Apptology FZCO

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of a digital marketing agency doing business in the UK. We provide mobile apps, websites, and services for SEO, Google AdWords, and telemarketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Apptology?

They’re experts in mobile app development and their prices are very competitive. I wanted to get them to look at a few projects that we couldn’t do in-house, as we were very busy. I wanted to outsource to them. They would white-label it so it has our branding on it, and we could deliver it as a great project.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

There’s quite a lot. To be honest, I don’t know where to start. Some of our customers want something a bit quirky. They’ve created an app for a client who is a construction company. They wanted to go out and report in real time, with real time data. Apptology delivered that, and it was fantastic. They also created an app for a group of associates in London. They wanted an app that allowed users to take a picture of themselves and then animate that image. Apptology has also done a couple things where people wanted app similar to Uber. That’s a few of the jobs they’ve done that I can think of off the top of my head. The apps are for both iOS and Android, and they make sure it’s tablet-friendly as well.

We give them an idea of the spec, what the client is after, and they ask the right questions, which we pass to the customer. We get the right information back, and then Apptology does the spec, the wireframes, the design. Sometimes it’s pretty straightforward, and sometimes it needs a little more work. They do the process from start to finish. They get the apps approved in the app stores. With some of the apps, Apple gives approval within a few days. Apptology has dealt with Apple quite a lot, and Apple knows that, when their developers send an app through, it’s of very high standards and the quality is exceptional.

How did you come to work with Apptology?

I do a lot of networking in the UK, and someone mentioned them as a company I could send app work to, and maybe website work. They came to the UK for a meeting, and we just took it from there. They were good, and they looked like they knew what they were talking about. I always try a new company for one or two projects. If they’re good, then I keep going. If they’re bad, then I stop. I could send a company 40-50 projects in 12 months. If they don’t deliver on one or two of them, I will stop that straightaway. They have to deliver on every project or the work stops.

How much have you invested with Apptology?

We’ve invested £300,000-£400,000 [approx. $388,100-$517,600] throughout the years.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Apptology in 2013, and our relationship is ongoing. We’re doing work together still, and they’re quoting for a project as well. We currently have a couple of apps being developed, and we have another project that has to do with creating an app an online shop.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We offer seven-day customer support to every client who has an app from us. We never get calls about any issues with the apps Apptology developed. The apps are very good quality. We show their apps to new clients as part of our portfolio, which has led to more and more work for us. We’ve even bagged a few bigger fish, like universities, colleges, and schools. We’ve earned a high credential on our standards as well.

How did Apptology perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re brilliant. They make my life easy, and that’s why I work with them. If they were going to be a pain in the backside or make my life difficult, I would just keep it in-house. They are really organized and on time. If they’re not sure about something, they ask questions. They are fantastic. We mostly communicate through email, but we do use Basecamp, which keeps me informed on all the projects. We speak on Skype when needed, and we use TeamViewer when they need to jump on our computer. We’ve got all the tools I need to test an app before my client sees it.

What did you find most impressive about Apptology?

They know what they’re talking about. The apps are getting approved without any issues. We’ve tried to work with other companies who say they know what they’re talking about, but then they don’t, and the app is not what is was meant to be. Also, in regard to getting it approved by Apple, I know of some customers who have not gone with our company, and they’ve not gotten their app approved. They’ve come to us to fix it and get it approved by Apple. Things like that are massive. The quality is exceptional, and the pricing is right, so I can’t complain.

Are there any areas Apptology could improve?

They could always give me better prices, but their pricing is very good. I always try to knock them down for a really good price, but I’m quite happy with them. I wouldn’t say we’ve had any issues.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of That Red Lipstick. We provide makeup and beauty services to clients through an on-demand business model.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Apptology Limited?

My priority was finding a company that understood my vision and could help me use their expertise to help me achieve that vision.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I only had an idea, and Apptology provided a package that included the designs and development. They built a mobile launched for iOS now, and it will be launching for Android soon. The first thing they had me do was to write down my ideas and apps that had a similar business model. We then refined the idea to come up with the final picture of how the app would look. They offered options and alternatives, which was helpful for me to make the final decisions.

The app is specifically for freelance makeup artists and hairstylists. Clients are matched to makeup artists and hairstylists based on the professional’s experience with the client’s skin tone and hair type. Clients are also matched to professionals within a five-mile radius, and they can choose their artist based on reviews and portfolio. They’re able to book, track, and pay for their artist via the app.

The number of team members from Apptology assigned to the work varied depending on the stage of the app development. I always have one main contact for each phase of the design and development.

How did you come to work with Apptology Limited?

I had emailed several app development companies, including Apptology. I had a conversation with Gary [CTO, Apptology Limited], and he was honest about whether he could implement my idea. He sent me a cost breakdown. I think that approach was quite professional, and it made me feel more reassured that he understood my vision and was able to carry it out.

How much have you invested with Apptology Limited?

The cost will be close to $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in August of 2016, and the work is ongoing. We’re very close to launching it.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We recently completed the beta testing with different artists and clients. They really like the design and how it works. I’ve gotten quite positive feedback. I’ve already had 100 freelancers sign up, just from looking at the app and playing around with it.

How did Apptology Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

Apptology has been really good. I stayed very involved, and I was always trying to find out every aspect of what was happening. We’ve been working quite closely, and I think that made the project a lot smoother. It was easy to understand each stage of the project. We used Teamwork in our collaboration.

What did you find most impressive about Apptology Limited?

I felt that Apptology was dedicating their efforts to my project and were putting 120% into it. There were times when I didn’t receive as much communication, but they provided me with updates when asked. Gary is very approachable, and that makes it easy. If I had a problem, I would speak with him, and he looked into it. They have been, and still are, very involved in my project.

Are there any areas Apptology Limited could improve?

There was a period of downtime. There could have been more communication during that time, but they definitely stepped it up once I raised the issue, and it hasn’t happened again. For me, it was just a little blip in the communication, and it’s been 120% ever since.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of Nine9. We help models and actors get started in the industry, and we help casting directors and agencies find talent. We use proprietary software to bring the two together.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Apptology?

We were looking to develop a talent scouting app. We wanted a mobile app to automate our scheduling process. We wanted to engage a company that could take us from concept to launch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Apptology designed and developed an iOS app for us. Users can download our terms and tips for a scout for Nine9. The app gamifies the talent scouting industry. We were starting from scratch, and Apptology helped through the entire process. Apptology provided three or four resources for our project and walked us through the process step-by-step. Apptology took accountability for building, laying out, and launching the app, then they registered it in the Apple store.

How did you come to work with Apptology?

I found Apptology with a Google search. We considered other companies at the time, but they didn’t offer a full range of services like Apptology. We believed Apptology was best suited for us.

How much have you invested with Apptology?

We’ve invested $10,000–15,000 with Apptology.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Apptology about 18 months ago, and the work is ongoing. We still have a maintenance contract with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Apptology delivered and continues to deliver the services and resources for which we contracted them. The app has launched, but it’s not public yet.

It flows very well. It was very beneficial to work with the same company from start to finish. There’s no disconnect anywhere. Everyone involved in the testing was super impressed with the way it works and the speed.

How did Apptology perform from a project management standpoint?

Apptology's team was super. We had bi-weekly meetings. We loved the project management tool, but I can’t recall the name. They were great with deadlines. We caused a bottleneck at times, but we didn’t have to wait on Apptology.

What did you find most impressive about Apptology?

Apptology's pricing was impressive. They’re able to communicate clearly and concisely. Apptology was great on the technology side. Apptology also understood the business side of the project, which sets them apart from other tech firms.

Are there any areas Apptology could improve?

I can’t think of anything. I think Apptology is a solid business.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director and co-founder of a healthcare organization that has developed web apps for the management of patients who have chronic pain. We were founded three years ago in September, so we’re still fairly new.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Apptology?

The challenge we were trying to address with Apptology was trying to take something that is traditionally complex and delivered offline and put it online. We wanted to make it easy, accessible, and logical, and to do that it needed to flow well for the end user. We put forward quite a few challenges for them. We were seeking help with the design of the web app and eventually developing and testing it. We don't have any development capacities within our company, so we had to seek outside help for this project.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Apptology was responsible for the full design and development of the web app. We had a key document in which we explained what we needed the app to do, and Apptology used that to produce the wireframes for us.

We have a very collaborative relationship. We have quite a lot of involvement in terms of deciding how things are progressing, and we give feedback on the design. We also asked them to integrate an animation into the app that allows the patient to increase their understanding of their chronic pain condition. We also integrated the ability for clinicians to have online consultations via video chat and messaging.

How did you come to work with Apptology?

Apptology was recommended to us by a colleague. We approached them and spoke to them about what we were looking to achieve and whether or not they felt they could deliver that for us. We did look at other companies, but Apptology seemed to be the preferred partner for us, particularly because their quote for the work was very competitive.

How much have you invested with Apptology?

We have invested around £20,000 [approx. US$24,400] so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started discussing the project in a crude form about two years ago. Work on the main app has taken place over the last six months, and the work is ongoing. The app is due to be complete at the end of this month, and then we go into testing. They’re coding the last few modules now.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve shown the app to colleagues and potential customers, and they have been impressed with its functionality, look, and design. We have one patient testing it at the moment, and her feedback has been positive in terms of her ability to navigate around the app and work through the different modules. The little interaction that patients have had so far with the app has been quite positive.

How did Apptology perform from a project management standpoint?

I think about seven people are assigned to our project, but the number of people has fluctuated throughout the project. This depends on how much pressure we exert in getting certain sprints completed.

We’ve never had problems from a project management point of view. Apptology has always kept to the agreed timelines. When things have run over, they’ve been transparent about how much longer they would need without charging any additional fees. Our communication frequency has depended on the phase of the project. A lot of coding has been going on recently, so we’ve been communicating almost daily about minor corrections and different elements of the code. We use Atlassian to collaborate with them.

There have been a few bugs along the way, such as problems with plug-ins, but they weren’t Apptology’s fault. Apptology has been good in terms of trying to find a solution. Whenever something has cropped up, they have always been able to resolve it.

What did you find most impressive about Apptology?

Apptology is reliable and efficient, and I think our communication has been good throughout the project.

Are there any areas Apptology could improve?

I don't think so. We’ve been very happy with them, and I wouldn't criticize them on anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of a company called SG Bonds Ltd., which is the trading name of our online website, www.lawyerup.org.uk. The website allows users to search for and contact lawyers quickly via phone, email, and video calls and schedule meetings with them.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Apptology?

Initially, I was looking for a way to compare UK lawyers in a fast and effective way on a web-based platform. Apptology helped me to refine the functions that we needed to make it more user-friendly and more up to date. As we got to know Apptology, the purpose of the product evolved. The purpose at the beginning was just to locate and compare, and the purpose now is to locate and contact lawyers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Apptology did the development of the website because we don't have any developers or designers in-house. I had my own designs for the website, and Apptology put me in touch with a UX designer to refine and improve upon my original ideas.

The core features of the website are the contact features, the filtered search capability, and the integration of Google Maps.

We worked with a team with of roughly 12 people, but I was mainly in contact with Apptology’s directors.

How did you come to work with Apptology?

I found them through a Google search. I wanted to choose a business that had a great company website. The websites of many UK developers weren’t as eye-catching or as effective as Apptology’s website, and they didn't display correctly if I was looking at them on a mobile device. Apptology’s website was user-friendly and easy to navigate, and it allowed me to schedule a call back meeting right away. They also were better than anyone in the UK at reaching out and speaking with us; they were nicer to deal with and more helpful. I could see the effort from their side, and that’s why I decided I wanted to work with them.

How much have you invested with Apptology?

I think I've invested about £12,000 to £30,000 [approx. US$15,000 to $36,000] in the work so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2016, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We don't have any hard evidence to share yet because we’re due to launch next week. Nonetheless, we received positive feedback from the lawyers who we’ve shown it to and the lawyers who have created sections for the site, such as the terms and conditions and privacy policy. They love it, and they are saying the website is a great idea and that it’s easy to navigate. My goal was that if my mom couldn't use the website, then it’s not good enough, and Apptology helped us create that.

How did Apptology perform from a project management standpoint?

Apptology had a team of about 12 people, and they were fast and pretty good at meeting deadlines. They often worked around the clock, not just during office hours, and they would pick up items quickly from their company portal, which we also used to communicate. In the beginning, they provided feedback and guided the project. They would say, “There’s a more efficient way of doing this,” or “We can cut down the search and make it easier if we do it like this.”

What did you find most impressive about Apptology?

I think Apptology is more ahead of the game than other developers. They offer you the best, and their development skills are a lot better and cheaper than anywhere else.

Are there any areas Apptology could improve?

I think they need more English language writers for content.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the digital director at the Arabian Radio Network.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Apptology Limited?

We needed assistance with a few app development projects.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to come away from the partnership with completed applications.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We chose them through an RFP process.

Describe the project in detail.

Apptology Limited fully developed several applications.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a combined team of designers, developers, testers, and a project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re happy with the quality of the delivered products.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was very effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I appreciated their level of communication.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I’m happy with their service.