wildcard

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the co-founder of an on-demand retail delivery startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with wildcard?

We wanted to build consumer-facing apps for web and mobile, but we did not have enough engineering resources to complete the task successfully.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We worked with wildcard to build an MVP app for web and mobile platforms. During the week-long onboarding process, wildcard evaluated our app concept and mapped out their scope of work in full detail. We were unsure of what we wanted to achieve with the product, so they did not require us to spec out user stories. Extensive UI/UX planning followed the discovery stage. They used our market research to establish user interactions and the database structure. In the development stage, they created the mobile app using .NET Framework and C# language. The backend uses the Microsoft technology stack, while the frontend uses a native version of Xamarin.iOS. C# and Microsoft technology stack were also used to build the web app’s backend, but the frontend features Angular and basic JavaScript. Amazon Web Services was integrated on the database with SQL Server.

What is the team composition?

They assigned two UI/UX designers and three developers to our account. The lead developer was our main point of contact.

How did you come to work with wildcard?

One of their business developers reached out to us several months before the engagement, but we did not need their services at the time. They stayed in touch with us, so we contacted them immediately when the opportunity arose. We evaluated eight other app development agencies, but wildcard’s level of interest stood out to us.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $100,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership began in September 2018. The initial project has wrapped up, but we decided to work with them on an ongoing basis.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were hoping to create a new model of consumption within the retail market, and wildcard played a significant role in meeting our goal. They built an incredible product that helped us legitimize our startup business.

How did wildcard perform from a project management standpoint?

The entire project ran smoothly due to their excellent customer service. They were highly responsive to our needs, and their organization skills were equally impressive. Their team demonstrated their ability to adapt to different work environments and navigate strict deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

wildcard’s dedication to the project matched our own, so the line between their staff and our development team was blurred. They were willing to work with us on through the late night on the weekends, which is rare for most vendors.

Are there any areas they could improve?

wildcard mostly works with startups on their passion projects, so they tend to allow their clients to take the lead on product development. This method was beneficial to us, but they should consider having more control of the upfront organization.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the product manager at Foodie For All. We deliver catering to corporate clients and are based in New York City.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire wildcard?

We started working with them to develop a website from scratch to process orders on a platform and have everything recorded in a database. Prior to working with wildcard, all of our orders were taken over the phone or email, which was not a scalable method of working.

What were your goals for this project?

We basically needed to create a platform that would allow our business to scale effectively and make lives easier for our team and our clients.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They were recommended by friends and we’ve been very satisfied overall. They are an affordable and reliable option.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

wildcard sat down with us to go over a feature list we had put together for them. They built three platforms in total—one for our partners, one for our clients, and one for admins. They started with the backend and then sent us mockups of the frontend design for approval. They were helpful throughout the entire project.

What was the team composition?

Early on, we were working with their president and partner so that they would understand our business and how we could streamline and automate many processes. Once we started development, I worked more closely with the engineer in charge of our project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

About a year after launching our website, we've been able to handle three times the volume of business with the same amount of employees on our team.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

wildcard was very good at being responsive when we needed them, which is extremely important. They were also very quick to accommodate any in-person meetings when requested.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We appreciated their responsiveness, ability to understand our business needs, and flexibility on changing or adding features as we were progressing throughout the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the president of our company, which offers an all-in-one booking and settlement platform for hotel guest services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with wildcard?

We needed a dashboard to work with for our hotel guest services. The challenge was that this product has never been produced before.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

wildcard developed a web platform, including the complete backend and frontend. First, we described our services and what we wanted to achieve. We had to carefully break down the specs, since a product like this that didn't yet exist. The team helped us go through a vast number of ideas for the design. After we solidified the plan, they implemented the build.

Because it's a B2B type of platform, we considered our vendors' and business partners' needs. The simple platform includes a database section where we enter hotel guests’ information. From there, employees can send requests to be processed on our backend. 

Something that stood out to us was their really beautiful approach. There isn't any type of fill on the dashboard; everything is useful. As owners of the company, we wanted to make an aesthetically pleasing product with lots of bells and whistles. They helped us streamline our focus on the functionality. We needed to place the product and make it useful before we went overboard on extra details.

What is the team composition?

Cem Onur focuses on business development. We explained our product, and he connected the business model and utility with the design. Can Ozturk also played a role in that, but focused more on the build, as an actual programmer. Several additional members of the team helped us with the graphic design.

How did you come to work with wildcard?

They were recommended by a friend of ours. We chose them based on comfortability. The team is really nice, professional, and not pushy. They showed us some examples of work they've done before. Based on the quality of their portfolio and their affordable price, we decided to go with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent $60,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2017.The platform has been developed and is currently being beta tested. I'm sure some improvements will be made, but the bulk of the work was completed a month ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our feedback from beta testers about the quality of the platform has been great. There are a few glitches here and there, but nothing has been critical. Buttons always work, but sometimes funny things happen, such as things getting duplicated. They've been able to fix those issues within minutes. As far as usability, our users love it.

From a personal perspective, they are very good people. The team is good to work with, and they're really smart. As far as implementation, they were always on deadline, if not finished before. That was really important for us because we were able to see progress occur. The engagement was a team effort. We felt like they were part of our company, and they always looked out for our best interests.

How did wildcard perform from a project management standpoint?

wildcard performs very well. They were always there when we had questions, and answered our phone calls, texts, and emails right away. The team is very friendly and knowledgeable. We would have long discussions, and they never brushed us off. We received consistent updates, and they kept the project going.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We like that they're not a big firm, so they have a personal ability. When working with a large company, you have to go through levels of support. When we wanted an answer, we could ask the team directly. We felt very taken care of. Based on their resume, what we were trying to achieve felt like a good fit.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Whatever product you’re working on, meet with a developer that also understands business patterns and has experience. Have a nice long discussion about what you're trying to achieve. Go through some sketches and templates to define your needs for the business, rather than just implementing graphic design and color. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a medical clinic that is doing a start-up software web development on the side to help with our practice.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with wildcard?

Mainly, we were having them [wildcard] join to help with the user experience, the coding, and programming for the backend of the site. We had started a site, but we were unsatisfied with it. The progress was slow, and the commitment and passion to the project were no longer there.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

Initially, wildcard was meant to take over from the last team with whom we were unsatisfied. They were to be onboarded onto the project in one specific role, but since that time, they have taken on a much broader scope and have become involved in nearly every aspect of the project. They helped take over the user experience and gave more focus to our vision.

How did you come to work with wildcard?

The UI team that we were working with had worked with wildcard before and recommended them to us. My superiors initially looked at other companies but based on what we had been told about wildcard we decided to go with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started our project with wildcard in late November 2016, and it is still in development.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

Everyone is very satisfied with what wildcard has brought to the project, how it has progressed, and what our future plans are. wildcard has been a huge part of that.

How did wildcard perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication has been great. When deadlines were given, they were met. We never felt they lagged behind as demands increased and expectations changed. In terms of project management, we used JIRA, Basecamp, and InVision.

What distinguishes wildcard from other providers?

wildcard’s level of commitment, conceptualization, and passion have been top notch. We feel they really care about the project.

Is there anything wildcard could have improved or done differently?

Not that I can think of off the top of my head.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of Goalsetter, which is a goal-based savings platform made just for kids and powered by the adults who love them. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with wildcard?

The development of our web application was being done overseas, and we knew the code was really challenged. We were also having problems quickly iterating our product. We were in an accelerator, so we needed a full product rebuild in a short period of time. We needed the front and backend to be architecturally sound so we can establish partnerships with financial institutions and easily integrate with other companies. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

From the onset of the process, we were using a different design firm. We needed to have wildcard involved in the redesign process to ensure that the work done by the design firm could be quickly incorporated into the development work. Once they were involved, it was clear that they weren’t just assessing what was doable; they were also helping us to assess what made sense. They were super-smart in thinking through the structure of various user flows or backend partnerships. They helped us to think through every stage of the design and development. They added a lot to the process before they ever wrote a line of code. We worked with two people from wildcard, and they were really great.

Our site is one that addresses both kids and parents, but it’s also a fintech site. They had to be very aware of the kids and parent space, understand COPPA [Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule] compliance, and develop a product that adhered to those rules. They also had to be very aware of regulations in the financial services space and develop a product that adhered to those rules. For us, it was more about how to take a user through multiple paths and give them a great experience with those regulations in place. They were able to help us think through that. They developed a platform that could integrate very easily with financial services companies.

How did you come to work with wildcard?

We learned about wildcard through our ERA [Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator]. I was nervous about completely moving from our old platform and rebuilding it in a short period of time. I asked the head of ERA to recommend a good shop. The CEO of wildcard had served as the CTO of ERA, so he’s very plugged into the startup ecosystem. He understands startups and their challenges very well. I talked to wildcard and several other potential developers. I thought wildcard was the most thoughtful about business challenges and how to address those with technology. They were also just really great people and easy to work with. They continue to be the easiest and best development team I’ve ever worked with.

How much have you invested with wildcard?

I have spent over $50,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

I first started working with them in February of 2017, and the relationship is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t launched the product yet, so I don’t have specific metrics. I’ve been in the IT industry for many years, and wildcard is literally the best development shop I’ve ever worked with. When I look at their early product iterations that aren’t even done yet, they’re far less buggy, designed to spec, and very fast. The whole process has been free of frustration, which I’ve never experienced before when working with a development team. I know this product is going to be amazing.

How did wildcard perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re fantastic with communication. I was talking to them the other night at 2:00 am. They give me real-time feedback when they run into roadblocks.

What did you find most impressive about wildcard?

They act like part of your founding team. They are completely integrated into my team. I feel like I have a full-time CTO. They think about everything we’re doing and provide feedback throughout the process, from idea to implementation, making the end product better. It’s not a technology hand-off, and that’s all I’ve had in the past.

Are there any areas wildcard could improve?

I can’t think of anything. It’s been a delight to work with them. They are literally the best team I’ve ever worked with. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Thanks to the help of Chad Ozgur [founder] and his team at wildcard, Kinhoop Media, Inc. is on the verge of launching a social media platform geared toward children age 13 and younger and their parents. In addition to the ability of users to manage their online and offline social lives and share content, Kinhoop will allow child-friendly institutions and organizations a coveted social media presence as they target this exciting demographic. I am currently the CEO of Kinhoop Media, Inc. and wear several hats.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with wildcard?

We were in search of an iOS and Android application development firm that could produce a high-quality product on a startup budget. The goal of our partnership is to complete the development of the Kinhoop application and continue to develop additional features after launch. We intend to grow this platform with Chad and his team at wildcard.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Wildcard is fully developing Kinhoop's native iOS application. After launch, wildcard will continue to develop additional iOS app features, develop the Android application, and provide all maintenance of the apps.

How did you come to work with wildcard?

When we set out to find an app development company, we were dead set on working with a team based in New York City. We also needed the company to be startup friendly and understand the special needs of a project that is just on the verge of launching. We needed flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to pivot as necessary. All of this while contributing their industry knowledge and experience in helping guide early decision making. We understood the tremendous value in working with a company based right in our own backyard – versus out-of-state or even out-of-country developers.

We first talked with Chad at wildcard on the phone and were immediately impressed by his thoroughness and the time he dedicated to answering all our questions. We were traveling overseas at the time, and Chad was super accommodating and scheduled calls at a time most convenient for us. Chad reviewed our project in preparation for these initial calls and went through every aspect of the project so he could get a firm understanding and understand our vision. He dedicated all this time and energy before we formally retained his company to develop our application – this blew us away. When we got back to town, we scheduled an in-person meeting with Chad, and what impressed us by phone was multiplied tenfold when we met him face to face. We felt the connection immediately and knew we had found our partner for Kinhoop. We formally retained wildcard's services very soon thereafter.

How much have you invested with wildcard?

We have spent $75,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Phase 1 and launch of the native iOS application is to be completed by the summer of 2017. The partnership will be ongoing from that point on as Chad and wildcard continue to develop additional features for the iOS app, develop the Android version, and provide all maintenance on the app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are making great progress on the development of the native iOS application. The screens developed thus far match our design perfectly, and we feel so encouraged for the development of the remaining screens.

How did wildcard perform from a project management standpoint?

Our project is running according to the timeline and goals we established as a team.

What did you find most impressive about wildcard?

The personal attention, dedication, responsiveness, and flexibility of Chad and his team at wildcard are second to none. I truly value Chad's creativity and the unique lens through which he sees the world – and our project. We began our project with another team initially and had a very disappointing and exhausting experience. To say that our experience with Chad is like a breath of fresh air is a real understatement. I can't express the power and motivation that one feels when they find the right partner for a project.

Are there any areas wildcard could improve?

I do not have any constructive criticism for Chad and the team at wildcard except that I think Chad works too much and too hard most of the time and deserves to take a break for himself. Chad absolutely loves what he does and doesn't see his 18-hour work day as "work." Instead, he sees it as living his passion. He truly loves what he does, and that is inspiring.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am working for Grand Central Tech, but this is a personal project of mine that I gathered some money for and wanted to have built. I am the founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WildCard?

They built a web-based database application for me.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They did all the specs and projections for me. I described to them what I wanted them to do. I wanted someone who actually had the technical expertise to do it. They gathered all the information on the backend. I can't really tell how they did it. They would have a better ability to explain it.

How did you come to work with WildCard?

I went through a bunch of providers. I was looking among friends and online. The friendly connection clicked. It's not easy to find someone.

How much have you invested with WildCard?

It was between $10,000 and $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

It's completed. It took about 3 months to complete it. We finished a month ago – like mid-September [2016]. We started in late June or early July.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The most prominent thing for me was the responsiveness, which I've not seen with other providers that I've worked with before. They were super responsive and quick to iterate. I liked being able to consult a person who's not overly technical. Generally, I thought that the quality of the work was great. The cost-to-quality ratio was great.

How did WildCard perform from a project management standpoint?

They did great. That's the part where iterating on feedback was so important for me. They were great on keeping track and reporting and giving me updates. I didn't feel like I was out of the loop.

What did you find most impressive about WildCard?

To me, when you don't know what is being built because you're not technical, just being able to get updates and being able to get an explanation of what they do from someone on a regular basis is crucial. I also like being on schedule – among other things – and being on budget and exact and precise without being vague about what you're doing. I never felt like things were vague for me at any point in time, which I think it critical for someone who's not a developer.

Are there any areas WildCard could improve?

No – not really. I'm not in a position to criticize. I was very happy with the quality of work that was being done.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are an email marketing service provider. We are a software-as-a-service company. We compete with big players like MailChimp or ConstantContact. We are internationally serving right now. We’re serving around 40 countries and that number is increasing. We have software interfaces in several languages and we’re adding new languages. We have users from Brazil to Ukraine, and of course in the US. We are small compared to those places, but we are pretty strong.

I am the CEO [chief executive officer].

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Wildcard?

At that time, we were using one big server that did co-hosting on a data center. That was slowing us in terms of growth because the system wasn’t scalable in case we had increased traffic or an increased number of customers. There was no easy way to scale the system, and Wildcard was very focused on cloud infrastructure. They were partners of Amazon Web Services. They were doing integrations with their system, so they helped us move our dedicated system to a cloud system. They transformed our infrastructure and they were responsible for the call dates and the code restructuring as well.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They kind of acted like our CTO [chief technology officer]. They did everything a CTO would do in a company. They came up with a better infrastructure for our company. They held our hand during the entire transformation, and they made us a cloud company.

How did you come to work with Wildcard?

We tried working with offshore companies a lot. With Ukrainian companies, our experience was good but the time difference was a big slowing-down item on our work progress. So we were trying to find some company in the US to help us. That was the main reason we chose to work with them. It was a good call because they fixed a lot of the mistakes that we had done with the other two software vendors that we worked with. Them being a New York company helped us a lot in terms of communication. We were having daily meetings with them and we were speaking the same language and had the same culture, so it was a really good fit.

How much have you invested with Wildcard?

Probably more than $100,000, but that’s spread over eight years. They’ve done small and big jobs for us. They do consultancy as well. They have a team of very diverse professionals, so we got a lot of services from them, from coding to consultancy.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together on our current project since the end of last year. It’s an ongoing agreement. Not every month is the same load of work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

First of all, we were wasting a lot of resources - time and money on offshore companies. Wildcard solved that problem. The money we are spending on them is actually the money we are saving. They are also really closely following the technology and wherever the technology is going. Instead of us following what’s going on in the tech world and trying to catch up a year later or two, they are thinking ahead of us and helping us move in the right direction. We are a more high-tech company with them than on our own.

What did you find most impressive about Wildcard?

The president of their company, Chad, was personally involved in our project. He was also attending most of the meetings and he was helping us out, and helping me personally, in making technical decisions in the company. Partner companies being accessible that easily is a big plus. It speeds things up a lot. He’s a hands-on CEO.

Are there any areas Wildcard could improve?

I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of a social networking and media app for moms raising children with special needs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire wildcard?

We hired wildcard to work on the UX/UI for our app.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a user-friendly, beautifully-designed networking app for moms.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our team met with wildcard and appreciated their skills and ideas. We were also impressed with their collaborative method of app building.

Describe the project in detail.

wildcard built our social networking app from start to finish.

What was the team composition?

We work with three of their team members.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

wildcard is amazing all-around. They’re communicative and on top of everything. It’s a pleasure to work with wildcard.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow between our two teams is excellent. We talk all the time and work through any issues.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

wildcard has a team of professional and personable designers. Their team listens and pushes us in ways we never even expected.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, there are none that I can think of.