CrossComm

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the Director of Engineering at Neuvana. We sell a consumer product that coordinates music with electrical signals through headphones. By synchronizing the two, matching the intensity of the music and the signal, it creates balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. As a result, it creates a calming and soothing effect.

What challenge were you trying to address with CrossComm?

The first generation of our product had some buttons and controls, but as we simplified the interface, we wanted to harness the processing capabilities in smartphones.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed an iOS and Android app that had the same functions as our initial product. It’s also encrypted, has authentication and security features.

What is the team composition?

We usually had 2–3 people working on our team. initially worked with a project manager, but now we work with an Android expert, iOS expert, and a few other people jump on calls from time to time.

How did you come to work with CrossComm?

One of the people I work with has a son who works in software development and he recommended CrossComm. We talked with them a few times before we started, liked what they had to say, and decided to do it.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $100,000—$150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2018.

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

The app just launched on Google Play and the App Store. They continue to help us with our structure. So, we have a free version and a premium version. So we’re hammering out what a consumer expects and what features they need in each version.

How did CrossComm perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very good. We were working on a tight timeline, but they were very upfront. We sat down and highlighted the features we needed, gave them a wish list, and they identified what was realistic. More often than not, they checked off the bulk of the list. Their timelines were also pretty accurate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were very responsive and hands-on. If we need something urgently, they’re understanding.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would like to understand the code and software they use better. Not because I think it would make the project better, but because I’m curious.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You should develop an iOS version first and then translate it to Android upon completion.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the head of a technologies lab at a research institute. We work on current VR, AR, and mixed reality technologies. 

What challenge were you trying to address with CrossComm?

My team was designing a game and needed to outsource development work.

What was the scope of their involvement?

CrossComm developed an immersive VR framework for a 3D game engine and other applications. They trained my company’s in-house developers to use the framework. We continue to engage CrossComm for other projects.

What is the team composition?

My team engaged with project managers and a developer.

How did you come to work with CrossComm?

We discovered them online and spoke with some of their managers. They’re also a local company.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

My team began working with CrossComm in December 2018. Our partnership is ongoing and we have collaborated on multiple projects.

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

The framework has received positive feedback and works very well. It has become a valuable internal tool for my team, and we are currently deploying it in several projects.

How did CrossComm perform from a project management standpoint?

CrossComm has provided technical advising, design consultation, and user training. They’ve been responsive to our questions and requests. The team offers frequent progress updates and meets all deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their collaborative approach was ideal for this project, and they fulfilled all of our requirements.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind. Overall, it was a good experience. I’ve recommended CrossComm to colleagues. They have a lot of offerings.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of EAS Ventures LLC. We support positive personal learning and development for both individuals and organizations.

What challenge were you trying to address with CrossComm?

I wanted a tool to support my services. My work is more on the conceptual and abstract end of the spectrum, so I decided to create an app to make the process a bit more concrete. I hired CrossComm to help me built an app that allows my clients to manage their personal change journey through smart journaling.

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, I had a discovery phone call with their senior developer. We discussed my expectations and laid out the scope of work for the project. It was important for us to start on the same page. After that discussion, I met with the CrossComm team in their office to go over the high-level design elements. We wrote out an outline that would act as a set of parameters for the application.

Once we were clear on the design, CrossComm started working on wireframes and storyboards. We went through a few iterations before we landed on something both sides were happy with. After finalizing those elements, the team started coding. It’s a native iOS app. Users can electronically write notes or journal entries on their mobile device, then tag each one based on its content. They can assemble a customized in-app dashboard to manage their notes and search using a series of filters and categories. Basically, the app offers a more organized approach to journaling. We’re going to finish up some internal testing and fix any bugs that arise. Then, the CrossComm team will help me launch it on the App Store.

What is the team composition?

I work with a project manager and a developer.

How did you come to work with CrossComm?

I searched online for a professional vendor that was based in my area. I wanted to be able to meet in person whenever necessary. I came across CrossComm’s website, which had a chat function. I had a quick real-time conversation with a representative. They were very responsive and had a real personal touch. After a follow-up conversation, I decided to officially partner with their team.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, I’ve spent $25,000 on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working on this in October 2018, and the project is ongoing.

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

We haven’t launched the app yet, so we don’t have any concrete results. With that said, initial feedback has been good. Users appreciate the simplicity of the design.

How did CrossComm perform from a project management standpoint?

The workflow was smooth. We had a weekly call to discuss our progress. The CrossComm team met all deadlines and stayed within our budget restrictions.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They made me feel very comfortable. I don’t have a technical background, so their knowledge was instrumental to the success of this project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Any advice for potential customers?

Clients should keep their timeframe and budget in mind when setting goals with CrossComm. As a startup, this is very difficult. I wanted things quickly, but I had limited resources. Their team helped me manage my own expectations. I’m happy with the product I got for the time and money that I invested.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and chief creative officer of Wallcrawls. We provide customized solutions for augmented reality (AR) apps.

What challenge were you trying to address with CrossComm?

We lost our development partner and needed another firm to help complete our projects.

What was the scope of their involvement?

CrossComm uses Unity to create AR experiences and demos for our clients. Instead of just completing assigned tasks, they work with us to strategize and implement the best programs and methodologies to achieve our goals. For example, they assisted in the development of an AR demo for an international hospitality company. After collaborating with us to determine the best solution, they used Unity and ARKit to create a map that pops up and explains aspects of the client’s property.

What is the team composition?

We work with six or seven members of their team both individually and as a group. This includes their owner, a project manager, a developer, a Unity specialist, and an accountant.

How did you come to work with CrossComm?

I researched development firms online and found their website. I reached out to them and they jumped at the chance to help. We’ve been working together ever since.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent roughly between $40,000 and $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We hired them in April 2018 and the engagement is ongoing.

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

We have a couple of ongoing projects with them that are in different stages of development and client feedback has been positive across the board. Everyone who sees the products are floored by what CrossComm has created. It’s amazing to watch people experience AR for the first time. Also, they helped us overcome an insane deadline that was imposed on us by another firm. They came to our aid and that demonstrated their character and work ethic.

How did CrossComm perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project manager is awesome. He’s easy to get a hold of and quickly responds to questions. He’s also helped train us on a couple of things so we can be more self-sufficient in the future. Open communication facilitates reasonable expectations on both sides. Our work hasn’t yet necessitated the use of project management tools, so we only communicate via phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Each individual on their team is passionate about what they do. When we bring an idea or client to them, they immediately start thinking about how to create something awesome. I always know they’ll deliver something great because they’re excited to take on the challenge. As a result, that excitement spreads to our team and the client as well. We continue to work with them because they work quickly, communicate cordially, and they produce remarkable products.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’d advise their future partners to remember that development takes time. If you want good work, you have to be willing to pay for it and wait for it.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an associate professor of oncology and a clinical psychologist with the Karmanos Cancer Institute. We're an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center located at Wayne State University.

What challenge were you trying to address with CrossComm?

I received funding from the NCI to build a mobile app that helps patients monitor side effects and manage their adherence to oral cancer treatments.

What was the scope of their involvement?

I conducted research for several years prior to approaching CrossComm. I provided them with a set of wireframes I had developed with the Office of Technology Transfer at the University of Michigan. I explained the features I wanted to include and we worked collaboratively to outline the app’s specifications.

We worked together on content creation and they then produced a Buddybuild so I could provide feedback throughout the development phase.

I was focused on two key features. First, I wanted patients to be able to compile a detailed report of their symptoms. Based on a list I provided, CrossComm built a function that allows users to monitor the severity and frequency of their symptoms on a daily basis. A similar feature was created for keeping track of medication schedules.

Secondly, I wanted the app to include graphs to convey information in a clear, visual way. The app allows users to toggle between weekly and monthly charts to highlight long-term symptom changes. The graphs also highlight whether patients are adhering to their medications over time.

Patients can show these graphs to their physician, improving the partnership between doctor and patient.

CrossComm submitted our application to the App Store, and while our initial funding applied only to iOS development, we now plan to move forward with an Android version.

What is the team dynamic?

I have direct contact with the owner, Don Shin, as well as three or four other members of the team. We also had a chief developer and a chief engineer assigned to our project, depending on the project’s phase.

How did you come to work with CrossComm?

Our university has a mentor-in-residence who assists staff with technology needs. I worked with him throughout my research, and he suggested a number of developers when it came time for production.

While his shortlist primarily focused on local companies, he also included CrossComm after hearing positive things and meeting the owner. I prefer in-person meetings, so I was hesitant to work with a vendor based outside of Michigan. Still, after interviewing every company, it was clear that CrossComm was easily the best option.

How much have you invested with them?

Our first build cost $60,000, and the subsequent build is expected to cost $35,000.

I'm in the process of applying for additional funding so that we can add new features and expand the app.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2017 and our relationship is ongoing.

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

I presented the app to an oncology group that was blown away. They were really excited about using it with their patients. In fact, audience members made suggestions for improvement throughout my presentation, only to find that we had already included their recommendations.

Patients have also responded positively. They say the app is user-friendly and the graphs are easy to understand.

How did CrossComm perform from a project management standpoint?

I meet Don in-person once a month, with the rest of our communication conducted through phone calls and video conferencing. I’ve also worked with a single contact to coordinate the final stages of the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re excellent collaborators, listening to your ideas and helping with each stage of development. They're not afraid to give feedback or offer other ideas if they think it can improve the end product.

They also personally invest themselves with their clients to ensure a successful outcome, which speaks volumes about their business philosophy. Of all the companies we considered, they really seemed to care about our project. We were really impressed with that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not that I can think of, no. We've been really happy with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I was unfamiliar with all the steps involved in creating an app, but CrossComm will explain the process once you develop a relationship.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an assistant professor at the School of Medicine at Wayne State University and also at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit. I’m a communication scientist and my research focuses on identifying issues with communication, usually around patients and physicians interactions and then devising interventions to improve them.

What challenge were you trying to address with CrossComm.

I was working on an intervention to improve how patients and physicians talk about treatment cost. I wanted to build an app for patients, where they enter simple demographic information and that populates a list of questions they can ask their doctor or other healthcare providers.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed a mobile app for iOS. I came to them with a wireframe, and they were receptive to what I had and they used that to start building a basic version. We went back and forth over the summer where I would give them comments and they would revise the app until we had the final version which was completed in September. Since then, I’ve been performing acceptability testing with different participants and we've encumbered funds. Their team has agreed to wait for me to come back to them in the next month to build a revised version.

The purpose of the app was to make it individually tailorable. They built it so that if a patient enters in a value, such as if they are employed or have a specific type of insurance, then it would prompt the second half of the app for a specific list of questions. That's conditional logic and they were able to do that very efficiently.

What is the team dynamic?

I usually work with Don [Founder & President, CrossComm] who is my main point of contact. I’ve also worked with the rest of his team and we’ve spoken over the phone, but I haven’t been in contact with them in the same way.

How did you come to work with CrossComm?

I first started working on the project about a year and a half ago and met with several local development firms. They were astronomically overpriced and I couldn’t swing it. I started looking towards free resources in the area and built a basic model. I met with three other companies before I met with CrossComm, and one of them was really fantastic but also very expensive. The other two were more economically priced, but they didn’t seem to listen well.

We have a tech mentor in residence as part of the university who knew of Don’s work, and that’s how I came to be in contact with him. The first time I spoke with CrossComm was over a conference call with Don and one of his colleagues. They listened and were able to decipher what I was trying to get with the app idea, and it was very clear especially compared to the other groups. They seemed genuinely interested in what I was trying to do. They spent the majority of the phone call asking me questions, not telling me about what they can do, which was helpful. It started a solid relationship because they took the time to listen and figure out what I wanted, before asking their own questions.

How much have you invested with them?

About $30,000, however, we’ve uncovered another $35,000 to be spent in the coming year. It’s promised, but the services haven’t been arranged yet.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April 2017, with the first deliverable products in August. The engagement is ongoing.

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

I've been collecting qualitative interviews. I’ve had about 10 people review the app, including several cancer survivors, oncologists, a social worker, and a financial navigator. I sat down and have gone through every piece of it. Overwhelmingly, people have been impressed with how reliable the design, the feel, and the navigation are. I’ve gotten no comments or critiques for improvement and I have also not experienced any crashes in software at this point.

How did CrossComm perform from a project management standpoint?

Overall, they’re run very efficiently. During the thick of the development, we had weekly meetings set-up with Don. He was consistent and responsive during those times; when I would send a message, I would get a reply right away. Their method of listening first and asking questions like in our first meeting continued. If they see a better way to go about something, they present it as an option, rather than changing what we’re doing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In addition to their efficiency and having a good product, what struck me most is when I had my first face-to-face meeting with Don. He was very candid in wanting to produce work that was socially meaningful. He’s taken on my project, he’s working with two other faculty members in our group, and then we’re talking about maybe taking on another project in the upcoming months. He seems to be into the mission. It doesn’t feel like we’re customers to him, but he seems to be engaging and putting his whole weight behind the projects. I didn't expect that, and it's really made us all want to keep working with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I'm overwhelmingly impressed with them, with Don specifically. I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re just starting out, look for a company that spends more time asking you questions rather than telling you things.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a general surgery resident currently doing research in surgical education. 

What challenge were you trying to address with CrossComm?

In education research, we often do an intervention and then measure the effect afterward, but we have to be able to measure that we actually achieved our intervention in the first place.

We are looking at auditory learners who underperform when they start residency, seeing if giving them a podcast could improve their test score. The only problem is most third-party out-of-the-box solutions only count downloads, which is unacceptable from a research standpoint.

We had to build something that could track real-time usage (down to minutes) and interactions with the content to improve our understanding of e-learning and its impact on test performance. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

We looked at making an app for iOS and Android, but ultimately our price point only let us do iOS. Right now, we have very few Android users in our department.

CrossComm worked from beginning to end in terms of building the app, moving the branding and interface, and working with the IT and legal teams at our institution. They set up the server on the backend, as well as all the accounts and data collection fields that I needed. They made a website where we can log in and pull those reports, load podcasts, and add metadata to those podcasts.

We just reached deployment, and they’re going to be helping us for the year as we troubleshoot the product. Knowing our educational interests, they also invited our education group to try virtual reality products, which was nice.

I mostly worked with Sam [Senior Developer, CrossComm] and Justin. The owner also attended our meetings from time to time.

How did you come to work with CrossComm?

Our contracting person solicited proposals from different companies, including our own internal proposal. We wanted someone who was able to deliver all the things that we needed, but being local to us was really the biggest factor.

How much have you invested with CrossComm?

I think we’ve spent close to $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in either August or September of 2016. We still are working with them because we haven’t rolled out the product yet due to some issues. They handed over the code to our IT people, but we still need help with hosting. When the app goes live and I have all the data, they’ll make sure everything runs smoothly. 

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

Other than the actual product’s completion, I can’t think of any statistics or metrics. As far as qualitative feedback, people think the user interface is seamless. The app is able to capture the data we want, but it’s also user-friendly. We’re able to post the podcasts and organize them in a clear way.

Also, the website they made was really simple and had all the features we need. I can get the data I’m looking for, which is the most important piece.

How did CrossComm perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re excellent. CrossComm is flexible enough to work with busy surgeons, which isn’t easy. They were willing to do a conference call, meet us, or do anything that we needed outside of their normal hours to accommodate us.

Everything went smoothly. They usually were waiting for us to finish our pieces, but they never seemed pushy. They just gave us gentle reminders to move the project along. Sam kept us informed and moved everything along.

What did you find most impressive about CrossComm?

Their owner is actually pretty hands-on and seems invested in this project. Many people at my institution aren’t really tech savvy, so having an end product that they can use easily is an achievement.

Are there any areas CrossComm could improve?

No, everything went well. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

‎Our company is a broker of credit card insurance products and services for every major bank in the country, as well as some worldwide institutions. We handle auto rental insurance, concierge services, purchase protection and security, and many services which people don't realize are present on their credit cards. We also provide backend resources like third-party administration for claims, customer service inquiries, and so on. We manage anything related to the life-cycle of credit card benefits or enhancements.

I am the head of the marketing department for the company, handling traditional marketing efforts like research analysis and development. I am also in charge of product development, having a technological background. I work in a variety of different capacities, building technological platforms, from the reporting tools used by our clients to front-facing apps for card holders.

What challenge were you trying to address with CrossComm?

We wanted to create a couple of initiatives, including some API-type solutions that our customers could access. We had the database, information, and methodology for migrating from traditional wired processes to easily-accessible environments, but the development itself was outside of our internal team's scope.

What was the scope of their involvement?

CrossComm has been a part of our organization through 7-10 major projects, over the course of our relationship, including mobile app and website development, rebuilding our entire page in a way that allowed us to continue modifications through a custom content management system.

How did you come to work with CrossComm?

We were first made aware of CrossComm through a referral. They were up against 3 other companies for which we did our homework. CrossComm's team was able to beat out people I'd worked with for years.

In the commodity-driven business in which companies like CrossComm operate, the distinguishing factor isn't just the ability to code. Having been a coder myself, I know that the partner's ability to listen and understand what the client wants is essential. This was the distinguishing factor for selecting CrossComm.

Our particular perspective was important in assessing the things that were important for the choice. From an operational perspective (being able to hit goals and stick to our budget), CrossComm's principal demonstrated that they could handle our project. We wanted to be challenged and have different perspectives brought forth so that we could be pushed in a successful direction. During the interview process, CrossComm asked detailed questions and made sure that we knew what we wanted. I wanted to hire a partner with an idea of what's going on in the market, one who would challenge my own theories, practices, and beliefs—CrossComm did this.

We also looked at their portfolio, assessing the things they'd done in the past which could be considered relevant to our case. While CrossComm had never worked in the insurance space or with banks, there were many other examples of the challenges they'd faced, and how they overcame those. There are many good programmers out there, but I wanted to have the right communication in place.

How much have you invested with CrossComm?

We've had a wide range of projects with CrossComm, from $3,000 to $10,000 ones, as well as projects with a minimum cost of $30,000. Our highest project is close to $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

CrossComm has been developing products for our company for the past 10 years.

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

CrossComm has built a mobile app which allowed our customers to review their benefits and interact with that information directly. It was an enormous success within all the banks we work with. Our biggest goal was to present ourselves as innovators.

Insurance can be extremely boring, so in order to elevate the appeal to consumers, we needed to build an API that would showcase their benefits, allowing them to make better consumer choices. We created a nice customer-loyalty environment for banks as a result.

What did you find most impressive about CrossComm?

CrossComm's principal and team follow a culture of listening to and interacting with clients. There has been a number of people who've participated in our project. Every one of them has taken the time to listen, ask questions, and thoroughly understand what we were trying to accomplish. In doing so, they became comfortable in challenging any positions we may have held. This was done not in their own interest or success, but for the success of the project. The mantra of CrossComm's principal is that our success is his, which is not a cliché for him. Having worked in development for 30 years, I've come to the realization that how well a person can code matters less than their ability to understand a project, bring creative solutions to it, and think differently. CrossComm's team can certainly work in a robotic manner if needed, but it would be a shame if an organization was to hire them just to code. They're smart people.

Are there any areas CrossComm could improve?

There's nothing that comes to mind that CrossComm would need to work on; they've done an excellent job. I wish CrossComm could come to Chicago more often, given that I enjoy our interactions, but this is more to do with our budget.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a professional services firm. I am in charge of business development for our data science and survey research group.

What challenge were you trying to address with CrossComm?

We had developed a database for systematic literature review. It was a tool that we were using and we wanted to take it and turn it into a web-based application. We contracted with CrossComm to turn it into a web-based tool for systematic literature review.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They did all of the development work. We served as the business manager in the design work to give them input on what was needed and to verify the solutions that they proposed.

How did you come to work with CrossComm?

We did a competitive bid process. The bids we received were all within a competitive range. It wasn’t a matter of money; it was a matter of finding a team that we felt comfortable with, and knowing it was going to be a small team that was dedicated to working with us and knowing that they had an interest and an aptitude to understand the science and the logic behind systematic literature review. For us, the application is really complicated. It was critical that they be willing to dive in and learn about systematic literature review and that they really understand it so they could help us develop the best tool.

How much have you invested with CrossComm?

We have invested $200,000 to $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in 2014.

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

We’re still in the testing phase.

What did you find most impressive about CrossComm?

We worked primarily with Sean Doherty, and his ability to understand really complicated things and then to implement them quickly has been awesome.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Forbes Media is a news publisher with a print magazine and an online site. I am the head of products.

What challenge were you trying to address with CrossComm?

We worked with them several times over the past several years. They were brought in to build custom native apps for us. We were building a new app and they built it for us.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They worked on our native iOS apps. I know they’ve worked on two projects for sure and potentially a third.

How did you come to work with CrossComm?

We’d been working with them for four years, so their relationship with Forbes predated my joining Forbes. I met them through colleagues here at Forbes.

How much have you invested with CrossComm?

We have invested $200,000 plus.

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

The app they built served as a basis for other knockoffs of that app. It played a very foundational role in our whole mobile product group.

What did you find most impressive about CrossComm?

They were always very forthcoming and straightforward with any challenges. I felt they were always being candid about what was and wasn’t possible and when they could and couldn’t deliver certain things. We had developed a real level of trust. I never had to second guess their estimates. I never felt like they were trying to string us along or extract more fees out of us. Especially with a contracting developer and company relationship, you feel like you’re always kind of on the defensive side and looking for areas where you’re being gouged. They did not do that at all. Their role in keeping us up to date, communicating at just the right level, and being very transparent was refreshing.

Are there any areas CrossComm could improve?

No. I think they did a great job.