Think Tree Studios

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an electrical design engineer at an audio device company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Think Tree Studios?

My company hired Think Tree Studios to develop a cross-platform mobile app capable of controlling a subwoofer loudspeaker’s functionalities, such as power, volume, crossover, and phase. We also wanted to enable automatic room equalization and equalization through a graphic display.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Think Tree Studios developed iOS and Android apps that were compatible with both phones and tablets. My team provided the embedded firmware, hardware, and specifications, and Think Tree Studios developed the GUI and all of the code from scratch.

What is the team composition?

We worked directly with their main engineer. My team also engaged with coders and team managers.

How did you come to work with Think Tree Studios?

We put out bids online. Think Tree Studios outbid both onshore and offshore vendors.

How much have you invested with them?

My company spent around $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project above spanned August 2018–May 2019. Now, we’re expanding the scope of their work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They completed the work on time. Think Tree Studios was very responsive, and we didn’t have any problems with them.

How did Think Tree Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

Think Tree Studios was a small company, and we got immediate responses to any requests we made. We had a good interface with their management and coders.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their personal service set them apart. They dealt with questions and bug fixes well. It was nice to work directly with their main engineer rather than a larger team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We expected a more consistent flow in terms of finding bugs and fixing them. Sometimes this process took a couple of weeks, and other times just a few days. This didn’t affect the end deadline and wasn’t a long-term problem, but we sometimes felt like a lesser priority to them.   

Any advice for potential customers?

When we worked with Think Tree Studios, we set four milestones throughout the entire code development. For another customer just beginning to work with them, try to have at least a dozen milestones, so that you can have more transparent targets throughout each stage.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the interim supply chain and product manager at a company that sells inflatable solar lanterns. My main responsibilities include overseeing international fulfillment, managing new product development, quality control, and supplier relations among other general operational tasks.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Think Tree Studios?

We hired Think Tree Studios to finish developing a garden light mobile app for our new smart home garden light product. The app would control the lights via Bluetooth.

​​​​​​What were your goals for this project? 

Our main goal was to deliver a software product to our customers alongside our product launch. The app needed to have a suitable UI so that users could issue commands to multiple lights, such as turning them on or off, setting timers, and controlling individual lights at the same time.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

At the time, we were working with a previous development team that was underperforming. The project was a mess, and none of our flows worked. Our co-founder then got in contact with Think Tree, selecting them based on their quoted costs and demonstrated expertise in mobile and Bluetooth development. They were able to immediately deliver a demo-ready update that we used for a marketing event.

Describe the project in detail. 

Think Tree Studios developed our solar garden app for Android and iOS, using our provided assets to build out the functionality. They initially implemented over 20 screens as part of the app’s flow, both of which we provided. We also supplied them with the Bluetooth command structure, which they translated into a mobile product with little oversight.

Their team was responsible for the development and most, if not all, of the technical design. They implemented a set of about 10 commands that allowed users to control our garden light product via their smartphones. In addition, they helped us plan a project proposal for our next major application upgrade, which would give us the ability to work with voice-enabled smart home devices. 

What was the team composition? 

We spoke mostly with a project manager as well as an engineering lead, but there were other developers on the team with whom we didn’t have contact.
 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How did you select this vendor?

Since we’re entering an entirely new market, we’re still in the learning phase in terms of how the app will impact our bottom line (e.g., looking at customer data, product demand). However, we now have a working mobile app that we’re satisfied with. 

So far, the app has about 100–200 downloads on both iOS and Android, which is in line with our Kickstarter backer numbers. Users are satisfied with most of the app’s capabilities, and the look and feel have been well-received. While there were some bugs and crashes reported through the end of testing and early release, we’ve identified and resolved most of them. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs? 

Think Tree Studios used our tracking tools to coordinate the project, including AirTable and Asana. This was useful but also a bit disorganized (partly our fault). They openly migrated to a more Kanban-style tracking approach, which was helpful in categorization and work planning. 

What did you find most impressive about this company? 

I was most impressed by the quality of their development and turnaround time.  

Are there any areas for improvement? 

The communication was the one weak spot in an otherwise great relationship; there could have been more communication from both sides. Having said that, Think Tree Studios was generally open to feedback and has offered insight into future project planning.
 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a healthcare tech startup. We provide a combination of IoT devices and digital health solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Think Tree Studios?

We were looking for a technology partner that was adept at building iOS and Android apps.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After we prepared the documentation, Think Tree Studios designed and developed the app with our team. They helped us set up the backend infrastructure on Amazon Web Services and provided environment management. The app requires Bluetooth connectivity to peripheral medical devices. It also includes a microsocial network, which is important for providing a participative healthcare environment.

What is the team composition?

I primarily interacted with Aric (President, Think Tree Studios). He managed the entire development process.

How did you come to work with Think Tree Studios?

We needed a vendor that had a flexible business model and could scale up or down with our needs. After a process of elimination, we chose Think Tree Studios.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $100,000–$199,999 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March 2016–July 2018. The app is now in the market, and Think Tree Studios continues to provide maintenance and troubleshooting.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They performed well enough that we will engage them in phase two.

How did Think Tree Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

They were responsive, proactive, and flexible. They hit deadlines and were in constant communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were always available. If I sent a text or Slack message to Aric, he’d respond within the hour.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could have helped us stay up-to-date with the app development framework. We are a few releases behind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Do a lot more work upfront on the requirements before you start engaging with a partner. Make sure the specs are laid out well.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a public school teacher in the process of starting an education consulting business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Think Tree Studios?

I produce an early reading phonics curriculum. I needed someone to help me develop a mobile application version of that curriculum.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, we had a couple of in-person meetings where I provided some sketches as to what I would like the app to look like, and what functionalities it needed to have. The phonics program has five levels in English and five levels in Spanish. This app is basically a prototype, so we decided to build only the first two levels, only in English, and only for Android. (Most people in my target community use Android devices because they’re less expensive.)

Once Think Tree understood the general layout of the app, they asked me to create a map of what assets were needed (i.e., video, photo, and audio). Next, the team started building the app, providing me with a preview as each of the sections was built.

The app has simple functionalities but many different pieces; instead of one complex game, it's several simple games. The main challenge in creating the app was integrating several different experiences in a specific sequence.

I regularly provided feedback — especially in areas where I had not been clear enough at the outset — and they made modifications.

What is the team composition?

I primarily worked with Aric [Franzmeier, President, Think Tree Studios]. I don’t know how many developers were on the project.

How did you come to work with Think Tree Studios?

I reached out to several app development firms in the Denver area. I interviewed three or four firms and felt like Think Tree was the most flexible and open-minded. They also offered one of the best prices.

How much have you invested with them?

Their initial estimate was about $15,000, and it came pretty close to that.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work began in January of 2017. The app went live in mid-September, and work ended in October 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app version of the curriculum is even more effective than the video version I was working with before. Much of phonics learning happens at home in the form of homework, so I used to use a DVD that kids would take home. The app version is more interactive and engaging. My program was already showing that children acquire these skills more quickly than with any other curriculum, but with the app, we're getting even faster results. We are receiving better feedback from parents as well.

We launched the app with students around mid-September. A few bugs did come up, but they were mainly due to a low-quality device being used. Some older devices could not handle the load, so the team had to go back to the drawing board and see what efficiencies they could add until it did work for those devices. It's bug free at this point.

My goal is to raise enough funds to hire Think Tree to create all five levels for both languages on iOS and Android platforms.

How did Think Tree Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

Aric was an excellent project manager. We communicated regularly via email, phone, and text. Sometimes we would meet in person. He even came to my school for some meetings, just to make it more convenient for me.

He frequently said that he wanted to be as accommodating and cost-effective as possible for me. He understood that as a teacher, it’s hard to invest a lot of money into an app. He was always amenable to making any necessary changes, which were usually due to my failure to specify things at the outset.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was very pleased with Aric’s patience. I have a lot of instructional expertise, but no technical expertise. He did a great job explaining things to me such as terminology and technological limits. I had to purchase a domain name, for example, and he helped me through the process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I'm very satisfied with the work, so I can't think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Plan your project out in as much detail as possible before sitting down with a developer. That will reduce the amount of back and forth communication, as well as helping the project stay on time and on budget.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Coman Publishing is a niche publisher for college sports such as Notre Dame, Michigan, NC State, Indiana, and University of Virginia. We do magazines and websites. I am the production manager and handle most of the graphic designs on the magazines, digital media, and social media.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Think Tree Studios?

We had an iOS and Android app that broke down. We needed a company that was willing to take the old code and update it to today’s standards.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app was a newsstand for our publications for Notre Dame and Michigan for our readers and subscribers. It was mainly for tablets but also available on phones. We had moved last summer and changed our IP address, and that’s what broke the app. We also took advantage of the opportunity to lower the price and hopefully gain new subscribers that way.

How did you come to work with Think Tree Studios?

I searched in Google for app developers and had seen a review for Think Tree Studios on a website. I reached out to companies that looked like they would fit what we wanted. A lot of local companies here in Durham, North Carolina wanted too much money for something so simple. The reason we chose Think Tree was that they were willing to delve into someone else’s code and not charge excessively for it. They were very responsive.

How much have you invested with Think Tree Studios?

We spent less than $10,000 on the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Think Tree Studios in January 2017, and the project was completed in February 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Just having the app live again has already helped. Think Tree warned me that by lowering the price, it would make our automatic renewals slow down which is what happened. Our number of sales is lower because people have to opt back in. But those that are opting back in are saving money. We aren’t too scared about that because we are getting new subscribers and because this is not our peak season.

How did Think Tree Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated using email.

What did you find most impressive about Think Tree Studios?

Think Tree Studios is very responsive. The reason we needed them was that our first app developer went AWOL. Just the fact that they were willing and responsive was great.

Are there any areas Think Tree Studios could improve?

The Android side of development was outsourced which I don’t have a problem with, but it did slow things down. Think Tree Studios might need to build up their Android in-house capabilities.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Repz for Charity is a mobile application where we encourage users to generate money for charities from our sponsors by doing 15 to 30-second fitness challenges. I am the founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Think Tree Studios?

I originally had hired another company to develop my mobile app. I had a significant amount of bugs. I contracted with Think Tree to troubleshoot and make some improvements in the app. Sometimes it’s harder to go through another developer’s code than it is to create new code from scratch, so it was a challenge for them.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app was on iOS and Android. There were different points in the app where it was literally just shut down while users were using it. They troubleshot the points in that process to find out why the app was shutting down. They helped me with different connection issues to social media because I wanted to have the app connected to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. They helped me with that process. They also helped me to build in external links. Since I do have sponsors that donate to charity, it was important to be able to click within the app and take you to the web to view the sponsor site or anything like that.

How did you come to work with Think Tree Studios?

I posted an RFP [request for proposal] on Upwork. I had a few discussions with them over Skype about the scope of the project. I got the feel that they really understood my project and that’s why I went with them. A lot of people can develop code, but it was important to me that they understood the overall big picture of the project before they started working on the actual app.

How much have you invested with Think Tree Studios?

There was an initial project, and then I did follow up work with them for other updates and maintenance. Overall, we’ve spent under $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

It’s ongoing. We started in November 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

I don’t have any metrics. I’ve gotten feedback on the app because I definitely checked it every time I had updates. Users have definitely seen improvement after Think Tree helped me out.

How did Think Tree Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

Their performance was really good. We defined the scope in the beginning and they were very diligent about getting it clear and then outlining a process goal and setting my expectations for timing. That was a good thing. When I had ad hoc projects, it depended on their workload because I didn’t have them on retainer. But they always kept me abreast of expectation of completion time or when they would have time to work on it.

What did you find most impressive about Think Tree Studios?

I felt like they were highly responsive, which is a good thing. They always kept me up to date. In comparison to other developers that I worked with, I felt like they understood my project. They made an effort to understand my project.

Are there any areas Think Tree Studios could improve?

No. The only thing I had an issue with was understanding establishing the structure. First, it was an hourly rate and then I asked to have a fixed rate for certain things that I needed to be done. But that was kind of on my side in establishing how I wanted the pricing. They were actually very flexible with that. It was a hiccup for me in the beginning because I was on a tight budget so I had to figure it out with them.