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BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a co-founder of a cloud-based fitness management software.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Kustard?

We were looking for a company to help us from the ideation stage and build the prototype, and in the end, create a product for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

While working on the ideation of the product, they met with the stakeholders to understand the requirements. We told them that we wouldn’t get too involved in the technical specifications, but would be strict on the features of the product, including the UX/UI. The initial prototype finished in March or April of this year, and they’re now moving onto the product development.

What is the team composition?

There’s a project manager, one UX designer, and one UI designer.

How did you come to work with Kustard?

We needed a company that could understand our requirements and would design the products from a UX perspective. They needed to be skilled in both product design and technology equally. Our team searched for 10-12 companies on Google. After a few weeks, we were comfortable enough with Kustard to choose them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with Kustard began in January 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Kustard met our expectations. We’ve received feedback on the initial prototype from prospective clients. They’re skilled in their field and can determine what the user wants and designs the product accordingly. Their team came up with the idea of building a prototype that we could take to the clients, and then make the product from there.

How did Kustard perform from a project management standpoint?

We’re happy with project management. We worked in short sprints and had two standup meetings a week. They give us access to their Basecamp.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Kustard concentrates on the user experience. They focus more on the process rather than getting into the systems and coding right away. The method they follow emphases more on how the users will be using the product rather than building the features.

Are there any areas they could improve?

While I understand quality work takes time, they could speed up their process a little bit. Kustard could also be more open about marketing themselves. After working with them, we’ve seen that they’re much better than we thought they would be when we first started with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The way they work is a little different from conventional service companies out there. Make sure they understand the process before they start their work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the founder and CEO of a P2P, objective-based social network. We recently launched our alpha version in stealth mode.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Kustard?

We hired Kustard to build wireframes based on our vision and brand identity, leveraging their understanding of mobile UX best practices. We also needed help with Android application development, frontend and server-side setup, and full-stack infrastructure development.

What were your goals for this project?

This product was unique and unproven, so we needed Kustard's brightests minds to engineer an innovative solution. We wanted a fully functional MVP that we could use to test our concept with consumers.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our vetting process spanned two years. We canvassed multiple developers and evaluated hiring in-house resources. A trusted resource at my former employer shared our RFP with Kustard. After multiple meetings, we realized that their collaborative approach, development record, and reputation met our requirements.

Describe the project in detail.

The project and scope were highly collaborative and user-centric. We had multiple brainstorming sessions and iterations of use cases, design, onboarding flow, and wireframes. Dedicating considerable time to pre-development paved a smooth path to development.

We clarified our development requirements well, but followed a truly agile approach by adjusting our development plan according to fresh insights and initial user feedback. We followed the "Measure twice, cut once" adage to the best of our abilities. 

What was the team composition?

Kustard's team included one business and one technical lead. Two team members managed design, wireframing, and frontend and full-stack development. We brought in additional resources for brainstorming and consultation.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our alpha version received a positive response, and most users completed the onboarding process without dropping out. We're confidently shifting our focus to growing our user base, receiving additional feedback, and developing a more robust beta version with Kustard's help.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The process was highly collaborative. We held recurring meetings, shared documentation, compiled task lists, and created message threads.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I appreciated their bright minds. They loved tackling difficult engineering challenges and were keen to take ownership of the outcome.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Like most development projects without precedent, estimating timelines was difficult and one small advice is to add in buffers in the plan.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the associate VP of a sports management company. We hold four major running events. I handle the business development, innovation, marketing, and client services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Kustard?

We needed to collaborate with a tech firm to find more innovative ways to communicate with the runners. Otherwise, the running event is boring. We needed to find ways and means to reach the running community in a wider manner. We needed a partner who could help us have more meaningful conversations with the running community.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They analyzed the data from our marathon runners to create a score card, a score sheet, and a wall of fame for each runner. We have a massive database from events over the past 15 years. We analyzed the statistical data of the runners such as history records, performance, running pace, running speed, prediction time, finishing time over the last 4–5 years, etc.

Kustard layered and delayered the data, doing brilliant analytics and giving the runners what they wished to see on a database. Our runners are amateurs. We have detailed analysis of every aspect of the runner who has participated in our event for the past 15 years. We did a detailed analysis for each runner and made a history sheet and future predictions of an estimated finishing time for the upcoming run. It became a score card of the runners’ past records.

They were responsible for an end-to-end product conceptualization, design, development, and on-site support. The runner wall of fame is the product. They took the brief from our side and made the product. They made the changes we required.

There are four events and the data is different for each of them. They modified the data for 10K runners and for full marathon runners. It’s a very personalized statement from a promoter to get knowledge and information about different statistics.

They’re involved in our events. We have a 3–4 day expo where runners come and collect their bibs. Kustard is present to get understanding and feedback from runners, interviewing them, having long interactions with the runners about what they’d like to see on their score card when it’s on the screen.

What is the team composition?

I communicated with the founders. I was not in touch with the development team directly.

How did you come to work with Kustard?

Our brand consultant suggested Kustard. We gave them a test case scenario to give us a sense of what they could do. They did very well and we gave the project to them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2017 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They were very reactive to making changes and making the data appealing to the runner. They succeeded in developing our concept and creating a brilliant end product. They were innovative and played a major role.

How did Kustard perform from a project management standpoint?

We had detailed meetings with their founders. They debriefed the developers and came back with the final products. They made whatever changes we required. The turnaround time has always been less than estimated. Even though it’s a tough process, it was easy with them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m impressed by their approach and their hunger for success, for more products, and to deliver on time. Their presentation is classy and their design is minimalistic but appealing. They’re very straightforward. They’re a happy partner and that makes our life and work easier.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Understanding the market and the end customer will make product development more effective. They should check in with the end customer who will benefit from the service or product.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I lead the Facebook Developer Circles Mumbai and am the CEO of RiiDL. Our community-building events, labs, and startup incubator facilitate innovation, research, and startups on campus. We’re funded by the Indian government’s departments of science and technology and biotechnology.

Innovators from across the world travel to our “Maker Mela” gathering, the largest of its kind in Asia. During three-day sessions, entrepreneurs can showcase their innovations and meet industry leaders and potential investors. Minimal viable product (MVP)-building lab workshops offer peer-to-peer learning. The resulting products are pushed to our startup incubator. These office spaces include resources like subject-matter experts in the social, mobile, analytics, and cloud (SMAC) verticals. This facility has helped launch companies from the embedded electronics, biotech, healthcare, and agriculture tech domains.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Kustard?

Our high-volume event features over 100 maker stalls. In collaboration with Facebook, we used Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) modules to monitor the event attendees. We needed more insight on the interest level and modes of interaction around respective offerings.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Kustard managed the end-to-end project from design to execution. Their entire team provided comprehensive support. They’ve only developed a mobile app for Android so far since we needed to test it immediately. The team proposed gamifying the entire event through our platform. After visiting each stall, attendees are given a token. The “winner” who collects the most receives an award.

They offered customer service for over 55,000 guests and conducted live interviews to solicit feedback. The information breakdown detailed types of innovators in attendance and the amount of time each group allotted to each attraction. Data analytics shed insight on which topics specific user demographics found the most engaging.

What is the team composition?

Our initial meeting was with Javed (Cofounder, Kustard). We appreciated not having to oversee which resources were assigned to our team.

How did you come to work with Kustard?

One of our friends recommended working with them. Kustard responded to our problem statement with a brilliant solution within just one week. After assessing their previous work and proposal, we began our engagement.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our collaboration started in November 2016, 45 days before our January 11th-13th event in 2017. Kustard delivered the final app on the 30th day of our engagement. Since Maker Mela occurs annually, we’ll most likely have new requirements for them to complete next year. We hope to build an iOS version of our app in 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team’s output helped us define our entire project. Working promptly and diligently, they delivered the app 10 days before the deadline within just 30 days. I never expected any of the vendors we considered to finish our project as quickly as Kustard did. Aside from the execution, their critical support lay in deployment and soliciting feedback. The app achieved its main function, which was user research. Now, we better understand how our guests spend their time between different stalls. From their brilliant gamification idea to app execution, Kustard made our signature event a fantastic experience.

How did Kustard perform from a project management standpoint?

Kustard worked seamlessly with both our team and the Facebook developer community. We all collaborated through tools like Slack and Trello. The cofounder liaised with every relevant party as needed. Having one point person made it easy to coordinate. He broke down and executed all the data we provided on a case-by-case basis. He and his team managed every aspect of our project. They worked quickly within a tight 45-day timeline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciated how thoroughly they understood our requirements, which involved numerous parameters. They deftly managed demanding variables like BLA hardware and coordinating with three stakeholders. Accomplishing all this work within the span of one month was an impressive feat.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Having more international clients and resources in different time zones would serve them well. It’s important to get exposure to newer areas in the long run. I believe that Kustard has been working on AI and blockchain technologies. They should mention this in their profile. As a cutting-edge knowledge base, it would increase their market value. They’re doing a great job at the moment and should portray the entire range of their team’s expertise.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a product manager of HoldingWilley, a subdivision of Cartwheel Creative.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Kustard?

We were facing some issues creating a cricket app with our tech team. We didn't have the technical expertise to create the app and hired Kustard to help us build the app from scratch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Kustard developed our app, HW Cricket, for Android and iOS. As the product manager, I gave Kustard our concept in terms of how to design the app, and what features it should have. Kustard conducted brainstorming sessions to discuss the scope of work. Once the scope was decided, they developed wireframes and prototypes and we selected the ones we liked. Then, their team handled the technical implementations and created the app. They worked with us through overall development timeline for 2–3 months.

They then continued to configure any bugs or technical issues that came up in-between.

What is the team composition?

They provided us a team of coders.

How did you come to work with Kustard?

They are a young and enthusiastic team. They were proactive in terms of bringing ideas. Understanding our requirements of what they had to build, their team was upbeat on starting on the project.  

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in February 2016 and ended the engagement in June 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app has never crashed, has minimal bugs, and had no issues after launch. Kustard was also good at maintaining the quality of the final product.

How did Kustard perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via daily emails but also had face-to-face biweekly meetings. They were very timely with deadlines and came to our office to take notes on the scope of work— avoiding delays. Their team was great at following up on our questions and never made communication an issue. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They impressed us with their empathetic evaluation of our needs— scoping it out properly and executing it well. Kustard stood out from the crowd with their excellent work ethic and their team always delivered high-quality work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Although it’s not essential, it would be helpful to provide daily one-on-one meetings or have an additional communication channel of some sort.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

It's important to understand the technicalities and the scope. This will help them finish their job as quickly as possible.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Exrup. We created a digital business card platform to replace the use of paper cards.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Kustard?

My background is in real estate and investment banking; I wasn’t familiar with the tech industry. I wanted a team to develop this business card product and take ownership of the project, including the entire implementation.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Kustard built an end-to-end platform from scratch for the web, iOS, and Android. They started with a paper design and followed up with mock-ups. Using a turnkey process, the team designed the UI/UX and handled backend software development.

The web portal lets corporations design and deploy their cards, as well as allow clients to make payments and control cards via an administrative dashboard. Kustard also provides testing services. Currently, they do bug fixes, general support, and ROI analysis.

What is the team composition?

I worked with the two co-founders. One focused on analysis and development while the other oversaw UI/UX design. I had two other contacts for web development, backend coding, and implementation.

How did you come to work with Kustard?

I searched for technical teams on Google and met with several Indian vendors, including Kustard. They explained the process to me and tried to educate me about their industry. At this point, I had done enough research to compare them with other agencies.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent 1 million INR ($15,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them between April–December 2017. Currently, we’re in a separate go-to-market phase but may re-engage them at a later point.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The platform has received positive feedback from industry stakeholders for its quality and design. In addition, investors have expressed interest.

Kustard provided a good relationship. The team guided me through the development and only launched the product when I was completely satisfied.

How did Kustard perform from a project management standpoint?

The 12-person team has a flat, non-hierarchical, structure. We had conference calls every other day and used Trello for real-time updates. They taught me to use the latter. Their open environment created a seamless experience, despite my learning curves.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team was transparent about development and challenges; they came up with quick solutions. Throughout the process, Kustard gave me at least two options for each step; they provided three for UI/UX design.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They did very well. I didn’t notice any gaps in their offerings. When something did arise, the team adjusted processes immediately to keep the collaboration productive.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Trust them; they take care of their clients.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of Moodofi. After the pandemic, it has become vital for companies to take care of their mental health. Mooodofi helps users track their mood and other crucial mental health parameters.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Klan?

We got in touch with Klan for product strategy and the app design along with the backend CMS.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We took a very data driven approach to shortlist the companies. First we found all the companies through different sources like Google, References and clutch. And then evaluated them one by one. I personally interviewed more than 20 companies and then shortlisted Klan as they looked best in terms of quality, timelines and pricing.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Once we started the project, they first understood our vision and what problem we are trying to solve. Then they talked to some of the potential users to understand in more detail. They have a multi step process that starts from user research, then Information Architecture, then wireframing, then visual design and then the final prototype. Currently we are at the visual design stage.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

I am working with 1 UI Designer, 1 UX Designer and 1 Design Director cum Project Manager

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

So far i have shown the designs to my close friends who are also potential users. They are mind blown with the level of designs that Klan has delivered so far. They are really the best at what they do and always up to date with the latest design trends and best practices.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We use slack and notion for our communication and project management purposes. This makes the overall workflow quite seamless. We do lot of google meets and whiteboarding/jamming.

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

One thing I have observed is they have this burning desire to be the best at what they do which helps them deliver the top notch stuff.

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

Overall i am quite happy but maybe they should closely work with some domain experts. In our case, wellness consultants which will further speed up the process as it will reduce the learning curve.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am involved in managing the products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Kustard?

For end to end designing the flow of the user on our product.

What were your goals for this project?

We created the designs keeping in mind our target audience. Ease of use and seamless journey of the users.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I did lot of online scouting for partnering with better team for shaping my concept into a usable product. We came across this great team, met many times before starting the journey.

Describe the project in detail.

We met many times with the team involved to discuss the objective of the project. We finalized the scope of work and then started the design process. I am happy that we met Kustard for our startup and the way the Team came together and worked on achieving the objective of the project is commendable.

What was the team composition?

Project Manager with team of Designers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

NA

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was like we were working in a team. Communication was very easy with team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We appreciate the kind of knowledge and experience the Kustard team brought on the table. This will be an ongoing engagement.

Are there any areas for improvement?

NO