Semaphore Mobile

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of CarZilly, an online vehicle marketplace and automotive dealer tools company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Semaphore Mobile?

We needed help creating a mobile application and a dealer toolbox.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Semaphore Mobile has created our mobile app and all APIs from scratch. The team has also handled the app store submissions and compliance. In addition, Semaphore Mobile has designed the UI and developed the backend.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with 2–5 teammates from Semaphore Mobile.

How did you come to work with Semaphore Mobile?

We found them through an online search. We chose them because they were a great culture fit, their company values aligned with ours, and I was very impressed with their attentiveness and patience while assisting me in designing our project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in July of 2022, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Semaphore Mobile has continued working until the development was to the highest standard. As a result, we have a very well-functioning backend and mobile app. We’ve seen efficiency improvements and 99% uptime. Moreover, the team has tackled all issues in a very timely manner, and we’re very impressed with their response time.

How did Semaphore Mobile perform from a project management standpoint?

Semaphore Mobile’s focus is on doing the job right. They let us know in advance if there’s a delay and the reasons behind it. The team always ensures the work is done correctly and not just pushed out the door. We communicate via in-person and virtual meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Semaphore Mobile’s Jonah Silverthorn possesses a rare trait: he places the personal relationship with the client in such high regard. We don’t feel like a customer; we feel like the most important person in the room when we meet with him. Semaphore Mobile truly strives to make our project a success and cheers us on to succeed along the way. This personal touch matters more in today's business world than it ever has, especially considering how rare it is. Moreover, we feel as if we have a building full of development and project management people behind us at all times. Semaphore Mobile takes a special interest in ensuring we get what we need to succeed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m very satisfied with their handling of my project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of ExploreMore, a recreation company. We offer a gamified mobile app, outdoor leader training, and turnkey experiences to make outdoor recreation more accessible, engaging, and inclusive for individuals, families, and communities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Semaphore Mobile to accomplish for ExploreMore?

We needed help building the initial prototype of our app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Semaphore Mobile has designed and developed a user-facing app utilizing geofenced locations in a bingo card format to encourage people to discover more of what’s around them.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with 2–5 teammates from Semaphore Mobile.

How did you come to work with Semaphore Mobile?

We found them through an online search. We chose them over other options because they had high ratings, were close to my geographic location, had company values aligned with ours, and had better communication.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in April 2024, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Semaphore Mobile has completed the initial prototype in alignment with our vision. Once this was completed and working properly, it further evolved into a full-scale developed production app with backend software and many features within the app and software, allowing us to create unique experiences for users. We’ve also seen strong positive user feedback; everyone has loved the look and feel of the app. Semaphore Mobile’s designer is amazing.

How did Semaphore Mobile perform from a project management standpoint?

Semaphore Mobile’s project management is good. We communicate through virtual meetings, emails, and messaging apps.

What did you find most impressive or unique about them?

Semaphore Mobile’s level of communication and ability to take a vision and bring it to life is impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder of La Subasta App

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a mobile classifieds markeplaced for the Hispanic community.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Semaphore Mobile to accomplish? 

build our application

build our website

build our cms

SOLUTION

How did you find Semaphore Mobile?

Online Search

Why did you select Semaphore Mobile over others? 

Close to my geographic location

Pricing fit our budget

Great culture fit

Good value for cost

Company values aligned

 How many teammates from Semaphore Mobile were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

Working with Semaphore Mobile has been and continues to be a wonderful experience. As newcomers to the development process, we entrusted with creating our application, website and content managgement systems. They took the time to walk us through each step and were always there for us just a phone call away.  The care for their clients show as they have exceeded our expectations at every turn.  They are professional through and through and have made us feel comfortable and confident in entrusting them to develop and deliver all of our products.  We are thrilled with the results and would highly recommend them to any business seeking a reliable development partner. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Semaphone delivered high quality performance products that met all of our requirements. Since launch our markeplace has grown steadily, with more listings and higher engagement from clients and general users. The results cleary demonstrate that the project was a sucess. 

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

Their project management was excellent from start to finish. They kept us updated throughout every stage of development with clear timelines and consistent communication. Anytime we had feedback or new requirements, they were quick to adapt and provide solutions without delays. 

What was your primary form of communication with Semaphore Mobile?

Virtual Meeting

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

What impressed us most was their ability to truly understand our vision and translated it into a product that serves our purpose. They demonstrated a genuine dedication to our success. 

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

Overall we are extremely satisfied with Semaphore Mobile's work. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of Mintage Inc. Mintage is dedicated to changing the social media space. Our mission is to make social media an enjoyable way to connect with others, rather than a data farm riddled with advertisements. Our first app, Mintage NFT, is the project associated with this review.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Semaphore Mobile, and what were your goals?

We wanted to overhaul our existing platform. We had communication and implementation issues with our previous development company. We need to improve the functionality and security of our existing app.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We found this developer on this platform. We compared them to 5 other development companies. Semaphore provided the most value at the best price. We called several of their references, and everyone had great things to say.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

The list is honestly too long to write out. Overhaul application code, feature functionality, backend, front-end design, crypto wallet integrations, etc.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We connected with the CEO, CTO, project manager, account manager, and sales team member.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

They met all of our expectations for the project. Being in the NFT space, we had issues with the App Store. They navigated the issues for us and helped us relaunch our product. They not only helped us make all the changes that we wanted, but they also helped us adjust our app to prioritize user security and ease of use.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Consistent updates on the status of the project. Realistic estimates for costs and timelines. Always willing to schedule a call and quickly responded to emails.

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

Stellar project management. They discovered issues and gave ideas on areas of improvement. They actively took a role in the success of our project. We felt like we had a business partner rather than an order-taker.

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

No. They are excellent communicators, are upfront with costs, and are easy to work with. They value and implement feedback or changes.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Community Health Worker (CHW) and the Program Coordinator at a public health agency located in Paris, Texas.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Semaphore Mobile, and what were your goals?

We wanted to develop a mobile app that highlighted and promoted locations and available activites along a local trail named Trail de Paris. We are a local health dept want to encourage health lifestyles within our community, as well as for visitors to our city. Our goal was to have a user friendly app that showed features along the trail or local sites worth visiting or exploring.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We searched online for developers in our area. We are a small town, so I had to search the Dallas TX area which is approximately 125 miles away. We narrowed it down to two different app developers. We ended up choosing Semaphore Mobile due to their professionalism, friendliness, and previous experience with developing mobile apps.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We had several meetings discussing needs & wants of the project. I knew nothing about signing up thru apple and google for web development, but they sent me specific instructions on how to get this signed up and assign access to their team members. They communicated with me frequently to keep me up to date on progress as well as to notify me of what they needed from me.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

There were about three people that worked closely with me on the project. They were all extremely helpful!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

They were able to finish the app in time for us to be able to share it with the community on a day celebrating 50 miles of the trail. Our local Chamber of Commerce also wants to share the Active Paris App promotion cards in 2000 new resident welcome packages that will be created at the end of July.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

The company was very easy to communicate with and very helpful. I am not very tech savvy, however, they were always quick to help.

I developed a very bad case of COVID right after we were starting the project. I was out of the office for 5 weeks straight and I know I caused many delays in the process by not being able to get them the pictures and info they needed. They were EXTREMELY KIND AND PATIENT with me and my circumstances and even demonstrated a true concern for my health. I will not forget the kindness they showed me during this time. They were very responsive and timely throughout the project and were very effective communicators.

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

They were very professional, friendly, and helpful. They were also extremely patient with me while I battled COVID and delayed their progress. I don't know that other companies would have been so kind and understanding. They did an amazing job on the app, and we are pleased with the results. It was exactly what we envisioned and more.

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

I was extremely pleased with this company and will not hesitate to hire them again for future projects.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CTO of a biometric identification software company. We make sure people are who they say they are by measuring how they draw their password

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Semaphore Mobile, and what were your goals?

Our company needed native mobile apps for iOS and Android

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Google search and we picked them because the cost was where we wanted and the location of the company

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We had a meeting to go over the scope and how to achieve a proof of concept. We detailed the features required. A POC was created and built on from there.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked with a team of 5 and they varied from executives and project managers to designers and developers

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Came in under budget and were never hard to get in contact and communicate with.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

They adapted well to our time tables and tools we used for communications. Mostly phone and emails with some messages via Teams.

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

What is most impressive is they were impressive in every measurable way.

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

They failed to wish our CEO a happy birthday. Granted, they had no way of knowing when it was and, in fact, it was even months before we met them, but you cant let logic get in the way of a good story.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the app development director at the Angel Homes Funeral Investment Group.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Semaphore Mobile?

We hired Semaphore to build our app. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Semaphore built our app from scratch for both Android and iOS devices. I didn’t provide any pre-built code, but I gave them references in the form of other apps that were similar to what we wanted.

In terms of features and functionality, we wanted the app to allow users to send text messages to multiple people at the push of a button. It also had GPS functionality. The team also designed our website and logo. 

At present, the app and website aren’t live yet, but we’ll be launching them soon.

What is the team composition?

I work with Eric (Owner) and his two sons, one of which is in sales while the other helps in coding the app.

How did you come to work with Semaphore Mobile?

I was looking for app development companies that were knowledgeable and willing to have a conversation with us without rushing into financial matters. We wanted a team that was genuinely interested in the project. That was important to me; I needed someone who was passionate and cared about what they were doing for the customer. These were the reasons we hired Semaphore. 

How much have you invested with them?

Our company has invested around $100,000 in the project. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2021, and the engagement is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve beta tested the app, and we’ve received no complaints in terms of the functionality and design of the app. It has good quality. Of course, we’ve found bugs, but that’s the purpose of beta testing. As far as appearance and functionality go, Semaphore has delivered 100% of what we want. 

How did Semaphore Mobile perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is great. The team has been thorough with their work. Their resources reach out to us and give updates on time, and they’re forward-thinking. If we have any questions or concerns, they’re always available to answer and handle everything. To communicate, we use emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Semaphore has the ability to build rapport with their customers. They’re not quick to dive into our pockets. Instead, they’re genuinely interested in our ideas and concepts as they build and maintain the relationship. This quality of theirs is unmatched, and other companies can learn from them. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

When presenting your idea to Semaphore, it’s best to have a detailed outline of what you want. Give them as much information as possible. This will help the team’s understanding of the project and the communication flow will feel a bit smoother. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of a creative agency that does branding, website development, and video production. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Semaphore Mobile?

We had a client who was looking to build a mobile app. Although we had a lot of design experience, mobile development wasn’t our expertise. We needed someone to execute our design.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, we discussed the project with Semaphore. From there, they took the lead in developing the app. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with Eric (Owner), Renee (Project Manager), a lead developer, and a developer. 

How did you come to work with Semaphore Mobile?

Semaphore Mobile was referred to me. The first conversation I had with Eric was really positive — he answered all my questions, and he was very kind. His team had shown a genuine interest in working with us, so hiring them for this project was a no-brainer. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April–December 2021.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Semaphore did everything I asked them to do and exceeded all our expectations. They took the design we created and brought it to life, overcoming the challenges along the way. The end product was outstanding — our end client was pleased with their work.

How did Semaphore Mobile perform from a project management standpoint?

Semaphore’s communication was top-notch. I never had to question where we were as they were always on top of the project. 

We experienced a lot of delays from the end customer, but Sempaphore worked efficiently. They had excellent communication skills, and they checked in with us almost daily. They streamlined the project and helped us get across the finish line. 

Semaphore’s team was kind and understanding whenever we had delays. Overall, they were great at project management. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Semaphore did a good job communicating and ensuring the project’s progress. In addition, their team is very personable — they seem to care both about the project and me as a person. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Get your ducks in a row — once Semaphore gets the job, they’re ready to hit the ground running. Ensure your project is ready and things are organized so that you can make some quick movement. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for East Texas Salt Water Disposal. We handle wastewater from the oil production extraction process, and the company is based in Kilgore, Texas. I’m a GIS data analyst; I handle the maps and process water leaks data or anything related.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Semaphore Mobile?

We had a complicated website that matched up with a mobile application. We were working with another company, but we were having a hard time getting responses from them. They also charged ridiculously high rates, so we just wanted to find someone else to work with.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Semaphore migrated the Android mobile application that our operators use to record data. We provided the data and existing React codebase from the previous provider, and they handled the rest on their own. They didn’t remake the app, so they researched a bit to figure out what the other company had done.

Since the app and the website communicate back and forth in a complicated setup, we had our IT company as a web developer, and Semaphore worked with them for the mobile app development. They handled a couple of design aspects, but they fixed bugs for the most part.

Now, we’re keeping them on retainer to provide security updates and timely support if the app goes down.

What is the team composition?

We only had to deal with one person. We occasionally talked to the president, but we mostly worked with the senior developer. They also had a couple of people in India, and they delegated the work to them and coordinated from there.

How did you come to work with Semaphore Mobile?

We tried to look for local companies first. There were 1–2 candidates, but they had $10,000 minimums or wanted to remake the entire app. We searched on Google and picked Semaphore because they were within driving distance. If everything caught on fire, we could be at their office within a day.

Also, their president reached out to me personally at the beginning of the project, during, and after it was finished.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent a little over $7,000, and they’ve agreed to charge us $75 an hour for any maintenance moving forward.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2021, and it was a month and a half to get what we needed. Now, we have an ongoing maintenance contract.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When there were problems during development, they immediately responded. They worked with a company that they’d never dealt with before, and they immediately started integrating the mobile app with them. Additionally, their turnaround was short. It was all outstanding.

Overall, we were glad we found them. It was easy to get things off the ground and get moving with Semaphore.

How did Semaphore Mobile perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a fantastic job. Their president would reach out to us once a week to check and see how things were going, and the lead developer talked to us once every couple of days.

When something minor went wrong, we’d email them and get a response in about 30 minutes. Otherwise, we had Zoom calls for serious matters, and sometimes the president would call to my cellphone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It was their flexibility. They took what they were given and billed us hourly no matter what it was for.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t say what they could’ve done differently.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a good idea of what you want the application to do, who is meant to use it, and how.