AppUnite

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a Director of Engineering at Contractbook. We are a CLM (Contract Lifecycle Management) Saas startup (~160 people).

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

One of our biggest selling points is automating the contract lifecycle, which also includes integrating with other platforms. For example, automatically filling the contract with the prospect data from HubSpot or sending a Slack message when the contract is signed. AppUnite helped us implement several key integrations.

SOLUTION

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

Our platform is built using the Elixir language, which is not very common. We searched online for software houses specializing in Elixir, shortlisted about 10 of them, and then chose based on the cost, availability, developers' seniority, the work process used, and interviews with all the developers.

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

AppUnite developed several integrations of our platform (an internal module we call Automation Builder) with several external SaaS platforms. They collaborated very closely with our internal Product Managers and also our other in-house development teams.

Technologies used:

• React.js
• Elixir
• Phoenix
• PostgreSQL
• Google Cloud.

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

3 full-stack (Elixir + React) developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We added several key integrations to our contract automation systems with solid quality and velocity. They allowed us to considerably increase customers' usage of automation on our platform and to increase sales by enabling new automation workflows.

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

We integrated AppUnite team into our work process (Agile, iterative, with cross-functional teams). They were part of the whole process, including both product discovery and delivery. We are also a remote-first company, so the whole collaboration was 100% remote, using tools like Slack, Google Meet, Github, Shortcut, Figma, and Notion.

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

Their autonomy and ability to work in a product-led, agile environment. Our experience is that most of the software houses prefer to work on a project basis, where they get well-defined requirements and focus mostly on the implementation. This doesn't work for us as our process is very experimental and we want developers not only to produce features but to be engaged from the very beginning, including the product discovery part.

Also, we prefer people with high self-management skills, who we can just give a high-level problem to solve and trust they can break this problem down and manage the whole project lifecycle on their own. This is another thing which, according to our experience, is not very common in software houses. AppUnite devs really excelled in this regard. (Which is even more impressive considering that some of them were mid-level, not senior).

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

Not really. This was a very fruitful collaboration that we're fully satisfied with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Bamboo. We build technology that allows Africans to invest in US and global capital markets.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppUnite?

We were trying to set up a team of engineers that understood the Elixir programming language and could build the infrastructure that would power our system.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppUnite developed our native mobile and web app in its entirety. Elixir was the programming language for both versions. The app allows users to buy and sell US stock, and it collects and stores customer data. The design work was done by AppUnite’s partner.

What is the team composition?

AppUnite assigned one iOS and one Android engineer, three backend engineers, two frontend web engineers, one QA tester, and one project manager.

How did you come to work with AppUnite?

They were recommended to me by a friend who’d used AppUnite repeatedly for his own products.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with AppUnite in December 2018, and the app was launched in November 2019. The collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

AppUnite is very professional, and they’ve been pivotal to the success we’ve found. We’re continuing to work with them on this project, and we’ll work with them again on any new projects we start.

How did AppUnite perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re really great and are above our expectations. We work across different timezones and countries, but they’re really responsive and take initiative. I’ve really enjoyed the experience. We’re using Slack as a base communication tool, and we’ve moved from Asana to ClickUp and now to Jira.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a team of very intelligent engineers.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Even though most of the engineers from AppUnite that I’ve worked with have been great, we’ve had a couple of bad experiences. In particular, one engineer quit his job midway through the project, which affected our deliverables. AppUnite has since hired people that wouldn’t do that again.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Give AppUnite as much context as possible about your business. They’re a team that we can trust with a project, and they’re big on working collaboratively.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Solo is a mobile ordering system that seeks to provide a new fan experience for spectators. I am Solomon Knight the CEO of solo.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire AppUnite?

We approached AppUnite with beautiful design work and we wanted them to make our app come alive. We needed an iOS, iOS Tablet, Android, and admin web portal created in one months time to be prepared for a client. They knocked it out of the park. They met the deadline when all other companies told us it wasn't do able.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal of this project was to start and finish our MVP. Besides the design, nothing else was completed on the backend. They built three native apps for us and a web admin portal. Very efficient and the team is great at communicating.

SOLUTION

How did you select AppUnite?

After interviewing four companies, even our initial design dev team, we decided on AppUnite. They were the ones who said they could get the job done at an AFFORDABLE price. We looked at companies in the states and in Europe.

AppUnite had the not only the best price, but an impressive track record. If you have built mobile apps for Starbucks, you are definitely qualified to build out our MVP. The team is also super friendly and Andrew was very upfront with expectations and milestones.

Describe the project in detail.

Once we were assigned our own personal team of developers, we got straight to work. They mapped out the scope of the project and identify what was a necessity vs what could wait until the very end if we had time to implement those "want" features.

We had a weekly meeting on Tuesday's with the team. This is what our internal team chose was necessary, if we wanted to meet everyday with them, they said we could.

AppUnite uses Slack and they are very responsive on their and they also give input on your business model and what would make sense on the user experience side. Being in the states we were worried about the time difference but it actually worked out nicely.

What was the team composition?

We were assigned a project manager, one android developer, one web developer and 2 iOS developers. They worked very hard to get this project done and we are very grateful.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Without AppUnite, we wouldn't have gotten our major investment. We had a beautiful design, however, it was hard to showcase the capabilities of our app.

Once AppUnite started implementing features and functionality, that caught the eye of 2 big angel investors and we are off to the races to solidifying our first client.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The team was easy to communicate with and they provided frequent updates through firebase and testflight. Everyday there was something new or a question being asked on what we thought about this idea or concept. Communication is key on a critical project with a short time frame and they pulled it off.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

That are so fast and efficient. We also had QA testers and there were not major issues once something new was implemented. Quality work all around and they know what they are doing.

Are there any areas for improvement?

On our end, none at all. No complaints, we loved working with AppUnite 100%.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of technology, similar to a CTO, at Halftone Design.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppUnite?

We were working with a multi-billion dollar Japanese company that was working with another multi-billion dollar Japanese company to provide training to their new engineering hires.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped design the mobile app portion of the curriculum, which involved building several small apps. In the process, they constructed successive unit modules that would serve as training material. Between iOS and Android, they’ve developed dozens of small, mini-apps. They iterated them very rapidly, building them for learning purposes. 

After they created the apps, they also helped assess and launch them. They even flew to Japan to deliver them in person. 

What is the team composition?

They were flexible with staffing—we scaled up and down depending on our needs. We worked with 2–3 team members for the majority of the project. Our Android developer and the project manager were core to the engagement through the entire build.

How did you come to work with AppUnite?

Originally, I found them on Clutch. After I reached out, we did a quick interview with the engineers who would be working on our project. They were very sharp, immediately understanding what I wanted, despite this being an unusual gig. Because the build would be open-ended and fast-paced, we needed someone who could invest in creating educational goals with us. They didn’t bat an eye over any of it, and I could tell they were prepared. That’s why I decided to hire them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $28,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project in March 2019, completed the principal development in May, and launched by August of the same year. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The client was thrilled with the work and wants the whole thing to happen again next year. 

How did AppUnite perform from a project management standpoint?

The entire project was done remotely. We were using Slack and Zoom to communicate during our daily standups. Our meetings were live for a while, but we decided to switch to virtual standups because there was little overlap between the three timezones of the parties involved. They were very responsive despite that. We’d get same-day, sometimes immediate, replies from their team. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their Android engineer, in particular, was very enthusiastic about the project. Their whole team went above and beyond in their engagement with us. The attention was critical because of the open-ended nature of the project. I needed smart people who cared about what we were doing, and they delivered.

Additionally, our account manager was fluent in Japanese, which was super helpful in our communications with our client. I was grateful to have that. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

On both of our ends, this was a part-time project. It would’ve been smart for me to ensure there was more lead time to staff the project, so it wasn’t a rushed endeavor. If I were to do it again, I’d want a slightly bigger budget and a little more time leading into the project. But, I really don’t have any criticism about their performance. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re having to turn away business right now, so make sure you give them enough time to engage with you. Their team is willing to shuffle things around and adjust for the right projects, but there’re limits to that.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Yogatrail, an online network for yoga professionals and students. It’s a global platform with nearly a quarter-million users.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppUnite?

We had an outdated Drupal website. We hired AppUnite to redesign the platform from scratch, using a new programming language.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppUnite was helping with organizing our rebuild, setting up the architecture and other factors. Their forte is in Elixir as a programming language and Vue.js as the frontend framework. Their team set up Amazon SES (simple email service) and created an anonymized system so that users could email others without revealing their identity. The work also involved AWS Lambda.

What is the team composition?

Andrzej (Business Development Manager, AppUnite) is one of our primary contacts. We also work with a senior team member, a developer, and a junior teammate.

How did you come to work with AppUnite?

After coming across AppUnite, we had them take a look at our technical specifications before jumping on a call. It was evident that their team knows their stuff. Despite being based in Poland, it was easy to communicate with them. From the first call, we could tell how thoughtful they were. They saved us money by dissuading us from going into a more complicated process for the architecture rebuild. It was a great first impression.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $5,000. We’re in the process of fundraising for more work now.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with AppUnite about six months ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The rebuild ended up not finishing because it turned out to be a larger project that wasn't in our budget. Since then, we’ve been using them on a part-time basis. We’re spinning off a new side company and plan on having them build and perform maintenance for the entire platform. That project will include new features. Their work with our email system has been smooth and seamless.

Everything AppUnite does is gold. We have in-house developers that might take 10 hours on a project, and when their team gets involved, it takes AppUnite around 30 minutes. They’re extraordinary. I’ve dealt with several agencies and developers. I’ve yet to come across one that consistently under promises and over-delivers in terms of time and money like AppUnite.

We’ve experienced no language barrier. Their team is extremely eloquent and competent. They really understand what we’re talking about. That shows in the easy communication and their ability to deliver high-quality code.

How did AppUnite perform from a project management standpoint?

We chat on Slack and sometimes use Google Hangouts for a quick call. They have a project management system that’s different from what we use internally. In the near future, we’ll probably collaborate utilizing the system that they use.

The junior team member had previous experience with Amazon SES and got that work done in an impressive time. Every interaction I’ve had with their team has been pleasant. Their team is also extremely organized.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team at AppUnite is empathetic to their clients, giving them what they want and need. Some agencies receive specs and only build according to that. If it’s not right, that’s on the client because they only used what was given. It’s noteworthy that AppUnite seems concerned with what their clients want to achieve. They consider the easier, least expensive, and robust options, looking beyond their contracts and hours. I have nothing but great things to say about them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing really. We’re in a contract with them that gives an hourly estimate. If the project ends up taking longer, we have to eat the cost. They’re not willing to do an agreement that covers the payment for the product or feature. It would be great if they gave us a set rate, but I think this is normal for agencies.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Any hint of shortcomings has been entirely on us. My team and I aren’t the most responsive, so they’re often waiting on us. My advice to potential customers would be to be prepared when working with them. You don’t want them waiting on you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm CTO of AssistMe. We develop IoT solutions for the nursing care market—specifically for incontinence care.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppUnite?

We were looking to develop a mobile version of our application for our end user—caregivers—since it would be the most inconvenient interface for them. We lacked the in-house expertise to develop the mobile app, so we decided to hire AppUnite to build the first version.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppUnite developed a mobile app for Android devices. We already had a concept in mind, and we divided the work by feature and into sprints. For each sprint, we create designs, interfaces, and wireframes that we then handed over to AppUnite. They also received an API to look at the information in those designs specific to those features. Each sprint took place over 1–2 weeks. AppUnite also advised ways to modify areas so that they’d be easier to implement.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 2–3 people, including a developer who we switched midway through the project as well as a project manager.

How did you come to work with AppUnite?

One of my colleagues had worked with AppUnite in the past and recommended them for our project. After contacting multiple companies, we decided to go with the recommendation.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from September 2018 until June 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We ended our contract with AppUnite because we decided that having an in-house mobile developer would be critical for our business. We’re thrilled with the quality of work AppUnite produced. We’ve received positive feedback from users after fielding testing, which we’re happy about.

How did AppUnite perform from a project management standpoint?

AppUnite managed the project well. Before each sprint, our teams—consisting of AppUnite’s developer and project manager as well as our technical and design side—met to make sure that we all understood the requested feature well. After the meeting, Slack was our primary communication tool. We used Jira and Kanban board to organize a backlog of tasks.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team was open about everything. We could always have honest conversations with them. AppUnite was receptive to feedback and would try to correct anything that we thought they could improve.

Are there any areas they could improve?

AppUnite was clearly experienced; they often completed tasks more quickly than we could come up with them. However, sometimes the stream of work we gave AppUnite didn’t match their pace. We didn’t always have work for them to do because we would be busy with user testing or we were deciding what to do next. We would have appreciated more flexibility in our contract with AppUnite to account for these periods.

Any advice for potential customers?

Make sure your implementation plan is well-defined and has sufficient work. If there’s not, communicate that clearly at the beginning so that AppUnite can work around that. They are flexible, but it’s important to manage expectations on both sides.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I’m the product manager for a transit company that provides real-time information to riders. We currently have two products and are working on a third.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppUnite? 

We initially relied on AppUnite to build and manage one of our app products. Since then, they’ve started working on a third product for iOS and Android.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

AppUnite is helping us develop a ticketing app from scratch that allows users to pay for bus tickets before boarding. They’ve integrated our API into the app and are now building out innovative security measures using face and touch ID. 

What is the team composition?  

They’ve assigned a main project manager, and I’ve enjoyed working with her. She’s great at communication and oversees two lead developers, one for Android and another for iOS. 

How did you come to work with AppUnite? 

We work with an external design team that is based in the same office as AppUnite. At the time, we had commissioned the design team to produce assets for our app and mentioned that we needed a partner to manage our product. They introduced us to AppUnite, and we’ve worked with them ever since.

How much have you invested with them? 

In total, we’ve spent close to $50,000, which is about $15,000–$20,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement? 

Their work started in May 2016 and is ongoing. In the past month, we’ve actually doubled or tripled our partnership with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

By taking over our app management and routine maintenance, AppUnite has allowed us to be forward thinkers. We can now focus on developing new features rather than finding ways to make those features real. It’s been a huge weight off of our shoulders.

As for our third product, it’s been a really fun project so far. They’re proactive about taking existing functions like face ID and using them in a way that isn't immediately obvious. Every time I have a problem, they always come up with unique solutions. If a request isn’t feasible, they take the time to explain to us why something won’t work and will often provide a cool workaround.

How did AppUnite perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re one of the best partners that we have, and I really enjoy collaborating with them. Since we’re in different time zones, the team regularly works after hours to meet our needs. We often have to push through a tight deadline to release an app quickly, and, for the most part, they’ve been great at communicating everything to me so that there are no surprises. There have only been a few rare occasions when they’ve missed a deadline without giving us a heads-up. In terms of project management tools, we use Trello and Slack.

What did you find most impressive about them?

This might not sound impressive to some, but I love that there isn’t a lot of red tape between us. If I have a request and need to talk to their owner directly, I can easily access him or his team through Slack.

Are there any areas they could improve? 

Their team is structured so that they only work on certain projects during specific days. As a result, if I need an answer on something, I’ll sometimes have to wait a few days for them to get back to my project before they can respond. This can be a bit of a pain point for us. But, when all is said and done, this is a fairly minor problem, and I can always plan for it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a technology company in the music industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppUnite? 

We approached AppUnite to transform our ideas and creative design into a functional web app for musicians. They’ve been involved since the early stages of conceptualization and have supported us through the MVP.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

AppUnite has helped us bring our musician app to life, from scoping to implementation. The team initially provided the logic behind the software development before setting up the backend data capture and building out the functionalities. 

It’s a sophisticated platform that helps musicians manage their professional details and pursue opportunities. Key features include a signup portal, a dashboard where musicians can upload their information, and a booking calendar to connect and secure gigs. Currently, AppUnite is developing additional features,  maintaining a simplified functionality to encourage more user interaction. 

What is the team composition?  

The main team consists of a project manager, front- and backend developers, and a QA specialist. If we need more resources, they’re able to scale up to meet project requirements.

How did you come to work with AppUnite? 

A colleague had used them in the past and referred me to their website. After looking over their content, I reached out to them, and their business development manager quickly responded.

What is the status of this engagement? 

Their work started in April 2018 and is ongoing.
 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their team is very knowledgeable; they complete whatever task I set in front of them.

How did AppUnite perform from a project management standpoint?

For the most part, they’ve managed the project well. There have been times when the workflow could have been better, but they’re pretty strong overall. We coordinate using Slack.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

It’s really easy to communicate with them, which is incredibly important when working with an overseas company. They have a solid infrastructure built in to facilitate open communication.

Are there any areas they could improve? 

No, I don’t have any suggestions. When hiring a company to develop software, the development is the most important aspect.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of Blocktrade, a crypto asset exchange company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppUnite?

We needed help developing our mobile apps.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppUnite is building native iOS and Android apps so that users can have better performance and UX. Together, we defined the scope of the project over numerous iterations; it took us a while to decide on exactly what we wanted. They helped us choose the best features and components of the app. Once the scope was complete, they began development, and we did internal testing, allowing us to provide weekly feedback on the products. They added security features to the apps and included sleek and modern charts.

What is the team composition?

We’ve had up to three developers, but we currently only have one. Our main point of contact is the project manager.

How did you come to work with AppUnite?

Our partner introduced us to three development firms. We interviewed them all and found AppUnite to be the best fit; they had past experience that lined up with the work we wanted to do.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between €40,000­– €50,000 (approximately $46,000–$57,500 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since January 2018. The app is currently running, but it isn’t live yet.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our internal team tested all of AppUnite’s code, and everything looked good. The apps work well and don’t have any bugs.

How did AppUnite perform from a project management standpoint?

They have clear communication, and we hold weekly meetings to track updates. They have a project management tool, but we don’t use it often.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their quality is excellent, and the project manager is always available to us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Have a project manager because then they can decide on the smaller issues that you may not have time for.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of product management for Zumba Fitness. We’re a fitness provider with a network of instructors. We provide our instructors with benefits and access to an e-commerce store. The instructors work independently and teach classes to the Zumba community all over the world. My team is responsible for building software products and applications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppUnite?

We provide instructors with new music and choreography each month through our website. While this service functions well, we wanted to develop a mobile app that could assist our instructors more conveniently. However, the project required more than building a mobile version of the existing software. A lot of instructors teach classes in remote areas where they don’t always have access to Wi-Fi. We hired AppUnite to develop a mobile solution that enables instructors to create and initiate class playlists without Wi-Fi.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We don’t have any app developers in-house, so my team came up with the app’s concept and worked with our web developers to design the initial wireframes. AppUnite provided a lot of useful feedback and helped us put together an app that works for both iOS and Android. We originally envisioned a hybrid app, but ultimately switched to using native functionalities per their advisement. Our in-house team handled most of the API development, and AppUnite built the app and implemented its code. They continue to support and maintain the platform on a monthly basis.

What is the team composition?

They allocated a project manager, a QA tester, and 4–6 developers.

How did you come to work with AppUnite?

We researched multiple vendors and noticed that AppUnite came highly recommended. I liked that they were affordable and had experience developing similar apps. We quickly developed a good rapport with them and that sealed the deal.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve likely spent $200,000–$1 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2016 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

AppUnite created our first widely used app. It’s a high-profile product for Zumba and customers are satisfied with the end result. They executed the project within our vision and pleased company stakeholders in the process.

How did AppUnite perform from a project management standpoint?

We hold weekly check-in meetings to address outstanding issues. We also communicate via Slack quite often. They adapted to using Jira as a project management tool because that’s our preferred software.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their attention to detail is remarkable. The project manager communicates effectively and keeps everything organized. They’re one of the best partners we’ve ever worked with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

AppUnite approaches each project with a detail-oriented mindset and provides a lot of valuable insight. They ask a lot of questions at the start of a project, but the purpose of that is to help them deliver the best product possible.