Simpalm

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the communications director for a professional membership society of 5,000 who work in medicine.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Simpalm?

We hired Simpalm to develop an app for physicians.

What were your goals for this project?

Provide a condensed look-up version of a larger government document that is specific to these particular physicians' practices.

SOLUTION

How did you select Simpalm?

We requested bids from 4 companies and found Simpalm to have the most straightforward process and reasonable price.

Describe the project in detail.

We had several discovery calls with our physicians and provided an extensive Excel document with all of the content that should be included. During the calls we discussed how screens might look/operate, and Simpalm developed wireframes for the physicians to review and approve.

What was the team composition?

We were given a project manager. This project manager changed during the course of the project which resulted in some confusion regarding original needs. However, both project managers were very accommodating.

Since launching the initial app, we have had 2 other project managers assigned to us for ongoing work. We are hopeful our current project manager remains in the position for some time.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have received mixed reviews. Some users love the app while others have provided criticisms that have been difficult to address. We had some stumbling blocks during the initial launch including the app not having a search function and complaints that the app is not well designed.

The project manager worked very diligently with us to address complaints as best as possible. We had 200 downloads in 2020 and 59 downloads in 2021.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project managers have been effective during times of active work to ensure that the project is moving along and updates are made efficiently.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were able to take a very abstract idea and build it into something tangible. They were patient with a number of back and forth changes that we needed to make, as well as the fact that this was our first time working on this type of app.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Although we asked for a search function initially, when it was overlooked on the first build, we were then told it would cost more to add it. I would have liked a little more thorough review in terms of ensuring that the initial ask was met.

We also had a number of complaints about the app not working on dark mode and some other tweaks needed to be made after launch. We were sort of surprised these things were not accounted for first.

However, as stated previously, they did work to correct those concerns very quickly.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and CEO of a mobile ordering company. We provide an app that customers use to place orders as well as a second app that businesses use to accept orders. We also offer a web-based admin panel that stores the platforms’ data.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Simpalm?

I needed a development team. I had all of the other business elements established but didn’t know how to develop the code.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Simpalm walked me through the development process from start to finish. They suggested that I create an Apple developer account as well as create mockups of the designs. After I provided their developer with all of the asset images, they built the apps.

Their team implemented the web-based portal for me to manage users. That led to their development of the customer-facing and business-facing apps using Swift.

What is the team composition?

I worked with a tech lead and a developer. Their tech lead communicated with the developer for me.

How did you come to work with Simpalm?

I found them on Clutch while searching for the top developers in the D.C. area. I considered another company that had all of their development resources in-house but cost three times as much as Simpalm. 

How much have you invested with them?

I spent $32,000 on this engagement.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership began in June 2019, and it finished in early July 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Simpalm resolved all of the bugs and issues that I found, so the platform now functions well.

The original cost was $28,000 and then I added a couple of features that cost another $4,000. The final cost was 15% higher than the original stated cost.

How did Simpalm perform from a project management standpoint?

We mostly communicated by e-mail. I also contacted them via text or call a couple of times. There were also a couple of times when they didn’t respond to my e-mails as quickly as I hoped.

When I first contacted Simplam, the CEO said the project would take about 3–4 months. As with any development project, our plans did change. However, the project took 10 months from handing them the designs to launching in the App Store.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were able to effectively walk a person without experience through the development process. I came to them without knowing how to implement an app. Their team provided me with directions that enabled them to perform their work. Instead of expecting me to know everything, they walked me through the whole development process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve their communication with the developer. Many times, I struggled to find the end product to be what I wanted.

For example, I expected the developer to build a certain feature that was central to my company. I talked about this feature with the CEO during our initial conversation. It wasn’t until the end that I realized the tech lead told the developer to build a different feature. I was shocked because the feature I expected was always on the table.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear on your expectations for their team. In the contract, spell out all of the details for your product to avoid any unexcepted fees.

Also, try to hold Simpalm to a tight schedule. I was surprised that the project took almost a year when I was told that it would take between 3–4 months originally.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of an app called Real-Time: A real-time news app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Simpalm?

I needed a great developer to help me flush out my ideas. I wanted to build a mobile app with an optimized UX.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Simpalm developed my iOS app. At the beginning of development, their team supported the planning process. We made slight redirections along the way.

They improved my ideas to deliver the best results. Their team provided insight into developing the UX. They offered a tremendous amount of clarity.

Simpalm integrated features, which allow users to mark individual photos and videos. They built capacities for users to add, delete, and share content across different social media platforms.

What is the team composition?

I communicated primarily with the main developer who directs their team.

How did you come to work with Simpalm?

I researched and met with several app developers. During our interview, I asked Simpalm a lot of questions. I got a good vibe from their team. They were personable and approachable. The engagement didn’t feel transactional.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent less than $30,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We collaborated between June 2017—May 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app launched and has acquired several hundred downloads. Right now, I’m working with strategic partners to help transition the app into the next level.

How did Simpalm perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated by email to ensure clarity. I could text the developer, which was awesome. Simpalm was very responsive.

Their team showed the entire build in spreadsheets and printouts. They didn’t just tell me about the process, but actually showed me. It was great.

The project took longer than expected, which was no fault of Simpalm’s. I needed time to pay for their services. If I had the money at the time, the project could’ve been completed quickly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team offered the most help with the UX. They had great communication. I asked a lot of questions and Simpalm provided tremendous clarity, explaining the process in steps. They were supportive and patient with my naivety; their team was never short with me or made me feel stupid.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing they could improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Simpalm’s capable of handling big and small projects. They’ve managed projects for large organizations but were also perfectly suited for my needs. Those experienced in mobile apps would have no problem collaborating with Simpalm. At the same time, anybody starting from zero wouldn’t feel like a problem either.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Knitt App, a social media networking app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Simpalm?

I needed a developer to create my app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Simpalm designed and developed my social networking app for iOS. Once a user signs up, they’ll answer a series of questions that cover their interests and hobbies. Based on the results, the app will connect them to local users with similar interests.

What is the team composition? 

I dealt with one point of contact specifically who handled everything.

How did you come to work with Simpalm?

Simpalm popped up when I was searching for app developers in my area. I liked their reviews, called them, and enjoyed the initial meeting. Their price point was good, too.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $25,000 so far. Since I’m continuing to work with them, that will naturally go up.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2017. The project is complete, but I’m going back to them for more services.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Besides the quality of work, I liked that they were patient enough to guide me through the development process. They understood that I’d never made an app before, so they took the time to explain when things wouldn’t work and then offered alternative solutions.

How did Simpalm perform from a project management standpoint?

It’s been perfect. They’ve met my deadlines, and we communicate mainly through phone, text, and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate how they approach their customers. They do what they say they will, and their cost is good, too.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s been a language barrier at times, but it was fine.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the vice president of a financial services company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Simpalm?

We engaged Simpalm to develop a mobile application that sorts through multiple lenders for the home improvement industry.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

There are hundreds of loan programs available for contractors, but they typically only sign on with one or two lenders. I provided designs of what I wanted the mobile application to look like, and we relied on Simpalm to develop a product that would allow users to sort loan programs based on their wants and needs.

After the quoting and proposal process, I communicated with Simpalm’s team almost every day, depending on their workload. They would provide regular updates regarding their progress. There is a lot of complexity involved in how the application works, but they made the interface very easy to use. Simpalm delivered the product for iOS and Android, and we made a few final tweaks before launching the app.

What is the team composition?

I only worked with Piyush (CEO/Founder, Simpalm) and James (Developer, Simpalm).

How did you come to work with Simpalm?

They appeared in my online search for app companies. I met with several firms, but Simpalm’s representatives came off as the most confident and knowledgeable. They had a demonstrated record of success in projects like this.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent approximately $25,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement spanned April­–October 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our entire company revolves around the work that Simpalm has done.

How did Simpalm perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated well through phone calls and emails. They were very responsive and gave updates whenever necessary.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their expertise is second to none.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Admittedly, I told them exactly what I wanted, but they could have also attempted to guide me in a different direction if they felt my methods would not work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’s critical for clients in any project to be realistic about how much time and effort is involved in these projects. More than likely, it is substantially more work than you think, so it is essential to remain engaged.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO and co-founder of a startup that developed a mobile messaging app for colleges and universities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Simpalm?

We engaged Simpalm to develop our app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After going over our requirements and ideas for the app design, Simpalm developed wireframes and created a detailed scope of work that included milestones. They then developed the app from scratch for iOS, providing beta testing. After launching the iOS version, we conducted a customer discovery program and had Simpalm build an Android version of the app as well.

Features of the app include private, live, and group chatting options between students, classes, and professors. Users can upload certain files, and an internal calendar can sync directly with their personal calendar.

What is the team composition?

I worked with three people, including the CEO and two developers (one offshore and one in-country).

How did you come to work with Simpalm?

We found Simpalm online. They seemed like a reputable company with a lot of positive reviews.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested $30,000–$40,000, which is more than we would've liked to spend.

What is the status of this engagement?

They developed the app from October 2015–August 2018. We've decided to pursue any additional work internally or through another program we've become affiliated with.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They provided high-quality development work overall. A school we demonstrated the app to was completely elated and decided to fully adopt it.

How did Simpalm perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team worked well within milestones, meeting most deadlines and tracking projects through SonicAgile. I connected regularly with the project lead, who set up phone calls and monthly meetings to track progress. While he relayed necessary information over to the offshore developer, there was a slight disconnect in communication by not being able to connect with that person outside of email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They responded very well and did a decent job of bringing our vision to life.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would improve communications to have all developers involved on the project located in the same country as the client.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Go over all the details of the project thoroughly with their team before committing to a contract. Our contract was two years long, which is too long in my opinion, so just be sure to pay attention to all the details and compare them to other options.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association, representing plumbing and HVAC professionals. I am a project manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Simpalm?

We hired Simpalm to create an app that replicated our existing web-based calculator. 

What were your goals for this project?

The primary goal was to develop a user-friendly, navigable hand-held version of our water supply calculator.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We reached out to several local and national app builders, but our project did not meet many of their minimum requirements. We ultimately selected Simpalm because they gave us the opportunity to proceed with the project at a cost reasonable for a nonprofit. 

Describe the project in detail.

All documentation and data for the app were pulled from the calculator. In addition to the replication, we also requested links to specific areas of our website. We developed the app for both Android and iPhone.

What was the team composition?

The project was a combined effort from various internal organizational staff members on communications, technical, and executive teams. We were also assigned a project manager from Simpalm, who was our only point of contact.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our success is a completed native app. We initially only had the Android version, but developing the second version for iPhone has allowed us to reach more of our members. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We communicated directly with our project manager via email, which allowed us to submit requirements and requests. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Simpalm was quick and responsive. We appreciated their willingness to take on our project.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We are a small nonprofit and this was our first experience with an app builder; our technical knowledge of the app industry was limited, so we needed more guidance, specifically regarding the need for separate apps for various Apple products. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of ShipBoxx. We’re a non-asset third-party logistics company that provides a modern shipping service.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Simpalm?

We needed a development firm to build out our mobile platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

By evaluating the typical shipping process for the average person, I found that driving to the post office, standing in line, and packaging your own item can take 25 minutes to an hour. We wanted to expedite that process by enabling users to ship anything they wanted with just a few taps on our mobile app. The project had to be built from scratch, so I articulated my vision to Simpalm’s project manager.

They were extremely collaborative during the scoping process. We went over the app’s aesthetics and color scheme. Then, we went in-depth on laying out the different functionalities of the app while maintaining usability. They walked me through deciding what actions should occur when specifics buttons are pressed. With that information, they designed the wireframes and started building the platform app from there.

They developed the app for iOS and we launched on the App Store. They continually provide updates and feature improvements. We also plan on developing an Android version with Simpalm in the future. I’m not an app developer, so I can’t speak to the specific technologies they used to the build everything.

What is the team composition?

A four- to six-person development team worked on the app including the project manager.

How did you come to work with Simpalm?

I searched for cost-effective development firms on Upwork because we’re a lean startup. I interviewed three other companies before finding Simpalm. I reached out to their CEO and the relationship grew from there.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2016 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Customer feedback indicates the app features a clean design and runs without crashes. This speaks to the quality of Simpalm’s work with the UI/UX. We only recently launched the app, so we’re still trying to grow our customer base and don’t have access to a large sample size of analytics. Overall, it’s been a great partnership and I’m grateful I found them.

How did Simpalm perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project manager is available to me whenever I need. Simpalm’s CEO is extremely busy but makes himself available when necessary. We communicate with their team through Basecamp, email, phone calls, and text. We plan to integrate Simpalm with our Microsoft Visual Studio system to organize change requests and prioritize user feedback.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Communication is vital when developing a mobile app and luckily, accessibility is one of their greatest qualities. Furthermore, they don’t pass their mistakes onto the customer. For example, they misquoted the number of hours necessary to complete a certain task but didn’t ask me to pay for the additional time. They value long-term relationships and I find their pricing to be low compared to industry standards. They’re trying to build a brand and help businesses excel.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They didn’t present a lot of development options like multiple API’s or a website that would facilitate scalable growth. They focused primarily on meeting my short-term needs. Working to future-proof customers would better foster long-term relationships. I’ve shared this feedback with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am an associate digital producer at an experiential marketing agency specializing in live events and related graphics, videography, and digital support. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Simpalm?

Our agency needed to revamp an event app for a crucial client. However, our app database, Parse, was bought and privatized. The goal of the partnership was to find a new backbone for the app and implement other functionality changes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The scope of the project included the migration of our app’s backend database from Parse to Amazon Web Services [AWS] and various updates and improvements to our existing app’s functionality. We chose to use AWS because of its easily updatable database, as well as its ability to scale servers when the app is under extreme loads. The app itself housed event information, schedules, attendee info, and links to audience response systems.

What was the team dynamic?

The production team included me, another digital producer at my agency, a Simpalm project manager, and the Simpalm development team.

How did you come to work with Simpalm?

Simpalm had helped our agency with the previous iteration of this app. When we needed to conduct updates, we reached out to them to renew the partnership. We chose Simpalm because of their responsive team, attention to detail, and knowledge and experience with similar projects.

How much have you invested with them?

The price for this project was between $10,000 and $40,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in December 2016 and ended in April 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project ended with a highly successful event app praised by users and our client. The app has about 1,000 downloads on iPhone and Android. With previous iterations, our team had trouble with connections and traffic hitting the app, but this iteration excelled at handling hundreds of users and gave us the ability to make updates on-site at the event. Our client loved the app, calling it a major highlight of the event.

How did Simpalm perform from a project management standpoint?

Simpalm did a great job. They brought up any issues regarding the timeline or budget to our attention immediately. Their project manager also was available after hours via Skype to assist with any updates that our client asked for late in the day.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Simpalm’s willingness to go the extra mile set them apart from other vendors we’ve worked with over the years. Knowledge and experience are key, but many of our projects require some extra attention given the fast-paced nature of the events industry. Simpalm met our challenge and got the job done.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am one of the project managers of a rental company that provides DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games. We also offer kiosk services. I’m responsible for initiating new projects, streamlining requirements, and educating our engineers to make sure that they’re following expected tasks.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Simpalm?

We were looking for more resources to build new functionality for our Android app, which could be accessed on the Play Store by our end users. At that time, our team was handling multiple projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had iOS teams at work, so Simpalm received mockups and specifications for the user experience. They also got input from our business analyst. Before the project started, Simpalm’s manager on the engineer side met with the developers to make sure that they had enough experience. They reviewed our existing code and made sure that they understood the project completely. We only did the beta release of this version.

What is the team dynamic?

There were 2 Android developers from Simpalm.

How did you come to work with Simpalm?

One of our colleagues referred us to Simpalm. We then looked at some of the apps that they had published on the App Store and Play Store. We also looked up the company itself, their services, and how long they had been in this industry. Simpalm seemed to have enough experience in this field, so we decided that they could help us out on the Android development side.

The other good thing was that they were also based in Chicago, which gave us more confidence. We were able to meet in person before even initiating anything. Simpalm checked that they would be able to work with the existing code and complete the requirements within the timeline.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $200,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together February 2017 and the app was published in July 2017. It has been released to specified users only. We’re still keeping it confidential on the organization level. We have more projects in the pipeline, and Simpalm is definitely one of our first references.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The developers at Simpalm adapt to the environment pretty well and did an excellent job.  Right now, the app has about 10 million downloads on the Play Store. Currently, we are not expecting a lot of feedback because the app has only gone to individual users. In the next few months, we will be able to get more feedback and then make enhancements. We will then get help again from Simpalm.

How did Simpalm perform from a project management standpoint?

It was fabulous. Simpalm completed the project within the timeline that was specified. We did not have a project manager. Instead, we used our own project management tool, a DSS [decision support system]. We collaborated with all of the team members through that. We also had stand-up meetings every day. It was an on-site project, so Simpalm’s developers weren’t working remotely. They fell in line with our team, and there were no issues with communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They had a lot of experience in understanding existing code, which was a good thing because our code was not freshly written. It was challenging to adapt to that code and put all these new functionalities in the existing app within a short period of time, but Simpalm did really well. Anyone who wants a quality product delivered on time should go for Simpalm.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wish they had more resources available. We could have done some of our other projects at the same time. I don’t have any complaints other than that.