TekRevol

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of a real estate company. We have a two-way listing and management portal for tenants and landlords.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TekRevol?

We needed their team to build our mobile application.

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We've previously engaged TekRevol to design and develop our PHP-based application and reached out to their team again to have our mobile app built. They're now in the process of developing our iOS app via Switch and integrating some final features. After accomplishing the iOS version, they'll focus on creating an Android version of the same app. The core offering of our platform is a messaging feature that allows tenants and landlords to communicate with each other.

Apart from their development-related tasks, TekRevol has also designed our logo and performed marketing services to promote our platform.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact is their project manager.

How did you come to work with TekRevol?

I found them online while looking for potential agencies to hire for this project. TekRevol was listed as one of the top up-and-coming development firms, and they also offered a reasonable price point.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent $25,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2020, and our collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

TekRevol has delivered an appealing platform that met our expectations — they've refined our wireframe suggestions to come up with a more impressive design. Everyone who's seen the app so far has particularly liked its refreshing and user-friendly look. More importantly, all the features they've incorporated into the app are working ideally.

How did TekRevol perform from a project management standpoint?

We use Asana as our main project management tool. TekRevol has reliable and communicative developers. Their team promptly addresses our needs, which makes for a seamless engagement.

What did you find most impressive about them?

TekRevol's development expertise is apparent in the complex solutions that they accomplish. Their developers have the skill set we need to build highly functional app features.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I'll appreciate a more timeline-oriented approach to help speed up the process. Some deliverables have been submitted a bit behind our deadline, but we're still on track to complete the project within our original timeline.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Assign dedicated team members to closely monitor TekRevol's work to ensure that they're working accurately towards meeting your goals.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of My Driver’s, LLC. We’re creating an app for commercial driver’s license holders, owner-operators, fleet owners, and corporations that can give them a  job. Our company tries to network all of them within the app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TekRevol?

I needed a team that was willing to work with us in developing the app and meeting our requirements.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We first met in person with TekRevol, telling them our plan. They then agreed to do it and gave me a preview of what the process would look like. To make sure that all requirements were met, we conducted several phone calls. That was the discovery phase, where they figured out what needed to be done and implemented for the project. Then, we went into the design phase, where we saw the layout and flow of the app. We made sure that the pictures and everything else looked exactly as we wanted. 

At present, we’re at the alpha stage, where TekRevol is developing the app. From here, we’re moving on to the beta stage to test the app before its delivery. 

Meanwhile, the app’s features include live tracking of locations, speeds, tickets, and invoices. It also has chat and search bar features. Commercial driver’s license holders are only allowed to work for 20 straight hours, so the app also monitors that. Moreover, if tickets or accidents are put on their record, we’ll also update the app to include such records. On top of that, we’re promoting the safety of the drivers, so we’re putting a system in place where the drivers can be more aware of their driving to avoid driving mistakes. 

What is the team composition?

The first people we met with were Ryan (Partner) and Estes (Senior Project Manager & Business Development Head), who walked us through the discovery phase. Estes told us what could and couldn’t be done, while Ryan was our personal contact.

Apart from them, we’re currently collaborating with a team that handles the design and development phases. One person ensures that we’re all on the same page as far as the flow of the app is concerned. Another teammate is handling the development phase. We haven’t met the whole team, but we’ve met with some members of their other departments.

How did you come to work with TekRevol?

I found them on Clutch. I looked through the platform and checked the companies’ websites individually. TekRevol seemed to be the best fit because they were based in Houston; it was easier for us to meet in person at any point. Moreover, we saw the experience they had, which they showed on their website. Everything else seemed to line up with what we were looking for, including the products they created, current customers, and experiences. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve paid about $30,000 for the discovery and design stages. For the whole process, the total price will be about $75,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

TekRevol gave me a quote around March 2021, and it took a couple of weeks for me to discuss it with my business partner. By the start of April 2021, we kicked off the project. The engagement is ongoing.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Everyone that has seen the app has been interested in it; they love what they’re seeing. Moreover, the flow is exactly what we picture and envision. In other words, everything is going in the right direction, and our team’s pleased with TekRevol’s progress. 

This is our first time doing a project like this, and My Driver’s is new to technology. As such, this is a learning process for our team, and TekRevol has been truly understanding of our situation. They implement features as we go, including those that aren’t initially mentioned during the discovery and design phase.

How did TekRevol perform from a project management standpoint?

TekRevol’s project management is great. We’ve been communicating with each other on a daily basis. They tell me if we’re on track or if they have questions on anything that’s not clear to them. Moreover, the engagement process has been straightforward and easy. Apart from this project, I also have another job, so it’s sometimes tough to meet up with them. Luckily, it’s easy to deal with them, and they find ways to work around my schedule. 

In terms of deadlines, we’re not rushing the team; we want everything to be up and running soon, but we also want them to do it right however long it takes. We’re in the learning stages, and as we build and implement new things, the project is going to slow down. However, that’s ok as long as everything is done correctly. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

TekRevol is understanding, and they listen to our needs. That’s the most important thing for us. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any. They listen to everything we have to say and meet our needs; they’ve done an outstanding job. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the account manager at WPPals, a WordPress website maintenance company. We handle security clearances, website maintenance packages, development, design, and more.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TekRevol?

We were a small startup, so we needed help with IT issues.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, TekRevol helped us with cloud migration. They handled the cloud on AWS and Azure. We were having difficulties putting a lot of things in place, and they managed the subscription and third-party integration for us.

Since then, our engagement with them has grown a lot. Their team handles development, design, and cloud spaces. We’re also in talks about developing an application. It’s a client project, but we’re acting as an intermediary.

What is the team composition?

We know people from their development and design sides, and we have two main points of contact. One is in the business development and customer service department. The other is the head of project management. They both step in when we have any issues to discuss.

How did you come to work with TekRevol?

A mutual friend was working in the project management department at TekRevol, and we had a couple of IT issues. We set up a call with their CMO and account manager. They were very kind to listen to our query, even if it was minimal at that time. TekRevol was willing to know our issues better, although they were primarily involved in app development.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $25,000–$35,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2020, and our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our downtime is about three hours per year.

How did TekRevol perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management people are incredible. They’re always on their toes. There have been bumps, but they’ve been super cool with everything. They reply to our messages, and the team has been kind enough to walk us through any issue or question we’ve had. We don’t have a rigid relationship with TekRevol. They’re super fluid and flexible.

We use Asana and emails. We also have weekly or fortnightly calls with them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They take on smaller projects with the same passion as more extensive projects.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They have a lot of potential on the cloud deployment and IT services side, but they aren’t invested in that because they work primarily in app development. Nonetheless, they’re great at this, and they could improve on this front.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re looking for a friendly relationship that feels like an extension of your own team, go with TekRevol. You’ll have an excellent relationship with their team. They’re really open to communication.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Vici Sneakers, a marketplace for sneakers similar to eBay. We have an app and website where users can buy and sell new or used sneakers. They send the shoes to us for authentication, and then we send it to the seller once the pair is authenticated and verified.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TekRevol?

I had the idea to start our app, but I had no idea how to do it. As a result, I needed someone to build it for me; I hired TekRevol to develop our app and website. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I had a business plan that outlined everything that I wanted to include in the scope of the project. Then, we got into details; I sent TekRevol a list of everything I needed, and they sent me an in-depth description of how they were going to accomplish what I wanted. We kept going back and forth until the scope was fully written out. Ultimately, TekRevol developed my app and website. The team also did some graphic designs for me, although those weren’t part of the original scope of the project. I’d also asked them to create Instagram posts, sticker designs, logos, and everything else. Apart from the app itself, they’ve also built an admin panel from which I can run the app. 

So far, I haven’t launched the app. Meanwhile, everything else is pretty much complete, and we’re planning to launch in October 2021 if everything goes according to plan. Initially, the app will be available on iOS only. We’re not going to develop for Android in the app’s first iteration because 90% of our target users are on iOS. On top of that, the website is already available for Android users. I also want to save some money, so we’re going for iOS first. When everything is up and running, then we’ll integrate the app into Android. 

Moreover, other than buying and selling sneakers, the app will also have raffles available to help us with marketing and keep things interesting. Hopefully, we can do the raffles monthly as we give away high-end and expensive sneakers. Further, I’m going to have a different form of commission from other marketplaces. Usually, marketplaces charge a percentage of the sale from the seller. By contrast, I will be charging a flat fee depending on the price range of the sneakers. Simply put, I’m helping sellers save more money because my commission is cheaper than other marketplaces. 

What is the team composition?

I mainly work with Ryan (Partner), who is based here in Houston. Meanwhile, my main points of contact overseas include Estes (Senior Project Manager & Business Development Head) and Zohaib (Technical Project Manager). I’ve also spoken to Asim (Founding Partner & CTO) before signing up with TekRevol. I’ve also had one-time meetings with their graphic designers and marketing specialists. 

How did you come to work with TekRevol?

I found freelance developers online, but I knew this project was a complex one so I needed a bigger team. Given that, I searched for app development companies. I also wanted a team based in Houston so I could communicate with them better. During my search, TekRevol was the only one that seemed legitimate, and I used Clutch to verify that. 

They were the highest-rated company in Houston on Clutch, and their website was highly professional. Being able to talk to Ryan also helped a lot. On top of that, I knew that development firms typically used outsourced developers overseas. By contrast, TekRevol didn’t simply outsource to random developers. The team had their own office and employees, and that helped me feel more comfortable working with them. Overall, their professionalism and legitimacy helped a lot in my decision to hire them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent approximately $80,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2020, and the engagement is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app looks truly professional. I’ve been scared and felt a lot of anxiety, especially in the beginning. However, after receiving the first iteration of the app, I’ve realized that TekRevol knows what they’re doing. My doubts and anxiety have eased up since I’ve seen how professional and good-looking the app is. Likewise, the admin panel they've created has made it easy for me to use the app even though I don’t know much about coding.

Further, I haven’t been able to do real-world testing yet, but I haven’t run into any problems through my personal tests, either. Similarly, the TekRevol team has done extensive testing on the app to ensure that it can run with hundreds of thousands of users. If they’ve found bugs, they’ve probably fixed them because the app seems to be working well based on my own tests. 

In terms of quantitative metrics, I expect to have a slow start. The market is quite big and has small competition; only two other brands do what I do. However, those brands have highly loyal customers, and people will be skeptical about any new app that pops up. As such, I need to build a good name and reputation for myself.

Overall, the team has gone above and beyond by offering multiple additional services, such as marketing assistance and advertisements. Apart from that, they’ve also been good at meeting deadlines. We’ve aimed to finish the project in around 6–8 months, but it’s taken more time to finish because of me —  every time they show me a prototype, I come up with new ideas and ask them to change things. 

How did TekRevol perform from a project management standpoint?

TekRevol’s project management is great. Every time I need something, I can shoot them text messages or give them a phone call; they usually respond within five minutes. The timing also works out well since they’re overseas. If we have an issue with the app, I can call them and they can resolve it within a week. 

Meanwhile, I’ve had to take a step back from the project due to some issues. I couldn’t be with the team full-time during the development, so we’ve had to take a break from it. Throughout that, the TekRevol team has been truly understanding; they’ve never been pushy in terms of continuing the project or paying the invoices. 

Moreover, their communication is great. Ryan is here and always available, while the development happens in Pakistan. I have weekly meetings with Estes and Zohaib every Thursday, where they update me on their situation and I do the same on mine. In terms of tools, the team uses Asana to update us about any changes in the app or any milestones they’ve completed. If we haven’t talked about a milestone yet, they’ll put it on Asana and update the entire team about it. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

TekRevol’s professionalism stands out. It’s scary working with people I can’t see or meet, but the fact that TekRevol has someone local that I can meet has been helpful. On top of that, they’ve also used FaceTime to walk me around their office and introduce me to their developers. Overall, simply knowing that TekRevol is a legitimate company and I’m not being scammed has been impressive. Clutch reviews have also helped because TekRevol has verified and sponsored reviews on the platform. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

In the beginning, we had plenty of back-and-forth conversations while writing out the scope of the project, and it took a week or two to finish it. That being said, this was probably on both of us; they gave me the scope but I changed my mind a lot. They rewrote it, and then I changed my mind again. Other than that, our communication was good. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be friendly with the TekRevol team, and don’t treat them like employees or random people. I’ve come close to being friends with the people I’ve been working with on their team, and that helps a lot in our communication. Overall, communication is key; if you’re creating a business, you might have to put your entire life into it. As a result, you shouldn’t be on bad terms with the people who are helping you do it. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of a social media music app called Soundly, and we aim to help artists to promote their music by letting them upload their work. Our platform is similar to Spotify and SoundCloud. We want to offer an easy way for non-musicians to find new artists and music on social media. On top of that, our end users will be able to like, comment, and share the music they like on their social media platforms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TekRevol?

We hired TekRevol to build our app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

TekRevol is fully in charge of developing the front- and backend of our mobile app. We want our platform to have a donation feature so that people can directly donate to artists on their profile through linking their cards or using their PayPal account. They’ve also suggested that we could spearhead livestream events and have artists perform their concerts while receiving donations from people — similar to TikTok.

The team is in charge of designing our platform, too. Even before they started coding, they’ve shown us how our platform’s going to look like. We’ve given them mockups we’ve created, and they took it upon themselves to improve our design.

They’re now focused on building our iOS app using Swift for the frontend and AWS and machine learning (ML) algorithms for the backend. In fact, they’ve also conducted a workshop on how we’re going to monetize it in the future. We’ve just finished the alpha phase, and we’re planning to launch our iOS app in mid-December.

What is the team composition?

We’re working with nine people, including people in charge of managing the project. We also collaborate with designers and and front- and backend developers.

How did you come to work with TekRevol?

We researched local development teams online that were highly reviewed by their customers. We were also located near TekRevol and that was the main reason why we went with them.

How much have you invested with them?

The total cost of the project is around $43,000. We pay them approximately $9,000 for every sprint they do. Since we’ve done two sprints, we’ve paid them $17,000–$18,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership began in June 2021, and we continue to work together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve tested the features they’ve developed during the alpha phase, and we haven’t encountered any bugs on our platform. I’ve been pleasantly surprised that everything has worked well because I’ve worked with different service providers where the first build would always have errors or glitches.

In addition, I’ve shown TekRevol’s work to family members and on social media, and they’ve been really impressed with our app. We’ve worked with other development teams before, but TekRevol’s work has really nailed what we’re looking for in terms of design, details, and features of our platform. We like that they think things through and just don’t depend on what we want. Instead, they suggest helpful solutions that could match what we’re looking to create. Overall, everything has been perfect.

How did TekRevol perform from a project management standpoint?

I mainly talk to two people from their team, and we use WhatsApp, texts, and phone calls to communicate. We also have weekly Zoom calls, and we talk to their team members through Asana. They’ve also adhered to our budget, and they've submitted our alpha build a week ahead of schedule.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We appreciate how much they care about our project; they act as if they own the project and they think of the best way to improve the features, UI/UX, and other aspects of our app. The amount of detail that they put in their work has also been impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t know what areas they could improve. We communicate a lot, and the partnership has been exactly what we’ve envisioned it to be. On top of that, they offer affordable services.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have an idea of what you want to do. Once you’re ready, book an interview with TekRevol so that you can see and feel how connected you are to the project and how much they care about you. To them, you’re not just a number — you’re not just another client — you’re someone they want to work with. Give them a shot because they’ll blow you away with their knowledge and suggestions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of an e-learning course provider called Ignite Education. Our goal is to provide free courses to the users and monetize through ad revenue.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TekRevol?

We needed help with the development of an Android and iOS app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

TekRevol is helping us with mobile app development. I came to them with a basic lo-fi wireframe I created, and they took that and designed the whole concept together, along with the graphics. We’re finishing the alpha phase and going through the backend and AWS tasks to move into the testing step.

What is the team composition?

I’ve been working with Jack (Manager), Ryan (Regional Partner), Asim (Founding Partner), Estes (Senior Project Manager), and Ahsun (Project Manager), who is my main point of contact.

How did you come to work with TekRevol?

I was looking for different developers who could help me with my project. TekRevol’s team reached out to me, went to their site, and they stood out from the other potential providers that were inquiring about my business. I decided to push things further with them, and it’s been a great experience with no complaints since then.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $40,000 with them so far, but the project’s total cost will be about $66,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2021, and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

TekRevol’s team is always on top of things to ensure that we’re all on the same page. Their professionalism in including me at every step of the process is something that I appreciate because I can provide my feedback — it’s a transparent process.

How did TekRevol perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great; it seems like they’re always ahead of me in the general aspects of my business, so I have to catch up myself! In terms of tools and communication, we use Asana, Zoom, phone calls, and Google Calendar updates for meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re professional with everything, including meetings, communication, checking-in to ensure that everything’s ready throughout the project, and updates — the overall processes are always accurate.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s anything they can improve on.

Any advice for potential customers?

Be open to communication to discuss the work and figure out the best solution for each thing — be hands-on with your project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of Engagement Through Education.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TekRevol?

There was a gap in the market when it came to communicating with our members, especially since education was needed for every industry. People would always want to learn more. However, the way we taught them was antiquated, so we needed to update what we were doing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

TekRevol is building and designing our iOS and Android app. We have no experience in the technology field — we’ve only shared our vision with them. We want our app to function like Tiktok, Instagram, and Facebook.

Our main concept is to feature content in the form of two-minute segments or less so that our end-users don’t have to sit for 30 minutes trying to digest content in one go. In addition, we’ve asked TekRevol to create another category called team members, which allows organizations with multi-layers of teams to communicate to a specific group of people. Our platform also has a feature where people can ask questions, leave their comments, and ask for the things they want to learn. 

In the near future, we’re going to launch a free version of our app. We’re now in the final beta phase, and we’re trying to solve the iOS video problem we’ve been facing. Though the team has implemented updates to our platform, the problem hasn't been fully resolved yet.

What is the team composition?

Ryan (Partner) was involved with us at the beginning of the project, but we currently have five people who serve as our core team. On top of that, other people from their company support us in different stages of our engagement.

How did you come to work with TekRevol?

We posted what we were looking for and many service providers responded to us. We wanted to partner with a company that could fulfill our vision into a finished product. In the end, TekRevol said that they’d be with us the whole time and they were going to help us complete the project. They also had really good feedback from companies they worked with. Above all, they were easy to get a hold of, and they had a great presentation.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent close to $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing collaboration began in April 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When I showed the results of the alpha phase to stakeholders, they’ve been blown away and they love what TekRevol has done to our app. They said that our app looks really professional. In fact, Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) has reached out to us and they want to interview us to know if they want to feature the advancements that we’ve been doing on their show. Even though we haven’t launched yet, the people’s reactions are a positive metric to what we’ve been doing. 

How did TekRevol perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate through Asana. We also keep in touch through phone calls twice a week to see their overall progress.

What did you find most impressive about them?

TekRevol is good at solving our issues, and they have a team with different skills that have been able to fulfill what we’ve envisioned. They also ensure that they keep us up to date with the information we need. Overall, everything has been flowing pretty smoothly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s so much background noise when we call them so it’s hard to hear them sometimes. It could stand in the way when we’re trying to focus on what we’re doing.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clear communication and constant contact are keys to a successful engagement. Our frequent communication has made the biggest impact on our project because it’s allowed us to learn and see their progress. Overall, the more you communicate, the better your end product will be.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Front Porch Media, a real estate photography company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TekRevol?

I hired TekRevol to build an app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

TekRevol is developing my mobile app for iOS and Android. It’s essentially a checklist app for photographers and videographers to use when preparing for photoshoots, preventing them from forgetting anything. It also has other features, such as a learning center where users can train for their craft. 

To develop this app, TekRevol has used Adobe XD, where they share the wireframes they’ve created. At present, we’re on the second stage of the project, where we’ll build the actual app to test it. 

What is the team composition?

I initially talked to Oliver (Customer Success Manager), who sold the engagement to me and had me come on board. I spoke with him first before he introduced me to the rest of the team.  

At present, my main point of contact is Estes (Senior Project Manager & Business Development Manager). I work with two other people during our meetings, but I mainly talk to Estes. 

How did you come to work with TekRevol?

I had an idea for an app for photographers and videographers. Then, I used Google to find someone who could develop such an app for me. TekRevol was one of the first results, so I called them. 

I chose them because of their competitive price; other companies were going to charge me twice as much as TekRevol. Apart from that, the team was on the ball with everything. For one, Oliver knew the answers to my questions. In fact, I didn’t actually have to ask any questions; he simply told me exactly what we’d do every step of the way. Ultimately, their price and their ability to provide answers made me confident that they could do the job within our target timeframe. 

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $4,200 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started talking in February 2021 and went through the first stage of development in March 2021. The engagement is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

TekRevol is impressive. For instance, I’ve already created a wireframe based on my vision of the app. They’ve asked me if they could recreate both the logo and the wireframe just to see if their version would be better. In the end, I’ve used both their logo and wireframe. I’m happy with my version, but theirs is just a lot better. 

Many other companies charge extra for that kind of service. By contrast, TekRevol just goes ahead and does things for me, so I’m truly impressed with them. Overall, they’ve kept all the deadlines they’ve had, and it’s been nice and easy working with them. 

How did TekRevol perform from a project management standpoint?

TekRevol’s project management has been great. They use Asana, and we always have a weekly meeting every Wednesday. Even if nothing new happens, they’ll still get on a call with me to provide updates. After every meeting, they send notes from the discussion, including notes on what they’ve completed and what they’re currently working on — they’re truly on the ball with such things. 

In terms of timelines, their initial estimate was three months, but the project has been delayed because of me. My work has slowed down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I haven’t had the money to pay them. Luckily, they’ve allowed me to hold it as long as I need and to pay them back whenever I have the money. I’ve also asked them if I’d be penalized, and they’ve said no, and that’s a good thing. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their most impressive quality is their design skills. The TekRevol team truly knows what colors and texts go well together. Overall, their design team is excellent. I’m glad that I’ve met them because they go above and beyond what I want for my app, and that’s exciting for me. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open to the choices that TekRevol gives you. Listen to them; if they suggest something, let them do it. They’ve proven that they know what they’re talking about, so let them go their way with it. It will turn out great. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of a management company that is trying to bring to market a social affinity app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TekRevol?

I hired TekRevol to help me develop my MVP. I had an idea for this project, where I wanted to make use of the underused real estate places in downtown urban cores. Due to the pandemic, some companies that were leasing working spaces couldn’t go back to them, so I wanted to create an app where third parties could rent and utilize those spaces for parties and social gatherings.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

TekRevol is creating my MVP so that I can take it to investors. Initially, I presented my pitch and shared my vision for the idea. Then, we had a brainstorming session, where they helped me narrow down exactly what I wanted to build.

I also provided them with a very elementary wireframe and my pitch deck, which included the research that I had done to support my idea. This research also included a schedule of proposed events that my app could host.

Afterward, they defined the scope of work internally and set up an Excel spreadsheet to manage the project. From there, we started meeting regularly to work through the development phase.

Currently, TekRevol is developing the app mainly for iOS and secondly for Android. However, the development process is on pause, largely because I fund the project. I don’t have business partners yet, so I have to do this on a piecemeal basis.

What is the team composition?

I’ve been mostly in touch with Oliver (Customer Success Manager). He’s my main point of contact, and I talk to him about anything related to the project over email or the phone.

However, I initially talked to Kate (Key Account Manager) and Rachel (Senior Business Analyst & HR Manager). They were the ones who introduced me to TekRevol and what they did.

How did you come to work with TekRevol?

I posted an ad on LinkedIn and started talking to developers. Someone referred me to Clutch, where I found and connected with TekRevol. I had been interviewing developers for about two months, and I noticed that no one else pushed back on my idea. They just agreed on it without providing their input.

However, when I presented my pitch, Rachel asked very difficult questions, some of which I hadn’t thought about. For me, that was a sign that they were willing to help me and not just take my money. They wanted to ensure that, once I had my MVP, I could take it to investors and get the funds necessary to give life to this app.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $3,500 so far. I estimate to invest an additional $9,000 for a total of $12,000 to have a working prototype.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around March 2021, and our engagement is ongoing. However, we’re currently on pause. I don’t feel comfortable putting more money into this project at the moment due to COVID-19. There’s no certainty about when we would be able to host social events again.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don’t have any results yet because the project isn’t complete. However, I can say that TekRevol is very professional and respectful of boundaries, especially since this is a self-funded project until I get investors. They’re also flexible about the payment while I deal with the challenges of being an entrepreneur.

How did TekRevol perform from a project management standpoint?

I would rate TekRevol’s project management with a perfect score. Over the past six months, everyone whom I’ve spoken to has been very responsive and punctual to our meetings. Additionally, they continuously checked in with me throughout the process, and they’ve kept checking in with me once a month during this pause.

TekRevol has an amazing ability to push back on my ideas and challenge my thoughts, which I really appreciate. Kate and Rachel were very instrumental in the brainstorming session, challenging me to think outside of the box and pushing me to think about different perspectives.

We communicate via email and phone calls, and we manage the project using Asana. In Asana, they've shown me examples of other prototypes, and we've also used it to go over the scope of work.

What did you find most impressive about them?

TekRevol is very invested in their clients’ projects, and they always find areas for improvement. I appreciate that they’re a solid partner; they don’t just agree with clients to close deals.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Initially, I met with Kate and Rachel twice. Then, I was introduced to the rest of the team, and finally, I met Oliver. It would have been nice if I met Oliver from the beginning. However, I’m sure that there is a reason why they did it in that order.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open to feedback. If you’re looking for a company that just agrees with what you say, don’t go with TekRevol. They will help you create the best possible product, but they need to push back and challenge you to think outside of the box in order to do that.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a business. We bring scientific training to the general public, similar to the way we train athletes. We try to bring in data collection and the importance of data into our work.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TekRevol?

They did our website. We were trying to communicate the importance of science and data in today’s society. Usually, individual athletes aren’t familiar with the new data pieces that come out and are being used in high-level performance areas — like colleges or medical facilities — which we can now bring to the general population.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

TekRevol worked on the design and development of our website. One of the functionalities was that our clients could go in, sign up, and look on our calendar to book me or my coach based on our availability.

Also, they tied all of our social media aspects and made them easily customizable from our end. As our clients started being successful and making some of their top-tier teams, we were able to change any pictures or items to highlight those individuals and their successes.

What is the team composition?

In getting the website done, I probably spoke to 4–5 people, but I had a main contact that was spearheading the development. Also, every time I had to do something or wanted to get a quote, I talked to somebody on the development or research team.

How did you come to work with TekRevol?

I interviewed a few people. I had former students that had their own companies, but I was able to see some of TekRevol’s previous works. Also, the price point was comparable to anybody else’s, and they were accessible whenever I needed something. They reached out back to me within a day.

How much have you invested with them?

The initial investment for the website was between $5,000–$6,000. We probably spent another $2,000 on some video development, and there are other features that we’ll move forward with along the way.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2019, and the website was finished in April 2020. However, they still assist us with the backend, and we can reach out to them for questions about the server or dashboard.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Sometimes when we used technical terms, customers weren’t sure about what we meant or how we measured and used data collection to improve performance. However, they’re now able to see how our data is collected and what they did, making turnover pretty substantial. Once we got the website up and running, it was in the 3%–4% growth.

How did TekRevol perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great. Even if someone wasn’t available, we called to make sure everything was up to date. Also, every time they finished something, they scheduled a meeting and walked us through what was produced. Throughout the 4–5 months that we worked together, we could look through their work and give feedback.

We generally used Zoom calls and Asana to communicate. In Asana, we had a checklist where I could see in which development stage they were. From that, TekRevol would give me a staging link where I could check how the website was looking and make tweaks along the way.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Communication was outstanding.  It was absolutely five-star. I could reach anyone at any time, and even now, they’re still accessible. They respond to emails and return calls usually within 24 hours.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Just the improvement that they could achieve in their products. Things change every day on an IT platform, and that race is tough to keep up with. Therefore, they could increase the kind of accessibilities and features they offer to clients, but I’m sure they’re also thinking about doing that.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Ask every question possible. They’re willing to answer every question you have, so don’t think that any doubt is too big or too small. TekRevol will walk you through every step of the process. If you want something unique and you’re set on it, they’ll work with you and put you in touch with the right people to build exactly the product you want.