Coshx

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a healthy food restaurant chain. We serve grain bowls and salads.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Coshx?

We initially had an iOS app. Coshx was hired to build a native app for both Android and iOS with feature changes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app is a standard restaurant ordering service. Users select the time for their order and place it. On the backend, there are functionalities that I can adjust. I can see how many requests come in, modify orders, set time options, and place different locations. I’m also able to set promotions for specific locations. There’s also a kitchen app where workers can see order requests.

What is the team composition?

There were five developers on the team, but we only worked with four at a time.

How did you come to work with Coshx?

Coshx was referred to me by the people who developed the initial iOS application. That agency didn’t have the capabilities for other platforms that Coshx has.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Coshx in July 2018, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We serve over 400 people a day on the app. The kitchen application has changed service drastically. Feedback has been nothing but positive.

How did Coshx perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management style is excellent. I have nothing but great things to say about Coshx.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I can pick up the phone and call them whenever I want. It feels like working with a team, not a company I hired.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not that I know of. I can’t think of anything negative.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clients should be engaged and involved in the process. Coshx lets their clients know how everything is built and what’s being worked on. Don’t resist being involved because you’ll notice areas you want to change and want to prioritize some aspects of the project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the founder of Simili, a mobile app that helps groups of people decide where to eat and when to meet. I do everything except develop the product.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Coshx Labs?

I needed to transform my idea from an ill-functioning web app to a well-designed mobile app. The complex backend needed to integrate with multiple databases, and the algorithm needed to recommend restaurants based on the stated preferences of a group of people. 

What were your goals for this project?

I knew that my web app was a non-starter that didn't align with user behavior. I needed an attractive, easy-to-use app. It's difficult to get people to change their behavior, so the benefits of the app needed to outweigh this friction. My background is in branding and marketing, so I cared about those things. Fortunately, Coshx Labs did too.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I did a lot of research and considered off-shore developers. As a non-technical person, I needed thought leadership. Someone who had worked with Coshx Labs recommended them highly. I reached out and was completely sure that they were the vendor for me.

Describe the project in detail.

Coshx Labs built Android and iOS mobile apps using React Native. They worked with me from design to delivery, helping me think through all the complicated use case scenarios I hadn't considered.

They designed screens and backend actions to account for user flows. They also built a flexible backend that could move in a different direction if my frontend needs changed. The project included Postgres databases, Ruby On Rails, Heroku, SendGrid, and Firebase. They accessed information through the Yelp API and developed a custom algorithm.

What was the team composition?

The CEO led my project. The first core team included an intern and my junior developer, but other developers always assisted. Their team supported one another well. Later, I worked with two fabulous Coshx Labs developers. Their designer was involved the whole time and brought in when necessary. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It's still early, but I've received lots of positive feedback. Users, especially ones who saw earlier versions of the app, compliment its new design and branding. I'm happy with the outcome of this project and plan to work with them again. Since Coshx Labs taught me an incredible amount, I'm better able to manage my product and company.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They managed the workflow well, and communication was their strong suit. We organized regular meetings. Even though I could tell that their team was busy, I always felt they were totally focused on my project. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by their thoughtfulness. They weren't just nice people. They also put real brainpower into my project. They truly cared and treated my project as their own. Lots of companies call themselves partners, but few manage to feel that way, especially for a sustained period.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The project took longer than anticipated, but that was my fault. They agreed to mentor my junior developer for the project, which slowed things down. At the end, however, I had a resource who knew the product inside and out. We both learned so much from the experience. Coshx Labs delivered more than just a product: they delivered an education too!