Algoworks

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

VP of mid-size telecom company

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Algoworks?

cybersecurity

SOLUTION

How did you select this agency and what were the deciding factors?

through past experience working with them

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

provided 1 sr resource to manage multiple cybersecurity and data compliance projects

Describe the recruitment process in detail.

evaluated multiple profiles from the market for the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

on time deliverables with excellent reporting through out the project

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our workflow was excellent.

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

very transparent

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

need to improve by adding more technical persons

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Rental Runner

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Home Care Valet offers home preventative maintenance automation, streamlining property care by connecting homeowners with vetted professionals for comprehensive service.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Algoworks to accomplish?

• Develop a very comprehensive mobile app
• Develop a very user friendly mobile app
• Develop a Hybrid Mobile app

SOLUTION

How did you find Algoworks?

Online Search

Why did you select Algoworks over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Algoworks were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Our Scope of Work (SOW) centered on designing a user-friendly marketplace app to connect homeowners with a network of vetted service professionals for property care tasks such as cleaning, maintenance, and lawn care. This involved UI/UX design, feature integration for scheduling and payments, and implementing a system for user reviews and ratings to ensure quality and trust within the platform.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The project’s success was marked by the launch of a bug-free, user-friendly mobile app, evidenced by increased user engagement and positive feedback. Measurable outcomes included a significant reduction in the time taken to book services, a noticeable decrease in customer complaints related to app performance, and a steady growth in the number of active users, indicating a strong market acceptance and user satisfaction with the platform’s functionality and ease of use.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Their project management was exemplary. Deliverables arrived on schedule, any arising issues were promptly communicated, and they were consistently considerate of my budget constraints. Their responsive approach to my needs ensured a smooth project flow and reinforced my confidence in their capabilities.

What was your primary form of communication with Algoworks?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What stood out most about this company was their unparalleled expertise in technology. It’s rare to encounter a team with such profound technical knowledge, comparable to the best in the US. Their adeptness in navigating complex tech challenges impressed me greatly, especially considering my own technical background. This level of skill is truly unique and has been a crucial factor in the success of our project.

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

One area for improvement would be the documentation process. While this is a common challenge in Agile environments, dedicating time for creating thorough documentation would greatly facilitate a smoother transition when handing off projects in-house. This would ensure that all involved have a clear understanding of the project’s intricacies and can maintain or expand upon the work with greater ease.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Chief of Innovation of an education company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Trains professional artists to teach their art form and co-teach with teachers using arts integration to teach academic subject areas.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Algoworks to accomplish?

• Develop a collaborative lesson planning web application.
• Design a visually appealing site.
• Integrate with Salesforce for the backend

SOLUTION

How did you find Algoworks?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select Algoworks over others?

• High ratings
• Good value for cost
• Expertise of staff

How many teammates from Algoworks were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Most of the work we do involves partnering a certified classroom teacher and a professional teaching artists to collaboratively plan what is called Arts Integrated lessons. These lessons combine teaching content in a traditional subject area (math, reading, science etc.) with a specific artistic discipline (theatre, music, dance, visual art etc.). This model of co-planning and co-teaching is shown by research to be perhaps the most effective method of teaching. 

The co-planning part of this equation can be quite time consuming and burdensome. Over the years we have developed a method and resources to walk these artists/teacher partners through a co-planning process very methodically. Currently this is done with the two partners together in the same room, writing out their plans on a big paper map. 

This planning map method is proprietary to us and allows teachers to contribute their portions of the lesson including the Common core standard that they will be covering, as well as the activities and assessments etc. The artist is similarly contributing the same pieces from the artistic perspective. We would like to develop a mobile app version of this planning tool.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Create a visually appealing, easily navigable web based planning application. Integrate with Salesforce for backend database. Create multiple profiles for mutiple app user types. Create functionality for sharing and copying plans between users.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Algoworks was great in project management and honestly we we were the ones that would hold up progress from time to time. Communication was also prompt, and all of my needs were met!

What was your primary form of communication with Algoworks?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They pulled in various people throughout the project, allowing access to high-level experts for each phase!

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

The biggest hurdle on our project was that we had people on our team in the Pacific and Eastern Time zones, and with the majority of the Algoworks team being in India, it really limited the actual time of day we could meet to something that was very limited and still not very convenient for anyone. As Algoworks expands I understand that their US based staffing is growing and that would probably have helped some in the future!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Business Development of TDC Life

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We're independent brokers bringing complex life insurance solutions tp professional advisors in many sectors and their HNW clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Algoworks to accomplish?

• Discovery of New Technology Application
• Execution of a Production Model
• Further Rollout of Changes and Updates

SOLUTION

How did you find Algoworks?

Referral

Why did you select Algoworks over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Algoworks were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We were looking to build a web portal with an encrypted AWS backend. Additionally, there would be 2 backend control tables: 

1. to manage conditions and the other 
2. manage user (advisor) access to the front end web portal. 

Only the administrator(s) will have direct edit access to the conditions table and the user table. Each table will have the ability to Add, Change, Delete, Inactivate, Search, and Export. A data reporting and access hierarchy will be implemented as part of the data model/design as follows: 

• Level 1: Main Team Will allow reporting access to all data contained in the database. 
• Level 2: Firm Will allow reporting access for all advisor/client data within the firm. 
• Level 3: Advisor Will allow reporting access for all clients assigned to the advisor. 
• Level 4: Client Lowest level of data available. 

This structure will be primarily used to control access to the information which will reside in the database and be accessible via the Web Portal. We asked to have them deliver Phase 1 of functional discovery, phase 2 of technical discovery and then phase 3 of development with a staging, as well as production, model to be delivered in a very short timeframe.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Total ballpark hours of just under 1200 for all web development frontend, backend, portal development, dev side testing, project management and DevOps. Including functional and technical discovery we requested a delivery time period of just 3.5 months. They completed on time!

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They delivered on time and with great attention to detail. They developed a complete project plan from design to deployment. They responded to needs, helped prioritize feature lists, identified functional requirements, used Mind Maps, used a detailed sprint plan with specific milestones, made recommendations for architecture and structure, and we discussed many additional other items in a timely fashion over Basecamp, via email, and through our 2x/weekly virtual check-ins.

What was your primary form of communication with Algoworks?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They are a leading and innovating digital transformation services provider and were an absolute joy to work with from day 1. They delivered our solution with a team drive, agility, and passion that we felt could not be matched.

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

N/A

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the global practice leader of FranklinCovey, a professional training and coaching company for business professionals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with Algoworks?

We were looking for a developer who could create an app for the Salesforce AppExchange.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Algoworks is creating a web and mobile app for us. To jumpstart the process, we’ve given them assets of our previous app so they could scope the project and create a new use case. The team has also conducted a discovery session to make a proper scope document.

What was the team composition?

We’ve worked with 3–4 members of Algoworks’ team, including a project lead, but other people are working behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

We found Algoworks online and chose them among other potential providers.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2022, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Algoworks' work has exceeded our expectations and is having a significant impact on our business because that app is part of what enables users to interact with our content. The team has done a great job addressing our critical needs.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

I'm surprised by how Algoworks delivers on time and stays within budget.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review? 

The project lead that Algoworks has assigned to us exceeds our expectations.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I can't imagine Algoworks doing a better job and being more accommodating.

Are there any areas they could improve?

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

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend people hire them because they've done an excellent job — I've been doing these kinds of projects for decades, and neither went as well as this one.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a social media platform. We’re building it to be accessible to everyone, including people who might not know how to download apps.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

We hired Algoworks to do custom software development tasks for us. Specifically, they did tasks for our web app. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Algoworks worked on some features for our web app. They also helped us with using the AWS cloud. We used React.js and Node.js for the development of the app. Its frontend was 90% done. Meanwhile, one of the previous developers that I was working with put half of the backend AWS code into an account that only he had access to — so Algoworks had to search for it. 

They didn’t find it, so the team had to create the code from scratch. They also gave me a report of the things that needed to be corrected. From there, they implemented new features that we needed. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with a React developer and a Node.js developer. I also had a project manager and an AWS cloud engineer. They switched around their tasks depending on what we were working on; sometimes, we had more work for the frontend developers than the backend ones and vice versa. 

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

I found Algoworks on Clutch. I tried searching for vendors on Google, but most of them were focused on doing WordPress websites instead of customized ones. That was when I found Clutch, where I was able to search highly specific categories. I wrote down a bunch of people and companies that had similar services with Algoworks. I met with those people, and none of them shined like Algoworks. 

How much have you invested with them?

I spent about $9,200 on their services. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement was from March–July 2023. We’ve put things on hold because I’m ironing out some major things, but I’ll come back to them for the product’s launch after a couple of months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

On the frontend, we’d been able to get the features necessary to launch the product. On the backend, we’d been able to get the backbone of the website. We wouldn’t be able to get these things set up if it wasn’t for Algoworks. 

I could pull up my AWS dashboard and see all the services they’d set up. Before our engagement started, there was nothing there — it was basically stolen by the previous developer. After our engagement with Algoworks, I could see all the services they’d set up. On top of that, our web app worked smoothly and looked better. 

Overall, the quality of Algoworks’ services was excellent. I vetted six other companies and looked at their previous works — they didn’t look good at all. Algoworks projects looked good on the outside, and when they showed me what they could do, I realized that the quality was truly there. 

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

They made sure that I was comfortable throughout the process. There was no pressure during the engagement, and Arnav (Assistant Sales VP) ensured that all my questions were answered whenever I needed them to iron out something. He truly went above and beyond. I’d be using Algoworks again just because of the services he provided.

Ramneet (Project Manager) was amazing. She made sure that I was heard and that everything was done on time. She asked me how I wanted to set up things and if I wanted to meet weekly or biweekly. I was apprehensive about the work at first, but she worked with my work style. I wanted to know every detail of the project, and she wrote everything down and explained things to me. She didn’t have to do that, but she wanted to make sure I was comfortable. 

When I had questions, she’d tell me the reasoning behind the answers. She ensured I understood everything as someone who was non-technical. Overall, she was on top of everything, so our project moved forward and progressed quite quickly. 

To communicate, we used Zoom and email. We used emails for sending approvals and Zoom for our regular meetings. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Ramneet and Arnav were rockstars. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any. I couldn’t have picked anyone better. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate with Algoworks and ensure you’re clear about what you can and can’t do, especially if you have limited time and budget. Be realistic about your expectations, and let the team know ahead of time.

In my engagement with them, I was clear on what I needed and what I expected. We had a good partnership because we communicated early on, and I was transparent about my expectations. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the Founder and CEO of a customer experience company focusing on a frictionless customer experience. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

We had plans to develop an application and sought the assistance of Algoworks.

We aim to eliminate the hassle of waiting in line to purchase controlled items at sports events, hotels, and other locations. We're currently involved in the sale of alcohol within the United States. In due course, we plan to expand our operations to include other regions and markets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

We started the project by creating specifications and clarifying the requirements for developing a new app. Next, we collaborated with Algoworks on the official project plan and designed the architecture for both iOS and Android. After that, we built the app to perform the necessary functions. Additionally, we created a web-based back office to manage the app's service. Algoworks is currently assisting us with submitting the app to the App Store.

Our app sets itself apart from others by providing retailers with the necessary technology to sell directly on our platform. It works seamlessly with any vending machine and has a custom control box. Customers are presented with a menu of options when they scan the box. From there, they can easily make a selection, complete payment, authenticate their purchase, and check out, all in under 30 seconds.

Our platform offers native mobile apps for both iOS and Android. In addition, we utilize third-party technology through SDKs and APIs to enhance certain aspects of the app, such as authentication and validation of individuals. We've partnered with trusted third-party vendors for these services.

What is the team composition?

The team we work with has undergone some changes, although some members remain the same. We have an Android developer, an iOS developer, a QA specialist, a UX/UI expert, and two individuals responsible for back-end operations and architecture. We also collaborate with a project manager and a senior project lead. Depending on the current release, we may work with 1-2 members from the DevOps team.

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

I received a list of names from HubSpot, including Algoworks. Upon evaluating several developers, we ultimately selected Algoworks due to their impressive approach.

How much have you invested in them?

We've invested $325,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement began in September 2021, and it's ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We measure the project's success by how consistently we reach our targets in terms of sprint priorities and the app's uptime.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

Our team holds two weekly meetings to discuss and manage any new needs using Asana. During these meetings, we track our progress and make sure everything is on track.

Overall, the Algoworks team has managed to meet the deadlines. Nevertheless, there have been a few cases where some tasks took more time than anticipated. However, it's worth noting that these delays are typically due to factors beyond our control involving third parties that we collaborate with. We initially used Zoom for meetings but then transitioned over to Microsoft Teams. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The Algoworks team is incredibly hardworking and always willing to go above and beyond. They're excellent with follow-up, and overall, they're a pleasant team to work alongside.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wouldn't pin this on Algoworks, but we would benefit from having someone more buttoned up on our side of things. Having that person in place would ensure that Algoworks has everything they need at the right time in their time zone. While Algoworks is very accommodating with early morning and late evening meetings, sometimes time zone differences can cause delays.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

As newcomers to the world of apps, having someone with a business mindset join the team would be beneficial. This person could focus on the end customer's experience and would be dedicated to promptly resolving any issues, whether on our side or theirs. There can be delays if we encounter a problem that requires attention from a customer experience standpoint. While this is not the fault of anyone in particular, having a dedicated team member for this task would help increase efficiency. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the co-founder and CEO of a mobile computing software products company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?
We needed their development expertise.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 
Algoworks has developed our mobile application on the iOS and Android platforms. Initially, I provided Algoworks with the user persona information I had put together; they came up with 6–7 design styles based on the user profiles and demographics I gave them. Algoworks iterated on a few of those until we picked one. Then, they used Figma to come up with various examples of what the app would look like.
I’ve relied on them to get us from the design phase through to getting it onto the App Store and Google Play Store, which has been the first phase. We’ve just kicked off phase two, which is to refine and make some edits to the application. They’ve helped develop the logo, some of the colors, as well as the design language that we use.
The app has quite a few features. The first core functionality of the app is a location-based system that enables users of the app to appear in real-time on a map. There’s also a chat function and voice and video capabilities within the app where users can connect and chat with each other using voice and/or video. The third core functionality of the app is the ability to create groups of users. The groups can either be private so other people can’t join the group unless they’re invited, or the group can be public, enabling any users to join. Within a group, users can create events, post pictures or comments, and like other pictures or comments that other users in the group have posted.

What is the team composition?
I’ve worked with Isha (Project Manager). On the technical side, there were a couple of teammates, including Pankaj (Senior Software Engineer & React Native Developer).
Unfortunately, the lead designer I was working with left Algoworks not long after we started working on the app’s design; however, Algoworks has found other resources to finish the project.

How did you come to work with Algoworks?
I was looking for a software development team to help me design and build the app. I have a colleague who runs a similar company to mine who was familiar with Algoworks and had good things to say about them. 
I did some research to better understand their capabilities and any similar projects they’d worked on in the past. I looked at case studies on Algoworks’ website and spoke to one of their business development teammates, which made me comfortable that they’d be a great partner to work with on this project.

How much have you invested in them?
We’ve spent between $120,000–$130,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?
The engagement began in March 2022, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We’ve definitely seen an increase in traffic since launching the application. Algoworks’ design and UI/UX work has been very good. I’m not a software engineer, so I can’t judge the quality of the code they’ve written, but the app functions quite well from a user perspective.
I like the fact that Algoworks has a design team that’s nicely integrated with their software development team. That was one of the factors that I took into account when hiring Algoworks. Isha’s been absolutely fantastic, and the technical team’s been very good as well.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?
They’re very good at project management. We use Basecamp for communication, and we constantly go back and forth discussing progress and milestones. We have a weekly call through Microsoft Teams, during which Algoworks updates me on what they’ve done over the past week and what they’ll be working on next week so that we can make sure the project is staying on time and on budget. We occasionally use email, and I keep in touch with Isha through WhatsApp.

What did you find most impressive about them?
The value for money and ability to get a high-quality development and UI/UX team at a reasonable price is impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?
It’d be nice to get the work done more quickly in some cases. I’ve asked if we could accelerate the timeline if we put more teammates on the project; Algoworks’ response has been no, but I wonder if that’s really the case.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?
It’s really important to make sure that you have regular and ongoing communication with Algoworks. I’m based in San Francisco, and they’re based in Delhi, India, so there is a 12–13-hour time difference. If you don’t have good communication, then the project isn’t going to work. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of ComfortZones Digital

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Skills and Data Platform to Overcome Obstacles to Healthy and Productive Work

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Algoworks to accomplish?

• Build a highly differentiated and stunning mobile app for workers
• Build the admin panel to support audio content in a unique hierarchy of root causes
• Develop a data dashboard to track top root causes and leading indicators of improvement activity

SOLUTION

How did you find Algoworks?

• Online Search
• Clutch Site

Why did you select Algoworks over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost

What was the size of Algoworks’s team?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Algoworks did a great job supporting mock-ups through delivery in the public App Store and data analytics we can share with customers. This includes mock-up, design, prototype, development, testing, setting up a secure production environment on AWS, and making the app available on IOS and Android.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Stunning and differentiated app delivered in the app store
• Usability and interactivity getting fantastic responses from our customers
• Secure production environment for corporate customers
• Data dashboard and export function for reports
• Highly extensible and scalable for new content and millions of users

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

We used a combination of Basecamp, Jira, emails, and weekly meetings with leads and key engineers as appropriate. We always summarized needs and issues, and Algoworks responded. They deeply cared about the success of our program. We started out with fixed specs and then went to more flexible, customer-responsive requirements that they supported as a true team member.

What was your primary form of communication with Algoworks?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email
• Messaging App

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

They have both deep expertise in all key areas (from app design to development to back end security and data analytics), and the true caring and passion for our project. Their members are truly great human beings who care. When there were issues, they listened and always worked hard to fix them as soon as possible. They also wanted to make the product great, and added unique ideas we wouldn’t have thought of.

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

There were a few times where we lost a week and didn’t know why, but they quickly communicated this with us and kept the program moving forward.