GearedApp

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and COO of Raven Control. We provide operational software for event management.

What challenge were you trying to address with GearedApp?

We’re a fairly small software company, so we basically outsource the development of our native app to supplement our internal resources.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve actually had three different projects that we tasked them with, and one will be started in September of this year.

To start, they developed our Native app, which was followed by the development of a frontend dashboard and a web app using React. We provided them with a detailed brief, but because the domain isn’t widely understood by software developers, we gave them the requirements in regards to our current web app.

Their work started with the design, functionality, and implementation for both iOS and Android. It’s quite a collaborative partnership in terms of planning regular meetings, and determining the API endpoints that are required from our own system data.

As for the key feature of the app, it will act as a command center where users can log in their issues in an event or venue — it could be any issue such as security, cleaning, or customer experience. The user will then have access to a variety of staff who will be operating and delivering a service at any point in time.

The app can also be accessed through the phone where they can record issues, receive and carry out actions, and register them according to their status — the control center will then monitor the progression.

What is the team composition?

We have a designer, a project manager, a tester, and two developers.

How did you come to work with GearedApp?

Our CTO had a mobile app agency in the past, so we were aware of GearedApp. We approached a couple of other companies, but GearedApp’s work was very well thought out.

How much have you invested with them?

To date, we’ve invested around £130,000 GBP (approximately $180,200 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started our partnership in August 2020, and it’s still ongoing.

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

We deliver our services to major events and it’s being used by director-level individuals for global organizations. We recently debriefed a major event and the app was specifically spoken highly of by the people who were able to have oversight. The app has also enabled a wider rollout to operational staff who can access everything they need.

Our web and mobile apps are optimized, so this provides a much better user experience.

How did GearedApp perform from a project management standpoint?

From the get-go, we’ve had a very clear outline of the anticipated number of sprints that would take place, and we’ve had fortnightly sprint planning meetings, and check-ins on a weekly basis.

As I’ve said it’s been a highly collaborative process and they continue to be flexible so they absolutely deliver to timescales where necessary. We manage our sprints and development using JIRA, and we mostly communicate through Zoom and our shared Slack channel.

What did you find most impressive about them?

If I could choose only one thing, it’s their competence, because it encapsulates everything else — they’re very professional, but also very friendly, so the partnership is always accommodating and relaxing.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing springs to mind. Both our companies had a change in staff internally, but we’ve collectively dealt with them and the handovers very well.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would suggest keeping regular lines of communication open, and make sure to define the scope of requirements in the beginning as a basis for the whole development.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and managing director of Eventace, a startup.

What challenge were you trying to address with GearedApp?

We’re building a brand-new platform and app for our new venture. Essentially, we needed someone who could work to the specifications we had and also stay within our budget. The app will be for desktop as well as mobile.

What was the scope of their involvement?

GearedApp is developing our web application. They took my thoughts and ideas and put them into a workable platform that we can measure, track, and eventually turn into a finished product. The platform brings people together who are looking for event suppliers and allows them to be contacted by event suppliers for their particular event.

Another functionality gives event suppliers leads where they decide before committing themselves to any payment. Suppliers can express whether they’re interested in a particular job that’s ported on the platform. If they’re interested, they can pitch for it.

In order to pitch, they have to get contact details from the event organizer. They get access to those contact details through a credit system. The suppliers buy credits and the platform determines how many credits are required based on the value of the job.

What is the team composition?

I work with four people from their team.

How did you come to work with GearedApp?

We found GearedApp on Clutch and selected them because of their reviews. Our team looked at three other companies as well.

The initial interaction was done via email. I asked GearedApp a few questions and got a really fast response. We then went to their office in-person. Our team spent a few hours going through a discovery phase where we told them our ideas. They then built a mockup of what we wanted.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested over £50,000 (approximately $63,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2020, and the project is ongoing. It’s scheduled to be finished by the end of June.

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

Early on, GearedApp asked me to express how involved I wanted them to be with the development. I’m already seeing progress being made. Twice a week, I see demos, and they’re very impressive. Their planning and organizational skills are superb.

I had no idea how they were going to get such a complex idea down on paper. I also didn’t fathom how they were going to translate those ideas into something I could actually see, but they did. It’s incredibly impressive. Every time I speak to them something new has been developed, and I get a chance to play with it a little bit. I’m the only one on my team that’s been exposed to it so far.

How did GearedApp perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management has been fantastic. GearedApp is always on time and very enthusiastic. They’re truly invested in our idea and success. We communicate twice a week and now hold virtual meetings because of coronavirus. I have a clear view of what everyone is doing and what their jobs are. There’s nothing hidden from us; the transparency is superb.

What did you find most impressive about them?

GearedApp’s organizational skills are tremendous. Their ability to translate what they’re doing to a layman is incredible. What’s more, their communication skills are excellent. Their team’s commitment to the cause is tangible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing I’d change. Everything has gone incredibly smoothly with them. This has been the best company I’ve worked with by far. If everyone else operated like this, the sector would be alive and very healthy.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be scared to talk to them. Also, don’t be put off by not knowing how to translate what your ideas are into a technical solution. They’ll do that part for you. GearedApp is very approachable. Tell them what you want and don’t worry that you don’t have the technical ability to describe what you’re after.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of ZavFit. We’re a financial wellness company.

What challenge were you trying to address with GearedApp?

We wanted to build a mobile app and needed support with design and development.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The team at GearedApp is responsible for the development of the app, which is compatible with both iOS and Android. 

The app contains several functionalities, including open banking as well as a psychology engine, which customers can use to develop mindfulness around their money habits.

What is the team composition?

We work with about five or six people in total, including Andrzej (Director & Software Developer, GearedApp), who acts as our project manager.

How did you come to work with GearedApp?

GearedApp was recommended to us by a previous vendor who understood our goals and budget.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $50,000-$100,000 with GearedApp.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began our project in January 2019, and the work is ongoing. 

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

Though the app hasn’t launched yet, we’ve received positive feedback from members of our internal QA team.

How did GearedApp perform from a project management standpoint?

Andrzej and his team, who we mainly communicate with via Slack, have performed excellently. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

GearedApp truly operates by their slogan, “Tech for Good.” The team is lovely to work with, and they genuinely care about the work they do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing I can think of.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communication is integral to success, but also make sure you can connect your work to the Tech for Good belief.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the managing director of Tour Tag Ltd. We offer a loyalty and rewards platform designed to encourage golfers to play more and help clubs and businesses increase revenues.

For what projects/services did your company hire GearedApp?

We do not have any in house developers therefore we needed an outside source for full design and build.

What were your goals for this project?

We hired GearedApp to build a mobile app for us that would allow us to easily and efficiently reach our end users as well as create an admin dashboard that would allow us to easily adapt rewards on the app and grow our company

How did you select this vendor?

We met with various app development teams across Scotland. However, GearedApp by far stood out from the rest and showed great enthusiasm for our initial idea as well as providing thoughts about what would be best for our company.

Describe the project in detail.

We had an initial scoping meeting to realise our needs and what the project would entail. After commencing the project we started with the design phase and received mocks of our IOS and Android App. We then moved into the development phase and this was completed by the hand over of our 2 mobile platforms and admin dashboard.

What was the team composition?

Prior to work commencing we had communication with Lara, the ops manager, who was our first port of contact and provided initial communications. To complete the Design phase, our project was managed by Josh who provided UX consultation and interface design for our platform and provided visual mocks of what the platform would look like. The development phase was managed by Andrzej and we were provided with daily updates on progress.

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

Within 6 weeks we have 800 downloads across IOS and Android. We have had fantastic reviews from our clients and end users with a 5.0 rating on google play and 4.9 on the app store. Our initial goal during our scoping session was 1000 downloads for the first year, so we are going to smash that expectation.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communication was second to none. We got weekly updates and were very quick and informative with emails sent between our team and theirs.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They went above and beyond to ensure the project was a success. GearedApp have well rounded team with specialists in each area required for our project. We think that GearedApps work and their enthusiasm for our project sets them above the rest.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nope, we were very happy with all aspects of the project.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder and president of EnteroBiotix, a biotechnology company that focuses on developing medicinal products to treat infections caused by drug-resistant organisms.

For what projects/services did your company hire GearedApp?

We hired GearedApp to build a website that supports our commercial and strategic objectives.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a clean and professional website that captured all of our key business activities and strategy.

How did you select this vendor?

During an exploration process, we reviewed the services of several potential companies. GearedApp stood out because of their attention to detail and understanding of our needs. They are highly approachable and a great culture fit. We also read positive reviews about them.

Describe the project in detail.

Before we began the project, we discussed the timeline and budget. We developed the initial wireframes and content, which was reviewed by their team and amended. GearedApp built the entire site without further input from our side.

What was the team composition?

Josh (Director & Interface Designer, GearedApp) was our project manager throughout the entire process. A graphic design and branding agency also supported us. Their teams worked closely together to integrate their designs and tools into the website.

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

Feedback from key stakeholders was positive. The website has helped drive more traffic and inquiries. GearedApp was highly responsive throughout the process. It was a pleasure working with them.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Josh responded promptly and answered any questions, even discussing on weekends and outside of regular working hours. We spoke almost daily during the building and testing period. We talked through email and phone. During the beginning, we would have meetings through Skype. Our meetings with the branding agency were also through Skype.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed with GearedApp’s attentiveness and responsiveness. Their passion for web design and patience were also noteworthy.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I couldn’t fault them on anything.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of a global branding and marketing agency as well as the co founder of a not for profit organisation called Food Hero Scot

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

We were required to create a website for a not-for-profit campaign we were launching in Scotland. The campaign has multiple facets and release dates so there was an element of complexity to the build and phased release.

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

We were recommended to Geared App by a few mutual contact and their reputation exceeded them. The deciding factors where just how curious they were about the project at our first meeting, their quality of questioning and what came across as a solutions-oriented mindset, which gave us the confidence to work with them

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

We developed a responsive website on Wordpress. The initial phase was getting the website ready from a front end design perspective with some basic data gathering functionality. We then worked on developing a more comprehensive voting and nomination system for the competition element of the website.

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

We worked directly with Josh who was a WordPress specialist.

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

After launching our website we managed to get over 2million impressions, 1500 newsletter subscribers, 200 nominated businesses and 10,000 voted submitted.

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

We used a project management tool and slack for daily communication. the member of staff we were dealing with was very proactive in managing communication on the project, and i believe used agile framework to coordinate the work flow.

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

Geared App was impressive in shortlisting the technology and plugins required to ensure a seamless project. Their positive and innovative mindset for sure, was very impressive.

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

No, I have to say that the whole process from start to finish was very enjoyable and fulfilling.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a director of Equine Medical solutions which provides online referral advice to vets managing horses with a variety of cancers and other medical problems. We provide advice and treatments to vets globally.

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

We wanted to develop an App to allow vets to submit cases at the patient side to make it easier for them to use our service and to have easy access to the bespoke treatment plans we provide.

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

We found Geared App through a personal recommendation.

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

Geared App delivered our project in sprints. As our company did not have the expertise in any technology of this sort our main role was to explain our bespoke online referral portal and then they created the App to link with this. OUr IT team provided the API and worked closely with the team

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

A project manager took the lead and was supported by 4 other team members.

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

We have already seen an increase in vets using the App and feedback has been excellent. It is too early to see an increase in case submission which we expect from this.

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

The project manager was fantastic at organising meetings which were all online making it easier for everyone to attend. There was regular communication via Slack and also delivering emails to those in our team who were not confident with Slack. All deadlines were met with ease.

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

The app development process was faultless. The team was so friendly and approachable and dealt with our inexperience in the technology involved.

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

Great team who worked well together. Nothing more to do to improve.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the marketing executive at AWDis, the number one provider of quality garments to the printwear and promotion market worldwide. 

For what projects/services did your company hire GearedApp?

We have eight different brands under the AWDis umbrella, which meant eight different WordPress sites. These were time consuming to update and difficult to manage, so we asked GearedApp to create a platform that encompassed all of our sites. 

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to bring all of our websites together on one platform. This would make it easier for us to update each site on a daily basis while still ensuring that we could work with them individually, too. A cleaner, more user-friendly look was also a high priority.

How did you select this vendor?

We've been working with GearedApp for a number of years, so it was an easy decision for us. They understand our needs and wants and shared our vision for the end goal.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

GearedApp designed, developed, and configured a completely customized platform for us, one that brought all of our websites together but allowed us to still update each site manually. They then built a completely new admin dashboard tailored to our specific product needs. 

On top of that, they keyed in some technical information for us, and took the time to go through all of our questions, providing us with updates each week.

What was the team composition?

Initially, we met with the full team, which included both of their founders and their head of development. As the project became more specific, we worked closely with the developer, with the founders checking in each month or so.

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

They developed and launched our solution on time. This means that we now spend much less time updating the websites and also have the ability to add customized banners, giving the websites a more modern, fresh feel.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management was great. We understood what they were trying to achieve, and we also understood what was expected of us to make it happen.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

First, I was impressed that they shared our vision and really got behind the project. Second, their communication was great—they were able to adapt to our ideas very quickly and made swift changes.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, there is very little that they could improve, but they could provide a clearer document of fixes and bugs for people who are less experienced with technical terms.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m an assistant marketing manager for Aviagen, a poultry breeding company. We supply day old grandparent parent stock chicks to customers in over 100 countries under the Arbor Acres, Indian River, and Ross brands.

For what projects/services did your company hire GearedApp?

We wanted to develop apps for our three global brands.

What were your goals for this project?

These apps would allow customers to access data quickly while they’re out in the field so they don’t have to carry printed documents with them at all times.

How did you select this vendor?

Our previous app developer wasn't working out and they found GearedApp for us. We had an initial meeting with them were impressed by how professional they were. They even gave us realistic timelines for the development.

Describe the project in detail.

GearedApp took over for another developer that had been working on our apps for two years, improving its design and functionality. The apps provide location-specific product data and availability, both metric and imperial measurement systems, and offer users multiple choices of languages. The app remembers a user’s region, measurement system, and language after the select these options the first time.

What was the team composition?

We work with a project manager, Lara, and a lead developer, Andzrej. 

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

In just five months, GearedApp made several changes that we would’ve been waiting on for a year with our previous developer. They’ve improved both the apps’ design and functionality and dramatically reduced their download time.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The full team has been great and helpful. They communicate well and keep us up to date on everything, even the delays they’re experiencing. We get weekly development emails from them and chat a few times a week about their progress to date.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They all have amazing knowledge about app development, especially our lead developer who’s always clued-in and ready to go. Professional people like our developer and our project manager give me confidence in the whole company.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They’ve been great to work with, so I have no complaints.