KRUTSCH

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior director of marketing operations at a SaaS company. We provide asset tracking, fleet tracking, and consumer dash cams. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KRUTSCH?

We needed to redo the mobile application for our consumer dash cam. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

KRUTSCH revamped and recreated our mobile application, updating the UI and enhancing every part of its functionality. We started by reviewing the current app and its state. The code was old and outdated. We provided KRUTSCH with surveys and feedback from our customer base. We also provided them with competitor apps and cameras. KRUTSCH led a discovery around what was needed to make the app excel in the consumer-driven world of dash cams. 

From there, we went through prototyping to ensure that the app would look, feel, and function as we wanted it to. We did prototype testing with our customer base and made changes. Then, we went into building the app. KRUTSCH built a beta version and did live testing with the customer base before launching it. The team worked with backend development teams on the camera firmware and the cloud environment. They built all the code from scratch to meet the existing cloud environment. 

Users can download the app via the App Store or Google Play Store. The app connects to their dash camera, which sits inside their car. It allows them to view what’s happening inside and outside their car live. Users can also talk two-way to anybody in their car. They can warn people who are trying to break in. The app captures video while users are driving, protecting them while on the road. KRUTSCH built the app in React Native, and the backend is built on AWS. 

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact was Ken (CEO & Owner). We worked with his full team, including five developers and a UI developer. 

How did you come to work with KRUTSCH?

KRUTSCH was recommended by one of our manufacturers, who created the dash cam itself. 

How much have you invested with them?

The manufacturer invested over $200,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with KRUTSCH from December 2022–December 2024. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We measured success by the amount of feedback we got from the customer base. The old app hadn’t been updated in four years. The new app received very positive feedback. There were bugs, but KRUTSCH responded well and fixed them quickly. 

How did KRUTSCH perform from a project management standpoint?

We worked closely with them, but I didn’t manage the budget. KRUTSCH tried to work to deadlines. They used Airtable as their project management tool. We communicated through Slack, email, and Microsoft Teams or Zoom meetings, whichever was preferred.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed with their ability to take something complex and make it easy to digest and understand. KRUTSCH did a good job taking someone else’s work, looking at the backend, and making it look, feel, and work better. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could have worked on things simultaneously. Sometimes, they worked on one thing when we could’ve worked on a couple of things. We could’ve gotten things done a little quicker. Other than that, everything was good. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be upfront with the issues and challenges you have, with any feedback from your customer base, and any history or research you have. This enables KRUTSCH to make a good discovery so that things aren’t missed when planning for the build. Be upfront with your planning and expectations so that you don’t get into the nitty-gritty of what wasn’t included in the proposal. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the System Administrator of Shaw/Stewart Lumber Company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Retail Lumber Yard for Luxery Home Builders, Remodelers and Commercial Builders.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire KRUTSCH to accomplish?

• Rebuild our Customer APP
• Build a Web Version of the APP

SOLUTION

How did you find KRUTSCH?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select KRUTSCH over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from KRUTSCH were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Krutsch redesigned our existing APP to give it a much needed user experience update.  They also created a Web version of the APP.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The project was completed in the time frame we were given.  THe APP now has an updated user experience and the overall response on the new APP has been extremely favorable.  The addition of the Web APP has been a bonus to our Sales Team and our Customers.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The project was delivered on time and they addressed all of our concerns during the duration of the project. When Krutsch did not agree with changes we wanted to make, they explained why but they were also open to understanding why we needed the change.  We challanged each other during this proces which resulted in a easy to use updated APP. 

What was your primary form of communication with KRUTSCH?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

KRUTSCH's team was a great group of people to work with and always responded quickly.  Nothing ever seemed too difficult for them to do and I was always surprised at how quickly they could overcome issues.

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

The one thing they could have improved on is showing us more as they were creating the APP so we could have made changes and identified bugs as they progressed with development.  Most of these Changes and Bugs were identified after the intital version of the APP was completed.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Project Manager of a homeownership opportunities company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Provide homeownership opportunities for all Minnesotans through marketing, advocacy, and industry connections.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire KRUTSCH to accomplish?

• Design and build a digital experience that will drive your end-users to prefer it over the printed tour guide
• Create a search and navigation tool to properties across the state
• Build a reporting system for users that visit homes both in person and online

SOLUTION

How did you find KRUTSCH?

Referral

Why did you select KRUTSCH over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from KRUTSCH were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We needed a best-in-class digital experience for folks looking to tour new and remodeled properties as part of a biannual home tour. This included creating a CRM for homes: descriptions, renderings, and locations; along with upgraded digital experiences for tour visitors through an all-new mobile app and website that included the following:

• Property entrance/exit without requiring beacon installation
• Navigation to properties not represented in current map databases
• Rich media browsing and sharing
• Support for affiliate marketing to highlight neighborhood attractions (e.g. schools, dining, natural resources)
• Straightforward editing of dynamic elements on the desk/laptop interface that will also propagate to the mobile apps (e.g. main page hero content, blog posts, featured homes).
• A cloud-based abstraction layer to streamline entry functionality between the builder CRM data and the desk/laptop and mobile apps.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

After the full launch of our app, we had more than 2,400 accounts created. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The team at Krutsch was responsive and flexible to our team's needs. Their crew outlined recommendations as well as other options to help solve our issues, which stayed aligned with our initial user studies. 

What was your primary form of communication with KRUTSCH?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

We valued the small, dedicated team that invested time in understanding our project and tailoring each to a different audience. The app was able to overcome some difficult hurdles in terms of navigating to locations that are not always easily mappable, and the team provided solutions for our advertisers and partners. I was impressed with KRUTSCH's ability to present us with unique solutions to fairly complex requests from our team.

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

It was sometimes challenging to know when or who to bring needed changes up to without disrupting the work process. We didn't want to overload with unnecessary info, but this also led to some confusion on if we had provided enough info on how would use the applications. We do recognize that we had multiple people on our team communicating with theirs, which could lead to some of this confusion. I would also like a bit more of a wrap-up as we close the stages of a project. Some of the final tools used are new to us, but we have been able to make do. The team has been great at answering any follow-up questions we have had though.  

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Program Director of a nonprofit company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We're a world class research and education organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire KRUTSCH to accomplish?

• We engaged Krutsch to develop a new digital application to be used as a reference for physicians worldwide.

SOLUTION

How did you find KRUTSCH?

Online Search

Why did you select KRUTSCH over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from KRUTSCH were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We partnered with Krutsch to develop a user-friendly interface and workflow for a new reference digital application. Deliverables included user-interface design, an app prototype, app beta testing, and the final published app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The new digital application, Valve PPM, was released as expected. As a new digital application focused on a very specific topic, we were pleased with the adoption with over 2,000 new users within the first nine months of release.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Krutsch's team was very responsive and flexible in their approach. The next steps were always clear, and the team outlined options as well as their recommendations when decisions needed to be made.

What was your primary form of communication with KRUTSCH?

Virtual Meeting

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

We appreciated the small, dedicated team that took time to understand our project as well as the context of it. The app is focused on a unique topic for a medical audience, and Krutsch's team took time to visit us and learn more about heart valves!

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

No suggestions at this time

UPDATED REVIEW

This review was published on November 17, 2022.

Emmanouil Brilakis

Director & Chairman, Minneapolis Heart Institute

Healthcare

51-200 Employees

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

$50,000 to $199,999

Jun 2021 - Jun 2022

Project summary

KRUTSCH built an application for iOS and Android for a heart and vascular disease organization. The app had four sections to describe the percutaneous coronary intervention procedure with graphics and videos.

Feedback summary

External stakeholders gave positive feedback, and the app was a valuable addition to the client’s work. KRUTSCH stood out for their high-quality work and excellent service. The team managed the project seamlessly; they communicated effectively through emails and were easy to work with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of Complex Coronary Interventions and chairman of the Center for Coronary Artery Disease at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KRUTSCH?

We needed to create a mobile application.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

KRUTSCH built our app called PCI. We met with them once we had conceived the project and received funding from a donor. Initially, we went through the mapping stage and outlined the app’s different sections. Afterward, they developed it and put it in the proper format. We made the necessary changes to the content, and KRUTSCH published it for iOS and Android.

The application was for people who do percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and had four parts. The first part described the 14 steps to perform the procedure, the second part described how to do it in complex patient populations, the third talked about potential complications, and the fourth was about the required equipment. Additionally, it had many graphics, videos, and cross-referencing between segments.

What is the team composition?

I don’t know how many team members worked on the project.

How did you come to work with KRUTSCH?

The foundation had previous experience with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June 2021–June 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They delivered what we wanted, and the app was a valuable addition to our work. Since it was for internal use, it’s only been downloaded a few thousand times. However, we’ve gotten positive comments from many people, so it’s worked out well.

How did KRUTSCH perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was excellent. They were responsive and pleasant to work with; it was a great partnership.

We mainly communicated through back-and-forth emails.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They did high-quality work and provided excellent service. We were very happy with KRUTSCH.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there wasn’t anything special to improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’d highly recommend them; they did a great job.

Star Ratings

Overall rating: 5

Quality: 5

Cost: 4

Schedule: 5

Willing to refer: 5

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a startup. We’re building a content platform that will help curate women’s dresses. Our idea is focused on mothers of the bride and groom, a market that is underserved in the wedding industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KRUTSCH?

We needed to build a website that could curate and display dresses and lead people to their sites, but that would also potentially become an e-commerce platform later. The site needed to work for us now and grow with us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

KRUTSCH built our website. They advised us on the best platform to use, did some research, and landed on Shopify. The site can categorize dresses and presents them in different ways. For example, users can filter black tie weddings and see options that fit grouped together. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with Kenneth (President), a designer, and a developer. 

How did you come to work with KRUTSCH?

We found them through a referral. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $25,000–$30,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from May–July 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We loved the site’s design — KRUTSCH nailed it! They completely understood what we were trying to achieve and had hopeful advice along the way. The team had a great eye, and their developers understood the look and feel. Overall, their recommendations were spot-on. When they presented the site, I didn’t have any changes. We haven’t launched the site because we’re getting all of our content loaded and finalized.

How did KRUTSCH perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great at project management. They set up a shared Slack channel for us, and communication was very easy; they were very responsive. Our meetings were through Zoom or in person, and they scheduled them through email. 

The team was also great about keeping us on task and progressing the meetings to complete the project. Moreover, they delivered faster than I had expected.

What did you find most impressive about them?

KRUTSCH was nimble and listened to us. They understood our goals and had the right people in place to tackle the job. I also appreciated their guidance; they knew Shopify would work for us, told us why, and showed us how to set it up. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I couldn’t have asked for a better partnership. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Know what your goals are. Part of the reason why our process was so seamless was that we knew what we wanted and had a clear vision. KRUTSCH understood our vision because we could articulate it very specifically.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a graphic designer with a funeral products wholesaler.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KRUTSCH?

Our website was created by a team overseas but it didn’t meet the standard we wanted. The bones were there as a Shopify website, but we wanted the shopping experience and overall branding to be more elevated and boutique, and less Amazon. Our goal with KRUTSCH was to give our site a makeover, as well as some technical improvements. They weren’t simply uploading new imagery, but they were also tasked with redoing our home page and optimizing our categories.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They started from scratch with our home page, a blog page, a community page, and an about us page. They also tidied up how images displayed in the product pages.

They created pages to sell our feature product. There are custom options for this product, so KRUTSCH developed a form people could fill out, as well as a landing page for the product itself.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a frontend designer, and she then worked with a couple of UX designers. I was mostly in contact with that designer and Ken (Founder). Ken seemed to oversee the project.

How did you come to work with KRUTSCH?

I was looking online for a functional, well-branded website, as I’ve gone to design school and have seen plenty of bad websites in my day. KRUTSCH’s website was done well in terms of branding, and I appreciated their portfolio. Their price was fairly reasonable as well.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $30,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2021 until February 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How did your relationship with the vendor evolve?

Their first presentation was very disappointing. The site looked like a blank template that they’d put only a little though into. I provided an entire PDF of brand elements, and the only progress I saw was the implementation of our typeface and two main colors. I got the feeling that this was either the low-hanging fruit project that they were trying to do quickly, or that they weren’t familiar with Shopify and were pushing us to move to Squarespace. It seemed like they were learning Shopify as they were designing our site.

I’d sent them 10 links of features to add that prestige companies use to include in that first presentation and they weren’t there. I don’t know what ball dropped, but a ball was dropped on their end. We almost fired them, at the point. My boss was very disappointed. I then had to tell them what to do for the rest of the project.

How did KRUTSCH address the challenges that arose?

For the second presentation, the site looked like a fully branded homepage. When I asked the question of why this wasn’t presented in the first meeting, no one answered me.

Describe the impact this engagement has had on your business.

While we’re happy with the end product, I had to heavily direct the entire project and micromanage it to get to where it ended. I was also confused as to why it took two weeks for them to regurgitate the full brand guidelines I provided while only adding a few other aspects. I wasn’t paying them to redo the work I’d already given them.

How was project management handled?

It was good. The project went on longer than we planned because of requests from our side, but they were very receptive to our feedback. It eventually got sticky, as I could tell that they didn’t want to make any more changes, but my thinking is that they should have furnished a fully branded website in the beginning to avoid the 3–4 rounds of changes we needed. All changes were made in a timely manner, however.

Is there anything that the vendor did well or that you would consider a strength?

I don’t know, to be honest, because I feel that they’re not Shopify experts. All the design and creative feedback came from our side as well. It’s hard to say.

In what specific areas can they improve?

If I’m hiring a web agency, then I’m expecting them to be an expert in everything I need. If they’re not, then I’m going to hire someone else. KRUTSCH was always checking with someone or looking something up. It would have been nice to feel confident that they were the experts.

When it comes to their presentation, the first attempt was well below standard. They put very little effort into differentiating us from our current website.  

What advice do you have for clients with similar needs to yours?

Before signing any proposals, make sure they have the expertise that you require. Ask the correct questions and be specific. Their proposal was quite vague, leaving a lot of gray area. When you sign a contract, make sure it’s specific so if something goes wrong, then you can point back to the signed agreement.

Company Responses

The vendor responded on March 15, 2022. 

At KRUTSCH we believe our iterative process is what helps us build relationships with our clients as we learn about their company and their wants and needs. We are sorry that expectations did not align. We understand that bringing in a contracted party can come with some challenges as it feels like it's giving up a sense of ownership. KRUTSCH’s design process is transparent and collaborative; that is, we value client feedback and adjust deliverables accordingly through multiple design reviews; this is something that we highlight in our statement of work. We’re disappointed to read the disconnect between this thoughtful review and the final design meeting. After closing out this project, the client came back to us two weeks later for a complete site re-do with a different theme. Per the final design review both parties were in agreement that the project was complete and their team expressed their pleasure with the final product. To do another site re-do would have required a completely new statement of work. We offered a subscription or retainer offer but it was rejected by the client because they believed it should be included in the original statement of work. At KRUTSCH our relationships with our clients are important to us and we will continue to communicate our process standards with future clients to avoid this apparent misperception.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an attorney in Duluth, Minnesota, and I’ve been practicing personal injury litigation for 25 years.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KRUTSCH?

I was looking for someone to help me with website redesign and SEO. My old website was built 8–10 years ago, and it was time to refresh it so I could reach out to more clients. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, KRUTSCH and I sat down and went through my wish list. I had a broad client base, and one of the things I wanted to highlight in my marketing was my willingness to travel. As such, I wanted my website to reflect that. Ultimately, my goal was to reach out to more clients and improve my Google rankings. 

From there, KRUTSCH developed my website using Squarespace. After developing the site, they taught me how to access the platform, make changes, and create blog content. 

KRUTSCH also shot new pictures for the site. They traveled 150 miles to conduct our photo session, and we spent about 3–4 hours taking photographs in my office and around town. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with four people, including Ken (Founder), Megan (UX Designer), Anna (Associate UX Designer), and a marketing specialist.

How did you come to work with KRUTSCH?

I found them through a Google search.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent around $25,000–$30,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from December 2021–February 2022. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I was really happy with our website refresh project. I had a vision of lightening up the site from an aesthetic standpoint, and KRUTSCH met my goal. 

The site received positive feedback from initial viewers regarding its look and speed. It was faster, brighter, and more inviting. I also gained more site visitors compared to before. 

How did KRUTSCH perform from a project management standpoint?

KRUTSCH was team-oriented. We met in person twice and had 2–3 Zoom meetings, and everybody on their team was involved. I could also speak to Anna whenever I had an issue with the site’s design. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

KRUTSCH’s responsiveness was impressive. I had been very busy, and I appreciated that they would get back to me if I reached out. I could express my thoughts and interact with them whenever I had an idea. They also communicated well with me, and they were willing to listen. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Reach out to KRUTSCH — they’re very open and easy to work with. They are receptive to ideas.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m one of the founders and the CTO of Tortuga Logic, a cybersecurity company. We build products that detect and prevent security vulnerabilities in semiconductor and chip designs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KRUTSCH?

We wanted to build a new product to add onto our existing product portfolio, but we didn’t have a lot of in-house design and UX expertise. We needed to get a third party involved to help put together how the product would look and how users could interact with it, so we brought on KRUTSCH.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We first started with a discovery session in order for KRUTSCH to understand the requirements and the scope of what the product should do. Following that, we were able to work with them on putting together an initial user flow of how a customer would go about using the product. It showed everything from getting into the login screen, to navigating through different windows.

We had a lot of productive discussions and went into a more graphical design process. KRUTSCH built a lot of wireframes on Adobe XD and created an interactive prototype to help us visualize the user flow better. The team also created clickable icons. 

Ultimately, they were able to help us on the front end using React and JavaScript. 

What is the team composition?

We work with Ken (Founder & President) along with some head designers and frontend developers. There are at least five people that we’ve interacted with as we touched on the different compliments of the project. 

How did you come to work with KRUTSCH?

There were a lot of choices for UI/UX designer, but it was a rare opportunity that we found KRUTSCH through LinkedIn. The big thing for me was that they had a really good organizational structure. They have a phased approach when it comes to managing projects and they really specialized in the kind of deliverables we were looking for. 

When I was talking to them, they also seemed easy to work with. The communication was good, making it easy for me to capture how we could get started. That’s what made the barrier to entry very low and attractive. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested an amount within the range of $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in the fall, around November 2020. That’s when we officially agreed on the scope of the work. However, because we were near the holidays, the real work started in January 2021. We’re still working with the team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have done a lot of scoping upfront, but it’s hard to quantify what we receive from their end. Overall, KRUTSCH has a really good phased approach and their structuring of the project made it easy to know how much progress we were making and whether certain aspects were succeeding or not. They are very flexible and communicative about what we need to do and what they could realistically deliver on, which is always productive.

How did KRUTSCH perform from a project management standpoint?

The project management has been really good. Obviously, matters always come up, but KRUTSCH has kept the communication positive. If something was going to be delayed or if there was a problem, they would let us know ahead of time. That’s the most important part for me because we couldn’t always predict what was going to happen. KRUTSCH has also been pretty accurate with their time estimates and always deliver on it.

We don’t have any actual calls, but we do share a Slack channel where we correspond with each other frequently. We set up discussions as needed.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The most impressive thing is the way they communicated and organized their approach. KRUTSCH is straightforward with what they can or can’t do. It’s been very helpful for us. Whenever I speak with them, I know what they’re going to do and what I’m going to get. They don’t deliver anything that is contrary to what is expected. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

This is very specific to us because we’re bad with limited development. KRUTSCH is primarily a UI/UX design firm, but they do have developers. If they could offer more development support, it could be very valuable for us as we look to augment more of our staff or build certain components. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The more information you can provide to KRUTSCH, the better. When it comes to engaging outside parties, by nature, a lot of projects tend to be poorly scoped, especially around what the product should look like, what it’s supposed to do, or how a customer could work with it. My advice is to document as mucha s you can about the product functionality so that the team has something to go through and ask questions off of. 

KRUTSCH has expressed that they were happy with us giving them lots of information, otherwise they would’ve needed to extract it out of us. If you let them go down that path, you’re less likely to get an output that you’d like.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a company that’s working on the development of an app to prevent distracted driving.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KRUTSCH?

I came up with the idea to develop an app to prevent distracted driving. We decided to use KRUTSCH for the development of the app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

KRUTSCH provided an inclusive service. We presented the idea with a mind map that another company made for us. Their team then took the mind map and tweaked it here and there to make it better.

After, they built a prototype, which was handy because we didn’t know if we could accomplish our goal at the time. Their team then developed our app for iOS and Android. They also developed a promotional website and video for the platform.

KRUTSCH also connected us with a patent lawyer, so they did a lot of work for us on that end too. We’re now adding more features to the product before we start promoting it.

What is the team composition?

We've worked with Ken (Founder & President) and then three other individuals who Ken subcontracts.

How did you come to work with KRUTSCH?

We heard about KRUTSCH through a mutual friend who engaged them to develop her application. She highly recommended them. We contacted them among other agencies, and Ken won us over.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $200,000–$300,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around August 2019, and our app went into the App Store in March 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As we haven’t promoted the app yet, we don’t have much feedback. However, we’ve had interest in the app. The people who saw the app liked it. In fact, one of the agencies that may promote the platform was surprised that we were able to make it work. Many companies tried but weren’t successful.

How did KRUTSCH perform from a project management standpoint?

To keep track of the project, we use Evernote. There hasn't been a time when Ken hasn’t given us his full attention.

There was a moment when we felt the designers and developers weren’t working as hard as we expected. Ken communicated with them and made sure that his team performed at the expected level.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m impressed by my one-on-one interactions with Ken. KRUTSCH may be working on a number of projects, but they make us feel like our project’s number one.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It’s tough to tell because I haven’t previously worked with other developers.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure that you understand what you want before you start the project. If you go into a development project without a clear idea, you can go down the wrong path. That’ll cost you a lot of time and money.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president and CEO of Go Another Level Inc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KRUTSCH?

We needed someone to develop our iOS app with AR features.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, we had a pretty lengthy consultation. Our concept was completely innovative. It had never been done before and required custom work, so there were no templates involved. They then introduced me to their patent attorney, who was able to file my patents. 

We did an R&D phase for a little while. The progress was faster than any of us expected. They suggested a POC after the consultation, but after a few months, we decided it would be easier to develop the app in its entirety. 

They developed an app for iOS 10S and up, and for the iPad Pro. Both are AR apps that feature 3D avatars that mimic the user's body language and movement.

When users first enter the app, they come upon an instruction screen. But right after that, they're able to choose an avatar from the library. Their options include an army soldier, a woman, a man, a nurse, a doctor, and there’s even some cool stuff on there like a soda can or superhero characters. Users can cover themselves up with the avatar, place it next to them, and change its size.  

What is the team composition?

I originally met 10 people on the initial call. After that, most of my communication was with Kenneth (Founder), Emma (UX Designer), and two others. Kenneth was my main point of contact.

How did you come to work with KRUTSCH?

I found them through a Google search. We researched them in detail before deciding to move forward, and I’m really thankful that I did.

I've worked with another software developer in the past and had planned to work with them again. After finding KRUTSCH, I decided to work with both of them.

The other company was much bigger and I expected them to produce faster. However, KRUTSCH blew them out of the water. They were cheaper and easier to communicate with. Additionally, we finished months ahead of time. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March–October 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When we discovered bugs, they were able to get them fixed within hours. When initially submitted to the App Store, it was rejected. But KRUTSCH put together a plan of attack and it was approved within hours.

They weren’t afraid to attack something they had never done before. Even though it was new to them, they were still able to deliver high-quality work. It was extremely impressive. 

How did KRUTSCH perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was the most impressive part. I was comfortable the entire time we worked with them. If I had a question, they responded, answered questions, and provided insight that would give me more information on that topic. 

We had weekly Zoom calls, and I was always able to speak to them within 2–4 hours after I requested a meeting. They kept me in the loop with everything and I was able to sit in on their team meetings if I wanted to.

They were flexible and made adjustments as needed. It was a great experience. They have integrity and they provide quality service. They communicate well, and I felt I was working with good people.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The CEO is very well-versed in software development and thinks outside of the box. While our larger partner was convinced that we needed more time for development, KRUTSCH was confident that the platform would be on the App Store within three days. They distinguished themselves from their competitors by communicating well and understanding the project goals. They had all the resources we needed to be successful. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think anything could have been done better. I’ve not been able to say that before.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be as transparent as possible. Don’t be afraid to put too much on them and ask as many questions as possible. Give yourself a chance to see the difference between them and their competitors. 

Unlike their competitors, they're very transparent. Their contracts are straightforward and are always in the client's favor. You can definitely trust them.