Riseapps

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of Noho Med, which is a healthcare company that provides digital resources to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Riseapps?

We needed to build a digital tool for users.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Riseapps created our principal digital tool, which is our pulmonary rehab program that consists of HIPPA-compliant mobile and web apps. The platforms contain chat and video features using the latest streaming technology.

Their team helped us to design the app using tools such as Adobe Sketch. Then, they coded the apps and continue to code the mobile apps principally. Their team both writes and deploys the code.

On the web app, their team used Django and Python. They wrote the app in a mixture of JavaScript and TypeScript. Their team used the React Native framework for the mobile app, which is both an Android and iOS app.

What is the team composition?

We work with a project manager and probably 3–4 developers. We’ve scaled the resources up and down. Right now, we work with two developers.

How did you come to work with Riseapps?

My co-founder found Riseapps. We took in three separate bids for our project. We considered the cost and the caliber of the company as well as how they would work with our particular set of circumstances. We decided that Riseapps had the best combination of those considerations.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $100,000 with Riseapps.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began designing the app in August 2019 and the project’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m pleased with the quality of the code. Their code was easy to read. I’ve had no issues managing their code.

I was a little disappointed with the quality assurance. We decided that we wanted to help alpha test the app, which I would recommend against for future customers. We found bugs that I wouldn’t consider alpha bugs. We didn’t have a good process in place, which was on us. 

How did Riseapps perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was the one area where I wasn’t entirely satisfied. We had an issue at the beginning of our project. Through no fault of their own, the project manager who managed our project left the company and Riseapps assigned a new project manager. It’s a difficult situation when the person who designed your app leaves before the development.

Other than that, they did a good job with project management. It’s a helpful layer to have. They take care to make sure that our requirements are translated appropriately for their developers.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Riseapps combines high-quality work and reasonable pricing. I’m impressed with the knowledge and technical abilities of their developers.

Are there any areas they could improve?

For the most part, the project went really well. I strongly recommend them. They could’ve mentioned that we didn't have the recipe for success before we had difficulties with the project. If the project management switch didn’t occur, I would be more satisfied. When the switch occurred, we didn’t leverage their CEO as much as we could’ve, which was a mistake of ours.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to have a complete agreement about the schedule and the requirements for each part of the schedule. Looking to do something late and leaving things ambiguous is not a recipe for success. Focus on the early part of the design and development. To the extent that there were frustrations with the development, it usually came out of a lack of adequate preparation during the design phase. When we didn’t agree on a feature completely, we ended up being frustrated. Once everyone’s in agreement, there’s little room to be unhappy. Make sure that the CEO’s involved whenever a difficult transition arises. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

GenomSys is a Swiss company developing technology powering enterprise-grade tools and applications for efficiently managing and sharing genomic data, enabling the progress of large scale personalized genomic medicine. I’m Massimo Ravasi, Director of Software Product Development at GenomSys.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Riseapps?

We needed to develop an MVP for an access rights management and data sharing web application. Riseapps carried out the entire SDLC, including design, backend development, frontend development, and testing.

What were your goals for this project?

The web application focused on assisting patients and doctors with sharing and managing the results of medical research. The application had to be capable of genomic data transport, secure sharing, and long term archival.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Riseapps was selected among many other vendors. Their experts commanded loyalty during the introductory call and the following tech meetings. The team has shown robust expertise as well as integrity and clarity in negotiating.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Riseapps built an MVP for a web application, which is basically an access rights management system. As mentioned earlier, they carried out the entire SDLC.

What was the team composition?

Riseapps team consisted of a project manager, development staff, and a QA engineer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Having developed a solid web application, we enlarged our set of tools to manage genetic data, aiming at improving the quality of life of people.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The PM Viktoria was sensible, clear and precise. She was available almost round the clock, so it was always very easy to get in touch whenever we needed a timely response to our questions.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The Riseapps team has shown integrity and devotion to the project, looking for and suggesting relevant and effective solutions. They managed to meet technical requirements on building the MVP as soon as was reasonably possible.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Founder and Director of a sports data distribution company. Our product is the most innovative, comprehensive, and up-to-date source of data and statistics on the internet, as well as mobile devices, for a very specific sport.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Riseapps?

Initially, the improvement of the existing iOS platform. Subsequently, the full re-build of our app for iOS and Android, as well as push notifications to our user base.

What were your goals for this project?

Primary goal was to clean-up and stabilize our code, which was already 8 years old. More importantly, the task was to then rebuild our app, from scratch, in order to bring the code up to date, and also reach users on the Android platform.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Conducted a web search, followed by audio/video conference calls with the various company directors to discuss our needs vs. their skill-sets to see where we find the best fit.

Describe the project in detail.

Once RiseApps was selected, they conducted a "discovery" phase, during which they became familiar with our product, and got a good feel for our issues and needs. A time and cost proposal was prepared, reviewed, adjusted, and eventually signed off... and then we got to work.

What was the team composition?

Given logistics and timezones, we agreed to manage all activities through a single point of contact, that being a RiseApps Project Manager, as well as a robust online ticketing system. Behind the scenes, RiseApps adjusted their team size and skillset composition at various times, given the needs of the project.

However, given the very specific nature of the application, a core base of developers were kept for the duration, in order to maintain app knowledge continuity, and reduce onboarding new staff, who would then have to go through a significant learning curve.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Over the past two years, we stabilized the original iOS code, and subsequently, re-built the entire app for iOS and Android ... since which, we have had numerous additional app updates and upgrades.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow is the single biggest success factor of our partnership. By having a very detailed online ticketing system, and having a clear understanding of how tickets are opened, addressed, tested, signed-off, and released, we have managed to have a very clear workflow, that all parties follow.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The commitment to achieve the expected result was key ! We had a very significant deadline that was severely missed, however, the company agreed to continue development, at no cost, until which time the pre-defined product milestone/deliverable had been achieved.

This was an incredible revelation about RiseApps, their CEO, and his commitment to our partnership. It was surely not an easy period for them, or for us, but it has made for a much stronger partnership.

Are there any areas for improvement?

After 2+ years of partnership, the team now has a very clear view into the app and its complexities. As a result, when new tasks are defined, the delivery timelines are becoming much more realistic, although there is room for improvement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

fit20 provides time-effective personal training services to a wide range of demanding customers. We have a fast-growing network of personal training studio's across 10 countries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Riseapps?

Robust integration of new real-time sensor technology within multiple applications.

What were your goals for this project?

Real-time visual feedback for our customers and real-time control by our personal trainers. Easy and robust implementation allowing global roll-out.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Selection from multiple vendors. RiseApps was selected because of no-nonsense approach, technical depth and fast lead times.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Collection and interpretation of raw sensor data, user display of processed sensor data, API integration with trainers app, all in (near) real-time.

What was the team composition?

Our team consisted of IT staff (2), Learning&Development (1) and Marketing (1)

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Solution delivered allows for: improved customer experience, improved employee experience and improved quality control.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management was very good: professional and fast.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their flexibility in handling changing requirements during the project impressed us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of a platform that facilitates the discovery of new people and events through similar interests.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Riseapps?

I hired Riseapps to create a UX/UI design for the mobile application. Before the mobile app could be programmed, it needed a design. This would also help to serve as an explanation for the app as well as capture interest in the project. Riseapps created the final design, in a clickable-prototype form.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal for the project was to complete the design stage of the application, which is a prerequisite for the development stage. Keeping in mind that the app was made for the everyday person looking to connect and expand their network, our aim was to have a UI design that was very straightforward and offered a powerful user experience.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Many different companies were considered and interviewed. Criteria included prior work (portfolio), experience in similar projects/tools, price, turnaround time, and adequacy of the company team. Riseapps was selected out of a pool of 15+ candidates due to a reasonable price, diligence of the team, and experience in designing similar applications. This meant that the vendor would be able to understand my specifications and achieve the desired outcome.

Describe the project in detail.

The scope of the projected was the UI design, including features such as a live map, an itemized feed, messaging system, profile page, and notification. This was all taken into account when creating the initial design, starting from a mindmap and wireframes, and ending with a functioning clickable prototype.

On my end, I contributed documentation such as a user story, a UI mockup, some examples of similar applications, and general guidelines for the app features. The vendor was responsible for creating a unique UI design that would incorporate the features while making the interface appealing for the end-user. The application was developed for a focus on iOS (iPhone) in mind.

What was the team composition?

The team was composed of two people: a project manager and a graphics designer. Communication was done through the project manager, who facilitated the discussion and supervised the graphics designer's work. The size of the team stayed constant.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The final design generated a lot of positive reception about the good-looking app interface. The result of the project reaches my expectations and goals. The design is very modern and in touch with the current design principles.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was very effective, the project manager communicated on time and would always summarize our calls and e-mail regarding any new developments. This helped us stay on track and ensured that there were no misunderstandings.

The team responded to feedback always, and from a management standpoint everything was done smoothly. I did offshore, however, I did not experience any issues due to language barriers. The team's English was better than most other companies. Time zone differences were reconciled by meeting at a mutually convenient time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

In relation to my project, the biggest strength that Riseapps had was their previous work. They had a strong portfolio that demonstrated that they were experienced. This included similar types of apps, as well as apps with stunning design. This made them unique and set them apart from other companies.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I was very satisfied with the final result of the design process, and in terms of project everything was done well, including the quality of work, turnaround time, and diligence of the team. If there was anything that could be improved upon, it would be the communication of cost/hours, as it slightly ended up spilling over the designated budget towards the end without me being aware.

To avoid this, I could have also done a better job on my side of communicating and making certain design decisions more clear. For the most part, it was very consistent with the cost estimates that were given before the start of the project, and it's not a problem/concern because all developers & designers know things may take longer than initially expected.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the COO of a start-up based in Copenhagen. Our goal is to deliver healthcare services to our customers at their convenience.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Riseapps?

We needed at app where the customer could get in touch with health care professionals via video consultation and ensure that payment was collected. The app needed a queue system in the event where all consultants are busy.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted an app with the basic functionality needed for a test with a closed user group (approx. 500 users). During this test we want to see: 

1. are the users willing to pay for such a service
2. could the system handle the larger amount of users
3. get feedback on the service and user experience.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found RiseApps via Upwork. We selected a number of vendors and did interviews. RiseApps did a thorough job in understanding our needs and giving us detailed feedback and estimation of our requirement specification. RiseApps were not the cheapest but they won the selection on their ability to understand our needs. That and a very thrust-building interview with Vladlen (CEO) made the choice easy.

Describe the project in detail.

Prior to engaging with RiseApps we had created a solid functional requirement specification. We used RiseApps to review and update the UX and create a design for us. As this was an MVP we did not use a lot of time and money on the UX and design - we are however very satisfied what was created. We had however (due to own impatiency) started the development of the app.

In a very short time RiseApps had established user creation (including e-mail verification), login, forgot password, logout (Firebase) and initial video consultation (Twillio). Some rework had to be done due to the changed UX and design (but this was our own fault). Payment (Stripe) was integrated without any bugs! When we started testing internally new requirements where identified and specified. RiseApps was quick to ensure ressources so the project could continue.

What was the team composition?

Throughout the whole project Lucy (Project Manager) has been our contact regarding everything except deep technical clarifications (in these cases our CTO could talk directly with the developers). We had one lead developer and one tester assigned to the project. All have been very service minded, helpful and knowledgable.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

From a project execution point of view, cooperation with RiseApps has been a success. RiseApps quickly understood what we were trying to achieve and have challenged us during the development process. RiseApps have taken our budget, deadline, and requirements seriously. I have worked with many software companies. The quality of the work done by RiseApps is definitely comparable - price and service level is just much better.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We planned with one-week iterations with a meeting reviewing the previous iteration and kicking off the next iteration. All code has been reviewed by our CTO and feedback has been taken seriously. RiseApps have been able to work independently - unclarities we have handled via Slack.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Service level! Riseapps have been able to fulfill all the development needs we have had. They have acted proactively and taken our targets seriously. Quality of work: Comparable to every other software company I have worked with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Even though the team has been very friendly and open then I believe we should have prioritized a face-2-face meeting. It would most probably have resulted in even better cooperation.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

KegoHealth.com is a telemedicine urgent care clinic where patients can see doctors through video conference via our website or mobile apps. I’m the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Riseapps?

We hired Riseapps to build our website and mobile apps, both the front- and backend.

What were your goals for this project?

Our objective was to build our website and both iOS and Android apps.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them via Upwork while looking through reviews and conducted an in-person interview with their CEO. It was clear from the beginning that he knew what I wanted, especially when I talked to him about being HIPPA-compliant.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They did everything to build our website and mobile apps, from the design to the front- and backend. Of course, we had many meetings to create a roadmap and timetable for the project, and they were very helpful in helping me make decisions on different third-party services.

What was the team composition?

I had different points of contact as the project grew. Overall, we had about eight people who worked on the project, including developers and coordinators.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It is still too early to tell the true impact on my business and career.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

It was a smooth and effective project management. At any given time, I had one point of contact with whom I met to communicate ideas—we cycled through four contacts throughout the project. Communication was easy, and they were very responsive and helpful in easing obstacles as our project grew larger and larger.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed with their communication, transparency, and clarity about everything.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I wish we could have stuck with a consistent point of contact during the whole project.
 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a program manager for a software development and consulting firm. We create custom applications for medical devices, robotics, and storage solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Riseapps?

We needed an experienced iOS developer to work alongside our internal team.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to implement an iOS application based on approved designs against a very tight schedule.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We reviewed available and qualified vendors from Upwork. Based on our conversations and their demonstrated results from previous projects, Riseapps seemed like the right partner for our needs.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Riseapps developed the menu and framework for the iOS application. Their team implemented screens and controls using predefined designs. They also made custom charts and created test data. Lastly, Riseapps reviewed code from other team members and implemented requested changes.

What was the team composition?

This firm supplied one developer with some support from their graphic designer. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Thanks to Riseapps’ support, we produced the app to our client within our compressed timeframe. This company put in the extra effort and delivered the software we needed.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

RiseApps communicated task plans, estimates, and status to our company's project management. They participated in our standups and maintained our Jira issue management system. Communication was relatively easy.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The team delivered solid, fast, and highly professional work. The Riseapps developer did whatever we needed when we asked. They suggested a few new tools and approaches to us and reviewed them so that we understood how to use them ourselves.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Riseapps should discuss refactoring plans and options in advance of implementing them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the co-founder of and head of mobile at StructionSite. We offer technical solutions that allow users to automatically capture construction sites by using 360-degree cameras. They can then effortless track installation progress.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Riseapps?

We hired Riseapps to help develop an iOS app for our main product offering. 

What were your goals for this project? 

Our goal was to have consistent ongoing help for our iOS development so that our team could focus on multiple tasks at the same time.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We interviewed Riseapps along with several iOS engineers using almost the same process that we would use to hire a full-time resource. Out of all the candidates, Riseapps stood out the most. 

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail. 

They worked on our main product’s iOS app, giving us additional engineering firepower so that we could make more consistent progress faster.

What was the team composition?

So far, we’ve only used one iOS developer, but we might expand the engagement when the time comes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s been great. Riseapps’ support has given us more room to breathe on the project, which has allowed us to get out some “nice to have” features to our clients. I’m sure our clients have already felt the value.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it? 

They adapted to our internal process, including both the informal and formal procedures once we made the engagement more official. We used the usual project management tools such as Slack, Jira, and GitHub. 

What did you find most impressive about this company? 

So far, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I appreciate that they’ve been extremely flexible throughout the engagement. Also, everyone I’ve interacted with has been quite capable, though I’ve only dealt with a few people. I can’t say that I’m particularly impressed so much as generally happy with their work.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I’m not sure if there are any areas for improvement at the moment. They’ve been flexible with our requirements, and the time works out because I’m flexible with my working hours. Some additional concurrency would be best, but it hasn’t been a major issue.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner and principal developer at a mobile software company that provides airline industry personnel with travel support.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Riseapps?

We had hastily developed our Android app years ago, and, as it grew in functionality, it became impossible to manage and implement new features. So, we reached out to Riseapps to help us rebuild the app. 

What were your goals for this project? 

Our goal was to overhaul the entire app, starting over from scratch to make it much easier to work with and improve.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We used an online freelance marketplace and communicated with several developers. After considering a select few, we decided to continue with Riseapps. 

Describe the project in detail. 

In the beginning, we worked closely with them to make sure that the app would meet our specifications. Once we were confident that we were both on the same page, Riseapps took over with minimal input required from us. They’ve continued to support us over the years to further develop our app.

What was the team composition?

They’ve assigned two developers and a QA specialist for product testing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

It is now much easier for us to implement new features and update/upgrade existing features within the app. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs? 

We communicate effectively via a few different avenues, including Skype for quick questions and answers as well as other methods that made it easy to submit bugs and feedback.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’ve responded quickly and had the drive to allocate resources and get the projects going from day one. In addition, there were a few issues in the beginning that they were able to identify and rectify quickly with minimal input from us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, none that I can see.