Shout Digital

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of a membership organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Shout Digital?

We already had a mobile application for our members. The app shares cruise information about various locations, ports, and anchorages worldwide. That went through a couple of iterations of development, but we wanted a better relationship with a better developer.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve done several projects with Shout Digital, and I’ll focus on the latest one for this review. We went into it with a worked-up specification of several changes we wanted done to our application, mainly around the ‘find my friend’ feature. This user-facing feature allows our members to find each other when they’re at sea.

Shout Digital added two parts to this ‘find my friend’ feature. The first part was enabling the device to continue sending background updates so that the position of the member can be continuously updated at a frequency of their own choice. Users have full control over whether and how often it does that. That is important when it comes to privacy, battery, and data usage, especially for phones on networks in tricky places.

The other aspect of the feature they worked on was a messaging system so that app members can communicate with each other. We went through a full design process with Shout Digital. We looked at whether to implement a functionality fairly similar to one of the existing messenger apps, or whether we implement something much simpler. Both of those approaches had drawbacks. We settled on the ability for members to initiate an email contact through ‘find my friend.’  Essentially, an API sends a message to our API, and we then send an email to the other member and put the two members in touch via email. The plan is to run with that for now and see how it runs in the future and look at what uptake is. We might revisit the more complicated options in the future, depending on the feedback that we get.

The whole application is built in Xamarin.Forms. We’ve talked about moving it to Xamarin Native, but it hasn’t happened yet. We have both the iOS and Android versions. We run our own web service, and the mobile app communicates via those servers with an API. 

What is the team composition?

We had three main contacts. During the last round of development, it was particularly good having one main contact on the development side as well. We interacted directly with the key developer on our project and cut out the translation layer that one otherwise has in the middle of that. We also had a couple of very good project managers that we worked with.

How did you come to work with Shout Digital?

We had an application already being done in Xamarin.Forms in its last iteration, and we wanted to transfer that codebase over to someone. We were looking for another Xamarin developer. We did a thorough search of the UK and came up with a handful of companies that had the relevant skills. We put it out to tender, and it was a close running between Shout Digital and one other company. Shout Digital won it on both price and offering.

How much have you invested with them?

My company has spent £10,000 (approximately $12,400 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We initially found them at the end of 2017 when we searched for a new contractor, and we appointed them in January 2018. For this last project, we worked together from February–March 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Given the delays caused by COVID-19, Shout Digital executed a pretty slick development and delivery process. They’ve recently been doing a lot of work internally to enhance their procedures, and that seems to have paid off. Based on what we’ve seen, they go from strength-to-strength in what they can deliver and how smoothly they can deliver it.

We’ve had a little bit of feedback from users, and it has all been positive. It’s especially gratifying when we get users making unprovoked positive comments via our forms and sometimes even emailing them in. The app is one of the key things people are interested in when we exhibit at shows; when we talk to our members, they say it’s one of our top-level offerings.

How did Shout Digital perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was very good and effective. They followed the project plan. During this last round, we used Azure DevOps, and having that common platform to communicate on has made a hugely positive difference.

Shout Digital worked very closely with me. I drew up the detailed technical specifications of how the API was going to work and implemented things on our side, and they then implemented the mobile app against that API. There was a fair amount of to-and-fro during the testing phase to ensure that both ends were working correctly. They also made some background changes in terms of better error tracking, which was a very useful service. It’s not user-facing, but they were elements that benefit those of us who have to manage it.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It really felt they were an integrated part of our team during this last project. We worked together to get this delivered.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They need to just keep doing what they’re doing. They’ve been going through changes and enhancements internally, and, from what I can see, it’s working very well and making an extremely positive difference.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Manage both the relationship and the individual projects carefully. Make sure that those specifications, at the start of development, are properly drawn up, thought through, and agreed upon, whether that’s the responsibility of Shout Digital or the organization working with them. Put that through a proper process internally and externally and ensure it’s been signed off. It’s important to allow enough time to go through a relevant number of iterations of UAT (user acceptance testing) and fixes to make sure an impeccable app is being delivered on the deadlines, and people aren’t caught by surprise. The experience we’ve had this year worked absolutely perfectly.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We provide a savings service to our clients using a technology platform that we built out with bespoke software. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Shout Digital?

They maintained our platform, and we also worked together to further develop the software. Oftentimes, customers will partner with large financial services providers without getting a good return. If they were aware of other options, they could find better options with less risk involved.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a platform that we built into a web-based portal. Their team handled the management and subsequent development of that portal. They also work with API integration and run workshops on related topics. Their team provides us with due diligence in terms of the performance of the system, offering up suggestions on how we can improve the software moving forward.

What is the team composition?

We’ve interfaced with about four people, one being a consistent project manager and another is a lead developer. Their staffing depends on our need for the project. 

How did you come to work with Shout Digital?

They’re located in the same building as our team. We had a conversation with them. Our team had also been recommended to them through word of mouth, so that encouraged the relationship as well.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $200,000–$500,000 on the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began the project in February 2018, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

At this point, we’ve administered over $1,000,000,000. We’ve seen significant growth through the launch of this technology.  

How did Shout Digital perform from a project management standpoint?

I have regular meetings with our project manager, who’s very approachable. This has bee a convenient relationship, as I work up and down the country. We touch base through web conferences when needed. They keep track of our project while keeping me abreast of the latest developments. We recieve a monthly performance report. Usually, we communicate through email. Otherwise, we call, meet in person, or hold webinars. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their creativity is a real strength. They think outside of the box and show versatility in delivery. In terms of customer support, they invest in a relationship for the long-term rather than just doing what’s required. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’ve noticed that they rebranded recently to reflect their growth. Their skills are impressive, and they deliver quality. It would be great to see them grow even further. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear with your goals and take the time to communicate them. They’ll provide you with the right foundation to get you what you want.

BACKGROUND

What challenge were you trying to address with Shout Digital?

We wanted to implement an API into our website. We wanted to try a new way of getting people to fundraise via events for us, particularly gaming and activity events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was the scope of their involvement?

Shout Digital implemented a donation API called Give Penny into our website, which is on Umbraco. The scope of Shout Digital’s work goes beyond the API implementation. Their team built plugins for Strava and Spotify, which are functions that we don’t see on other platforms. They administer our website and complete all the development projects that we want.

What is the team composition?

Three people from Shout Digital work on our website. We have an account manager and an account director.

How did you come to work with Shout Digital?

Shout Digital was an incumbent provider before I was part of the organization.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $10,000–$25,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership started around 2017, and it’s ongoing.

SOLUTION

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

The quality of the API was excellent from the outset. Shout Digital made sure that everyone was on the same page from day one by including the right people on the initial calls. They discussed the scope with every single person and created a checklist with action points right away. The impact of their strategy was an API developed and implemented on time and on budget. Currently, we have 43 signups for a new running event that we wanted to establish. That’s 43 new people who wouldn’t have been involved previously.

How did Shout Digital perform from a project management standpoint?

We use Assembla—a project management tool. Our account managers are excellent. We have two, so it doesn’t matter if one of them is away. We can always speak to someone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re personable and make us feel at ease. It’s easy to talk with their team. Having worked at an agency before, I understand where they’re coming from. That makes it easier for us to have conversations.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think so. They’re working within the parameters of their business model.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Understand your project goals and give Shout Digital a clear vision of them. That sparks conversations about whether those goals are right for your business. They can make suggestions that are better based on your initial objectives.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the former commercial director of a real estate company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Shout Digital?

They built out a piece of property tech that allowed us to deliver resident and building management services through an app based on an information portal. We manage tens of thousands of residential units around the UK. It was our goal to deploy this technology to the management of those units.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

There were no equivalent apps in the market when we started scoping the project. So, this process was very rigorous and helpful for us to process and articulate the range of services that we provide through technology and management of buildings and common areas.

The development was split into four phases, all of which were components of creating the app’s processing system. The deployment of the app was also supported by their team. They were still handling maintenance and updates into 2019, which is the last time I was updated on the project.

The final solution was a customer-facing mobile app and an information portal that was used by us as property managers to drive services to residents. We launched for iOS and Android as well as white-labeled reskins for larger corporate asset-owners.  

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Gary (CEO, Shout Digital) on the project. At this point, their business has expanded, so most projects aren’t CEO-led. 

How did you come to work with Shout Digital?

I was put in charge of finding an app development company for this project. I turned to a trusted colleague in the financial services industry for recommendations. He referred me to Shout Digital because they built a resilient app for them that focused on global markets. After being introduced, I interviewed, shortlisted, and later hired their team for the project. 

How much have you invested with them?

In total, it cost around $200,000. With the ongoing support, it cost us an additional $3,000 each month. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The projects were started and launched in 2016, but the completion of the tech build-out came in 2017. Then, it began to be supported by their team on an ongoing basis.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

At the time, this was an innovative piece of technology for businesses in the UK. It was helpful in our efforts to earn new, major corporate clients. The technology proved to be a very attractive part of their management services we offered. In terms of usage, we track how many residents take up the app in our buildings. We were able to achieve a usage rate of almost 85% in buildings that we were promoting the use of the app.  

How did Shout Digital perform from a project management standpoint?

All of the components were completed on-time, in a 12-month cycle. Gary plays a pivotal role in the quality of the work they produced and was hands-on in the management of the project. Throughout this development, Gary was incredibly responsive and available to me at any point in time. Shout Digital met all its development, testing, and deployment goals. The solution was developed according to our budget as well.   

What did you find most impressive about them?

Even if the CEO isn’t personally running all the projects, he has a personal involvement in ensuring that Shout Digital provides quality. He is utterly committed to building high-quality technology that is robustly tested and works well. When the business was introduced to me, it was clear they weren’t the cheapest in the market, but they were definitely a high-quality firm. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend that anybody speak to them about a project. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. They were supportive both during and after development. I was able to troubleshoot issues with them that way. Those issues were resolved very quickly. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I personally managed the project from our side. It’s important to have a designated representative from your business putting the time and effort into articulate the needs on the client-side. It’s also important to have someone actively discussing the specifics of the requirements with the designers and developers. If you engage with them correctly, they’ll do an excellent job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the Founder/CEO of ShareMyToolbox, a SaaS web and mobile application for tool tracking and management. We have clients all over the world. Our application is designed primarily for organizations like contractors that have field-based employees and require visibility into the company's asset catalog while making employees accountable.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Shout Digital?

Shout was instrumental in the project design from the very beginning including the system architecture, security, business logic and decisions regarding development environments.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to create a mobile-first tool management application based on a peer-to-peer sharing technology that would be highly scalable with a very rich UX. It had to be very functional, yet the complexity of the underlying system had to be hidden so that it would appear to be easy and intuitive to a field user.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

This project started in the innovation lab of a large software company focused on ERP systems for the construction industry. There were very few mobile app development resources available internally, so we interviewed outside firms. Shout had been used on several previous projects and had been fully vetted, so our decision was easy to proceed with them for the initial product development.

Describe the project in detail.

After we selected Shout, we had an extensive meeting with the development team at their HQ. We spent about 4 months developing user stories, wire frames and approving the system architecture.

The toughest decision was deciding on a hybrid vs native environment for the mobile app. We initially decided on hybrid, but reversed that decision after several months of coding when we experienced UI limitations. The first iteration of our app was released on iOS seven months after the project start.

What was the team composition?

The initial team was composed of myself, the VP of Development and VP of Strategy from our company. Shout team members were their CEO and Head of Application Development.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We released the first version of our mobile app on iOS March 2015. I purchased the intellectual property from the company in August 2015 and engaged Shout to develop the web interface and Android.

We released the "enterprise" monetized version of ShareMyToolbox in January 2016. Today we have over 23,000 registered users on our app with almost 400 paid enterprise companies. We released a completely rewritten version of our mobile apps (V2) in January 2020. Both apps have a 4.5 star rating in the app stores.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Extremely effective. We coordinate app development and issue management using their software development tools that they make available to me.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their creative input and desire to make a successful product are remarkable.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Any relationship has hiccups, but Shout has always been quick to address any issues.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

CACHEAlumni.org.uk is a professional online community for those working in Early Years, Health and Social Care and Education to stay up to date with best practice and legislation, ask questions and get support with career progression.

I'm the project manager responsible for content and member experience and work with Shout and our subject specialists to make sure our members are getting the best service possible.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Shout Digital?

Shout look after our current member-facing website and the CMS that sits behind it. We were struggling to find support with development that would suit the needs of our (often technically challenged) audience and Shout showed a real understanding of their needs and provided a non-judgemental and helpful approach to design.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to achieve a site that was full of information and support but easy to navigate and use. Ou members need a lot of information to be able to do their jobs well, but often struggle to find this. We were hoping that a better design and navigation would help us to attract more members and support our existing members to engage with us more often.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Shout had a good reputation internally within our parent organisation, after working on the main company websites for a long time. We knew that they understood our audience and their needs, as well as the diverse reasons they might come to us.

We also needed a company who could provide support quickly and responsively, as disengaged members are detrimental to our business as a membership organisation.

I selected Shout along with support with procurement from my line manager, to support us because alongside them offering the support that we needed in the timescales we wanted, they also took the time to understand our needs to make sure that the burden of solutions wasn't always on us. Having an opportunity to collaborate rather than just have a technical partner was an important part of the decision.

Describe the project in detail.

Shout took over the management of our project from the initial web developers and improved a number of presses straight away. They helped with design and development and solved complicated problems around our renewals process and the way our verification checks work within other systems.

What was the team composition?

Shout have always been great at assigning us a project manager to make sure we're not chasing our project goals. We're kept informed really well and usually have the same point of contact for all of our queries. When we need to work with other teammates in the development or design teams, our project manager brings us all together by phone or in-person to make sure we're all singing the same song.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Shout have helped us fulfil all of our goals this year. After helping us to remove some of the barriers to our membership and change the navigation of our website to reflect some changes in our pricing structure, our membership has increased significantly.

Our analytics show that members visit more often and stay for longer, which is exactly what we want! We see fewer queries from members who are lost and have a much lower 'cost to serve' for each member as the service has naturally become easier to self-serve!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Shout are easy to communciate with. Having a friendly and helpful account manager is absolutely key and we communicate largely by email. Occasionally, I'll communicate via assembla or using phone or a face to face meeting, but building a strong relationship with the project /account manager pushing through our changes was really important.

It makes it much less stressful when you know that there's someone on 'the other side' who understands your needs well enough to ask helpful questions.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Shout's insight and ability to spot possible snags early in a project plan are incredibly helpful to us. We've worked with web developers who would just give us what we asked for (which might seem like a dream...) for this to fall down later because we hadn't fully understood the impact of our website choices.

Shout's ability to probe and ask questions which will help to direct the project and avoid possible pitfalls has made for a great process and really supported us to understand the changes we make and better our strategy for engagement with our members.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I always want things done RIGHT NOW but Shout are great at setting expectations and giving us realistic timescales to make sure we're planning effectively at the start of projects, towards a realistic 'go live' date, giving us time and support to create resources for our members to support new developments.... and that's better.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Product Manager of a Nonprofit Organization

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Assists people with disabilities to live life to their full potential.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Shout Digital to accomplish?

• Design a website that is fit for purpose
• Host and maintain the website
• Optimise the website

SOLUTION

How did you find Shout Digital?

Already working with them

Why did you select Shout Digital over others?

Pricing fit our budget

How many teammates from Shout Digital were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Replatforming and hosting a new website to increase charitable donations for international work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They delivered a new website on time. That site delivered as close to budget as possible.

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

The team mostly delivered our items on time, and when they couldn't, they did communicate and we found a way forward.

What was your primary form of communication with Shout Digital?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their knowledge of the Umbraco plaform.

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

The front end of the website was over-designed and made images difficult to manage on the site. Also, we felt that we were being prescribed a design with limited time to give feedback. Maybe this is different for other clients, but would suggest more opportunities for feedback and, not to curtail designers pushing the envelope in design, more get to know a company first.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Digital and IT Director of (a/an) Financial services

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Provide support for IFA and providers within the financial industry

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Shout Digital to accomplish?

• Create a foundation for a digitised service for our distribution services.

SOLUTION

How did you find Shout Digital?

Referral

Why did you select Shout Digital over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit

What was the size of Shout Digital’s team?

2-5 Employees

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

Build a digital portal to replace the manual nature of how we currently interact with our provider partners.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Delivery of correct scope.

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

Sometimes slowed by exact details vs trying to work collaboration, but overall, they met our expectations.

What was your primary form of communication with Shout Digital?

Virtual Meeting

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

Clarity on stories and keeping us in the loop

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

Allow more agile delivery instead of pushing agile but working slightly more waterfall

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive of a Utilities company. 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a water company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Shout Digital to accomplish?

• Provide our field workers with a consumer grade app experience

SOLUTION

How did you find Shout Digital?

Referral

Why did you select Shout Digital over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

What was the size of Shout Digital’s team?

6-10 Employees

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

We produced five custom apps for our field workers. We designed and built them from scratch. They have been live now for 3 years and we continue to improve them every month with new features.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• We have seen an improvement in productivity and data quality

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

Shout have always been very responsive to our needs. They hit their promised delivery times nearly every time. They are very easy to deal with.

What was your primary form of communication with Shout Digital?

In-Person Meeting, Virtual Meeting

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

They are extremely collaborative, whether it is working on something with clear deliverables or something more ambiguous, they bring great ideas and deliver high-quality software.

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

Nothing significant.