Blast Off Apps

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a co-founder of OKB Productions, which offers a mobile application that focuses on improving mental wellness for users.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Blast Off Apps?

We hired Blast Off Apps to develop our mobile application.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We intend to eliminate the negative aspects of social media and provide a new option that is safer and healthier for all users. We reviewed features that other social media applications lacked because we didn’t want to duplicate those platforms. The app is safety oriented and includes security filters so that users can identify and report any offensive content. The app is developed for Android and iOS and features five-way video chatting, messaging, and content sharing functions. The iOS version with the video chat is already live, and we’re currently working on the Android version. I also rely on Blast Off Apps to provide QA testing.

What is the team composition?

I have worked with the co-founders and a QA specialist.

How did you come to work with Blast Off Apps?

A member of the marketing team that we work with recommended Blast Off Apps based on their experience working with them. I arranged a consultation, and I felt they would be the best team to lead this development.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent almost $20,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in 2016 and remains ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are still in the development phase for Android, and we’re collecting feedback for iOS, so I cannot comment on the project’s success at this time.

How did Blast Off Apps perform from a project management standpoint?

The co-founders have been accessible around the clock, and I’ve never felt neglected. Their project management approach is the best I’ve ever worked with. One of the founders will always respond to my messages. We use Slack in addition to an internal project management tool that they created, but going forward, they also hope to use our app for its video chat capability.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are transparent in all matters. They’re straightforward in their pricing structure and their methods.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The quality of their work is great, but it comes with a high price tag. Still, we’re getting good results for the money that we’re spending.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

From personal experience, I learned that it is costly to switch or add new features during the development phase. I recommend surveying your potential users extensively so that you can make sure that you’re producing exactly what they need or want.

BACKGROUND

Please provide a description of your company. 

My company is an independently owned bookstore, located in West Virginia. We started business in 1990. We sell books, music on vinyl and CD, and various gift items.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I am currently the owner and manager of the store.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was the business challenge that you were trying to address? 

We were trying to access the growing mobile market. We wanted to put our store in front of potential customers who were constantly on their mobile devices.

What were your company's business goals for the project? 

We were trying to put as much of our store inventory online as possible. We are trying to tap into the growing mobile market with an app that would allow our customers and out-of-town customers to access our products in the comfort of their homes, offices, or directly on their phones and tablets.

Please provide a description of the project and its scope. 

We feel that a mobile application on both Android and Apple phones and tablets will be able to accomplish our goal. As it turns out, our store offered some interesting problems. As opposed to a crafter or artist who only has a few products to deal with, our store has a vast and constantly growing inventory. This did pose issues that neither of us was prepared for. Our store was Blast Off Apps's first or second retail client. We are still working through these issues, but all in all, the apps are coming along.

SOLUTION

What was your process for selecting the service provider?

We were approached by Blast Off Apps to come on board with them. Before this, we were approaching the market purely on the website or social media aspects. We were not thinking of an app, per se.

With what parts of the project was the service provider involved?

Blast Off Apps was responsible for developing our mobile app from start to finish.

When was the project completed?

The work is ongoing. Android is 90 percent complete, and the Apple app is coming online soon.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project, and are there any metrics you can share? 

This is the frustrating part. While we do have downloads on our Android app, we have yet to experience any sales from the app. We are hopeful that the addition of the Apple devices will change this outlook. Feedback seems good from prospective customers when they are informed of our apps, but we have yet to engage them through sales.

How did the service provider perform?

Overall, they have performed well, with some exceptions. We believe that the scope of our project took them by surprise with some aspects. As noted above, we do not have a set number of products to load on to the app. Therefore, the upload process is slow and a bit cumbersome for us. It is an almost a continuous process. The app progress has been slowed as they work out these issues with our inventory. I will say, however, that Blast Off Apps has been very responsive and quick with dialing up solutions for us.

Is there any area that the service provider could improve or you would do differently?

I think for us, ongoing face-to-face meeting sessions would be important. It is sometimes hard for laypersons, such as ourselves, to understand the technical aspects of the app process via emails or text messaging.

What advice would you give to a future client of theirs?

As with us, it is important to be very clear what expectations you and your company have. It is highly recommended that future clients make sure that Blast Off Apps understands what your company hopes to accomplish with your app product.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Lifeshare, a soon-to-launch social media application.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Blast Off Apps?

I engaged Blast Off Apps to build the platform as a mobile application.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to develop and launch the app successfully.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I found Blast Off Apps through an online search.

Describe the project in detail.

Blast Off Apps provided full-stack development of the social media app.

What was the team composition?

The team comprises Adam (Technical CEO, Blast Off Apps), Cathy (Product Management & Strategy Expert, Blast Off Apps), and a lead developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Development is still ongoing, but I’m highly satisfied with the collaboration so far. Blast Off Apps has overcome technical difficulties and delivered quality work at cost-effective rates.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Blast Off Apps has led a productive workflow so far. Their team is very accessible and understanding.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their ability to understand my vision and translate it into a functional app stands out the most to me. Adam, in particular, has in-depth knowledge of app development. He is highly responsive and flexible.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not that I can think of.