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4.5
4 reviews
Bronze
VERIFIED

Idea Box is a Melbourne-based application development company. We have a decade of experience and a proven process for results that exceed expectation. With our solutions at hand, you can maximise employee efficiency, streamline business process, improve service to your customers & obtain business-critical data.

 
 
$25,000+
 
$50 - $99 / hr
 
2 - 9
 Founded
2008
Show all +
Melbourne, Australia
headquarters
  • 703/2 Queen St
    Melbourne, VIC 3000
    Australia
    1300906590

Portfolio

Victoria Police / Connect Manningham App Image

Victoria Police / Connect Manningham App

Connect Manningham Application Prototype. UI/UX design and creation of mobile application prototype for Victoria Police. The Problem Design a solution that will connect members of the community with services, groups and information that would provide support and a greater sense of engagement. The Solution Proof of concept & prototype creation of the Connect Manningham web and mobile apps.
Training.com.au iOS Application Image

Training.com.au iOS Application

Course Finder Mobile App with Salesforce Integration. Enterprise level mobile application developed for training.com.au connecting hundreds accredited TAFE courses and prospective students..

 

The Brief “Expand user reach and provide a better mobile user experience”

 

The Solution “A smart mobile app that plugs into a complex system architecture”
MDI Global - RMS Image

MDI Global - RMS

Research Management & Automation System. Development of bespoke cloud-based software and native mobile applications for Melbourne-based research company MDI Global. The Problem “Our processes are too complex for our employees. The business model isn’t scalable.” The Solution “We need a system that allows us to automate our study flow, communications & incentives.”
My Rental Image

My Rental

Cloud-based Property Management System. Development of a custom property management software and native mobile apps that streamline outdated and inefficient processes.

 

The Problem “Most procedures and processes in the property management sector are outdated and inefficient.”

 

The Solution “Let's take the property manager out of property management.”
CaringHub Image

CaringHub

Uber Like Platform for People with Disabilities. Development of the web and iOS/Android solution CaringHub, that allows instant and self-controlled disability services for people in need. The Problem “There aren’t any 24/7 services that find & notify nearest available disability workers." The Solution A web & mobile platform that connects local support workers & disabled people, fast.
Drive-off Alert Image

Drive-off Alert

Fuel Theft Reporting for Petrol Stations & the Police. Development of integrated web and iOS fuel theft reporting platform. Used by Australi's leading petrol brands in conjunction with law enforcement. The Problem “Police don't chase up fuel theft offenders" The Solution Extensive Australian database of Prior Offenders.

Reviews

4.5
4 reviews
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Development for a Property Management Company

"The team at idea box understood what we wanted to achieve."

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4.5

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
July 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Starting from scratch, idea box developed a platform to automate processes for a property management company. The team integrated various software within the system. They also provide ongoing maintenance.

The Reviewer
 
2-10 Employees
 
Melbourne, Australia
Director, Property Management Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Internal feedback regarding idea box’s work was positive. Their responsiveness complemented their professional management style. Their experienced team tackles challenges willingly. Customers can expect a team that delivers on their promises.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m one of the directors at a property management company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with idea box?

Around three years ago, we built a platform to streamline and automate daily tasks and processes. Over the years, we’ve worked on refining the technology by making it more efficient and user-friendly. We engaged with Adam (Managing Director, idea box) and his team to get the platform where we need it to be.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The team at idea box developed our iOS application from scratch, staying involved from ideation to maintenance support. The system integrates various platforms, including an accounting software and DocuSign for contracts. It also holds property data solutions that allow our clients to remain updated about their property.

What is the team composition?

In total, we’ve worked with three people.

How did you come to work with idea box?

I came across idea box from a Google search. I believe we met with three or four other developers. The team at idea box understood what we wanted to achieve. Other companies made us feel like just a number. One of the main reasons we hired idea box was because of their previous experience with other projects. They have a good synergy that aligned with what we wanted to do.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $130,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with idea box started in July 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The work was well-received by our internal team. The only thing we struggled with was the timeline, taking into account how long it takes for the system to get operational. There were challenges along the way, but their team was great at dealing with them.

How did idea box perform from a project management standpoint?

From a project management standpoint, their team performed well. Adam was our project manager, focusing on face-to-face interactions with our team. We had meetings regarding design structure, architecture, and how we wanted everything to flow.

We also held progress meetings where we went over any changes. If there was a change, their team would go back to development and then meet back up with us. As a project manager, Adam was responsive. When we had issues, he was always on top of them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their company isn’t working on more than 20 projects at a time. They give their clients their full focus. We didn’t want to work with an agency where we would be one of a thousand. We took a lot of time and effort in selecting a company that would meet our goals in the first try, and idea box delivered on that promise.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would’ve appreciated setting the expectations for big challenges in the beginning. There were several challenges during the engagement, which is no one’s fault. I think if the possibility would’ve been explained at the start, that might’ve made the journey a bit easier.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They have a wide variety of experience with a whole range of projects. Their team is able to bring different expectations for various industries. That was valuable to our team.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

iOS & Android Dev for Support Worker Platform

“I was blown away by the team’s knowledge and professionalism.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Sept. 2017 - May 2018
Project summary: 

idea box developed an iOS/Android app that connects clients who have disabilities with caregivers. They focused on designing a universally accessible UI so that all end users could comfortably navigate the app.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Australia
Company Director, Support Worker Platform
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Despite a lengthy design and user acceptance testing (UAT) phase, idea box was committed to delivering a user-friendly interface. They guided the internal team through several options, taking the time to explain technical processes in a comprehensive way. The app is now a key tool in client demos.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am one of the directors at a not-for-profit organization based in Australia. Our company aims to provide a platform that connects clients with disability needs with qualified caregivers, specifically after hours.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire idea box?

We engaged idea box to design and develop our mobile app, which would be the basis of our service offering. Given that this was our first time undertaking an app development project, we needed them to guide us through designing an accessible UI and process workflow.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to develop an app that was simple to use for end clients with various disabilities (e.g., vision, hearing). As such, all of the visualizations, fonts, and colors needed to meet web disability standards.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Not only did idea box stand out from other vendors based on their price point, but they also seemed willing to go above and beyond to deliver.

Describe the project in detail.

idea box designed and developed a user/caregiver app for iOS and Android. Initially, we had a number of meetings with them to scope out the technical specs. idea box provided the documentation, and we continued to review it over the next few weeks, making any necessary adjustments to suit our target end users. 

Because our end users had disabilities, it was important to create as accessible a design as possible. Their team was extremely helpful in providing UI examples that would best fit our users’ needs. We ended up going through about 30 versions during user acceptance testing (UAT), tweaking some of the cosmetic elements to arrive at the final outcome.

After completing UAT, idea box swiftly finalized the design and lodged the app for approval in Google Play and the App Store.

What was the team composition?

We worked directly with the lead developer, which simplified a lot of the communication and allowed us to complete the project within the expected timeframe and outcomes.
 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our app is currently still at the launch stage due to organizational alignment and restructuring on our end. However, it’s still active, and we constantly use it for client demonstrations.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The lead developer was easy to communicate with and made himself available all the time. We also had weekly meetings over Skype, which allowed us to conveniently discuss and align our teams while checking on the project’s status.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was blown away by the team’s knowledge and professionalism. They went above and beyond to assist us during development—even though we didn’t always have the necessary technical expertise—and were willing to support us. idea box did an outstanding job explaining all of the processes in an easy-to-understand manner, so it was a pleasure to work with them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Everything can always be done faster, but we were satisfied with their level of engagement and effort. In the end, we were happy with the final product that they delivered.

5.0
Overall Score I'd like to thank them for developing such a great product.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They were always on time.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    It was a reasonable price and as quoted. There were no hidden fees.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They delivered excellent quality.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I'll always refer them because they did an outstanding job.

Platform Development for a Market Research Company

"We run about seven apps on the platform and it's responsible now for probably half of our business."

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4.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Oct. 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

idea box is developing and designing a custom mobile platform that links to a research management system. It uses AI to automatically generate tasks depending on how users answer different questions.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Australia
James Fergusson
CEO, MDI Global
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Still in development, the first phase has received positive feedback from key stakeholders. Despite problems due to lack of testing, idea box corrects bugs quickly and responds equally as promptly to other concerns. Their development expertise and integrity make them a valuable partner.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of MDI Global, a market research company that specializes in mobile market research.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with idea box? 

Our previous platform was past its prime. We wanted a new mobile platform where we could pre-program all the management tasks that the platform needs to take on the backend. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

idea box built an app as a way of deploying market research that links to a research management system. That enables us to set up programs, which are run by artificial intelligence. So when a user completes a task, they immediately get another task depending on their answer. The second task will be different than other users’ task if they've answered specific questions differently. 

Our previous platform had a similar consumer interface, but the backend was entirely manual. Therefore, there were significant delays in us being able to deploy different research elements. idea box created the frontend as completely white label so we can change the colors and the overall look of the interface quite quickly. 

What is the team composition? 

We primarily work with Adam (managing director, idea box). We’re also in regular phone communication with three members of his team. 

How did you come to work with idea box? 

They were recommended to us by a trusted adviser. We put several companies through a rigorous pitch process for a couple of months. idea box stood out ahead of the rest. We liked Adam’s passion and his ability to think things through. He can go away at the end of the day with a problem and come back the next morning with a solution.  

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $230,000 AUD (approximately $164,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement? 

The project kicked off in October 2017, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Phase one has been deployed. It's only been live for 12 months, and we’re already in six or seven countries. We run about seven apps on the platform, and it's responsible now for probably half of our business. We have much bigger expectations for it in the future. 

For us, success is where the platform doesn't break. Due to issues with our previous platform, we didn't do as much pre-testing as we would’ve liked. That was quite a risk. A few things didn't work because of the lack of testing. Now there’s a clear picture of what success looks like for the next phase. We'll continue to work with them over the coming months to make sure at least 95% of messaging gets through, as well as rectifying any other issues. 

How did idea box perform from a project management standpoint? 

Adam doesn't over commit himself, but he does sometimes overthink things, which can cause a delay. I’ve been upfront about how to manage that trait, and it’s seemed to work. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I most appreciate their honesty and integrity. Also, they're true developers. I've been disappointed over the years with other firms that tell a wonderful story in the pitch process but can’t deliver on during development. Previous developers used third-party software, which meant the IP we own was limited since they used someone else's IP for the key elements. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their main weaknesses are in administration management. As a small business, I need them to invoice earlier in the process. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Sit down and get agreement on all milestones. Have clear stage dates for each milestone. Make sure the payment terms are clear and tie payments to the milestones. Those are common issues when working with a small business. Overall, Adam is brilliant and passionate. His developers are head and shoulders above others.

4.0
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They provide good value relative to the price.
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web and App Dev for a Traffic Software Company

"idea box closely listened to me, coming up with a reasonable plan."

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4.5

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Nov. 2015 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

idea box developed a website with a Ruby on Rails backend system, and an iPad application for a traffic software company. The team customized each element and provide additional support.

The Reviewer
 
2-10 Employees
 
Australia
Owner, Traffic Software Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Participants are frequently using the platform and application. The team at idea box is accommodating and easy to work with. They genuinely listen to their clients, benefiting collaboration. Customers can expect detailed work at a reasonable price.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a traffic software company that provides a non-payment prevention solution for petrol stations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with idea box?

I had an idea but wasn’t sure how to execute it and put it together. idea box provided the actual know-how for breaking it down and making it into an actionable plan.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

idea box created my website, an iPad app, and a backend system. Their team built the backend using Ruby on Rails. We have an open-source database. Every aspect of development was customized. I became more involved in the process when we started gaining users.

What is the team composition?

I’ve engaged with two members of their team.

How did you come to work with idea box?

Initially, I spoke to their competitors, and they sounded commercial. I don’t think they understood my idea. They also gave me unbelievable pricing quotes. Those were non-starters and resulted in no meetings. idea box closely listened to me, coming up with a reasonable plan. In terms of budgeting, it met my expectations.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $50,000 AUD (approximately $36,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with idea box began in November 2015. I’m continuing to use their team to make enhancements regularly.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The frequency of usage is crucial to my application. We have a process called “lookups,” which ended up being a key feature in our program. I requested that we track those members from the beginning. The more lookups I have, the higher the frequency at which customers are using my product.

How did idea box perform from a project management standpoint?

Since I’m not from the IT industry and have no knowledge of its particulars, idea box was patient with me. Because of the suitability to the market, we had to go through several changes. It’s a unique product, and idea box responded to any change requests I had regarding the platform’s logic and backend analytics. They accommodated to those at a reasonable price.

Even though we had a finished product, it still needed to be marketable. Customers were pointing out issues I missed, so we had to go back and make those changes happen. There were some painful times, but idea box was able to listen and mitigate. Eventually, I was able to interact with their coders directly, which made the process more efficient. They’ve become my product support team that I can speak to at any time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

idea box listens to their clients. They’re keen to know what’s behind the project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there are none that I can think of.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Clients should have a clear plan worked out. idea box has an analytical aspect, but the client should be clear on what product they want. Their team can enhance it further, but the clearer the original picture is, the better their output will be.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
Verification

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Verification Level
Bronze
VERIFIED
Business Entity
Status
Active
Jurisdiction of Formation
Australia
ID
601 106 405
Date of Formation
Jun 1, 2008
Last Updated
Apr 18, 2019
Payment & Legal Filings
International Credit Risk Assessment

Per our methodology, the International Credit Risk Assessment rating is determined by our analysis of a credit report and third-party data.

Very Low Risk
Source
Creditsafe
Last Updated
Jul 29, 2019
Client Reviews
VERIFIED CLIENT REVIEWS
4
OVERALL REVIEW RATING
4.5
Source
Clutch
LAST UPDATED
October 31, 2019