the necessary approvals through the app stores.

They also implemented YouTube videos on the site and gave users the option to report issues or other users as needed. They made the app look very inviting and provided all the graphics I wanted.

What is the team composition?

I initially contacted their COO. I was assigned a project manager and the team included a graphic designer, iOS developers, an Android developer, a backend developer, and application testers.

How did you come to work with MOBIKASA?

I found them through an online search. I was looking for reputable companies in the area that I could interact with in person. They were within my budget, so I met them at their New York office. After a consultation, we decided to do business together.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve invested approximately $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2018. They delivered the app at the beginning of July 2018. Because of some additional requirements for the iOS version, they went back in and made some changes. Everything was completed in a timely manner.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were finishing the app right in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal with Facebook. We were worried that we wouldn’t be able to offer the option to sign in or link to Facebook but MOBIKASA put my mind at ease that it wouldn’t be an issue.

Though the Android version has been ready for a while, the Apple version just passed into their stores. We wanted to make sure both versions were live before we ramped up our marketing efforts. I hope to have more feedback from users once we have more participants.

How did MOBIKASA perform from a project management standpoint?

They manage everything on their side. If I couldn’t go into their New York office, we would meet on Google Hangouts or another very interactive digital platform they use. They can keep track of deadlines or scheduling changes there in a clean, clear way.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were very personable. They invited me to their office several times and I like their young, hip energy. They’re really interested in me and motivated by my success. They want to build a long-term relationship with me and I really value that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have anything negative to say about them. The whole project ran smoothly and they were sensitive to the fact I had a bad experience with a different development company. They explained everything clearly and made sure I felt at ease.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a co-founder of My Pooja Box, a startup offering home décor and pooja accessories online.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MOBIKASA?

Online commerce in India is booming. It was initially a challenge to set up a web shop and populate it with products.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started uploading products to our website with them. The backend work was quite difficult, but they settled it properly. They built the Shopify platform from the ground up.

One of the features they implemented was automatic inventory management. We have two platforms, one for the Indian market and another for international sales. We needed to mirror the products across the platforms. The integration is a feature of Shopify.

What is the team composition?

They assigned 7–8 resources for the project. I’ve been in touch with the developers directly.

How did you come to work with MOBIKASA?

I found them through word of mouth. A few of my friends had used them and gave me the recommendation.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost of their work was $180,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them around June 2017. The international site was released in January 2018, while the domestic one was released in August 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve had lots of customer interactions on the new site. To date, I haven't received any feedback regarding technical glitches or other problems with the website.

They built a platform that made it easy to sell our products. The backend panel is very easy to work on, in terms of uploading content and order management.

How did MOBIKASA perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very responsive. Whenever I’ve mentioned an issue to them, they've come up with a solution within 24–48 hours. That's a good response speed. We mainly communicated over email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The best part of the collaboration has been their team. The people working for them are amazing. They're spontaneous—they get back to us immediately, or within a day or two. Compared to interactions I've had with other providers, they're very quick.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. Any issues we’ve faced were related to the Shopify platform, and not to their work.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I advise clients to go ahead and hire them. Their services are pretty good.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the founder and CEO of Travel Beauty, a luxury beauty e-commerce and publishing site.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MOBIKASA?

We wanted to revamp our e-commerce platform by improving the UI/UX, SEO architecture, and the backend CRM.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We chose to create the platform using Shopify. Our creative director provided the designs and MOBIKASA handled the backend coding. While Shopify has a number of template options, they created a completely customized version from scratch. The site was designed for mobile and tablet devices, and also included a number of plug-ins.

We had an existing Amazon Storefront, so MOBIKASA created an app that automatically sends Amazon orders directly to our Shopify backend. We also included third-party vendor apps that had to be re-coded to match the design of our site.

What is the team composition?

They provided an account executive who served as the liaison between us and their technical team. Four or five people worked on our project, depending on the scope requirements at any given time.

How did you come to work with MOBIKASA?

We needed a vendor that was well-versed in Shopify and able to work quickly to provide a cost-effective solution.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $20,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together between October 2014–November 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They played a proactive role in keeping the project on track, ensuring we had a reliable product on time. I’ve worked with developers in the past that I had to hunt down to get answers or project updates. This can become a full-time job. MOBIKASA, however, always responded quickly and presented options to guarantee a successful end result.

Our website functions without any crashes. We discover occasional bugs, but MOBIKASA repairs these issues right away. We’re satisfied overall.

How did MOBIKASA perform from a project management standpoint?

We kept spreadsheets that both teams could access. These included ongoing line items that allowed us to make comments. Someone was always available by phone, despite the difference in time zone, and we also communicated via email occasionally.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Transparent communication is important when working with overseas developers, so I appreciated their responsiveness. Unlike other vendors, they got back to us right away and made us feel like a partner. Plus, they accomplished whatever they set out to do. If we made an impossible request, they offered alternative solutions to meet our goals.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Our initial account managers were not very detail oriented. Tasks were falling through the cracks and they couldn’t always answer technical questions posed by our team. Still, MOBIKASA put us in direct contact with their technical lead after we raised the issue and the process went much smoother.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the head of marketing and sales management for a company that manufactures and sells textiles to the hospitality interior design community.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MOBIKASA?

We changed the structure of our business and needed a website that reflected that change. We tasked MOBIKASA with developing a custom Shopify site that met our unique needs and had a distinct look, and to manage updates as we evolve further.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a website that was attractive, user-friendly, and easy to manage.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

MOBIKASA's services were within our budget and they were experienced in the type work we needed.

Describe the project in detail.

MOBIKASA was able to take JPEG images of layouts and recreate them into a functioning website. They also did work on the backend to allow the website to accept orders, communicate with our fulfillment center and customers, and give interactive responses without daily management.

What was the team composition?

We have worked with one project manager since the start of the project. They have been responsive to requests and good at communicating issues and questions.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What outcomes or results can you share that demonstrate progress and/or success?

The website was built successfully and has been functioning properly since it went live. If there is an issue, MOBIKASA has been responsive in a day despite being located in a very different time zone. Any needed updates or changes to the website are able to be handed off to MOBIKASA with brief instruction, and they fulfill the request properly in a timely manner.

How effective was the project management?

The project manager is usually responsive to requests. Sometimes management does not provide updates to assure us that the work is being done on larger requests that may take a bit more time. However, an email asking for an update is typically responded to quickly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The cost is very low, and they are capable of completing projects satisfactorily and to our specifications.

What tips or recommendations do you have?

When considering MOBIKASA, it should definitely be noted that their developers are located in the Middle East so urgent matters will not be addressed within minutes. Additionally, it is important to be very clear in your communication and provide visuals if applicable because there is a slight language barrier.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of an e-commerce business that sells long stem roses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MOBIKASA?

We needed to build our e-commerce site.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built our Shopify site from scratch, helping us with all the different aspects of it. We had initially purchased a Shopify template, but they scratched the template and custom built one that was much better. They set up our shipping information, tracking information, and email system. They created the site home page, implemented slideshows for our collections, and added site banners. They also included features for the customer’s customization process; users can select rose colors and arrangements online. They essentially handled all of the site’s design and development.  

They’ve also helped us with advertising through Google AdWords and Google Merchant Center. They’ve helped us with marketing and have executed PPC for us. Their services have helped us every step of the way.

What is the team composition?

They probably have 10-15 people on their team. Our two main points of contact were Ankit (Manager, MOBIKASA) and Anand (Chief Assistant to CEO, MOBIKASA). We would also communicate with Prateek (CEO, MOBIKASA).

We were able to pick the person we were most comfortable with to work on our project, which was Anand. Ankit oversaw everything. They would delegate to developers in India and New York.

How did you come to work with MOBIKASA?

We were researching different companies online, and they were the second or third company that we got in touch with. We had an interview with Ankit at their New York office. They explained their services to us, and we described what we needed.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together August 2016, and the site launched January 2017. We still talk to them weekly; they make site changes and tweaks for us.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We don’t have statistics measuring their impact because we’ve been working with them from the beginning. They have helped us in every aspect of our business such as with marketing by increasing our brand recognition through Google ads.

Immediately following our site launch, we had an influx of orders for Valentine’s Day that we couldn’t handle. We had to stop taking orders, so we called them. They quickly adjusted the site to make every item out of stock, saving us and our customers time. This is just one example of how they've helped us. We wouldn’t be where we are today without them.

How did MOBIKASA perform from a project management standpoint?

I would send emails to Anand, who was our main point of contact. He would share possible dates of completion with us and they pass it along to their team. They would email us updates as soon as they finished something, so we could review the changes before they finalized updates. Overall, their service is phenomenal. They’re always available; somebody will answer us regardless of the time because they have an office in New York and India.

We mainly communicated through email and phone. We emailed for basic things, and we’d talk over the phone for emergencies. We used Skype as well, especially when we had computer problems we couldn’t explain. They would access our computer through screen share and walk us through troubleshooting. They’re extremely helpful and personable.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're available 24/7 and under any circumstance, which is incredible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we're happy with everything that they have done for us. They don’t need to improve in any area.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a deals website that offers sponsored contests and promotions. We also provide a unique game that you can play to earn those different promotions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MOBIKASA?

I needed a company that could understand my vision for the design and development of the application.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They designed and developed our iOS mobile app. I provided them with my original designs from sketches and they took it from there. They designed the wireframes so that they could lay out exactly how everything was going to look. Then, the development team took over to bring the idea to reality. They made sure that everything functions the way it needs to in order for the game to work properly.

The app is in the final stages of development and on the verge of being launched.

What is the team composition?

I had the main designer, a project manager, and a development team that were tied to the project.

How did you come to work with MOBIKASA?

I found them on Clutch. I spoke to a couple of different companies. What made me decide to choose them was that they seemed to have more of a background in e-commerce; that pushed me towards them since I was doing something along those lines.

How much have you invested with them?

About $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2016 and work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t launched yet, but I have been very satisfied with the quality of the work. The design and navigation feel like I intended them to. They were able to fulfill my vision and I’m happy with the way it came out.

How did MOBIKASA perform from a project management standpoint?

They offered a very professional service. They’re responsive and provided me with all of the tools I needed for the design and development. I have experienced some bugs but that comes with the territory. With development, the main thing is not the bug, it’s the response. Whenever I find any issues as far as bugs are concerned, they're very quick to respond and fix it.

They were also good as far as communication was concerned. They communicate mostly with text and phone. We meet in person if I need to. Any time I’ve had any issues and need to reach out to them, they are readily available.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The two things that stand out to me are their professionalism and their business savvy. If I have to commend them on one thing, I would say that they are very professional in terms of the way they handle projects and deal with the client. They have everything laid out. They dot the I's and they cross the T's. That stands out more than anything.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They're a very good company in terms of their designs and making sure everything comes out the way you want it to. If I had to criticize anything, they could have been a little better in terms of some of the design. They struggled a little bit with the design and functionality of the game aspect of my application. They’re an e-commerce company and I asked them to work in unfamiliar territory. I did feel they had some growing pains, but I don’t hold it against them because I had asked them to step out of their element. With their commitment to the project and hard work, they were able to overcome all those hurdles. They were able to get it done. They did a phenomenal job.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We're a B2B and B2C marketing agency, where my role is to manage specific large projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MOBIKASA?

Initially, we needed a company to build a fairly complicated website for us. Later, we reached out to them again to help us with the coding for a few updates.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed a website for one of our large clients. The website featured 3D rendering as well as hotspots – the spots on the website on which people can click to see specific imagery, text, and overlays. The 3D rendering enabled users to fully experience the 3D environment. Recently, they also developed touchscreen capabilities for our clients at their training centers.

I wasn't involved in this project at the beginning, so I'm not familiar with the larger scope. I didn't have any problems with them when I took over the project: their business consultant put me in touch with their development team and they walked me through all the changes to the code we would need to make. After that, we handled the QA and made sure the code was correct.

When we need any code updates, we still reach out to them since they're most familiar with the website.

What is the team composition?

We had one main point of contact, so I didn't need to deal directly with different team members.

How did you come to work with them?

That happened before I got involved with the project.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $60,000 – $80,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project happened in March 2016 – December 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They delivered everything on time and within the budget. Our client was highly satisfied with the development work and impressed with the seamless transition between the MOBIKASA team and the client's QA team (our client has to go through a corporate process and get approval on their end, so the smooth transition was important).

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They're great communicators and let me know immediately if our clients’ requests cannot be implemented within a certain timeframe. The project was very collaborative, so we had a lot of back-and-forth interaction, which worked very well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very friendly and responsive. They know how to translate a problem into action.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don't think so. I didn't have any problems.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would refer MOBIKASA to anyone. Give them time to prove themselves and they will be an expert partner for you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Mavi Jeans is a global apparel brand active in 40 countries around the world. I work for the New York branch and am responsible for the global supply chain, e-commerce activities, and projects that enhance our digital experience.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MOBIKASA?

The U.S. and Canadian branches of our company spearheaded a global re-platforming project. A previous project we'd attempted had failed, so we had severe budget limitations. Custom developments take too long and often prove ineffective. We sought a robust, highly scalable solution, and decided to transition from WebLinc to Shopify Plus. We needed a partner to maximize platform-specific functions that could run our store more efficiently.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

MOBIKASA developed the backend for our enterprise resource planning (ERP), a critical project category. They helped us brainstorm, and provided valuable insight. The private mobile app they developed, Mavi Inventory Sync, updates product availability and effectively communicates ERP with our store.

In response to our most imminent and pressing concern, they’ve published instant stock updates on a cycle. They also created an interface that enabled us to monitor progress and verify that stocks are updated on time.

During development, we have regular debugging sessions to maximize the process. Programmers responded very quickly to our requests for user interface enhancements. A global scale support allowed them to work in different time zones and satisfy our requirements. We partnered with different vendors for frontend development and migration.

What is the team composition?

A team of 10 developers from MOBIKASA worked on the project. Two additional vendors provided outsourced teams, who worked on development and migration.

How did you come to work with MOBIKASA?

While attending a Shopify Plus event to scope out potential vendors for our re-platform, I met MOBIKASA's CEO, Prateek Sachdev. We discussed how their specific platform expertise could meet our requirements and expectations. Upon project approval from our company executives, we reviewed both their personal references and ones sourced from Shopify’s internal team. We hired them when the time was right.

How much have you invested with them?

For the initial project, we spent about $10,000-$15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our six-week project began in July 2017 and went live at the end of August. We really liked their work, so we've kept them on retainer. We’re looking forward to expanding our partnership and enhancing our store's functionality and experience.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our store's prior platform ran very inefficiently, and the stock option update solution resulted in many customer cases. With MOBIKASA's development, our Black Friday sales grew more than 30%, and stock cases have decreased to nearly zero. The new private solution they’ve built has helped us significantly improve our customer experience.

How did MOBIKASA perform from a project management standpoint?

Roles were specifically assigned and kept separate. They always gave us the option to escalate certain facets of the project. Their resource allocation implemented a great system of communication, and we worked well with the people assigned to our project. Since the initial stage was just six weeks, we used direct communication via Skype, email, phone, and screen sharing. Not having to use advanced project tracking tools eliminated many obstacles to getting what we need.

We mostly managed the re-platform internally. As a global company, our Turkish office in Istanbul provides technical resources. I was in charge of the overall project and delegated tasks with specific functions to respective teams. I was directly involved with the development and project teams, and we had specific points of contact for seven different topics.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We have a great personal connection. They really listened to us when we explained our goals, which gave our engagement a personal touch. The implementation went smoothly because they’re highly capable and intelligent. Their expertise and globally scaled support yielded excellent results.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I definitely recommend meeting with the team in person. Generally, these kinds of engagements run on electronic communication. When I visited the office, the CEO and I were able to discuss all the details of our requirements face-to-face. This dynamic eliminated the need for extra project management and project tracking.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the owner and founder of Ayelet Naturals, an organic and holistic skincare company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MOBIKASA?

I had an existing website and I was trying to move from one platform to another. I also wanted to update the website and needed someone that would make it beautiful, easy to navigate, and easy to use for both the customer and for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

There were a lot of little things that MOBIKASA did for me, including moving the website to Shopify. The development work was done in India and design was done in New York City. I was very picky with the design because I wanted a really clean look that would help people understand what kind of company we are, such as being cruelty-free and using concentrated formulas.

We had many issues with the previous website, for example, it didn’t have a button for logging off, which was deleted accidentally while trying to correct something else. Customers were really turned off by that. Also, when users clicked on a product and tried to see its reviews, they’d have to click up and down and the page would jump, which made it very confusing.

Now, there are only three buttons that allow easier navigation on the site—it stays clean and it’s simple to use. We basically redid the whole front page as well. It isn’t elaborate or fancy, and it can be shared on Facebook, Pinterest, and other social media outlets.

Their work includes a video for the front page, sections to include our story with images, a journal that features our blog, ingredients listings, Instagram integration, and more. The blog is really easy to read and I can now add small announcements to the site, displaying sales and other information, which I wasn’t able to do before. I initially wanted three images for each product and a review page, but they added a feature for integrated reviews, which was not built on Shopify. They integrated different apps for this purpose.

What is the team dynamic?

I worked with a project manager that was well spoken, educated, and very nice.

How did you come to work with MOBIKASA?

I initially searched for months and really didn’t know who to trust as I had been burnt twice already, and kept postponing the site update because of that. I searched on Shopify, looking at different sites and companies that build on that platform, as well as their ratings and reviews. When I decided to try out MOBIKASA, they explained the process to me in detail and said it would take approximately two months. However, it ended up taking four months as my website needed a lot more attention than originally anticipated.

How much have you invested in them?

I’ve spent $7,000 so far. I was worried they would change the price mid-process, as I’ve had this happen in the past with other firms, but that was the price in the end.

What is the status of this engagement?

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

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

MOBIKASA paid attention to every little detail. There were a couple of glitches after the site launched and a few things I had to learn on Shopify.

Anyone that looks at the site says that it’s beautiful, clean, easy to navigate, and very well put together. They can tell that someone professional created it.

How did MOBIKASA perform from a project management standpoint?

We usually communicate through email and Skype. They were very responsive when I reached out to them, getting back in touch very quickly. Even though part of the team is based in India, there were no issues with the time difference or language barriers.

The New York side of the company was a little bit slower, however, the people that work there are very professional, patient, and pleasant to work with.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The most impressive thing about MOBIKASA is that they are very patient. I was very picky about how everything would look—the text, size of the text, and many other small details. In addition to that, they gave me their ideas on what thought I should do. They work very well with their customers.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Since my company is very small, I know they used a different group of developers for this project. I also know that they work with other very large and famous companies, so I'm sure they had a different set of developers working on those projects. Of course, I would’ve liked to have the more experienced people working on this project—development would’ve been faster. However, the team we had was very nice and responsive. Other than that, I have no complaints.