Ballast Lane Applications

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Pikkup LLC. We’re a logistics technology company. Our company features a mobile app where you can rent out trucks like Uber and a B2B platform that features larger trucks. We’re currently in progress on development for the B2B platform.

What challenge were you trying to address with Ballast Lane Applications?

They provide out-of-house development and new features for our various products.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Ballast Lane Applications maintains our app and build out features for the two platforms. The app was built for iOS and Android. While they did not build the app from the ground-up, they took an existing app and redesigned it. They added a new pricing feature and in-app driver application process. Our website was also redesigned. In terms of code, the app had to be entirely updated to Swift.

What is the team composition?

I worked with 7–8 people in total. That included front- and backend developers, a project manager, and designers.

How did you come to work with Ballast Lane Application?

I’d initially worked with them while they were under a previous owner. I was introduced to them by a colleague, then the company was bought by a new owner and renamed. However, I continued to work with them because it was the same development team. The design team changed, but otherwise, it was continuous.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent just over $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The work began in 2018 and is still ongoing.

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

The in-house testing has gone well. They’ve helped us with maintenance, which is hard to measure statistically, but in general, they’ve been good with everything. They’ve hit all deadlines.

How did Ballast Lane Applications perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management has been wonderful. They’re very hands-on. The CEO has been particularly hands-on, which I’ve enjoyed. He sits in on most of the communications that we have, which is great. The project manager has been phenomenal. I have clear communication with everyone involved.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The hands-on approach from the executives and high level of involvement has been the most impressive part.

Are there any areas they could improve?

None that I can think of. I’m very pleased with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You should work with them; they’re great.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the Chief Software Engineer at Freshair Sensor, and we make devices that help hotel owners, landlords, and properties enforce smoking policies. It’s a WiFi-enabled device that monitors molecules found in cigarette smoke and sends email notifications to property owners. It’s used as a deterrent for smokers and provides clarifying information in disputes.

What challenge were you trying to address with Ballast Lane Applications?

Because of the nature of our business, we required several development projects, ranging in size from small to large. Our goal was to build a solid code-based platform that would be solid enough that we could create additional tools.

What was the scope of their involvement?

In the beginning, we started working on a smaller development project and have since expanded our partnership. We discussed how we would design the software and set up our system. Since then, they’ve developed both a mobile and web app to be integrated into our IT ecosystem. The mobile app is compatible with both iOS and Android. The web app is used internally to manage software and was built using Angular for the frontend and Node.js for the backend.

What is the team composition?

We had a project leader, a designer, and a team of developers.

How did you come to work with Ballast Lane Applications?

Our CEO knew an executive in Ballast Lane Applications, so when we were looking for partners to work with, we began learning more about their business.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $88,000 with them. The first project cost  $15,000, the mobile app was $48,000, and our current project is $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in July 2018 and still have ongoing projects.

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

They’ve developed a solid code and reliable platform. We use the web app internally, and their team has made updates and tweaked a few minor things. We’ve seen great improvement in our IT system since working with them.

How did Ballast lane Applications perform from a project management standpoint?

We met a few times per week to keep track of progress on each product and so we could give some guidance on what we wanted. They managed the project so we could focus on our internal projects. Strategically, this system was very helpful.

We also added them to our daily communication channels like Slack. Whenever they had questions about a feature they were implementing, they could easily ping us and ask clarifying questions in real-time. They ensured that the project was implemented the way we wanted and everyone was happy with the end result.

What did you find most impressive about them?

 As a developer myself, I’ve found that other freelancers don’t take ownership of the code they write. They know that they’re only going to be working on a project for a few months, and then they will move on. Ballast Lane Applications stands out because they want to make sure everything is working properly and plan to maintain it for the next year and a half.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s always room to improve, even if it’s just in communication, but so far, we’ve had a great experience with their team.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Definitely be communicative from the beginning and clearly define project scope and expectations. It’s also useful to

What challenge were you trying to address with Ballast Lane Applications?

We were moving into a seven thousand square foot tasting room. We wanted customers to feel that they could come and go as they pleased. Since we had a much bigger space, we also wanted to add a restaurant element, which defines customer’s experiences by the presence of a waiter handing over a check. We decided that we wanted to give people the ability to control how long they stayed. We thought the best way to be able to do that is to have an app that supported ordering at the bar.  

What was the scope of their involvement?

Ballast Lane Applications developed our mobile app, which supports our ordering system. Our team provided beer and food menus, which they integrated into the platform. The product allows people to order food and beer, have it delivered to their table, and not have a determinant as to how long to stay. During talks about design, their team seemed to be on the same page as me. They designed the platform to fit the aesthetic of our pub. Their team implemented features to provides us with customer information. With the app, we can encourage customers to create reviews and set-up a loyalty program to engage with them in a different way.

What is the team composition?

We collaborated with a team of between 4–5 members. We worked closely with three of them but there were a couple of other guys. Another gentleman came out to see the app in motion.

How did you come to work with Ballast Lane Applications?

We have an e-commerce team that was tasked to help us find an agency. Ballast Lane Applications was one of about four candidates given to us. Initially, I met with Larry (Managing Principal & CEO, Ballast Lane Applications) who gave me great feelings. There was a moment when we considered managing the project ourselves. Quickly, we realized couldn’t generate the efficiency that we needed. We went back to our initial nominees and Ballast Lane Applications was the most impressive. I was convinced their team would produce the best aesthetics.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $65,000 with them so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began the project in October 2018, and our collaboration is ongoing.

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

Initially, we introduced the app into one room, which accounted for about 5% of all sales.  Then, we opened the product up to the whole space. Now, the platform processes about 12% of our sales. The goal is to treat the app as though it were one of our bartenders or servers to represent about 20% of our sales. We’re super happy with the rate of growth.

How did Ballast Lane Applications perform from a project management standpoint?

Ballast Lane Applications managed the project superbly. They’ve been communicative and available.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Ballast Lane Applications' biggest asset has been their availability. We’ve had a lot of moving targets and they’ve been constantly accessible. Their team has been receptive to our needs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’ve been perfect.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Go for it—they’re great. I’ve recommended them to other pubs.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I manage operations and customer care at Universal Instruments, a manufacturer of capital goods. We specialize in the automation of the circuit board and electronics assembly.

What challenge were you trying to address with Ballast Lane?

We have a mobile application which requires ongoing maintenance and support.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Ballast Lane picked up our existing app code and have provided ongoing alterations and improvements. They serve as app managers who take full ownership of all support and maintenance efforts. They’ve also done some website work for us as well.

The app is for both iOS and Android operating systems. It’s an experiential app for internal use that integrates video, Wi-Fi, and product tutorials.

What is the team composition?

We have two primary points of contact—Theresia (Project Manager, Ballast Lane) and Larry (CEO, Ballast Lane).

How did you come to work with Ballast Lane?

They acquired a previous app developer that we had been doing business with.

How much have you invested with them?

We have a monthly $3000 retainer with them, which would put us around $72,000 so far. We’ve also spent somewhere between $10,000—$15,000 for additional work that’s out of scope. In total, we're somewhere close to $150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began in August 2017, and we have an ongoing relationship.

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

We hold them against a service level agreement (SLA) and they’ve always met or exceeded our expectations. Neither our app nor website have experienced any downtime, so they’ve also performed very well on that front.

How did Ballast Lane perform from a project management standpoint?

Our project manager, Theresia, is absolutely fantastic. She and Larry are both extremely responsive. We’ve given them Carte Blanche because we trust their expertise on app and web development. We rely heavily on them for their insight.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re no longer just another vendor. They’ve truly become our partner, whom we consider an indispensable part of our team. They’re forward-thinking, responsive, and extremely competent. We truly see the value of working together with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t really think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You’ll be in very good hands if you choose to do business with Ballast Lane. The level of attention that you’ll receive is amazing, and the owner makes sure that you’re taken care of.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of DivorceForce—an online community for people affected by divorce. We also connect people to different service providers and professionals in the field. We help take people from the beginning of divorce to their new life post-divorce by connecting them with others.

What challenge were you trying to address with Ballast Lane Applications?

We were looking to improve the customer onboarding sequence. We were also launching a product called ProConnect, which is a directory service used to attract individuals affected by divorce to relevant businesses and professionals.

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, Ballast Lane Applications instituted a new onboarding sequence. When we drive traffic to the site, the process converts visitors to members of the DivorceForce community. Using PHP, their team created an experience to keep customers engaged. They also built the sequence to provide us with the information needed to tailor an experience for each customer.

Then, their team built a platform for professionals from scratch. Following guidelines, their team created all of the graphics and wireframes. They integrated features that allow users to build a digital resume by uploading photos, PDFs, intake forms, videos, and contact information. With the platform, businesses not only create a profile to engage with customers but also develop a digital footprint to support SEO and SEM efforts.

What is the team composition?

I coordinated with 3–4 teammates. I worked with one project lead but there were times when others were involved in specific conversations relating to specific tests.

How did you come to work with Ballast Lane Applications?

Ballast Lane Applications acquired the company I worked with prior. While I interviewed a number of new companies, I was impressed by the work I was receiving by one of the prior teammates. I enjoyed my meeting with the CEO of Ballast Lane Applications and decide to stay with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent approximately $150,000 with Ballast Lane Applications.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started collaborating around December 2017. I’m actually still working with Ballast Lane Applications on different scopes.  

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

Our platform is extremely stable. We've had infrequent downtime, which has usually been a result of a server problem at Amazon. For all of the product releases, they’ve hit 100% accuracy. We haven’t had to roll back the product due to complications.

How did Ballast Lane Applications perform from a project management standpoint?

We use Slack, Jira, and EnVision sporadically. Ballast Lane Applications has been excellent with meeting deadlines and remaining compliant with project guidelines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Communication has been excellent. Their project management team is A+. They feel like they’re a part of our company. Ballast Lane Applications has gone above and beyond to satisfy our account.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of any ways they could improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would advise somebody to consider working with Ballast Lane Applications. They’re a fantastic outfit. Ballast Lane Applications has the depth to manage any project so dig deep and share your thoughts on what you’re willing to create. Whether it’s a medium or large project, their team is capable of handling whatever is thrown at them.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the product owner at Provant for our participant portal. Participants used it to access our wellness offerings and view incentive programs. There were educational features, challenges and links to resources to help people make healthy choices with the goal of improving biometric results.

What challenge were you trying to address with Ballast Lane Applications?

We wanted to go from web-based design to a mobile-first design, but we were relatively small and didn’t have the internal knowledge base necessary. We knew what we wanted, but not how to get there.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Working not just with me, but also with our internal marketing team, they worked with our messaging, layout, and colors to ensure our design would work on mobile technology. Their expertise allowed us to see if our ideas would translate into the right experience for participants.

Larry (CEO, Ballast Lane Applications) was our guide, but he also had a team behind him that made mockups, wrote the code, and managed our applications. Our mobile app had to sync up with our web app, so every time we had a web deployment they made an identical mobile deployment. This required working with our outsourced teams in Kiev and Moscow. Larry was very responsive and build a great working relationship with those distributed resources. Regarding technology, they managed both iOS and Android apps, using Objective C and Java, respectively. Our web solutions run on Angular, React, and node.js.

There was also a small side-project we initiated with a resource that Larry brought in. They developed a highly modern mobile app experience that we used in potential customer meetings and briefings to internal leadership. It showed our company’s direction very well. Larry handled this relationship and did a great job of keeping the resource on track and filling him in about what we wanted and how we needed everything to work. 

Finally, they did an integration and design project with one of our vendors, an external service for the portal and helped manage and develop changes needed to support an updated Events portal, the service participants used to sign up for Biometric Screenings.

What is the team composition?

Primarily, I worked with Larry, who had a few developers I didn’t work with directly. There was another person who oversaw the development team, and I talked to them a couple of times to get to know them and their experience.

How did you come to work with Ballast Lane Applications?

I don’t know exactly how we found them, but I met with all the candidates and thought Larry had the right approach. He was easy to talk with, nice, and responsive.  

We were a pretty small company, so it was important that we not be a small fish in the large pond of a bigger company. Larry said he would support us with knowledge and responsiveness, and it worked out great.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent close to $200,000 with them. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March of 2016 until December 31, 2018.

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

You have to have an app for the space we’re in. We also needed it to work and not take away from the participant's experience - but it was never the driver for us. Since most are people using our corporate program that’s tied into their company, they access it on their browser. That being said, however, we did see an uptick in app usage—downloads and engagement. Further presentations to clients always require us to show what our mobile app looks like, so it was critical to have this solution.

How did Ballast Lane Applications perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great. We never had to wait for anything if we emailed or Skyped Larry. He was very responsive and hit delivery deadlines. He also excelled at setting expectations. Even though we weren’t overwhelming him with work, he also didn’t get stuck at any point.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were committed to us and never stopped helping us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, no. I’d certainly work with them again. Everything worked well, and they never dropped the ball on anything.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am responsible for Product Management at Scorebook Live a sports media and technology company that aims to bring coaches, players, administrators and fans inside the high school sports market with innovative software and content solutions.

For what projects/services did your company hire Ballast Lane Applications?

We have worked with Ballast Lane for several years developing complex websites, Android and iOS mobile applications and APIs that support the high school sports market.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals were to develop interactive web and native iOS and Android applications that were well documented and delivered within budget on schedule.

How did you select this vendor?

We were introduced to Ballast Lane via a previous company that supported our development. Ballast Lane acquired this developer.

Describe the project in detail.

We have worked on several projects with Ballast Lane, a legacy iOS application that has been maintained and upgraded over the past 4 years, a React web design that allowed for users to create their own tournament manager with live bracket output and a native Kotlin and Swift application for use by high school administrators to schedule and score their athletic organizations results.

What was the team composition?

Ballast has many different disciplines but our typical engagement involves a dedicated Project Manager, Designers, Backend development resources and native iOS and Android mobile developers.

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

Ballast has consistently delivered projects on budget and on schedule. We have launched and supported several commercial products that are industry leading in their design and performance.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Ballast is very adaptive and integrated easily into our Agile process. We work closely with their team in regular standups, release planning and issue reporting. The workflow has been seamless and the results speak for themselves.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Even though some of the sports that we support in the US are not familiar to the team members, they quickly came up to speed on the rules and needs of our customers. They always ask the right questions and are very efficient in their understanding of the requests.

Are there any areas for improvement?

wish they were closer to San diego!

Please describe your company and your position there.

Vice president of digital marketing for retail flooring cooperative.

For what projects/services did your company hire Ballast Lane Applications?

Convention app to facilitate order processing and a virtual waiting queue.

What were your goals for this project?

Create a mobile application for our semi-annual conventions to streamline the consultation and ordering process.

How did you select this vendor?

We met with the team at Ballast Lane and explained all the issues we were trying to overcome. They presented us with various options to address these needs.

Describe the project in detail.

This was a custom application to assist us with the order processing of the retail store owners that belong to our cooperative group.

What was the team composition?

Marketing, operations, development.

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

This will be our sixth year using the solution that Ballast Lane created, we are very happy.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Excellent.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their creative thinking sets them apart.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No