Droids On Roids

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our company – Lamah Technologies – is one of the biggest businesses developing digital software and technical solutions in Libya, with a focus on changing local citizens' lives for the better. Our main projects include digital applications that directly serve the public needs in our society.

Tam app is one of our major projects and was designed to ensure the 24-hour-per-day on-demand connection between riders and drivers on both Android and iOS in Libya.

I hold the position of CTO in this company.

What challenge were you trying to address with the vendor?

We needed a mobile app development company with top market knowledge and experience to design and develop Tam – a complex app for Libya, which would respond to many problems, like food delivery, car sharing and e-wallet, etc.. More specifically, we needed:

an app for clients,

an app for drivers,

an app for restaurants,

an app for couriers,

e-wallet app,

other similar.

Tam should ensure a 24-hour-per-day on-demand connection between clients and mentioned services on both Android and iOS platforms.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started our cooperation with a 3-day Product Design Workshop to clarify the app’s idea and get ready for development, which took place in July 2019. 

Droids On Roids’ team is responsible for UX/UI design, iOS app development, Android app development, Backend and Frontend development, and ensuring Quality Assurance.

The first component of Tam app will work in a very similar way as Uber do. The general app logic is as follows:

1. Request. The customer requests a car via the app. The request is sent to nearby drivers.

2. Matching. The driver may either accept or reject the ride.

3: Ride. The customer tracks the driver's location and sees the estimated time of his arrival.

4: Price. The app provides the price based on the length of the trip. The passenger pays the driver in cash.

5. Rating. The client gives a score for a driver.

Importantly, since the application will be used in Libya, the clients can indicate whether they want to ride with male and/or female drivers. The driver makes a similar choice.

Ultimately, the application also has a lot of offline functionality. Internet access is only required during route mapping and rerouting, as it is necessary to download traffic information. Tam app should utilize the internet as little as possible, to ease consumption,, so the whole map of Libya will be stitched in the application on the local server.

It is also important for me that the application should be resistant to potential failures and accidents - if the driver's phone turns off then, after turning it on again, we should recover the ride and its data.

Basic features of the app for customers include: Geolocation and routing, Registration and personal data management, calling or texting the driver right from the app, Push notifications, Ride cost & time estimation, and more.

Basic features of the app for drivers include: Driver reports, Advanced route optimization, Calling a passenger from the app, Calling an emergency number, Client - driver matching, Waiting for new orders / Occupied option, and more. Additionally, drivers can choose if they are available for only short rides, or long ones (between cities).

What is the team composition?

The development team consisted of 1 Scrum Master, 1 UX/UI designer, 2-4 Android developers, 2-3 iOS developers, 2 QA engineers, 3-4 Backend developers and 2 Frontend developers. I appreciate their team’s flexibility – the team’s size was adjusted according to the project’s needs.

How did you come to work with the vendor?

We found Droids On Roids through Clutch. They gained our general interest through their high ratings and positive reviews so we decided to meet with them in person.

We perceive their location in Poland as an advantage, because we have good air connections with their city. We were also impressed by their portfolio and extensive experience.

The overall impression we had after meeting Droids On Roids and analyzing their offer was unbeatable and we decided to entrust our core projects into their hands.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $300,000 so far, but the whole project is estimated at $500,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We are going to continue developing the product and deliver next components.

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

The app development is in progress, so the apps are not released. We are pleased with what we have already developed together. The code is of the highest quality and the implemented features meet our expectations. Working in Scrum facilitates ongoing progress monitoring.

We have already received the beta version of the application for drivers and we are now testing it internally in our company.

How did the vendor perform from a project management standpoint?

Outstanding. We are very satisfied with their project management capabilities, which made our app development smooth and efficient.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate the communicative collaboration among their team - and with us - on a personal level.

What’s more, I highly value their astounding organizational skills and scheduling abilities. Time is high of the essence to them. They are very efficient and punctual with deadlines.

They are also experts in project management tools. Droids on Roids generously provided advice, suggestions and expertise in their field of work for the benefit of our project, assuring us that it would not only be executed but also further developed and improved.

As an example, it turned out that we have a problem with navigation and the developers quickly discovered that the reason lies in the incorrectly tagged streets in Libya. With this knowledge, we can look for a solution and move forward. This proactive approach is one of their main strengths.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. Our experience with them so far is very satisfying.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and president of the Be-IQ company (http://beiq.com(link is external)). We create solutions to enable individuals to understand the impact of their behavioral biases.

Conducting frequent behavioral research (including experimental research), Be-IQ explores cognitive biases and heuristics, as well as providing next-generation risk-profiling based on the behaviors that most influence financial decision making. 

As the world’s first truly behavioral risk profiling service, Be-IQ is transforming how banks, robo services and client-focused financial services companies account for suitability and financial wellbeing.

What challenge were you trying to address with the vendor?

We needed a mobile application for the iOS platform that would measure people's behavior through attractive games. 

Based on decisions made by a user in a game, the BEAM app should assess the user's attitude to investing, taking loans or making other key financial decisions.

An important requirement was that the application should be user-friendly and visually top-notch. We wanted it to contain attractive animations, so playing games would be pleasant and engaging. 

Under our business model, BEAM will be recommend by companies and financial institutions to their clients. Those that use it will gain a broader picture of themselves, while financial institutions can give them better financial advice. 

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Droids On Roids’ team was responsible for iOS mobile app development and providing Quality Assurance. Their team was cooperating with a backend developer from our side. We delivered initial designs and Droids On Roids’ developers both animated and implemented them, which was challenging due to our high expectations in this field. 

What is the team composition? 

The team consisted of an iOS developer, QA engineer, Scrum Master.

How did you come to work with the vendor?

I was looking for a mobile app development company in Poland, and I found them on Google. I was impressed by their portfolio, website, clients’ reviews and their processes presented during our call. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around 110,000 euros ($123,385 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

The app was already released. Now, we are raising funds to continue the development process and create the Android version of the application, also with Droids On Roids.

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

BEAM is on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/beam/id1473246949

How did the vendor perform from a project management standpoint?

Excellent. We are very satisfied with their project management. 

From the very beginning, I knew how our cooperation process would look like and what my role would be. Working in Scrum provided full transparency and I was up to date with everything what was going in the project.

During the kick-off meeting, we agreed together on the rules of our cooperation. I have also been introduced to all necessary tools that streamlined the process.

Jump on a call with Droids On Roids, ask them questions and learn their processes. For me, it was very important to know how they work and what I can expect. This conversation dispelled all doubts I had. And I am very satisfied with my choice. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Despite working from different locations, I felt that we were one, great team that plays to one goal. 

I really appreciate that I had a direct contact with each member of the development team – through Slack, e-mail, video call and during Scrum meetings. Smooth and transparent communication without a single middleman guaranteed me a product exactly fitting my expectations.

I also appreciate that the developers did not use native components, but created their own custom elements to implement attractive, unique design and animations.

They made an awesome job, they faced a challenging task of meeting our expectations and providing an amazing UX. I doubt anyone else could have faced it. Amazing teamwork and workflow.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don't see anything like that.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of treasury for a large Polish bank.

What challenge were you trying to address with Droids On Roids?

We wanted to create a unique way for our customers to learn about the bank’s treasury product. We didn’t want to do a product presentation, since that is what everyone does; instead, we wanted to create a mobile app treasury game that our customers can play.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a meeting and then a one-day session. Then, we had an intense two-day workshop with them on how to create our iOS game on mobile devices and tablets. There was a team from Droids On Roids and a team from my bank at the workshop. Altogether, the project was around four days.

Their idea was to gather 6–10 customers at our office and then host a 2-hour game, during which the customers can compete. It’s a simulation over four years. The customers act as the finance director and, every year, they need to make choices and buy products with the bank. It allows customers to get to know the products. It’s learning and having fun in one. The game had to be exciting, because it’s two hours long.

Droids On Roids had the best idea, but we chose another company to develop the app because my budget was too low to do it with them.

What is the team composition?

There was the owner Wojciech (CEO & President) and around five people who worked on the design, idea creation, and how the functionalities should work.

How did you come to work with Droids On Roids?

We talked with five companies, and they were the best workshop we had. They were very well prepared. I just had the idea, and I needed some creative people to make it happen. I enjoyed the process because they had a lot of ideas and were very flexible. The idea that they created was the best.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in 2018. In 2019, we had the second session.

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

Of the workshops we did with five companies, Droids On Roids led the best one. They had fresh ideas and a good understanding of what we do. Their ideas were really helpful for me, and I knew what direction to take. They had really helpful, creative people.

How did Droids On Roids perform from a project management standpoint?

They were young and very open. I enjoyed working with them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve done many projects, so their knowledge of how to do mobile apps is very wide. They knew what they were talking about. They were very friendly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their prices were pretty high. I was surprised by how prepared they were and how good their ideas were.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Other companies should ask them for some ideas. Their approach is to do a workshop with customers to understand. They jump deep into your needs. After a few hours, they can prepare the proposition for you. It’s a good approach that they have.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Sprzedajemy.pl, the second largest classified marketplace in Poland.

What challenge were you trying to address with Droids On Roids?

We needed someone with top market knowledge and experience to help us with product design and research.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We asked Droids On Roids to work out the general strategy of how to develop our apps. They organized a workshop and asked a number of questions about our goals, what should be measured, what stood behind our logic to go mobile, and why we wanted to launch the app. They structured the process and organized a 3–4-day workshop that involved the whole team on our side.

After the workshop, we were able to define what our goal was and how to build the apps.
Then, we asked them to design our UX/UI and graphical design. By the end of the year, we finished the project. We moved the backend development to a more cost-effective company. We wanted to work with Droids On Roids, but they were fully booked and couldn’t give us a discount.

What is the team composition?

There were 5–6 people, including project managers, developers, account managers, and the CEO.

How did you come to work with Droids On Roids?

They’re based in the same city as us. We got introduced and were impressed by their expertise. We knew they worked for international clients, which was very important for us. We’ve worked with local companies before, but we needed a company with better competency and international experience and knowledge.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent €20,000 (approximately $22,700 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June 2018 until the end of that year.

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

Due to the cheap rates we paid the new developer, the project took more than a year to complete, which was longer than we expected. However, the apps run so well. Our ratings are 4.8 and 4.9 in the App Store. Droid On Roids’ work was very good. The goal has been achieved. The number of downloads isn’t that high because we haven’t promoted the apps yet, and we’re still testing it. We collect feedback from our customers.

How did Droids On Roids perform from a project management standpoint?

Droids On Roids had very well-structured processes. They were very organized, and they guided us through the whole logical process. They asked questions that you don’t usually think of. They instructed us in the right way. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re an honest team that does a good job. It was not like a sales pitch – it was extremely well-invested cash.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing I’d have them improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend doing the workshops. You can rely on them – they have the experience and a proper team and structure in place. They deliver what they promise. You can leverage their experience.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and president of a small startup that builds software. We offer an app that’s based on timeliness.

What challenge were you trying to address with Droids on Roids?

We built the native iOS version of our app with a different agency. While that agency started to build the first version, we heard about Google Flutter. We decided to build the Android version in Flutter, which is cross-platform. The first agency at the time didn’t have experience in Flutter, so we needed another partner.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Droids on Roids’s primary responsibility is to rebuild the app that we built in Swift. They're rebuilding what we already had to be cross-platform. Their team’s currently working on a difficult backend feature.

How did you come to work with Droids on Roids?

We found them through a Flutter network in New York. There’s a group that’s interested in the Flutter platform that meets once every two months.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent a bit over $200,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2019 and the work’s ongoing.

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

We monitor their work closely. Many features went well but there are certain pieces of the application that are complex and aren’t working yet. We’ve struggled with one piece of the application. Droids on Roids is experienced but there’s a backend piece that’s tricky for them to get working properly.

How did Droids on Roids perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management’s excellent. Their team’s communicative and on top of their tasks. We have good communication with the project managers. We have regularly scheduled meetings, but I can also reach out to them at any time. From the project managers to the developers, they’ve been great to work with.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I have direct access to the developers, which is nice. With a previous agency, the project managers directed the developers and I couldn’t communicate with them. Droids on Roids made me a part of their team, which I really enjoy. They allow us to work closely with their team including the developers and QA teammates.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could be more proactive when there’s a problem or an issue. We had to push them to deal with our current feature situation. The piece of functionality is critical for the app to work properly. They were aware of the issue but didn’t proactively find a way to address it.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you want to be involved in the development process, they’re open to that. If that’s what you want, Droids on Roids will be a great partner. I’m confident that they could also manage a project in its entirety.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Our company’s called Lamah Technologies. It’s one of Libya’s biggest companies that work on developing digital software to provide technical solutions to help local citizens get through their day to day lives and overcome arising challenges. With a dynamic ensemble of employees that are estimated to reach about 120 this year, we also provide personnel for other companies that are established for information technology industries. Our main projects include digital Applications that directly serve the public needs in our society. Makani App is one of our major projects that was designed to help people locate places within their region by means of a digital map that allocates specific postal codes to almost all locations. This is vital to our society as we’ve been deprived of such amenity for as long as anyone can remember. In addition to that, we’re in the process of developing another App called ‘Tam’, a multi service platform that also targets the public but does not exclude firms or large businesses. I hold the position of CTO in the company.

For what projects/services did your company hire Droids On Roids?

We primarily worked with Droids On Roids to set up Makani Mobile and public API. We were fortunate to work with a full team of their very own developers and designers who worked diligently to meet our specific needs. They were very assistive with facilitating and arranging meetings, plans, and the provision of a sufficient variety of connections. We had the privilege of working with special iOS designers for Makani as well as Backend Developers and Q&A to ensure sustainabilty. Our first workshop with Droids On Roids took place in August, 2019. The official commencement of our project was in September of the same year, followed two months later by the App’s MVP launch on December 24 th . Our projected public launch is set for February 20 th , 2020.

What were your goals for this project?

To enable Libyans to accurately search and locate places using a digital map App. - Free installation and accessibility on electronic devices (Android/iOS). - Providing individual/digital codes instead of geographically descriptive addresses.

How did you select this vendor?

Our company found Droids On Roids through Clutch. It gained our general interest through their high ratings and reviews which further encouraged us to pay their company a visit in person. Its location in Poland serves as an advantage for us as it makes transportation to and from there much easier and more efficient for our work. Their previous projects have gained our admiration, encouraging us to form a connection to develop our projects.

Describe the project in detail.

Makani is an Application that was developed to enable Libyan citizens to search and locate places in their own towns more accurately and efficiently.  It is available for free installation on any iOS or Android devices, making it finger-tip accessible. The idea behind the App is one of its kind and unprecedented in Libya where postal codes barely exist. In order to be in line with the universal concept of addresses, our App provides individual/digital codes instead of geographically descriptive addresses. 2       We came up with this project to facilitate accessibility for people to easily get on with their daily lives. Finding shops, cafes, and other major facilities has never been easier by utilizing our App. They can be in contact not only domestically, but also internationally. That being said, the project does not exclude foreigners from having access to the App or making use of it. With businesses growing and thriving in many parts of the country, connectivity is of essence.

What was the team composition?

The characteristics that comprised our team were that of interdependent interactions. We worked mainly on public API, Android and iOS. Since we own the system that provides postal coding facility in the country, we are providing people with data that allows them to search for any point of interest. Added to that, we analyze data and present it on the App.

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

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/makani/id1481448754 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lamah.makani Makani Promo: https://youtu.be/RedQ4oZp14Q

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Excellent.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their communicative collaboration among their team and with us on a personal level. Astounding organizational skills and scheduling abilities and resources. Highly specialized with project management tools. Time is highly of essence to them. They are very efficient and punctual with deadlines. Care for customers and impressive capacity of handling situations that might jeopardize their clients’ projects. This was evident when our project proposal was initially rejected twice by Apple under the claim that they didn’t approve of our reviews. Our issue was that Libya wasn’t technically recognized on their map version which led us to resort to a different service provider. Droids On Roids worked relentlessly to convince Apple that our project was original. They worked for hours on end to promote Makani to them – it’s worthy of mentioning that this coincided with their Christmas holidays, but regardless they continued with their efforts – which eventually paid off. Generously provided advice, suggestions, expertise in their field of work for the benefit of our project assuring that it would not only be executed, but also further developed and improved.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Our experience with them so far is outstanding, and we look forward to future collaborations. Work is currently underway on a different project.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Visuality is a business-driven full-stack software house from Poland, est. in 2007. The interdisciplinary team offers a variety of services. Throughout the years, we have created nearly 150 applications of different sizes, and for various industries. Reco-tech, food-tech, e-commerce, CRMs, HR, travel, hair & beauty, fin-tech, and more. I am the Founder and CEO.

What challenges were you trying to address with Droids On Roids?

Droids On Roids specialists have strengthened our team with their development skills. We were working with them in the “Extended team” model which means that we hired 4 experts from Droids On Roids to support us in web app development when our projects needed an additional boost from outside.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Droids On Roids was responsible for consultancy in the area of MVP workshop, and development of a few features for online platforms for food, healthcare, and social networking industry. In total, the Droids On roids team supported us for 4 months.

What is the team composition?

The team consisted of 3 web developers, and 1 certified Scrum Master. What’s important, the composition of the team has been flexible throughout the entirety of cooperation and varied depending on our needs.

How did you come to work with Droids On Roids?

Droids On Roids has been recommended to me by my business colleague.

How much have you invested with them?

About $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Currently, we don’t need outside support, but in case we will, Droids On Roids is the first company which we would choose.

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

We are delighted with the results of our cooperation. Droids On Roids specialists helped us to deliver the projects on time, on budget, and with focus on the highest quality. A few of the completed projects you can see in the portfolio on our website.

How did Droids On Roids perform from a project management standpoint?

We are very satisfied with Droids On Roids project management skills, our cooperation was impressively organized. The well-defined Scrum process is one of their main strengths – it boosted transparency, efficiency, and smooth communication within the team. We had clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and regular meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

“Client-first” approach is their fundamental value. We see Droids On Roids as a trustworthy, and reliable partner. In particular, we appreciate their professionalism, attention to detail, and the fact that they are amazing team players – this approach allowed them to build an integrated and effective team together with our in-house employees. They are passionate about what they do, and as their partner or client, your can really feel that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Any advice for potential customers?

I highly recommend working with Droids On Roids. They have a pro-active approach and you will have the feeling, that your project is their project. They don’t hesitate to share ideas for the best possible outcomes.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a market leader in braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles. My position is a lean expert in operational excellence performance.

What challenge were you trying to address with Droids on Roids?

We were working on the digitalization of our internal improvement suggestion system, which is currently still paper-based. We hired Droids to develop a digital mockup or pilot.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Droids on Roids developed an Android and iOS application for us using React Native. It has a web panel for database administration, and it’s a rather simple app. It’s just an improved suggestion system, currently only in text form, with no photos or other media involved. It’s built on an internal cloud solution, but it’s separated from our internal IT infrastructure.

They built it from scratch using wireframes for the admin panel to save some design efforts. They didn’t provide any other services besides coding and proofing. Droids also supported us to launch the application internally, as we didn’t have too much experience with mobile apps.

How did you come to work with Droids on Roids?

We started the pilot program with a consultancy firm in Germany, since we’re German-speaking ourselves. We had UI workshops and first interviews with everyone to identify the root cause and pinpoints of the process itself, and how the tool itself should look. The consultancy sketched some first mockups based on this, and also created an app. We then eliminated the supplier because they were too expensive and the quality wasn’t sufficient.

We also had to adjust our backend on the second round. We were initially working with AWS, but our legal and IT cloud solutions departments decided to go completely with Microsoft Azure as a contractor for our company, as it was a bit more acceptable than Amazon.

We had to look for a new company, one that could pretty much change the backend from AWS to our Azure environment, and we decided on Droids through an internal evaluation system. They provided a very good price and a very good solution. They pretty much did the application completely anew. We first worked with native code, then decided to go with React Native to save some time, effort, and money in the long run.

How much have you invested with them?

The total so far has been a bit below €60,000 ($66,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Droids on Roids in May or June 2019, and the work is partly ongoing. We’ve received the first deliverables, and the app is working fine. We allocate a bit of budget once in a while to improve the application.

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

We had a fixed-price contract with them initially. I am the product owner within the company, so I was constantly involved in the prioritization of backlog items. I’d say we’ve been successful.

How did Droids on Roids perform from a project management standpoint?

They were highly flexible and supportive, looking for the best solution on hand, and open to address any issue. I enjoyed working with them and found our collaboration to be way better than our first provider. I’ve only had these two experiences in this industry so far, but Droids was certainly a big improvement over the first supplier. I had weekly meetings with the scrum master, and biweekly meetings with the key account manager, for 15–30 minutes to align everything.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re young, ambitious, and open and willing to learn. Even if they don’t already have a solution on hand, they’ll look into it and reach out within their network to find the answer you’re looking for. They don’t take work too seriously, so if something doesn’t go as planned, they realize that it’s just life. I like their modern mindset and approach to work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s really not much I can think of.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I recommend meeting them in person. That’s what I did, and it certainly improved the work overall, on a personal level. If we have a kickoff meeting with them, they’re welcoming and hospitable. Aside from that, backlog items need to be prioritized and described as well as possible.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the e-commerce campaigns and mobile app manager for CCC S.A. We’re a prominent foot retail and manufacturing company in Central Europe. We sell our projects in 22 countries. 

What challenges were you trying to address with Droids On Roids?

We needed an e-commerce app for iOS and Android devices to sell our shoe and bag products.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Droids On Roids was responsible for designing and developing the iOS and Android app. They also provide maintenance. 

We began our cooperation with a three-day product design workshop conducted by the Droids On Roids team. The workshop helped us immensely to clarify the app idea and to kick off the project smoothly. After that, Droids On Roids started their end of the work.

What is the team composition?

Our team consists of iOS developers, Android developers, a Scrum master, QA engineers, and a UI/UX designer. The size of the team has varied throughout the entire cooperation depending on our needs, ranging about 5–15.

How did you come to work with Droids On Roids?

Droids On Roids was recommended to me by my business colleague.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $600,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2018. The apps have launched, but our collaboration with Droids On Roids is ongoing. 

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

Both apps launched successfully. They’ve earned 4.7-star ratings on the App Store from more than 3,000 reviews and have over 500,000 downloads so far. Droids On Roids created two crash-free, beautifully-designed apps which reflect well on our brand and our expectations.

How did Droids On Roids perform from a project management standpoint?

We started the project with a kick-off meeting where we set the rules for our cooperation and learned the tools used in the process. We know exactly how to use the tools that help us to monitor the budget and maximize the value Droids On Roids delivers.

Overall, we’ve enjoyed the communication with Droids On Roids. They provide us with a high level of transparency. We have direct contact with every team member either through Slack, email, Scrum meetings, and in face-to-face interactions in their office. 

Thanks to our iterative approach that uses 1–2-week sprints, we can optimize value and introduce changes with great flexibility and manage risks. We have effectively developed a working product increment in every sprint. Thanks to Droids On Roids’ openness, we’re always up to date with the team’s progress and time spent on development. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Droids On Roids is more than a contractor—they’re a trustworthy partner with impressive knowledge and skills. We appreciate their openness, flexibility, meticulousness, and technical competence. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Any advice for potential customers?

If you are looking for a reliable partner who will build your application at the highest quality, Droids On Roids will be a perfect choice. 

The team will provide you with a sense of transparency through ongoing and direct contact with the team members. At any given moment, we know what the team is working on and can access the current version of the app. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of a financial services platform. We partner with companies to provide their employees with zero-interest loans, especially people with a troubled credit history or no credit.

What challenge were you trying to address with Droids On Roids?

In our sales cycle, we communicate to the employees what their options are and show them that it’s easy to use. Previously, we only had a web platform where they signed up on our home page with their email verification and login. However, a lot of the demographics we are dealing with don’t have laptops or PCs; they are more mobile oriented. We needed to offer a mobile app to increase conversion within the workforce.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a high-level idea of how our app should look. We wanted to keep it simple with as few clicks as possible to take out a loan. We wanted it to be intuitive and not too sophisticated. Droids On Roids helped us to develop the prototypes. We mapped out the user flow and created mock-ups, and then, they did the final wireframes and took it from there.

They designed the app for both iOS and Android, but currently, since the vast majority of our users have Android phones, we’re targeting only Android. iOS will come later.

What is the team composition?

We had one project manager, one Scrum master, one designer, two Android developers, and one QA engineer.

How did you come to work with Droids On Roids?

We reached out to our LinkedIn network to see if anyone had recommendations for an affordable development team. A former colleague of my CTO worked with Droids On Roids and introduced us. They made it into the top three teams that we were considering. In the end, they were the best. Their portfolio looked good, and we felt strong compatibility with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $55,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2018, and we launched in April 2019. They maintain our app on a monthly basis, and they continue to improve our app.

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

We were thrilled with the results. Their forecasting was incredibly accurate. They were great at estimating the workload and forecasting the hours and cost involved. There was dynamic communication. It was impressive.

How did Droids On Roids perform from a project management standpoint?

I can’t praise them enough when it comes to project management. It was excellent. Their scrum process is exceptionally well-thought-out. We have standing meetings, a refinement meeting, and a backlog planning meeting. They make my life easy. They’re direct with what they need from me as the product owner. The documentation is great. They provided us with Google Sheets to track progress.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I especially liked that they went a step beyond the scope and questioned some of our processes. Then, they suggested ways they could do it better.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’m delighted with the whole process. There’s some inflexibility when it comes to meetings due to the time difference. They have to be early in the morning or late at night. It’s nothing that can be changed, though.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be diligent when it comes to the backlog. Get granular with what product features you’re looking for and what the objectives are because it will allow them to better forecast. Stay committed to that roadmap and don’t change things last minute. Due to their rigid process, they’re not fond of changing things last minute.