Appello Software

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Kitchko, a marketplace where users can order homecooked meals from local chefs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Appello Software?

We hired Appello Software to help us design our iOS and Android mobile app. We needed a prototype to show potential investors.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Appello Software designed our app’s UI and UX. They created workable user flow designs and a clickable prototype. The team also provided market research.

They completed the first phase of the project. When we receive funding, we plan to re-engage Appello Software to code the app and provide ongoing maintenance.

What is the team composition?

We work with a team of three people.

How did you come to work with Appello Software?

We tried working with three different offshore software agencies before Appello Software, but they were costly. We had other issues with time differences and language barriers. Appello Software offered quicker, more cost-effective services. They were also more transparent about their deliverables.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $7,000 so far on the UI/UX work. The total project cost will be around $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Appello Software from March–May 2019, and we hope to re-engage them soon.   

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Appello Software’s work helped bridge an idea and prompt user adoption. We went from having no users to 50–100, which is a big achievement in the early stage.

How did Appello Software perform from a project management standpoint?

We had weekly strategy workshops. They were very proactive and often reached out to us to see if we needed help with anything. We used InVision.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Appello Software helped us build an amazing product. My team is more business-oriented, which made Appello Software’s technical insights very helpful. They explained what technology they were using and how it worked, so that we could build the product together. They understood what our intentions were.

The UI/UX designs and the clickable prototype only took about two months to complete, which was much faster than we expected. While another software agency said they’d develop seven screens for $20,000, Appello Software delivered more screens for significantly less than that price.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t. We’re hoping to do more work with them soon.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of a startup providing route tracking and driving directions for bus companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Appello Software?

This is a brand new business aiming to fill a niche in the transport industry. I am a non technical founder so I rely on appello to transform my vision into reality.

What were your goals for this project?

The first goal of this project was to create a workable demonstration model to show potential customers. This was completed and feasibility was proven, so we are now working towards full completion of the app ready for an extended trial with stakeholders.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

As someone with no software knowledge it was important for me to be able to discuss my needs with potential vendors. Using reviews i narrowed my search to a few businesses in my area or nearby. I was able to meet with Cameron from Appello face to face, which was fantastic. He proved to be very knowledgeable and was invested in the idea from the start.

Cameron asked some hard questions about my business model which showed he was thinking about long term outcomes rather than just taking on the work and getting paid.

Describe the project in detail.

Appello studied my brief and gave a quote and timeline for the initial demo model. Both targets were met and the work provided surpassed my expectations. The communication process was easy and transparent and the interpretation of my brief was excellent. The demo model was delivered within 3 weeks from our first meeting.

What was the team composition?

I have dealt directly with Cameron. He has filled me in on the composition of the development team and has cc'd them in most correspondence. As the project proceeds i will be communicating with one of the development team leaders.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I will update this section upon completion

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communication to this date has been frequent, transparent and put in layman's terms for me to understand.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I have been impressed with the immediate interest in my project. As previously mentioned I sat down with Cameron and he asked a lot of pertinent questions about the business model and my goals for the project.

He pre-empted a lot of my questions with very good answers and showed me examples of work they had completed. He spoke about long term goals, showing an interest in the long term sustainability. Other companies I spoke to were more interested in 'sealing the deal'.

Are there any areas for improvement?

So far very satisfied. Will update upon completion of next stage if required.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the brand manager for a family business that manufactures outdoor storage and garden products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Appello Software?

We hired Appello to fix one of our existing mobile apps: an after-sales tool for customers to use when constructing their shed or outdoor structure at home. The backend (designed by previous developers) was unstable and needed a lot of work.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to make major UX/UI updates to our app, resulting in a complete makeover to fix the functionality and flow. We also wanted the journey to take as few taps possible for the user.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We reached out to a number of developers we found via Google and narrowed it down to Appello quite quickly. They understood the brief completely from day one and have been very transparent throughout the whole build.

Describe the project in detail.

We had a couple of initial meetings via Google Hangouts to discuss our goals and objectives. Shortly after, we received mock-ups of the proposed app, which we discussed in house and led to a few design suggestions. Appello integrated our ideas and carried the project out in four months.

What was the team composition?

Initially, we worked with an account manager and lead developer. Towards the end of the project, we were touching base with developers in group meetings, which was really good.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our customer feedback and star rating have dramatically improved since we went live. The number of customer service phone calls we field has also dropped, which is a great sign that the app is helping our customers with installations.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We received regular updates via email, Hangouts, and their work in progress dashboard, where we could see exactly what was being worked on at the time. It was a very easy process.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

How current they are in their industry. We didn't realize how dysfunctional our existing app was until Appello came onboard and fixed everything.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We’ll continue to improve the AR function as 3D rendering technology grows more and more advanced.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m an advisor for an internship program for university students across Australia.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Appello Software?

We needed to create a simple platform that’s intuitive for advisors and students to help improve communication. It also needs to allow students to complete key milestones throughout their internships.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted all of our students to be able to access this app so that they could provide feedback. It’s the best way for us to contact them and to find out information as almost all students have access to mobile phones. A student suggested that we should develop an app instead of sending constant emails.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them through a student’s recommendation. We looked at around 10 vendors and felt that Appello Software was able to solve our challenge.

Describe the project in detail.

Appello Software was involved in the entire process, from UI/UX design to production and coding. We gave them our ideas for how we wanted the app to look. They gave us feedback to help steer the course toward the final product.

The key feature we wanted them to incorporate was Google Forms, which is the main way our team communicates. The app is available on both Android and iOS because we needed to cater to all students.

What was the team composition?

We worked most closely with Cameron (CEO, Appello Software), who managed the relationship with our team. There were also several developers and designers involved with the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve seen 90% of our students use the app in the first six months, which is amazing. We used the app to conduct a survey asking for feedback on the app itself. The results were that 86% of students found the app to be helpful, as well as easier to communicate with advisors. The fact that they were able to incorporate Google Forms made it much easier for our team. We’ve also gotten a positive response on its ease of use and the look and feel. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We communicated through Slack and Google Hangouts. Appello Software was quite responsive and did a good job of managing our expectations. They responded quickly to all the critical feedback that we provided. That strengthened our relationship because we felt more comfortable discussing any problems that arose.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Given they’re a new company, I’m so impressed with their knowledge. They were able to explain technical terms in a way that was extremely helpful to our team throughout the journey. The overall experience was great. They knew what we needed before we could even say it. We will definitely use them again if we ever need a new app developed.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There were some hiccups, as we’d expect with any project that’s creating something new. However, they delivered above and beyond our expectations. We’re very happy with the result.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a product manager at Darby Soho, a booking platform service.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Appello Software?

We wanted to gain more traction for our brand with a mobile booking service app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They did the UX/UI design for our iOS and Android application. Their interface allows customers to make restaurant bookings and send the information to their calendars. We can also add notes that send notifications to customers.  

What is the team composition?

I mainly worked with the project manager and the CEO, but they brought new people on throughout the project.

How did you come to work with Appello Software?

We found them online.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $40,000 Australian ($28,300 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from May until September 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

A lot of people are using the app, and we’ve seen a corresponding increase in leads and revenue. Our clients enjoy how simple it is.

How did Appello Software perform from a project management standpoint?

We used Slack to communicate, and Appello Software was highly responsive. They excelled at generating ideas we hadn’t thought of before.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their quick response times were extremely helpful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not that I saw.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Lay out your project before you begin working with them. Our project would have benefitted from us doing so.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Vidya is an online course delivery platform that helps small businesses deliver educational material to their audiences. I'm the founder and CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Appello Software?

I hired Appello Software to develop the web platform and accompanying mobile apps. I wanted to deliver a flexible tool that helped small businesses enhance their existing offerings. I didn't have enough knowledge of the latest web technologies, so I searched for a team with suitable skills.

What were your goals for this project?

The products needed to be responsive on all devices. They also needed secure media delivery features, a payment gateway, and several types of user accounts. I wanted to use the latest languages to create a robust, extendable platform. Since we're an online business, we wouldn't exist without our platform.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I considered a handful of solo developers, but soon realized my own design skills weren't sufficient. Next, I called a few companies and asked for cost estimates. My concept was still vague, but Appello Software asked the best questions and helped me refine the concept. They were extremely supportive and understood how to bring a vague concept to reality.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They summarized our initial features in a few high-level objectives. Then they designed the interface, which reassured me that they had captured the concept. Finally, they developed the platform and mobile apps. They did an amazing job, helped me with everything within their expertise, and referred me to good people if they couldn't complete a task. 

What was the team composition?

Approximately eight people were involved in the project. The team grew and shrunk as they brought in new skill sets. I mainly worked with the CEO, project manager, interface designer, and marketing consultant.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have no metrics yet, since the product hasn't gone live. So far, however, they're on track with the initial budget. There's been little need to change the scope of work, and the results have exceeded all expectations. They deliver professional, high-quality work, and don't waste time with meetings or heavy documentation. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We collaborated a lot, and I could see their resources at every stage. I wasn't strict about deadlines since my priority was staying within the budget. We used Slack, Trello, and Zoom. Some of the team was in a different time zone, but this didn't cause problems. Everyone had a command of the English language.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive thing about Appello Software was their efficient focus on delivering a quality product while meeting budget requirements. They went above and beyond every other software development company that I'd hired before.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There were no obvious areas for improvement. They met all my needs.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We’re a well-being company located in London that specializes in high-end treatments.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Appello Software?

Designing the first idea and developing it was a challenge because we didn't know exactly what we wanted for the website. We needed someone to help us and provide fast delivery and quality at an affordable price.

SOLUTION

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

Appello Software designed and developed a mobile responsive website for us. The project was small, only lasting six weeks.

What was the team composition?

We had one UI/UX designer, a frontend developer, and a backend developer assigned to our project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Appello Software’s team is great. They helped us take our idea and turn it into something that has exceeded our expectations. Everything we wanted was delivered. I’ve seen their other work with mobile apps, and they really do create amazing software. I would definitely recommend them to my friends.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Communication was great. Overall, they’re efficient, clear, and are transparent with costs.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The level of experience they have and their design and software quality are remarkable.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Not that I'm concerned.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the chief design officer of a mobile dating app. My responsibilities include working directly with the development team to ensure that their build is faithful to our original design.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Appello Software?

My team handled the design effort internally, but we needed a development firm to build the platform’s backend and implement the UI/UX.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Appello Software translated our design into a functioning dating application. They built out the entire platform for iOS and coded the UI/UX to look nearly identical to our original wireframes. The technology stack includes AWS, Backbone.js, Google Analytics, Google Maps, Fabric, Firebase, Zeplin, Branch, Dropbox, Docker, WordPress, GitLab, and Sketch. We’re looking to develop an Android version in the future.

We came up with several complicated algorithms to facilitate the app’s location-based map functionality. This system interacts with how the user is represented on the map, how often they’re logged in, and the person’s proximity to other users. This all determines who users see populated in their individual results field. Implementing these algorithms was quite the challenge, but Appello Software didn’t hesitate to accept the task. The whole project took over 6,000 hours of work to complete. During that process, there was never a point where I thought they wouldn’t be able to accomplish something due to a lack of skill.

They assisted us with marketing the product once it was ready for launch. That effort helped the app become an accelerated program for both Facebook and Google. Being a multidisciplinary firm, they’re able to provide valuable advice regarding a variety of topics. As a result, they continue to support the platform when necessary.

What is the team composition?

They allocated five developers, including three iOS specialists and two full-stack resources. We also communicated with QA testers and an assigned project manager.

How did you come to work with Appello Software?

They were recommended to me along with a few other companies. I researched the options and felt that Appello Software could best provide what I wanted to accomplish.

How much have you invested with them?

The project cost around £210,000 (approximately $276,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

Development took place from September 2017­–April 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Considering the product reviews on The App Store, the feedback has been incredible. Appello Software created an application that’s intuitive and capable of producing positive results for each user. The app is highly rated on Product Hunt where it has received over 400 upvotes. Their replication of our design is 99% accurate. Getting this right the first time saved us a lot of money. Not all development firms have an eye for detail that honed. Also, their marketing assistance helped the platform reach 50,000 users within several months of the initial launch.

How did Appello Software perform from a project management standpoint?

We worked according to a project requirement document. Their project manager took out different features and pipelined them into kanban system that the developers used to organize each task. That process kept each party informed regarding the project’s progression relative to scheduled milestones. Requesting additional features was also quite easy. We’d reach out to the project manager, and they’d integrate the task with the project’s backlog.

Another key attribute of Appello Software is their responsiveness. We use Slack and phone calls to communicate, so we’re never left waiting for a response. Despite working remotely, they’re able to bridge the gap and work alongside as much as possible.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I equate value to the rate at which a firm can produce quality products. By that measurement, Appello Software excels beyond the norm. They represent the difference between a good service provider and a great service provider. Not only are they capable of competently completing tasks, but they’re also willing to add an extra flair to their deliverables to make a project noteworthy. Their team is a joy to work with because they’re more like artists than developers.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have anything to recommend regarding my needs or experience. As general advice, they should focus on scaling up their team so they can eventually serve bigger clients.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Being able to explain precisely what you want to be done will save both time and money.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of an app development company based in Sydney Australia

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Appello Software, and what were your goals?

We wanted to develop a new Dating app that is different to others on the market.

SOLUTION

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

We searched for app developers in Australia and after reading reviews and chatting in person we decided to go with Appello

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We used Appello from concept/prototype all the way to launch on the iOS App Store and Google play store.

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

Our project manager Sveta, was our main point of contact through the whole process

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

It was a great process from start to finish.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

The project manager was extremely good at communicating with me as I am not very proficient in all the technical details.

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

I'm very happy with all aspects of the process and I cannot wait to develop more apps with them.

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

Not really