Digiruu

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the founder and CEO of a company with a mobile app that helps professionals manage their contacts. The app acts as a social platform for professionals as well as traditional CRM.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Digiruu?

They act as our development company, implementing the designs we create in-house and building our products.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Digiruu has been responsible for developing several features for us, as well as building our MVP. To begin, we provided them with over 300 screens for the app and features. The app is for iOS and Android and is built in React Native. It also utilizes Firebase as a development platform.

Currently, the app is live in the Play Store and the App Store, and Digiruu is going to help us with our move into phase two, which will end with us owning a fully marketable product.   

What is the team composition?

We work with their founders and CEO to some degree, but we mainly interact with a product manager. There are also 2–4 developers assigned to us, and we talk directly to them when we can.

How did you come to work with Digiruu?

What stood out about their team was that they combined the resources and talent of a larger agency with the attention you usually only get with a smaller firm. They gave us a lot of good insights into how to develop our product. We’ve never felt neglected with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $150,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since September 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I would measure the success of the project by delivering on time within the scope and timeline of the original roadmap. Additionally, I’d consider how smoothly the app runs and how it performs regarding the number of bugs we see.

How did Digiruu perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication is great. Digiruu’s team has been improving daily as we get to know each other more. As talented as a team may be, there need to be processes established to help them function as closely to an internal team as possible. It took us a bit of time to get there, but we’ve arrived. We communicate over Slack and Trello.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their proactivity and responsiveness stand out. Whenever we find a bug, their team jumps right on it. They care about us, which is a key plus of working with them. Additionally, they've been a big help in workshopping and editing our features along the way to ensure everything is prioritized properly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There are often delays in development that aren’t in your control but Digiruu has improved in their communication and is always finding ways to improve their management of expectations.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clearly define the scope of work and keep track of what's being done. Additionally, if there are changes to timelines, it’s important to adjust expectations accordingly. Understanding what is in and out of the developers’ control is key to managing disappointment.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the co founder and CEO of The Sound Reserve. We specialise in ambient music for wellbeing and sleep.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We had an ambitious project in mind which required a huge degree of research and testing to essentially develop an app which was without precedent. Digiruu were involved from the beginning and managed our R&D, build, design and roll-out.

SOLUTION

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

After interviewing Digiruu as well as many other companies, the confidence we had in Aman and his team was the main driver for our decision, and we are very glad to have made the decision we did.

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

After multiple discovery sessions and project scope meetings, Aman and the team needed to find solutions to complex problems, such as integration with Spotify and Apple Music in a seamless in-app experience. They helped refine the design and look of the app with us and even helped develop our aesthetic branding. Their team had a diverse and detailed knowledge of multiple languages, platforms and integrations which allowed us to utilise a varied approach to the build. The team did not stop development and testing until our very specific standards and expectations were met.

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

We had a project manager who worked directly with us, as well as constant communication and regular meetings with Aman. A shared Slack channel allowed us to communicate directly with specific members of the dev team when needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Digiruu created an app which has integrations with platforms and services which we have not seen in the market before. This alone is a huge achievement, and the result of countless hours of research and testing from their team.

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

Communication was never a problem with Digiruu. The team were always super responsive and available whenever we needed them, via Slack, email and phone calls. And the odd lunch of course. When there was a new challenge to face, I was sure each time that the team were doing whatever they could to create the desired outcome for my company.

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

Any company which can deliver what they promised, within timeframe and budget with clear and consistent communication, as well as being pro-active about ideas and development opportunities is a good company. Digiruu is a great company.

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

I wouldn't ask for anything to be done differently.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I head up Climate Week NYC, the largest international climate event of its kind which takes place every year in New York City. Climate Week NYC is organized by the Climate Group, and international non profit that seeks to tackle climate change. I also lead on Communications for the Climate Group in North America

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Climate Week NYC brings together over 500 events every year that the broader NYC community can engage in. These cover ten climate related themes and be anything from artistic events, panels or educational opportunities. We wanted to make it easier for our audiences to search what events were available to allow even more people to take climate action as part of the week and felt that an app would be a useful way of doing this.

SOLUTION

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

We had limited budget and this was a new area for us, so we needed an agency that could tell us what we needed, guide us through the process, whilst sticking to tight budgets and deadlines. We received a recommendation for Digiruu and found them to be very engaging and proactive. I also like that they invested in a free initial meeting with no obligation that made me feel confident that they knew what we needed and they had the tools to make it happen. I also liked their approach to cost where they felt much more driven by our needs than by spending money on services that wouldn't have been of benefit to us.

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

We had a complex integration piece with the website, to save resource we wanted the app to take the information directly from the website on an ongoing basis and include checks and balances to ensuring the quality of the content. We also has specific demands on brand and communications, which we embedded into the work in detail. After scoping the work the team took on the backend exploration of this integration and gave us regular feedback sessions to talk through the solutions and what they meant. They also came to us with ideas as to how we could improve the app.

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

We worked with the Aman, their founder, and Mel, their developer, throughout the project. I was impressed how both supported us through the process every step of the way and that our needs were considered fully at Digiruu.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I was impressed by the amount of downloads in our first year which went into the high thousands and something that I did not feel possible in our first year. Their adaptability to our communications needs also allowed us to sell advertising through the app which helped fund our work.

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

The team provide regular updates on zoom and use Slack to follow up on specific questions. Whilst the team my end had more in depth experience I am aware from my end that the process was always seen as clear, efficient and highly effective. The were very flexible on our needs, which was very helpful. They were very responsive to small things with immediate need.

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

I think they delivered what we asked and provided a huge amount of added value. I would easily recommend them to others, the process was very slick and the outcomes were strong. Their knowledge of apps is high. This allowed us, as people new to the space, to feel we were getting the best advice.

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

Can't think of any at this stage.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Communications officer leading on digital and social for Climate Week NYC.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We wanted to develop an app that could allow our users to engage with Climate Week NYC. This mainly included a list of events and their details, as well as listings of sustainable businesses around New York City.

SOLUTION

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

We searched through awards sites for app developers and found Digiruu. We went through a stringent process comparing 4-5 developers, considering costs, engagement from their team with the project, and the pitch deck.

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

We gave them our branding and guidelines, and shared the information on the website which would need to be reflected in the app. We also discussed several other factors with them including sponsor and partner positioning, searchability. We also later on included an API with our website.

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

We had a project manager, a designer, and semi-regular contact with the CEO for the wider discussion on strategy and progress.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

1,000 downloads in first year.

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

Very friendly team and helpful. Project manager took on the day to day and the senior team helped with our wider vision.

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

They're really enthusiastic and good at translating the complex stuff for us who don't know their field of expertise.

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

Slightly better communication on timelines sometimes, although not a major issue.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of Push Partner, the app that connects people with their optimum workout partner to boost motivation, performance and results.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

The goal was to reach product market fit, stripping back the proposed concept to its origin, ensuring the functionality was both essential and effective in connecting users with workout partners.

SOLUTION

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

They specialise in startup businesses, such as mine, whereas many developers work with much larger organisations. I therefore felt that we shared an attitude of enterprise, growth and development, keeping far away corporate bureaucracy. Cost was another significant factor, as they were much more competitive than offers I had from larger app developers.

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

Exploring the concept, stripping away any dead wood, building a prototype, developing the prototype with testing, going live, maintenance of the app and continued updates.

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

Aman and Mel are my two key contacts.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Early on, the Digiruu team came back to me with a prototype design of Push Partner which was essential in making the concept tangible and therefore easy to understand what we needed for MVP.

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

Communication mainly goes through Slack where we also organise video calls. Communication style is informal but honest and trustworthy, which is aligned with my original ambition to work with an organisation that is personable rather than corporate.

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

Their speed of consistency of communication. They provide honest and trustworthy advice and feedback for the client's propositions. Their awareness of current market app trends.

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

Perhaps a bit more communication during the course of app development and updates - however I also have a responsibility to request information from them, and as I trust that they have my best intentions at heart, I'm quite happy to let them get on with it without me disturbing their professional workflow.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of an app that tracks skincare product expiration dates.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Digiruu?

We needed help with app development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They started planning. Then, they built the iOS app itself. From there, they helped with marketing as well. The app allows users to scan the barcode of a product and you can tell when the product is going to expire. It also shows you how to properly recycle products once they’re finished.

What is the team composition?

I worked with their founder and two different project managers.

How did you come to work with Digiruu?

I did a bit of research online and found a few companies abroad as well as ones local to me in England. Digiruu gave me a good price and explained everything thoroughly before we began, which led me to trust them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent £20,000 (approximately $28,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2020, and our work is ongoing with marketing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They checked in with me at each stage and I felt like it was successful. Marketing-wise, a lot of it is up to me at the end of the day.

How did Digiruu perform from a project management standpoint?

They were really good at meeting deadlines. If there was ever a deadline they couldn’t meet, they’d make sure I knew as soon as possible so we could work through it together. They’re very clear with communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve done very well in meeting the brief I’ve given them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’ve been great, especially during COVID-19. If things were open, we’d be meeting more in person.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to know what you want and speak to them and find out how to make it work between yourself and Digiruu. They’re very good but they need an understanding of what your ideas are.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Amore Pizzeria, a restaurant and bakery.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Digiruu?

I needed someone to develop a mobile app that would enable our customers to place orders for delivery. I wanted the user experience to be second to none. I also wanted simplicity without all of the bells and whistles.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Digiruu developed our native iOS and Android mobile apps from scratch. The most important feature I needed was Apple Pay, which they managed to integrate. If users don’t have Apple Pay, they can pay with a card, which is super simple to use. 

We plan to add other functionalities. We’re now launching the Android version.

What is the team composition?

I have one point of contact, Aman (Founder), who handled the project from beginning to end. He knew how important it was for me to have the right product. He was relentless in making sure everything was working perfectly, even during the lockdown. We’ve done countless tests and changes.

How did you come to work with Digiruu?

I looked for a company for quite a while. Aman was the only one that was professional enough to reply to my emails and then come and see me. He sat down with me to find out exactly what I wanted. He really took the time to understand what I wanted before we started doing anything.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent £20,000 (approximately $25,100 USD). It’s the easiest money I’ve ever spent in my life.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2019. I’m never going to stop working with them — I’m a customer for life.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I wanted the simplest app possible, and that’s what they delivered. The end product is amazing. They have completely changed my entire business model. Due to COVID-19, we only do deliveries; I am so happy with the app that we’re now going all-in, and customers can only order through the app. The ordering experience is so amazing. The benefits include lower prices and amazing service. Customers have been telling me it’s the best and simplest app they’ve ever used to order pizza, and we’re competing with other well-known pizza delivery apps.

On the first day of launch, we got a lot of orders. We gave so many refunds because we couldn’t handle the demand of the orders coming through the app. After one month, 35% of my sales are coming through the app, and this is just iOS alone. We’re collecting more money through the app than what we were doing one year ago, through the normal business. The average spend per customer is a lot higher on the app. When the customer orders on the phone, the average spend is £20 (approximately $25 USD); on the app, it’s £28 pounds (approximately $35 USD). In a month, I’ve already paid for almost half of what I paid for the app with the additional sales I’m getting.

How did Digiruu perform from a project management standpoint?

Aman’s communication skills are amazing. He has adapted to my communication preferences, including text and phone calls. He keeps me up to date with everything that is going on. Even the invoicing is so professional and straightforward. We have built a good relationship during the lockdown. 

No matter what Aman says, I go with it. I know the quality he provides to me. If there’s something that needs to be fixed, he sticks with it until it’s fixed. They anticipated possible obstacles that I’d never thought of. Everything is documented and managed well. I give them a 20 out of 10.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Communication is the biggest strength of the company. Aman really tries to understand what we want and delivers on it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I have received such good value from him. Whatever price he says, I will go with, because I know what kind of value he brings to the table. Even during the lockdown, he’s been flawless.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t look; just book. Don’t bother investigating, and whatever they quote you, just accept it. The product they’ll deliver is going to give you so much value. His app has turned my company into a multi-million-pound company. That’s how good he is. His communication skills are second to none.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO & Founder of Apptuitive, an app marketing agency. I oversee all business operations and client comms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Digiruu?

We look to Digiruu for all of our app development needs. Whether our clients have a simple app idea that's ready to start development or a fully fleshed out product that's venture backed - the Digiruu team handles all of it.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals when it comes to app development, is to build amazing quality apps and experiences that speak for themselves. It's also to communicate with clients effectively and with the utmost care.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We chose Digiruu as our app development vendor because the founder, Aman Birdi, is the best in the industry. He knows his stuff inside out and isn't afraid to tell his clients the truth. Which is a quality that's extremely important to me. His team is also extremely reliable and has a track record of creating seamless digital solutions.

Describe the project in detail.

Digiruu is responsible for all app development needs (iOS & Android) start to finish. We don't have the technical skillset or know-how when it comes to development but the Digiruu team knocks it out of the park every time.

We're kept in the loop with every decision and we know what exactly is going on at all times. The team is detail-oriented from fleshing out app ideas, UX/UI, QA, and more. They're one of the best end-to-end solutions available these days.

What was the team composition?

We work with Aman and his tight knit development team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The most ideal outcome is a great app that provides a beautiful experience and is technically sound. All of the projects we've worked on and will continue to work on showcase those qualities. We get the most bang for our buck with Digiruu and wouldn't work with anyone else!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Extremely effective. They know the right questions to ask, are cognizant of our schedule, and go above and beyond to make sure we're happy and then some.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The customer service, quality of the work, and pricing set them apart. I could go on for hours about how they're the superior option when it comes to app development but you need to experience it to believe it.

The development space is very shady and heartless but you won't get any of that with Digiruu. The company genuinely cares for its clients and goes the extra mile to make sure they're delivering amazing solutions.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director and founder of Bubboo. We have an app for children and parents that has free children’s books where users can upload photos of family, friends, and caregivers. The user puts them into the storybook to help children recognize their faces in a fun way. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Digiruu?

I needed help with developing the app. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Digiruu built the app on iOS and now maintains it. They also found an illustrator that took care of the illustration for me. All I did was bring across my idea of what I wanted to do, and they coordinated the whole thing from start to finish. They built the app from scratch and also did the testing. 

What is the team composition?

I worked mainly with three people, including an illustrator, the developer, and Aman (Founder, Digiruu).

How did you come to work with Digiruu?

They were recommended to me.

How much have you invested in them?

I have spent between £20,000–£25,000 (approximately $26,000–$33,000 USD)

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in August 2017 and is ongoing. They have maintained my app through upgrades.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Aman is very good and quite forward-thinking; he knows what to do, how to do it, and what is new. I think he does a lot of research, which makes him very good at what he does.

How did Digiruu perform from a project management standpoint?

Digiruu handles all project management. Throughout our collaboration, any time I give them feedback or a task to do, they always get it done straight away. Aman provided me with near-daily updates throughout the project before going live. With maintenance, if there is an upgrade we need or anything that I have noticed, I let them know straight away, and they fix it.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They help single-person operations and small businesses just starting out and don’t charge high prices, which is what I needed. A lot of the bigger companies I did go to were a lot more expensive because their focus was more on medium to large companies.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t really anything negative to say about Digiruu. We still have quarterly catchup meetings around what we can do next.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’ve been really happy with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director of Tap ID, a mobile card service. We’re an app that replicates an ID card in a mobile version.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Digiruu?

I needed help with app development and sought Digiruu for the task. I didn’t want to approach a company that’s established and quite big because I’d be one of many clients and there wouldn’t be a personal touch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Digiruu developed an app and has been here for us for the whole process, helping us step-by-step. There were a lot of brainstorming sessions to figure out how we wanted it to look and what features we wanted to have. We were trying to replicate a university ID card on a mobile app, which could be adapted to the university you take it to. Digiruu helped with making us understand that this project not only involved a preset design but much more.

We had one design based on a sample card that could be customized. The app is built for iOS and Android devices. This project required a lot of due diligence and specialist knowledge of the actual industry. I’ve got another developer on board as well that does a lot of work for us, who is a specialist in access control and mobile credentials. Digiruu is aware of what we’re doing, and while they don’t help us as directly now, they might be involved again in the future.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Aman (Founder, Digiruu). He was our go-to person.

How did you come to work with Digiruu?

I came across an ad that they had on Facebook. Aman gave us a startup guide with a questionnaire. I got back to them and shared my idea and was surprised that he responded so quickly. He was excited about the project and wanted to discuss it in person.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent £35,000 (approximately $ 44,972 USD) on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started collaborating in December 2017, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Aman was extremely helpful in helping us overcome hurdles. Digiruu was with us throughout the project and was like a friend helping someone achieve their goal.

At the moment, we’re potentially partnering up with some of the biggest players in the access control industry and we’ll be licensing our app to them for use with their clients. We have big projects lined up, which is exciting for us. This wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for them, and I’ll always be grateful to Digiruu for helping us get started.

How did Digiruu perform from a project management standpoint?

We had weekly meetings with Aman, and we could call or text him throughout the week in regards to any issues we had or anything we wanted to follow-up on. He’s very reachable, organized, and he personally handled a lot of the follow-up. Overall, communication is good, and even if you don’t understand what you’re getting into, Digiruu will guide you through it. Aman will set timeframes and keeps clients in the loop, explaining things carefully that may not be so easy to understand, which is invaluable.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Digiruu cares, and that makes a difference. We weren’t just a client in their books. They have a personal touch and want to see us succeed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’ve never had a negative experience with Digiruu. It was brave for Aman to take our project since it had quite a learning curve for him and us. He learned quite a lot about what the industry is like.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Go ahead with it—you’ll definitely be pleased and get a lot of support and guidance. Digiruu will listen to your idea and help you get it to the next level. They will support you throughout the whole project.