Saritasa

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing director for Ross HX, a heat exchanger company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Saritasa?

We needed help with VR development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started with a discovery call to discuss what we wanted and what Saritasa could provide. The team requested some information about the flow we wanted, and after that, they provided a quote and worked with us to meet our budget.

They developed the VR game from scratch. The game is for a specific industry, and its main goal is to show users the exact sequence of opening and closing a heat exchanger. Users must make the right choices when opening, closing, and servicing a heat exchanger.

Saritasa also provided design work. The game is for Oculus. The team offered maintenance and support services, but we decided not to go with the yearly contract for maintenance. If we need help, we’ll reach out to them.

What is the team composition?

We worked with four teammates from Saritasa.

How did you come to work with Saritasa?

We discovered Saritasa through a former employee. After this employee left, the information was left behind and given to me. We really liked their approach to the project after the first contact. They didn't force or push anything. Moreover, they were very open and explained everything really well.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested $65,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project in July 2025, and Saritasa delivered the finished product in January 2026.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ll use the game for internal training and trade shows. Our team really enjoyed the game because there’s nothing like it in our industry. Our customers can experience our work in their locations, and we’re excited about this.

We’ve also received positive feedback at trade shows. The game is a novelty that people are looking for, so it brings us potential business. Saritasa met our expectations.

How did Saritasa perform from a project management standpoint?

We only went over budget by $3,000. Saritasa accommodated the changes and adjustments we needed. The team provided solutions to solve problems that could have cost a lot more.

We communicated via email and phone calls. We also had a weekly meeting via Zoom.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Saritasa’s professionalism and communication were impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they did a great job communicating and staying in front of the project.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Ensure you communicate your expectations clearly. If you don’t communicate your expectations clearly, it can create a little frustration on the other side. The better you communicate your expectations, the better Saritasa will know how to reach them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a B2B marketing and event coordinator for a liquid bulk chemicals company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Saritasa?

We needed an agency that had the skills and know-how to develop and deliver a creative AR tool. Our product evolved over time, so we needed a partner that could evolve and ideate with us to build the best tool within budget and according to the scope.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Saritasa developed an AR tool for us, but it evolved into an interactive 3D educational piece. Videos were part of the tool, so it was a multimedia experience. We had a specific vision in mind, so we approached them with a complete scope of what we wanted. The team brought their own experience and creativity, helping guide our vision to a deliverable we were pleased with.

It was a very technical subject matter, so we helped talk Saritasa through it. The team needed to understand the subject matter and its technical nature to work within that scope. Saritasa listened to our technical explanations and took our vision to develop a piece that accurately represented the technical concepts we were trying to portray.

What is the team composition?

We communicated with an art director from Saritasa to help collect and streamline our ideas. Additionally, Saritasa provided a project manager.

How did you come to work with Saritasa?

We sourced them through an agency with which we already had a relationship. Saritasa came with high praise and recommendations.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from August to October 2025.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We launched the product at an international cosmetics convention, although I'm unsure as to how many people saw it. Saritasa's solution exceeded our expectations. It was a highly technical subject matter, so it required a team that could understand the technical concepts and artfully convey them.

Moreover, our technical team gave positive feedback, and our sales team was pleased to have a piece they could share with customers or potential customers.

How did Saritasa perform from a project management standpoint?

Saritasa delivered on time and within budget. They helped us keep things on track, so we were pleased with the project management. Since the project had a quick turnaround time, we held weekly calls and used Figma to communicate the ideation and manage the flow. We also used Zoom and email. Our team didn't need more technical tools.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed with the product. I was nervous Saritasa wouldn't check the technical aspects of what we were trying to convey. We were certain that their team had the artistic skills, but they respected the technical nature of the content while making it engaging and artful. I'll definitely use Saritasa in the future.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We had a quick and tight turnaround, so I would have liked to see more from their side in terms of art direction. I had an inspiration and a vision, and they were faithful to keeping that. I asked a couple of times if their art or creative team would lean in and take my inspiration to the next step.

I understand it was a small project, and it might have been out of scope for Saritasa to be overly creative. I wasn't disappointed, but I would have liked to see more collaboration in that regard.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The more detailed and specific you can be with your vision, the more success you'll have with any agency, including Saritasa. They were attentive to my vision and capable of delivering it. The more you bring to the table, the clearer Saritasa's execution and delivery will be.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a director at S. Groner Associates, an environmental social cause marketing firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Saritasa?

We needed help with AR development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We began with a kickoff meeting and provided Saritasa with a creative brief. I met with their creative director and team, and we worked back and forth. They had questions throughout the process, and we collaborated with their team to develop the assets. We tweaked the mascot they developed and gave them options on how to incorporate it into the experience. We also discussed hosting and finalized the steps with the city to get the parameters correct.

We had to make some adjustments to accommodate the real-life experience we initially envisioned and to make it easier for the user. Saritasa was flexible and accommodating in that.

What is the team composition?

We asked 3–4 companies to submit proposals. Saritasa was one of the proposals that stood out to us, so we invited them for an interview along with the other companies. We liked their work plan and schedule, as well as their ability to work within our parameters and the creativity they had demonstrated in the past.

How did you come to work with Saritasa?

We spent around $30,000.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from May–December 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Saritasa's work met our expectations.

How did Saritasa perform from a project management standpoint?

We experienced some hiccups and issues that required them to work a little bit harder. To be honest, the project went over budget, but Saritasa worked with us and continued doing the work within the budget they promised. That was really good on their part. We met on Google Meet and Zoom. We also used a variety of spreadsheets, documents, and the hosting site Blippar.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Saritasa wanted to ensure our client was satisfied. They went above and beyond in implementing the changes the client requested. I was impressed with their commitment to ensuring the final product met and exceeded the client's expectations.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There was a lot of back and forth, and they switched project managers. However, there wasn't a break in service. At times, there was a delay in communication regarding some of the changes. They were working on it; they just needed to convey the process better.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Lay out everything in terms of your work plan and timeline. Build a small contingency fee because changes and adaptations are likely. As you begin to run live feedback and results, you can expect tweaks and adjustments. I recommend having a development and design budget, as well as a small contingency fee for edits and changes.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior director of philanthropy marketing and communications at City of Hope.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Saritasa?

We were looking to boost the booth experience at an annual music and arts festival.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Saritasa provided overall program development and developed five VR mini-games. The team provided strategic counsel to help meet our overall communication objectives. The VR experience was developed through an app, and we used Meta VR headsets to create a booth experience at the festival. The team created five VR mini-games to educate attendees about our work in searching for a cure for type 1 diabetes.

The experience gave consumers a glimpse into what it’s like to live with type 1 diabetes through an immersive and educational experience. The team guided us in developing the concepts of the games, including the overall design and aesthetic. Saritasa got right to work on the execution of the games.

The team involved us through the process every step of the way. We had several rounds of edits, and if something wasn’t aligned with our expectations, they revisited how we could change things. It was a collaborative effort, and we met our deadline.
Also, the team offered us a reduced rate because of our nonprofit status.

What is the team composition?

The founder and CEO was the lead, and our day-to-day contact was Gage, the project manager. We also worked with Aaron, their creative director, on the design. There was a broader team behind the scenes. And Richard, he was our initial contact whom we worked with to get the contract signed and the scope of work created.

How did you come to work with Saritasa?

Someone on our events team found them. We spoke with the team during the initial intake, and they seemed committed to working with us. We were a nonprofit and worked within certain budget parameters. Richard (Director of Business Development) and the team were great at meeting our objectives in a way that aligned with our budget parameters, which we appreciated, and their expertise, and the overall partnership. They were also able to work within our very accelerated timeline.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested between $50,000–$60,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement lasted from May–August 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had a short runway, and they were great at helping us stay within that production timeline so that we could meet our deadline. There were over 1,200 attendees at our booth over the course of three days. The mini-games helped attract passersby and booth attendees because it was such an innovative and creative experience. It invited curiosity and helped draw people in. As they played along with the mini-games, they were naturally drawn to the booth experience to ask more questions. Overall, it was a good turnout.

The goal of the mini-games was twofold. We wanted to provide entertainment and fun, but we also wanted to educate our booth attendees on type 1 diabetes. The experience showed what a day in the life of someone with type 1 diabetes is like and what they need to think about daily to take care of themselves and maintain their overall health.

How did Saritasa perform from a project management standpoint?

The team delivered the work on time and within budget. A few times, we provided feedback, and they let us know that implementing that feedback would delay us. We were able to meet in the middle and find a compromise. We prioritized which changes were an absolute need and which ones were nice to have. This was helpful because we were able to meet most of them and stay within our production timeline.

We communicated via email, and they developed a Slack channel where we kept in touch throughout the day. We met weekly via Zoom and had status calls, during which they checked in with us on the overall status of the games and the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team was great at walking us through everything. They listened intently to our objectives and what kind of experience we wanted to create. They guided us through picking out the overall design and aesthetic of the games.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We were working under a very accelerated timeline, and because of that, there was added stress and pressure to get this done. If you’re a client who’s not familiar with VR, that leaves a lot of questions and adds time to get those questions answered.

As we approached the deadline and tried to make changes, there was added pressure on both ends. The lesson was that if you can give yourself a longer runway time, it’ll help eliminate stress on both ends.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If someone were to engage them, I’d recommend allowing yourself a longer runway time than 12 weeks. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of Pangea, a technology service provider for major grocery stores around the US.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Saritasa?

We had a web portal developed 15 years ago for our clients to manage their signs and tags on the shelf edge. The portal was complex and had many features. It was developed by a legacy team that was no longer around, so we were looking to revamp it from scratch and give it a more modern look.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Saritasa helped us rebuild and redesign our web portal from scratch. They initially did a deep dive to understand how they could change the portal to make it more modern and seamless. They had to understand how the portal worked to ensure they gave us something that looked good on paper and was functional. After that, they gave us an idea of how we could design it in a streamlined, efficient, and modular way. They took some time to analyze it on their side, give us sketches, and slowly create mock-ups and wireframes. They also helped connect the portal to our backend and make it work.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a dedicated project manager, a design team, and the director of design.

How did you come to work with Saritasa?

I had worked with them on a project in the past.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $140,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from October 2023–July 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Many of our clients have started using the new portal and are blown away by how remarkable it is and how it makes their lives much more efficient. The portal doesn’t have too many buttons, and everything is streamlined and flows in the right form, which reduces the amount of time they have to spend using it.

How did Saritasa perform from a project management standpoint?

Saritasa met deadlines and stayed on budget. They put time and effort into ensuring the estimates they gave us were what they could achieve. We used Jira to log bugs and track them using ticket numbers.

They made themselves very accessible. We had a Microsoft Teams channel to reach out to any of them at any time. We also had weekly meetings to go over the entire project.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I would like to give a shout-out to Sarah and Shivanjali.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Saritasa put the time and effort into understanding the scope of the project before they began working. They had a senior architect who took the time to cross the t’s and dot the i’s to ensure everything was needed for the project. If they had a problem with anything, they would let us know. I trusted their team to give us exactly what was going to take place without any ambiguity once we started working on the project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Third-party API integration could sometimes be murky because there's no clarity. On that note, they could do better in terms of understanding the documentation before giving an estimate.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Utilize the project management team and the scope document as much as possible to understand everything that can go wrong within the project. Also, make sure everything's scoped out correctly before you sign the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the brand marketing manager of Black Radiance, a division of Markwins Beauty Brands.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Saritasa?

We contacted them to create an AR experience by creating avatars and characters to help celebrate 30 years of Black Radiance as a brand. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Saritasa has created an AR experience for us. Initially, we described the characters we wanted and gave them a storyboard. Once the team understood what we were looking for, they brought in certain partners to help shape what they could do. They created a design brief and scope of work. They also offered options for what we could do with the characters that we weren't aware of, which were added to the project.  

Saritasa has designed four avatars with personas for us that would resonate with our target customers, including people who have used our brand over its 30-year history and people who use it now. These avatars had to resonate with Generations X, Y, and Z. As we created these personas, we looked at what their job descriptions and daily activities could be. 

The team has handled the character creation, animation, and video portions. The videos have been focused on making the characters feel breathable and alive. The AR beauty universe Saritasa has created for us is called Beyond Radiance. Phase one has been completed and has been launched for two months. We're currently considering what to do with phases two and three, including incorporating our retailers or adding more avatar characters. 

What is the team composition?

We work with Michelle (Custom Software Sales Consultant & Principal Technology Consultant), who acts as our account manager; Aaron (VP of Immersive Technology), who is in charge of the technology aspect; and Sarah (Project Manager), who was assigned to us after all the contracts were signed. One of Saritasa's partners has joined some of our calls, though that's infrequent. 

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent close to $100,000.

How did you come to work with Saritasa?

We found them through a Google search. We had initially engaged another organization for this project, but it turned out to be too much for them. Therefore, I went on a search to find another AR development organization that understood our vision, goals, and timeframe. Saritasa answered our call. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around August 2023, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Saritasa has delivered what we initially hoped for and then some. We've been having a lot of fun with phase one; we're putting together a contest for users to engage with the platform. We've also created an Instagram account all around the AR experience, and some of our posts from our launch day have gotten up to around 8,400 views. At our launch event in Los Angeles, we had influencers who all posted about the AR experience. 

We'll continue to work with Saritasa; their AR work is part of our brand's future marketing strategy. Our team is very excited and feels like we've just touched the tip of the iceberg in terms of what Saritasa has created for us. Overall, we're super pleased with the results of Saritasa's work. 

How did Saritasa perform from a project management standpoint?

Saritasa's office isn't far from our offices in California, which has been a great plus because we're in the same time zone. Even though Sarah is in a different time zone in Florida, the project management aspect has worked well. Sarah has scheduled a call with us every week to ensure the process is moving along. 

The team has always communicated well with us using Zoom and email. Although we use Trello internally, we haven't set up that tool to work with Saritasa. As for the timeline, any delays we've experienced have been on our part due to an Apple issue that Sarah ended up helping us figure out and solve. Saritasa has been able to complete the Google portion of our platform quickly. 

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

Sarah has been our go-to person. She has kept us on track, understood our needs, and taken any concerns we had back to her team. She is 100% the reason we've gotten so much accomplished. Sarah has given us assignments and hand-held us through developing each persona's looks and makeup. Overall, Sarah has been super thorough. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Working with Saritasa has been my pleasure. The team has gone above and beyond in their performance, exceeding our expectations. The team has even participated in interviews; Aaron did an interview with a publication about the project, and Sarah did a podcast with me.

Additionally, the team has taught us a lot. They've not just designed the avatars and handed them off; they've taken us through the process step by step so that we can teach users how to use and download them. Moreover, Saritasa has made suggestions for our launch and recommended a contractor we ended up hiring who did an amazing job. Saritasa's team feels like family to us now.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don't think they could have done a single thing better; our experience with them has been top-notch. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Understand that Saritasa is the expert, and their success is your success. The team has always wanted us to succeed, which we've done. I recommend you listen to their expertise and what they offer, and you'll develop an amazing product. Ultimately, I highly recommend Saritasa for building an AR solution.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Business Manager / Financial Secretary of Ironworkers Local 433

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Ironworkers Local 433 represents over 5,000 Ironworkers in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the surrounding areas. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Saritasa to accomplish?

• creating an accurate experience, giving others a better understanding on the work we do.

SOLUTION

How did you find Saritasa?

Online Search

Why did you select Saritasa over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The idea was to create a VR experience showing your first day on the job. Since our trade has various elements, the experience also has various elements. Each floor has a different scope of work that the user has to complete before continuing on. It was important to us that this experience be as accurate as possible and Saritasa delivered. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Throughout the development of this project, we had weekly meetings to review the progress of the experience and answer any questions regarding the system. These weekly meetings were extremely beneficial, allowing both us, the customer, and Saritasa to stay on the same page. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

We always had someone from Saritasa there to answer any questions we had regarding the VR system. If a question could be answered via email, they would; if not, they would set up a virtual meeting where we would discuss the issue at hand in great detail and come up with solutions. 

What was your primary form of communication with Saritasa?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They knew how important it was to have this system be as accurate as possible, and they did everything they could to make that happen. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Saritasa could have done differently?

Overall, we had such a good experience with this company that we would not suggest anything be done differently. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.
I'm the COO of a private contractor that provides crossing guard services across the US. We serve in 22 states to hundreds of school districts and elementary schools. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Saritasa?

We needed to develop a custom mobile application to manage our scheduling and communicate with our 8,000 guards across the US. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Saritasa has designed and developed a custom application for iOS and Android devices using Python and PHP. The app enables us to provide our staff with their schedules and generate a service matrix for our clients. When I started working at my company, the app's foundation was already built in terms of the framework. 

I started to work on the project three years ago, and my involvement was collaborating with Saritasa to enhance the app's different user profiles that work inside the app's system. The app has different access points for users depending on their job positions and titles. Saritasa has also supported us in the initial steps of developing our invoicing process.

What is the team composition?

We work with 4–5 developers from Saritasa. We also work with a project coordinator and Stan (Senior Client Partner). 

How did you come to work with Saritasa?

My company's engagement with Saritasa precedes my time working here, and I'm unsure how they initially found the team.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend around $100,000–$120,000 yearly on this project. 

What is the status of this engagement?

I began working with Saritasa in May 2020, and our engagement is ongoing. However, the team has a longer working relationship with my company.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Without Saritasa's development support, we would be at a significant disadvantage as a company. The team is an integral and important part of ensuring our software functions on a daily basis. Saritasa's work quality is excellent, and the team is a very strong business partner for our company. The team does a tremendous job for our company. 

How did Saritasa perform from a project management standpoint?

We have weekly Zoom meetings with Saritasa's project coordinator, who is very organized and responsive when we have questions for the developers. In these meetings, Saritasa gives status updates on any pending bug issues or new tasks. We don't communicate via email because Jira sends notifications when something is added to the Jira board, allowing instant visibility for Saritasa's team and ours. 

Whenever we encounter bugs or glitches in the team's work, we communicate it via Jira. We collaborate with Saritasa on Jira to share files and snippets of error logs, and the team fixes issues quickly. Regarding the budget, Saritasa provides us with reasonable quotes according to the enhancements we request. Some projects have been a little over budget, but on a holistic look, we're on target with the provided budget and estimates. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm impressed with Saritasa's overall performance. Saritasa is a strong firm that has good key management, and all teammates I've interacted with are highly professional. The team meets their promises and follows through. I've been directly engaged with them for four years and haven't been disappointed at any time. 

Saritasa offers a positive experience and is a pleasure to work with. The team is a strong stakeholder for us and a strong business partner. We've had an instance when Amazon servers went down, and they threw their whole team at our project to get us back up and running even though it wasn't directly involved with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything Saritasa can improve on.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

You need to have a clear idea of your requirements as a customer. Maybe not having a complete picture, but a clear idea of where you want to go and the problem you're trying to solve with your project. The better you define that, the better any service provider can support you. I recommend having a clear picture of your business case.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a director at a nationwide telephone answering service company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Saritasa?

We needed to redesign our application since it was no longer compliant with security standards. Our goal was to have a secure messaging platform and an app that was compliant with iOS and Android security standards.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Saritasa redesigned and developed our existing iOS and Android application. The team conducted a testing process and provided work updates until the project was completed. 

Our app alerted medical providers that they had a call waiting for attention. The app displayed the message to the medical provider, and they had to acknowledge it by clicking a button after reading it. The acknowledgment info went back into our system, and users could dial back the patient or hospital using a link without displaying the caller ID phone. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with a project manager and different programmers.

How did you come to work with Saritasa?

I found Saritasa through a Google search and selected them out of our interviews with several companies. We were confident Saritasa was able to meet our needs based on our initial calls and interview process.
How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $60,000 on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Saritasa between June–October 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Saritasa delivered an application that was compliant with security standards. We didn't encounter any functionality issues, and we had around 1,000 users. Saritasa's work quality exceeded our expectations.

How did Saritasa perform from a project management standpoint?

Saritasa delivered work on time and on budget. We had excellent communication via phone calls, text messages, and emails. Saritasa's project manager kept the team on track and provided reports a couple of times a week. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed with Saritasa's communication skills and ability to work on an out-of-the-box project and design it well. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything for Saritasa to improve. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I recommend outlining your project completely and not leaving out any information when engaging with Saritasa. Explain your expectations depending on what you need to get back and keep good communication with the team during the project. Saritasa is quicker when they receive feedback from their customers, and the more information you provide and the quicker you respond, the better. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.
I'm the software and firmware engineering manager for a company that makes powersports aftermarket tools for tuning vehicles.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Saritasa?
We needed help with building an iOS and Android mobile app. Our ultimate goal was to improve our customer-facing app. We had already worked with other developers previously, but our app wasn't as good as it could have been. In a sense, we wanted a better app to improve sales.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?
Saritasa developed a pair of iOS and Android mobile apps for one of our devices. Initially, we provided them with our existing app, showed them how it worked, and showed some YouTube videos that further explained how it worked. Still, the existing app had some issues, so Saritasa built the new version from scratch. Their work also included a little design work because they stuck with the original design but enhanced it to make it better as well.

As for the technology stack, they used Figma for the design. The project also required some Bluetooth Low Energy development to communicate with our device. This app required a few features, including device scanning, so we also had to do a firmware update of our device. Therefore, device implementation was also involved in their work for timing optimization. Other development pieces included a lot of Rest API calls. The app's main functionality is the ability to reflash an engine controller.

What is the team composition?
We worked with a technical manager, a project manager, and an account manager from Saritasa. There was also a team working behind each of those managers, but I don't know how many teammates included each team.

How did you come to work with Saritasa?
I don't have a clear idea of how we found Saritasa. I believe our CTO contacted them.

How much have you invested with them?
We spent around $270,000.

What is the status of this engagement?
We worked together from September 2022–December 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Our app has been launched, and it has around 2,500–3,000 users per platform. Unfortunately, we're sitting at about a 1.5-star review on the Play Store and the App Store as well. We've recently hired a new developer, who has looked at the code and told us that it looks pretty good, is well-organized, and is easy to take over. Therefore, the quality of Saritasa's work was good overall. Moreover, Saritasa worked pretty quickly, and the app worked very well, all things considered. 

How did Saritasa perform from a project management standpoint?
During the discovery phase, Saritasa did a good job of asking a lot of questions to get a decent idea of the app we needed. Still, they didn't get a full understanding of our app's depth. Therefore, they first provided a fixed estimate, but they then ended up doing a bit more work than initially thought. However, that issue was probably on us too for not the details as well as possible.

Sometimes, it was difficult to communicate well and get complicated features figured out. Saritasa was great about asking us for really detailed documentation, which we built. However, they didn't follow all of it, leaving out some key details or not implementing certain parts. Overall, they were great, but this seemed to be a complex project for them. We communicated via email and Microsoft Teams.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?
Thien (iOS Developer) did a great job on our Bluetooth code — it was excellent.

What did you find most impressive about them?
Saritasa's discipline was their biggest strength. Their work was well-structured; they required good documentation for everything and forced us to write that documentation, which was wonderful. Their way of working really changed our practices moving forward altogether. Moreover, they had great technical resources, so they were able to figure out just about anything we needed to do.

Are there any areas they could improve?
I wasn't very thrilled with Saritasa's project management. I usually wound up going through the project manager and talking directly to the technical manager because I didn't feel there was as much communication as it could have been. Additionally, I felt that they weren't well-prepared for everything. Whenever we jumped into meetings, they didn't have much to report, so our meetings usually were pretty short.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?
Ensure that your project is well-documented and detailed upfront. Then, walk Saritasa through all those details before you begin the process.